Jan. 5, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

The Serenity Prayer

Step by Step

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016 

"There is a solution. Almost none of us like the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation. But we saw that it really worked in others, and we had to come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. When, therefore, 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, 3rd Edition, 1976, Ch 2 ("There Is a Solution"), p 25. 

Today, if I cannot or am not ready to surrender to a spiritual being and experience, let me begin or renew my sobriety and recovery by looking to my peers who have not only sobered up but have undergone a personality and an emotional overhaul. If I cannot understand that something good can be stronger than me is similar in comparison to alcohol being more powerful than me, let me understand that the process of recovery is an evolutionary one and that the spiritual concept of the program is not a prerequisite to begin the process. Let me believe today that the spiritual awakening or experience promised me by the program may yet to be, if it hasn't already and if I do not recognize it. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2016

Jan. 5, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

The Serenity Prayer

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016

AA Thought for the Day
Have I turned to a Higher Power for help? Do I believe that each man or woman I see in AA is a demonstration of the power of God to change a human being from a drunkard into a sober, useful citizen? Do I believe that this Higher Power can keep me from drinking? Am I living one day at a time? Do I ask God to give me the power to stay sober for each twenty-four hours?

Do I attend AA meetings regularly?

Meditation for the Day
I believe that God's presence brings peace and that peace, like a quiet-flowing river, will cleanse all irritants away. In these quiet times, God will teach me how to rest my nerves. I will not be afraid. I will learn how to relax. When I am relaxed, God's strength will flow into me. I will be at peace.

Prayer for the Day
I pray for that peace which passes all understanding. I pray for that peace which the world can neither give nor take away.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 5, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

The Serenity Prayer

A Day at a Time
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016

Reflection for the Day
"Vision is, I think, the ability to make good estimates," wrote Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. "Some might feel this sort of striving to be heresy against 'One Day at a Time.' But that valuable principle really refers to our mental and emotional lives, and means chiefly that we are not foolishly to repine over the past nor wishfully daydream about the future."

Can I believe that "A day has a hundred pockets when one has much to put in them ...?"

Today I Pray
I pray that the bright colors of this day may not be blurred by muted vagaries of the future or dulled by storm-gray remnants from the past. I pray that my Higher Power will help me to choose my actions and concerns out of the wealth of busyness that each day offers.

Today I Will Remember
I will not lose for today,
If I choose for today.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 5, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

The Serenity Prayer

The Eye Opener
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016

Living all the days of our lives, living them to their utmost; putting all our life into them; getting all the life that each day has to offer; this truly is living at its best, at its fullest.

Every day, then, will be fully lived - a grand succession of experiences both pleasant and unpleasant (for life is made up of both), and without the one the other would not be recognized or appreciated.

Live each day as though it were your last day on earth.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 5, 2016 - Good morning to a beautiful Tuesday, folks!

Jan. 4, 2015 - Letter from the editor: Life after marriage equality

Advocate editor Matthew Breen

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Jan. 4, 2016 - Essay: A married man who wanted to be seduced (WARNING: XXX reading only)

Jan. 4, 2016 - GayNerdy.com - A married man who wanted to be seduced | Gay and Nerdy!

Jan. 4, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

The Serenity Prayer

Monday, Jan. 4, 2016

Today's thought from the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

Is there room in your day for the unexpected?

Recovery works best for me when I'm open to what comes along each day. I used to set rigid schedules for myself, write long lists of things to do, and proceed through the day wearing the blinders of my preconceived scenario. Binges were my way of rebelling against my own rigidity and also a protest against whatever upset my carefully made plans.

We miss a lot when we try to impose our own structure on the events of the day. Perhaps we do it out of anxiety, and perhaps we do it to feel we're in control, but it doesn't work.

However hard we try to ignore or prevent the unexpected, the unexpected occurs. One of the things recovery teaches us is that we can trust ourselves and our Higher Power to deal with whatever comes along. Using our inner resources, we are free to respond spontaneously to the real life situations that we encounter.

Today, I will be open to the unexpected. Who knows? It might be fun!

You are reading from the book:

Inner Harvest by Elisabeth L.

This book is now out of print and no longer available to purchase. Inner Harvest by Elisabeth L. © 1990 by Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 4, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

The Serenity Prayer

Step by Step

Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 

" ...(O)ur problems were of our own making. Bottles were only a symbol. Besides, we have stopped fighting anybody or anything. We have to!" - Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition, 1976, Ch 7 ("Working With Others"), p 103. 

Today, the fights have been many, the injuries deep and some scars permanent. Lies have been bountiful, hurt to myself and others indelible, and the fun ceased long ago if it ever was fun at all. Enough is enough. To continue as is, is a spiral downward into a pit from which there may be no escape; to change course now, hope prevails. Today is the day I begin to answer what exists in my emotional and spiritual psyche that is fueled by alcoholic drinking, and I have grown tired of "fighting anybody or anything." My hope cannot be in my own will power; it is as mythical as the magical unicorn. Hope now falls on AA and my commitment to honestly and diligently working its steps and principles. There, I have no reason to fight anyone and anything - other than my own resistance to surrender completely. Today, enough is enough; I surrender. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2016

Jan. 4, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

The Serenity Prayer

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Monday, Jan. 4, 2016

AA Thought for the Day
Have I admitted I am an alcoholic? Have I swallowed my pride and admitted I was different from ordinary drinkers? Have I accepted the fact that I must spend the rest of my life without liquor? Have I any more reservations, any idea in the back of my mind that some day I'll be able to drink safely? Am I absolutely honest with myself and with other people? Have I taken an inventory of myself and admitted the wrong I have done? Have I come clean with my friends?

Have I tried to make it up to them for the way I have treated them?

Meditation for the Day
I will believe that fundamentally all is well. Good things will happen to me. I believe that God cares for me and will provide for me. I will not try to plan ahead. I know that the way will unfold, step by step. I will leave tomorrow's burden to God, because He is the great burden-bearer. He only expects me to carry my one-day's share.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may not try to carry the burden of the universe on my shoulders. I pray that I may be satisfied to do my share each day.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 4, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

The Serenity Prayer

A Day at a Time
Monday, Jan. 4, 2016

Reflection for the Day
For a good part of my life, I saw things mostly in negative terms. Everything was serious, heavy or just plain awful. Perhaps now I can truly change my attitude, searching out the winners in The Program who have learned how to live comfortably in the real world - without numbing their brains with mood-altering chemicals.

If things get rough today, can I take a quiet moment and say to myself, as the philosopher Homer once said, "Bear patiently, my heart - for you have suffered heavier things ...?"

Today I Pray
May the peace of God that passes all human understanding fill the place within me that once harbored my despair. May an appreciation for living - even for life's trials - cancel out my old negative attitudes. During heart-heavy moments, help to remind me that my heart was once much heavier still.

Today I Will Remember
I, too, am a winner.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 4, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

The Serenity Prayer

The Eye Opener
Monday, Jan. 4, 2016

Pride in ancestry has kept many alcoholics from the humbleness that is a prime requisite of success in our program. The deeper one is in his cups, the greater in his remorse for his condition - not because of his descent to the level of the animal, but because of his betrayal of his noble family traditions.

Ancestry is good only when it inspires living up to its traditions. When it becomes a throne built on other men's accomplishments, it is nothing.

We alcoholics should be reminded of Voltaire's words when he said: "He who serves well has no need of ancestors."

Let us think less of our ancestors and more about what kind of ancestors we will make.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 4, 2016 - Rise 'n shine for a beautiful Monday & new week, folks!