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A Prayer & Some Thoughts - December
December 1
Prayer in Time of Trouble Lord, in every need let me come to You with humble trust saying, "Lord, help me." In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations, Lord, help me. In hours of loneliness, weariness, and trials, Lord, help me. In the failure of my plans and hopes; in disappointments, troubles, and sorrows, Lord, help me. When others fail me and Your grace alone can assist me, help me. When my heart is cast down by failure at seeing no good come from my efforts, Lord, help me. When I feel impatient and irritable, Lord, help me. When I am ill and my head and hands cannot work and I am lonely, Lord, help me. Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls, and shortcomings of every kind, Lord, help me. Amen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Getting sober was a long and painful journey, but we can truthfully say it was worth it. We know now that all we've been through led us to A.A. and was part of our spiritual journey. We found in A.A. what we had been vainly seeking in the bottle. We've learned that our journey goes on as we continue to deal with our shortcomings and the human problems everybody must face. And when we reach a crossroads or a roadblock, we know that our Higher Power will come to our aid in making the right choices and surmounting all obstacles. So ............ Do I turn to my Higher Power to sustain me as I continue the spiritual journey that brought me to A.A.? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Patience with Myself Today, I will be patient with myself. When I do not do as well as I wish I would, I will not make that a reason to get down on myself. I will instead recognize that the fastest way to bring myself out of a painful funk is through understanding and being good to myself. I needn’t get caught in my own cycle of shame, resentment and blame. If a child is upset, I comfort the child because I understand that is what will makes things better. I give myself the same comfort that I would extend to a hurt child knowing that it will help me have the strength to forgive and move on (from: Tian Dayton PhD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Spiritual Experience A "spiritual experience" to me meant attending meetings, seeing a group of people, all there for the purpose of helping each other; hearing the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions read at a meeting, and hearing the Lord's Prayer, which in an AA meeting has such great meaning -- "Thy will be done, not mine." A spiritual awakening soon came to mean trying each day to be a little more thoughtful, more considerate, a little more courteous to those with whom I came in contact. Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition Page 356 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing and sharing with others that is important. Try not to judge people. If you judge others then you are not giving love.” -- Mother Teresa |
December 2
A Prayer Today God, forgive me where I have been resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid. Help me to not keep anything to myself but to discuss it all openly with another person – show me where I owe an apology and help me make it. Help me to be kind and loving to all people. Lord, Use me in the mainstream of life. Free me of worry, remorse or morbid (sick) reflections that I may be of usefulness to others. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I have real friends where I had none before. My drinking companions could hardly be called my real friends, though when drunk we seemed to have the closest kind of friendship. My idea of friendship has changed. Friends are no longer people whom I can use for my own pleasure or profit. Friends are now people who understand me and I them, whom I can help and who can help me to live a better life. I have learned not to hold back and wait for friends to come to me, but to go half way and to be met half way, openly and freely. So ............ Does friendship have a new meaning for me? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Accent on the Present We are/were often obsessed with the past. We would rehash old hurts and resentments, old fears and desires. Our dreams, along with our waking hours, may have been filled with people from our past. Such preoccupation with the past prevented us from focusing on the present. If we are to be alive in the present, we need to let go of the past. What is over is over and cannot be replayed except in our minds. What we can do is turn our memories over to our Higher Power for healing. The creative Spirit, which is not bound by time, can take away old hurts and resentments. Then we are free to deal with the present and concentrate on doing God's will for us now, today. Living in the present keeps us in touch with God, who restores us to sanity. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Past Showing others who suffer how we were given help is the very thing which makes life seem so worthwhile to us now. Cling to the thought that, in God's hands, the dark past is the greatest possession you have-- the key to life and happiness for others. With it you can avert death and misery for them. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 124 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “Renew, release, let go. Yesterday’s gone. There’s nothing you can do to bring it back. You can’t “should’ve” done something. You can only DO something. Renew yourself. Release that attachment. Today is a new day!” -- Steve Maraboli |
December 3
Prayer When Overwhelmed Dear God, We desperately want to give all these anxious thoughts over to you, but many times we don’t even know how to fully let go. Please help us release our cares to you. We’ve been carrying things you never asked us to carry; they’ve weighed us down and made us afraid. But you Lord, are the burden lifter, the One who knows our way. Thank you for your great compassion for your children. We are lost and overwhelmed without you. No matter the struggles we’re facing today, we believe in your faithfulness to see us through. Amen -- Simon Robben ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Today, I have more peace and contentment. Life has fallen into place. The pieces of the jigsaw puzzle have found their correct position. Life is whole, all of one piece. I am not cast hither and yon on every wind of circumstance or fancy. I am no longer a dry leaf cast up and away by the breeze. I have found my place of rest, my place where I belong. I am content. I do not vainly wish for things I cannot have. I have "the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. " So ............ Have I found contentment in A.A.? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Instant Satisfaction As we have reached for instant cures, one-minute answers, and quick highs, we have developed lifestyles that foreclosed deeper possibilities. Today, our greatest temptation may be to grab for the fast solutions rather than allowing time for small but important steps to occur. When we are frustrated, it will help to remember the difficulty may lie in our insistence on a quick answer. Sometimes simply being true to ourselves and standing as a witness while the answer develops are all that is asked of us. This day, I will have faith that time is on my side and it will teach me valuable things. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Trudge the Road of Happy Destiny “Trudge: To walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh conditions. I think that this describes almost perfectly the way sobriety can be at times, especially early recovery. The transition of mind and body from a seemingly hopeless state of pain and darkness to one of contentment, peace, and ease is a hard road. Getting sober is taxing and life doesn’t stop just because I’ve decided to live differently. But the pivotal part of this phrase for me is ‘Happy Destiny.’ I know that by putting one foot in front of the other regardless of painful emotions and seemingly endless work, I move ahead. And there are great moments of joy and peace along the way as I rediscover life. I am traveling towards a place of serenity, connectedness, and ultimately freedom. My horizons are awe-inspiring.” “Matching calamity with serenity.” “Getting comfortable with the uncomfortable.” “It reminds me that I have to work for my happiness. In active alcoholism, I always expected for it to just come to me. That I would somehow magically acquire something I perceived other people as having. I work towards the promises because I believe them. I’ve seen them in my own life and in the lives of the people in recovery that I love. Maybe what Bill W. meant by ‘trudge’ was ‘work.’ I have to put in the effort it, but I always see that effort rewarded. And I don’t have to ‘trudge’ the road alone. I have awesome people with me on the way. And that makes everything and everyday doing it much more worth it, and that much easier.” “Sometimes life is not going to be perfect and there will always be twists and turns. But if I continue to do the next right thing, feed my spiritual life, and trust my higher power then I will have nothing but a beautiful and fulfilling destiny awaiting me.” -- Taylor L., Statesboro, GA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “I fall, I stand still ... I trudge on. I gain a little ... I get more eager and climb higher and begin to see the widening horizon. Every struggle is a victory.” -- Helen Keller |
December 4
Prayer To Let Go Of My Fears And Worries Lord, I pray that in Your mercy and kindness You would help me to simply let go of all the fears and worries, problems and doubts, guilt and disappointments that seem to be filling my heart and mind so often, during the course of a day. Fill my hurting soul with Your love and peace I pray. Fill the emptiness and pain that is tearing my life asunder. Lord, You know what is in my heart and why I am going through this time of fear and worry. Help me Lord, to hand them over to You. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Since I've been in A.A., have I made a start toward becoming more honest? Do I no longer have to lie to my loved ones? Do I try to have meals on time, and do I try to earn what I make at work? Am I trying to be honest? Have I faced myself as I really am and have I admitted to myself that I'm no good by myself, but have to rely on God to help me do the right thing? So ............ Am I beginning to find out what it means to be alive and to face the world honestly and without fear? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Take the Pressure Off Sometimes we need a little pressure to get moving, but sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves. We begin to believe that only by worry and fear and pressuring ourselves can we got the job done. That kind of pressure doesn’t get the job done any better or faster. It simply makes you tense and fearful, and stops the creative juices. We have responsibilities. We have time frames and commitments to others. And there are times when we need to get the job done. But the most pressing job can be done best when we’re relaxed. The most urgent decision can be made most clearly when we’re at peace. It doesn’t help to force ourselves to go faster, be somewhere else, or be someone we’re not. There are few things we need to do that can be enhanced by becoming tense, fearful, and worried. The more pressing the situation, the more pressing the need to be present for ourselves, and be present for each moment. Let off some steam. Release your emotions. Clear the pathway to the heart. The answer will come. The job will get done. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ More Than But life among Alcoholics Anonymous is more than attending gatherings and visiting hospitals. Cleaning up old scrapes, helping to settle family differences, explaining the disinherited son to his irate parents, lending money and securing jobs for each other, when justified these are everyday occurrences. No one is too discredited or has sunk too low to be welcomed cordially if he means business. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 161 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” -- Joseph Campbell |
December 5
Prayer For Right Choice Dear God, I know that You can open doors that no man can ever shut. It’s not always easy for me to see and sense the direction I need to take. So today, I trust and ask You to lead me to open doors of opportunity that you have prepared for me. Help me make sense of the options that lay before me and help me see and make the right choices today. Amen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Since I've been in A.A., have I made a start toward becoming more loving to my family and friends? Do I visit my parents? Am I more appreciative of my spouse than I was before? Am I grateful to my family for having put up with me? Have I found real understanding with my children? Do I feel that the friends I've found in A.A. are real friends? Do I believe that they are always ready to help me and do I want to help them if I can? So ............ Do I really care now about other people? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Fear of Giving It is often the fear of rejection, which makes us afraid to give of ourselves. If our self-image is too grand and inflated, we cannot possibly live up to it in reality. Expecting ourselves to be perfect sets us up for frustration and fear, since we know deep down that we do not measure up to our image of perfection. By focusing more on the needs of others and less on the imaginary concept of ourselves, which is our ego, we learn to overcome our fear of giving. With humility comes the willingness to give of what we have and what we are right now, without waiting until we are more eloquent or more accomplished. I should not be afraid to give of myself to others. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Willingness All we need is a key, and the decision to swing the door open. There is only one key, and it is called willingness. Once unlocked by willingness, the door opens almost of itself, and looking through it, we shall see an inscription. It reads: "This is the way to a faith that works." Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Page 34 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "We cannot lead a choiceless life. Every day, every moment, every second, there is a choice. If it were not so, we would not be an individuals." -- Ernest Holmes |
December 6
Hoarding Prayer Lord, the materialistic temptation to gather and hoard is in us all. Self-protectionism and the false narrative of scarcity make for a toxic brew that we quaff on any normal day, let alone in the middle in this pandemic. Forgive our hoarding hearts that know too well the rhythmic patterns of wanting more, taking more, storing up more. By the power of your abundant grace, turn us inward-out that we may recognize the call to place our trust in you alone. Help us release a hold on material things and grip tightly to the treasures of heaven: kindness, mercy, justice, reconciliation, acts of charity, and love for all. This we pray for ourselves, for each other, and for the world you hold dear. Amen. ~~ Justin Lind-Ayres ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Offer new prospects friendship and fellowship. Tell them that if they want to get well you will do anything to help. Burn the idea into the consciousness of new prospects that they can get well, regardless of anyone else. Job or no job, spouse or no spouse, they cannot stop drinking as long as they place dependence on other people ahead of dependence on God. Let no alcoholic say they cannot recover unless they have their family back. This just isn't so. Their recovery is not dependent upon other people. It is dependent on their own relationship with God. So ............ Can I recognize all excuses made by a prospect? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Denial Denial is a defense mechanism in which a person is faced with a fact that is too uncomfortable to accept and rejects it instead, insisting that it is not true despite what may be overwhelming evidence. It is an unconscious refusal to admit or to recognize something that has occurred or is currently occurring. Forcing ourselves - or anyone else - to face the truth usually doesn't help. We won't face the facts until we are ready. We won't admit to the truth until we feel safe, secure, and prepared enough to deal and cope with it. The first step toward moving through denial is accepting that we may be in denial, and then gently allowing ourselves to move through. Today do I feel safe and secure enough today to accept what I need to accept. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Atmosphere of Grace Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions, and our intuitions of vitally needed support. As the body can fail its purpose for lack of nourishment, so can the soul. We all need the light of God's reality, the nourishment of His strength, and the atmosphere of His grace. To an amazing extent the facts of A.A. life confirm this ageless truth. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Pages 97-98 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “Forgiveness means it finally becomes unimportant that you hit back.” -- Anne Lamott |
December 7
Prayer For Today’s Tasks Lord, I stand before You today in Your presence to ask that You grant me strength. I ask You to give me the strength to power through all of the tasks today — whether little or big. It is by Your will that I live oh Lord. And I know it is also by Your will I will not go weak today. Lord, thank you for giving me the opportunity everyday to learn a little more of how to let go and let God. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought When I was drinking, I was absolutely selfish, I thought of myself first, last, and always. The universe revolved around me at the center. When I woke up in the morning with a hangover, my only thought was how terrible I felt and about what I could do to make myself feel better. And the only thing I could think of was more liquor. To quit was impossible. I couldn't see beyond myself and my own need for another drink. So ............ Can I now look out and beyond my own selfishness? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Moderation Moderation is the process of eliminating or lessening extremes. It is used to ensure normality throughout the medium on which it is being conducted. ... A way of life emphasizing perfect amounts of everything, not indulging in too much of one thing, hence moderation. When there's moderation in everything, from food and drinks to sleeping and working, a person is more likely to feel as if they are in control of their life, and all the decisions they're making are more likely to bring them joy than make them feel miserable, as is often the case with going to either of the extremes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ New Design We, in our turn, sought the same escape with all the desperation of drowning men. What seemed at first a flimsy reed, has proved to be the loving and powerful hand of God. A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, "a design for living" that really works. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 28 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “Recovery is something that you have to work on every single day, and it’s something that it doesn’t get a day off.” -- Demi Lovato |
December 8
Morning Prayer of the Optina Elders O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray. And you, yourself, pray in me. Amen. -- St. Philaret of Moscow (This is the English Translation) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I can do things that I never did before. Liquor took away my initiative and my ambition. I couldn't get up the steam to start anything. I let things slide. When I was drunk, I was too inert to even comb my hair. Now I can sit down and do something. I can write letters that need to be written. I can make telephone calls that should be made. I can work in my garden. I can pursue my hobbies. I have the urge to create something, that creative urge that was completely stifled by alcohol. I am free to achieve again. So ............ Have I recovered my initiative? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation True Happiness We cannot find true happiness by looking for it. Seeking pleasure does not bring happiness in the long run, only disillusionment. Do not seek to have this fullness of joy by seeking pleasure. It cannot be done that way. Happiness is a by-product of living the right kind of life. True happiness comes as a result of living in all respects the way you believe God wants you to live, with regard to yourself and to other people. I should not always seek pleasure as a goal; I should be content with the happiness that comes when I do the right thing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Real Alcoholics Despite all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going to believe they are in that class. By every form of self deception and experimentation, they will try to prove themselves exceptions to the rule, therefore nonalcoholic. If anyone who is showing inability to control his drinking can do the right about face and drink like a gentleman, our hats are off to him. Heaven knows, we have tried hard enough and long enough to drink like other people! Alcoholics Anonymous Page 31 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do." -- Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) |
December 9
Simple Prayer of Gratitude Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life. You have provided me with more than I could ever have imagined. You have surrounded me with people who always look out for me. You have given me family and friends who bless me every day with kind words and actions. They lift me up in many ways. Also, thank you, Lord, for keeping me safe. You help me make better choices and provide me with advisors to help me with life’s difficult decisions. You speak to me in so many ways so that I always know you are here. And Lord, I am so grateful for keeping those around me safe and loved. I hope that you provide me with the ability and sense to show them every day how much they matter. I hope that you give me the ability to give to them the same kindness they have provided to me. I am extremely grateful for all of your blessings in my life, Lord. I pray that you remind me of just how blessed I am and that you never allow me to forget to show my gratitude in prayer and returned acts of kindness. Thank you, Lord. From a Prayer by Kelli Mahoney ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Alcoholics recover their faith in a Power greater than themselves. They admit that they're helpless by themselves and they call on that Higher Power for help. They surrender their lives to God, as they understand Him. They put their drink problem in God's hands and leave it there. They recover their faith in a Higher Power that can help them. So ............ Have I recovered my faith? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Perfect People We may have spent much time and energy looking for perfect people to fulfill our lives. This process involves projecting our fond illusions onto those we meet, building them up way out of reality, and then being terribly disillusioned when extended and intimate acquaintance proves them to be just ordinary people. Accepting our friends and family for what they are rather than what we idealize them to be is part of growing up emotionally. It is our own weakness and insecurity that causes us to try to make gods out of other people. As we learn to accept ourselves as less than perfect, we are able to reduce the unreasonable demands we make on others. By not expecting perfection from others, we can love them as they are, encouraging their strengths and supporting their weaknesses. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Spiritual Kindergarten We are only operating a spiritual kindergarten in which people are enabled to get over drinking and find the grace to go on living to better effect. Each man's theology has to be his own quest, his own affair. As Bill Sees It Page 95 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "Spiritual Strength is not weakened by unfortunate circumstances, but by lack of faith" -- Wayne Chiriso |
December 10
Gratitude for the Simple Things Thank you, God, for all your blessings to me and my family; for the strength you give me each day and for all the people around me who make life more meaningful. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I have lost many of my resentments. I have found that getting even with people doesn't do any good. When we try to get revenge, instead of making us feel better, it leaves us frustrated and cheated. Instead of punishing our enemies, we've only hurt our own peace of mind. It does not pay to nurse a grudge; it hurts us more than anyone else. Hate causes frustration, inner conflict, and neurosis. If we give out hate, we will become hateful. If we are resentful, we will be resented. If we do not like people, people will not like us. Revengefulness is a powerful poison in our systems. So ............ Have I lost my resentments? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Relationships There is a gift for us in each relationship that comes our way. Sometimes the gift is a behavior we're learning to acquire: detachment, self esteem, becoming confident enough to set a boundary, or owning our power in another way. Some relationships trigger healing in us. We find ourselves learning the most important lessons from the people we least expect to help us. We learn about loving ourselves or someone else.Or we'll learn to let others love us.We don't have to control this process. I will try to open myself to the lesson and the gift from each person in my life. I will trust that I, too, am a gift in the other people's lives. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No Reservation We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again: "Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic." Commencing to drink after a period of sobriety, we are in a short time as bad as ever. If we are planning to stop drinking, there must be no reservation of any kind, nor any lurking notion that someday we will be immune to alcohol. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 33 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "Expecting the world to be fair to you because you are a good person is like expecting the bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian." -- Vernon Davis |
December 11
Prayer for Facing This Day Dear God, Please give me strength when I am weak, love when I feel forsaken, courage when I am afraid, wisdom when I feel foolish, comfort when I am alone, hope when I feel rejected, and peace when I am in turmoil. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Today, I am less self-centered. The world used to revolve around me at the center. I cared more about my own needs, desires and my own pleasure, my own way, myself than I did about the whole rest of the world. What happened to me was more important than anything else I could think of. I was selfishly trying to be happy and therefore I was unhappy most of the time. I have found that selfishly seeking pleasure does not bring true happiness. Thinking of myself all the time cut me off from the best in life. A.A. taught me to care less about myself and more about the other person. So ............ Today, am I less self-centered? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Humility In our struggles with self-abasement, self-hate and guilt, which often alternates with feelings of superiority, is not the spiritual quality of humility. With humility, we respect ourselves and our place in the universe. Humility is having ourselves in perspective, knowing we are connected to the whole world, accepting how small and powerless we are, and accepting the power and responsibility we have. With this spiritual feeling comes a sense of awe for the world we live in and a feeling of gratitude for the life we've been given. The humility I feel today goes hand in hand with my self-respect and gratefulness for being part of life. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Life on Life's Terms For years, I was sure the worst thing that could happen to a nice guy like me would be that I would turn out to be an alcoholic. Today, I find it's the best thing that has ever happened to me. This proves I don't know what's good for me. And if I don't know what's good for me, then I don't know what's good or bad for you or for anyone. So I'm better off if I don't give advice, don't figure I know what's best, and just accept life on life's terms, as it is today--especially my own life, as it actually is. Before AA, I judged myself by my intentions, while the world was judging me by my actions. Alcoholics Anonymous Pages 449-450 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "I am open and willing to take a step forward in a new direction. I am no longer allowing myself to stay stuck by old thoughts and feelings. This new place is exciting and energizing." - -- Ruth Fishel |
December 12
An Amends Prayer Dear God, Now I pray for Your help in making me entirely ready to change my destructive patterns. Give me the strength to deal with the character defects I’ve turned over to You. Allow me to accept all the changes You want to make in me. Help me to be the person You want me to be. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought When I think of all who have gone before me, I realize that I am only one, not the most important, person. What happens to me is not so very important after all. And A.A. has taught me to be more outgoing, to seek friendship by going at lest halfway, to have a sincere desire to help. I have more self-respect now that I have less sensitiveness. I have found that the only way to live comfortably with myself is to take a real interest in others. So ............ Do I realize that I am not so important after all? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Discipline Adults, as well as children need discipline to feel secure. Discipline means ............ understanding there are logical consequences to our behavior. taking responsibility for our behavior and the consequences. learning to wait for what we want. being willing to work for and toward what we want. learning and practicing new behaviors. being where we need to be, when we need to be there, despite our feelings. Discipline is the day to day performing of tasks, whether these are behaviors or washing the dishes. Discipline involves trusting that our goals will be reached though we cannot see them Discipline can be grueling. We may feel afraid, confused, and uncertain. Later, we will see the purpose. But this clarity of sight usually does not come during the time of discipline.We may not even believe we're moving forward.But we are. The task at hand during times of discipline is simple: listen, trust, and obey. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Truth, the Liberator How truth makes us free is something that we A.A.'s can well understand. It cut the shackles that once bound us to alcohol. It continues to release us from conflicts and miseries beyond reckoning; it banishes fear and isolation. The unity of our Fellowship, the love we cherish for each other, the esteem in which the world holds us--all of these are products of the truth which, under God, we have been privileged to perceive. As Bill Sees It Page 70 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "If today offers a challenge, be grateful. Challenges are gifts of awareness and growth." -- Anonymous A.A. |
December 13
Holiday Depression Prayer Lord, it seems so silly and wrong to get so depressed about this up-coming holiday, but Lord You know that I find holidays quite difficult to cope with, and I know that I cannot break out of this cycle of holiday depression, without Your help and strength. Show me what I ought to do in order to prevent this holiday. Teach me what to do when panicky thoughts start to fill up my mind and show me how to prevent those thoughts from taking hold of me, and pushing me back into a state of despair and depression. Lord, may I truly break free of this recurring holiday depression once and for all Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I am less critical of other people, inside and outside of A.A. I used to run people down all the time. I realize now that it was because I wanted unconsciously to build myself up. I was envious of people who lived normal lives. I couldn't understand why I couldn't be like them. And so I ran them down. I called them sissies or hypocrites. I was always looking for faults in the other person. I loved to tear down what I called "a stuffed shirt" or "a snob." I have found that I can never make a person any better by criticism. A.A. has taught me this. So ............ Am I less critical of people? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Anticipation We wear ourselves out unnecessarily when we spend our energy anticipating the future rather than living in the present. To anticipate bad things is obviously detrimental. Also, it's needless, since most of the things we worry about never happen. Anticipating future satisfactions can also be detrimental. We may build up some future pleasure in our minds to such an unrealistic pitch that the actual event is bound to be disappointing. Accepting the here and now is what ensures our sanity and our serenity. Reality is never more than we can manage, with the help of our Higher Power. It is our anticipation of the future, which is unreal and dangerous. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Way Out The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 17 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “It's not the burdens of everyday that drive men mad. It is the regret of yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves that rob us of today.” -- Unknown Author |
December 14
Another Serenity Prayer God, grant me the serenity To stop beating myself up for not doing things perfectly, The courage to forgive myself because I’m working on doing better, And the wisdom to know that You already love me just the way I am. ~ Eleanor Brownn ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought People who have had a slip are ashamed of themselves - sometimes so ashamed that they fear to go back to A.A. They develop the old inferiority complex and tell themselves that they are no good that they have let down their friends in A.A., that they are hopeless, and that they can never make it. This state of mind is perhaps worse than it was originally. They have probably been somewhat weakened by their slip. But their A.A. training cannot ever be entirely lost. They always know they can go back if they want to. They know there is still God's help for them if they will again ask for it. So ............ Do I believe that I can never entirely lose what I have learned in A.A.? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Self Acceptance To finally come to self acceptance. To accept and be comfortable in my own skin. That is one of the keys to life isn’t it? To be done with perfectionism in all it’s forms. To learn to practice imperfection in all things in life. I’ve heard it said that in Japanese art when an object like a jar is broken they fill in the cracks with gold. The brokenness and imperfection is what makes the object even more valuable and beautiful. May I see imperfection in that way in my own life. As Leonard Cohen said, “Everything has a crack in it, that’s how the light gets in.” To forgive myself because I’m in process and it’s all learning and I’ll never be done learning. The thought that life is one big experiment, frees me to experiment, explore and have fun. And I am working on doing better, I always want to improve and to learn more for the joy of it rather than having to prove anything to anyone or to get in good with God, but to become fully myself. What I’m discovering in deeper ways in my life, is the greatest wisdom in life – is to believe, know, experience and soak in the love of God and to allow that love to overflow in my life so that I will love well – others and even myself. It’s a powerful truth to realize that God loves and accepts me just as I am, just the way I am. Grace is to accept the fact of your acceptance by God, no matter what. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Understanding Gradually, however, God began to clear my channels so that real understanding began to come. Then was the time when full realization and acknowledgement came to me. It was realization and acknowledgement of the fact that I was full of self-pity and resentment, realization that I had not fully given my problems to God. I was still trying to do my own fixing. Experience, Strength and Hope Page 22 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “No amount of self-improvement can make up for any lack of self-acceptance.” ~ Robert Holden |
December 15
Prayer for Comforting Dear God, Some days feel too hard. We’re hurting. Struggling. Fighting fear and worry at every turn. Thank you in the midst of it all, you haven’t left us to fend for ourselves. Forgive us for doubting you are there. Forgive us for thinking you’ve forgotten. Forgive us for believing we somehow know the better way. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Who am I to judge other people? Have I proved by my great success in life that I know all the answers? Exactly the opposite. Until I came into A.A., my life could be called a failure. I made all the mistakes one could make. I took all the wrong roads there were to take. On the basis of my record, am I a fit person to be a judge of other people? Hardly. In A.A. I have learned not to judge people. I am so often wrong. Let the results of what they do judge them. It's not up to me. So ............ Am I less harsh in my judgment of people? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Taking Care of Ourselves We do not have to wait for others to come to our aid. We are not victims. We are not helpless. Letting go of faulty thinking means we realize there are no knights on white horses, no magical grandmothers in the sky watching, waiting to rescue us. Teachers may come our way, but they will not rescue. They will teach. People who care will come, but they will not rescue. We are our own rescuers. Our relationships will improve dramatically when we stop rescuing others and stop expecting them to rescue us. I will let go of the fears and self-doubt that block me from taking assertive action in my best interest. I can take care of myself and let others do the same for themselves. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dependency Plainly, I could not avail myself of God's love until I was able to offer it back to Him by loving others as He would have me. And I couldn't possibly do that as long as I was victimized by false dependencies. For my dependency meant demand -- a demand for the possession and control of the people and the conditions surrounding me. The Best of Bill Page 56 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "There are two ways to slide easily through life: To believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways save us from thinking." -- Alfred Korzybski |
December 16
Simple Prayer God, Please guide me as I walk through this life. Help me not to act on my own.wisdom, but to seek Your will in every situation I am in. Thank you Lord. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought A better way than judging people is to look for all the good in them. If you look hard enough and long enough, you ought to be able to find some good in every person. In A.A., I learned that my job was to try to bring out the good, not criticize the bad. Every alcoholic is used to being judged and criticized. That has never helped anyone to get sober. In A.A. we tell people they can change. We try to bring out the best in them. We encourage their good points and ignore their bad points. People are not converted by criticism. So ............ Do I look for the good in people? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Communication Communication is much more than words. Words are merely fingers pointing the direction to understanding - they are not understanding itself. To really communicate with someone, we have to allow ourselves, just for a moment, to become that other person. When we do this, we begin to be able to see beyond the masks that hide what another person is really feeling. When we take the time to really see others, we may discover they are frightened, timid people longing for understanding. When we get beyond reacting to their outward behavior and move toward viewing their inner selves, it is much easier to extend a hand of friendship, to say we care, and truly mean it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Responsibility In the last analysis, as a recovering alcoholic I need only have two concerns. The first is to maintain my sobriety on a daily basis and to practice the program of AA one day at a time. The second is to ensure that what was here yesterday will be here tomorrow for the next alcoholic who walks through the doors of the Fellowship. And for that I am responsible. "Thank You For Sharing" Page 181 (Thank You For Sharing: Sixty Years of Letters to AA Grapevine) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Hug It's wondrous what a hug can do A hug can cheer you when you're blue A hug can say "I love you so" Or "Gee, I hate to see you go." A hug is "Welcome back again" And "Great to see you, where've you been?" A hug can smooth a small child's pain And bring a rainbow after rain. The hug: There's just no doubt about it We scarcely could survive without it A hug delights and warms and charms It must be why God gave us arms Hugs are great for fathers and mothers Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers And chances are your favorite aunts Love them more than potted plants Kittens crave them, puppies love them Heads of state are not above them A hug can break the language barrier And make your travels so much merrier. No need to fret about your store of 'em So stretch those arms without delay And give someone a hug today! ~ Dean Walley |
December 17
Prayer for Rest God, I am exhausted and weary beyond belief. I ask that You touch my mind and body and help me let go of these racing thoughts that keep me from relaxing and sleeping. So come to you with my burdens. May Your peace guard my heart and mind today and restore my soul. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Today, I am less sensitive and my feelings are less easily hurt. I no longer take myself so seriously. It didn't used to take much to insult me, to feel that I had been slighted or left on the outside. What happens to me now is not so important. One cause of our drinking was that we couldn't take it, so we escaped the unpleasant situation. We have learned to take it on the chin if necessary and smile. When I am all wrapped up in A.A., I do not notice the personal slights so much. They do not seem to matter so much. I have learned to laugh at self-pity because it's so childish. So ............ Am I less sensitive? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Enthusiasm When enthusiasm is absent in our lives, no activity appears inviting. In fact, most situations foster fear. Enthusiasm will usually guarantees positive outcomes for our efforts, when we look to our God for the right attitude. An open, trusting, sincere relationship with our higher power equals enthusiasm about life. But that relationship takes work on our part. When we've done our homework we discover that no lesson will baffle us. Prayer and meditation make all things understandable and guarantee that we will "pass the course" on life. Begin this day, and every day, looking to God for the gift of zeal to live fully every moment. My attitude of gratitude will increase my happiness many fold; if I look to this day with zeal. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Financial Recovery Although financial recovery is on the way for many of us, we found we could not place money first. For us, material well-being always followed spiritual progress; it never preceded. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 127 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “Even the smallest shift in perspective can bring about the greatest healing.” -- Joshua Kai |
December 18
Prayer for Inner Healing Lord, I turn these feelings of hopelessness and distress over to You. I ask for You to renew me inwardly. I know that what I’m going through is temporary. Please help me to focus on the things that are unseen and eternal, rather than these things that are wearing me down because they are transient. Please restore, confirm, strengthen and establish me. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought We alcoholics were on a merry-go-round, going round and round, and we couldn't get off. That merry-go-round is a kind of hell on earth. In A.A. I got off that merry-go-round by learning to stay sober. I pray to that Higher Power every morning to help me to keep sober. And I get the strength from that Power to do what I could never do with my own strength. I do not doubt the existence of that Power. We're not speaking into a vacuum when we pray. That Power is there, if we will use it. So ............ Am I off the merry-go-round of drinking for good? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Loving Truth Since it is truth that sets us free - free from crippling fear - we come to love this truth, even when it hurts. It was mainly our fear that kept us from recognizing the truth about ourselves. We needed help and support from a Higher Power before we could face reality. Our devotion to truth may bring us into conflict with those around us. What we need to remember is that we are not responsible for convincing anyone else of what we believe to be true. We are honest about where we are, but we do not expect or demand agreement from anyone else. Since each of us has a different perspective, we can only know the truth, as we each understand it. Loving truth means that we acknowledge it to be too big for any one of us to grasp completely. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Real Alcoholics Despite all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going to believe they are in that class. By every form of self-deception and experimentation, they will try to prove themselves exceptions to the rule, therefore nonalcoholic. If anyone who is showing inability to control his drinking can do the right-about-face and drink like a gentleman, our hats are off to him. Heaven knows, we have tried hard enough and long enough to drink like other people! Alcoholics Anonymous Page 31 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “At that moment I knew without a doubt that God himself was speaking to me. He cared. He was there. He came to help even when I could not call out loud or explain my fear in words.” -- Catherine Lawton |
December 19
Lord For Today Dear God, Give me true strength to smile when I want to cry, laughter to hide the pain, and the will to go on no matter what. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I have got rid of most of my inner conflicts. I was always at war with myself. I was doing things that I did not want to do. I was waking up in strange places and wondering how I got there. I was full of recklessness when I was drunk and full of remorse when I was sober. My life didn't make sense. It was full of broken resolves and frustrated hopes and plans. I was getting nowhere fast. No wonder my nerves were all shot. I was bumping up against a blank wall and I was dizzy from it. A.A. taught me how to get organized and to stop fighting against myself. So ............ Have I got rid of inner conflicts? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Accept Your Current Situation We think we have control over our lives, but we don’t. We only have a tiny locus of control — what we think and feel, what we say, and what we do. We have control over ourselves and how we show up in the world — the rest is seemingly out of our reach. We can’t control events, or how other people react to what we think, feel, say or do. Making life your friend instead of your enemy takes work. It’s not an immediate, overnight shift. Roadblocks happen in life. They’re not there to hinder you or to make your life terrible. They might actually be beneficial, when you look back with hindsight. When you start radically accepting uncomfortable situations out of your control, it might not feel great at first. But one thing does happen — you start to flow with life, not against it. If you turn your attention away from the seeming misfortune, you’ll often notice there are other, more subtle gifts to pay attention to. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Greater Strength It is now well established that willpower all by itself is about as effective a cure for alcohol addiction as it is for cancer....Most of us tried going it alone, hoping either to control our drinking or to stop, and we had no lasting success in either endeavor. But we finally asked ourselves: Wouldn't it be more intelligent to seek out and tap a strength greater than our own than to persist in our futile solo efforts...? Living Sober Page 73 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "Peace is accepting today, releasing yesterday, and giving up the need to control tomorrow." -- Lori Deschene |
December 20
Prayer To Let Go Lord, I don’t really know how to “let go”. I don’t really know what to do to give You control of my life, but I am coming to You in humility of heart to admit that I can do nothing in my own strength and to confess my need for You in my life. Lord, I pray that Your grace and mercy would lead and guide me and take control. Lord, let me accept each day as a gift. Let me follow the path you choose for me. Help me to be thankful for what you give me and not to worry about my needs. I trust you will take care of all my needs. Remind me that my role is to care for those around me and focus on those who need my help. Help me not to be judgmental, as we are all equal in God's eyes. Help me to see the good in all of your creations. Let me leave the judging to you, dear Jesus. Instead, I will concentrate on living to please you! Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I have got over my procrastination. I was always putting things off till tomorrow and as a result that never got done. "There is always another day" was my motto instead of "Do it now." Under the influence of alcohol, I had grandiose plans. When I was sober I was too busy getting over my drunk to start anything. "Some day I'll do that" -- but I never did it. In A.A. I have learned it's better to make a mistake once in a while than to never do anything at all. We learn by trial and error. But we must act now and not put it off until tomorrow. So ............ Have I learned to do it now? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Be Nurtured Let yourself be nurtured and loved. Let people be there for you. Allow yourself to be held when it would feel good. Let someone listen to you, support and encourage you when you need that. Receive comfort from someone's physical presence when you need that. Allow yourself to be supported emotionally and cared about. For too long, we've stood in the background, attending to the needs of others and claiming we have no needs of our own. We've shut off, for to long, the part of us that longs to be nurtured. It is time, now, to claim those needs, to identify them, and to understand that we deserve to have them met. What are our needs? What would feel good? What kinds of ways would we like others to nurture and support us? The clearer we can be about our needs, the greater the possibility they will be met. I will open to recognizing my needs for nurturing. I will be open to the needs of those around me too. I can begin taking a nurturing, loving attitude toward myself and by taking responsibility for my needs in relationships. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Is or Isn't When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is or He isn't. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 53 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "Recovery Didn’t Open The Gates Of Heaven And Let Me In. Recovery Opened The Gates Of Hell And Let Me Out!" -- Unknown Author |
December 21
Prayer For Strength and Wisdom God, there are things happening around me right now that I do not understand. Some of these things make me feel weak, helpless and afraid. I ask you for strength and for wisdom that I would be able to endure the situation and be able to handle it in a way that would fulfill your will. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought After we've been in A.A. for a while, we find out that if we're going to stay sober, we have to be humble people. The men and women in A.A. who have achieved sobriety are all humble people. When I stop to think that but for the grace of God I might be drunk right now, I can't help feeling humble. Gratitude to God for His grace makes me humble. When I think of the kind of person I was not so long ago, when I think of the person I left behind me, I have nothing to be proud of. So ............ Am I grateful and humble? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Self Value We have a real life of our own. Yes, we do. That empty feeling, that senses that everyone except us has a life - an important life, a valuable life, a better life - is a remnant from the past. It is also a self-defeating belief that is inaccurate. We are real. So is our life. Jump into it, and we'll see. Today, I will live my life and treasure it as mine. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fear Fear has caused suffering when I could have had more faith. There are times when fear suddenly tears me apart, just when I'm experiencing feelings of joy, happiness and a lightness of heart. Faith -- and a feeling of self-worth toward a Higher Power -- helps me endure tragedy and ecstasy. When I choose to give all my fears over to my Higher Power, I will be free. Daily Reflections Page 181 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “Today I Will Remember Self-esteem or self-satisfaction?” ~ Anonymous |
December 22
Restore My Strength Lord, drive away from me all forms of sickness and disease. restore strength to my body and joy to my spirit, so that in my renewed health, I may bless and serve you, now and forevermore. -- Author Unknown ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought In A.A. we do not speak much of sex. But putting sex in its proper place in our lives is one of the rewards that has come to us as a result of our new way of living. The big book says that many of us needed an overhauling there. It also says that we subjected each sex relation to this test -- was it selfish or not? "We remembered always that our sex powers were God-given and therefore good, neither to be used lightly or selfishly, nor to be despised or loathed." We can ask God to mold our ideals and to help us to live up to them. We can act accordingly. So ............ Have I got my sex life under proper control? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Negative Thinking When we are locked within negative, hostile thinking patterns, we go around in mental circles. What seems perfectly rational to us at the time looks misguided and blind when we look back. Carrying a grudge or a desire to get even with someone is a cancer inside us. It belittles us and holds back our spirit. We break through our mental circles by revealing our anger to others. We talk with other people, we trust and let them know the details of our resentments. We listen to their experiences and apply them in our lives. As long as we keep our thoughts and feelings to ourselves, we only recycle the same thinking system. When we take the risk and talk to friends, we build bridges that bring in new ideas. I will try not harbor my resentments within myself. I will talk with a trusted friend so I can learn to let them go. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Listening For weeks I sat in the back of the rooms, silent when others shared their experience, strength and hope. I listened to their stories and found so many areas where we overlapped -- not all of the deeds, but the feelings of remorse and hopelessness. I learned that alcoholism isn't a sin, it's a disease. That lifted the guilt I felt. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 344 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "All of us, at certain moments of our lives, need to take advice and to receive help from other people." -- Alexis Carrel |
December 23
Lament Prayer over Coronavirus Pandemic God. Listen to our prayers. How long will we have to hide in our homes from this invisible enemy? Where will it strike next? And whom? And what if…? Our screens relay a continuous escalation of suffering and death around the world. Panic and anxiety abounds. Our souls are weary from the strain of the life-altering unknowns. Heavenly Father, from the depths of our pain and confusion, we cry out to You. From fear-filled hearts and anxious minds, we plead with You. Rescue us, Father of compassion and grace. We lift up our eyes to You, Lord God. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I no longer try to escape life through alcoholism. Drinking built up an unreal world for me and I tried to live in it. But in the morning light the real life was back again and facing it was harder than ever, because I had less resources with which to meet it. Each attempt at escape weakened my personality by the very attempt. Everyone knows that alcohol, by relaxing inhibitions, permits a flight from reality. Alcohol deadens the brain cells that preside over our highest faculties and we are off to the unreal world of drunkenness. A.A. taught me not to run away, but to face reality. So ............ Have I given up trying to escape life? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Gifts Holidays are a wonderful and exciting time of year - a time to enjoy snowflakes falling, company coming, and presents. Sometimes we find ourselves concentrating solely on the wrapped presents and forgetting about the presents of the heart. With God's help, we can begin to notice such things as the hug from a brother or sister, the laugh of a grandparent or the hand-drawn card given to us by a friend. All of these wonderful presents and more are ours for the taking; we need only to see beyond the wrapped packages. It is then we will fully experience the joys of the heart. How many gifts do I see around me right now? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Understanding Gradually, God began to clear my channels so that real understanding began to come. Then was the time when full realization and acknowledgement came to me. It was realization and acknowledgement of the fact that I had not fully given my problems to God. I was still trying to do my own fixing. Experience, Strength and Hope Page 22 (This is available at most intergroups) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "There is only one small letter between the words CAN and CAN'T...and that one letter will TOTALLY change your destiny." ~ Doug Firebaugh |
December 24
True Gift of Christmas Prayer The gifts I’d leave beneath your tree, Aren’t those that you can touch or see, No toys meant just for pointless play, But gifts to bless you every day. The gift of friendship warm and true, Is one that I would leave for you. Good health and happiness and cheer To keep you smiling through the year. The gift of peace that comes from God, With prayer to guide each path you trod. And when your heart has lost its song The gift of hope to cheer you on. These are the gifts I’d leave for you. ~ Kay Hoffman ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I no longer waste money, but try to put it to good use. When I was drunk, I threw money around like I really had it. It gave me a feeling of importance - a millionaire for a day. But the morning after, with an empty wallet and perhaps also some undecipherable checks, was a sad awakening. How could I have been such a fool? How will I ever make it up? Thoughts like these get you down. When we are sober, we spend our hard-earned money as it should be spent. Although perhaps some of us could be more generous in our A.A. giving, at least we do not throw it away. So ............ Am I making good use of my money? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Measuring Up Because we strive for perfection, assume it's achievable, and settle for no less in all our activities, we are haunted by our secret fears of not measuring up. But the greater our understanding of the fallacy of this way of thinking becomes, our awareness increases; the more accepting we become of our human frailty, and the less need we have to cover it up. Our mental health is measurable by the openness we offer to the world. Secrets belie good health and heighten the barriers to it. Letting go of our secrets, by sharing them with friends, we trust, frees us from the power they wield. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rationalization There are cases where our ancient enemy, rationalization, has stepped in and has justified conduct which was really wrong. The temptation here is to imagine that we had good motives and reasons when we really didn't. We 'constructively criticized' someone who needed it, when our real motive was to win a useless argument. We sometimes hurt those we love because they' need to be taught a lesson, 'when we really want to punish. This perverse wish to hide a bad motive underneath a good one, permeates human affairs from top to bottom. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Page 94 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.” -- Steve Maraboli |
December 25
Humble Christmas Prayer We pray for joy in our hearts, hope in our God, love to forgive, and peace upon the earth. We ask for the salvation of all our family members and friends, and we pray your blessings on all people. Lord, fill our hearts with your love and power. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I don't believe that A.A. works because I read it in a book or because I hear people say so. I believe it because I see people getting sober and staying sober. An actual demonstration is what convinces me. When I see the change in people, I can't help believing that A.A. works. We could listen to talk about A.A. all day and still not believe it, but when we see it work, we have to believe it. Seeing is believing. So ............ Do I see A.A. work every day? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Gratitude Gratitude doesn't always come from being a receiver. Gratitude is warmest when it accompanies the joy of being able to give without expecting anything in return. We find it isn't enough to feel grateful. We have to express our gratitude by showing kindness and service to everyone around us. Gratitude is the greatest of all heart-openers. When it enters the heart, love pours out. For every kindness we receive, gratitude inspires a hundred acts of giving. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Light I approached AA with fear and hesitation. Then, urged by the dread of what was behind me, I took tiny delicate steps onto this new path. When I found the footing was firm, each tentative move brought me a little nearer to trust. Confidence grew, faith in my Higher Power expanded, and I came to recognize a light I had not known existed. Alcoholics Anonymous Pages 542-543 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "Faith is like electricity. You can't see it, but you can see the light." ~ Anonymous A.A. |
December 26
After Christmas Prayer Dear God, Fill us with your joy and the peace of your Spirit. Thank you for your reminder that both in seasons of celebration and in seasons of brokenness, you’re still with us. You never leave us. Thank you for your daily Presence in our lives, that we can be assured your heart is towards us, your eyes are over us, and your ears are open to our prayers. Thank you that your surround us with favor as with a shield, and we are safe in your care. We choose to press in close to you, in all these days after Christmas. Thank you for giving us this hope we can carry all year through. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought The A.A. way is the way of sobriety, and yet there are slips. Why do these slips occur? Why don't we all accept A.A. and stay sober from then on? There are many reasons, but it has been proved without exception that once we have become alcoholics we can never drink successfully again. This has never been disproved by any case we know of. Many alcoholics have tried drinking after a period of sobriety from a few days to a few years and no one that we know of has been successful in becoming a normal drinker. So ............ Do I think I might be the only exception to this rule? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Quiet Time In our daily lives we often take a very short perspective. We see what is worrisome today, what is pressing hardest, or what is most frightening or confusing. Eventually, we may look back and have a totally different idea about what was truly important on this day. Let us take a moment now to remember what does endure, what we value most, what counts in the long run. For a brief quiet time we can let go of all the anxieties of this moment. During these few quiet moments, we will identify our tensions and then place them totally into the hands of our God. This is our time to let go of our worries and be refreshed. It will provide a background of serenity for our day. Let me remember this corner of serenity as I meet the tasks and activities on my path. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Surrender At one time the admission that I was and am an alcoholic meant shame, defeat, and failure to me. But in the light of the new understanding that I have found in AA, I have been able to interpret that defeat and that failure as seeds of victory. Because it was only through feeling defeat and failure, the inability to cope with my life and with alcohol, that I was able to surrender and accept the fact that I had this disease and that I had to learn to live again without alcohol. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 295 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters--one represents danger and the other represents opportunity.” -- John F. Kennedy |
December 27
Alone At Holiday Time Prayer Lord, the holiday season can be quite a trial and even a deep sadness to many people, especially those that are alone at this time Draw very close we pray, to those that are alone and lonely over this holiday time Comfort the lonely, console the grieving, support the weak, give grace to the afflicted, and reassure those who have allowed fear to invade their peace, with the certainty that You are their ever present help in time of trouble. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I have got rid of most of my boredom. One of the hardest things that a new member of A.A. has to understand how to stay sober and not be bored. Drinking was always the answer to all kinds of boring people or boring situations. But once you have taken up the interest of A.A., once you have given it your time and enthusiasm, boredom should not be a problem to you. A new life opens up before you that can be always interesting. Sobriety should give you so many new interests in life that you shouldn't have time to be bored. So ............ Have I got rid of the fear of being bored? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Feeling Happy We all have friends who seem happy even though they run into lots of bad luck. And we all know other people who seem grumpy all the time. Nothing makes them very happy. It's puzzling, but some people have decided, maybe without even knowing it, that life is fun and should be enjoyed. No bit of bad luck has to make us miserable unless we let it. A broken bike, a lost set of keys, a rained-out picnic are things that might make us miserable. But, we can decide they won't. Feeling happy can be a habit - just like brushing teeth. Can I stop and think today before I let things make me unhappy? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Selfish Program I can see why you are disturbed to hear some A.A. speakers say, “A.A. is a selfish program.” The word “selfish” ordinarily implies that one is acquisitive, demanding, and thoughtless of the welfare of others. Of course, the A.A. way of life does not at all imply such undesirable traits. What do these speakers mean? Well, any theologian will tell you that the salvation of his own soul is the highest vocation that a man can have. Without salvation — however we may define this — he will have little or nothing. For us if A.A., there is even more urgency. If we cannot or will not achieve sobriety, then we become truly lost, right in the here and now. We are of no value to anyone, including ourselves, until we find salvation from alcohol. Therefore, our own recovery and spiritual growth have to come first– a right and necessary kind of self-concern. As Bill Sees It Page 81 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "Charity begins at home ,so I must deal with myself first so that I can deal with others, but still in dealing with myself I need others experience, sharing of courage, hope and strength." -- Osmund Lupindu |
December 28
Prayer for Emotional Strength Lord, I’ve reached my emotional breaking point. I am full of doubt, despair, and anxiety. I’m dissatisfied and don’t know where to turn. I pray to ask you for emotional strength. Please give me trust, joy, and excitement so I can be lifted from this dark place and become the person you created me to be. Please be with me and give me comfort and fill my heart with your goodness. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I no longer refuse to do anything because I cannot do it to perfection. Many alcoholics use the excuse of not being able to do something perfectly to enable us to do nothing at all. We pretend to be perfectionists. We are good at telling people how a thing should be done, but when we come to the effort of doing it ourselves, we balk. We say to ourselves: "I might make a mistake so I'd better let the whole thing slide." In A.A., we set our goals high, but that does not prevent us from trying. The mere fact that we will never fully reach these goals does not prevent us from doing the best we can. So ............ Have I stopped hiding behind the smoke screen of perfectionism? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Feelings Many of us were taught that it's bad to express our feelings directly--crying, wailing, jumping up and down for joy--that it's good manners to talk softly, slowly, and politely and to sit still. But what happens to our feelings when we sit still? If they don't get expressed, they must be caught inside our bodies. Trapped feelings are like birds in a cage, or a rabbit in a trap--they try to get out any way they can. They peck on our heads and give us headaches. They scratch at our stomachs and make us hurt. We must let them out. We must laugh and cry. Then our bodies will be happy, and our feelings will curl up in our laps like happy puppies. I must stop ignoring the physical symptoms of trapped feelings. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Isolating The less people tolerated us, the more we withdrew from society, from life itself. As we became subjects of King Alcohol, shivering denizens of his mad realm, the chilling vapor that is loneliness settled down. It thickened, ever becoming blacker. Unhappy drinkers who read this page will understand. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 151 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "When we are forced to deal with people we dislike, a great learning opportunity is being put forth to us." -- Madisyn Taylor |
December 29
Anxiety Prayer Lord, When I feel crushed by my own worries, Lift my mind and help me to see the truth. When fear grips me tight and I feel I cannot move, Free my heart and help me to take things one step at a time. When I can't express the turmoil inside, Calm me with Your quiet words of love. I choose to trust in You, each day, each hour, each moment of my life. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Instead of pretending to be perfectionists, in A.A. we are content if we are making progress. The main thing is to be growing. We realize that perfectionism is only a result of false pride and an excuse to save our faces. In A.A. we are willing to make mistakes and to stumble, provided we are always stumbling forward. We are not so interested in what we are as in what we are becoming. We are on the way, not at the goal. And we will be on the way as long as we live. No A.A. has ever "arrived." But we are getting better. So ............ Am I still making progress? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Self-respect Many of us have struggled with our self-esteem. We believed if we felt better about ourselves we could change some of our behavior. But we found the reverse to be true. First our behavior changed, then our self-esteem improved. Only after we stop doing things we don't respect can we hear and accept the goodwill of others around us. Then we see our value as men/women because we are upholding strong self-images by our actions. This is not easy to do. As we learn, we continue to say no to weak behaviors, and we are released to feel greater dignity. Saying no to my negative behavior today will improve my self-respect. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Stability My stability came out of trying to give, not out of demanding that I receive. Thus I think it can work out with emotional sobriety. If we examine every disturbance we have, we will find at the root of it some unhealthy dependency and its consequent unhealthy demand. Let us, with God's help, continually surrender these hobbling demands. The Best of Bill Page 58 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “There are two types of people to watch in AA; those who make it, and those who don't.” -- Dr. Bob |
December 30
Purpose on Life Prayer Lord, I believe there is so much that I can do with my Life and right now I find myself in a state of question. I know that with Your assistance, absolutely anything is possible. Father, help me to maintain a positive attitude and increase my confidence so that I can clearly feel You and hear You when You speak to my heart, knowing that You are working through me to fulfill Your Purpose. Amen -- Dr. Loretta Standley ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Today, I am not so envious of other people, nor am I so jealous of other people's possessions and talents. When I was drinking, I was secretly full of jealousy and envy of those people who could drink normally, who had the love and respect of their families, who lived a normal life and were accepted as equals by their friends. I pretended to myself that I was as good as they were, but I knew it wasn't so. Now I don't have to be envious any more. I try not to want what I don't deserve. I'm content with what I have earned by my efforts to live the right way. More power to those who have what I have not. At least, I'm trying. So ............ Have I got rid of the poison of envy? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Awareness When we first become aware of a problem, a situation, or a feeling, we may react with anxiety or fear. Awareness is the first step toward positive change and growth. It's the first step toward solving the problem, or getting the need met, the first step toward the future. Awareness is how life, our God, get our attention and prepare us for change. The process of becoming changed begins with awareness. Awareness, acceptance, and change - that's the cycle. We can accept the temporary discomfort from awareness because that's how we're moved to a better place. I will try to display gratitude, peace, and dignity when life gets my attention. I will remember that it's okay to accept the temporary discomfort from awareness because I can trust that it's my God moving me forward. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Resentments It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while. But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 66 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “The path to our destination is not always a straight one. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn’t matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark.” -- Barbara Hall |
December 31
A New Year's Eve Prayer We Pray... For healing...prepare us for surprises. For strength...prepare us for surprises. For vision...prepare us for surprises. For transformation...prepare us for surprises. For messengers and messengers...prepare us for surprises. For community...prepare us for surprises. For acceptance - of ourselves and others...prepare us for surprises. For making room at our tables...prepare us for surprises. For Truth-seeking...prepare us for surprises. For support...prepare us for surprises. For Common Ground...prepare us for surprises. Walk beside us, O Holy One, as we question and welcome, as we challenge and invite, as we discover and understand, As we see, touch, taste, smell, and listen for the Newness awaiting us in 2021. May we, Your Holy People, walk forward together side by side. Amen ~ Written by Sister Mary Ann Barrette, O.P. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought In spite of all we have learned in A.A., our old way of thinking comes back on us, sometimes with overwhelming force, and occasionally some of us have slips. We forget or refuse to call on the Higher Power for help. We seem to deliberately make our minds a blank so far as A.A. training goes, and we take a drink. We eventually get drunk. We are temporarily right back where we started. Those who have had slips say unanimously that they were no fun. They say A.A. had taken all the pleasure out of drinking. They knew they were doing the wrong thing. The old mental conflict was back in full force. They were disgusted with themselves. So ............ Am I convinced that I can never get anything more out of drinking? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Difficult People Few things can make us feel crazier than expecting something from someone who has nothing to give. Or trying to make a person someone he or she isn't. We may have spent years negotiating with reality concerning particular people; We have spent years trying to get someone to love us in a certain way, when that person cannot or will not. It is time to let it go. We deal with our feelings and walk away from the destructive system. I will work at detaching in love from troublesome people in my life. This is the heart of detaching in love. I will strive to accept reality in my relationships. I will give myself permission to take care of myself in my relationships, with emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual freedom for both people as my goal. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This Precious Gift None of us can ever fathom the glories and the uncharted regions of the universe. But we can live on earth and love one another. We can let in the beginnings of concern, compassion, consideration, and watch ourselves grow. With the tools and guideposts of Alcoholics Anonymous, we can learn a little of this precious gift -- our gateway to human spirituality. Came To Believe Page 120 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "Until you make peace with who you are, you will never be content with what you have." ~ Doris Mortman |
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