[bluidkiti]

October 7

Step by Step

“The spark that was to flare into the first AA group was struck at Akron, Ohio, in June 1935, during a talk between a New York stockbroker and an Akron physician. Six months earlier, the broker had been relieved of his drink obsession by a sudden spiritual experience, following a meeting with an alcoholic friend who had been in contact with the Oxford Groups of that day. He had also been greatly helped by the late Dr. William D. Silkworth, a New York specialist in alcoholism …From this doctor, the broker had learned the grave nature of alcoholism. Though he could not accept all the tenets of the Oxford Groups, he was convinced of the need for moral inventory, confession of personality defects, restitution to those harmed, helpfulness to others, and the necessity of belief in and dependence upon God.” – Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Edition, 1976, “Foreword to the Second Edition,” pp-xv, xvi.

Today, “moral inventory, confession of personality defects, restitution to those harmed, helpfulness to others, and the necessity of belief in and dependence upon God.” With that simple objective, the Twelve Steps guide us to sobriety, serenity, humility and service. We need not complicate or make a mystery of our reasons to seek out AA or how to earn recovery and sobriety. With our admission that we are powerless over alcohol and whatever else we cannot control and a determination and commitment to go to any length to make our lives one without alcohol, and to make it work, nothing exists to complicate our recovery. Today, being drunk 24/7 has had its run. I want sobriety. Today, I begin. And our common journey continues. Step by step. – Chris M.

**************************************************

~ EASY DOES IT ~ (A Book of Daily 12 Step Meditations) ~

MAKING PROGRESS

Ninety percent of life is just showing up.

~ Woody Allen ~

Progress is a word of action, but for us it must never be hurried. We are told, "the idea is to make improvement, not finish first at a destination." There's no need to rush. We can take time to think about the direction we're going. Sometimes spiritual progress may seem slow to us, but if we honestly work the Program, that progress is sure.

We can also take the time to examine the progress we have made. When we realize how far we have come, it makes it possible for us to continue. Practicing the Eleventh Step will help us slow down and calm our urgent need to always be rushing around.

I must never stand still. Even when I stop and look at my progress, that is an action that gives me the courage to continue.

**************************************************

~ WISDOM TO KNOW ~ (More Daily Meditations For Men) ~

Never does the human soul appear so strong and noble as when it forgoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury.

~ E. H. Chapin ~

Forgiveness is a spiritual process. Little children always justify their hitting and aggressive behavior by claiming “He started it!” Throughout life, we all have justifications for our resentments. We all feel hurt by others at times. Our spiritual journey asks us to face these affronts with a more grown-up mind than we had as small boys. Our immature and undisciplined ego may play a role in how we respond to an offense today.

Much of the time, when we are hurt, another’s actions are not really about us. They are a reflection on the person who did them, not on us. We are not in the center of that picture, and if we take our overgrown ego out of it, we can see that. Sometimes we have to defend ourselves, but we don’t have to hold on to the resentments. Only after we have grown strong enough can we see that our most dignified response is to let the incident be about the other person, and finally forgive that person.

Today I will take my ego out of the picture, let others’ actions reflect on them, and strive to forgive them.

**************************************************

~ A WOMAN’S SPIRIT ~ (More Meditations For Women) ~

Women’s bodies resonate spiritual messages.
Listen to them.

~ Judi Hollis ~

Our bodies are so much more than what we see In the mirror. They house our soul. They house our history. Our bodies have long memories. All that has happened to them remains in them. We share our bodies with a spirit who is the source of our strength and knowledge.

Oftentimes the messages we get from the spirit are subtle. We barely sense them. When we’re honest with ourselves, however, we admit that we know when our Higher Power has spoken. Some describe the contact as a pinch in the conscience, others as a clutching feeling in the stomach. Tension in the neck and shoulders may be how God gets your attention. The point is, we each must attune ourselves to God’s special way of reaching us.

Why listen to these messages? Because our journey will be helped if we let God decide our path. We have a destiny to fulfill.

I will listen while my Higher Power speaks to me today. I won’t get off track if I stay in tune with my body.

**************************************************

~ TODAY I WILL DO ONE THING ~ (Daily Readings for Awareness and Hope) ~

I am learning to accept, to say yes

For a long time I kept hearing myself say no. For instance, No, I am not an addict. No, I don't have mental health problems. No! I'll be fine if you'll just leave me alone.

It's hard, sometimes very hard, but I am now learning to say yes, I have a dual disorder. Why? Because it's true. I have chemical and mental health problems and they have caused many problems in my life for some time. Now I am accepting my illnesses and my need for help to recover. Now I want to get better. I am asking for help and receiving it. For all this I am grateful.

I will meditate on how good it feels to stop denying my problems and start working with them.

*************************************************

~ BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT ~ (Inspiration and Support for Recovery) ~

That is happiness; to be dissolved into something complete and great.

~ Willa Cather ~

Sometimes we may take our Twelve Step program for granted. It’s always been there, helping us find a new way of life instead of the old way of death. It’s been such a constant that we may forget to be grateful for the men and women who came before us, who created this wonderful program of recovery and new life. Many people have made our program what it is. Some found a new sober life and some were lost along the way, but all contributed to our recovery today.

As recovery becomes a way of life, it’s our turn to reach out to those in need. We can be available to newcomers, answering questions, offering friendship, and becoming sponsors. We can be more active in our program, helping to clean up after meetings, offering rides to those who don’t have them, volunteering to visit patients in a hospital or a treatment center.

The torch has passed. As those early pioneers left a legacy for us, now it’s our turn to become part of a joyous tradition of love and support for those who follow in our footsteps.

Today help me remember those who will come after me in recovery. Help me be generous, as those who came before me were generous.

**************************************************

~ MORNING LIGHT ~ (Meditations to Begin Your Day) ~

No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.

~ C.S. Lewis ~

When you are filled with grief over the loss of someone In your life, you may spend days immersed in incredible sadness. You may feel hopeless and helpless. You may even blame your Higher Power for your loss. You may ask others, “Why did this happen? What am I going to do now?” And yet no amount of words or comfort will provide answers to your questions.

During such times, you may feel a great spiritual dis-connect. You may also feel distant and isolated from people. But even though you may feel as if no one understands what you are going through or that your life is harder than others, that is simply not the case. You are not the Victim of a vengeful God, nor are you someone who has been chosen to endure more misfortune than others. The death of another is not personally directed at you; it is a natural part of life.

It Rather than dwell in hopelessness, loss, and despair, reconnect with life. Pray to your Higher Power and ask for guidance and support to get you through this time. Ask others for help. Go to places where there will be others who can support you.

I will rely on the support of my Higher Power and loved ones as I grieve.

**************************************************

~ NIGHT LIGHT ~ (A Book Of Nighttime Meditations) ~

The great gifts are not got by analysis.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

Lovers often reflect on how they met and when they first realized they were in love. They'll play back the tapes of courtship as if they were analyzing instant replays of a sports play. "Yes, it was then when we first knew we were in love," concludes one. The other disagrees: "No, I still didn't know you well enough and wasn't ready."

The bottom line is they fell in love. Whether it was Tuesday or April or morning, what is most important is that they did grow to love each other. Not by analysis did they learn this love, but by accepting the gift of love they had for each other.

Analyzing people, places, or things may be a great way to reminisce, but we need to remember analysis isn't as important as what we've received. We aren't given gifts for any reasons. We're given gifts because that's what gifts are for.

Tonight I can stop analyzing why I have a nice family, a good job, supportive friends, or great meetings. I can accept them all for what they are—gifts to be appreciated.

**************************************************

~ DAY BY DAY ~ (Daily Meditations for Recovering Addicts) ~

Making the stretch

Some of us come into the program and are gung ho for the first three to six weeks. We’re like a quarter horse, good for the short run but not for the long stretch. After we come down from the high of winning our first run, reality and responsibility seep in and we step out, possibly even give up.

So something has to carry us through, and that is our Higher Power, providing we let it. Then, as time passes, we find we no longer feel the need to use drugs. Our Higher Power is what guides us through.

Am I good for the long stretch?

Higher Power, guide me with your loving light for the whole race.

Today I will improve my stamina by practicing

God help me to stay clean and sober today!

**************************************************

~ IF YOU WANT WHAT WE HAVE ~ (Sponsorship Meditations) ~

Similarity is not the same thing as identity.

~ IBO PROVERB ~

Newcomer

Today, I actually heard my story! I don't mean just that I identified with the speaker's feelings, but that many of the exact same things that happened in his life have happened in mine: the place we grew up, the work his parents did, the particular way we first learned to use addiction as escape. He talked about some key experiences that both of us have had. I listened as if I were in a trance. It was a very positive experience for me.

Sponsor

Hearing specific details that match those in our own stories is not a requirement for recovery but it is a gift whenever it happens. About halfway through my first year, I had an experience much like the one you're describing. The way it worked for me was to dissolve the last vestiges of my denial. It was like looking into a mirror and seeing my addiction with perfect clarity.

Differences in gender, age, class, religion, sexual preference, work, language, style—all of these dissolve as I listen to where addiction brought others and how they work their program today. Whatever the specifics, I can identify emotionally and spiritually. But I have also made a special-interest meeting one of my home groups—a meeting whose members share a common interest and a common addiction. Close friends with whom I feel free to share my life in detail abound there; they are a rich part of my life in recovery.

Today, I am open to meaningful connections with others whose lives are centered in recovery as mine is.

**************************************************

~ THE EYE OPENER ~

We alcoholics should be the last people on earth to give advice; first, because we never took it ourselves, and secondly, because our past record would not indicate that our advice is trustworthy.

The best advice that we can give is to show the new man that we did it, show him that he can do it just as we did it, that the best way to get "on the Program" is to emulate the example of those who have made a success of theirs.

**************************************************

~ The 12 STEP PRAYER BOOK ~ (A Collection of Favorite 12 Step Prayers and Inspirational Readings) ~

When I Question God's Will

There are still times when I feel insecure and uneasy about my life. At those times I question Your will for me. I wonder if I'm being punished for something I have done wrong or I'm not working the Program hard enough. I must hold fast to the truth that I am just where You would have me. I must stop taking control and attempting to force changes I'm not ready for. This is when I lose touch with You. I will be patient and believe answers will emerge at exactly the right time.

*************************************************

~ AROUND THE YEAR WITH EMMET FOX ~ (A Book of Daily Readings) ~

MAKING YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE

Many people indulge in some form of daydreaming. There is no harm in this so long as such daydreams are positive and constructive in character. You are always thinking, when you are not asleep, and you know that it is in the selection of your thoughts that destiny lies.

Do not let your daydreams take the form of an escape from actuality. A daydream is an evasion when it consists in fantasying something pleasant that nevertheless you believe could never happen. Such a daydream debilitates the whole mentality.

Some people daydream about all sorts of unpleasant things. They rehearse imaginary quarrels, imaginary injustices, accidents and misfortunes, and because they do believe that such things could happen, and because thought is creative, they actually bring them upon themselves.

See to it that your daydreams are concerned with such happenings as you would really like to find in your life. Know that anything good is possible; remember the creative power of thought; and your daydreams will come true.

A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8).

**************************************************

~ A DEEP BREATH OF LIFE ~ (365 Daily Inspirations for Heart-Centered Living) ~

Frame of Mind

We must strengthen, defend, preserve, and comfort each other. We must love one another. We must bear one another’s burdens. We must rejoice together, mourn together…

~ Puritan John Winthrop ~

Amidst a busy day of errands, I stopped at the local picture-framing store. Steve, the clerk, was an amiable fellow who seemed comfortable telling me about himself. After a few minutes of chit-chat, Steve told me that he was wrestling with the decision to call a friend whose husband had died unexpectedly. "I have been putting it off because I feel so uncomfortable about it," he confessed. "I am afraid that I may say something stupid and be embarrassed. I guess I'm really afraid of death, and I don't want to face it.

I was stunned and moved by Steve's candor. A moment earlier, we were discussing picture frames, and suddenly he was exposing his pain and fear to me. I caught Steve's eyes, and for a moment I could really see him. I saw behind his job and his rap and his fear, and I saw the person that he was. I thanked him for his honesty.

That moment was worth everything to me. It stood out in contrast to a day of unconscious business like a delicate flower growing in a pile of rubble. In that moment, I remembered what friendship and human relations are really about. They are not about stuff and talk and presentation; they are about people joining in the place where we are one.

I once heard that we are most alike in our vulnerability. In that moment, I felt very close to Steve. I hardly knew him, and yet I knew him. While I went into the store for a new picture frame, it was a new frame of mind that I found.

I pray to be open to the tender moments of life. Let me not miss an opportunity to connect with the heart of a brother or sister.

I am one with everyone I meet. I let my heart be touched.