Just a nice blog about recovery and today's news

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Jan. 7, 2016 - Civil rights, LGBT groups take on order by Alabama's chief justice to deny gay marriage licenses

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore

Jan. 7, 2016 - LGBTQNation.com - Civil rights groups blast Alabama judge’s order to uphold marriage ban – LGBTQ Nation

Jan. 7, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016

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

We don't want to live in the past, but we do need to learn to live comfortably with it.

"We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it." This is a promise of the Twelve Step program.

One of the most useful tools we have for learning to live with our past is the Fourth Step inventory. Once we have examined our dark corners and shared with someone else the times when we did not live up to our expectations, we no longer fear reminders of those times, nor do we try to block them out.

It takes energy to try to hold shut the door to the past. Coming to terms with mistakes we have made, making amends, forgiving ourselves, and forgiving others releases this energy so we can use it for living more fully now, in the present. Allowing the door to the past to swing open in its own time gives us access to the good memories that we were also repressing.

Is there something I need to do today so that I can live more comfortably with the past?

You are reading from the book:

Inner Harvest by Elisabeth L.

Jan. 7, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

Step by Step

Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016

Today, I will invoke the Program's oldest of mottoes and "Take It Easy." If I am new to recovery, I will not become impatient and possibly disillusioned with the program if its promises are not soon enough for me. If I am well into recovery, I will not be overwhelmed by the responsibilities that sobriety requires and take each of those obligations in their proper priority and in the time they require. I will not push myself if I am not fast enough to get to the next task I want to achieve, and I will not expect too much of either myself or anyone else. Today, I will do what is expected of me by others and myself, but I will do it in the time required of the Higher Power. Adversely, I will not do anything today with the impatience that I wanted it done yesterday. To do that risks disillusionment with myself and the program, and recovery doesn't allow for either. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2016

Jan. 7, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016

AA Thought for the Day
When temptation comes, as it does sometimes to all of us, I will say to myself: "No, my whole life depends on not taking that drink, and nothing in the world can make me do it." Besides, I have promised that Higher Power that I wouldn't do it. I know that God doesn't want me to drink, and I won't break my promise to God. I've given up my right to drink and it's not my decision any longer.

Have I made the choice once and for all, so that there's no going back on it?

Meditation for the Day
In silence comes God's meaning to the heart. I cannot judge when it enters the heart. I can only judge by results. God's word is spoken to the secret places of my heart and, in some hour of temptation, I find that word and realize its value for the first time. When I need it, I find it there. "Thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may see God's meaning in my life. I pray that I may gladly accept what God has to teach me.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 7, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

A Day at a Time
Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016

Reflection for the Day
I'm beginning to see just how unnatural my old life actually was, and that it became increasingly unnatural as my illness progressed. The longer I'm in The Program, the more natural this new way of life seems. At first, it was impossible for me to extend my hand to a newcomer; such an act was wholly unnatural for me. But it is becoming increasingly easier for me to reach out to another person. Sharing my experience, strength and hope is becoming a natural part of daily living.

Have I learned that I can't keep what I've gotten unless I "give it away?" Will I take the time to share today?

Today I Pray
May I share my love, my joy, my happiness, my time, my hospitality, my knowledge of things on earth and my faith in a Higher Power. Even though I may not see the results of my acts of sharing, may I take joy in the acts of themselves. May sharing, according to God's plan, become as natural to me as speaking or breathing.

Today I Will Remember
Be never sparing in caring or sharing.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 7, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

The Eye Opener
Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016

One day you were a weak, hopeless sot; then came a day when you were clear-eyed and sober. You are certainly aware that you could not, of yourself, accomplish this miracle - for it was truly a miracle.

This did not happen because you were selected by wild chance. You were chosen because you possessed the qualities that made you suitable for the work the Higher Power needed done. To say that you lack the ability to "carry the message" is to question the wisdom of God.

There is work here that you were born to do.

Hazelden Foundation