A GLORIOUS RELEASE

"The minute I stopped arguing, I could begin to see and feel.  Right there, Step Two gently and very gradually began to infiltrate my life.  I can't say upon what occasion or upon what day I came to believe in a Power Greater than myself, but I certainly have that belief now.  To acquire it, I had only to stop fighting and practice the rest of A.A.'s program as enthusiastically as I could."

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 27

After years of indulging in a "self-will run riot," Step Two became for me a glorious release from being all alone.  Nothing is so painful or insurmountable in my journey now.  Someone is always there to share life's burdens with me.  Step Two became a reinforcement with God, and now I realize that my insanity and ego were curiously linked.  To rid myself of the former, I must give up the latter to one with far broader shoulders than my own. 

Come share your story and your suggested solutions at Friendship House

******************************************************

Twenty-Four Hours A Day

A.A. Thought for the Day

One thing we learn in A.A. is to take a long view of drinking instead of a short view.  When we were drinking we thought more about the pleasure or release that a drink would give us than we did about the consequences that would result from our taking that drink.  Liquor looks good from the short view.  When we look in a package store window, we see liquor dressed up in its best wrappings, with fancy labels and decorations.  They look swell.  But have I learned that what's inside those beautiful bottles is just plain poison to me?

Meditation for the Day

I believe that life is a school in which I must learn spiritual things.  I must trust in God and He will teach me. I must listen to God and He will speak through my mind.  I must commune with Him in spite of all opposition and every obstacle.  There will be days when I will hear no voice in my mind and when there will come no intimate heart-to-heart communion.  But if I persist, and make a life habit of schooling myself in spiritual things, God will reveal Himself to me in many ways.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may regularly go to school in things of the spirit.  I pray that I may grow spiritually by making a practice of these things.
*************************************

Thought for Today

"Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way.
Stay away from what might have been, and look
at what can be."

--Marsha Petrie Sue (The CEO of You)

***************************************************

Buddha/Zen Thoughts

Anger or hatred is like a fisherman's hook. It is very important for us to ensure that we are not caught by it.

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

***************************************************
Native American

"Let the person I serve express his thanks according to his own bringing up and his sense of humor."

--Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa), SANTEE SIOUX

"It is better to give than receive." But it doesn't really matter if we are giving or receiving. There is an identical feeling associated with both. We get this feeling every time we receive. We can't control when we receive gifts but we can control when we give gifts. Therefore, the more we give, the better we feel. When we are given gifts, or someone does something for us, it is the Indian way to honor this person.

Great Spirit, let me honor and be respectful to those who are good to me today.

***************************************************

Keep It Simple

 Don't bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it.  ---  Thomas Jefferson

Pleasure is important in recovery. But at times we think pleasure is the answer to life's pains. Alcohol and other drugs were what we liked best. We need to watch out so we don't switch to another addiction--such as gambling, food, sex, or work. The real answer to life's pains is in having a strong spiritual center. It is also our best way to avoid another addiction. Recovery lets us turn our pain over to the care of our Higher Power. Our Higher Power can handle any problem we may have. Our program can help us with our problems too. Recovery is a three-way deal. Higher Power, program, and us.

Prayer for the Day:  Higher Power, help me avoid another addiction. When I have problems, have me come to You and to my program before anything else.

Action for the Day:  Today, I'll set aside time and ask the question, "Am I headed for another addiction/" I'll also ask my sponsor what he or she thinks.