Thoughtfood for Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Road To Sanity

From the Big Book:

"We did exactly the same thing with our lives.  We took stock honestly.  First, we searched out the flaws in our make-up which caused our failure.  Being convinced that self, manifested in various ways, was what had defeated us, we considered its common manifestations."

c. AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, How It Works, p. 64.

 

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may willingly submit to whatever spiritual discipline is necessary.  I pray that I may accept whatever it takes to live a better life."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Aug. 27.

 

Quote for the day:

"First Things First"   __Program slogan

 

My share: It is not by mistake that the first step of action is taking a personal inventory.  Without an honest assessment of what was really going on in my life, I highly doubt I would be sober today.  The admonition to "be fearless and thorough from the very start" got my attention because I was committed to do whatever it takes to get and stay sober.   Be Good To You, Dave.

Thoughtfood for Tuesday, August 26, 2008  

Today's the Day

From the Big Book: "Therefore, we started upon a personal inventory.  This was Step Four.  A business which takes no regular inventory usually goes broke.  Taking a commercial inventory is a fact-finding process.  It is an effort to discover the truth about the stock-in-trade.  One object is to disclose damaged or unsalable goods, to get rid of them properly and without regret.  If the owner of the business is to be successful, he cannot fool himself about values."
c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, How It Works, p. 64.  

Prayer for the day:
"I pray that I may submit to the laws of nature and to the laws of God. 
I pray that I may live in harmony with all the laws of life."
c.1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Aug. 26  

Quote for the day:
 "A good garden may have some weeds." __ Thomas Fuller  

My share: Summer is over, school starts tomorrow. Today it may rain. I've weeded my garden and taken another inventory.  Business is good.  Be Good To You, Dave

Thoughtfood for Monday, August 25, 2008

 

Luminescent Essence
The energy of Life is shining through each of us in every moment as radiant presence and luminescent essence. Let the focus of your attention shift from the parts to the Whole, and you will see this light shining within everyone.

__the Daily Guru

 

From the Big Book:

"Next we launched out on a course of vigorous action, the first step of which is a personal housecleaning, which many of us had never  attempted. Though our decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us.  Our liquor was but a symptom.  So we had to get down to causes and conditions."

c. 1939 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, How It Works, pp. 63-64.

 

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may not speak or act in the midst of emotional upheaval.  I pray that I may wait until the tempest is past."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Aug 25.

 

Quote for the day:

"To be positive: to be mistaken at the top of one's voice."

__ Ambrose Bierce

 

My share:

I saw that "Luminescent Essence" shining through many people last night at the Turnabout for TIHAN show. (Tucson Interfaith HIV/Aids Network)  What a great outpouring of love and concern and compassion when about 500 people get together for an evening of entertainment aimed at raising money and awareness for the plight of those living with HIV / AIDS.  Thousands of volunteer hours preceded the three hour event that raised over $12,000.  Life is good when things like that happen.  Be Good To You, Dave

 

Thoughtfood for Sunday, August 24, 2008

Pause

From the Big Book:

"We found it very desirable to take this spiritual step with an understanding person, such as our wife, best friend, or spiritual adviser.  But it is better to meet God alone than with one who might misunderstand.  The wording was, of  course, quite optional so long as we expressed the idea, voicing it without reservation.   This was only a beginning, though if honestly and humbly made, an effect, sometimes a very great one, was felt at once."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, How It Works, p. 63.

 

Prayer for the day:

" I pray that I may live expectantly. I pray that I may believe deeply that all things are possible with God."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Aug 24.

 

Quote for the day:

"They who forgive most, shall be most forgiven."  __ Philip James Bailey

 

My share:

The busiest day of my year awaits.  Turnabout for TIHAN will be just a memory by this time tomorrow, reminding me that God does not give us anything we can't handle.  Be Good To You, Dave

Thoughtfood for Saturday, August 23, 2008

Family Matters

From the Big Book:

"We were now at Step Three.  Many of us said to  our Maker, as we understood Him: 'God, I offer myself to Thee--to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.   Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.  Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy will always.'   We thought well before taking this step making sure we were ready; that we could at last abandon ourselves utterly to Him."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, How It Works, p. 63.

 

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may realize that life without a goal is futile.  I pray that I may find the good life worth striving for."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Aug 23.

 

Quote for the day:

"Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."

__Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

 

My share:

Crushing the isolational barriers and re-building the burned bridges to loved ones we hurt while drinking is the first priority for most alcoholics.  It was for me.  I am happy to report that in all cases of familial amends, my efforts were greatly appreciated and well received.  The relief I afforded them gave me the strength I needed to seek out and make amends to others.  I found the Road of Happy Destiny laying before me, but it was the Third Step Prayer that prompted me to start trudging. Today I no longer trudge, I walk tall and secure and always extend my hand to anyone reaching out for help. Be Good To You, Dave

Thoughtfood for Friday, August 22, 2008

From the Big Book:

"As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, How It Works, p. 63.

 

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may make good use of my mistakes and failures.

I pray that some good may result from my painful experiences."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Aug 22.

 

Quote for the day:

"Prayer needs no speech." __Mohandas Gandhi

 

My share:

I am very busy these next two days. Turnabout for TIHAN is an annual benefit show for which I design and build stage set.  The show is Sunday Aug 24 at the Doubletree Hotel in Tucson, AZ.

TIHAN is the Tucson Interfaith HIV / AIDS Network and this event is the second largest fundraiser of their fiscal year.  I got involved with this event in my first year of sobriety and if I were not still sober, I doubt I would still be doing this.  It is a happy tradition for me to stay involved.  Be Good To You, Dave

Thoughtfood for Thursday, August 21, 2008

MEMO

From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do not need your help. So, have a nice day. I love you.
God

 

P.S. And, remember...If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box.

I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.  Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you.

You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!
Now, you have a nice day.
God

 

God has seen you struggling.  God says it's over.
A blessing is coming your way.

From the Big Book:

"We had a new Employer.  Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well.

Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs.  More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute to life." 

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, How It Works, p. 63.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may be freed from things that hold me down.  I pray that my spirit may soar in freedom."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Aug 21.

Quote for the day:

"Today my self-esteem comes from doing things differently."

__Joan Larkin

My share:

A phone call at 4:30 this morning drew me to the emergency room to help a friend in need.  There was a time when I would have been too drunk or passed out to be any help at that hour.  My how things have changed.  Once, I would more likely have been the one in need of help.   Be Good To You, Dave

Thoughtfood for Wednesday, August 20, 2008  



From the Big Book:
"This is the how and why of it.  First of all, we had to quit playing God.   It didn't work.  Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director.  He is the Principal; we are His agents.  He is the Father, and we are His children.  Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom."
c.1939 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, How It Works, p. 62  

Prayer for the day:
" I pray that I may not look back. 
I pray that I may keep picking myself up and making a fresh start each day."
c. 1975, Hazelden foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Aug 20.  

Quote for the day:
"Action is eloquence."  __William Shakespeare  

My share:
I am often turned off by the seemingly insincere proselytizing by so-called "born again" Christians.  But the idea that one can be truly born again, to have two lifetimes in one, cannot be clearer in the lives of recovered alcoholics. For those of us who know what it was like then and what it's like now, "born again" is an apt description.  Be Good To You, Dave 

Thoughtfood for Tuesday, August 19, 2008  



  From the Big Book:
 "And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid.  Many of us had moral and philosophical convictions galore, but we could not live up to them even though we would have liked to.  Neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing of trying on our own power.  We had to have God's help." 
c. AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, How It Works, p. 62.  

Prayer for the day:
"I pray that I may worship God by sensing the eternal Spirit. 
I pray that I may experience a new power in my life."
c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day,  Aug. 19.  

Quote for the day:
"Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't."   __Erica Jong  

My share:
"I faced a major frustration last night and into this morning with an inability to access this email account.  I tried again and again to reset my password to no avail getting a round-about, catch twenty-two result every time I tried. (At least a dozen times)  I searched the website for any phone numbers to call for assistance but found none. I checked the phone book but no numbers for yahoo.com.  Finally I posed as a potential advertisers calling the marketing department to get a phone number referral.  That worked, and August (the operators name) helped me resolve the issue so I could get back in touch with my A.A. community and start my day off right.   Did you notice I didn't even mention thinking about drinking?  Life is good. Be Good To You, Dave

BTW In case you ever need it, the yahoo.com customer service number is
1-866-562-7219
then option #2
and again option #2. 
Have a great day.  Dave

Thoughtfood for Monday, August 18, 2008

Circus Act

From the Big Book:

"So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making.  They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of

self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so.  Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness.  We must, or it kills us!  God makes that possible."

c. 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous, How It Works, p.62.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may think and say and do the things that bring God closer to me.  I pray that I may find Him in a sincere prayer, a kind work, or an unselfish deed."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Aug. 18.

Quote for the day:

"If you don't remember history accurately, how can you learn?"

__Maya Lin

My share:

Our quote for today strikes my memory chord lightly.  I wonder sometimes how accurate my recollections are of those times when I was inebriated.  I know I have difficulty recalling the names of those involved in any of the many incidents of confrontation and/or distress.  But I do remember vividly the scenes of explosive overreaction to loved ones when they accused me of drinking too much or suggested that I seek help for the problem.   Be Good To You, Dave.