I have a vision board thats on the wall across from the bed where I put something my son gave me. For Mothers day last year, my son wrote on a piece of paper, “Youre the best mom! I love you!”… and i put it on that vision board as a reminder of what recovery gave to me. Recovery gave me a relationship with my son. I am forever grateful for what God has done for me.
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I try to practice this daily. In fact, I pray every morning that I be of service to others for the day.
I remember one morning, a woman approached me and asked if i could buy her a coffee. I had extra $ on me so i did. She grabbed the coffee and walked away without even looking back to me or saying thank u or nothing. I love helping people, I really do. But what i do have to watch for, is that i dont have expectations attached to that help. I guess i was expecting a thank u or some form of gratitude back. But in that moment, it wasnt about me. It was about helping her and giving her a warm cup of coffee. I helped where I could 
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This phrase also reminds me of the saying, “Faith without works is dead”. I can lead a spiritual life and pray daily, but I also must take action in life. Performing Gods will and not my own. This is also why I like to pray first thing in the morning, bcuz my day has just begun and i can invite God into my day from the very start. Its amazing how my mind changes focus after prayer. It works if u work it!
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I love allllll of this, thank you for sharing!!
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September 28~Daily Reflections
LOVE WITHOUT STRINGS
Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 89
Sponsorship held two surprises for me. First, that my sponsees cared about me. What I had thought was gratitude was more like love. They wanted me to be happy, to grow and remain sober. Knowing how they felt kept me from drinking more than once. Second, I discovered that I was able to love someone else responsibly, with respectful and genuine concern for that person’s growth. Before that time, I had thought that my ability to care sincerely about another’s well-being had atrophied from lack of use. To learn that I can love, without greed or anxiety, has been one of the deepest gifts the program has given me. Gratitude for that gift has kept me sober many times.
From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.
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“We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations, and affairs.”— Big Book, p. 19
How am I demonstrating recovery principles in my daily responsibilities?
Today I get to show up. Even when it’s hard or it sucks. I don’t shy or run away from it. I am there for others today, it’s not all about me. I get to honor other people and love them. My drinking was but a symptom. Today I am different, because of this program and I am thankful for that today.
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In my experience, the not-drinking bit is a side-effect of practicing the rest of the program. Any notion of a first drink begins to subside when I learn to accept my place in the world, with its obligations and responsibilities, without resentment, and to look for gratitude in all. Then I’m more spiritually fit to go out among other ppl, to be of service, no longer trying to pour from an empty cup. Funny, isn’t it, how it works?
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Abbbbbbbsolutely! 
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EXACTLY ALIKE
Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 89
A man came to the meeting drunk, interrupted the speakers, stood up and took his shirt off, staggered loudly back and forth for coffee, demanded to talk, and eventually called the group’s secretary an unquotable name and walked out. I was glad he was there – once again I saw what I had been like. But I also saw what I still am, and what I still could be. I don’t have to be drunk to want to be the exception and the center of attention. I have often felt abused and responded abusively when I was simply being treated as a garden variety human being. The more the man tried to insist he was different, the more I realized that he and I were exactly alike.
From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.
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“We began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow, or the hereafter.” — Big Book, p. 47
Which fears still cling to me, and how can I begin to let them go?
Right now it’s the fear of losing my pup. I’m trying to not borrow trouble as my sponsor puts it and live in the moment. I know there is also a greater picture and God knows what is best. I’m also very blessed I’ve got him in my life. So, whatever he’s facing, we will face it together. Today, we are together and life is good. We will deal with tomorrow when it arrives.
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I don’t have to be drunk to want to be the exception and the center of attention
Yep, that about covers both of the topics for me today. Laughing. Firstly, I’m a hypocrite if I find fault with someone or something without examining my own conduct in the pertinent area as well. As for the second, I have been around this block long enough to have a fear of losing / disregarding the spiritual connection that makes simple so-dry-iety into the miracle of expanded presence that is real recovered-ness. For me, today started so well, but turned into a long ho-hum workday. It felt like I needed to plow on, fear of losing momentum, rather than stop mid-day to try to reconnect with Source / Flow. After work, time walking outdoors, and talking with my Sponsor helped. I also fear that I could still forget why I’m here, slide out of practicing emotional sobriety, and away from the consistent devotion of time to the work. I can’t not do this thing anymore. Fear isn’t the best motivator, but my surrender of self-reliance isn’t automatic or continuous yet.
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September 30~Daily Reflections
THE CIRCLE AND THE TRIANGLE
The circle stands for the whole world of A.A., and the triangle stands for A.A.'s Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service. Within our wonderful new world, we have found freedom from our fatal obsession.
A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 139
Early in my A.A. life, I became employed in its services and I found the explanation of our society’s logo to be very appropriate. First, a circle of love and service with a well-balanced triangle inside, the base of which represents our Recovery through the Twelve Steps. Then the other two sides, representing Unity and Service, respectively. The three sides of the triangle are equal. As I grew in A.A. I soon identified myself with this symbol. I am the circle, and the sides of the triangle represent three aspects of my personality: physical, emotional sanity, and spirituality, the latter forming the symbol’s base. Taken together, all three aspects of my personality translate into a sober and happy life.
From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.
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“We have begun to learn tolerance, patience and good will toward all men, even our enemies, for we look on them as sick people.” — Big Book, p. 70
Who in my life can I see today with compassion rather than resentment?
My sponsor showed me how to pray for people I was resentful for, sometimes this is by using a sick friend prayer. Sometimes I need to pray for willingness to do so, but it does work.
I’m also reminded that I myself am not perfect-If I am spotting something within another, they are often just a reflection for me to see. My sponsor says if I spot it, I’ve got it. It took me a long time to grasp that there is some truth to that statement.
We are all just doing our best to get by and I don’t get to judge another souls journey. I’m not perfect, and I still do from time to time. But I do have the necessary tools in this program to work around this and have life be better for us all. Today I watch for new opportunities to do so.
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October 1~Daily Reflections
LEST WE BECOME COMPLACENT
It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 85
When I am in pain it is easy to stay close to the friends I have found in the program. Relief from that pain is provided in the solutions contained in A.A.'s Twelve Steps. But when I am feeling good and things are going well, I can become complacent. To put it simply, I become lazy and turn into the problem instead of the solution. I need to get into action, to take stock: where am I and where am I going? A daily inventory will tell me what I must change to regain spiritual balance. Admitting what I find within myself, to God and to another human being, keeps me honest and humble.
From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.
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“We are like men who have lost their legs; they never grow new ones. Neither does there appear to be any kind of treatment which will make alcoholics of our kind like other men.” — Big Book, p. 30
How does remembering the permanence of my condition strengthen my daily surrender?
This reminds me that I can’t turn a pickle into a cucumber. I am an alcoholic, I can never drink like a “normal” person. Once I actually accepted that, life got SO much easier for me! When I kept up the insanity and hoping I could drink while I tried allllll the different rules, it was exhausting. And I just continued the insanity. Acceptance instead brought me freedom so I could stop the mental yo-yo and just commit to my sobriety. I am grateful for that today.
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This is a perfect reading for me as I have noticed recently that I have become a bit complacent. Things get busy and I “forget” to do the things I need to do to have that quality recovery. Im grateful today that when i find myself feeling irritable and discontent, i can realize that its bcuz im not doing the daily work, and therefore change it. I have to remember that the reason why things are good in my life is BCUZ im doing the work
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October 2~Daily Reflections
“THE ACID TEST”
As we work the first nine Steps, we prepare ourselves for the adventure of a new life. But when we approach Step Ten we commence to put our A.A. way of living to practical use, day by day, in fair weather or foul. Then comes the acid test: can we stay sober, keep in emotional balance, and live to good purpose under all conditions?
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 88
I know the Promises are being fulfilled in my life, but I want to maintain and develop them by the daily application of Step Ten. I have learned through this Step that if I am disturbed, there is something wrong with me. The other person may be wrong too, but I can only deal with my feelings. When I am hurt or upset, I have to continually look for the cause in me, and then I have to admit and correct my mistakes. It isn’t easy, but as long as I know I am progressing spiritually, I know that I can mark my effort up as a job well done. I have found that pain is a friend; it lets me know there is something wrong with my emotions, just as a physical pain lets me know there is something wrong with my body. When I take the appropriate action through the Twelve Steps, the pain gradually goes away.
From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.
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“We try not to indulge in cynicism over the state of the nations, nor do we carry the world’s troubles on our shoulders.” — Big Book, p. 132
Where am I carrying burdens today that aren’t mine to carry?
The weight of the world is heavy these days. I have to remind myself that I am powerless to control it and I don’t need to carry it. This program allows me to be a light in the world. Sometimes I need to re-center first. Connect with nature. Talk with my sponsor. Attend a meeting. Laugh with a friend. Connect to love. But I have to drop the rock first so I can move forward in the best possible way today.
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I cannot let external or internal conditions affect my sobriety. So, I have had to Drop the Rock, a book to recommend! I still like to place a strategic kick at the rock, though, in these times, with like-minded others. My New Year’s resolution was, two actions for every complaint, but recently I evolved it to be two Positive actions for every complaint. The first day, a woman in line ahead of me’s benefit card ran out, so I paid her grocery balance. She burst into tears, and told me that her father was having heart surgery, etc.. The levers of power are still influenced by our kindness, thank God. This principle gives me the faith to stay sober and keep doing good things, like that old Mother Teresa poem, the first in the link below, tho we are not saints 
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I find all of this SO hard. To see pain as a friend that is letting u know that something is wrong with my emotions, is tough to see. I usually dont like feeling pain and will try to run from it (not with drugs and alcohol anymore, but with food). I am going to try and see pain as a friend.
I also have a difficult time in realizing that when i am disturbed, there is something wrong with me. Its so easy to find fault in others, but in all reality, its usually me not finding acceptance in things that causes my irritability. I can be either impatient, or judgmental, or critical, or whatever the case may be, and i have control over how i allow things effect me.
Good topic today! Its a great reminder
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