April 28, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

The Serenity Prayer

Step by Step
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
 
Today, no running from a mistake with a sense of failure or blaming someone for that mistake. No Program of recovery reaches for perfection because no person will or can ever achieve it; likewise, I cannot and must not impose that unreachable goal on myself - and others. AA's 10th Step says, in part, that we "promptly admitted" when we are wrong - not if. Thus, let me not be so vain as to place responsibility for my mistakes, big and small, on someone or something else; adversely, let me not be discouraged by a sense of failure when I err in word, thought and deed. Instead, let me be open to owning my mistakes, identifying the reason for them and correcting the reason so that I do not repeat them again. Today, I am not mistake-proof and I cannot expect myself to be - nor can I expect anyone and anything else to be likewise. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2015

April 23, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

The Serenity Prayer

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Tuesday, April 28, 2015 
 
AA Thought for the Day 
We're so glad to be free from liquor that we do something about it. We get into action. We come to meetings regularly. We go out and try to help other alcoholics. We pass on the good news whenever we get a chance. In a spirit of thankfulness to God, we get into action. The AA program is simple. Submit yourself to God, find release from liquor and get into action. Do these things and keep doing them and you're all set for the rest of your life. 
 
Have I got into action?

Meditation for the Day 
God's eternal quest must be the tracking down of souls. You should join Him in His quest. Through briars, through waste places, through glades, up mountain heights, down into valleys. God leads you. But ever with His leadership goes your helping hand. Glorious to follow where the Leader goes. You are seeking lost sheep. You are bringing the good news into places where it has not been known before. You may not know which soul you will help, but you can leave all results to God. Just go with Him in His eternal quest for souls.

Prayer for the Day 
I pray that I may follow God in His eternal quest for souls. I pray that I may offer God my helping hand.

Hazelden Foundation

April 28, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

The Serenity Prayer

A Day at a Time
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
 
Reflection for the Day
I will resolve to observe with new interest even the commonplace things that happen today. If I learn to see everything with a fresh eye, perhaps I'll find I have countless reasons for contentment and gratitude. When I find myself trapped in the quicksand of my negative thoughts, I'll turn away from them - and grab for the life-saving strength of sharing with others in The Program.

Do I carry my weight as an all-important link in the worldwide chain of The Program?

Today I Pray
I pray that God will open my eyes to the smallest everyday wonders, that I may notice and list among my blessings things like just feeling good, being able to think clearly. Even when I make a simple, unimportant choice like whether to order coffee or tea or a soft drink, may I be reminded that the power of choice is a gift from God.

Today I Will Remember
I am blessed with the freedom of choice.

Hazelden Foundation

April 28, 2015 - Good morning & welcome to Tuesday

April 28, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

The Serenity Prayer

The Eye Opener
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
 
The span of human life is such a small part of eternity that the length of your life, whether it be 20 years or 100, is of no moment. Yet the lifespan of some men has, and will continue to have, great influence upon many succeeding generations.

If you can by one single act do something that will benefit just one person 50 years from now, you will have done more than millions who have before you. Few leave anything to posterity when they die that will outlive their tombstone.

Hazelden Foundation

April 27, 2015 - 'General Hospital,' 'Young and the Restless' win big at Daytime Emmys

Associated Press: April 27, 2015 - 'General Hospital,' 'Young And The Restless' Win Big At Daytime Emmys

April 27, 2015 - Legal observers predict Supreme Court likely to approve same-sex marriage

Reuters: April 27, 2015 - Supreme Court Seems To Be On The Verge Of Ruling In Favor Of Marriage Equality

April 27, 2015 - As business plummets, gay entrepreneurs apologize for entertainment openly anti-gay Ted Cruz

Advocate.com: April 27, 2015 - Another Event Moves; Gay Hotel Owners Apologize for Ted Cruz Dinner Party | Advocate.com

April 27, 2015 - Justices Kennedy and Scalia and their great divide on LGBT rights

Washington Post: April 27, 2015 - Justices Kennedy and Scalia and their divide on gay rights - The Washington Post

April 27, 2015 - 'Face the Nation' introduces Perkins as 'hate group leader' who 'doesn't speak for Christians'

LGBTQ Nation: April 27, 2015 - ‘Face the Nation’ introduces Tony Perkins as ‘hate group leader’ who ‘doesn’t speak for Christians’ – LGBTQ Nation

April 27, 2015 - Thousands descend on Washington ahead of Supreme Court hearing on marriage equality

GayRVA: April 27, 2015 - Thousands descend on Washington ahead of historic Supreme Court hearing on marriage equality – LGBTQ Nation

April 27, 2015 - Sex, gender and manhood: Lessons from Bruce Jenner's coming out as transgender

The Good Men Project: April 27, 2015 - Sex, Gender, And Manhood: Lessons From Bruce Jenner's Coming Out -

April 27, 2015 - On eve of Supreme Court hearing, GOP continues to struggle with shifts on gay marriage

New York Times: April 27, 2015 - G.O.P. Struggling With Shifts on Gay Marriage - NYTimes.com

April 27, 2015 - Editorial: Why Massachusetts led the way on same-sex marriage

New York Times: April 27, 2015 - Editorial: Why Massachusetts Led the Way on Same-Sex Marriage - NYTimes.com

April 27, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden

The Serenity Prayer

Monday, April 27, 2015

Today's thought from Hazelden is:

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.
 -- Niccolo Machiavelli

Acceptance may be one of the most difficult things to learn, for it means we must give up the desire to control our life and its outcome. Once we have truly received this great gift we will learn that acceptance need not take away our strength - on the contrary, we will have an inner strength we never thought possible.

When we decided to meet the challenge of a sober life we took the first step toward acceptance - we accepted the fact that we have a disease, a chronic disease that will always be with us. By accepting this fact we will be able to cope with our lifelong struggle. This way we willingly accept the friendship of our group members and the wisdom they offer us. They have been where we are coming from, they have suffered as we suffer, and they have felt the hope we now feel.

We are being offered a way of life that, if we follow it, will bring us a peace of mind we may never have felt. By our surrender we are now willing to receive something that is being offered to us - the beginning of a new way of life.

Today let me accept my powerlessness and any help.

You are reading from the book:

Body, Mind, and Spirit by Anonymous

Body, Mind, and Spirit © 1990 by Hazelden Foundation