God grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change;
Courage to change
the things I can;
and Wisdom
to know the difference.
Thy will, not mine, be done.
*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
March 5, 2024
A LIFELONG TASK
But just how, in these circumstances,
does a fellow ‘take it easy?’
That’s what I want to know.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 26
I was never known for my patience.
How many times have I asked,
“Why should I wait,
when I can have it all right now?”
Indeed, when I was first presented the Twelve Steps,
I was like the proverbial “kid in a candy store.”
I couldn’t wait to get to Step Twelve;
it was surely just a few months’ work,
or so I thought!
I realize now that living the Twelve Steps of A.A.
is a lifelong undertaking.
******************************
Never Again!
“Most people feel more secure
on the twenty-four-hour basis
than they do in the resolution
that they will never drink again.
Most of them have broken too many resolutions.
It’s really a matter of personal choice;
every A.A. has the privilege
of interpreting the program as, he likes.
“Personally, I take the attitude
that I intend never to drink again.
This is somewhat different from saying,
‘I will never drink again.’
The latter attitude sometimes gets people in trouble
because it is undertaking on a personal basis
to do what we alcoholics never could do.
It is too much an act of will
and leaves too little room for the idea
that God will release us from the drink obsession
provided we follow the A.A. program.”
Letter, 1949
******************************
Animals are such agreeable friends
they ask no questions,
they pass no criticisms.
—GEORGE ELIOT
A pet is often liked by everyone
and seems to have no enemies.
Why is this? Pets are friendly and interested in others.
They seem to get joy out of just being with us.
They do not have a critical attitude.
When mistreated or neglected for a while,
they are quick to forgive
and quickly seek once again to be by our side.
Each of us is a valuable part of the family.
When we treasure one another
and don't waste our time finding each other's faults,
we will begin to have fewer faults.
When we accept our loved ones
as they are and enjoy sharing our lives with them,
our lives become more enjoyable,
and our family love grows
because we are each more lovable.
What can I accept in others today?
*****
Alkiespeak – Book – Quote
When I slide over from being 'On the Program'
to 'Self Will Run Riot' it's seamless.
There's no bump, no warning, I'm just there.
That's why I need Step 10.
- Trip S.
******************************
Appreciating Our Past
It is easy to be negative
about past mistakes and unhappiness.
But it is much more healing to look at ourselves
and our past in the light of
experience, acceptance, and growth.
Our past is a series of lessons that advance us
to higher levels of living and loving.
The relationships we entered, stayed in,
or ended taught us necessary lessons.
Some of us have emerged
from the most painful circumstances
with strong insights
about who we are and what we want.
Our mistakes? Necessary.
Our frustrations, failures,
and sometimes-stumbling attempts
at growth and progress? Necessary too.
Each step of the way, we learned.
We went through exactly the experiences
we needed to, to become who we are today.
Each step of the way, we progressed.
Is our past a mistake? No.
The only mistake we can make
is mistaking that for the truth.
Today, God, help me let go
of negative thoughts I may be harboring
about my past circumstances or relationships.
I can accept, with gratitude,
all that has brought me to today.
*****
Grapevine quote of the day
"By helping to ensure the sobriety of others to come,
we insure our own sobriety today."
Rochester, N.Y., October 1987
"The Rise and Fall of a Home Group,"
The Home Group: Heartbeat of AA
******************************
The human heart in its perversity
finds it hard to escape hatred and revenge.
—Moses Luzzatto
This program promises many rewards for those who follow it, but it does not promise to be easy. We search our conscience for resentments and face them. No man can progress in his recovery while holding onto resentments, old angers, and hatreds.
When we hold them, we protect dark corners of our souls from the renewal we need. As we allow ourselves to be made new through this program, we no longer reserve those small corners for the game of power and resentment. They will eventually consume us and justify in our minds a return to the old patterns.
Nothing can be held back.
We must be willing to surrender all -
even if we do not know how.
No one can stop being resentful simply by deciding to stop.
When we are willing to be honest, to be humble,
to be learners, to be led in a constructive direction,
to allow time to be guided
rather than seek instant cure,
then we will learn trust and will surely make progress.
I do not need to know exactly
how to let go of my resentments
or what will happen after I do.
I simply must be ready to let them go.
*****
Just thinking…………….
Deliver us from temptation
must continue to be a prime ingredient
of our every attitude, practice, and prayer.
When things go well, we must never fall into the error
of believing that no great ill can possibly befall us.
Nor should we accuse ourselves of "negative thinking"
when we insist on facing the destructive forces
in and around us, both realistically and effectively.
Vigilance will always be the price of survival.
Bill W.,
November 1960
c. 1988 AA Grapevine,
The Language of the Heart, pp. 316-17
Thought to consider . . .
Adversity introduces us to ourselves
Topic Question:
What do you do to prevent
or overcome negative thinking?
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