03/11

DAILY PONDERABLES

Together WE Trudge The Road OF Happy Destiny

Daily Reflections

GOOD ORDERLY DIRECTION

It is when we try to make our will conform with God's that we begin to use it rightly. To all of us, this was a most wonderful, revelation. Our whole trouble had been the misuse of willpower. We had tried to bombard our problems with it instead of attempting to bring it into agreement with God's intention for us. To make this increasingly possible is the purpose of A.A. 's Twelve Steps, and Step three opens the door.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p 40

All I have to do is look back at my past to see where my self-will has led me. I just don't know what's best for me and I believe my Higher Power does. G.O.D., which I define as " Good Orderly Direction," has never let me down, but I have let myself down quite often. Using my self-will in a situation usually has the same result as forcing the wrong piece into a jigsaw puzzle-- exhaustion and frustration.

Step Three opens the door to the rest of the program. When I ask God for guidance I know that whatever happens is the best possible situation, things are exactly as they are supposed to be, even if they aren't what I want or expect. God does do for me what I cannot do for myself, if I let Him.

From the book Daily Reflections

Twenty-Four Hours A Day

A.A. Thought for the Day

By having quiet times each morning, we come to depend on God's help during the day, especially if we should be tempted to take a drink. And we can honestly thank Him each night for the strength He has given us. So our faith is strengthened by these quiet times of prayer. By listening to other members, by working with other alcoholics, by times of quiet meditation, our faith in God gradually becomes strong. Have I turned my drinking problem entirely over to God, without reservations?

Meditation for the Day

It seems as though, when God wants to express to men what He is like, He makes a very beautiful character. Think of a personality as God's expression of character attributes. Be as fit an expression of Godlike character as you can. When the beauty of a person's character is impressed upon us, it leaves an image which in turn reflects through our own actions. So look for beauty of character in those around you.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may look at great souls until their beauty of character becomes a part of my soul. I pray that I may reflect this character in my own life.

From the book Twenty-Four Hours a Day

NA - Just for Today

Lightening the load

Page 73

"It will not make us better people to judge the faults of another It will make us feel better to clean up our lives."

Basic Text, p. 38

Sometimes we need something tangible to help us understand what holding a resentment is doing to us. We may not be aware of how destructive resentments actually are. We think, "So what, I have a right to be angry," or, "I might be nursing a grudge or two, but I don't see the harm."

To see more clearly the effect that holding resentments is having in our lives, we might try imagining that we are carrying a rock for each resentment. A small grudge, such as anger at someone driving badly, might be represented by a pebble. Harboring ill will toward an entire group of people might be represented by a enormous boulder. If we actually had to carry stones for each resentment, we would surely tire of the weight. In fact, the more cumbersome our burden, the more sincere our efforts to unload it would be.

The weight of our resentments hinders our spiritual development. If we truly desire freedom, we will seek to rid ourselves of as much extra weight as possible. As we lighten up, we'll notice an increased ability to forgive our fellow human beings for their mistakes, and to forgive ourselves for our own. Well nourish our spirits with good thoughts, kind words, and service to others.

Just for Today: I will seek to have the burden of resentments removed from my spirit.

From the book Just for Today

Thought for Today

For it is in giving that we receive.

~Francis of Assisi (thanks Gene H.)

Putting down the drink is just the ante to get into the game

Ben "Men Who Trudge" [virtual early Morning Zoom]

Consider your own life-how many times a day does some situation pop up

that leads to moments of frustration and anxiety? Surrendering your head

to your heart in those moments will lead you to balance and fulfillment.

As you listen to your spirit, peace follows. So follow your spirit. Build your

foundation in your heart. Love must be your innermost and spontaneous

response towards every person you encounter. Say to yourself inside,

"I just love." Use these words as a key to start the engine running in your

heart and watch life brighten with new love and understanding. Surrender

to your new awareness and let love unfold the purpose of creation to you.

-- Sara Paddison (thanks Bill C.)

Buddha/Zen Thoughts

Mindfulness is not just a word or a discourse by the Buddha, but a meaningful state of mind.

It means we have to be here now, in this very moment, and we have to know what is happening internally and externally. It means being alert to our motives and learning to change unwholesome thoughts and emotions into wholesome ones.

Mindfulness is a mental activity that in due course eliminates all suffering.

-Ayya Khema, "Be an Island"

Native American

"The symbol of wholeness, represented by the medicine wheel, is still being used in D/Lakota ceremonies today. The center where the "X" crosses is considered the home of Tunkasila, Wakan-Tanka, God. I speculated, `If this is the symbol of wholeness, the symbol of the psyche, with Wakan-Tanka at the center, then Wakan-Tanka or God would be within you.'"

--Dr. A.C. Ross (Ehanamani), LAKOTA

The Medicine Wheel represents everything. All the directions originate from the center outward. The center is the home of the Creator. The Medicine Wheel represents the human being. At our center is the home of the Great Spirit. This is why we are spiritual. The easiest way for us to find God and talk to Him, is for us to become centered. This means, relax our bodies, still our minds, let go of our emotions and listen quietly. Shhh. Be still.

My Creator, let me walk in the stillness today.

Keep It Simple

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. --- AA saying

Before recovery, we never thought we had enough alcohol or other drugs. More would make us feel better, we thought. Sometimes, we are like this in recovery too. We know we need to change, so we want to do it all right now. If we can just change ourselves totally, we'll feel better, we think.

But we can't change all at once. If we ask our Higher Power to take charge of our lives, we'll have the chance to change a little at a time. We'll learn the right things when we need to know them.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me fix what needs fixing today.

Action for the Day: I'll make a list of what is broken. Which things on my list can I fix today?

Big Book - Readings

THE DOCTOR'S OPINION (pg. xxx)

There are many situations which arise out of the phenomenon of craving which cause men to make the supreme sacrifice rather then continue to fight.

The classification of alcoholics seems most difficult, and in much detail is outside the scope of this book. There are, of course, the psychopaths who are emotionally unstable. We are all familiar with this type. They are always "going on the wagon for keeps." They are over-remorseful and make many resolutions, but never a decision.

There is the type of man who is unwilling to admit that he cannot take a drink. He plans various ways of drinking. He changes his brand or his environment. There is the type who always believes that after being entirely free from alcohol for a period of time he can take a drink without danger. There is the manic-depressive type, who is, perhaps, the least understood by his friends, and about whom a whole chapter could be written.

Then there are types entirely normal in every respect except in the effect alcohol has upon them. They are often able, intelligent, friendly people.

All these, and many others, have one symptom in common: they cannot start drinking without developing the phenomenon of craving. This phenomenon, as we have suggested, may be the manifestation of an allergy which differentiates these people, and sets them apart as a distinct entity. It has never been, by any treatment with which we are familiar, permanently eradicated. The only relief we have to suggest is entire abstinence.

This immediately precipitates us into a seething caldron of debate. Much has been written pro and con, but among physicians, the general opinion seems to be that most chronic alcoholics are doomed.