Oct. 1, 2024 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

 

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024

Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

Sponsorship Saves

For years, I used to think that acceptance meant I had to like something to accept it.

Oh, no, I don't have to like it. I just need to accept it. To let it go. There's a lot of things I don't like about my life, but today is like, wow.

One of the amazing things I've learned in recovery is how to be somebody's sponsor. I have AA pamphlets and the sponsorship book. As your sponsor, I'm not willing to let you just flop around and not do something. I'm not going to let you waste your time; we're going to work together. That's something else I tell my sponsees: if you don't make progress with me, I will cut you loose so you can find the one that's supposed to be working with you.

Today I'll remember that working with others through mentorship and sponsorship brings progress on my path of recovery.

-- Stephanie C., U.S. Navy, 1978–1983

Hazelden Foundation

Oct. 1, 2024 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

 

Step by Step

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024

“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.” — Step 11, Alcoholics Anonymous

Today, whether I have embraced a Higher Power or am skeptical either as an atheist or agnostic, Step 11 suggests that I be at least open to the possibility of something greater and stronger than myself. I must also seek the will and way of something other than my own. This is the definition of humility — to be open to learning and carrying out the will of a power stronger and wiser than me. I cannot be reminded or jolted enough that history has proven time and again that running my life on my terms has always led to the same disastrous results and outcome; thus, the insanity of alcoholism. Today, I remember that I am dependent on a wiser and stronger power to guide me on a non-destructive course and that I am risking a slip or relapse if I forget that it hasn’t worked my way. And our common journey continues. Step by step. — Chris M., 2024

Oct. 1, 2024 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024

AA Thought for the Day
AA will lose some of its effectiveness if I do not do my share. Where am I failing? Are there some things I do not feel like doing? Am I held back by self-consciousness or fear? Self-consciousness is a form of pride. It is a fear that something may happen to you. What happens to you is not very important. The impression you make on others does not depend so much on the kind of a job you do as on your sincerity and honesty of purpose.

Am I holding back because I am afraid of not making a good impression?

Meditation for the Day
Look to God for the true power that will make you effective. See no other wholly dependable supply of strength. That is the secret of a truly effective life. And you, in your turn, will be used to help many others find effectiveness. Whatever spiritual help you need, whatever spiritual help you desire for others, look to God. Seek that God’s will be done in your life and seek that your will conforms to His. Failures come from depending too much on your own strength.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may feel that nothing good is too much for me if I look to God for help. I pray that I may be effective through His guidance.

Hazelden Foundation

Oct. 1, 2024 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

 

A Day at a Time

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024

Reflection for the Day
We can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely. We can be all by ourselves and still feel happy and content. What makes the difference? We feel lonely if we look to other people for something they really can’t provide. No one else can give us peace of mind, an inner sense of acceptance and serenity. And when we find ourselves alone, we needn’t feel lonely. God is with us; His presence is like a warm shawl enfolding us. The more we’re aware of ourselves as beloved by God, the more we’re able to feel content and secure — whether we’re with others or when alone.

Am I experiencing a sense of God and His love at all times and in all places?

Today I Pray
May I understand that we each have our own kind of loneliness — whether we are young and friendless, old and kept waiting by death, bereft, left, running away or just feeling out of it in a crowd. May my loneliness be eased a bit by the fact that loneliness is, indeed, a universal feeling that everyone knows first-hand — even though some lives seem more empty than others. May I — and all the lonely people — take comfort in the companionship of God.

Today I Will Remember
Shared loneliness is less lonely.

Hazelden Foundation

Oct. 1, 2024 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

 

The Eye Opener

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024

Somewhere we read that alcoholics made their own bedlam and then lied out of it. This has not been our experience. We made our own bedlam, it is true, but unfortunately we were usually stuck with it. Somehow we could never successfully lie out of it. Lying somehow always failed and on the few occasions when we did get by with one, we were forced to tax our feeble brains for the balance of our days to guard it and not expose ourselves. A liar must of necessity have a good memory, or he’s sunk.

Hazelden Foundation

Oct. 1, 2024 - Good morning and welcome to a terrific Tuesday and brand new month

 

Good morning and it's guaranteed to be a magnificent 

Tuesday 

because we made it past Monday ...make it a worthwhile and gratifying day, folks