Daily Reflections & Daily Readings

[MandiH]

November 24~Daily Reflections

A UNIVERSAL SEARCH

Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 87

I do not claim to have all the answers in spiritual matters, any more than I claim to have all the answers about alcoholism. There are others who are also engaged in a spiritual search. If I keep an open mind about what others have to say, I have much to gain. My sobriety is greatly enriched, and my practice of the Eleventh Step more fruitful, when I use both the literature and practices of my Judeo-Christian tradition, and the resources of other religions. Thus, I receive support from many sources in staying away from the first drink.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

[MandiH]

November 24~Language Of Letting Go

Surrender

Surrender means saying, “Okay, God. I’ll do whatever You want.” Faith in the God of our recovery means we trust that, eventually, we’ll like doing that.

Today, I will surrender to my Higher Power. I’ll trust that God’s plan for me will be good, even if it is different than I hoped for or expected.

[MandiH]

November 24~Keep It Simple

Freedom is not enough.—Lyndon B. Johnson

We are free of alcohol and other drugs. We’ve been given a second chance or third chance.

For that, we thank our Higher Power. We’ve started a new life. But to keep this life, we need to change.

We need new friends. We need to let a Higher Power guide our hearts, minds, and bodies. We need to learn new values and how to stand up for them. We need to learn how to give and receive.

Freedom from dependence is not enough. We also want to be happy, and to do something with our lives.

So each day we keep learning, we keep growing. Each day without alcohol or other drugs is a gift, a gift from God.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, You set me free. Now teach me to stay free. Guide me, for keeping
my freedom is a big task

Action for the Day: I will meditate on my freedom. I will take time to list all the ways I am now free

[MandiH]

I’m realizing that I’m more free than I’ve ever been in my life really.

I’m free of so many chains that have always bound me.

I grew up with an alcoholic dad and brother when I was very young. Then my sister & mom drank a lot more when my dad died from drinking & driving when I was 13. And I began to drink regularly then too. Those chains have always been heavy in my family.

This is the first time in my life I’ve ever been this free. I’m not chained down by the impacts of others- instead I understand it and I’m able to love them and myself a new way.

I’m not chained down by my own addictions, I’ve been freed of them-so long as i continue to do the work today to stay sober. I’ve been given a path to that freedom that works if i work it.

I’m also free to be myself in a way I’ve never been before. By doing my step work, I understand myself and even others in a whole new way. And instead of causing damage in others lives in able to help them. That’s a whole new freedom for me, on a soul & even karmic level.

When the big book says in the Promises that you will know a new freedom and a new happiness, it meant it. I also no longer regret my past nor wish to shut the door on it. Allllll of those promises have been coming true in my life, thanks to this program.

It’s really incredible and mind blowing honestly to think about lol. Man, am I ever grateful!

My Higher Power helps me to do things daily I could not do for myself, including showing me the way to surrender to this program. My life is far better & SO much more free today because of that.

Have a great day you guys! Love you all!

[MandiH]

November 25~Daily Reflections

A POWERFUL TRADITION

In the years before the publication of the book, “Alcoholics Anonymous,” we had no name. . . . By a narrow majority the verdict was for naming our book “The Way Out.” . . . One of our early lone members . . . found exactly twelve books already titled “The Way Out.”. . . So “Alcoholics Anonymous” became first choice. That’s how we got a name for our book of experience, a name for our movement and, as we are now beginning to see, a tradition of the greatest spiritual import.
“A.A. TRADITION: HOW IT DEVELOPED,” pp. 35-36

Beginning with Bill’s momentous decision in Akron to make a telephone call rather than a visit to the hotel bar, how often has a Higher Power made itself felt at crucial moments in our history! The eventual importance that the principle of anonymity would acquire was but dimly perceived, if at all, in those early days. There seems to have been an element of chance even in the choice of a name for our Fellowship.

God is no stranger to anonymity and often appears in human affairs in the guises of “luck,” “chance,” or “coincidence.” If anonymity, somewhat fortuitously, became the spiritual basis for all of our Traditions, perhaps God was acting anonymously on our behalf.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

[MandiH]

November 25~Language Of Letting Go

Awareness

When we first become aware of a problem, a situation, or a feeling, we may react with anxiety or fear. There is no need to fear awareness. No need.

Awareness is the first step toward positive change and growth. It’s the first step toward solving the problem, or getting the need met, the first step toward the future. It’s how we focus on the next lesson.

Awareness is how life, the Universe, and our Higher Power get our attention and prepare us for change. The process of becoming changed begins with awareness. Awareness, acceptance, and change—that’s the cycle. We can accept the temporary discomfort from awareness because that’s how we’re moved to a better place. We can accept the temporary discomfort because we can trust God, and ourselves.

Today, I will be grateful for any awareness I encounter. I will display gratitude, peace, and dignity when life gets my attention. I will remember that it’s okay to accept the temporary discomfort from awareness because I can trust that it’s my Higher Power moving me forward.

[MandiH]

November 25~Walk In Dry Places

What ought to work-- but doesn’t

Understanding Alcoholism

One of the old theories about alcoholism was that we drink because we had deep psychological problems.

It followed that if we could clear up these problems, we would no longer need to drink excessively.

Another theory was that staying dry for a long period of time would dislodge one’s alcoholic tendencies.
After a certain length of sobriety, we would be able to return to normal drinking. (NOT)

Both theories sound plausible, but in practice neither has worked.

Many of us came to grief trying to make these ideas work.

What we eventually learn about psychological problems is that they may intensify our troubles, but they are not the real cause of our alcoholism.

The cause may be rooted in some physical problem that enablesus to achieve unusual highs from drinking.

We also know that one drink acts as a trigger for more drinking— at least for us.

Our answer has been, first and foremost, to eliminate the first drink. Even if it doesn’t square with
theories, it works.

No matter how long I’ve been sober, one drink would be deadly to me. Accepting that fact enabled me to
get sober after finding that theories about my problem weren’t working.

[MandiH]

It’s funny, this weekend a sober meditation guy I follow put out something about how he’s doing this new program that’s a road map with 4 achievements and then you can control your drinking. When I saw it, I laughed out loud and said sarcastically to myself, “Well…I guess I’ve been doing it all wrong!”

People in my recovery program get it. There is nothing I can ever do that will allow me to safely drink. I am an alcoholic. Just having a little sugar will remind me of that. I’m not able to control my drinking, I tried for decades. It never worked. It just progressed.

I am SO grateful for this program that reminds me daily of that. I hear the relapse stories. I see the damage it does. And even at times how quickly people die from these relapses. This is literally life and death stuff.

I’m sooooo grateful that I don’t toy with the idea of being able to drink successfully. I can’t. And in working a program of recovery, I see that clearly day in and day out.

I can see how one who doesn’t work a program of recovery could think it could be controlled. There’s been many people who have tried along the way and died from it. A famous case was Moderation Management creator Audrey Kishline and she killed two people drinking & driving and then later unalived herself. It’s tragic. And I do not want to ever try walking that path again.

I can not drink. To drink, for me, is to die. It may be a long & painful process or it could be quick. Either way, I’m headed for certain death-spiritual, mental, emotional and physical.

I finally KNOW there’s a better way to live. Surrendering to my program of recovery truly saved my life and I’m grateful. It works, if I truly work it.

[MandiH]

November 26~Daily Reflections

THE HAZARDS OF PUBLICITY

People who symbolize causes and ideas fill a deep human need. We of A.A. do not question that. But we do have to soberly face the fact that being in the public eye is hazardous, especially for us.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 181

As a recovered alcoholic I must make an effort to put into practice the principles of the A.A. program, which are founded on honesty, truth and humility. While I was drinking I was constantly trying to be in the limelight. Now that I am conscious of my mistakes and of my former lack of integrity, it would not be honest to seek prestige, even for the justifiable purpose of promoting the A.A. message of recovery. Is the publicity that centers around the A.A. Fellowship and the miracles it produces not worth much more? Why not let the people around us appreciate by themselves the changes that A.A. has brought in us, for that will be a far better recommendation for the Fellowship than any I could make.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

[MandiH]

November 26~Language Of Letting Go

Letting Go of Self-Criticism

Look how far we’ve come!

It’s good to focus on the task ahead, on what remains to be done. It’s important to stop and feel pleased about what we’ve accomplished too.

Yes, it may seem that the change has been slow. At times, change is grueling. Yes, we’ve taken steps backward. But we’re right where we’re supposed to be. We’re right where we need to be.

And we have come so far.

Sometimes by leaps, sometimes with tiny steps, sometimes kicking and screaming all the while, sometimes with sleeves rolled up and white knuckles, we’ve learned. Grown. Changed.

Look how far we’ve come.

Today, I will appreciate my progress. I will let myself feel good about what has been accomplished.

[MandiH]

November 26~Keep It Simple

Love is the reward of love.—Johann von Schiller

When we used alcohol and other drugs, we shared little as possible. There was little love in our hearts.
We had become selfish. This caused us to be lonely.

Then something happened to change all of that.

Remember the first time you walked into a meeting? You were met by people who shared. Maybe they shared a smile, their story, or just a cup of coffee with you.

The sharing that goes on in a Twelve Step program is great. We learn that the more we give, the more we get. We get well by giving to others. Helping others is a great way to hold on to sobriety. Love is the reward of love.

Prayer for the Day: I pray that I will be there when others need me. I pray that service will become a big
part of my program.

Action for the Day: Today, I’ll think of friends who could use my help. I’ll talk to them and offer to be
there for them.

[MandiH]

November 27~Daily Reflections

THE PERILS OF THE LIMELIGHT

In the beginning, the press could not understand our refusal of all personal publicity. They were genuinely baffled by our insistence upon anonymity. Then they got the point. Here was something rare in the world—a society which said it wished to publicize its principles and its work, but not its individual members. The press was delighted with this attitude. Ever since, these friends have reported A.A. with an enthusiasm which the most ardent members would find hard to match.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 182

It is essential for my personal survival and that of the Fellowship that I not use A.A. to put myself in the limelight. Anonymity is a way for me to work on my humility. Since pride is one of my most dangerous shortcomings, practicing humility is one of the best ways to overcome it. The Fellowship of A.A. gains worldwide recognition by its various methods of publicizing its principles and its work, not by its individual members advertising themselves. The attraction created by my changing attitudes and my altruism contributes much more to the welfare of A.A. than self-promotion.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

[MandiH]

November 27~Language Of Letting Go

We Can Trust Ourselves

For many of us, the issue is not whether we can trust another person again; it’s whether we can trust our own judgment again.

“The last mistake I made almost cost me my sanity,” said one recovering woman who married a sex addict. “I can’t afford to make another mistake like that.”

Many of us have trusted people who went on to deceive, abuse, manipulate, or otherwise exploit us because we trusted them. We may have found these people charming, kind, decent. There may have been a small voice that said, “No—something’s wrong.” Or we may have been comfortable with trusting that person and shocked when we found our instincts were wrong.

The issue may then reverberate through our life for years. Our trust in others may have been shaken, but our trust in ourselves may have been shattered worse.

How could something feel so right, flow so good, and be such a total mistake? We may wonder. How can I ever trust my selection process again, when it showed itself to be so faulty?

We may never have the answers. I believe I needed to make certain “mistakes” to learn critical lessons I’m not certain I would have otherwise learned. We cannot let our past interfere with our ability to trust ourselves. We cannot afford to function with fear.

If we are always making the wrong decision in business or in love, we may need to learn why we insist on defeating ourselves.

But most of us do improve. We learn. We grow from our mistakes. Slowly, in increments, our relationships improve. Our business choices improve. Our decisions about how to handle situations with friends or children improve. We benefit from our mistakes. We benefit from our past. And if we have made mistakes, we needed to make them in order to learn along the way.

Today, I will let go of my fears about trusting myself because I have made mistakes in the past. I understand that these fears only serve to impair my judgment today. I will give my past, even my mistakes, validity by accepting and being grateful for it all. I will strive to see what I’ve gained from my mistakes. I will try to look at all my good decisions too. I will keep a watchful eye for improvement, for overall progress, in my life.

[MandiH]

November 27~Keep It Simple

Life is not lost by dying; life is lost by minute, day by day, in all the thousands, small, uncaring ways.—Stephen V. Benet

Our Twelve Step program promises us a new way of life. But most of us won’t just wake up one day with a new attitude. We only gain this new way of life if we get involved.

The Twelve Step are tools to build a new life. The more we use a tool, the easier it is to use. The same goes for the Twelve Steps, just as carpenters depend on their tools. If we only wait for the new way of life, it’ll never come. The quicker we get involved, the quicker we’ll get fixed.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me get involved. Help me build a new way of life.

Action for the Day: Today, I’ll look for ways to use the Twelve Steps. If I have a problem, I’ll first stop and think of how the Twelve Steps can help me solve it.

[MandiH]

November 28~Daily Reflections

ATTRACTION, NOT PROMOTION

Through many painful experiences, we think we have arrived at what that policy ought to be. It is the opposite in many ways of usual promotional practice. We found that we had to rely upon the principle of attraction rather than of promotion.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 180-81

While I was drinking I reacted with anger, self-pity and defiance against anyone who wanted to change me. All I wanted then was to be accepted by another human simply as I was and, curiously, that is what I found in A.A. I became the custodian of this concept of attraction, which is the principle of our Fellowship’s public relations. It is by attraction that I can best reach the alcoholic who still suffers.

I thank God for having given me the attraction of a well-planned and established program of Steps and Traditions. Through humility and the support of my fellow sober members, I have been able to practice the A.A. way of life through attraction, not promotion.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

[MandiH]

November 28~Language Of Letting Go

Back to the Steps

Go back to the Steps. Go back to a Step.

When we don’t know what to do next, when we feel confused, upset, distraught, at the end of our rope, overwhelmed, full of self-will, rage, or despair, go back to the Steps.

No matter what situation we are facing, working a Step will help. Focus on one, trust your instincts, and work it.

What does it mean to work a Step? Think about it. Meditate on it. Instead of focusing on the confusion, the problems, or the situation causing our despair or rage, focus on the Step.

Think about how that Step might apply. Hold on to it. Hang on as tightly as we hang on to our confusion or the problem.

The Steps are a solution. They work. We can trust them to work.

We can trust where the Steps will lead us.

When we don’t know what step to take next, take one of the Twelve.

Today, I will concentrate on using the Twelve Steps to solve problems and keep me in balance and harmony. I will work a Step to the best of my ability. I will learn to trust the Steps, and rely on them instead of on my protective, codependent behaviors.

[MandiH]

November 29~“ACTIVE GUARDIANS”

To us, however, it represents far more than a sound public relations policy. It is more than a denial of self-seeking. This Tradition is a constant and practical reminder that personal ambition has no place in A.A. In it, each member becomes an active guardian of our Fellowship.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 183

The basic concept of humility is expressed in the Eleventh Tradition: it allows me to participate completely in the program in such a simple, yet profound, manner; it fulfills my need to be an integral part of a significant whole. Humility brings me closer to the actual spirit of togetherness and oneness, without which I could not stay sober. In remembering that every member is an example of sobriety, each one living the Eleventh Tradition, I am able to experience freedom because each one of us is anonymous.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

[MandiH]

November 29~Language Of Letting Go

Step Twelve

The Twelfth Step says that having had a spiritual awakening, we try to carry this message to others. Our message is one of hope, love, comfort, health—a better way of life, one that works.

How do we carry it? Not by rescuing. Not by controlling. Not by obsessing. Not by becoming evangelists for the recovery cause.

We carry the message in many small, subtle, but powerful ways. We do our own recovery work and become a living demonstration of hope, self-love, comfort, and health. These quiet behaviors can be a powerful message.

Inviting (not ordering or demanding) someone to go to a meeting is a powerful way to carry the message.

Going to our meetings and sharing how recovery works for us is a powerful way to carry the message.

Being who we are and allowing our Higher Power to guide our actions are powerful ways to carry the message. Often, we find ourselves carrying the message more effectively than we do when we set out to reform, convince, or coerce someone into recovery.

Caretaking and controlling are not ways to carry the message. All those behaviors carry is codependency.

Still, the most powerful form of helping others comes down to helping ourselves. When we do our own work and are honest and open about it, we impact others more than by our most well-intentioned “helping” gesture. We cannot change others, but when we change ourselves, we may end up changing the world.

Today, I will strive to carry the message in ways that work. I will let go of my need to “help” people. Instead, I will concentrate on helping and changing myself. If an opportunity comes up to share my recovery with someone, I will do so quietly. God, help me show others comfort, empowerment, and hope. I can be a channel to help others when I am ready. I do not have to force this; it will happen naturally.

[MandiH]

November 29~Touchstones

As with expeditions into the wilds when we have endured storms and rapids, cold and sleet, and
sometimes lack of food, it is ultimately the good things we remember, not the bad. --Sigurd F. Olson

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 Higher Power.

This is our time to let go of our worries and be refreshed. It will provide a background of serenity for our day.

Today, help me remember this corner of serenity as I meet the tasks and activities on my path.

[MandiH]

November 30~Daily Reflections

PROTECTION FOR ALL

At the personal level, anonymity provides protection for all members from identification as alcoholics, a safeguard often of special importance to newcomers. At the level of press, radio, TV, and films, anonymity stresses the equality in the Fellowship of all members by putting the brake on those who might otherwise exploit their A.A. affiliation to achieve recognition, power, or personal gain.
“UNDERSTANDING ANONYMITY,” p. 5

Attraction is the main force in the Fellowship of A.A. The miracle of continuous sobriety of alcoholics within A.A. confirms this fact every day. It would be harmful if the Fellowship promoted itself by publicizing, through the media of radio and TV, the sobriety of well-known public personalities who became members of A.A. If these personalities happened to have slips, outsiders would think our movement is not strong and they might question the veracity of the miracle of the century. Alcoholics Anonymous is not anonymous, but its members should be.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.