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Pamela7030
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800 Posts |
 Posted - 07/12/2010 : 09:01:42 AM
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Thought for Today
July 12, 2K10
Unseen Help
If you knew Who walks beside you, fear would be impossible. -A Course in Miracles
While visiting a prison, I was required to walk through a series of five thick electronically secured steel doors and gates, connected by a maze of sidewalks and corridors. As I reached each door, I wondered if anyone would be there to guide me and open the door. As if by magic, the moment I approached a door, it was buzzed open electronically. After going through a few doors, I realized I was being watched via remote television cameras. At one point, I made a wrong turn at the intersection of two sidewalks, and I heard a voice call out of nowhere, "You are going the wrong way." I returned to the intersection and stood at the crossroads, puzzled. The voice returned. "Now, just continue in the direction you are facing."
On the path of life, we come up against locked doors and wonder how we will get through and whether anyone is available to help us. As I discovered at the prison, if we are in our right place, the door will be buzzed open; it would have been useless for me to try to open the doors manually. But there was someone watching me who had the power to release the door without struggle on my part.
The same guide will assist us if we take a wrong turn. A voice will call out, "You are going the wrong way." It may not be an external voice we hear, but an internal knowingness. When we return to the intersection and reposition ourselves, the same inner guide will let us know, "Just keep going in the direction you are facing."
Although we do not see our watcher, we are seen and known. On my way out of the jail, I noticed a guard booth adjacent to one of the corridors. The glass windows were heavily tinted so I could not see in, but the guards could see out. While we may be unable to peer into the guidance booth of the universe, those in charge of helping us can see us. We are never alone. Every door will open when we are ready to enter.
intherooms.com
This meditation is an excerpt from Alan Cohen's meditation book, A Deep Breath of Life.
Much to our relief, we discovered we did not need to consider
another's conception of God. Our own conception, however inadequate,
was sufficient to make the approach and to effect a contact with
Him. As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a Creative
Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of
things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power and
direction, provided we took other simple steps.
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 46
Highly competent psychiatrists who have dealt with us have found it
sometimes impossible to persuade an alcoholic to discuss his
situation without reserve. Strangely enough, wives, parents and
intimate friends usually find us even more unapproachable than do the
psychiatrist and the doctor.
But the ex-problem drinker who has found this solution, who is
properly armed with facts about himself, can generally win the entire
confidence of another alcoholic in a few hours. Until such an
understanding is reached, little or nothing can be accomplished.
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 18
“Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!” |
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Pamela7030
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800 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 08:54:06 AM
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Thought for Today
July 13, 2K10
I Read the News Today, Oh Boy
Truth in journalism is usually found on the comic pages. -Frank DeGennaro
A radio commentator noted that the news we generally receive through the media is "a proctological view of life." What is presented as the news is a carefully distilled entree of mayhem, culled for commercial saleability, playing on base fears and sensationalism. Much of the news we receive is not honest, for it is not an accurate reflection of the truth. While the media lets us know that a rape occurs every five minutes, it does not tell us how many acts of kindness occurred in that time. We rarely receive statistics on how many children were brought into the world with delight and appreciation; how many teachers told their students, "You are destined for greatness"; how many athletes dug into themselves for the stamina to complete their jogging; how many creditors extended extra grace to their overdue accounts; how many drivers slowed down to allow cars from a side street into the lineup on a main thoroughfare; or how many times anyone said, "I love you." When the news reflects the whole of life, not just its sordid aspects, it will be honest, serviceful, and worthy of our attention.
If we wish to get more accurate news, we must withdraw our fascination from evil and reinvest it in peace. A San Francisco newspaper published two different versions of a day's news, one with a sensational headline about a murder, and the other with a more modest banner about progress in peace talks. The sensational headline outsold the more mellow edition by four to one.
Invest in a better world by placing your attention on what works, rather than what doesn't. Do not start or end your day by listening to newscasts. Celebrate all the good you hear about, and pray that we learn from our pain and suffering, rather than dwell on it. Make the news of the day better by shining the light of your consciousness on the good, the beautiful, and the true.
I change the world by focusing on the light.
----------
This meditation is an excerpt from Alan Cohen's meditation book, A Deep Breath of Life.
We sometimes see our past behavior as part of ourselves and not part of the disease.
When we forget the effort and the work that it took us to get a period of freedom in our lives, a lack of gratitude sinks in and self-destruction begins again.
For us, to use is to die, often in more ways than one.
We forget that we are powerless over other people. The old thoughts and feelings of loneliness, despair, helplessness and self-pity creep in. Thoughts of sponsors, meetings, literature and all other positive input leave or consciousness. We have to keep our recovery first and our priorities in order.
NA Book, pp. 81-82
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Pamela7030
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800 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2010 : 07:53:42 AM
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AA Thought for Today
July 14, 2K10
A body badly burned by alcohol does not often
recover overnight nor do twisted thinking and
depression vanish in a twinkling. We are convinced
that a spiritual mode of living is a most powerful
health restorative.
Alcoholics Anonymous, P. 133
If a repetition is to be prevented, place the
problem, along with everything else, in
God's hands.
Alcoholics Anonymous, To Wives, P. 120
At a certain point in the drinking of
every alcoholic, he passes into a state
where the most powerful desire to stop
drinking is of absolutely no avail.
This tragic situation has already arrived
in practically every case long before
it is suspected.
Surrender.
My name is Pam and I’m an alcoholic.
“Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!” |
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Freefly
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Posted - 07/14/2010 : 08:31:07 AM
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AA Thought for the Day
July 14, 2010
Fantasy
The more I drank, the more I fantasized everything.
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 gently from this fantasizing to embrace reality with open arms.
~ Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 559
Thought to Ponder . . .
Alcohol gave me wings to fly, then it took away the sky.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
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964 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2010 : 08:56:41 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 15, 2010
Sharing
Sharing our stories, our feelings,
it is the areas where we are the same that impress me.
The differences are but delightful flourishes on the surface,
like different-colored costumes, and I enjoy them.
But the basic ways we are human, the basic ways we simply are,
stand out to me now.
I came to see that we are all really one, and I no longer feel alone.
~ Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 347
Thought to Ponder . . .
Sharing is sometimes more demanding than giving.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
xperience, trength and ope.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2010 : 07:18:33 AM
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Thought for Today
July 16, 2K10
Remember Les, it’s not about you.
Submitted by no_more_no_les on July 15, 2010
In the last little while I have been spending some time reflecting. I have been thinking of when I first came into AA, and the road to the here and now. First I want to add, that anything I write here is of my own opinion and not of Alcoholics Anonymous, nor any Group of AA. This is simply some of my story.
When AA found me in that prison cell, I was not an alcoholic. I mean after all I knew what an alcoholic was, my father was one. I remember thinking the guy across the bar is, the guy at the party was, and at the end it was the bum on the other side of the river. It was never me, always the other guy.
On July 19Th, my higher power put me in a society removed. It was not the first time I was in jail. This time was different, this time I cried out, “God help me.” For the first time in my life it was, “God help me,” and not God get me out of this one and I will quit cussing or chasing married women, or, quit playing with myself. It was just, “God help me.” This time, there were no deals.
Did my God send me some hotshot Lawyer, to get my butt out of there? Did me God send in the two detectives, “Oh Mr. L. you are such an outstanding citizen, all forgiven?” No, my God sent the screw walking through the cell block yelling, “anyone for AA, AA at 7 o’clock.” That was Sunday July 20Th, 1980, and that is what I consider my dry date. I was 23 years old and in the condition we all know to well. I never had much to do in that six by nine, so I figured I would go down to the dinning room and check out this A n’ A.
I don’t remember much of that first meeting. I do remember, a couple of recycled railway rounders coming to try and tell us a little bit about what AA is about. I remember an old man by the name of Jerry K. that is no longer with us, (Bless his soul) look at me like his eyes burned rite through my soul. And Jerry said, “If you ever have a reason to drink, call me up. If I think the reason is good enough, I will buy the first one.” I thank God ever day that nobody said to me, “don”t drink.” If someone would have told me, “don’t drink,” I would have walked out of there, thinking, ‘who needs that crap, they are like all the rest.’ I had judges, cops, parole officers, family, friends, everyone told me don’t drink. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me don’t drink, I would have died drunk. My God knew exactly how to get me into AA.
Anyways, I went in and done my time, got out and got involved with the old Winnipeg Group. They told me to get a Big Book and a sponsor. When I asked them what a sponsor was, they told me to get one and ask him. I was watching this one old guy that people seemed to be drawn to. He never really preached to anyone, unless someone asked him something. His name was Lawrence T. and he was a ‘this is the way it is,’ kinda guy. I asked him to be my sponsor, and in about twenty minutes, I was sorry I did. He told me three things. He said, “Lie to me once, shame on you. Lie to me twice, shame on me.” He soon followed that up with, “Do as I say and not as I do. And you will be alright.” And then I never knew the impact of what happened next till many years after. Lawrence went and got two coffees, and sat down with me. He put his hand on my arm and said, “No matter what his situation was, he would be there for me.” I never knew the impact of that till that old man lived up to that statement to his dying day. Lawrence was there for me, and am so very grateful for the wisdom and guidance he passed on to me and many others.
Lawrence would tell me to do things. Things like, empty the ash trays. I would say, “Why the heck should I have to empty ashtrays, I’ve been using the floor.” He would say, “Good sweep the floor while you are at it.” He would drag me down to Central Office and answer phones. I like those times, because we would go through the book together and we had time to ourselves. When I was about nine months sober, Lawrence gave me the dreaded job of making coffee, I was not to happy. The Winnipeg Group could get two or three hundred people at a speaker meeting, and coffee making was a big job. I looked at Lawrence and said, “Why do I have to do this crap?” He said to me, “Remember Les, it’s not about you.” I told him, “I know it’s not, I can’t drink that much coffee.”
Looking back at these milestones in my recovery, they were more important than I could ever see at the time. As I was making coffee, I got to talk to everybody in the group. Most would give the normal welcome, or some of the guys would tell me a joke or two. I started to learn how to laugh again and met guys that really did care about me. I started to feel like I was part of and that I was needed. It never took to long, and I went to Lawrence and told him how much I enjoyed making coffee. He said to me, “Remember Les, it’s not about you.”
After some time, Lawrence got me involved on service, first Grapevine Rep, then Inter Group Rep, and up The Service Ladder he sent me. Every time I was given a new responsibility, Lawrence would say to me, “Remember Les, it’s not about you.”
Many years later I sat down with Lawrence and told him he was wrong. He looked at me with “THE LOOK” and asked about what. I told him all the times he said it wasn’t about me, it helped me. I told him when I made coffee, I got to meet people I would have never met. And when I was Grapevine Rep, I got to read all the Grapevines and I felt good when I got new people reading it. And, I went with my so called normal babble. Lawrence just looked at me and said, “It is amazing, that when we learn to put other people first, we get all of God’s rewards.”
I thought about that for a minute and what my life used to be like. Before I made it to AA, I was so consumed in my self, it almost killed me. Lawrence said to me, “Remember Les, if you put the other guy ahead of you. God will always look after you.”
Now whenever I am asked to do something in service, I do it. I do it for three reasons. I do it because someone done it for me, and am very grateful for that. I do it because in doing so, I know I will be looked after in God’s way. And that is good, because ‘my way’ had never worked for me. And I do it because something else Lawrence taught me. He use to say to me, “Gratitude is an action word. If you are truly grateful, it will show in your actions.”
Many years after Lawrence passed away, I heard a speaker at a Round Up. He talked about humility, he said, “Humility is not thinking any less of yourself. True humility is thinking of yourself a little bit less.” Then he said, ” When you are asked to do something in AA, or in life. Remember it is not about you, and we ought to practice these principles in all our affairs”
As long as we as a fellowship put the person that is still suffering first, whether that person in the rooms, or the one that has yet to reach us. God will look after us. That is how AA was built and that is how we as a fellowship will survive. That my friends is why we have traditions.
On July 20Th of this year, I will have thirty years. I know many of us look at these anniversaries as milestones in sobriety. I like to think the milestones are the little jobs we do, the ones that go unnoticed. While we don’t empty ash trays anymore in most places, we can still clean tables, or wash cups. We can still reach out to the new person and the old timer that may need a friend to talk to. For me, these are the milestones that count. For it was because of these little duties I never knew why I was doing, that I now have the reward of thirty years.
I am forever grateful what Lawrence had taught me, when I was unteachable. I am forever blessed, that even to this day, “It is not about me, and it never was.”
Thank you, I am forever indebted to the fellowship of AA, and to the person that has yet to reach us.
God Bless all of you, now and forever.
~~~Love Les~~~
Sent to me today from intherooms.com
"...the main problem of the alcoholic centers in his mind, rather than
in his body."
Alcoholics Anonymous, P. 23
“Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!” |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2010 : 07:32:47 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 16, 2010
Challenges
Someone once remarked that pain is the touchstone of spiritual progress.
How heartily as AA's can agree with him.
for we know the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety,
and emotional turmoil before serenity.
- As Bill Sees It, p. 3
Thought to Ponder . . .
Hold your face up to the Light,
even though for the moment you do not see.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
chieve nything.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2010 : 08:14:09 AM
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Thought for Today
July 18, 2K10
Listen
Do you know why we have two ears and one mouth?
We are supposed to listen twice as much as we talk. -Anonymous
A successful psychiatrist saw eight patients a day and obtained excellent results. Each patient would walk out of his office with a smile and give the doctor a warm handshake. Many observers speculated on the secret of his success, but only his secretary knew it. At the end of each day, he would call her on the intercom and tell her, "Okay, Cindy, you can bring me my hearing aid now.”
The only talent more effective than being a good speaker is to be a good listener. Most people are ready to offer advice, but few are willing or able to listen. Real listening is an art and a skill. Cultivate your ability to be fully present with someone who sincerely shares about their life, and you will be the best friend this person has.
In my seminars, I lead an exercise in which one partner speaks for five minutes, and the other simply listens. The speakers are instructed to express what they feel in their heart, and the listeners are instructed to listen without interrupting, giving advice, or telling their own story. Often the listeners receive more from the exercise than the speakers. They report that they felt relieved and refreshed not to have to respond with advice or feedback, and as a result, they were able to pay more attention to the speaker and feel with them as they shared. One speaker, elated, reported, "This is the first time in 20 years of marriage my wife heard me out!"
To truly bless your friends is much simpler than you may have thought. More than anything else, they would probably appreciate your undivided attention. Give them an open ear, and you will bless yourself as well.
Help me to be there for my friends in the highest and most helpful way.
I listen with my heart and hear myself.
----------
This meditation is an excerpt from Alan Cohen's meditation book, A Deep Breath of Life.
When our addiction was treated as a crime or moral deficiency, we became rebellious and were driven deeper into isolation. Some of the highs felt great, but eventually the things that we had to do to continue using reflected desperation. We were caught in the grip of our disease. We were forced to survive any way that we could. We manipulated people and tried to control everything around us. We lied, stole, cheated and sold ourselves. We had to have drugs regardless of the cost. Failure and fear began to invade our lives.
One aspect of our addiction was our inability to deal with life on life’s terms. We tried drugs and combinations of drugs to cope with a seemingly hostile world. We dreamed of finding a magic formula that would solve our ultimate problem – ourselves. The fact was that we could not use any mind-altering or mood-changing substance, including marijuana and alcohol, successfully. Drugs ceased to make us feel good.
At times, we were defensive about our addiction and justified our right to use, especially when we had legal prescriptions. We were proud of the sometimes illegal and often bizarre behavior that typified our using. We “forget” about the times when we sat alone and were consumed by fear and self-pity. We fell into a pattern of selective thinking. We only remembered the good drug experiences. We justified and rationalized the things that we did to keep from being sick or going crazy. We ignored the times when life seemed to be a nightmare. We avoided the reality of our addiction.
We were trapped in the illusion of “what if,” “if only” and “just one more time.” When we did seek help, we were only looking for the absence of pain.
Our track record shows that it is impossible for us to use successfully. No matter how well we may appear to be in control, using drugs always brings us to our knees.
Like other incurable diseases, addiction can be arrested. We agree that there is nothing shameful about being an addict, provided we accept our dilemma honestly and take positive action. We are willing to admit without reservation that we are allergic to drugs.
NA Book, pp.4- 5
“Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!” |
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Freefly
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964 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2010 : 07:32:00 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 19, 2010
Sponsors
Sponsors have been there,
and they often have more concern, hope, compassion,
and confidence for us than we have for ourselves.
They certainly have had more experience.
Remembering their own condition, they reach out to help, not down.
- Living Sober, p. 27
Thought to Ponder . . .
A recovering alcoholic without a sponsor is much like a ship without a rudder.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
xperience, trength and ope.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Pamela7030
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800 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2010 : 07:42:46 AM
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AA Thought for Today
July 19, 2K10
If you are as seriously alcoholic as we were, we believe there is no
middle-of-the-road solution. We were in a position where life was
becoming impossible, and if we had passed into the region from which
there is no return through human aid, we had but two alternatives:
One was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of
our intolerable situation as best we could; and the other, to accept
spiritual help. This we did because we honestly wanted to, and were
willing to make the effort.
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 25
“Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!” |
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Freefly
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964 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2010 : 06:59:34 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 20, 2010
Tides of Life
I realized that I had to separate my sobriety from everything else
that was going on in my life.
No matter what happened or didn't happen, I couldn't drink.
In fact, none of these things I was going through had anything to do
with my sobriety; the tides of life flow endlessly for better or worse,
both good and bad, and I cannot allow my sobriety become dependent
on these ups and downs of living.
~ Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 450-51
Thought to Ponder . . .
A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
taying ff ooze; ecovery s verything o ou.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2010 : 08:42:36 AM
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AA Thought for Today
July 20, 2K10
"Drinking gave me the feeling of a job well done without having done a thing."
I remember a restaurant/bar in the rich neighborhood of Brentwood, CA I used to go to after work. I'd saddle up to the long, s**** bar and order cocktails while I watched the successful people with money come in to have $200 dinners. I was struggling financially at the time and in the beginning I felt out of place, but after a few drinks I had goal planned my first million and was soon feeling as if I belonged.
Years later in recovery while working on my eighth step - made a list of all the people we had harmed and become willing to make amends - I was surprised when my sponsor told me to put my name on it. When I asked why, he told me to list all the things I had wanted to do and what I had wanted to make out of my life and then write about how alcohol and drugs had taken them away. I thought about that bar in Westwood and hundreds of more like it and of all the plans and goals I had drank and used away.
When they say that alcohol is cunning, baffling and powerful, they mean it in so many insidious ways. When I think of the potential, the future, the life I drank away, I'm sorry to my core. It's hard to forgive myself sometimes. But when I think of all I have accomplished since I got sober and of the lifetime of dreams still ahead I'm filled with hope and gratitude.
Today I live in and appreciate the miracle of my recovery.
___________________________________
thewisdomeoftherooms.com
“Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!” |
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Freefly
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964 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2010 : 06:15:41 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 21, 2010
Perfection
I never have been and never can be perfect.
As that realization became a part of me, it brought me
one of the greatest of the many blessings that have come to me from AA.
I learned to accept myself as a fallible human being.
Mistakes are permissible. . .
And what a comfort that thought is to me,
as I make my bemused way through life,
one foot in a bucket, pushing on doors marked "Pull."
~ The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 2], pp. 167-68
Thought to Ponder . . .
Give me the courage to be imperfect.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Pamela7030
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800 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2010 : 07:27:48 AM
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AA Thought for Today
July 21, 2K10
On the other hand -- and strange as this may seem to those who do not
understand -- once a psychic change has occurred, the very same person
who seemed doomed, who had so many problems he despaired of ever
solving them, suddenly finds himself easily able to control his desire
for alcohol, the only effort necessary being that required to follow a
few simple rules.
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. xxix
“Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!” |
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Freefly
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Posted - 07/22/2010 : 05:53:43 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 22, 2010
Honesty
Who wishes to be rigorously honest?
Who wishes to confess his faults to another and make restitution for harm done?
Who cares anything about a Higher Power, let alone meditation and prayer?
Who wants to sacrifice time and energy
in trying to carry the AA message to the next sufferer?
No, the average alcoholic, self-centered to the extreme,
doesn't care for this prospect -- unless he has to do these things
in order to stay alive himself.
~ Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 24
Thought to Ponder . . .
Once we understand ourselves, the rest of living falls in line.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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