May 8, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

 

Saturday, May 8, 2021

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

AA Thought for the Day

We also strengthen our faith by working with other alcoholics and finding that we can do nothing ourselves to help them, except to tell them our own story of how we found the way out. If the other person is helped, it’s by the grace of God and not by what we do or say. Our own faith is strengthened when we see another alcoholic find sobriety by turning to God. And finally we strengthen our faith by having quiet times every morning.

Do I ask God in this quiet time for the strength to stay sober this day?

Meditation for the Day

My five senses are my means of communication with the material world. They are the links between my physical life and the material manifestations around me. But I must sever all connections with the material world when I wish to hold communion with the Great Spirit of the universe. I have to hush my mind and bid all my senses be still, before I can become attuned to receive the music of the heavenly spheres.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may get my spirit in tune with the Spirit of the universe. I pray that through faith and communion with Him I may receive the strength I need.

Hazelden Foundation

May 8, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

 

Step by Step
Saturday, May 8, 2021

"Resentment is the 'number one' offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else." - Alcoholics Anonymous, Third Edition, 1976, Ch 5, p 64

Today, admit that in having little success in letting go of all my resentments and not taking them back, I re-examine that character defect to identify what or who I resent - and why. If I resent or envy others who can drink or I cannot accept the rest of my life without drinking, my resentment is likely against alcoholism itself - in which case I have fallen short in admitting I am powerless. I may resent that something stronger than me - alcohol - is what I cannot control. Or I may resent the ex-boss or estranged spouse or partner who will not rehire or come back to me even if I have stopped drinking. But whatever or whoever I resent, I cannot control what controls me, and I can never again drink to "handle it." In the end, if the root of my resentments is grounded in the disease of alcoholism, I need again to fully accept that I have no control over it and, instead of battling addiction, I will embrace being clean and sober. Today, instead of a recovering drunk, I am sober alcoholic. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2021

May 8, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Saturday, May 8, 2021

AA Thought for the Day
I'm grateful that I found a program in AA that could keep me sober. I'm grateful that AA has shown me the way to faith in a Higher Power because the renewing of that faith has changed my way of life. And I've found a happiness and contentment that I had forgotten existed by simply believing in God and trying to live the kind of a life that I know He wants me to live. As long as I stay grateful, I'll stay sober.

Am I in a grateful frame of mind?

Meditation for the Day
God can work through you better when you are not hurrying. Go very slowly, very quietly, from one duty to the next, taking time to rest and pray between. Do not be too busy. Take everything in order. Venture often into the rest of God and you will find peace. All work that results from resting with God is good work. Claim the power to work miracles in human lives. Know that you can do many things through the Higher Power. Know that you can do good things through God who rests you and gives you strength. Partake regularly of rest and prayer.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may not be in too much of a hurry. I pray that I may take time out often to rest with God.

Hazelden Foundation

May 8, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

 

A Day at a Time

Saturday, May 8, 2021

Reflection for the Day

I've learned in The Program that I need not apologize to anyone for depending upon God as I understand Him. I now have good reason to disbelieve those who think spirituality is the way of weakness. For me, it is the way of strength. The verdict of the ages is that men and women of faith seldom lack courage. They trust their God. So I never apologize for my belief in Him but, instead, I try to let Him demonstrate, through me and those around me, what He can do.

Do I walk as I talk?

Today I Pray

May my faith be confirmed as I see how God has worked through others since the beginning of time. May I see that the brave ones, the miracle-workers, the happy people are those who have professed their spirituality. May I see, even now as I look around, how God works through those who believe in Him.

Today I Will Remember

To watch God at work.

Hazelden Foundation

May 8, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

 

The Eye Opener
Saturday, May 8, 2021

We have to think our way out of the quagmire we drank ourselves into. No one led us there and no one can lead us out. The older members can give you a few clues or hints but, in the final analysis, you have to figure it out for yourself in order to get permanent results.

You will find as you travel up that long road alone, however, that you have a host of real friends on the sidelines to cheer you on your way.

Hazelden Foundation

May 8, 2021 - Good morning to super Saturday and a serene weekend, and let's make both productive and safe

 

Time to haul it in gear for this super Saturday and a much needed weekend ...make it a truly terrific but productive and safe day, and don't waste precious time on anything and anyone intent on messing it up

May 7, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

 

Friday, May 7, 2021

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

No man who sets out to achieve total masculinity can ever be man enough. — Frank Pittman

Some people attack the whole idea of masculinity as a problem in the world. They claim it is the cause of wars, abuse, and the reckless pursuit of power. As grown-up men, we know that those people are speaking of masculinity that has not grown up. Boys trying to be men take the appearance of masculinity to extremes. They look at masculinity from the outside: they know they have not yet achieved it, so they try to imitate it.

As adult men, we have come to terms with ourselves and with life. We carry the values of strength and protection of those we love, and we value our virility for all its pleasures. We also know from life experience that all men are complex; we don’t need to hide our vulnerability in order to be strong. We don’t have to worry about our masculinity, because that is a given. We don’t have to prove it to ourselves or anyone else. From that grown-up perspective, we accept ourselves as both strong and gentle, capable both of fighting for what we believe in and yielding to others when that’s what’s called for.

Today, I accept that I have nothing to prove about being a man, and I can grow in all the ways any adult needs to continue to grow.

Hazelden Foundation

May 7, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

 

Step by Step
Friday, May 7, 2021

" ...(I)t is not surprising that our drinking careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could drink like other people. The idea that somehow, someday (we) will control and enjoy (our) drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. ...Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death." - Alcoholics Anonymous, Third Edition, 1976, Ch 3, p 30.

Today, if I hold onto the illusion that I can keep or resume drinking because of the myths of "controlled drinking," I conned myself when I "admitted (I am) powerless ..."  and I am little more than a dry drunk. Also, I learned nothing or denied the cost of my drinking and believe either the outcome of drinking yet to come might be better than it was in the past or that I am above responsibility to the consequences of my drinking. If so, I look today to a Higher Power for the humility to surrender myself and my will to His and, with His wisdom, find the honesty to work through my self-deception and get on with the Program. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2021

May 7, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Friday, May 7, 2021

AA Thought for the Day
It's very important to keep in a grateful frame of mind if we want to stay sober. We should be grateful that we're living in a day and age when an alcoholic isn't treated as he often used to be treated before Alcoholics Anonymous was started. In the old days, every town had its town drunk who was regarded with scorn and ridiculed by the rest of the townspeople. We have come into AA and found all the sympathy, understanding and fellowship that we could ask for. There's no other group like AA in the world.

Am I grateful?

Meditation for the Day
God takes our efforts for good and blesses them. God needs our efforts. We need God's blessing. Together, they mean spiritual success. Our efforts are necessary. We cannot merely relax and drift with the tide. We must often direct our efforts against the tide of materialism around us. When difficulties come, our efforts are needed to surmount them. But God directs our efforts into the right channels, and God's power is necessary to help us choose the right.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may choose the right. I pray that I may have God's blessing and direction in all my efforts for good.

Hazelden Foundation

May 7, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

 

A Day at a Time
Friday, May 7, 2021

Reflection for the Day
If I believe that it's hopeless to expect any improvement in my life, I'm doubting the power of God. If I believe I have reason for despair, I'm confessing personal failure, for I do have the power to change myself; nothing can prevent it but my own unwillingness. I can learn in The Program to avail myself of the immense, inexhaustible power of God - if I'm willing to be continually aware of God's nearness.

Do I still imagine that my satisfaction with life depends on what someone else may do?

Today I Pray
May I give over my life to the will of God, not to the whims and insensitivities of others. When I counted solely on what other people did and thought and felt for my own happiness, I became nothing more than a cheap mirror reflecting others' lives. May I remain close to God in all things. I value myself because He values me. May I have my being in his Being and be dependent only upon Him.

Today I Will Remember
Stay close to God.

Hazelden Foundation

May 7, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

 

The Eye Opener
Friday, May 7, 2021

We often wonder at the cooperation given us by non-alcoholics wherever AA takes root. A lot of it probably results from a high sense of public spirit; some lend their support because they have no valid reason for opposition; some because of admiration of the fact that we are one organization that hasn't got its hand out continually.

We strongly suspect, though, that most of it is due to the fact that the alcoholics, the near-alcoholics and the potential alcoholics represent a pretty fair majority of any community.

Hazelden Foundation

May 7, 2021 - Good morning and let's shoot for a stress-, worry- and fear-free Fantastic Friday

 

Good morning and does anyone really need reminded that today's Friday? Make it a sincerely great but productive and safe day -- and don't give credence to anything and anyone out to screw it up by even acknowledging them

May 6, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

 

Thursday, May 6, 2021

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

Make yourself a blessing to someone. Your kind smile or pat on the back just might pull someone back from the edge. — Carmelia Elliott

Someone will be helped today by our kindness. Compassionate attention assures others that they do matter, and every one of us needs that reassurance occasionally. The program has given us the vehicle for giving and seeking the help we need — it’s sponsorship.

Not all of the people we encounter share our program, however. Sponsorship as we know it isn’t a reality in their lives. Offering words of encouragement to them, or a willing ear, can be unexpected gifts. They will be deeply appreciated.

The real gift, though, is to ourselves. Helping someone in need benefits the helper even more. Our own closeness to God and thus assurance about our own being is strengthened each time we do God’s work—each time we do what our hearts direct.

We are healed in our healing of others. God speaks to us through our words to others. Our own well-being is enhanced each time we put someone else’s well-being first.

We’re all on a trip, following different road maps, but to the same destination. I will be ready to lend a helping hand to a troubled traveler today. It will breathe new life into my own trip.

Hazelden Foundation

May 6, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

 

Step by Step
Thursday, May 6, 2021

"Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves." - Alcoholics Anonymous, Ch 5, Third Edition, 1976, p 58.

Today, if I feel insecure and tempted to drink, I have to ask if I am one of those who is "constitutionally incapable" of being honest with myself. If I am, I need to ask if I have rejected the Program's first four words: "Admitted (I am) powerless ..."  And if I have not taken Step One, the choice is simple: if I want to drink more than I don't want to drink. But if I am honest in trying to get with the Program but still struggle, maybe I am not doing it   "One Day at a Time" and thinking in terms of the rest of my life without drinking. The "cure" to that line of thought is simple: today is all any of us has with no guarantee of tomorrow. I need only to think of the rest of my life as today. And, today, I ask if I am constitutionally capable of honesty - first with myself. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2021

May 6, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Thursday, May 6, 2021

AA Thought for the Day

I've noticed that the ones who do the most for AA are not in the habit of boasting about it. The danger of building myself up too much is that, if I do, I'm in danger of having a fall. That pattern of thought goes with drinking. If one side of a boat gets too far up out of the water, it's liable to tip over. Building myself up and drinking go together. One leads to the other. So if I'm going to stay sober, I've got to keep small.

Have I got the right perspective on myself?

Meditation for the Day

The way sometimes seems long and weary. So many people today are weary. The weariness of others must often be shared by me. The weary and the heavy-laden, when they come to me, should be helped to find the rest that I have found. There is only one sure cure for world-weariness, and that is turning to spiritual things. In order to help bring about the turning of the weary world to God, I must dare to suffer, dare to conquer selfishness in myself and dare to be filled with spiritual peace in the face of all the weariness of the world.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be a help to discouraged people. I pray that I may have the courage to help bring about what the weary world needs but does not know how to get.

Hazelden Foundation