June 8
Daily Reflections
OPENING UP TO CHANGE
Self-searching is the means by which we bring new vision, action, and grace to bear upon the dark and negative side of our natures. With it comes the development of that kind of humility that makes it possible for us to receive God's help. . . . we find that bit by bit we can discard the old life -- the one that did not work -- for a new life that can and does work under any conditions whatever. AS BILL SEES IT, pp. 10, 8
I have been given a daily reprieve contingent upon my spiritual condition, provided I seek progress, not perfection. To become ready for change, I practice willingness, opening myself to possibilities of change. If I realize there are defects that hinder my usefulness in A.A. and toward others, I become ready by meditating and receiving direction. "Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely" (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 58). To let go and let God, I need only surrender my old ways to Him; I no longer fight nor do I try to control, but simply believe that, with God's help, I am changed and affirming this belief makes me ready. I empty myself to be full of awareness, light, and love, and I am ready to face each day with hope.
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Twenty-Four Hours A Day
A.A. Thought For The Day
Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. We always get worse, never better. We are never cured. Our alcoholism can only be arrested. No matter how long we have been sober, if we try liquor again, we're as bad or worse than we ever were. There is no exception to this rule in the whole history of A.A. We can never recapture the good times of the past. They are gone forever. Will I try to recapture them?
Meditation For The Day
Your life has been given to you mainly for the purpose of training your soul. This life we live is not so much for the body as for the soul. We often choose the way of life that best suits the body, not the way that best suits the soul. God wants you to choose what suits the soul as well as the body. Accept this belief and a wonderful molding of character is the result. Reject it and God's purpose for your life is frustrated, and your spiritual progress is delayed. Your soul is being trained by the good you choose. Thus the purpose of your life is being accomplished.
Prayer For The Day
I pray that I may choose what is good for my soul. I pray that I may realize God's purpose for my life. ************************************************** *********
As Bill Sees It
Between the Extremes, p. 159
"The real question is whether we can learn anything from our experiences upon which we may grow and help others to grow in the likeness and image of God.
"We know that if we rebel against doing that which is reasonably possible for us, then we will be penalized. And we will be equally penalized if we presume in ourselves a perfection that simply is not there.
"Apparently, the course of relative humility and progress will have to lie somewhere between these extremes. In our slow progress away from rebellion, true perfection is doubtless several millennia away."
Letter, 1959
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Walk in Dry Places
Quality Of Sobriety
Self-Improvement There is such a thing as length---or quantity---of sobriety, and there is also quality. It's generally accepted that sobriety ought to be something more than the single process of staying free from alcohol or drugs. We're on shaky ground, however, when we begin passing judgment on another person's quality of sobriety. We only have responsibility for the quality of our own sobriety, and it is not for us to decide how another should think or live. We may not be able to avoid noticing others' actions that we consider to be wrong, but we can keep our thoughts and opinions to ourselves. If we do wish to voice any opinions, it should be in terms of our own inventory---not the other person's. Some old-timers in Twelve Step programs develop crankiness that borders on resentment. Out of this crankiness come complaints about the way newcomers work the program. Our only responsibility is to treat these complaints with good humor and to avoid becoming cranky ourselves. Recovery alcoholics must continue to have the freedom to select any quality of sobriety they choose. Today I'll strive for a high-quality sobriety that includes cheerfulness, confidence, patience, and good humor.I won't be responsible for monitoring another's sobriety.
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Keep It Simple
It's not enough to talk to plants, you also have to listen.---David Bergman Sometimes, we find ourselves doing all the talking. When this happens, we need to stop, think, and listen. When we do all the talking, we're trying to control what happens. But when we listen, we get better results. No one has to be in control. What a relief! And we're learning to listen better every day. It's great---the care, love, and help we find---just by listening. Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me learn the "give-and-take" of talking and listening. Action for the Day: Today, I'll focus on listening, not only to other people but to my Higher Power's voice.
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Alcoholics Anonymous - Fourth Edition
Our Southern Friend
Pioneer A.A., minister's son, and southern farmer, he asked, "Who am I to say there is no God?"
I am in the hospital for alcoholics. I am an alcoholic. The insane asylum lies ahead. Could I have myself locked up at home? One more foolish idea. I might go out West on a ranch where I couldn't get anything to drink. I might do that. Another foolish idea. I wish I were dead, as I have often wished before. I am too yellow to kill myself.
p. 213
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Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
Step Nine - "Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others."
There can only be one consideration which should qualify our desire for a complete disclosure of the damage we have done.That will arise in the occasional situation where to make a full revelation would seriously harm the one to whom we are making amends. Or--quite as important--other people. We cannot, for example, unload a detailed account of extramaritaladventuring upon the shoulders of our unsuspecting wife or husband. And even in those cases where such a matter must be discussed, let's try to avoid harming third parties, whoever they may be. It does not lighten our burden when we recklessly make the crosses of others heavier.
p. 86
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"Love does not measure; it just gives." --Mother Teresa
We do not let things change us, we change things. --Joyce Meyer
Well done is better than well said. --Benjamin Franklin
"Worry is rehearsing fear about a made-up, fabricated event in the future that most of the time never happens." --Jeff Alexander
"Forget regret, or life is yours to miss." --Jonathan Larson
"When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that four of his fingers are pointing at himself." --Louis Nizer
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Father Leo's Daily Meditation
DOUBT
"I respect faith but doubt is what gets you an education." --Wilson Mizner
It is okay to question things. It is okay to say that I do not agree. Today I have the freedom to doubt opinions and attitudes.
In my childhood I was never allowed to do this. I had to accept the Bible because the preacher said it was God's word. I had to accept that only Christians went to Heaven because Grandma said so! I had to believe that Jews and Blacks were "inferior" because family and friends said so - and to doubt them was to be different. I was dependent upon an attitude towards life that I was uncomfortable with. It brought me pain, anger, loneliness and guilt in later life.
Then I learned that growth comes to those who are prepared to doubt or disagree with an existing system. God is to be found in the questions. Spirituality is discovered in the shades of life.
O God, part of Your glory and splendor is Your unending mystery.
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My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. John 4:34
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20
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Daily Inspiration
Little acts of kindness throughout the day will make your life so much better and bring a little sunshine to others as well. Lord, may I make a habit of being gentle and loving with those around me.
Everything we need to deal with life's problems lies within us. Our trials are tests to see if we can discover the solution. Lord, I call out Your name when I face my difficulties and together we will overcome them.
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