Just a nice blog about recovery and today's news

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

July 4, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

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

Recovery sets us free

Freedom is what recovery is all about. Not only are we free from addictive behavior, but we are free to become who we are and enjoy all that life has to offer. We may not hear bands playing and see fireworks every day, but we will know a new dimension of peace and serenity.

Although recovery does not guarantee freedom from pain and distress, it promises us greater resources for coping with trouble. With the help of abstinence and the Twelve Steps, we become free to work toward resolving our difficulties instead of escaping into false solutions.

We must remain strong and guard the freedom that comes with abstinence. Whatever threatens abstinence should be avoided: we don't want to transfer one obsession to something else, such as compulsive shopping, or addictive relationships. To remain free, we stay in touch with others who are also recovering and with the Higher Power that guides and supports us.

I will celebrate my freedom today and every day.

You are reading from the book:

Inner Harvest by Elisabeth L.

July 4, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

Step by Step
Tuesday, July 4, 2017

" ...(T)here is a substitute ...It is a fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. There you will find release from care, boredom and worry. Your imagination will be fired. Life will mean something at last. The most satisfactory years of your existence lie ahead." - Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition, 1976, Ch 11 ("A Vision for You"), p 152.

Today, if I have not already, let me take the first step toward a life that finally means something other than how bad the next hangover will be or how severe the consequences of my misconduct and, as promised by the program, a belief and faith that the "most satisfactory years of (my) existence" do, indeed, lay ahead. And if I have taken the first step toward the promise of the program, let me not squander it on some folly like self-pity or a thought that "just one, this one time" won't hurt. Whether I have or have not already embarked on my journey of recovery, let me believe that sobriety and recovery can provide a life that is better, one that is more satisfactory than the one I have in drinking. Today, let me believe that I am worthy to work toward something better. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2017

July 4, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Tuesday, July 4, 2017

AA Thought for the Day
In Alcoholics Anonymous, there is no thought of individual profit. No greed or gain. No membership fees, no dues. Only voluntary contributions of our money and ourselves. All that we hope for is sobriety and regeneration so that we can live normal, respectable lives and can be recognized by others as men and women willing to do unto others as we would be done by. These things we accomplish by the help of each other, by following the twelve steps and by the grace of God.

Am I willing to work for AA without material gain to myself?

Meditation for the Day
What is sometimes called by religion as conversion is often only the discovery of God as a friend in need. What is sometimes called religion is often only the experiencing of the help and strength of God's power in our lives. What is sometimes called holiness is often only the invitation of God to be our Friend. As God becomes your friend, you become a friend to others. We experience true human friendship and, from this experience, we can imagine what kind of a Great Friend God can be. We believe Him to be a tireless, selfless, all-conquering, miracle-working Friend. We can reach out to the Great Friend and figuratively take His hand in ours.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may think of God as a Great Friend in need. I pray that I may go along with Him.

Hazelden Foundation

July 4, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

A Day at a Time

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Reflection for the Day

It's time for me to start being responsible for my own actions. It's time for me to be willing to take some chances. If my new life in The Program is valid and right, as I truly believe, then surely it can stand the test of exposure to real-life situations and problems. So I won't be afraid to be human and, if necessary, to sometimes fall on my face in the process of living. Living is what The Program is all about. And living entails sharing, accepting, giving - interacting with other people. Now is the time for me to put my faith into action.

Have I begun to practice what I preach by putting my new thoughts and ideas into action?

Today I Pray

May The Program, with God's help, give me a chance to live a steady, creative, out-reaching life, so that I may share with others what has been given to me. May I realize on this Declaration of Independence Day that I, too, have a celebration of freedom - freedom from my addiction.

Today I Will Remember

To celebrate my personal freedom.

Hazelden Foundation

July 4, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

The Eye Opener

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

It is not possible to help a man as long as he stands in his own way, nor can anyone or anything else.

A vast host of drinkers could quit if they could get a job, but they can't get a job because they are drinking.

They could quit if they could get their families back, but they can't get their families back because they persist in drinking.

We are all too prone to get a new man "fixed up" so he can stop drinking instead of making him realize that he must stop drinking so he can "fix himself up." He must get out of his own way first.

Hazelden Foundation

July 4, 2017 - Good morning to what's going to be a relaxing and safe Independence Day

Monday, July 3, 2017

July 3, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Monday, July 3, 2017

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

Love is the ability and willingness to allow those that you care for to be what they choose for themselves, without any insistence that they satisfy you.
-- Dr. Wayne Dyer

It's generally a struggle to let a child develop a new skill, particularly if it's not one we share or appreciate. It's even more difficult to watch a spouse or lover travel a new path of learning or recreation when we're not invited to share the trip. Yet assuredly, our love is only as deep and real as it is honestly supportive of others spreading their wings to discover their own directions and personal joy.

What is right for us will never be lost or taken, and that which departs, be it friend or lover, is only making way for our own next plane of growth. We must not fear letting our loved ones experience new and separate challenges. Instead, let's rejoice in the knowledge that we each have a particular calling, a unique destiny that has brought us together and will keep us together for just as long as "the big plan" calls for.

We can't keep someone's love for us when we've made them prisoners in our homes and hearts.

You are reading from the book:

Worthy of Love by Karen Casey

July 3, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

Step by Step
Monday, July 3, 2017

"We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. ...All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals - usually brief - were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. We are convinced ...that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period we get worse, never better." - Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition, 1976, Ch 3 ("More About Alcoholism"), p 30.

Today, I do not have time to waste mulling the myth that I can become a responsible drinker by "controlling" my intake. My own history is etched in the words of the program and probably with the histories of countless others. I lost control at some point, conned myself into thinking I could regain it only to plunge deeper into "incomprehensible demoralization." Only when I understood and believed that my alcoholism is progressive, that it always gets worse and never better without total abstinence, did I come to take Step One: "Admitted (I am) powerless ..." I am still powerless over alcohol and always will be, but I have power in sobriety and, today, I have a choice: don't drink. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2017

July 3, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Monday, July 3, 2017

AA Thought for the Day
In the beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous, there were only two persons. Now there are many groups and thousands of members. True, the surface has only been scratched. There are probably 10 million or more persons in America alone who need our help. More and more people are making a start in AA each day. In the case of individual members, the beginning has been accomplished when they admit they are powerless and turn to a Power greater than themselves, admitting that their lives have become unmanageable. That Higher Power works for good in all things and helps us to accomplish much in individual growth and in the growth of AA groups.

Am I doing my part in helping AA to grow?

Meditation for the Day
"Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." Only in the fullness of faith can the heart-sick and faint and weary be satisfied, healed and rested. Think of the wonderful spiritual revelations still to be found by those who are trying to live the spiritual life. Much of life is spiritually unexplored country. Only to the consecrated and loving people who walk with God in spirit can these great spiritual discoveries be revealed. Keep going forward and keep growing in righteousness.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may not be held back by the material things of the world. I pray that I may let God lead me forward.

Hazelden Foundation

July 3, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

A Day at a Time

Monday, July 3, 2017

Reflection for the Day

Change is a part of the flow of life. Sometimes we're frustrated because change seems slow in coming. Sometimes, too, we're resistant to a change that seems to have been thrust upon us. We must remember that change, in and of itself, neither binds us nor frees us. Only our attitude toward change binds or frees. As we learn to flow with the stream of life, praying for guidance as to any change that presents itself - praying, also, for guidance if we want to make a change and none seems in view - we becoming willing.

Am I willing to let God take charge, directing me in the changes I should make and the actions I should take?

Today I Pray

When change comes too fast - or not fast enough - for me, I pray I can adjust accordingly to make use of the freedom the program offers to me. I pray for the guidance of my Higher Power when change presents itself - or when it doesn't and I wish it would. May I listen for direction from that Power.

Today I Will Remember

God is in charge.

Hazelden Foundation

July 3, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

The Eye Opener

Monday, July 3, 2017

In our drinking days, there was no humor in the world except that doubtful brand we heard around the bars. It is certainly true that we took our insignificant affairs and our ridiculous selves mostly seriously.

In AA, when we became mentally sober, we not only acquired a sense of humor, but we were even able to laugh at ourselves. We can now accept the criticism of others with a greater degree of patient good humor, we have learned that the best way to confound our critic is to laugh off his attack with good-humored tolerance.

Hazelden Foundation

July 3, 2017 - Good morning to a fabulous Monday and great new week, folks

Sunday, July 2, 2017

July 2, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Sunday, July 2, 2017

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

Procrastination

Higher Power, it was so easy to put things off during my addiction.

I pray to remember that postponing facing up to reality is really self-pity in action. When I procrastinate about solving problems, I am only making the problems worse. Let me remember that solutions come from taking action.

I pray to stop wasting precious time.

You are reading from the book:

The 12 Step Prayer Book Volume 2 by Bill P. and Lisa D.

July 2, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

Step by Step
Sunday, July 2, 2017

Today, if it is an anniversary of the passing of someone dear to me or any other observance that rekindles a sense of loss and bittersweet, let me look to my program not to mourn what is gone but to be grateful that I experienced the good in the first place. And let me look to the lessons and examples of who or what I was once blessed enough to have to pay respect to their memories. As a drinking alcoholic, loss was a cornerstone of my existence; today, in recovery, gratitude and honoring the memories of people or things now gone are my comfort. AA has given me the tools to come to terms with loss but, more importantly, how to handle the sometimes unkind changes of life without alcohol, self-pity, anger, anguish and a subtle longing for days and times long gone. Today, if the date resurrects the bittersweet, the gift of sobriety can overcome the bitter with the sweet. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2017

In memory of:
Vicki Stewart
July 2, 1953-Jan. 12, 2008

July 2, 2017 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Sunday, July 2, 2017

AA Thought for the Day
In the association with members of the AA group to which we belong, we have the advantage of sincere friendship and understanding of the other members who, through social and personal contact, take us away from our old haunts and environments and help to remove in large measure the occasions of alcoholic suggestion. We find in this association a sympathy and a willingness on the part of most members to do everything in their power to help us.

Do I appreciate the wonderful fellowship of AA?

Meditation for the Day
"Except ye become as little children, ye cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." In this saying, it is urged that all who seek heaven on earth or in the hereafter should become like little children. In seeking things of the spirit and in our faith, we should try to become childlike. Even as we grow older, the years of seeking can give us the attitude of the trusting child. Not only for its simple trust should we have the childlike spirit, but also for its joy in life, its ready laughter, its lack of criticism and its desire to share. In Charles Dickens' story "A Christmas Carol," even old Scrooge changed when he got the child-spirit.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may become like a child in faith and hope. I pray that I may, like a child, be friendly and trusting.

Hazelden Foundation