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

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

I take it that what all men are really after is some form of, perhaps on some formula of, peace. — James Conrad

When snow drifts quietly down on a winter evening, the hush of nature brings a great sense of peace. Each of us has known times like this. Many of these times did not depend on conditions like snow, or soft music. When we are able to keep a quiet center within ourselves, we are truly in tune with the spirit. Peace of the heart comes from a Power greater than ourselves, and from the faith that all of us, and all that happens to us, are part of a great plan.

Just as the snow falls softly, without fear, without regard for whether it will land on a tree bough or in the street, we, too, can live our lives with peaceful acceptance of whatever comes along, knowing it comes to us naturally and from God.

Am I prepared to accept wherever I will land today?

Hazelden Foundation

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

Step by Step
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019

“If a mere code of morals or a better philosophy of life were sufficient to overcome alcoholism, many of us would have recovered long ago. But we found that such codes and philosophies did not save us, no matter how much we tried. We could wish to be moral, we could wish to be philosophically comforted, in fact, we could will these things with all our might, but the needed power wasn’t there. Our human resources, as marshaled by the will, were not sufficient; they failed utterly.

“Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power  greater than ourselves.” – Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition, 1976, Ch 4 (“We Agnostics”), pp 44-5. 

Today, let me not blame my alcoholism on some moral failure or a philosophy that did not apply to me and, instead, take it for what it is – a physical, emotional, and spiritual disease of my character. While I should not and cannot be blamed for becoming alcoholic, I can and should be responsible for my recovery. To this end, I must completely accept the First Step of absolute powerlessness over alcohol and, then, at least come to believe in something – a Power greater and stronger than myself. But if I still grapple with this concept, perhaps my power can be my own experience of predictable behavior and outcomes, most of which carried increasingly severe consequences. Today, I am an alcoholic not because of a moral or philosophical failure on my part but because of a disease. It cannot be cured, but it can be arrested. The Program’s first two Steps are my beginning. And our common journey continues. Step by step. – Chris M., 2019

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

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019

AA Thought for the Day

Many alcoholics will be saying today: “This is a good Christmas for me.” They will be looking back over past Christmases which were not like this one. They will be thanking God for their sobriety and their new found life. They will be thinking about how their lives were changed when they came into AA. They will be thinking that perhaps God let them live through all the hazards of their drinking careers, when they were perhaps often close to death, in order that they might be used by Him in the great work of AA.

Is this a happy Christmas for me?

Meditation for the Day

The kingdom of heaven is also for the lowly, the sinners, the repentant. “And they presented unto him gifts – gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Bring your gifts of gold – your money and material possessions. Bring your frankincense – the consecration of your life to a worthy cause. Bring your myrrh – your sympathy and understanding and help. Lay them all at the feet of God and let Him have full use of them.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be truly thankful on this Christmas Day. I pray that I may bring my gifts and lay them on the altar.

Hazelden Foundation

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

A Day at a Time

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019

Reflection for the Day

Today is a special day in more ways than one. It’s a day that God has made, and I’m alive in God’s world. I know that all things in my life this day are an expression of God’s love – the fact that I’m alive, that I’m recovering and that I’m able to feel the way I feel at this very instant. For me, this will be a day of gratitude.

Am I deeply thankful for being a part of this special day, and for all my blessings?

Today I Pray

On this day of remembering God’s gift, may I understand that giving and receiving are the same. Each is part of each. If I give, I receive the happiness of giving. If I receive, I give someone else that same happiness of giving. I pray that I may give my self – my love and my strengths – generously. May I also receive graciously the love and strengths of others’ selves. May God be our example.

Today I Will Remember

The magnitude of God’s giving.

Hazelden Foundation

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

The Eye Opener

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019

At some time in your AA experience, you will be called upon to make a talk before the Group. When that time comes, remember that you are talking for the new man out in front. You definitely are not talking just to demonstrate your wisdom and your oratorical ability. Above all, you don’t exaggerate your story nor make statements that are manifestly untrue. It has been done and the effectiveness of the talk destroyed. Keep in mind that the man out in front is an alcoholic and he can spot a phony afar off.

Hazelden Foundation

Dec. 25, 2019 - Good morning to a wondrous Christmas Day with faith and hope

Dec. 25, 2019 - A joyous and serene Merry Christmas and coming New Year to all

Dec. 24, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

Getting Through the Holidays

For some, the sights, signs, and smells of the holidays bring joy and a warm feeling. But, while others are joyously diving into the season, some of us are dipping into conflict, guilt, and a sense of loss.

One of the greatest gifts of recovery is learning that we are not alone. There are probably as many of us in conflict during the holidays than there are those who feel at peace. We’re learning, through trial and error, how to take care of ourselves a little better each holiday season.

Our first recovery task during the holidays is to accept ourselves, our situation, and our feelings about our situation. We accept our guilt, anger, and sense of loss. It’s all okay.

There is no right or perfect way to handle the holidays. Our strength can be found in doing the best we can, one year at a time.

This holiday season, I will give myself permission to take care of myself.

Hazelden Foundation

Dec. 24, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

Step by Step

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019

Today, Christmas Eve, I have no need, desire or excuse to take part of the holiday’s liquid cheer because I am here despite or in spite of it all, and my choice today is to keep or begin my sobriety. If I still have family and friends to be with this holiday season, I will not sabotage it by drinking. If I am alone, it is because I have allowed it and shut out the support of meeting houses, others in recovery or those who need help getting there. Today is not a day for selfishness, and I will not empower it with self-pity, anger, mourning and regret if they are what my drinking spawned. Instead, I will be grateful that I simply am and have the potential to sober up, grow in it and, in some way, regain what I might have lost and keep what I haven’t. Today, I haven’t got time for the bittersweet of the season, only the promise of the sweet. And our common journey continues. Step by step. – Chris M., 2019

Dec. 24, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019

AA Thought for the Day

We have been given a new life just because we happened to become alcoholics. We certainly don’t deserve the new life that has been given us. There is little in our past to warrant the life we have now. Many people live good lives from their youth on, not getting into serious trouble, being well adjusted to life, and yet they have not found all that we drunks have found. We had the good fortune to find Alcoholics Anonymous and with it a new life. We are among the lucky few in the world who have learned a new way to live.

Am I deeply grateful for the new life that I have learned in AA?

Meditation for the Day

A deep gratitude to the Higher Power for all the blessings which we have and which we don’t deserve has come to us. We thank God and mean it. Then comes service to other people, out of gratitude for what we have received. This entails some sacrifice of ourselves and our own affairs. But we are glad to do it. Gratitude, service and then sacrifice are the steps that lead to good AA work. They open the door to a new life for us.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may gladly serve others out of deep gratitude for what I have received. I pray that I may keep a deep sense of obligation.

Hazelden Foundation

Dec. 24, 2019 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

A Day at a Time

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019

Reflection for the Day

We came to The Program as supplicants, literally at the ends of our ropes. Sooner or later, by practicing the principles of the Twelve Steps, we discover within ourselves a very precious thing. We uncover something with which we can be comfortable in all places and situations. We gain strength and grow with the help of God as we understand Him, with the fellowship of The Program and by applying the Twelve Steps to our lives.

Can anyone take my new life from me?

Today I Pray

May my prayers of desperate supplication, which I brought to my Higher Power as a newcomer to The Program, change to a peaceful surrender to the will of God. Now that I have seen what can be done through the endless might of a Higher Power, may my gift to others be that strong conviction. I pray that those I love will have the faith to find their own spiritual experiences and the blessings of peace.

Today I Will Remember

Peace – inner and outer – is God’s greatest blessing.

Hazelden Foundation