Thursday, November 5, 2015

Nov. 5, 2015 - Maybe nice gay guys are too nice?

Nov. 5, 2015 - GayGuys.com - Do Nice Guys Have Low Self-Esteem? - GayGuys.com

Nov. 5, 2015 - Defeat of Houston rights ordinance could cost Texas some big business bucks

Nov. 5, 2015 - Texas Monthly - HERO's Defeat Could Be Bad News For Big Business - Texas Monthly

Nov. 5, 2015 - A gay father on a Kansas teacher being fired for fighting homophobia

Nov. 5, 2015 - evo L = - A Gay Dad Sounds Off About the Kansas Teacher Who is Getting Fired for Fighting Homophobia | evoL =

Nov. 5, 2015 - Opponents of Houston rights measure focused on bathrooms, and won

Nov. 5, 2015 - New York Times - Opponents of Houston Rights Measure Focused on Bathrooms, and Won - The New York Times

Nov. 5, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

The Serenity Prayer
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015
Today's thought from the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

Stop building cases

You don't have to build a big drama around your life. We may need to end a relationship or explore a new career. Instead of simply saying, This is what I'm going to do, we build a case.

Like a lawyer getting ready to go to court, we prepare our arguments. We take one feeling and build a hundred page document around it, prepared to battle our case.

You can build cases if you want to. But usually, there's a hidden feeling underneath all that case building that's asking to be cleared. It could be a tinge of guilt or fear. Or it could just be the belief that it's not okay to clearly express ourselves, say how it feels to us, and do what we need to do to take care of ourselves.

Let go of the drama. Just say what you need and how it feels to you.

Be as simple and clear as you can in expressing yourself. If you find yourself building a case or creating a big dramatic scene, take a moment. Why are you making such a fuss?

God, help me keep it simple, especially when it comes to expressing myself.
You are reading from the book:
More Language of Letting Go © 2000 by Melody Beattie

Nov. 5, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

The Serenity Prayer
Step by Step
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015
Today, if I woke up sober and went through the day without a drink, if I did at work, home or wherever else what I was expected to do and did it without complaining and maybe even thanked my Higher Power for something good, if I reacted with logic and ethics and without emotions like anger, fear or revenge, if I am ending this day without a drink, a hit or a pill, then today was good. For that I owe gratitude and indebtedness to AA and its members who have ever been part of my journey from the despair of emptiness, loneliness, drunkenness, fear and a shattered soul. Tonight, I am grateful because I am sober - and, God granting, I will awaken sober. Today, it was good. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2015

Nov. 5, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

The Serenity Prayer
Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
During our thoughts about the rewards that have come to us as a result of our new way of living, we find that we have new kinds of homes, new relationships with our husbands or wives and our children. Also peace, contentment, hope, faith, charity and new ambition. What are some of the things we have lost? Each one of us can answer this question in many ways. I have lost much of my fear. It used to control me; it was my master. It paralyzed my efforts. Fear always got me down. It made me an introvert, an ingrown person. When fear was replaced by faith, I got well.

Have I lost some of my fears?

Meditation for the Day
The world would sooner be brought close to God, His will would sooner be done on earth, if all who acknowledge Him gave themselves unreservedly to being used by Him. God can use every human being as a channel for divine love and power. What delays the bringing of the world closer to God is the backwardness of His followers. If each one lived each day for God and allowed God to work through Him, then the world would soon be drawn much closer to God, its Founder and Preserver.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may be used as a channel to express the Divine Love. I pray that I may so live as to bring God's spirit closer to the world.

Hazelden Foundation

Nov. 5, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

The Serenity Prayer
A Day at a Time
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015

Reflection for the Day
For many months after I came to The Program, I paid little attention to the practice of serious meditation and prayer. I felt that it might help me meet an emergency - such as a sudden craving to return to my old ways - but it remained among the lowest priorities. In those early days, I equated prayer and meditation with mystery and even hypocrisy. I've since found that prayer and meditation are more rewarding in their results than I could ever have imagined. For me today, the harvest is increasingly bountiful, and I continue to gain peace of mind and strength far beyond my human limitations.

Is my former pain being replaced by tranquility?

Today I Pray
May I discover that prayer and meditation make up the central hall of my life's structure - the place where my thoughts collect and form into order. May I feel God's mystery there, and an overwhelming resource of energy.

Today I Will Remember
Fantasy is mine. Mystery is God's.

Hazelden Foundation

Nov. 5, 2015 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

The Serenity Prayer
The Eye Opener
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015

One of the first things we should endeavor to do is to kill the lawyer instinct in ourselves. In our effort to get the new guy straightened out, we try to cure all his troubles by giving advice on subjects on which we possess neither the training nor ability to talk constructively.

Let us confine our efforts as far as possible to those things of which we have real knowledge - his sobriety and the AA Program.

Hazelden Foundation

Nov. 5, 2015 - Rise 'n shine for what's going to be a terrific Thursday, folks!


Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Nov. 4, 2015 - The Christian evolution on homosexuality, in one chart

Nov. 4, 2015 - Washington Post - The Christian evolution on homosexuality, in one chart - The Washington Post

Nov. 4, 2015 - Actor Eddie Redmayne hoping for 'quite a ride' in 'Fantastic Beasts'

Nov. 4, 2015 - Entertainment Weekly - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them star Eddie Redmayne: 'I hope it's going to be quite a ride' | EW.com

Nov. 4, 2015 - Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne and the 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'

Nov. 4, 2015 - Entertainment Weekly - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Inside EW's magical cover | EW.com

Nov. 4, 2015 - Photo gallery: Hollywood hunks laid bare: 1960s-1970s

Nov. 4, 2015 - Advocate - Photo gallery: Hollywood Hunks Laid Bare: 1960s-1970s | Advocate.com

Nov. 4, 2015 - Here's why you won't be seeing Gus Kenworthy shirtless again anytime soon

Nov. 4, 2015 - Huffington Post - Here's Why You Won't Be Seeing Gus Kenworthy Shirtless Again Soon