Daily Recovery Readings
March 28, 2018

Daily Reflection

EQUALITY

Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 563

Prior to A.A., I often felt that I didn’t “fit in” with the people around me. Usually “they” had more/ less money than I did, and my points of view didn’t jibe with “theirs.” The amount of prejudice I had experienced in society only proved to me just how phony some self-righteous people were. After joining A.A., I found the way of life I had been searching for. In A.A. no member is better than any other member; we’re just alcoholics trying to recover from alcoholism.

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

Big Book Quote

“…I would enter upon a new relationship with my Creator; that I would have the elements of a way of living which answered all my problems. Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, Page 13~

Keep It Simple

God is not a cosmic bellboy.—Harry Emerson Fosdick

We have to laugh when we look back at the times we treated God like our servant. Who did we think we were, ordering God to do something for us? But we got away with it. God even did some of the things we asked. Now we know that our Higher Power is not a servant. As we work the Steps, we know we don’t give orders to our Higher Power. We don’t expect God to work miracles every time we’d like one. we’re asking our Higher Power to lead us. After all, who knows what is best for us—our Higher Power or us? Our Higher Power has many wonderful gifts for us. Our Higher Power will show us goals, help us live in love and joy, and give us strength.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, show me ways to help others as You’ve helped me. I’m grateful that You love me and help me.

Action for the Day:
Today ,I’ll make a list of times my Higher Power has helped me out of trouble.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You are wondering what happened to your long-awaited raise or any sort of acknowledgment for the work you do. But don’t throw in the towel while resourceful Venus casts her spell on unpredictable Uranus in your 10th House of Professional Status. Recognition for your contributions, whether monetary or not, could occur when you least expect it. In the meantime, continue to diligently plug away while assuming good news will follow. Thomas Edison said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

Daily Recovery Readings
March 27, 2018

Daily Reflection

A.A.’s FREEDOMS

We trust that we already know what our several freedoms truly are; that no future generation of AAs will ever feel compelled to limit them. Our AA freedoms create the soil in which genuine love can grow. . . .

— THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART, p. 303

I craved freedom. First, freedom to drink; later, freedom from drink. The A.A. program of recovery rests on a foundation of free choice. There are no mandates, laws or commandments. A.A.’s spiritual program, as outlined in the Twelve Steps, and by which I am offered even greater freedoms, is only suggested. I can take it or leave it. Sponsorship is offered, not forced, and I come and go as I will. It is these and other freedoms that allow me to recapture the dignity that was crushed by the burden of drink, and which is so dearly needed to support an enduring sobriety.

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

Big Book Quote

“…we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, Page 25~

Keep It Simple

The secret success is constancy of purpose. — Benjamin Disraeli

In Twelve Step meetings, we don’t talk about counseling, treatment centers, or non-program reading. Many of us have been helped in these ways, but we shouldn’t confuse them with Twelve Step programs. We must keep our Twelve Step programs pure, no matter what is in style among counselors or at treatment centers, or what the latest books say. Certainly, we should use these sources if they help us, but not in our program meetings. There, we must stick to the basics that have helped addicts recover all over the world for many years. Steps, traditions, meetings, sponsorship—these things work, no matter what is in style.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, let me be there to help an addict in need, by sharing my Twelve Step program.

Action for the Day:
I will help out today be being a sponsor or by calling a new member, just to say hello.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You can feel the near-constant pressure from a good friend who believes you should be doing your job differently. In fact, your fellow coworkers may also be trying to motivate you to participate in a significant project at work. However, much to their chagrin, you’re so emotionally tired now that your answer will probably be no. Keep in mind your involvement in a professional collaboration could nudge you out of your funk and back into the real world. Author Eve Sawyer wrote, “Never underestimate the power of passion.”

Daily Recovery Readings
March 26, 2018

Daily Reflection

THE TEACHING IS NEVER OVER

Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. May God bless you and keep you—until then.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 164

These words put a lump in my throat each time I read them. In the beginning it was because I felt, “Oh no! The teaching is over. Now I’m on my own. It will never be this new again.” Today I feel deep affection for our A.A. pioneers when I read this passage, realizing that it sums up all of what I believe in, and strive for, and that—with God’s blessing—the teaching is never over, I’m never on my own, and every day is brand new.

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

Big Book Quote

“For a brief moment, I had needed and wanted God. There had been a humble willingness to have Him with me — and He came.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, Page 12~

Keep It Simple

We are here to add what we can to, not to get what we can get from, Life.
~Sir William Osler

Service is a word we hear in our recovery program. Service means work we do for others. It’s the backbone of our program. The reason is simple. Service to our Higher Power and to others breaks down our wanting to be self-centered. Service brings us back into the world. We really are part of the group when we pitch in to make coffee, set up chairs, or talk in meetings. We really feel like part of the family when we run errands and help with meals and housework. We really connect with our Higher Power when we pray, “Use me today to help others.” Service breaks down the feeling of being alone that being self -centered brings.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me to be of service to You and others. Show me what is needed.

Action for the Day:
Today will be a service day. I’ll see how valued I am. I’ll give to others, knowing that I, too, will receive.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Dynamics at work are finally changing, allowing you to accelerate your progress. If you have your heart set on a specific goal, it may appear to be within reach now. However, you could make the mistake of falling victim to your own idealist narrative, only to face disappointment before you know it. Your road to success is not a superhighway, but it will get you there if you work with determination and patience. Salma Hayek said, “I don’t have stamina in exercise — but I have it in life.”

Daily Recovery Readings
March 25, 2018

Daily Reflection

A FULL AND THANKFUL HEART

I try hard to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful heart cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one’s heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion that we can ever know.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 37

I believe that we in Alcoholics Anonymous are fortunate in that we are constantly reminded of the need to be grateful and of how important gratitude is to our sobriety. I am truly grateful for the sobriety God has given me through the A.A. program and am glad I can give back what was given to me freely. I am grateful not only for sobriety, but for the quality of life my sobriety has brought. God has been gracious enough to give me sober days and a life blessed with peace and contentment, as well as the ability to give and receive love, and the opportunity to serve others—in our Fellowship, my family and my community. For all of this, I have “a full and thankful heart.”

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

Big Book Quote

“Remember that we deal with alcohol, cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power that One is God. May you find Him now!”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, Page 58~

Keep It Simple

The artist who aims at perfection in everything achieves it in nothing.—Eugene Delacroix

Trying to be prefect puts distance between us and our Higher Power. Trying to be perfect shows we’re ashamed of being human. In recovery, we accept that we’re human. We try to be the best human we can be. We used to get high to feel powerful and god-like. But God is not just power. God is also gentleness. Gentleness and love are the power we look for on recovery. We work to be human. We work to know the loving, gentle side of ourselves and our Higher Power. Remember, if we try to be god, we’ll fail. If we try to be human, we’ll win.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me give up trying to be perfect. Help me always keep in mind that I’m human—which means, I’m not perfect.

Action for the Day:
Part of being human is making mistakes. Today, I’ll see my mistakes as chances to learn.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You’re not sure why there’s a gray cloud following you around today, but you could snap at someone you love. Oddly enough, you may not even be annoyed at that person; your feelings seem to come from out of the blue. Although your apology might be heartfelt, you cannot take back the words you said in a burst of emotion. Think twice before you say anything at all. Silence is your saving grace. Dr. Laurence J. Peter wrote, “Speak when you are angry, and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.”

Daily Recovery Readings
March 24, 2018

Daily Reflection

ACTIVE, NOT PASSIVE

Man is supposed to think, and act. He wasn’t made in God’s image to be an automaton.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 55

Before I joined A.A., I often did not think, and reacted to people and situations. When not reacting I acted in a mechanical fashion. After joining A.A., I started seeking daily guidance from a Power greater than myself, and learning to listen for that guidance. Then I began to make decisions and act on them, rather than react to them. The results have been constructive; I no longer allow others to make decisions for me and then criticize me for it.

Today—and every day—with a heart full of gratitude, and a desire for God’s will to be done through me, my life is worth sharing, especially with my fellow alcoholics! Above all, if I do not make a religion out of anything, even A.A., then I can be an open channel for God’s expression.

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

Big Book Quote

“…the main problem of the alcoholic centers in his mind, rather than in his body.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, Page 23~

Keep It Simple

Love your enemy it will drive him nuts. ~Eleanor Doan

Love you enemy. It’s a lot easier on you! Hating someone takes so much time and energy.

Loving your enemy means, instead of trying to get even, you let your Higher Power handle that person. Of course, loving your enemy is also hard. It means giving up control. It means giving up self-will. We addicts naturally want to control things and people.

This is where we turn to our program for help. We learn to love our enemies, not for some grand reason. We simply do it because hate can cause us to use alcohol or other drugs again.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, watch over my family, friends, and my enemies. Take from me my desire to control. Take from me all reasons to get high.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll list all my enemies. I’ll say each of their names, and then I’ll read the Third Step out loud.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You might be a reluctant participant today, but you hesitantly step up and join the fun anyhow. The reflective Moon’s current visit to sensitive Cancer urges you to fly beneath the radar so you can deflect anyone else’s negativity. However, you no longer need to hide once you shift your emotional frame of reference from fear to love. But changing your attitude won’t fix everything by itself. You must also search for the subtle messages that lurk behind your frustration. Rapper Drew Chadwick said, “A soul living in tune with its internal purpose is bound to create utter magic.”

Daily Recovery Readings
March 23, 2018

Daily Reflection

. . . AND NO MORE RESERVATIONS

We have seen the truth again and again: “Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.”. . . 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. . . . To be gravely affected, one does not necessarily have to drink a long time nor take the quantities some of us have. This is particularly true of women. Potential female alcoholics often turn into the real thing and are gone beyond recall in a few years.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 33

These words are underlined in my book. They are true for men and women alcoholics. On many occasions I’ve turned to this page and reflected on this passage. I need never fool myself by recalling my sometimes differing drinking patterns, or by believing I am “cured.” I like to think that, if sobriety is God’s gift to me, then my sober life is my gift to God. I hope God is as happy with His gift as I am with mine.

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

Big Book Quote

“Those having religious affiliations will find here nothing disturbing to their beliefs or ceremonies. There is no friction among us over such matters.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, Page 28~

Keep It Simple

If anything, we have tended to be people who have wanted it all now. To hope is not to demand. —On hope

Maybe we were a bit demanding. Maybe we were a bit impatient. Maybe that’s why we such little hope.
Hope is believing good will, even in bad times. Hope is knowing that “this too, shall pass.” Hope is knowing that no mater how afraid we are, God will be with us. Hope is knowing we never have to be alone again. It is knowing that time is o our side. Hope is giving up control. Hope is knowing we never had control in the first place. Hope is believing in ourselves. Hope is what our program is all about.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, in our program we share our experiences, our strengths, and our hopes. Thank you for giving all three of these to me to share.

Action for the Day:
I will share my hope for the future with myself, my Higher Power, and my friends. I also will share this with someone who has lost hope.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You could be painfully aware of the conflict between your desire for personal expression and the pressure you feel from your career responsibilities. You don’t like being rushed along too quickly; instead, you want to dig in your heels and tell everyone to leave you alone today. Asking for what you want doesn’t necessarily mean you will be satisfied. However, you might not be able to stop yourself from demanding more, even if this kind of assertive behavior isn’t your usual style. Make a quick retreat to regain your emotional security if you say more than you intend. Cicero wrote, “Silence is one of the great arts of conversation.”

Daily Recovery Readings
March 22, 2018

Daily Reflection

NO MORE STRUGGLE. . .

And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone—even alcohol.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 84

When A.A. found me, I thought I was in for a struggle, and that A.A. might provide the strength I needed to beat alcohol. Victorious in that fight, who knows what other battles I could win. I would need to be strong, though. All my previous experience with life proved that. Today I do not have to struggle or exert my will. If I take those Twelve Steps and let my Higher Power do the real work, my alcohol problem disappears all by itself. My living problems also cease to be struggles. I just have to ask whether acceptance—or change—is required. It is not my will, but His, that needs doing.

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

Big Book Quote

“Suppose we fall short of the chosen ideal and stumble? Does this mean we are going to get drunk. Some people tell us so. But this is only a half-truth. It depends on us and on our motives.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, Page 70~

Keep It Simple

If anything, we have tended to be people who wanted it all now. To hope is not
Not to demand. — On Hope

Maybe we were a bit demanding. Maybe we were a bit impatient. Maybe that’s why we had such little hope.

Hope is believing good will come even in bad time. Hope is knowing that “this, too, shall pass.”

Hope is knowing that no matter how afraid we are, God will be with us. Hope is knowing we never

have to be alone again. It is knowing that time that time is on our side. Hope is giving up control. Hope is knowing we never had control in the first place. Hope is believing in ourselves. Hope is what our program is all about.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, in our program we share our experiences, our strengths, and our hopes. Thank you for giving all three of these to me to share.

Action for the Day:
I will share my hope for the future with myself, my Higher Power, and my friends. I also will share this with someone who has lost hope.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your professional world may be a source of uncomfortable stress today and you believe sharing your insights will help. But the origin of your facts or the circumstances surrounding them encourages you to reserve your judgment until a later time. Nevertheless, starting a conversation with your superiors can eventually lead to a better understanding on all sides while Mercury retrogrades in your 10th House of Career. Stick to your truth but leave room to change your mind. Journalist Robert Quillen wrote, “Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; an argument an exchange of ignorance.”

Daily Recovery Readings
March 20, 2018

Daily Reflection

LOVE AND TOLERANCE

Love and tolerance of others is our code.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 84

I have found that I have to forgive others in all situations to maintain any real spiritual progress. The vital importance of forgiving may not be obvious to me at first sight, but my studies tell me that every great spiritual teacher has insisted strongly upon it.

I must forgive injuries, not just in words, or as a matter of form, but in my heart. I do this not for the other persons’ sake, but for my own sake. Resentment, anger, or a desire to see someone punished, are things that rot my soul. Such things fasten my troubles to me with chains. They tie me to other problems that have nothing to do with my original problem.

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

Big Book Quote

“Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventure before and after make clear three pertinent ideas:

(a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage ourown lives.
(b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism.
(c) That God could and would if He were sought.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, Page 60~

Keep It Simple

You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years of trying to get other people interested in you. —Dale Carnegie

We wanted friends, but our addiction wanted all our attention. We had no time to be close to others.

Well, stand aside, addiction! The program has taught us that others are important. Our purpose is to help others. People have become what’s important to us.

Now we listen to others. We help them do what they want to do, not what we want them to do. We help people instead of use them. Friendship is now a way of life. And another promise of the program becomes a part of us.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me to know that I’m here to help others, not just myself. Through others, I find myself.

Today’s’ Action:
Today I’ll help someone the way he or she wants to be helped.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your career goals may be so important to you now that you lose proper perspective on other parts of your life. Unfortunately, however driven you are by visions of your success, ignoring your family or friends is not acceptable. Others will not put up with your unavailability for long, even if you think everything will be fine. You might make a significant decision in choosing where to channel your energy while the Sun is moving through your 10th House of Public Responsibility, whether you realize it or not. Nobody is too busy; it’s just a matter of priorities.

Daily Recovery Readings
March 19, 2018

Daily Reflection

PRAYER: IT WORKS

It has been well said that “almost the only scoffers at prayer are those who never tried it enough.”

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 97

Having grown up in an agnostic household, I felt somewhat foolish when I first tried praying. I knew there was a Higher Power working in my life—how else was I staying sober?—but I certainly wasn’t convinced he/she/it wanted to hear my prayers. People who had what I wanted said prayer was an important part of practicing the program, so I persevered. With a commitment to daily prayer, I was amazed to find myself becoming more serene and comfortable with my place in the world. In other words, life became easier and less of a struggle. I’m still not sure who, or what, listens to my prayers, but I’d never stop saying them for the simple reason that they work.

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

Big Book Quote

“I was to test my thinking by the new God-consciousness within. Common sense would thus become uncommon sense. I was to sit quietly when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my problems as He would have me. Never was I to pray for myself, except as my requests bore on my usefulness to others. Then only might I expect to receive. But that would be in great measure.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, Page 13

Keep It Simple

Speak when you’re angry and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.

~Lawrence J. Peter

When we used alcohol or other drugs, most of us were hotheads. We thought we were right. If we were proven wrong, we may have made life hell for everyone. People knew enough to stay away from us. In recovery, things will still go badly at times. We’ll get hurt. And we’ll get angry. But now, we turn our anger to our Higher Power. In our groups, we talk about what makes us angry. Then we leave the anger behind when the meeting is over. We find that being at peace is now more important than getting even.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, when I’m angry, help me slow down, Help me remember it’s okay to be angry, but its not okay to abuse people.

Action for the Day:
I will remember a time when I turned anger, into rage and hurt someone. I will also remember a time I was angry in a respectful way.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

The tension at work may be affecting your productivity, prompting you to finally do something about it. Your increased sensitivity to other people’s emotional negativity only adds to your dilemma today. You understand critical situations sometimes respond best to radical solutions, and you are at a point where you’re willing to try anything to resolve the stress. Author Clarissa Pinkola Estes wrote, “One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul.”