Jan. 25, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

 

Monday, Jan. 25, 2021

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

They may not deserve forgiveness, but I do. — Anne P.

Forgiveness is an act, not a feeling. Though it may generate feelings, forgiveness is an exercise of the will. When we forgive, we refuse to be further damaged by the wrongdoing of others.

A refusal to forgive is called a resentment. And the victim of resentment is always the one who carries it. The people we refuse to forgive may neither know nor care about our resentment.

To hang on to a resentment is to harbor a thief in the heart. By the minute and the hour, resentment steals the joy we could treasure now and remember forever. It pilfers our energy to celebrate life—to face others as messengers of grace rather than ambassadors of doom. We victimize ourselves when we withhold forgiveness.

Today, I will remember that forgiveness is a giver and resentment is a taker. Because I deserve it, I will forgive old hurts. I will see forgiveness as a gift to myself.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 25, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

 

Step by Step

Monday, Jan. 25, 2021

Today: "Courage to change the things I can," the petition of the Serenity Prayer that WE - not our Higher Power - take on those things that we CAN change. Though our options might be limited, the one thing we CAN change 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 the 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., 2021

Jan. 25, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Monday, Jan. 25, 2021

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

 

A Day at a Time

Monday, Jan. 25, 2021

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, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

 

The Eye Opener

Monday, Jan. 25, 2021

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

Jan. 25, 2021 - Good morning, and don't sweat that we're not going to get through another manic Monday

 

Good morning and let's get on with another Monday and new week with confidence that we're going to survive both ...have a truly terrific and safe day -- and no need to acknowledge anything and anyone out to screw it up

Jan. 24, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

 

Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

Balance

The goal is balance. We need balance between work and play. We need balance between giving and receiving. We need balance in thought and feelings. We need balance in caring for our physical self and our spiritual self.

A balanced life has harmony between a professional life and a personal life. There may be times when we need to climb mountains at work. There may be times when we put extra energy into our relationships. But the overall picture needs to balance.

Just as a balanced nutritional diet takes into account the realm of our nutritional needs to stay healthy, a balanced life takes into account all our needs: our need for friends, work, love, family, play, private time, recovery time, and spiritual time—time with God. If we get out of balance, our inner voice will tell us. We need to listen.

Today, I will examine my life to see if the scales have swung too far in any area, or not far enough in some. I will work toward achieving balance.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 24, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

 

Step by Step

Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs." - Step 12

Today, Step 12, the "graduation" Step that bestows marching orders and ushers us into the world and puts AA into service by taking the message to other alcoholics. But to be "qualified" as a 12th-Stepper, we have to see that this Step is actually one in three. We are required in it, first, to have had a spiritual awakening; second, to 'carry the message;' and third, to practice in all our affairs the Principles laid out in all the Steps. And without achieving all three, our effectiveness as a carrier of the message is likely to be compromised. After all, how can we talk about a spiritual awakening if we have not had one, and how can we ask someone to practice AA's Principles if we don't do so ourselves? Today, I ask myself if I have experienced the spiritual awakening that is fundamental to recovery, if I actually practice AA's Principles in all I do, and if I try to carry the message when asked. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2021

Jan. 24, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021

AA Thought for the Day

Alcoholics who are living in a blind alley refuse to be really honest with themselves or with other people. They're running away from life and won't face things as they are. They won't give up their resentments. They're too sensitive and too easily hurt. They refuse to try to be unselfish. They still want everything for themselves. And no matter how many disastrous experiences they have had with drinking, they still do it over and over again. There's only one way to get out of that blind alley way of living, and that's to change your thinking.

Have I changed my thinking?

Meditation for the Day

I know that the vision and power which I receive from God are limitless, as far as spiritual things are concerned. But in temporal and material things, I must submit to limitations. I know that I cannot see the road ahead. I must go just one step at a time, because God does not grant me a longer view. I am in uncharted waters, limited by my temporal and spatial life, but unlimited in my spiritual life.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that, in spite of my material limitations, I may follow God's way. I pray that I may learn that trying to do His will is perfect freedom.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 24, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

 

A Day at a Time

Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021

Reflection for the Day
Among the many gifts that we are offered in The Program is the gift of freedom. Paradoxically, however, the gift of freedom is not without a price tag; freedom can only be achieved by paying the price called acceptance. Similarly, if we can surrender to God's guidance, it will cost us our self-will, that "commodity" so precious to those of us who have always thought we could and should run the show.

Is my freedom today worth the price tag of acceptance?

Today I Pray
May God teach me acceptance - the ability to accept the things I cannot change. God also grant me courage to change those things I can. God help me to accept the illness of my addiction and give me the courage to change my addictive behavior.

Today I Will Remember
Accept the addiction.
Change the behavior.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 24, 2021 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

 

The Eye Opener

Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021

The AA Program is so simple and so honest that it confounds the physician with his Latin prescriptions and the scientist with his intricate formulas. They have been looking for the answer through a microscope or a telescope while the solution was at their fingertips. No wonder AA astounds them - they have been like the old woman who tore her house down looking for her glasses, only to find them on her forehead.

The simplicity of our program is its attraction, and we must keep it awfully simple or the results will be simply awful.

Hazelden Foundation