DAILY PONDERABLES
Together WE Trudge The Road OF Happy Destiny
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
LET US EXPRESS GRATITUDE IN OUR ACTIONS FOR THE DELIVERANCE THAT WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH!
Daily Reflections
A POWERFUL TRADITION
In the years before the publication of the book, "Alcoholics Anonymous," we had no name. . . . By a narrow majority the verdict was for naming our book "The Way Out." . . . One of our early lone members . . . found exactly twelve books already titled ""The Way Out." . . . So "Alcoholics Anonymous" became first choice. That's how we got a name for our book of experience, a name for our movement and, as we are now beginning to see, a tradition of the greatest spiritual import.
"A.A. TRADITION: HOW IT DEVELOPED," pp. 35-36
Beginning with Bill's momentous decision in Akron to make a telephone call rather than a visit to the hotel bar, how often has a Higher Power made itself felt at crucial moments in our history! The eventual importance that the principle of anonymity would acquire was but dimly perceived, if at all, in those early days. There seems to have been an element of chance even in the choice of a name for our Fellowship.
God is no stranger to anonymity and often appears in human affairs in the guises of "luck," "chance," or "coincidence." If anonymity, somewhat fortuitously, became the spiritual basis for all our Traditions, perhaps God was acting anonymously on our behalf.
From the book Daily Reflections
© Copyright 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Twenty-Four Hours A Day
A.A. Thought for the Day
I am not so envious of other people, nor am I so jealous of other people's possessions and talents. When I was drinking, I was secretly full of jealousy and envy of those people who could drink normally, who had the love and respect of their families, who lived a normal life and were accepted as equals by their friends. I pretended to myself that I was as good as they were, but I knew it wasn't so. Now I don't have to be envious any more. I try not to want what I don't deserve. I'm content with what I have earned by my efforts to live the right way. More power to those who have what I have not. At least, I'm trying. Have I got rid of the poison of envy?
Meditation for the Day
"My soul is restless till it finds its rest in Thee." A river flows on, until it loses itself in the sea. Our spirits long for rest in the spirit of God. We yearn to realize a peace, a rest, a satisfaction that we have never found in the world or its pursuits. Some are not conscious of their need, and shut the doors of their spirits against the spirit of God. They are unable to have true peace.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may feel the divine unrest. I pray that my soul may find its rest in God.
From the book Twenty-Four Hours a Day
© Copyright 1975 by Hazelden Foundation
NA - Just for Today
Meditation
"Quieting the mind through meditation brings an inner peace that brings us into contact with the God within us."
Basic Text, pp. 46-47
As our recovery progresses, we often reflect on what brought us to Narcotics Anonymous in the first place and are able to appreciate how much the quality of our lives has improved. We no longer have to fear our own thoughts. And the more we pray and meditate, the more we experience a calm sense of well-being. The peace and tranquility we experience during our quiet times confirms that our most important needs-our spiritual needs-are being met.
We are able to empathize with other addicts and strengthen our conscience in the process. We learn to avoid judging others and experience the freedom to be ourselves. In our spiritual reflection, we intuitively find "the God within us" and see that we are in harmony with a Power greater than ourselves.
Just for Today: I will reflect upon the gift of recovery and listen quietly for my Higher Power's guidance.
From the book Just for Today
© Copyright 1991-2013 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought for Today
If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self.
~Napoleon Hill
God, please teach me to laugh again, but never let me forget I cried
One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.
~Bryant H. McGill
Buddha/Zen Thoughts
"Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing.
This is the ultimate." --Chuang-tzu
Native American
"People and nations who understand the Natural Law are self-governing, following the principles of love and respect that insure freedom and peace."
--Traditional Circle of Elders, NAVAJO-HOPI Joint Use Area
The Natural Laws work hand-in-hand with the circle. Each part of a circle will look to the center and will see something different. For example, if you put an irregular shaped object in the center of a circle and you have people standing in a circle around the object, each one will describe it differently. Everyone in the circle will be right. Only by honoring and respecting everyone's input, can the truth about the object be revealed. We need to learn to honor differences.
My Creator, let me honor all differences.
Keep It Simple
Love is the reward of love. --- Johann von Schiller
When we used alcohol and other drugs, we shared little as possible. There was little love in our hearts. We had become selfish. This caused us to be lonely.
Then something happened to change all of that. Remember the first time you walked into a meeting? You were met by people who shared. Maybe they shared a smile, their story, or just a cup of coffee with you. The sharing that goes on in a Twelve Step program is great. We learn that the more we give, the more we get. We get well by giving to others. Helping others is a great way to hold on to sobriety. Love is the reward of love.
Prayer for the Day: I pray that I will be there when others need me. I pray that service will become a big part of my program.
Action for the Day: Today, I’ll think of friends who could use my help. I’ll talk to them and offer to be there for them.
Big Book
"Many of us keep liquor in our homes. We often need it to carry green recruits through a severe hangover Some of us still serve it to our
friends provided they are not alcoholic. But some of us think we
should not serve liquor to anyone. We never argue this question. We
feel that each family, in the light of their own circumstances, ought
to decide for themselves."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 102~
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He's Not The God He Used To Be
He's not the God He used to be, or am I the one who's changed… I let Him slip away from me, kept Him distant and estranged.
I wandered from Him for a while, just up and walked away… A life of self imposed exile, my faith in Him had gone astray.
The hand of God I once had feared, I now reach up to hold… My path to Him once blocked has cleared, I now soberly behold.
I see another side of Him, a side I hadn't seen before… I had a change from deep within, my faith once lost I now restore.
The hands of time have changed my view, He's not the God I thought I knew… He's not the way He once appeared, He's not the God who's wrath I feared.
There is a God inside of you, and there is a God inside of me...
He's not the God I thought I knew, He's not the God He used to be...
Gordon R.
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