| Author |
 Topic  |
| Information in this forum is not monitored or provided by a medical professional. The information reflects member opinions only. Do not act on advice from these forums without first consulting a qualified medical professional. All content is copyrighted and protected by Aelius Group. |
|
Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
 Posted - 06/16/2008 : 10:30:23 AM
|
CUNNING, BAFFLING, POWERFUL!!!!!!
"Reach for the stars...You will at least end up among the clouds"
Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!
|
Report to Moderator  |
|
|
Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2008 : 1:09:08 PM
|
Humility is a sense of our own humanness. If this is our first
experience with the Seventh Step, this may be the point when we
first feel a sense of compassion for ourselves. It's deeply moving
to realize for the first time that we're truly just human and trying
our best. We make decisions, both good and bad, and hope things
turn out okay. With this knowledge about who we are, we also
realize that just as we're doing our best, so are other people. We
feel a real connection with others, knowing that we're all subject
to the same insecurities and failings and that we all have dreams
for the future.
From the Narcotics Anonymous Step Working Guide, Step 7, p. 64
Narcotic Anonymous World Services, inc., Chatsworth, California
----------------------------------------
My sponsor told me, that I needed to read the 6th, 7th, 8th and
9th steps from this workbook. This paragraph just jumped out at me
yesterday and I wanted to share it with all of you. I had to stop
reading, because my emotions were getting the best of me, but
I will continue to read more today.
Pam
"Reach for the stars...You will at least end up among the clouds"
Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2008 : 1:27:02 PM
|
June 16..........Accepting Life
Basic Text, p. 92
"Some things we must accept, others we can change,
The wisdom to know the difference comes with growth
in our spiritual program."
It's relatively easy to accept the things we like--it's
the things we don't like that are hard to accept.
But remaking the world and everyone in it to suit our tastes
would solve nothing. After all, the idea that the world
was to blame for all our problems was the attitude that kept
us using--and that attitude nearly killed us.
In the course of working the steps, we begin to ask
ourselves hard questions about the roles we ourselves
have played in creating the unacceptable lives we've
lived. In most cases, we've found that what needed
changing was our own attitude and our own actions, not
the people, places, and things around us.
In recovery, we pray for wisdom to know the difference
between what can and can't be changed. Then, once we
see the truth of our situation, we pray for the
willingness to change ourselves.
Just For Today: Higher Power, grant me the wisdom to
know the difference between what can be changed and what
I must accept. Please help me gratefully accept the life
I've been given.
From the book Just For Today, Daily Meditations for
Recovering Addicts, NA World Services, Inc. page 174
I must learn to accept that I am right where I am supposed
to be, right now!
The only person I can change is "ME"
"Reach for the stars...You will at least end up among the clouds"
Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2008 : 07:15:56 AM
|
AA Thought for the Day
June 17, 2008
Reality
Good days and bad days, reality is a wild ride,
and I wouldn't miss it for the world.
I don't question how this program works, I trust in my God,
stay involved in AA service, go to lots of meetings, work with others,
and practice the principles of the Steps to the best of my willingness each day.
I don't know which of these keeps me sober, and I'm not about to try to find out.
It's worked for quite a few days now, so I think I'll try it again tomorrow.
© 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 337
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
Refresh your spirit with everyday miracles.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Stay In Today.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2008 : 08:44:52 AM
|
It's not old behavior if I'm still doing it."
It's easy to let go of things that are causing more pain than pleasure. Like when my drinking and using was killing me, I stopped, and even though it was hard at first, I found that being sober really was the easier, softer way. But I still had a lot of old ideas and behaviors that still worked sometimes, and letting these go was not so easy.
As I sat in meeting after meeting, I would hear that "the result was nil until we let go absolutely", and I never really got it. I mean, I was certainly getting results - I was clean and sober; I got my job back, and I began repairing broken relationships. But there were also times when I was intensely unhappy, irritable, and needed and wanted a drink. It took a long while for me to see that these feelings almost always followed old ways of thinking and behaving.
The longer I'm in recovery, the more I understand the value of steps six and seven. My old behaviors will continue just so long as I remain unwilling to give up the character defects that cause them. But when I do become willing, something wonderful happens - my Higher Power does for me what I can't do for myself - and that is relieve me of my old ways of thinking and acting.
Today I understand when they say, "It's not an old behavior if you're still doing it."
From the web site "Wisdom of the Rooms"
www.wisdomoftherooms.com
"Reach for the stars...You will at least end up among the clouds"
Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
| Information in this forum is not monitored or provided by a medical professional. The information reflects member opinions only. Do not act on advice from these forums without first consulting a qualified medical professional. All content is copyrighted and protected by Aelius Group. |
|
Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2008 : 08:59:22 AM
|
June 17...............Walls
"Reaching out is the beginning of the struggle that will
set us free. It will break down the walls that imprison us."
Basic Text, p. 80
Many of us came to NA emotionally shattered. Years of using
people and allowing them to use us had taken their toll on our
ability to trust anyone, ourselves included. But the love and
acceptance we found in Narcotics Anonymous encouraged us to
reach out and get close to others.
The longer we stayed clean, the more we began to long for
greater intimacy with our loved ones. We began reaching out in
deeper, more meaningful ways, even though we might get hurt.
Despite our fears of rejection, we decided to risk revealing
ourselves, our beliefs, and our needs. We decided to let down
our defensive walls.
The freedom we've found has been worth the risk involved. We
know there is still work to do before we will be completely free of
the barriers built by years of active addiction. But by reaching
out to other addicts and allowing them to reach out to us, despite
our human failings, we have come to know that we have a
great capacity for love and intimacy. When set free of their
restraining walls, our hearts hold great power.
Just For Today: I will let down my personal walls and reach out
to others. I will allow my heart the freedom to love and be loved.
From the book Just For Today, Daily Meditations for
Recovering Addicts, NA World Services, Inc. page 175
"Reach for the stars...You will at least end up among the clouds"
Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2008 : 11:00:17 AM
|
Posted - 06/18/2008 : 07:35:44 AM By Freefly
-----------------------------------------------
AA Thought for the Day
June 18, 2008
Awakening
Regardless of worldly success or failure, regardless of pain or joy,
regardless of sickness or health, or even of death itself,
a new life of endless possibilities can be lived
if we are willing to continue our awakening
through the practice of AA's Twelve Steps.
© 1967 AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 8
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
Joy is in knowing there is an answer.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Always Awesome.
Day by Day is the only way....
(Tim, I copied and moved this for you. It was in the gratitude list. It's still there, if you want to delete it.) |
Edited by - Pamela7030 on 06/18/2008 11:21:50 AM |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2008 : 11:28:08 AM
|
June 18 Courage to Change
In alanon we talk a lot about the need to let others experience the consequences of their actions. We know that most alcholics have to hit a bottom and become uncomfortable with their own behavior before they can effectively do something about it. Those of us who love alcoholics often have to learn to get out of the way of this bottom. We learn to detach with love.
Another reason for detachment with love may be equally important in building healthy, loving respectful relationships. Many of us have interfered not only with a loved ones' problems but also with their achievements, I may have the best intentions, but if I take over other people's responsibilities I may rob them of the chance to accomplish something and to feel good about what they've done. Although I am trying to help my actions may be communicating a lack of respect for my loved one's abilities. When I detach with love, I offer support by freeing those I care about to experience both their own satisfactions and disappointments.
Today's reminder
I am learning the difference between help and interference. Today I will examine the way I offer support.
Detachment did not mean disinterest I considered detachment 'respect for another's personhood'.
From the web site "Wisdom of the Rooms"
www.wisdomoftherooms.com
"Reach for the stars...You will at least end up among the clouds"
Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2008 : 11:42:11 AM
|
June 18............Indirect Amends
Basic Text, p. 40
"Indirect amends may be necessary where direct ones
would be unsafe or endanger other people."
When we used, we allowed nothing to stand in the way of that
next high. As a result, many of us didn't always know precisely
whom we had injured, either financially or emotionally. When it
came time to make amends through our Ninth Step, we found
that there were so many people we had victimized that we might
never remember them all.
With the help or our sponsor and other recovering members
of NA, we found a solution to this obsticle. We vowed to complete
these nameless amends by making restitution to our communities. We
focused our service efforts on helping the still-suffering addict.
In this manner, we found a way to give back to society.
Today, with the love and guidance of members in NA, we are
giving back to the world around us rather than taking. We are
making our communities better places to live by carrying
the message of recovery to those we encounter in our
daily lives.
Just For Today: I will make indirect amends by reaching out
to an addict who may need help. I will strive in some small
way to make my communitry a better place in which to live.
From the book Just For Today, Daily Meditations for
Recovering Addicts, NA World Services, Inc. page 176
"Reach for the stars...You will at least end up among the clouds"
Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2008 : 07:41:37 AM
|
AA Thought for the Day
June 19, 2008
Happiness
Happiness to me is fulfillment, the satisfaction gained
from knowing that you did the best your honestly evaluated limitations
would permit -- in all phases of living.
Happiness is gratitude for the miracle which granted another go-around
in a life once abandoned.
Happiness is growing up. It is learning to recognize all the things you really have.
Happiness is for experiencing, as well as remembering.
© 1973 AAWS, Came To Believe . . ., p. 112
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
Happiness is part of the journey, not some distant destination.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Happy, Joyous, Free.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2008 : 07:40:04 AM
|
From the book "As Bill Sees It", page 39
Dealing with Resentments
Resentment is the Number One offender. It destroys
more alcoholics than anything else. From it
stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have
been not only mentally and physically ill, we have
also been spiritually ill. When our spiritual malady
is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.
In dealing with our resentments, we set them on paper.
We listed people, institutions, or principles with
whom we were angry. We asked ourselves why we
were angry. In most cses it was found that our
self-esteem, our pocketbooks, our ambitions, our
personal relationships (including sex) were hurt or
threatened.
<< << << >> >> >>
"The most heated bit of letter-writing can be a
wonerful safety valve--providing the wasetbasket
is somewhere nearby."
1. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, PP. 64-65
2. LETTER, 1949
The AA Way of Life....selected writings of AA's co-founder
AA World Services Inc. New York, NY.
"The answer is not in the problem,
the answer is in the solution."
"Reach for the stars...You will at least end up among the clouds"
Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
| Information in this forum is not monitored or provided by a medical professional. The information reflects member opinions only. Do not act on advice from these forums without first consulting a qualified medical professional. All content is copyrighted and protected by Aelius Group. |
|
Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2008 : 08:21:25 AM
|
Thought for the Day
June 20, 2008
Faith
We finally saw that faith in some kind of God was a part of our make-up,
just as much as the feeling we have for a friend.
Sometimes we had to search fearlessly, but He was there.
He was as much a fact of life as we were.
We found the Great Reality deep down within us.
In the last analysis it is only there that He may be found.
It was so with us.
© 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 55
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
Faith dares the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Finding Answers In The Heart.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2008 : 08:32:07 AM
|
AA Thought for the Day
June 21, 2008
Progress
I know that I am a walking miracle.
Literally overnight, I went from years of twenty-four-hour crash drinking
to total sobriety,
after everything had failed except total surrender to the AA program.
That is fact I can stand on.
From that foundation, I am able to see certain glimmers of progress.
For example, I can realize that I have not done anything dishonorable
in at least a week. Maybe more.
© 1985 The AA Grapevine, Inc., The Best Of The Grapevine [Vol. 1], p. 187
Thought to Ponder . . .
Don't give up before the miracle happens.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Prayer, Recovery, Open-mindedness, Gratitude, Reality, Acceptance, Meetings
Day by Day is the only way.... |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2008 : 09:35:27 AM
|
New Levels of Honesty................June 21
"We have been experts at self-deception
and rationalization."
Basic Text, p. 27
When we come to our first meeting and hear that we must be
honest, we may think, "Well now, that shouln't be too difficult.
All I have to do is stop lying." To some of us, this comes easily.
We no longer have to lie to our employers about our absence from
work. We no longer have to lie to our families about where we
were the night before. By not using drugs anymore, we find we
have less to lie about. Some of us may have difficulty even with
this kind of honesty, but at least learning not to lie is simple--
you just don't do it, no matter what. With courage, determined
practice, the support of our fellow NA members, and the help of our
Higher Power, most of us eventually succeed at this kind of honesty.
Honesty, though, means more than just not lying. The kind
of honesty that is truly indispensable in recovery is self-honesty,
which is neither easy nor simple to achieve. In our addiction, we
created a storm of self-deception and rationalization, a whirlwind
of lies in which the small, quiet voice of self-honesty could not be
heard. To become honest with ourselves, we first must stop lying
to ourselves. In our Eleventh Step meditations, we must
become quiet. Then, in the resulting stillness, we must listen for
truth. When we become silent, self-honesty will be there for us
to find.
Just For Today: I will be quiet and still, listening for
the voice of truth within myself. I will honor the truth
I find.
From the book Just For Today, Daily Meditations for
Recovering Addicts, NA World Services, Inc. page 179
"Reach for the stars...You will at least end up among the clouds"
Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2008 : 09:27:30 AM
|
AA Thought for the Day
June 22, 2008
If I determine I shall never drink again as long as I live, I set myself up.
How can I be sure I won't drink when I have no idea what the future may hold?
On a day-at-a-time basis, I am confident I can stay away from a drink for one day.
So I set out with confidence.
At the end of the day, I have the reward of achievement.
Achievement feels good and that makes me want more!
© 1980 AAWS, Daily Reflections, p. 149
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
If I don't drink today, I have the hope of a tomorrow.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
One Day At A Time.
As Always
Sending angels,
Day by Day is the only way.... |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
All Forums
Thought for the Day
New Topic
Printer Friendly
