Daily Recovery Readings for July 8, 2017:

Daily Reflection

AN EVER-GROWING FREEDOM, p.198

The Seventh Step is where we make the change in our attitude
which permits us, with humility as our guide, to move out from
ourselves toward others and toward God.

~Twelve & Twelve, p.76

When I finally asked God to remove those things blocking me
from Him and the sunlight of the Spirit, I embarked on a journey
more glorious than I ever imagined. I experienced freedom from
those characteristics that had me wrapped up in myself. Because
of this humbling Step, I feel clean. I am especially aware of this
Step because I’m now able to be useful to God and to my fellows. I
know that He has granted me strength to do His bidding and has
prepared me for anyone, and anything, that comes my way today. I
am truly in His hands, and I give thanks for the joy that I can be useful
today.

Big Book Quote

“Let families realize, as they start their journey, that all will not be fair weather. Each in his turn may be footsore and may struggle. There will be alluring shortcuts and by-paths down which they may wander and lose their way.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 122~

Keep It Simple

Pain can’t be avoided. It’s as natural as joy. – Unknown

We got into a lot of trouble trying to avoid pain. We used alcohol and other drugs to avoid pain. We didn’t want to accept pain as a fact of life.

We can’t avoid pain, but now we have the program. The program teaches us how to talk about our pain. The program teaches how to turn over our pain to our Higher Power.
We don’t have to be alone when we face pain. We have friends to go to. Before, when we hurt, we ran to alcohol or other drugs.

Now, when we hurt, we run to the comfort of our sponsor and our program friends.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me accept pain as part of life. Help me remember that You are always there to help me with my pain. I’m not alone.

Today’s Action:
Today, I’ll list three painful events in my life. I’ll talk with a friend about them.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You’re ready to lighten the mood but it seems as if everyone else is being overly serious today. Although there appears to be an attitude difference between you and those close to you, this might be a reflection of your inner dynamics. Take a few moments to check on your unexpressed feelings, especially if you’re angry about an issue you don’t wish to discuss. Author Steven Pressfield wrote, “Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands resistance.”

Daily Recovery Readings for July 7, 2017:

Daily Reflection

Big Book Quote

“Let no alcoholic say he cannot recover unless he has his family back. This just isn’t so. In some cases, the wife will never come back for one reason or another. Remind the prospect that his recovery is not dependent upon people. It is dependent upon his relationship with God. We have seen men get well whose families have not returned at all. We have seen others slip when the family came back too soon.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 99~

Keep It Simple

Be brave enough to accept the help of others.

Often is the past, we acted like we didn’t need anyone. It takes courage to let others help us.

As we get better, our courage grows. We invite people into our lives. We help others, and we let others help us.

We will learn to let others help us if we work our program. Why? Because we need others to stay sober. When we have a problem, we talk about it in our group. When we need a shoulder to cry on, we call a friend or our sponsor. Over time, our relationships become one of the biggest rewards of recovery.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me see my need for others as a test—a test to see if I’ll be brave enough and wise enough to ask for help when I need it.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll list four times in my life when I needed help but didn’t ask for it. I’ll tell a friend about how these times would have been different if I had asked for help.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Pursuing a relationship for business or pleasure may be so effortless today that you don’t realize the intensity of your charm. But your inflated expectations could lead to disappointment later in the day when reality sets back in. Fortunately, you can minimize the let down by remaining cautious from the beginning. However, there’s no reason to entertain negativity, either. Focus on the present moment without turning any molehills into mountains. Jack Welch said, “Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it to be.”

Daily Recovery Readings for July 6, 2017:

Daily Reflection

Big Book Quote

“In dealing with resentments, we set them on paper. We listed people, institutions or principles with whom we were angry. We asked ourselves why we were angry. In most cases, it was found that our self-esteem, our pocketbooks, our ambitions, our personal
relationships,(including sex) were hurt or threatened.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 64~

Keep It Simple

When fate hands us a lemon, let’s try to make lemonade.—Dale Carnegie

Our illness is one big lemon, but our recovery is lemonade. None of us signed up to be drunks or drugies, but we all signed up for recovery. That’s when the happiness began.

Yes, there will be pain, but the joy will far outweigh the pain. The sweet joy of recovery becomes our drink—our lemonade. And, do we drink!

We have new friends. We love ourselves, our Higher Power, our family, and much more.

We are creative when we give joy, love, and help to others and to ourselves. If your lemonade isn’t sweet enough, add more of your program.
Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, it’s easy to forget how much You’ve given me. Thank you for all the joy and love You have given me.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll write down what part of recovery I really enjoy. I will then share this list with my group or friend.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You might harbor regrets about something you recently did, especially if you didn’t heed the common-sense advice you received. It’s possible that you had an excellent idea and simply took it too far. Fortunately, there’s still time to compensate for overplaying your hand, but you need to act quickly. There’s no shame in retreating in order to consolidate your position today. However, if you continue to ignore an imbalance of your making, you will suffer the consequences soon enough. People who create their own drama are subject to their own karma.

Daily Recovery Readings
July 5, 2017

Daily Reflection

A NEW DIRECTION

Our human resources, as marshaled by the will, were not sufficient; they failed utterly. . . . Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all our activities.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 45, 85

I hear talk of the “weak-willed” alcoholic, but I am one of the strongest-willed people on earth! I now know that my incredible strength of will is not enough to save my life. My problem is not one of “weakness,” but rather of direction. When I, without falsely diminishing myself, accept my honest limitations and turn to God’s guidance, my worst faults become my greatest assets. My strong will, rightly directed, keeps me working until the promises of the program become my daily reality.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual
condition.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 85~

Keep It Simple

If at first, you don’t succeed, you’re running about average.—Ovid

Our program speaks of spiritual progress, not perfection. We can take all the time we need. Our bottom line is steady progress. We can ask ourselves, “Am I a little more spiritual than I was a year ago? A month ago?” If the answer is yes, we’re doing great. If the answer is no, we should look at why.

Our illness pushes us to be perfect. In recovery, we learn that we are free to be what we are—human. Even the world’s fastest runners are average in most other areas of their lives. This is okay. Remember, “spiritual progress, not perfection.”

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, I’ll not be ashamed of how average I am. I’ll remember I’m average—and that’s good.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list what is average about me. I’ll share this with a friend. Than I’ll ask my friend what is special about me.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You can tell there are big changes coming, even if everything seems copacetic today. It feels like a big storm is brewing and you’re not buying into the sunny weather forecast. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to stay calm as pockets of political and emotional turbulence approach. Fortunately, addressing your fears helps to alleviate your concerned anticipation. Engaging in a heart-to-heart conversation with a trusted friend softens your worries now and offers the support you need. Think globally; act locally.

Daily Recovery Readings
July 3, 2017

Daily Reflection

EXPERIENCE: THE BEST TEACHER

Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 87

Some say that experience is the best teacher, but I believe that experience is the only teacher. I have been able to learn of God’s love for me only by the experience of my dependence on that love. At first I could not be sure of His direction in my life, but now I see that if I am to be bold enough to ask for His guidance, I must act as if He has provided it. I frequently ask God to help me remember that He has a path for me.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends this is an experience you must not miss.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 89~

Keep It Simple

We are only as sick as the secrets we keep.— Anonymous

It is dangerous for us to keep secrets. Shame builds, and we’ll want relief. We may turn to alcohol or other drugs. True relief comes by talking about our secrets, by sharing who we really are with others. Our program helps us live a life based on honesty. Our program helps us battle shame. We don’t keep secrets anymore. We start our meetings and share what we tried to keep secret before.

” Hi, my name is____________, and I’m am alcoholic.” ” Hi my name is_____________, and I’m a drug addict.” We keep telling our secret, and the shame gets less and less.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, I pray to live an honest life.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list any secrets I’ve been keeping. I’ll talk with my sponsor about them.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Although sharing your fantasies takes courage, it also requires a methodical approach today. Your feelings are running deeper now, so just blurting your truth at the first opportunity might seem out of context to others. Don’t just jump directly to the punchline; tell your story from the beginning so everyone can follow along. Often, the fastest route isn’t the best one when it comes to delivering your message. Consider your audience before opening your mouth.

Daily Recovery Readings
July 2, 2017

Daily Reflection

THE HEART OF TRUE SOBRIETY

We find that no one need have difficulty with the spirituality of the program. Willingness, honesty and open-mindedness are the essentials of recovery. But these are indispensable.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 568

Am I honest enough to accept myself as I am and let this be the “me” that I let others see? Do I have the willingness to go to any length, to do whatever is necessary to stay sober? Do I have the open-mindedness to hear what I have to hear, to think what I have to think, and to feel what I have to feel?

If my answer to these questions is “Yes,” I know enough about the spirituality of the program to stay sober. As I continue to work the Twelve Steps, I move on to the heart of true sobriety: serenity with myself, with others, and with God as I understand Him.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all of our activities.  How can I best serve Thee—, Thy will (not mine) be done.” These are thoughts which  just go with us constantly.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 85~

Keep It Simple

I never think of the future. It comes soon enough. — Albert Einstein

None of us know anything for sure about the future. We don’t know if we’ll be sober tomorrow.

But we can be sure of this moment. We get sober by moments. Our sober moments then stretch into hours, day, and years.

Our program tell us to live in the present moment. This is because we can control this moment

We can’t control the past or the future. We need to have a sense of control in our life. In our illness, we were out of control. This was because we wouldn’t live from moment to moment.

Each moment is filled with as much life as we can handle. Each moment is filled with enough to keep us alive, interested, and growing.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me find You in each moment.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll stop and focus on the present moment. I will work to see how much control I can have if I stay with the moment at hand.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You could lose your temper if someone says they will do something today, and then turns around and does the complete opposite. Your tendency is to hide your disappointment because you don’t trust how people will respond to your strong feelings. Unfortunately, withholding your emotions still sends mixed messages that further complicate your existence. Recognize the impermanence of a temporary situation. As Beatles George Harrison wrote, “All things must pass. All things must fade away.”

Daily Recovery Readings
July 1, 2017

Daily Reflection

THE BEST FOR TODAY

The principles we have set down are guides to progress.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 60

Just as a sculptor will use different tools to achieve desired effects in creating a work of art, in Alcoholics Anonymous the Twelve Steps are used to bring about results in my own life. I do not overwhelm myself with life’s problems, and how much more work needs to be done. I let myself be comforted in knowing that my life is now in the hands of my Higher Power, a master craftsman who is shaping each part of my life into a unique work of art. By working my program I can be satisfied, knowing that “in doing the best that we can for today, we are doing all that God asks of us.”

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“Opinions vary considerably as to why the alcoholic reacts differently from normal people. We are not sure why, once a certain point is reached, little can be done for him. We cannot answer the riddle.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 22~

Keep It Simple

Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.—Step Seven

In Step Six, we got ready to give up our shortcomings. In Step Seven, we ask God to remove them. There is one catch. We humbly as God to remove them.

Being humble means we remember who we are: human beings who need God’s help. Being humble means not pretending we’re God. We admit we need God’s help. Being humble means seeing ourselves as we are. We’re a small but important part of God’s plan. We can change much, but only God can change some things about us. This is why we ask. Being humble is not a weakness, but a true strength.

Prayer for the Day:
God, please remove my shortcomings.

Action for the Day:
Throughout the day, I’ll pray to God to remove my shortcomings.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

It seems as if people disagree with you today no matter what you say, leaving you to consider a strategy based on non-communication. You’re not in the mood to share your feelings with anyone because you don’t want to waste time and energy defending your motives. However, keeping your plans to yourself enables everyone else to make assumptions without basing them on reality. Reveal personal information on a need-to-know basis. Although words have consequences, so does silence.

Daily Recovery Readings

June 29, 2017

Daily Reflection

A RIPPLING EFFECT

Having learned to live so happily, we’d show everyone else how. . . . Yes, we of A.A. did dream those dreams. How natural that was, since most alcoholics are bankrupt idealists. . . . So why shouldn’t we share our way of life with everyone?

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 156

The great discovery of sobriety led me to feel the need to spread the “good news” to the world around me. The grandiose thoughts of my drinking days returned. Later, I learned that concentrating on my own recovery was a full-time process. As I became a sober citizen in this world, I observed a rippling effect which, without any conscious effort on my part, reached any “related facility or outside enterprise,” without diverting me from my primary purpose of staying sober and helping other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“We began to see that the world and its people really dominated us. In that state, the wrong-doing of others, fancied or real, had power to actually kill. How could we escape? We saw that these resentments must be mastered, but how? We could not wish them away any more than alcohol.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 66~

Keep It Simple

I don’t believe in the life afterlife, although I am bringing a change of underwear.
—Woody Allen

Most of us have many questions about a Higher Power. Sometimes we have more questions than answers. No matter how much we believe about God, there are always questions. Why do bad things happen if God is good? Does God punish people?

Is God called Jesus, Buddha, the Great Spirit? Perhaps we’ve chosen a name for our Higher Power, or maybe we haven’t. Yet, we know there is some Power great than ourselves that’s helping us in recovery.

We know what we need to know about God for today. We know how to ask for help, and how to accept help.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me to know You more clearly. There’s much I’m not sure about. For now, I will act as if the help I get comes from You.

Action for the Day:
I’ll think of three ways my Higher Power has done just the right thing for me.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You don’t appreciate it when people take advantage of your loving nature. Unfortunately, someone might be pressuring you to support their cause as domineering Pluto opposes Mercury in your reclusive sign. However, the more you are pushed, the more you resist any effort to manipulate your behavior. Your first inclination is to walk away from conflict, but it’s smarter to get everything out into the open today. Break through your resistance because nothing will be said if you wait for others to stand up for you. You are the only person who can change your life.

Daily Recovery Readings

June 28, 2017

Daily Reflection

THE DETERMINATION OF OUR FOUNDERS

A year and six months later these three had succeeded with seven more.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 159

If it had not been for the fierce determination of our founders, A.A. would have quickly faded like so many other so-called good causes. I look at the hundreds of meetings weekly in the city where I live and I know A.A. is available twenty-four hours a day. If I had had to hang on with nothing but hope and a desire not to drink, experiencing rejection wherever I went, I would have sought the easier, softer way and returned to my previous way of life.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us!”
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 57~

Keep It Simple

The closest to perfection a person ever comes is when he fills out a job application form.
–Stanley J. Randall

Trying to be perfect get us into trouble. Trying to be perfect means we’re trying to control things.We may be trying to cover up something. Maybe we aren’t facing our pain. Maybe we’ve hurt someone and we need to make amends.

We need to practice being human. Humans aren’t perfect. In Steps Six and Seven, we face our human limits and our shortcomings. We then start the lifelong job of letting them go. To accept our human limits leads us to our Higher Power. We see how we need a guide in life. Our Higher Power makes a perfect guide.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me accept that I can’t be perfect. Help me be a good human being.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll list my shortcoming. I’ll talk with a friend about them. I’ll ask my friend to tell me what my good qualities are.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You can be so angry with someone you love today that you can’t even say a word. Your thoughts are running all around and there’s no place to jump in and start talking. If asked how you are doing, you might reply that you are well, without giving a hint of your internal turmoil. Ironically, this difference between your inner and outer world may be quite familiar. The longer left untended, the greater the problem. Start untangling your feelings now by asking someone you respect to listen without interfering in your process. You don’t need to be right; you only need to be heard.