Self-searching is the means by
which we bring new vision, action, and grace to bear upon the dark and
negative side of our natures. With it comes the development of that
kind of humility that makes it possible for us to receive God's help.
. . . we find that bit by bit we can discard the old life---the
one that did not work---for a new life that can and does work under any
conditions whatever.
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AS BILL SEES IT, pp. 10, 8
|
I have been given a daily reprieve contingent upon my
spiritual condition, provided I seek progress, not perfection. To become
ready to change, I practice willingness, opening myself to possibilities of
change. If I realize there are defects that hinder my usefulness in A.A.
and toward others, I become ready by meditating and receiving direction.
"Some of us have tried to hold on to our own ideas and the result was nil
until we let go absolutely" (Alcoholics Anonymous,
p. 58). To
let go and let God, I need only surrender my old ways to Him; I no longer fight
nor do I try to control, but simply believe that, with God's help, I am changed
and affirming this belief makes me ready. I empty myself to be full of
awareness, light, and love, and am ready to face each day with hope.
********************************************
Twenty-Four Hours A Day
A.A. Thought for the Day
Once an
alcoholic, always an alcoholic. We always get worse, never better. We are never
cured. Our alcoholism can only be arrested. No matter how long we have been
sober, if we try liquor again, we're as bad or worse than we ever were. There
is no exception to this rule in the whole history of A.A. We can never
recapture the good times of the past. They are gone forever. Will I try to
recapture them?
Meditation for the Day
Your life
has been given to you mainly for the purpose of training your soul. This life
we live is not so much for the body as for the soul. We often choose the way of
life that best suits the body, not the way that best suits the soul. God wants
you to choose what suits the soul as well as the body. Accept this belief and a
wonderful molding of character is the result. Reject it and God's purpose for
your life is frustrated, and your spiritual progress is delayed. Your soul is
being trained by the good you choose. Thus the purpose of your life is being
accomplished.
Prayer for the Day
I pray
that I may choose what is good for my soul. I pray that I may realize God's
purpose for my life. ******************************************
Thought for Today
Reality
The more I drank,
the more I fantasized everything.
I imagined getting even for hurts and rejections.
In my mind's eye I played and replayed scenes
in which I was plucked magically from the bar
where I stood nursing a drink
and was instantly exalted to some position of power
and prestige. I lived in a dream world.
AA led me from this fantasizing to embrace reality
with open arms.
And I found it beautiful!
I was at peace with myself. And with others.
And with God.
Thought to Ponder . . .
The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.
The more I drank,
the more I fantasized everything.
I imagined getting even for hurts and rejections.
In my mind's eye I played and replayed scenes
in which I was plucked magically from the bar
where I stood nursing a drink
and was instantly exalted to some position of power
and prestige. I lived in a dream world.
AA led me from this fantasizing to embrace reality
with open arms.
And I found it beautiful!
I was at peace with myself. And with others.
And with God.
Thought to Ponder . . .
The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
S O B E R = Son Of A Basket, Everything's Real.
******************************************************
Buddha/Zen Thoughts
When the mind exists
undisturbed in the Way,
there is no objection to anything in the world;
and when there is no objection to anything,
things cease to be—in the old way.
When no discriminating attachment arises,
the old mind ceases to exist.
Let go of things as separate existences
and mind too vanishes.
Likewise when the thinking subject vanishes
so too do the objects created by mind.
there is no objection to anything in the world;
and when there is no objection to anything,
things cease to be—in the old way.
When no discriminating attachment arises,
the old mind ceases to exist.
Let go of things as separate existences
and mind too vanishes.
Likewise when the thinking subject vanishes
so too do the objects created by mind.
******************************************************
Native American
"So
we are connected to the moon. That gives us power, a connection to the earth
and the moon, men don't know about."
|
--Cecilia Mitchell, MOHAWK
|
The Elders tell us that the Woman has access to
special powers. The Earth Mother gives her love in a special way to the
Woman. The Moon also gives special powers to the Woman. She uses these powers
to nurture, heal and guide the people.
|
Great Spirit, today, give a special Blessing to our Women.
***************************************************Keep It Simple
It's not enough to talk to plants, you also have to listen. --- David Bergman
Sometimes, we find ourselves doing all the talking. When this happens, we need to stop, think, and listen.
When we do all the talking, we're trying to control what happens. But when we listen, we get better results. No one has to be in control. What a relief!
And we're learning to listen better every day. It's great---the care, love, and help we find---just by listening.
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me learn the "give-and-take" of talking and listening.
Action for the Day: Today, I'll focus on listening, not only to other people but to my Higher Power's voice.
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