Jan. 26, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

I have often thought morality may perhaps consist solely in the courage of making a choice. — Leon Blum

Sometimes, trying to do the right thing isn’t easy because it isn’t what we want to do. For instance, we may want to sneak a cookie to take to bed with us, or we may want to stay out late. But is that the right thing to do?

One way to tell is to think how we’ll feel after we’ve done it. Will we be happy, or will we feel guilty because we know in our hearts it is wrong? On the other hand, how would we feel if we resisted the temptation? Perhaps we’d feel great because we’d know in our hearts we’d done the right thing. And don’t we deserve to feel good about ourselves? Of course we do!

How wonderful it is that our feelings can help us do the right thing when we’re in doubt.

Will I have the courage to follow my true feelings today?

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 26, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

Step by Step

Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019

Today, my Program that is based on three concepts: choice, consequences, and responsibility. I understand now that drinking is a choice and the reasons I concoct to justify it are nothing more than rationalizations - excuses - or contributing factors to which I am surrendering my control. If I choose to drink, there are inevitable consequences as all actions have, and my long history with drinking proves that the consequences are usually the same, are never less and usually worsen. And with those consequences come responsibility to them, and the consequences are predictable - a hangover, regret for what I did or said when I was drunk, maybe another DUI, possibly waking up in the county jail's drunk tank - again. Today, the consequences are too high for me, and I don't want to be responsible to them. And if I don't want to be responsible to the consequences of drinking, the choice is clear and logical - don't drink. I choose not to. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2019

Jan. 26, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019

AA Thought for the Day

As we became alcoholics, the bad effects of drinking came more and more to outweigh the good effects. But the strange part of it is that, no matter what drinking did to us, loss of our health, our jobs, our money and our homes, we still stuck to it and depended on it. Our dependence on drinking became an obsession. In AA, we find a new outlook on life. We learn how to change from alcoholic thinking to sober thinking. And we find out that we can no longer depend on drinking for anything. We depend on a Higher Power instead.

Have I entirely given up that dependence on drinking?

Meditation for the Day

I will try to keep my life calm and unruffled. This is my great task, to find peace and acquire serenity. I must not harbor disturbing thoughts. No matter what fears, worries and resentments I may have, I must try to think of constructive things, until calmness comes. Only when I am calm can I act as a channel for God's spirit.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may build up instead of tearing down. I pray that I may be constructive and not destructive.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 26, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

A Day at a Time
Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019

Reflection for the Day
Personal freedom is mine for the taking. No matter how close are the ties of love and concern that bind me to my family and friends, I must always remember that I am an individual, free to be myself and live my own life in serenity and joy. The key word in this realization is personal. For I can free myself from many involvements that seem necessary. Through The Program, I am learning to develop my own personality.

Am I reinforcing my personal freedom by leaving others free to control their actions and destinies?

Today I Pray
May I find personal freedom, by re-evaluating associations, establishing new priorities, gaining respect for my own personhood. May I give others equal room to find their own kinds of personal freedoms.

Today I Will Remember
Take the liberty; it's yours.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 26, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

The Eye Opener

Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019

We alcoholics were up to our necks in the quicksand of yesterdays with a lifetime of tomorrows on our shoulders. Of course we sought escape in the bottle, for no man has courage and strength enough to survive this ordeal.

AA has taught us that TODAY is the only day we have. Those horrible TOMORROWS which we hold in such dread have no substance except such as we give them in our living of successive TODAYS.

Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't been, and may never be born.

It is on the foundation of today that we build tomorrow.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 26, 2019 - Rise 'n shine for an awesome Saturday and relaxing weekend with no stress, worry, drama and trauma

Jan. 25, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Friday, Jan. 25, 2019

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

Setting priorities

One of our slogans is “first things first.” We cannot have or do everything; we must set our priorities and choose what means the most to us.

Each of us needs to spend quiet time searching the inner self to determine which people, which activities, which tasks are most important. The results may surprise us. We may find that we are spending too much time with someone we really do not enjoy, preparing complicated meals which no one needs, working at a job which we dislike in order to make more money to buy more things. Do we really need the things? Do they enrich our lives or are they merely impressive?

Because I am a compulsive overeater, abstinence is the most important thing in my life. Without it, I do not enjoy other people, I do not like myself, I do not work well. If abstinence does not come first, everything else suffers.

May I remember that abstinence is my number one priority.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 25, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

Step by Step

Friday, Jan. 25, 2019

Today: "Courage to change the things I can," the command of the Serenity Prayer that WE - not our Higher Power - take on those things we CAN change. Though our options might be limited, the one thing we CAN change, even control, is our attitude and how we integrate into this day, how we react and respond. Thus, today I will not take the easier, softer way and complain about ANYTHING the day serves up and, instead, I will start with the POSITIVE by willing myself to make this day good and that nothing will poison the rest of the day. If there is something I do not want to do, I will do it, if for no other reason than to be done with it and earn the luxury to say one more bad chore is done. For some, negativity and complaining are an excuse in disguise to get out of our obligation to sobriety. Today, I am positive, not negative, and this day WILL be good. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2019

Jan. 25, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Friday, Jan. 25, 2019

AA Thought for the Day
We used to depend on drinking for a lot of things. We depended on drinking to help us enjoy things. It gave us a "kick." It broke down our shyness and helped us to have a "good time." We depended on drinking to help us when we felt low physically. If we had a toothache or just a hangover, we felt better after a few drinks. We depended on drinking to help us when we felt low mentally. If we'd had a tough day at work or if we'd had a fight with our husband or wife, or if things just seemed against us, we felt better under the influence of alcohol. For us alcoholics, it got so that we depended on drinking for almost everything.

Have I got over that dependence on drinking?

Meditation for the Day
I believe that complete surrender of my life to God is the foundation of serenity. God has prepared for us many mansions. I do not look upon that promise as referring only to the after-life. I do not look upon this life as something to be struggled through, in order to get the rewards of the next life. I believe that the Kingdom of God is within us and we can enjoy "eternal life" here and now.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may try to do God's will. I pray that such understanding, insight and vision shall be mine, as shall make my life eternal, here and now.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 25, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

A Day at a Time
Friday, Jan. 25, 2019

Reflection for the Day
Even with a growing understanding of The Program and its Twelve Steps, we sometimes might find it difficult to believe that our new way of life leads to personal freedom. Suppose, for example, I feel imprisoned in an uncomfortable job or troublesome personal relationship. What am I doing about it? In the past, my reflex reaction was to try to manipulate the things and people around me into being more acceptable to me. Today, I realize that happiness can't be won that way.

Am I learning that freedom from despair and frustration can come only from changing, in myself, the attitudes that are perpetuating the conditions that cause me grief?

Today I Pray
May I be given clear eyes to see - and then to stop myself - when I am manipulating the lives of those around me, my daily associates, friends, family. May I always be aware that change must begin within myself.

Today I Will Remember
Change from the inside out.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 25, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

The Eye Opener
Friday, Jan. 25, 2019

AA has had its remarkable growth not because of its affluence, but because of its influence.

The eyes of the world are upon us for we stand out as the lone hope of a world driven to despair by alcohol.

Our every action is watched by those needing our program desperately. What will your influence be on them? Will you be a stepping stone or a stumbling block?

Hazelden Foundation