Gaia Community: Zink's Blog

The Hand of God?

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:45:56 -0000

Thoughtfood for Thursday, December 4, 2008

The Hand of God?

When you question your own self-worth,
and doubt the inherent value of your life,
you are actually second-guessing
the wisdom of your Creator.
Be wary of presuming to know more than God!
It is far better simply to trust
there is a reason you are here,
and to act with an assurance
there is a purpose your life will fulfill.
Your openness, acceptance and confidence
in the Hand that put you here
will enable others to see that Hand
working in and through your life
-- even when you cannot.

__ The Daily Guru

From the Big Book:

"When you discover a prospect for Alcoholics Anonymous, find out all you can about him. If he does not want to stop drinking, don't waste time trying to persuade him. You may spoil a later opportunity. This advice is given for his family also. They should be patient, realizing they are dealing with a sick person."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Working With Others, p. 90.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may not heed too much the judgment of the world.

I pray that I may test things by what seems right to me."

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

Quote for the day:

"Be yourself, that's all there is of you." __Ralph Waldo Emerson

My share:

My continued sobriety has enabled me to pursue a life-long passion of creating a life in/of theatre arts. In school at Pima College, I just completed a three day audition for the next show, a musical, "Footloose". After the audition I went to dinner with 26 of the other auditionees. These young people always talk about their drinking habits and exploits and the fact of my sobriety is no secret. I know more than one of them view my ability to avoid alcohol as an asset and consider my example worth emulating. Be Good To You, Dave

First Things First

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:48:28 -0000

Thoughtfood for Wednesday, December 3, 2008

First Things First
This is strictly a matter of survival for us. We have learned that alcoholism is a killer disease, leading to death in a large number of ways. We prefer not to activate that disease by taking a drink. . . When we view alcoholism as the life-or-death matter it is, the answer is plain. If we do not save our health -- our lives -- then certainly we will have no family, no job, and no friends. If we value family, job, and friends, we must first save our own lives in order to cherish all three.
© 1998 AAWS, Living Sober, p 32

From the Big Book:

"Perhaps you are not acquainted with any drinkers who want to recover. You can easily find some by asking a few doctors, ministers, priests or hospitals. They will be only to glad to assist you. Don't start out as an evangelist or reformer. Unfortunately a lot of prejudice exists. You will be handicapped if you arouse it. Ministers and doctors are competent and you can learn much from them if you wish, but it happens that because of your own drinking experience you can be uniquely useful to other alcoholics. So cooperate; never criticize. To be helpful is our only aim."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Working With Others, p. 89.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may be content that things which I now see darkly, will some day be made clear. I pray that I may have faith that someday I will see face to face."

c. 1975, Hazeldend Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Dec. 3.

Quote for the day:

"Today, my compassion for myself opens me to the gentleness of the program." __ Joan Larkin

My share:

Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, my prospect loses his drive to survive. He throws his hands up and says, "What the hell, this isn't working for me." He stops calling and won't return my calls. Usually it's because he is struggling to get over that major hurdle we call the Fourth Step. I must be patient with him and gentle with myself. His recovery is not my problem. But I will be there when he needs me. Be Good To You, Dave

Bedevilments

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:31:32 -0000

Thoughtfood for Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Bedevilments

We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn't control our emotional natures, we were prey to misery and depression, we couldn't make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, we were full of fear, we were unhappy, we couldn't seem to be of real help to other people -- was not a basic solution of these bedevilments more important . . .? Of course it was.
© 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p 52

From the Big Book:

"Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends--this is an experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Working With Others, p. 89.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may strive to be the kind of a person that God would have me be. I pray that I may try to fulfill Gods' vision of what I could be."

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

Quote for the day:
"I want, by understanding myself, to understand others. I want to be all that I am capable of becoming...This all sounds very strenuous and serious. But now that I have wrestled with it, it's no longer so. I feel happy--deep down. All is well."

__Katherine Mansfield

My share:

The basic solution of my "bedevilments" materialized as soon as I truly surrendered my will over to the care and nurture of my Higher Power. Like Ms. Mansfield, I feel happy--deep down.

And all is well. (whether I get cast in the next musical or not ;-)

Be Good To You , Dave

Listening

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:51:57 -0000

Thoughtfood for Monday, December 1, 2008 World AIDS Day

Listening
Sometimes in sobriety I've prayed when I needed to meditate.
I've yammered at God so much that God can't get a word in edgewise.
To me, meditation is simply being quiet and listening for a change.
It is buttoning up my lip -- and my mind that yaps even when my mouth is shut.
Meditation is the path by which I cease being caught up in my own
mental "garbage in/garbage out" recycling.
It is the path by which I walk out of the turmoil, trouble, depression,
and frustration that I create in and around me.
© 1998 The AA Grapevine, Inc.,
The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 3], pp 216-217

From the Big Book:

"This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail. Remember they are very ill."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcohlics Anonymous,Working With Others, p. 89

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may have sympathy for those in temptation. I pray that I may have compassion for others trials."

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

Quote for the day:

"The most exhausting thing in life is being insincere."

__Anne Morrow Lindbergh

My share: Today is World AIDS Day. Some might say this is an outside issue. It is. I bring it up because beyond we alcoholics, no other group needs our compassion and understanding more, No problem requires more exposure through education to stay the growth of the problem. There are great opportunities within the community suffering from AIDS/HIV to be of service. Our efforts in this department need not be limited to alcoholics. Be Good To You, Dave.

Threefold Opportunity

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:26:24 -0000

Thoughtfood for Sunday November 30, 2008

Threefold Opportunity

The God I thought had judged and damned me had done nothing of the sort.
He had been listening, and in His own good time His answer came.
His answer was threefold: the opportunity for a life of sobriety;
Twelve Steps to practice, in order to attain and maintain that life of sobriety; fellowship within the program,
ever ready to sustain and help me each twenty-four hour day. . .
In the use of this opportunity, the onus is on me.
© 1973 AAWS, Came To Believe . . ., p 11.

From the Big Book:

Chapter 7; Working With Others:

Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Working With Others, p. 89.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may lose my limitations in the immensity of God's love. I pray that my spirit may be in harmony with His spirit."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 30.

Quote for the day:

"What is actual is actual only for one time

And only for one place." __T.S. Elliot

My share:

Within six months of my sobriety date, my sponsor took me to a treatment center and introduced me as the featured speaker. I doubted I had any experience, strength or hope to share. He assured me I had much more of that than those to whom I would speak. After the meeting, several clients came up to thank me for sharing. I saw in their eyes a hope that said, "If you can do it, so can I." I was hooked. Service to others is the fundamental building block of future strength. Be Good To You, Dave

Hope

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:42:28 -0000

Thoughtfood for Saturday, November 29, 2008

Hope

At first it was a shock to realize I was an alcoholic,
but the realization that there was hope made it easier.
The baffling problem of getting drunk
when I had every intention of staying sober was simplified.
It was a great relief to know I didn't have to drink any more.
© 1976 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous [Third Edition], p 379

From the Big Book:

"It works--it really does. We alcoholes are undisciplined. Wo we let God discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined.

But this is not all. there is action and more action. 'Faith without works is dead.' The next chapter is entirely devoted to Step Twelve." c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p. 88.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may be loyel to God and to others. I pray that my life today may be lived close to Him and to others."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty- Four Hours A Day, Nov. 29.

Quote or the day:

"You have to sniff out joy, keep your nose to the joy trail."

__Buffy Sainte-Marie

My share:

For me, the realization that I was an alcoholic came early and often and was recieved as almost a badge of honor, a feather in my cap, oneupsmanship. That I could consume vast quanitites and seem to function on some higher plane gave me a sense of superiority. They just couldn't handle their liquor. They noted the fact as well, though their reaction was to just avoid me.

Be Good To You, Dave.

Thankfulness

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:07:14 -0000

Thoughtfood for Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankfulness

How thankful I am today, to know that all my past failures were necessary for me to be where I am now. Through much pain came experience and, in suffering, I became obedient. When I sought God, as I understand Him, He shared His treasured gifts. Through experience and obedience, growth started, followed by gratitude. Yes, then came peace of mind -- living in and sharing sobriety.
© 1990 AAWS, Daily Reflections, p 64

From the Big Book:

"If circumstances warrant, we ask our wives or friends to join us in morning meditation. If we belong to a religious denomination which requires a definite morning devotion, we attend to that also. If not members of religious bodies, we sometimes select and memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing. There are many helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be obtained from one's priest, minister, or rabbi. Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p. 87.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may subordinate my will to the will of God.

I pray that I may be guided today to find His will for me."

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

Quote for the day:

"Rage... is a hell of an effective mood changer! __Guy Kettlehack

My share:

On Thanksgiving, though not only on thanksgiving, I pause to consider how grateful I am for the love of my several families. My blood family, a collection of diverse, loving people and their spouses and children, scattered far too wide to gather on this day as we did in my youth. My family of fellow students, their boyfriends, and girlfriends; and our instructors and their families, who show me love and support in my current academic life. And then there is the family I found in A. A.; A worldwide fellowship of millions that welcome me with open arms wherever I go, as long as I maintain a desire to quit drinking. I am truly blessed and wish each and everyone of you a Happy Thanksgiving. Be Good To You, Dave.

Too Young?

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:53:43 -0000

Thoughtfood for Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Too Young?
It is very different to be a sober member of AA when you are young.
If you doubt this, think back to when you were sixteen
and try to imagine yourself working the Steps in your life then as you do today.
Couple this with other people telling you that you are too young
to be an alcoholic and you can see how hard it is.I know one thing for certain:
no young person ever needs to hearthat
she has gotten sober before she had to hurt: she has to hurt plenty.
She needs to hear what every newcomer does who
comes into the Fellowship:"Welcome.
This is AA, where the only requirement for membership
is a desire to stop drinking."
© 1998 The AA Grapevine, Inc.,
The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 3], p.183

From the Big Book:
"We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no request for ourselves only.   We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped.   We are careful never to pray for our selfish ends. Many of us have wasted a lot of time doing that and it doesn't work. You can easily see why."
c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p. 87.

Prayer for the day:
"I pray that I may have a seeing eye.
I pray that with the eye of faith I may see God's purpose everywhere."
c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 26.

Quote for the day:
"We say made with joy. We should say: wise with grief." __Marfuerite Yourcenar

My share:
My heart goes out to the young person in A.A. I know I would not have done well in A.A. at the age of sixteen. I was just beginning a career of alcoholic drinking that spanned thirty years. If I had embraced A.A. at that time, I cannot imagine what my life would be like today. I do know I would have avoided the drunk driving convictions and the broken bones in my ankle. Would I be any happier? I can't imagine being more content with my life than I am today. It is said, we keep drinking until all the drinks with your name on them are gone. I haven't found an alcoholic beverage with my name on it in twelve years. Be Good To You, Dave.

Separateness

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:51:31 -0000

Thoughtfood for Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Separateness

The illusion of separateness is perpetuated through our interpretations of the seen.
We observe Reality manifesting in what appear to be separate, discrete parts -- without recognizing the inherent inseparability
and interdependence of everything appearing before us.
When we focus, instead, on... the connective tissue of Reality, the invisible Source from which, and the Background against which everything shows up,
the illusion of separateness is
naturally and inevitably dispelled --

even as the appearance of duality remains.

__ THE DAILY GURU

From the Big Book:

"What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspiration gradually becomes a working part of the mind. Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p. 87.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may feel the divine unrest.

I pray that my soul may find its rest in God."

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

Quote for the day:

"I graduated first in my class at alibi school." __Jeffrey McDaniel

My share:

My life was a series of alibis and excuses. I was alone, desperately lonely. It was me against the world. Then I joined

A.A. I don't have to make excuses or fabricate alibis anymore. I am surrounded by people who care and that I care about. It's me now within the world without that sense of adversarial conflict.

Be Good To You, Dave

A New Beginning

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:35:57 -0000

Thoughtfood for Monday, November 24, 2008

A New Beginning

I knew I had to have a new beginning,
and this beginning had to be here.
I could not start anywhere else.
I had to let go of the past and forget the future.
As long as I held on to the past with one hand
and grabbed at the future with the other hand,
I had nothing to hold on to today with.
So I had to begin here, now.
© 1973 AAWS, Came To Believe . . ., p.46

From the Big Book:

"In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p. 86.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that today I may do the next thing, the unselfish thing, the loving thing. I pray that I may be content with doing small things as long as they are right."

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

Quote for the day:

"All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous, unpremeditated act without benefit of experience." __Henry Miller

My share:

I am so grateful for this design for living that encourages me to accept the day that lies ahead as the will of God; for me to access through prayer and meditation. Through this process, I relax, don't struggle, and the knowledge of what the next right thing is comes to me.

Is it just my wishful thinking? Perhaps. But experience shows me that my best thinking landed me in jail. Be Good To You, Dave

Self-absorption

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:37:31 -0000

Thoughtfood for Sunday, November 23, 2008

Self-absorption

We can get so stridently concerned about me-me-me
that we lose touch with virtually everyone else.
It's not easy to put up with someone who acts that way,
except a sick infant.
So when we get into the poor-me bog, we try to hide it,
particularly from ourselves.
But that's no way to get out of it. Instead,
we need to pull out of our self-absorption, stand back,
and take a good, honest look at ourselves.
Once we recognize self-pity for what it is,
we can do something about it other than drink.
© 1998 AAWS, Living Sober, p.57

From the Big Book:

"On awakening, let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these conditions we can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for after all God gave us brains to use. Our thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p. 86.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may have confidence and be of good cheer. I pray that I may not fear the power of failure."

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

Quote for the day:

"To say something nice about themselves, this is the hardest thing in the world for people to do." __Nancy Friday

My share:

Happy Sunday. Though I've decided to say something nice about myself today, I find I must do so in the third person.

"I have noticed that ever since he (me) stopped drinking, there has been a drastic alteration to his demeanor. He is less apt to fly off the handle, say "catty" things about someone behind their back (or to their face), or lie about things."

...Nancy was right, it is a hard thing to do.

Try it. Be Good To You, Dave.

Meditation

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:53:40 -0000

Thoughtfood for Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008

Meditation
We will want the good that is in us all,
even in the worst of us, to flower and grow.
But first of all we shall want sunlight;
nothing much can grow in the dark.
Meditation is our step out into the sun.
© 1967 AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p.10

From the Big Book:
"When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once? Were we kind and loving toward all? What could we have done better? Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life? But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that would diminish our usefulness to others. After making our review we ask God's forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken."
c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p. 86.

Prayer for the day:
"I pray that my day may be brightened by some little act of charity.
I pray that I may try today to overcome the self-centeredness that makes me bored."
c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov 22.

Quote for the day:
"You do not notice changes in what is always before you." __Colette

My share:
I have balked at the thought of meditation as something those into yoga or eastern religions do. But when I finally tried it, I was amazed at the healing that dwells within. Be Good To You, Dave.

The Journey

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:04:31 -0000

Thoughtfood for Friday, November 21, 2008

The Journey

Words cannot begin to describe the feelings in my heart
as I sometimes ponder how much my life has changed,
how far I've come, and how much there is yet to discover.
And though I'm not sure where my journey may take me next,
I know I'll owe it to the grace of God and to three words of the Twelve Steps:
continue, improve, and practice.
Oh, and one more thing they told me:
Humility is the key.
© 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p.511

From the Big Book:

"Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn't be shy on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly. It works, if wehave the proper attitude and work at it. It would be easy to be vagut about this matter. Yet, we believe we can make some definate and valuable suggestions."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, pp.85-86.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may be more comfortable in my way of living. I pray that I may feel more at home and at peace within myself."

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

Quote for the day:

"there is nothing

between me and my soul but myself." __Jane Mead

My share:

I owe my continued peace and serenity to a daily dose of steps 10, 11, and 12. To practice these things in my life keeps me focused and centered and I cannot forget where I came from.

Be Good To You, Dave

Insanity

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:59:35 -0000

Thoughtfood for Thursday, November 20, 2008

Insanity

One night I was sitting alone with a fifth and a case of beer
listening to dreamy Hawaiian music on the radio.
Slowly a pile of pineapples started to build up on the table.
They got bigger and bigger and nearer and nearer,
as if they were going to fall and crush me.
Two of them leaped from the table and crashed into my head.
I was knocked to the floor,

swinging madly at the faces on those pineapples.
I swung, I swore, I started throwing beer cans

at the advancing hordes of pineapple faces.
I cut my hands, my face, my legs. Then I collapsed. I had D.T.'s.
The doctor was still sitting beside my bed.
My past had slipped before me in a twinkling. . .
I'd been brought into the hospital like a madman,
crying, raving, ranting, swearing, completely in the throes of delirium tremens.
© 2003 AAWS, Experience, Strength and Hope, p.372

From the Big Book:

"Much has already been said about receiving strength, inspiration, and direction from Him who has all knowledge and power. If we have carefully followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow of His Spirit into us. To some extent we have become God-conscious. We have begun to develop this vital sixth sense. But we must go further and that means more action."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p. 85.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may not be overwhelmed by material things. I pray that I may realize the higher value of spiritual things." c. 1975. Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 20

Quote for the day:

"Our prayers are answered not when we are given what we ask for, but when we are challenged to become what we can be."

__Abraham Joshua Heschel

My share:

I did not personally experience delirium tremens...that I can recall, but I had my moments of insanity. There was the time I sang at the top of my lungs, all night long; every song I could remember, and some of them more than once, much to the chagrin of my jailers. There was the blood letting result of smashing my fist through seven panes of glass. There was the black out/wipe out on a bicycle, riding home from a night of overindulgence. Luckily all I hit was a bush (or a wall) and not a moving vehicle. That's only three moments of of countless moments of reckless, self-loathing that, in retrospect, can be noted as nothing less that insanity. Be Good To You, Dave.

Apples

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:36:00 -0000

Thoughtfood for Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Apples

The discussion meeting was followed by a speaker meeting,
where I had my first awakening in AA.
The speaker said, "If you're an apple,
you can be the best apple you can be,
but you can never be an orange."
I was an apple, all right, and for the first time I understood
that I had spent my life trying to be an orange.
I looked around at a room filled with apples and,
if I was understanding the speaker,
most of them were no longer trying to be oranges.
© 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp.426-27

From the Big Book:

"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. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p. 85.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may try to be a reflection of the Divine Light.

I pray that some of its rays may shine in my life."

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

Quote for the day:

"One must talk. That's how it is. One must." __Marguerite Duras

My share:

I am always amused by the notion that I am an apple and not the orange I had tried to be for so long. It's a question of being able to look at myself clearly and see the real me. Until I joined A.A. the thought of doing so never crossed my mind. Be Good To You, Dave.

Perfection

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:02:28 -0000

Thoughtfood for Monday, November 17, 2008

Perfection

Alcoholism is deadly, ugly, and tough.

It is also cunning, baffling and powerful.
It wants me to consider perfection attainable.
It wants me to regard only myself, others being merely
what reflects my recovery back to me.
It wants me to try to fix myself with the

right therapist or the right religion.
It wants me to believe that self-indulgence is fine,
as long as I call it self-forgiveness. . .
It wants me to forget that it is a snake in the brain,
hoping to catch my eye, watching, waiting.
The gritty pain of alcoholism is the traction of recovery,
I cannot afford to sell off the principles for an easier, softer way.
© 1998 The AA Grapevine, Inc.,

The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 3], p.165

From the Big Book:

"It just comes! That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality--safe and protected. We have not even sworn it off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our experience. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p.85.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may not desire the world's applause.
I pray that I may not seek rewards for doing what I believe is right."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 17.

Quote for the day:

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." __ Saying heard at meetings

My share:

When it comes to applause; I have entered a profession that really lives for it. But the applause mentioned in the prayer today is not that received by actors on a real stage, it is the insincere expectation of glory seekers who only do unto others for what they can get out of it for themselves. Be Good To You, Dave

Priceless Reflection

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:12:25 -0000

Thoughtfood for Sunday, November, 16, 2008

Priceless Reflection

One looks in one's mirror to powder, shave, or admire.
But the good AA is apt to look deeper.
Every morning he gives thanks for a sober countenance,
he asks forgiveness for lingering resentment,
he hopes for grace to live the coming day well.
At nightfall he takes another look, saying,
"Well, my friend, how did we do today?
Thanks be to thee for the privilege of living."
Thus the AA's mirror reflects not rouge, but gratitude;
not conceit, but humility; not froth, but reality.
It reflects a priceless experience.
- Bill W., November 1950
© 1988 The AA Grapevine, Inc., T
he Language of the Heart, p. 390

From the Big Book:

"And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone--even alcohol. For by this time sanity will have returned. We will seldom be interested in liquor. If tempted, we recoil from it as from a hot flame. We react sanely and normally, and we will find that this has happened automatically. We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, pp. 84-85.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may be in accord with the members of my group.

I pray that I may feel the strength of a consecrated group."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 16.

Quote for the day:

"When you take the alcohol out of alcoholism, you still have to deal with the ism." __Saying heard at meetings.

My share:

I think the best thing about looking in the mirror today is my ability to not be disgusted with who I find there. A.A. has helped me learn how to love myself. Because I can do that, I can love others. Be Good To You, Dave

Prayer

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:25:50 -0000

Thoughtfood for Saturday, November 15, 2008

Prayer

I don't need to shut myself in a closet to pray.
It can be done even in a room full of people.
I just remove myself mentally for an instant.
As the practice of prayer continues,
I will find I don't need words, for God can, and does,
hear my thoughts through silence.
© 1990 AAWS, Daily Reflections, p. 322

From the Big Book:

"This thought brings us to Step Ten, which suggests we continue to take personal inventory and continue to set right any new mistakes as we go along. We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p.84.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may feel sure that there is nothing that God cannot accomplish in changing my life. I pray that I may have faith in His miracle-working power."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 15.

Quote for the day:

"It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."

__Kahlil Gibran

My share:

I utilize the "maintenance steps", 10, 11, and 12 on a daily basis.

In so doing, I find I don't have to rebuild the foundation of the safe house A.A.'s twelve steps have provided for me. What I find is a need to "redecorate" once in a while. Be Good To You, Dave.

Keep It Simple

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:56:56 -0000

Thoughtfood for Friday, November 14, 2008

Keep It Simple

Today I try to remember to keep things simple.
I make many mistakes that remind me to be humble.
I am far from perfect, but I'm not required to be.
Life still happens -- some good stuff, some bad stuff, and lots of in-between.
When I do what is in front of me to do,
I don't need to worry about what happens when I have done my part;
I am not the one in charge.
I can face fear with faith in a Higher Power that never left me.
I can finally bring more to life than I take away.
It is as simple as that.
The AA Grapevine, Vol 65, No. 8, November 2008, p. 17

From the Big Book:

Re: the Promises..."Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us--sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them".

c. 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p. 84.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may try to follow God's design for today. I pray that I may have the sense of Divine Intent in what I do today."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 14.

Quote for the day:

"When someone's life is shattered, there is only humanity."

__ Diane Sawyer

My share:

I took the promise of the promises to heart. I worked the steps to the best of my ability and I noticed changes taking place. The transformation, in retrospect, is stunning. On a daily basis, the little successes were equalized by little failures. I am not perfect. I still possess a great deal of pride. (Like wanting to tell everyone I got cast in a movie, oh boy, oh boy.) I will suffer that until my Higher Power finds a way to curb my enthusiasm for it.

Be Good To You, Dave

Experiment

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:34:03 -0000

Thoughtfood for Thursday, November 13, 2008

Experiment
We recoiled from meditation and prayer as obstinately as the scientist who refused to perform a certain experiment lest it prove his pet theory wrong.
Of course, we finally did experiment, and when unexpected results followed,
we felt different; in fact we knew different;
and so we were sold on meditation and prayer . . .
It has been well said that "almost the only scoffers at prayer
are those who never tried it enough."
© 1953 AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 97

From the Big Book:

"That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Into Action, p. 84.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may go to God today for those things which I need to help me live. I pray that I may find real peace of mind."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 13.

Quote for the day:

"Love is wiser than ambition." __Bryan Waller Procter

My share:

The promises came true in my life. They continue to manifest almost on a daily basis. I notice them often when I don't fly off the handle at some off-the-cuff remark, when I smile and wave at an eratic driver, when I want to reach out and slap someone, but stop myself; small things that collectively point out the vast differences in my character these days because I worked and continue to work the steps in my life today. Be Good To You, Dave.