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A Prayer & Some Thoughts - December
December 1
Prayer To Live Well Today Lord, Your Word tells me not to worry about my life or the things of tomorrow. Forgive me for my lack of confidence in Your daily guidance and Your ability to work everything into something good. Please help me to deal with those things I can, and make changes where necessary. Help me to leave those things I cannot change in Your care. I choose to seek first your will, as I live one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Some things I do not miss since becoming sober. That overall awful feeling physically, including the shakes, a splitting headache, pains in my arms and legs, bleary eyes, fluttering stomach, droopy shoulders, weak knees, a three-day beard, and a flushed complexion. Also, facing my loved one at breakfast. Also, composing the alibi and sticking to it. Also, trying to shave or put on make-up with a shaky hand. Also, opening up my wallet to find it empty. So ............ I don't miss these things, do I? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Humility An understanding of humility that makes sense to me is that of the man who is aware of his limitations but still reaches for the stars. For years I thought that humility was groveling in the dirt. Keeping quiet and acting obsequious. Being a religious doormat for others to walk upon. Nothing could be further from the truth! Humility is about speaking your mind, fighting for your ideas and opinions, creating through effort, sweat and debate. The humble man's ego is based on reality --- not fed on illusion. When he is wrong, he can admit it and is open to the ideas of others. Humility is based upon a realistic self-love. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Inventory When evening comes, perhaps before going to sleep, many of us draw up a balance sheet for the day. This is a good place to remember that inventory-taking is not always done in red ink. It's a poor day indeed when we haven't done something right. As a matter of fact, the waking hours are usually well filled with things that are constructive. Even when we have tried hard and failed, we may chalk that up as one of the greatest credits of all. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Page 93 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "Thinking is difficult, that’s why most people judge." ~ Carl Jung |
December 2
Prayer For New Perspective Lord, some days my world seems to be spinning out of control. Everywhere I look, I see chaos—even in my own life. There are days where I long to just "throw in the towel." Lord, give me a new perspective and blow away the cobwebs that keep cluttering my mind and my vision. Every time I'm tempted to become discouraged or depressed because of negative events or situations, help me to gain that new perspective. With your perspective, I can push past the impossible and find the strength and courage to believe that no matter what happens, your hope will lift me to a higher plane—where joy and purpose reign again. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought When we were drinking most of us were full of pride and selfishness. We believed we could handle our own affairs, even though we were making a mess of our lives. We were very stubborn and didn't like to take advice. We resented being told what to do. To us, humility looked like weakness. But when we came into A.A., we began to be humble. And we found out that humility gave us the power we needed to overcome drinking. So ............ Have I learned that there is power in humility? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Trust How much should we trust other people? This is an important question, because many of us have erred in both directions: we've trusted people too much or not enough. We can find our answer in the spiritual side of the program. We do have a Higher Power in whom we can have absolute trust. We can have little doubt that the spiritual presence behind everything is infallible and supreme. As human beings, we know that we can only be trusted in certain ways. We can work to develop our trustworthiness, but it is never high enough, even with the strongest souls. All of us have weaknesses that can keep us from being what we know to be our best. In our 12 Step living, we should work to develop trust in both ourselves and others, but no be hurt or disappointed when things go wrong. Above all, our real trust should be in our Higher Power. I'll work to be trusting and trustworthy, but I'll not expect too much of anybody, including myself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tolerance Finally, we begin to see that all people, including ourselves, are to some extent emotionally ill as well as frequently wrong. When this happens, we approach true tolerance and we see what real love for our fellows actually means. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Page 92 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “Let your dreams be bigger than your fears, your actions louder than your words, and your faith stronger than your feelings.” ~ Unknown Author |
December 3
Prayer to Awaken The Dawn Dear Lord, Sometimes I arise before dawn, I awake in the darkness but know that the light will emerge. I wait on you Lord in hard times, just like those dark mornings when my heart feels cold, when I need to trust that the dawn will break, that light, life and love will shine bright. Help me to remember at these times that morning has broken through the darkness, and to trust you with the anxieties, fears and grief of the night. I will draw near to you, I will wait for the dawn. ~ Thomas Traherne ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought ...........practice these principles in all our affairs. We do not just practice these principles in regard to our drinking problem. We practice them in all our affairs. We do not give one compartment of our lives to God and keep the other compartments to ourselves. We give our whole lives to God and we try to do His will in every respect. "Herein lies our growth, herein lies all the promise of the future, an ever widening horizon. So ............ Do I carry the A.A. principles with me wherever I go? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Decision Making Self-pity is often rooted in the strong feeling that people or conditions have victimized us. "I never had a chance" and "You deceived me!" are common complaints that reveal self-pity. It is astonishing and humbling to learn that we always have choices, even when other people or bad conditions are grinding us down. We choose our attitudes and responses. We have neither the power nor the right to control others, but we can choose to soften our attitudes toward them, and we can forgive and release people we don't like. We can always choose how we want to think and feel. It may take effort to break the habit of feeling victimized and sorry for ourselves, but our higher power will show us the way if we decide that is what we really want. I can always make choices that will enhance my life and place me on a better footing for the days ahead. Nobody can ruffle my feathers today or make me feel oppressed and victimized. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Happy, Joyous and Free We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free. We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that for many of us. But it is clear that we made our own misery. God didn't do it. Avoid then, the deliberate manufacture of misery, but if trouble comes, cheerfully capitalize it as an opportunity to demonstrate His omnipotence. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 133 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Few Quotes “In life, you can blame a lot of people and you can wallow in self-pity or you can pick yourself up and say listen, I have to be responsible for myself.” ~ Howard Schultz |
December 4
Just for Today Prayer Just for today, help me, God, to remember that my life is a gift, that my health is a blessing, that this new day is filled with awesome potential, that I have the capacity to bring something wholly new and unique and good into this world. Just for today, help me, God, to remember to be kind and patient to the people who love me, and to those who are around me. Teach me to see all the beauty that I so often ignore, and to listen to the silent longing of my own soul. Just for today, help me, God, to remember You are in charge. Let this be a good day, God, full of joy and love. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought The term "spiritual experience" as given in Appendix II of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous: "A spiritual experience is something that brings about a personality change. By surrendering our lives to God as we understand Him, we are changed. The nature of this change is evident in recovered alcoholics. This personality change is not necessarily in the nature of a sudden and spectacular upheaval. We do not need to acquire an immediate and overwhelming God consciousness, followed at once by a vast change in feeling and outlook. In most cases, the change is gradual. So ............ Do I see a gradual and continuing change in myself? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Difficult Circumstances All of us have some difficult circumstances to face. We have many uncontrollable circumstances in our lives, but we don't have to give ourselves over to them. We are always within the circle of God's love. Always! Knowing that helps us make peace with the limits on what we can do about our situations. Then we can go forth working to make peace in our relationships, accomplish what is possible in our lives, and make a contribution to others. The frustrations around me are not all of who I am. When I am at peace within, I live among spiritual riches. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No Guarantee Sobriety is no guarantee that the recovering alcoholic will become a wise sage, but it is almost certain that trying not to repeat their past follies will make them a little smarter. It is suggested that anyone who is trying to stay sober should go to the meetings of A. A. because the disease of alcoholism has a built-in forgetter and those who forget their past follies are usually doomed to repeat them. Today, show everyone how wise you are by practicing the spiritual principles in all of your affairs. Recovery is one day at a time. Sobriety is a blessing from our Higher Power. (Not sure of the source) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Few Quotes “No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change.” ~ Barbara de Angelis “Sometimes you have to do what’s best for you and your life, not what’s best for everyone else.” ~ Anonymous A.A. |
December 5
Prayer for a Heavy Heart Lord, My heart is heavy. I feel like I have to carry the burden alone. Words like overwhelmed, distraught, exhausted seem to describe where I am. I am not sure how to let you carry my heavy load, so please show me how. Take it from me. Let me rest and be refreshed so that my heart won’t be so heavy in the morning. Amen. ~ Ron Moore ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought For most of us, our spiritual experiences are of the educational variety, and they develop slowly over a period of time. Quite often friends of newcomers are aware of the difference long before they are themselves. They finally realize that they have undergone a profound alteration in their reaction to life and that such a change could hardly have been brought about by themselves alone. So ............ Is my outlook on life changing for the better? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Character Defects We are inclined to feel that our problems and difficulties are largely due to circumstances and other people. We see that the root of our difficulty lies in being centered on self. Our egos can take us only so far before we reach a point where continued growth demands that we begin to abandon them. It is a relief to get rid of the anxiety, frustration, and fear that goes with an ego-centered life! Focusing on our "God" removes our character defects as we become willing to let go of them. Honest awareness is our first task, and this is facilitated by maintaining abstinence from compulsive behavior. As we change, circumstances and relationships improve. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Better Than Gold As newcomers, many of us have indulged in spiritual intoxication. Like a gaunt prospector, belt drawn in over the last ounce of food, we saw our pick strike gold. Joy at our release from a lifetime of frustration knew no bounds. The newcomer feels he has struck something better than gold. He may not see at once that he has barely scratched the limitless lode which will pay dividends only if he mines it for the rest of his life and insists on giving away the entire product. Alcoholics Anonymous, pages 128-129 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” ~ David Brinkley |
December 6
Gratitude Prayer Thank you, God, for another day For helping me live in a decent way Thank you for the joy of living And the happiness that comes from giving Teach me to wake to the morning sun With the prayer 'Thy Will Be Done' Thank you, God, for another day Thank you, God for AA, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought It is essential that the A.A. program become part of us. We must have its essentials at our fingertips. We cannot study the Big Book too much or too often. The more we read it and study it, the better equipped we are to think A.A., act A.A., and live A.A. We cannot know too much about the program. The chances are that we will never know enough. But we can make as much of it our own as possible. So ........... How much of the Big Book have I thoroughly mastered? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Human Race Try to remember that we're part of a larger fellowship called " the human race." We all hurt the same. We all love the same. We all need understanding and care. Yet, in other ways, we are not all the same. Let's remember to understand differences among people. If not, we'll be afraid of anyone who's not like us. And this isn't God's way. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Conviction and Compromise One qualification for a useful life is give-and-take, the ability to compromise cheerfully. Compromise comes hard to us "all or nothing" drunks. Nevertheless, we must never lose sight of the fact that progress is nearly always characterized by a series of improving compromises. Of course, we cannot always compromise. There are circumstances in which it is necessary to stick flat-footed to one's convictions until the issue is resolved. Deciding when to compromise and when not to compromise always calls for the most careful discrimination. "As Bill Sees It" Page 59 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "Compromise is not about losing. It is about deciding that the other person has just as much right to be happy with the end result as you do." ~ Donna Martini |
December 7
Prayer When Frustrated Lord, I feel so frustrated I just want to scream out ‘aargh’ but I can’t even do that. I try to get through to others what it’s like, but I can’t. I try to tell them how I feel, but they don’t understand. I try to tell them what I want, what I need, but I can’t get through. It’s all so hopeless. I don’t know why I even bother trying. I hate being helpless: I like to be doing things and relating to people, but I can’t. I just lie here, stuck, unable to do anything about my situation. Anxiously I look for signs of hope, signs that the future might be brighter. Any glimmer of light is seized upon, but the joy is short-lived because the struggle is so intense, the frustration so great. Don’t leave me, Lord. I need you like I’ve never needed you before. At least you know what I’m thinking, how I’m feeling. And I know that I am not alone, not really alone, at all. Help me to endure the unendurable, give me the courage to keep on trying— again and again and again— so that I don’t sink into the pit of black despair. Amen. ~ Helen Prior ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought We need to check up on ourselves periodically. Just how good an A.A. am I? Am I attending meetings regularly? Am I doing my share to carry the load? When there is something to be done, do I volunteer? Do I speak at meetings when asked, no matter how nervous I am? Do I accept each opportunity to do twelfth step work as a challenge? Do I give freely of my time and money? Am I trying to spread A.A. wherever I go? Is my daily life a demonstration of A.A. principles? Am I a good A.A.? So ............ Am I lacking in any of these areas?? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Envy We often find ourselves envying someone else. We think they have more money or more friends. We see them as better looking or luckier in some way than we are. It is so easy to overlook our own gifts when we do this. We get fooled by what looks good and forget that all human beings have some weaknesses and pain, just like we do. Like the trees in the forest, we each have our own unique beauty and talents to offer. If we believe in ourselves, rather than envy those around us, we will grow green and tall in our own way. What qualities might I have that someone might envy? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Common Good The unity, the effectiveness, and even the survival of A.A. will always depend upon our continued willingness to give up some of our personal ambitions and desires for the common safety and welfare. Just as sacrifice means survival for the individual alcoholic, so does sacrifice mean unity and survival for the group and for A.A.'s entire Fellowship. "As Bill Sees It" Page 220 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "Today I can set my goals with the clear and confident knowledge that I can only do one thing at a time and take one step at a time towards that goal. I do not need to wait until I reach the goal to be happy and satisfied. I am fulfilled with each step, knowing that is all I can do in each moment." ~ Ruth Fishel |
December 8
Discernment and Wisdom Prayer Lord, Thank You for the people You have placed in my life who speak truth, love and words of wisdom. Give me a heart of discernment to know when You are using someone to speak instructions into my heart and my circumstances, and give me the strength and courage to follow through with that advice, even when it’s hard. Fill me with peace in knowing that even if I take a wrong turn, Your purpose will prevail. Amen. ~ Tracie Miles ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought There are no leaders in A.A. except as they volunteer to accept responsibility. The work of carrying on A.A. - leading group meetings, serving on committees, speaking before other groups, doing twelfth step work, spreading A.A. among the alcoholics of the community - all these things are done on a volunteer basis. If I don't volunteer to do something concrete for A.A., the movement is that much less effective. I must do my fair share to carry the load. A.A. depends on all its members to keep it alive and to keep it growing. So ............ Am I doing my share for A.A.? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Finding Courage During any group discussion of fear, someone usually points out that it serves a protective purpose by keeping us out of harm's way. With the type of fear that drove us, however, we more often fled into further harm while trying to avoid the threats at hand. No person whose fear reaches a panic stage can effectively control his or her actions. We cannot expect sobriety alone to make us exempt from fear. What it can do is give us an ability to handle our fear constructively. There are steps to doing this. FIRST, we should not be too prideful to admit that fear can come to us. SECOND, we should admit it when we do feel fear. THIRD, we can discuss our fear with others while turning it over to our Higher Power. It would be wonderful if these steps then lifted us above any sense of fear. Even if this doesn't happen completely, we've succeeded in mastering our problems if we don't let fear drive us to work against ourselves. If I am afraid to give a presentation for work or go for a job interview, for example, I am being driven into inaction. This must not be allowed to happen. I can find courage in the Twelve Step program. This will enable me to act properly and responsibly, even if I'm a bit queasy with fear. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meditation and Prayer Rewards Perhaps one of the greatest rewards of meditation and prayer is the sense of belonging that comes to us. We no longer live in a completely hostile world. We are no longer lost and frightened and purposeless. The moment we catch even a glimpse of God's will, the moment we begin to see truth, justice, and love as the real and eternal things in life, we are no longer deeply disturbed by all the seeming evidence to the contrary that surrounds us in purely human affairs. We know that God lovingly watches over us. We know that when we turn to Him, all will be well with us, here and hereafter. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Page 105 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “Every time you think you’re being rejected, God's actually redirecting you to something better. Ask him to give you the strength to press forward.” ~ Nick Vujicic |
December 9
New Day Prayer Lord, I place today in Your hands and trust You to direct my day until I place my head back onto my pillow of sleep. I ask that whether in busyness or in quietude, Your will be done. Whether I am surrounded by crowds of people or remain in the solitude of my own company, I ask that You would be there to direct. I pray that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my inner being, would be pleasing and acceptable to You throughout today, and may Your will be done. Amen. From a Prayer by Jim Witherspoon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought If I do not do my share, A.A. might lose some of its effectiveness. Are there some things I do not feel like doing? Am I held back by self-consciousness or fear? Self-consciousness is a form of pride. It is a fear that something may happen to you. What happens to you is not very important. The impression you make on others does not depend so much on the kind of a job you do as on your sincerity and honesty of purpose. So ............ Am I holding back because I am afraid of not making a good impression? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Honest Desire In the first bloom of sobriety, many recovering people confront drinking companions who also "need" the program. They're often surprised and disillusioned when efforts to help their friends are rejected... sometimes curtly. We're truly limited to helping those who desire recovery, not those who we think need it. Though intervention methods can be effective, we're still largely helpless to assist those who don't desire recovery. We regret that we really have no answers for the millions who perish from alcoholism, unaware of their problem. We also can hold out little hope that any future recovery attempts will succeed without the individual alcoholic's cooperation. Desire..... a personal determination and decision.... is necessary for almost any kind of change. We have the freedom to choose in many areas of our lives, and alcoholics must eventually choose recovery in order to find and maintain it. Though I'd love to see others recover, I must accept the fact that their personal desire and choice is necessary. I'll remember this if any opportunities arise today to carry the message. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feeling Alone And what can be said of many A.A. members who, for a variety of reasons, cannot have a family life? At first many of these feel lonely, hurt, and left out as they witness so much domestic happiness about them. If they cannot have this kind of happiness, can A.A. offer them satisfactions of similar worth and durability? Yes--whenever they try hard to seek them out. Surrounded by so many A.A. friends, these so-called loners tell us they no longer feel alone. In partnership with others--women and men--they can devote themselves to any number of ideas, people, and constructive projects. Free of marital responsibilities, they can participate in enterprises which would be denied to family men and women. We daily see such members render prodigies of service, and receive great joys in return. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Page 120 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do." ~ Brene Brown |
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 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 cuts 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'' |
1 Attachment(s)
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 "Learn to ask for forgiveness for the wrongs you've done because you will not die if you swallow your pride." ~ Innah Delos Angeles Attachment 573 |
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 from happening. 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 life 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 its 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 Guidance and Strength Lord, I pray that you guide me and strengthen me as I carry my many burdens. My burdens weigh down my heart, and I doubt at times if I can bear it. When I am upset or anxious, bring me strength and calmness. Bring me peace in my time of need and help me to find happiness every day. Amen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought What makes an effective talk at a meeting? It is not a fine speech with a fine choice of words and an impressive delivery. Often a few simple words direct from the heart are more effective than the most polished speech. There is always a temptation to speak beyond your own experience, in order to make a good impression. This is never effective. What does not come from the heart does not reach the heart. What comes from personal experience and a sincere desire to help the other person reaches the heart. So ............ Do I speak for effect or with a deep desire to help? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Spiritual Nourishment We neglect to provide ourselves with nourishment for our minds and souls. Life's experiences include joy and beauty and pain and grief. If we are uplifted every day by beauty in its many forms, we are strengthened and carried along to meet the tougher parts of our day. We may need to push some other things aside to have it. Perhaps some jobs can wait until tomorrow, and we can linger over a meal with our loved ones. Maybe mowing the lawn or fixing the car isn't as important as a half-hour of good music. Do we make space for nourishing moments each day? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Success" in Twelfth-Stepping We now see that in twelfth-stepping the immediate results are not so important. Some people start out working with others and have immediate success. They are likely to get cocky. Those of us who are not so successful at first get depressed. As a matter of fact, the successful worker differs from the unsuccessful only in being lucky about his prospects. He simply hits newcomers who are ready and able to stop at once. Given the same prospects, the seemingly unsuccessful person would have produced almost the same results. You have to work on a lot of newcomers before the law of averages commences to assert itself. As Bill Sees It Page 165 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “The moment you accept that there's a guidance system supporting you, then you experience a new sense of freedom and peace.” ~ Gabrielle Bernstein |
December 16
Humility Prayer God, I am far too often influenced by what others think of me. I am always pretending to be either richer or smarter or nicer than I really am. Please prevent me from trying to attract attention. Don't let me gloat over praise on one hand or be discouraged by criticism on the other. Nor let me waste time weaving imaginary situations in which the most heroic, charming, witty person present is myself. Show me how to be humble of heart, like you. ~ Author Unknown ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Do I have any hard feelings about other group members or for any other A.A. group? Am I critical of the way a group member thinks or acts? Do I feel that another group is operating in the wrong way and do I broadcast it? Or do I realize that all A.A. members, no matter what their limitations, have something to offer, some good, however little, that they can do for A.A. in spite of their handicaps? Do I believe that there is a place for all kinds of groups in A.A., provided they are following A.A. traditions, and that they can be effective, even if I do not agree with their procedure? So ............ Am I tolerant of people and groups? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Life Is Life is difficult. We never reach the point where our path is free of obstacles and hardships As painful and hard as it is, life also is deeply meaningful and worthwhile when we submit to its reality and live in a spiritual way. We need relationships to stay sane. We need to pull together and support one another the way people do in difficult times. Rugged individualism isn't always good for real people in the real world. We need relationships so we can celebrate and encourage one another. We need relationships so we can laugh and make jokes and tell our personal stories. And we need to stand together to oppose the destructive forces around us. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Search For Motives Some of us clung to the claim that when drinking we never hurt anybody but ourselves. Our families didn't suffer, because we always paid the bills and seldom drank at home. Our business associates didn't suffer, because we were usually on the job. Our reputations didn't suffer, because we were certain few knew of our drinking. Those who did would sometimes assure us that, after all, a lively bender was only a good man's fault. What real harm, therefore, had we done? No more, surely, than we could easily mend with a few casual apologies. This attitude, of course, is the end result of purposeful forgetting. It is an attitude which can be changed only by a deep and honest search of our motives and actions. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Page 79 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Mariboli |
December 17
Prayer for a Good Day Lord, I pray that You will help me have a good day today, despite my changing circumstances. Give me the wisdom and discernment to know how I can help someone or reach out to someone who is hurting. Help me be a good part of someone else’s day, and encourage me to think of others before myself. And at the end of this day, remind me to thank You for every blessing You have given me. May I always take delight in every small or large blessing. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I am content to face the rest of my life without alcohol. I have made the great decision once and for all. I have surrendered as gracefully as possible to the inevitable. I hope I have no more reservations. I hope that nothing can happen to me now that would justify my drinking. No death of a dear one. No great calamity in any area of my life should justify me drinking. Even if I were on some desert isle, far from the rest of the world, but not far from God, should I ever feel it right to drink. For me, alcohol is out--period. I will always be safe unless I take that first drink. So ............ Am I fully resigned to this fact? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Conflicts Today I may face a possible conflict with another person over a certain issue. How should I respond to this? It may be very harmful to look at these conflicts as a case of winning or losing. If I seem to win when I'm wrong, I will lose in the long run. If I seem to lose even when I'm right, I can know that there's just resolution of everything in time. I will always win, however, if I keep my thinking straight and take care to avoid resentment and bitterness. Much harm is done by people who are absolutely sure they are right at all times As human beings, we cannot expect to be excluded from these conflicts.We do, however, have a means of dealing with such conflicts effectively when we respond according to principle. It is good to know that any person can have the same privileges by following the right principles. Unpleasant as any conflict may seem, it does give me an opportunity to learn and to grow. I will seek to benefit from any such conflict today. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anyway People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway. ~ St. Teresa ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “By bravely enduring our trials, we learn humility, compassion for others, and a great reliance on God. We also learn that our happiness and progress depend much less upon what challenges life may bring and infinitely more on how we face and overcome those challenges.” ~ Lloyd D. Newell |
December 19
Prayer for Strength When Weary Lord, I’m weary. My energy is sagging, and my motivation is lagging. And I am so in need of your strength and your fresh touch to get back on track again. The pressures of life sometimes push me into a corner, rendering me helpless to move forward. A hundred voices call my name, and I feel paralyzed at times to answer, not knowing where to turn. Lord, help me not to quit, to keep running the race faithfully, and to find strength to continue. I need your strength to say no when I'm tempted to surrender to harmful things, or when selfishness clings to my clothes and won't let go. I need your strength to say yes, when cowardice and fear nudge me to deny the convictions of my heart. I need your strength to reach out in love to those both close to me and all around me. Renew my strength, Lord. Fill me with your power to overcome each obstacle in my path. With my eyes on you, Lord, with you walking beside me, working through me, I can make it. Thank you, Lord! Amen ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought Do I put too much reliance on any one member of the group? That is, do I make a tin god out of some one person? Do I set that person on a pedestal? If I do, I am building my house on sand. All A.A. members have "clay feet." They are all only one drink away from a drunk, no matter how long they have been sober in A.A. This has been proved to be true more than once. It's not fair to any member to be singled out as a leader in A.A. and to always quote that member on the A.A. program. If that person should fail, where would I be? So ............ Can I afford to be tipped over by the failure of my ideal? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Envy No emotion brings us more personal pain or wastes more of our time than envy. When we envy, we are never free from stress.When we envy others, we blind ourselves to the good we could see in all people. When we envy the accomplishments or possessions of another, we will be better off if we look to our own prized possessions, to those things in ourselves that no one else has in exactly the same way. What riches do I have within and around me today? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For Emergencies Only Whether we had been believers or unbelievers, we began to get over the idea that the Higher Power was a sort of bush-league pinch hitter, to be called upon only in an emergency. The notion that we would still live our own lives, God helping a little now and then, began to evaporate. Many of us who had thought ourselves religious awoke to the limitations of this attitude. Refusing to place God first, we had deprived ourselves of His help. But now the words "Of myself I am nothing, the Father doeth the works" began to carry bright promise and meaning. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Page 75 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “There are two kinds of slaves, the prisoners of addiction, and the prisoners of envy.” ~ Ivan Ilich |
December 19
Times of Change Prayer Lord, I’m going through many changes in my life, which often make me feel unsettled. I frequently feel stressed and fearful that I will take the wrong step. Lord, please guide and direct me through these changes, and help me be more resilient. Help me develop the new skills I need to deal with these new challenges. Help me have a positive attitude and not fixate on things out of my control. Help me seek out and obtain the support I need from family and friends. Amen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought How big a part of my life is A.A.? Is it just one of my activities and a small one at that? Do I only go to A.A. meetings now and then and sometimes never go at all? Do I think of A.A. only occasionally? Am I reticent about mentioning the subject of A.A. to people who might need help? Or does A.A. fill a large part of my life? Is it the foundation of my whole life? Where would I be without A.A.? Does everything I have and do depend on my A.A. foundation? So ............ Is A.A. the foundation on which I build my life? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Scared or Embarrassed Do we avoid making new friends because we're scared they won't like us? Do we get embarrassed when we make a mistake and avoid trying again? When we get our feelings hurt, do we think we're bad, or that something is wrong with us? Being scared or shy or hurt are all part of being alive. When we try to stay away from painful feelings, we keep ourselves from having many wonderful adventures. If we're afraid to meet new people, we may never have any close friends. If we stop trying when we're embarrassed, we may never learn a better way of doing things. And if we don't share our hurt feelings, we may never find out that everyone else has the same feelings we have. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alcoholism — an illness Today we are willing to accept the idea that, as far as we are concerned, alcoholism is an illness, a progressive illness which can never be “cured,” but which, like some other illnesses, can be arrested. We agree that there is nothing shameful about having an illness, provided we face the problem honestly and try to do something about it. We are perfectly willing to admit that we are allergic to alcohol and that it is simply common sense to stay away from the source of our allergy. We understand now that once a person has crossed the invisible borderline from heavy drinking to compulsive alcoholic drinking, that person will always remain an alcoholic. So far as we know, there can never be any turning back to “normal” social drinking. “Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic” is a simple fact we have to live with. From: “This Is A.A.” (Pamphlet) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “If you're never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take any chances.” ~ Julia Soul |
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 gotten 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 too 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 be 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 Lord, Today, 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 Thought When new members come into my A.A. group, do I make a special effort to make them feel at home? Do I put myself out to listen to them, even if their ideas of A.A. are vague? Do I make it a habit to talk to all new members myself, or do I often leave that to someone else? I may not be able to help them, but then again it may be something that I might say that would put them on the right track. When I see any members sitting alone, do I put myself out to be nice to them, or do I stay among my own special group of friends and leave them out in the cold? So ............ Are all new A.A. 's & “loners” my responsibility? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Who is an Alcoholic? - AA's mission Though AA's avowed mission is to carry its message to alcoholics, the fellowship does not really have a one-size-fits-all definition of alcoholism. This has created some confusion when nonalcoholics inadvertently show up at meetings that are supposed to be for alcoholics only, or when people with other addictions seek AA's help. A few groups even insist that people must declare themselves alcoholics in order to participate in a "closed" meeting. But who is an alcoholic? The AA pioneers were not insistent that people should immediately declare themselves alcoholics in order to receive help. Newcomers were invited to attend meetings and then decide for themselves if they were alcoholics and needed the program. In today's environment, we have the added factor that troubled people might be addicted to both drugs and alcohol. Such cross-addiction, in fact, seems to be a strong trend. We also know that any alcoholic can easily become cross-addicted if he or she uses other drugs. Our best course is to keep the door open for any person who comes to AA sincerely desiring help. If people find their answer in AA, they probably belong in the fellowship. I'll be grateful today that I was able to admit that I had a problem and needed AA's help. I'll accept others just as I was accepted. To stay sober and grow in the program. I do not need to define alcoholism for anybody other than myself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Agnostic Temperament Some of us have been violently anti-religious. To others, the word "God" brought up a particular idea of Him with which someone had tried to impress them during childhood. Perhaps we rejected this particular conception because it seemed inadequate. With that rejection we imagined we had abandoned the God idea entirely. We were bothered with the thought that faith and dependence upon a Power beyond ourselves was somewhat weak, even cowardly. We looked upon this world of warring individuals, warring theological systems, and inexplicable calamity, with deep skepticism. We looked askance at many individuals who claimed to be godly. How could a Supreme Being have anything to do with it all? And who could comprehend a Supreme Being anyhow? Yet, in other moments, we found ourselves thinking, when enchanted by a starlit night, "Who, then, made all this?" There was a feeling of awe and wonder, but it was fleeting and soon lost. Yes, we of agnostic temperament have had these thoughts and experiences. Let us make haste to reassure you. We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God. Alcoholics Anonymous Pages 45 – 46 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love." ~ Lao-tzu |
December 22
Prayer for Worry and Stress Lord, I am wound up inside. I feel I cannot continue to meet the demands placed upon me. I am close to burn out and I fear I may buckle under the weight of these worries. I am tired of carrying this stress around, so I need to find some peace. So, Lord, I come to you. I trust that you can lead me to a new place, Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought How good a sponsor am I? When I bring new members to a meeting, do I feel that my responsibility has ended? Or do I make it my job to stay with them until they have either become good members of A.A. or have found another sponsor? If they don't show up for a meeting, do I say to myself: "Well they've had their chance, so if they don't want it, there's nothing more I can do? " Or do I look them up and find out whether there is a reason for their absences or that they don't want A.A.? Do I go out of my way to find out if there is anything more I can do to help? So ............ Am I a good sponsor? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Play Go play? Yes, take a break and go play. When your head starts to pound and your back starts to ache, stop. Do something you want to do. Something that feels good, feels fun. Leave your worries behind. Put them in a box, then close it, and go play. We make sure that our children take time for recess every day. But we forget that we need recess, too. The lingering threads of work and worry can tie us to tasks done and undone. They can block our connection to joy, creativity, and the vital life-giving force that courses through us all. We no longer need to slump with tension and fatigue. It isn’t necessary and it doesn’t help a thing. Most often, it hurts. Your fatigue may be from lack of play as much as lack of sleep. You might begin to see that you don’t need a rest, a nap, or more vitamin C. You need to play. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Outside Help It was evident that a solitary self-appraisal, and the admission of our defects based upon that alone, wouldn't be nearly enough. We'd have to have outside help if we were surely to know and admit the truth about ourselves--the help of God and of another human being. Only by discussing ourselves, holding back nothing, only by being willing to take advice and accept direction could we set foot on the road to straight thinking, solid honesty, and genuine humility. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Page 59 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote “All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.” ~ Sophocles (496-406 BC) |
December 23
Remembering Others Prayer God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry; When I have work, help me to remember the jobless; When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all; When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer, And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency; bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help; By word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. ~ Author Unknown ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. May there be bread for the hungry, love for the unlovable, healing for the sick, protection for our children, and wisdom for our youth. We ask for the salvation of all our family members and friends, and we pray for 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
Prayer for Happiness Dear Lord, I pray that you bless me with true happiness and peace in life. From a restless mind and anxiety, give me peace. Lead me from fear of death to eternal life. Lord, when I suffer despair and lack of confidence, lead me to hope, faith, and trust. 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 proven 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 “The secret of being happy is accepting where you are in life and making the most out of every day.”~ John Douglas |
December 27
Prayer for Happiness and Peace Lord, I pray that you bless me with true happiness and peace in life. Lead me away from hate and anger toward love. From a restless mind and anxiety, give me peace. Lead me from fear of death to eternal life. When I suffer despair and lack of confidence, lead me to hope, faith, and trust. Lead me away from dishonesty and deceit toward eternal truth. Allow eternal peace and tranquility to fill my heart, my mind, my life, and my world. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Thought I have got rid of most of my boredom. One of the hardest things for 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
Prayer for Anxiety 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 We have definitely left that dream world behind. It was a world of our own making and it was not the real world. We are sorry for the past, yes, but we learned a lot from it. We can put it down to experience, as we see it now, because it has given us the knowledge necessary to face the world as it really is. We had to become alcoholics in order to find the A.A. program. We would not have got it any other way. In a way, it was worth it. So ............ Do I look at my past as valuable experience? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Contemplation Words & Perception How burdened we became with the labels applied by parents, teachers, even school chums. We believe about ourselves what others teach us to believe. The messages aren't always true. But the names linger in our memories and influence our self-perceptions as adults. We are as lovely, as capable, and as successful as we perceive ourselves to be. Our own thoughts and words, our own labels can become as powerful as those of our youth. It takes practice to believe in ourselves. But we can break the past's hold on us. My higher power will help me know the real me. I am all that I ever needed to be; I am special, and I will come to believe that. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Faith We finally saw that faith in some kind of God was a part of our make-up. Sometimes we had to search persistently, but He was there. He was as much a fact as we were. We found the Great Reality deep down within us. Alcoholics Anonymous Page 55 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just a Quote "Alcoholism does more havoc than three historical scourges together; famine, plague and war." ~ William Gladstone, 1809-1898 (British Statesman & Prime Minister) |
December 31
New Year's Eve Prayer May all my family and friends who need a New Year miracle be blessed. May whoever has had a bad year face this New Year with hope in their heart. May all those who have had heavy burdens this year have their load lightened and the opportunity to enjoy the New Year, and may this person reading this prayer have a happy and prosperous New Year. Amen & Amen ~ Unknown Author ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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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