Monday, June 1, 2015
June 1, 2015 - Proposed ‘Straight Pride’ club at Indiana high school raises concerns
June 1, 2015 - Editorial: Retracted gay marriage study raises question of cheating in science
June 1, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden
Monday, June 1, 2015
Today's thoughts from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation are:
I Wish I Were
I wish I were big enough to honestly admit all my shortcomings.
Brilliant enough to accept praise without it making me arrogant.
Tall enough to tower over dishonesty.
Strong enough to welcome criticism.
Compassionate enough to understand human frailties.
Wise enough to recognize mistakes.
Humble enough to appreciate greatness.
Brave enough to stand by my friends.
Human enough to be thoughtful of my neighbor.
And spiritual enough to be devoted to the love of God.
-- Author unknown --
I Wish I Were
I wish I were big enough to honestly admit all my shortcomings.
Brilliant enough to accept praise without it making me arrogant.
Tall enough to tower over dishonesty.
Strong enough to welcome criticism.
Compassionate enough to understand human frailties.
Wise enough to recognize mistakes.
Humble enough to appreciate greatness.
Brave enough to stand by my friends.
Human enough to be thoughtful of my neighbor.
And spiritual enough to be devoted to the love of God.
-- Author unknown --
You are reading from the book:
The 12 Step Prayer Book Volume 2 by Bill P. and Lisa D. © 2007 by Hazelden Foundation
June 1, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step
Monday, June 1, 2015
"The spiritual life is not theory. We have to live it. Unless one's family expresses a desire to live upon spiritual principles, we think we ought not to urge them. We should not talk incessantly to them about spiritual matters. They will change in time. Our behavior will convince them more than our words." - Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition, 1976, Ch 6, p 83.
Today, if called on to 12th-Step a prospect, I will not hammer the Program's spiritual aspect if the topic seems to push away rather than draw the prospect into the Fellowship. Should the prospect who is weary of spirituality subsequently embrace the Program and find sobriety, the words of the Big Book ring true: "(Spiritual awareness) will change in time," just as it did for me. Paraphrasing the saying that I was born of the Spirit but was taught religion, let me understand that others, like me, also may tie the two together - religion and spirituality - but that the tools of the Program will lead them to their own understanding of a Higher Power just as they led me to my understanding. Today, if spirituality cannot be discussed with a potential member, let my actions speak louder than my words. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2015
June 1, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Monday, June 1, 2015
AA Thought for the Day
Some things I do not miss since becoming dry: that overall awful feeling physically, including the shakes, a splitting headache, pains in my arms and legs, bleary eyes, fluttering stomach, droopy shoulders, weak knees, a three-day beard, and a flushed complexion. Also, facing my wife or my husband at breakfast. Also, comprising the alibi and sticking to it. Also, trying to shave or put on makeup with a shaky hand. Also, opening up my wallet to find it empty.
I don't miss these things, do I?
Meditation for the Day
You were born with a spark of the Divine within you. It had been all but smothered by the life you were living. That celestial fire has to be tended and fed so that it will grow eventually into a real desire to live the right way. By trying to do the will of God, you grow more and more in the new way of life. By thinking of God, praying to Him and having communion with Him, you gradually grow more like Him. The way of your transformation from the material to the spiritual is the way of Divine Companionship.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may tend the spark of the Divine within me so that it will grow. I pray that I may be gradually transformed from the old life to the new life.
Hazelden Foundation
June 1, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time
Monday, June 1, 2015
Reflection for the Day
Slowly but surely, I'm becoming able to accept other people's faults as well as their virtues. The Program is teaching me to "always love the best in others - and never fear their worst." This is hardly an easy transition from my old way of thinking, but I'm beginning to see that all people - including myself - are to some extent emotionally ill as well as frequently wrong.
Am I approaching true tolerance? Am I beginning to see what real love for my fellows actually means?
Today I Pray
May God give me tolerance for any shortcomings or sick symptoms or insensitivities of others, so that I can love the qualities that are good in them. May God instruct me in the truest meaning of love - which must also include patience and forgiveness. May I not overlook the faults of those I love, but may I try to understand them.
Today I Will Remember
Love is understanding.
Hazelden Foundation
June 1, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener
Monday, June 1, 2015
Each of us has only so many hours to live, and we alcoholics have wasted far too many of them in the past.
New men, by the thousands, are crowding our doors, searching for our Message of Hope. Those who are endeavoring to carry the Message are frequently pushed to the limit of their available time for this purpose.
Have you the right to monopolize the time of the Twelve Steppers by indulging yourself in so-called slips?
Hazelden Foundation
Sunday, May 31, 2015
May 31, 2015 - The rise and fall of Johnny Depp
May 31, 2015 - Editorial: Treating HIV patients before they get sick
May 31, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Today's thought from Hazelden is:
Detachment means "freedom from emotion"
Letting someone else's behavior determine how we feel at every turn is irresponsible. Our emotions should be determined by us, not by someone else. But no doubt we have spent years confusing the boundaries that separate us from other people. Whether at work or at home, we have too often let someone else's "insanity" affect how we behave and how we feel.
At first, it may seem insensitive not to react to others' problems or negative behavior. We may fear they'll think we simply don't care about them. Learning that it is far more caring to let other people handle their own lives takes time and patience. But with practice, it will begin to feel comfortable. In fact, in time it will feel freeing and wonderful.
I will work on detachment today, knowing that in time the rewards will come.
Detachment means "freedom from emotion"
Letting someone else's behavior determine how we feel at every turn is irresponsible. Our emotions should be determined by us, not by someone else. But no doubt we have spent years confusing the boundaries that separate us from other people. Whether at work or at home, we have too often let someone else's "insanity" affect how we behave and how we feel.
At first, it may seem insensitive not to react to others' problems or negative behavior. We may fear they'll think we simply don't care about them. Learning that it is far more caring to let other people handle their own lives takes time and patience. But with practice, it will begin to feel comfortable. In fact, in time it will feel freeing and wonderful.
I will work on detachment today, knowing that in time the rewards will come.
You are reading from the book:
A Life of My Own by Karen Casey. © 1993 by Hazelden Foundation
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