Daily Recovery Readings
July 8, 2018

Daily Reflection

AN EVER-GROWING FREEDOM

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 STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, 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 a 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.

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

Big Book Quote

“Though we work out our solution on the spiritual as well as an altruistic plane, we favor hospitalization for the alcoholic who is very jittery or befogged. More often than not, it is imperative that a man’s brain be cleared before he is approached, as he has then a better chance of understanding and accepting what we have to offer.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Doctor’s Opinion, pg. xxvi~

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

Imagination excels even in the most logical places. If a plan for a professional project or a group event is brewing in your brain, speak up or miss out. Colleagues and coworkers are more receptive to your ideas now, and by putting your thoughts out there, others can collaboratively build upon them. Fullness is extension, and without creative expression you will be unfulfilled. Listen to your intuition, share with conviction, and be transformed by the expansion of your mind.

Daily Recovery Readings
July 7, 2018

Daily Reflection

. . . AND LETTING GO OF IT

. . . primarily fear that we would lose something we already possessed or would fail to get something we demanded. Living upon a basis of unsatisfied demands, we were in a state of continual disturbance and frustration. Therefore, no peace was to be had unless we could find a means of reducing these demands. The difference between a demand and a simple request is plain to anyone.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 76

Peace is possible for me only when I let go of expectations. When I’m trapped in thoughts about what I want and what should be coming to me, I’m in a state of fear or anxious anticipation and this is not conducive to emotional sobriety. I must surrender – over and over – to the reality of my dependence on God, for then I find peace, gratitude and spiritual security.

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

Big Book Quote

“At a certain point in the drinking of every alcoholic, he passes into a state where the most powerful desire to stop drinking is of absolutely no avail. This tragic situation has already arrived in practically every case long before it is suspected.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 24~

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

Grab your courage and take the leap today. If not now, when? A flash of intuitive insight shows you how your gifts could bless your sphere of influence and beyond. However, aiming for perfectionism keeps you stagnant; start your new endeavor by simply trusting your vision. Think of who you know with complementary talents to yours, and reach out from a place of desiring collaborative strength instead of neediness. The smallest step of willingness opens a new realm of support from unlikely sources. Anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Daily Recovery Readings
July 6, 2018

Daily Reflection

IDENTIFYING FEAR . . .

The chief activator of our defects has been self-centered fear. . . .

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 76

When I feel uncomfortable, irritated, or depressed, I look for fear. This “evil and corroding thread” is the root of my distress: Fear of failure; fear of others’ opinions; fear of harm, and many other fears. I have found a Higher Power who does not want me to live in fear and, as a result, the experience of A.A. in my life is freedom and joy. I am no longer willing to live with the multitude of character defects that characterized my life while I was drinking. Step Seven is my vehicle to freedom from these defects. I pray for help in identifying the fear underneath the defect, and then I ask God to relieve me of that fear. This method works for me without fail and is one of the great miracles of my life in Alcoholics Anonymous.

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

Big Book Quote

“Despite all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going to believe they are in that class. By every form of self-deception and experimentation, they will try to prove themselves exceptions to the rule, therefore nonalcoholic. If anyone who is showing inability to control his drinking can do the right-about-face and drink like a gentleman, our hats are off to him. Heaven knows, we have tried hard enough and long enough to drink like other people!”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 31~

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

Ironically, an uncomfortable workplace situation might actually propel you forward. In the bigger picture, tension can be the perfect catalyst for growth. Connect with integrity in all of your interactions, whether it’s in a one-on-one partnership or a group collaboration. Take pride and hold yourself accountable for the many valuable roles you play. Hopefully, choosing to travel the high road inspires others to do the same.

Daily Recovery Readings
July 5, 2018

Daily Reflection

A NEW DIRECTION

Our human resources, as marshalled 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

“Many of us keep liquor in our homes. We often need it to carry green recruits through a severe hangover. Some of us still serve it to our friends provided they are not alcoholic. But some of us think we should not serve liquor to anyone. We never argue this question. We feel that each family, in the light of their own circumstances, ought to decide for themselves.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 102~

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 prefect. 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

Your sensitivity adds steam to your professional life. The enterprising Aries Moon stimulates your self-awareness today, but there’s no need for passive aggression. If everyone immediately snapped to attention and performed as you commanded, there would be no catalyst for growth in your interpersonal communication skills. Speak how you want to be spoken to by infusing a heart-centered energy to the delivery of your message. Author Chetan Bhagat wrote, “Be so busy improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.”

Daily Recovery Readings
July 3, 2018

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

“When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.”

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

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

Today brings some gravity to how you show nurturance. While there is an expansive flow of spirit and emotions, Saturn is calling for a disciplined and reserved way of showing up for others. If it seems you’re speaking a different language in conversation, pause and ask questions to demonstrate your desire to understand where someone is coming from. This allows others to feel truly heard while you read between the lines to feel the essence of the message. Active listening creates the space for authentic connection.

Daily Recovery Readings
July 2, 2018

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

“If we are planning to stop drinking, there must be no reservation of any kind, nor any lurking notion that someday we will be immune to alcohol.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 33~

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

Today’s cosmic weather supports roaming and adventure. Whether it’s enjoying a more scenic route to work or indulging in your daydreams, going with the flow brings a lightness of spirit and optimism. Breaking free from the mundane tickles your heart. Feel free to detach from your old philosophical ideals in the random pursuit of knowledge. Shaking up the status quo is the name of the game, so welcome new opportunities when they knock at your door. The possibilities are endless if you’re willing to embrace the unknown.

Daily Recovery Readings
July 1, 2018

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

“Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 62~

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

Your magnetism is your superpower, so you don’t have to chase when everyone is drawn to you. Others can’t help but be attracted to a fresh spark in your energy that is both subtle and magnanimous. Boundaries are sexy, so don’t forget your built-in crab shell protection. Today’s presentations can set the stage for new frontiers in partnership and professionalism as the month unfolds. You’ll know who to let in and what to receive if you simply trust your intuition.

Daily Recovery Readings
June 30, 2018

<b><u>Daily Reflection</b></u>

SACRIFICE = UNITY = SURVIVAL

The unity, the effectiveness, and even the survival of A.A. will always depend upon our continued willingness to give up some of our personal ambitions and desires for the common safety and welfare. Just as sacrifice means survival for the individual alcoholic, so does sacrifice mean unity and survival for the group and for A.A.’s entire Fellowship.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 220

I have learned that I must sacrifice some of my personality traits for the good of A.A. and, as a result, I have been rewarded with many gifts. False pride can be inflated through prestige but, by living Tradition Six, I receive the gift of humility instead. Cooperation without affiliation is often deceiving. If I remain unrelated to outside interests, I am free to keep A.A. autonomous. Then the Fellowship will be here, healthy and strong for generations to come.

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

<b><u>Big Book Quote</b></u>

“When people presented us with spiritual approaches, how frequently did we all say, “I wish I had what that man has. I’m sure it would work if I could only believe as he believes. But I cannot accept as surely true the many articles of faith which are so plain to him.” So it was comforting to learn that we could commence at a simpler level.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 47~

<b><u>Keep It Simple</b></u>

If you don’t know where you are going, You’ll probably end up somewhere else.
— Lawrence J. Peter

The Twelve Steps are our plan of living. We must have a plan. Without one, we waste our energy.
We react instead of think. This is what we did as an addict. We lived our lives as out-of-control people. This caused a lot of pain for us and those around us.

Recovery brings us the Twelve Steps, and each Step gives us direction and wisdom. Each Step builds on the progress we made from the Step before it. Sometimes we follow the plan well. Sometimes we think we can do better on our own. Do I believe the Twelve Steps are a good plan of living?

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, You have shown me a new way of life, a plan for living. Thank you for leading me to the Twelve Steps. Help me follow them.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll take time out to read the Twelve Steps. Then I’ll list three reasons why the Steps are a good plan for living.

<b><u>Daily Horoscope – Cancer</b></u>

Although you are quick to absorb incoming data today, you must be careful about trusting everything you learn, especially when it comes to finances. Irrepressible Uranus tussles with insightful Mercury in your 2nd House of Money, tempting you to jump to conclusions if you think you know more than you do. You may not be able to prove your unconventional ideas based upon actual research, but what you sense now is worth more than a string of isolated facts. Arthur C. Clarke wrote, “The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible.”

Daily Recovery Readings
June 29, 2018

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

Important matters demand your attention today and it’s best you concentrate on the business at hand. Unfortunately, you might rather be doing something else, but it’s not wise to follow your impulses when responsibilities are left unmet. A little strategizing goes a long way now, so figure out what you must do, make a plan and then get to work. Luckily, your current efforts will likely have a greater impact than you realize, even if it takes time to see the results. Warren Buffett said, “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”