Thursday, September 1, 2016
Sept. 1, 2016 - In Indiana, religious freedom becomes a defense for child abuse
Sept. 1, 2016 - Editorial: Donald Trump's walls and deportation nation
Sept. 1, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016
Today's thought from the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:
Being Present
Reality can be a difficult place to live. Sometimes it seems impossible to stay in the here and now.
From time to time we all revisit the past and yearn for the future. This is natural. Being present every minute of the day is impossible for anyone.
Still, we can strive to be present for as many minutes as we can. We strive for progress, not perfection.
Today, am I doing what I can to be present?
Thought for the Day
A small dose of reality is better than no reality at all.
Being Present
Reality can be a difficult place to live. Sometimes it seems impossible to stay in the here and now.
From time to time we all revisit the past and yearn for the future. This is natural. Being present every minute of the day is impossible for anyone.
Still, we can strive to be present for as many minutes as we can. We strive for progress, not perfection.
Today, am I doing what I can to be present?
Thought for the Day
A small dose of reality is better than no reality at all.
You are reading from the book:
A Restful Mind © 2010 by Hazelden Foundation
Sept. 1, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step
 |
| The Serenity Prayer |
Step by Step
Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016
Today, the "spiritual awakening" asked in Step 12, the culmination of fierce and thorough practice of the previous 11 steps and mandated of us to be effective carriers of the program's message. There is no single definition of spiritual awakening for it is as unique to the individual as his or her recovery program. But, in general, if I can say honestly that I no longer schedule my day around my drinking and don't want to, if I can say I am healthier mentally and emotionally by weakening those character flaws that fed my drinking, if I can say in honesty that I want to help the addict still using, if I can admit that my will is self-will run riot and that the will of a wiser and stronger higher power must be my guide - then, and only possibly then, can I say I have undergone the awakening of a "new" and better character than the one that prevailed in my drinking days. On the other hand, if I can say honestly I have not undergone a fundamental change in character, emotion and morality, I best backtrack to the very beginning, to Step One: "Admitted (I am) powerless ..." And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2016
Sept. 1, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day
 |
| The Serenity Prayer |
Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016
AA Thought for the Day
"Be careful not to brand new prospects as alcoholics. Let them draw their own conclusion. But talk to them about the hopelessness of alcoholism. Tell them exactly what happened to you and how you recovered. Stress the spiritual feature freely. If they are agnostics or atheists, make it emphatic that they do not have to agree with your conception of God. They can choose any conception they like, provided it makes sense to them. The main thing is that they be willing to believe in a Power greater than themselves and that they live by spiritual principles."
Do I hold back too much in speaking of the spiritual principles of the program?
Meditation for the Day
"I will never leave nor forsake thee." Down through the centuries, thousands have believed in God's constancy, untiringness and unfailing love. God has love. Then forever you are sure of His love. God has power. Then forever you are sure, in every difficulty and temptation, of His strength. God has patience. Then always there is One who can never tire. God has understanding. Then always you will understand and be understood. Unless you want Him to go, God will never leave you. He is always ready with power.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may feel that God's love will never fail. I pray that I may have confidence in His unfailing power.
Hazelden Foundation
Sept. 1, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time
 |
| The Serenity Prayer |
Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016
Reflection for the Day
Based on their collective experience, The Program's founders suggested a prayer to be said when taking the Third Step - and making a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God 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 way of life. May I do Thy will always!"
Have I abandoned myself to God as I understand Him?
Today I Pray
I praise my Higher Power for my freedom to find my own understanding of God. May my life be God's, whether I think of Him as a Father whose hand and spirit I can touch with an upward reach of my own, or as a universal Spirit that I can merge with as the hard outlines of my "self" begin to melt, or as a core of Divine and absolute goodness inside myself. May I know Him well, whether I find Him within me, without me or in all things everywhere.
Today I Will Remember
I thank God, as I understand Him, for my understanding of Him.
Hazelden Foundation
Sept. 1, 2016 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener
Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016
The alcoholic is usually conscious of his shortcomings, but he resents any well-meant attempt to discuss the matter with him. He knows that he has no defense. Logic is against him; lying frequently backfires on him and is therefore unreliable. He has but one avenue of escape, and that is the bottle - the very thing the well-intentioned friend is trying to avoid.
Our only approach that makes sense to him is the visible evidence that we are doing it, and acquainting him with the fact that it can be done.
Hazelden Foundation
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)