Thoughtfood for Monday, November 9, 2009

Values

I stood off and took a long look at life and the values I found in it:

I saw a paradox, that he who loses his life does indeed find it.

The more you give, the more you get.

The less you think of yourself the more of a person you become.
- Experience, Strength and Hope, p. 431

From the Big Book:

"The doctor writes: 

The subject presented in this book seems to be of paramount importance to those afflicted with alcoholic addiction. 

I say this after many years experience as Medical Director of one of the oldest hospitals in the country treating alcoholic and drug addiction.

There was, therefore, a sense of real satisfaction when I was asked to contribute a few words on a subject which is covered in such masterly detail in these pages."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, The Doctor's Opinion, pp. xxiv-xxv.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may think of God as my Friend.  I pray that I may feel that I am working for Him and with Him."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 9.

Quote for the day:

"As we become ever more diverse, we must work harder to unite around our common values and our common humanity."  __Bil Clinton  (42nd US President,  b. 1946)

My share:

My values didn't change that much when I got sober.  But, I did become conscious of how badly I had been ignoring them.

Be Good To You, Dave.

 Thoughtfood for Sunday, November 8, 2009  

Turning Point

Half measures availed us nothing. 

We stood at the turning point.

We asked his protection and care with complete abandon.
- Alcoholics Anonymous,  p. 59
 

Thoughtfood for Saturday, November 7, 2009

Forgiveness 

Forgiveness of self and forgiveness of others

are just two currents in the same river,

both hindered or shut off completely by the dam of resentment.

Once the dam is lifted, both currents can flow.
- Daily Reflections, p. 146

From the Big Book:

"The physician who, at our request, gave us this letter, has been kind enough to enlarge upon his views in another statement which follows.  In this statement he confirms what we who have suffered alcoholic torture must believe--that the body of the alcoholic is quite as abnormal as his mind.  It did not satisfy us to be told that we could not control our drinking just because we were maladjusted to life, that  we were in full flight from reality, or were outright mental defectives.  These things were true to some extent, in fact, to a considerable extent with some of us.  But we are sure that our bodies were sickened as well.  In our belief, any picture of the alcoholic which leaves out this physical factor is incomplete."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, The Doctor's Opinion, p.xxiv.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may try to let God's power act through me today. 

I pray that I may get rid of those blocks which keep His power from me." 

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 6.

Quote for the day:

"Without forgiveness life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation."  __Roberto Assagioli

My share:

Forgive and forget.  I've heard that advice more times than I can count. When I was drinking, I was more likely to forget the details that predicated a resentment than I was to forgive the object of my ire. Times, and I, have changed.  Be Good To You, Dave

Thoughtfood for Friday, November 6, 2009

Anger

If we were to live, we had to be free of anger.

The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us.

They may be the luxury of normal men, but for alcoholics,

these things are poison.

- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 66

From the Big Book:

"I personally know scores of cases who were of the type with whom other methods had failed completely.  These facts appear to be of extreme medical importance because of the extraordinary possibilities of rapid growth inherent in this group they may mark a new epoch in the annals of alcoholism.  These men may well have a remedy for thousands of such situations. 

You may rely absolutely on anything they say about themselves.  Very truly yours, William D. Silkworth, M. D.

c. 1976, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, The Doctor's Opinion, pp. xxiii-xxiv.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may be used as a channel to express the Divine Love.  I pray that I may so live as to bring God's spirit closer to the world."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 6.

Quote for the day:

"The more anger towards the past you carry in your heart, the less capable you are of loving in the present."  __Barbara De Angelis

My share:

I encounter, almost daily, moments of anger, frustration, intolerance, hatred, bigotry and avarice.  Fortunately, none of those things occur in my heart.  They are in evidence in the people around me, on the road, in the store, at school.  I pray for the day when everyone finds their own inner peace. Be Good To You, Dave.

Thoughtfood for Thursday, November 5, 2009

Gratitude

When brimming with gratitude,

one's heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love,

the finest emotion that we can ever know.
- As Bill Sees It,  p. 37

From the Big Book:

"To whom it may concern:

I have specialized in the treatment of alcoholism for many years.

In late 1934 I attended a patient who, though he had been a competent businessman of good earning capacity, was an alcoholic of a type I had come to regard as hopeless.

In the course of his third treatment he acquired certain ideas concerning a possible means of recovery.  As part of his rehabilitation he commenced to present his conceptions to other alcoholics, impressing upon them that they must do likewise with still others.  This has become the basis of a rapidly growing fellowship of these men and their families. This man and over one hundred others appear to have recovered."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, The Doctor's Opinion, p. xxiii.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may be used as a channel to express the Divine Love.  I pray that I may so live as to bring God's spirit closer to the world."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 5.

Quote for the day:

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed.  Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude."  __Dennis Waitley (American Speaker and Author, b. 1933.)

My share:

It is with gratitude that I pass my share to Ramona today.  Be Good To You, Dave

A MEMBER SHARES:
My name is Ramona, and I am a recovering alcoholic.  Like so many things I heard around here when I was new, I had no meaningful understanding of gratitude.  Many of the words that I thought I knew the meaning to have taken on new, different and deeper meanings since coming to AA and working the Steps.  The longer I stay sober, remain teachable, and work the Steps, the more is being revealed.  Gratitude is one of those words whose meaning has changed.  It is no longer how I look to the outside world that I am most grateful for, or how much stuff I have or don't have, it is the inside stuff that is invaluable, that I am grateful for.  I didn't believe I had much to be grateful for when I got back here.  Due to my choice to drink and my choices while drinking, I suffered consequences beyond my comprehension.  I had lost everything I thought mattered, and sure didn't see anything to be grateful about.  But one thing I did have was the gift of desperation, and through prior knowledge, I knew AA was the only hope for me.  Today, I am grateful for that desperate state of being I was in when I got back here, because it was the foundation that allowed this program to work for me this time, one day at a time.  Through this program, the things I am grateful for have changed.  Today, I am most grateful for my close AA friends who never gave up on me, those who are still there for me when I am down on myself, and need to share the pain, or the truth, or just cry -- those are the friends I also share the good turns and the blessings with.  We share life's ups and downs with each other as fellow alcoholics.  They are true friends in this Fellowship, people who have loved and love me until I can love myself.  I am grateful I have new principles to live by.

Thoughtfood for Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Defenseless

We are without defense against the first drink.

The almost certain consequences that follow

taking even a glass of beer

do not crowd into the mind to deter us. . .

There is a complete failure of the kind of defense

that keeps one from putting his hand on a hot stove.
- Alcoholics Anonymous,  p.24

From the Big Book:

"The Doctor's Opinion: We of  Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the medical estimate of the play of recovery described in this book.  Convincing testimony must surely come from medical men who have had experience with the suffering of our members and have witnessed our return to health.  I well-known doctor, chief physician at a nationally prominent hospital specializing in alcoholic and drug addiction, gave Alcoholics Anonymous this letter:"

c. 1936, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, The Doctor's Opinion, p. xxiii.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may not always seek pleasure as a goal.  I pray that I may be content with the happiness that comes when I do the right thing."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 4.

Quote for the day:

"Even the most rational approach to ethics is defenseless if there isn't the will to do what is right."  __Alexander Solzhenitsyn [Russian novelist, Nobel Prize for literature (1970), b. 1918.]

My share:

I always tried to be an ethical person.  My alcoholism often compromised that intention. But with my will to change and the direction of the will of my higher power, the ability to be ethical and honest has been greatly enhanced.  Still a  lot of work to do. Be Good To You, Dave

Thoughtfood for Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Sponsors

On the spur of the moment I said,

"Why don't you be my sponsor?"

and on the spur of the moment he said to me,

"I'll be your sponsor if you'll be my sponsor."

And I said, "I don't know if they'll allow that."

But we decided to try it and it worked out.

He calls me because I'm his sponsor

and I call him because he's my sponsor

so I guess we call each other twice as often.

We're still sponsoring each other. 

It's been going on for twenty-seven years.
- Dr. Paul O., The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 3],  p.129

From the Big Book:

"In spite of the great increase in the size and the span of this Fellowship, at its core it remains simple and personal.  Each day, somewhere in the world, recovery begins when one alcoholic talks with another alcoholic, sharing experience, strength, and hope."

c. 1976, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Foreward To Third Edition, p. xxii. 

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may will to have God's power.  I pray that I may keep praying for the strength I need." 

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 3.

Quote for the day: (blank)

My share:

 I couldn't find a quote about sponsors that addressed our A.A. version of sponsorship. Perhaps I should create one.

"An A.A. sponsor is like a life preserver, if you don't reach out to grab one, you will surely drown." 

Be Good To You, Dave

Thoughtfood for Monday, November 2, 2009

Powerlessness

Our admissions of personal powerlessness

 finally turn out to be firm bedrock
upon which happy and purposeful lives may be built.
We know that little good can come to any alcoholic who joins AA
unless he has first accepted his devastating weakness and all its consequences.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,  p. 21

From the Big Book:

"The basic principles of the A.A. program, it appears, hold good for individuals with many different lifestyles, just as the program has brought recovery to those of many different nationalities.  The Twelve Steps that summarize the program may be called los Doce Pasos in one country, les Douze Etapes in another, but they trace exactly the same path to recovery that was blazed by the earliest members of Alcoholics Anonymous."

c. 1976, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Foreward To Third Edition, p. xxii.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may keep pouring out what I receive.  I pray that I may keep the stream clear and flowing."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 2.

Quote for the day:

"Hatred and anger are powerless when met with kindness." __Anonymous

My share:

First, a correction:  My sponsor is actually XXIII years sober, a few months shy of XXIV, I can't count so good.  ;-)

Powerlessness...I found that by admitting my powerlessness over alcohol, people, places and things, I became empowered to change the things I can, the things within myself that make me who and what I am.   An attitude of gratitude is impossible without an admission of powerlessness and a humble assessment of self worth.  Be Good To You, Dave

Thoughtfood for Sunday, November 1, 2009

Faith

Believe more deeply. 

Hold your face up to the Light,

even though for the moment you do not see.
- As Bill Sees It,  p. 3 

From the Big Book:

"By March 1976, when this edition went to the printer, the total worldwide membership of Alcoholics Anonymous was conservatively estimated at more than 1,000,000 with almost 28,000 groups meeting in over 90 countries." (In 1995, over 89,000 groups with A.A. activity in 141 countries; one-third are women, one-fifth, 30 and under.)

c. 1976, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Foreward To Third Edition. p xxii.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may feel sure of some response to my prayers. 

 I pray that I may be content with whatever form that response takes."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 1.

Quote for the day:

"When you have come to the edge of all light that you know and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly."  __

My share: I trust we have all survived Halloween.  Reaching the last day of October, brings to a close for me thirteen years of continuous sobriety. I received my XIII sobriety chip from my sponsor, Dave E who recently celebrated XXIV.  This program works.  Be Good To You, Dave.

A Member Shares:  
Hi all, I'm Peyton and I'm a grateful alcoholic.  Faith was truly lacking in me by the time I got to AA.  I was at the point that I doubted whether my Higher Power could help me or even if I would let my HP help me.  In any case, the day I came to this room, I was at the end of my rope.  I knew that if I didn't get help soon, I was going to be dead, and if I couldn't stop drinking, I wanted death sooner rather than later.  My prayer was the same as many other alkies I've listened to, "Help me, God!"  I'd never thought about AA being on line and at that moment, I felt compelled to look on line for some kind of AA help.  This room was the first thing I saw, so in I came, scared, desperate for a drink, and trying to believe that it could get better.  The welcome I received, the love, prayers and support were overwhelming.  I felt at home, with people who actually knew what my life was like.  That moment helped me to start having faith again -- when the only three words I could utter were, "Help me, God!"  And, Wow!  Help me, He did!  Some days are struggles and it's hard to believe things will get better, yet my faith is still there to remind me that my HP is faithful and will help me get through whatever happens.  Thanks for allowing me to share.

Thoughtfood for Saturday, October 31, 2009

Loneliness

When I fearfully crept into that old building that first day,
I was greeted with a gentle invitation:

 "Come on in.  Let's talk it over."
And everyone assured me I was not alone

and need never to be alone again.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 1],  p. 36

From the Big Book:

"At present, our membership is pyramiding at the rate of about twenty percent a year.  So far, upon the total problem of several million actual and potential alcoholics in the world, we have made only a scratch.  In all probability, we shall never be able to touch more than a fair fraction of the alcohol problem in all its ramifications. Upon therapy for the alcoholic himself, we surely have no monopoly.  Yet is it our hope that all those who have as yet found no answer may begin to find one in the pages of this book and will presently join us on the high road to a new freedom."

c. 1955, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Foreward To Second Edition, pp. xx-xxi. 

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may follow the leading of the inner voice.  I pray that I may not turn a deaf ear to the urging of my conscience."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Oct 31.

Quote for the day:

"What makes loneliness an anguish is not that I have no one to share my burden, but this:  I have only my own burden to bear."  __Dag Hammarskjold  (Swedish Statesman and UN official, 1905-1961)

My share:

That offer of a helping hand, a listening ear, a sincere hug or handshake -- suddenly I was no longer alone.  A miracle.  Be Good To You, Dave