Aug. 18, 2024 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024

AA Thought for the Day
“We of agnostic temperament have found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which we call God. As soon as you can say that you do believe or are willing to believe, you are on your way. Upon this simple cornerstone a wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built.”

Am I willing to depend on a Power that I cannot fully define or comprehend?

Meditation for the Day
We seek God’s presence and “they who seek shall find.” It is not a question of searching so much as an inner consciousness of the Divine spirit in your heart. To realize God’s presence, you must surrender to His will in the small as well as in the big things of life. This makes God’s guidance possible. Some things separate you from God — a false word, a fear-inspired failure, a harsh criticism, a stubborn resentment. These are the things that put a distance between your mind and God. A word of love, a selfless reconciliation, a kind act of helpfulness — these bring God closer.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may think and say and do the things that bring God closer to me. I pray that I may find Him in a sincere prayer, a kind word, or an unselfish deed.

Hazelden Foundation

Nov. 22, 2023 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

 

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

It’s not so much that we’re afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it’s that place in between that we fear. It’s Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There’s nothing to hold on to.

— Marilyn Ferguson

The big change for us is moving beyond our addiction and codependency. Many of us didn’t feel very attached to our addiction, but we didn’t know what to do without it. We didn’t feel “normal” when we weren’t using, and it didn’t seem right to stop taking charge of others’ problems. It was hard to imagine what else to do with our time, and hard to build another way of living.

In many other smaller ways, we are called on to let go of what is familiar and move into what is not yet known. This is an uncomfortable but very creative space. We know our growth was stopped by our old ways. Now, with the courage to tolerate the discomfort, we can leave our less mature selves behind and grow to become better men.

Today, I will tolerate feeling awkward and uncomfortable while I keep growing.

Hazelden Foundation