Renewal of the Mind-Daily Readings

[If Not For Grace]

When we get busy..WE get better..

Regarless of what the others around us are doing-I need to MYOB, sometimes their behaviors can be a sign for me to do the opposite..

"BELIEVE while others are doubting. PLAN while others are playing. STUDY while others are sleeping. DECIDE while others are delaying. PREPARE while others are daydreaming. BEGIN while others are procrastinating. WORK while others are wishing. SAVE while others are wasting. Listen while others are talking. SMILE while others are frowning. COMMEND while others are criticizing. PERSIST while others are quitting!" W.Ward

 

[If Not For Grace]

"Often we allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. We lose many irreplaceable hours brooding over grievances that, in a year's time, will be forgotten by us and by everybody. No, let us devote our life to worthwhile actions and feelings, to great thoughts, real affections and enduring undertakings.” ~ André Maurois


IF the answer is it won't matter a year from now-why not just let it go?

 

[If Not For Grace]

"Little by Little"

 

[If Not For Grace]

How do I change-keep it simple and change your choices....

 

[If Not For Grace]

 

[If Not For Grace]

Denial is part of the Addiction process.

Part of it is a defense mechanism, part of it is often a learned response that must be unlearned.

The 12-Steps are about Honesty. Getting Gut level Honest with ourselves. This is not a pain free process but necessary to Recovery. Deinal is a problem that must be faced and then solved.

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go By Melody Beattie

Solving Problems

I ask that You might help me work through all my problems, to Your Glory and Honor.
... —Alcoholics Anonymous

Many of us lived in situations where it wasn't okay to identify, have, or talk about problems. Denial became a way of life - our way of dealing with problems

In recovery, many of us still fear problems. We may spend more time reacting to a problem than we do to solving it. We miss the point; we miss the lesson; we miss the gift. Problems are a part of life. So are solutions.

A problem doesn't mean life is negative or horrible. Having a problem doesn't mean a person is deficient. All people have problems to work through.

In recovery, we learn to focus on solving our problems. First, we make certain the problem is our problem. If it isn't, our problem is establishing boundaries. Then we seek the best solution. This may mean setting a goal, asking for help, gathering more information, taking an action, or letting go.

Recovery does not mean immunity or exemption from problems; recovery means learning to face and solve problems, knowing they will appear regularly. We can trust our ability to solve problems, and know we're not doing it alone. Having problems does not mean our Higher Power is picking on us. Some problems are part of life; others are ours to solve, and we'll grow in necessary ways in the process.

Face and solve today's problems. Don't worry needlessly about tomorrow's problems, because when they appear, we'll have the resources necessary to solve them.

Facing and solving problems, working through problems with help from a Higher Power, means we're living and growing and reaping benefits.

God, help me face and solve my problems today. Help me do my part and let the rest go. I can learn to be a problem solver.

 

[If Not For Grace]

~ TOUCHSTONES ~ (A Book of Daily Meditations for Men) ~

Every time I close the door on Reality, it comes in through the window.

~ Ashleigh Brilliant ~

Slogan: "Surrender to Win" This is not an attitude of defeat but a change in our methods of dealing with problems. We surrender the past and open ourselves to the Future.

Honesty is a pillar of spiritual awakening. There is no growth without it, and it begins with ourselves. We do not define the truth, we accept it, we surrender to It. The truth may not feel good; it can even be painful. This is the pain of birth—the rebirth of a real man. And the promise of this day is the reward of having our integrity and the peace of self-acceptance.

Today, I will surrender to the truth. I will accept the reality which presses for attention in my life.

 

[If Not For Grace]

~ AS BILL SEES IT ~ (The A.A. Way of Life, Selected Writings of A.A.’s Co-founder) ~

~ Page 55 ~

Seeking Guidance

"Man is supposed to think, and act. He wasn't made in God's image to be an automaton.

"My own formula along this lines runs as follows: First, think through every situation pro and con, praying meanwhile that I be not influenced by ego considerations. Affirm that I would like to do God's will.

"Then, having turned the problem over in this fashion and getting no conclusive or compelling answer, I wait for further guidance, which may come into mind directly or through other people or through circumstances.

"If I feel I can't wait, and still get no definite indication, Irepeat the first measure several times, try to pick out the best course, and then proceed to act. I know if I am wrong, the heavens won't fall. A lesson will be learned, in any case."

~ LETTER, 1950 ~

© 1967 by Alcoholics Anonymous ® World Services, Inc

 

[If Not For Grace]

WALK IN DRY PLACES ~

SELFISHNESS

Self-Improvement

We're told again and again that we have to be selfish about our own recovery, but this seems to be in conflict with the fact that selfishness is the root of our problem. How can selfishness be both good and bad?

The selfishness we need for recovery is a devotion to self-improvement, rather than the selfish indulgence that made us sick. One is a giving of ourselves, the other is frantic taking that leads to destruction. The person who seeks self-improvement is competing only against his or her former self. The sick brand of selfishness, on the other hand, is usually involved in unhealthy competition with others.

There is an easy way to test whether our selfishness is the right kind. If our conduct leads to long-term happiness and higher self-esteem, it is probably right. If it harms us or others, something is wrong. We can correct this by getting back to the basics of the program and pursuing self- improvement rather than self-indulgence.

Just for today, I will take part only in that which will obviously benefit everyone. I will not put my own concerns ahead of others; but at the same time, I will not let others take advantage of me.

 

[If Not For Grace]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.[/FONT]

~ ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 17 ~

The most far-reaching Twelfth Step work was the publication of our Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous. Few can equal that book for carrying the message. My idea is to get out of myself and simply do what I can. Even if I haven't been asked to sponsor and my phone rarely rings, I am still able to do Twelfth Step work. I get involved in "brotherly and harmonious action." At meetings I show up early to greet people and to help set up, and to share my experience, strength and hope. I also do what I can with service work. My Higher Power gives me exactly what He wants me to do at any given point in my recovery and, if I let Him, my willingness will bring Twelfth Step work automatically.

Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc

 

[If Not For Grace]

If It were not for change-life would be one Big Bore..We would likely become depressed if Everyday was just like yesterday and certainly there would be no improvment, nor growth-nothing to look forward to:


You are reading from the book Today's Gift: Daily Meditations for Families

The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty: not knowing what comes next.
—Ursula LeGuin

... The world around us changes constantly. Trees turn from green to beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and brown in the fall. Yet, even if we watched the trees carefully, every minute of the day, we could not actually see the colors change. Change requires time, preparation, and patience.

To make the changes we want, we need to let go of unhealthy but comfortable patterns that we're stuck in, the way the trees let their colors change and finally let go of their leaves altogether. We can't have total change right now, no matter how much we want it. It's important to accept both who we are now and who we are becoming. Just as the tree trusts without question that its leaves will grow and lets go of them when the time comes, we can believe in our own power to grow and let go of our accomplishments when the time is right.

When we do, we can be assured that our lives will blossom again, like trees in the spring coming to life after a cold winter.

Do I have any new blossoms today?

 

[If Not For Grace]

You are reading from the book Each Day a New Beginning By Karen Casey

Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads.
—Erica Jong

... There was a time when we didn't believe we had any talents. We couldn't imagine we had any purpose or any gift to give to the world. But it's true: We all have talents, many of them. If we each haven't yet discovered ours, we soon will. With time and the Steps and friends, we will be encouraged to recognize them, to celebrate them, to cultivate them, to dare to give them away.

Utilizing our talents fully, which is part of life's bigger plan, may lead us to new jobs, new friends, to places presently unknown. The prospect of new horizons may excite us. It may also elicit dread. We can trust that, just as we are given no problems too big to handle, we are given no talents too great to develop. The strength to move ahead will always be available if we have faith. And the program offers us faith.

I will look for my talents today. I will also look for talents in my friends. I can celebrate them, and soon the way to use them will become clear

 

[If Not For Grace]

Needing People

"I was never less alone than when by myself." -Edward Gibbon

"In order to continue to grow spiritually, we will, happily, always be among the lucky people who need people. For the rest of our lives, we will give to friends and receive from them. We will make progress together. But each must welcome the reality that he or she needs, at times, to be alone with only personal thoughts.
...
Such times fill the necessity for prayer and meditation. We will never be at a loss for inspiration for contemplation. New friends said, "Welcome to our world." We can well meditate on that wonderful world of gratitude, love, honesty, open-mindedness, willingness and other elements of spiritual progress."

"I must be like a ship's captain who constantly consults instruments to make sure I am on course. My "instruments" are other people. But ultimately I must take the factors of the wind the size of the waves and make the decision of which course is best for me to take.

 

[If Not For Grace]

God is not a Magic Genie-but a life and Spirit Guide He is Afterall the Master

~ AS BILL SEES IT ~ (The A.A. Way of Life, Selected Writings of A.A.’s Co-founder) ~

~ Page 66 ~

For Emergencies Only?


Whether we had been believers or unbelievers, we began to get over the idea that the Higher Power was a sort of bush-league pinch hitter, to be called upon only in an emergency.


The notion that we would still live our own lives, God helping a little now and then, began to evaporate. Many of us who hadthought ourselves religious awoke to the limitations of this attitude. Refusing to place God first, we had deprived ourselves of His help.


But now the words "Of myself I am nothing, the Father doeth the works" began to carry bright promise and meaning.

~ TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 75 ~

© 1967 by Alcoholics Anonymous ® World Services, Inc

 

[If Not For Grace]

~ WALK IN DRY PLACES ~ FIRST THINGS FIRST


Order


The struggle to bring order into our lives starts with lots of little things. One recovering per-son discovered that it was a good exercise simply to put the cap back on the toothpaste tube in the morning. This was a reminder that things should be put in their proper place, and the discipline helped later in organizing larger matters.


It is very easy to overlook orderly procedures in the haste to get things done, or to avoid anything that seems unpleasant or demanding. But such oversight always carries a heavy price later on. When we don’t return things to their proper place, for example, we lose them or waste hours looking for them. We may bungle a job simply because we were too lazy to look up the right information or to read directions.


That’s why “First things first" is much more than just a slogan. It’s actually a principle for living, a guide that tells us there is an orderly approach to everything. If we can find that order without becoming slavishly compulsive about it, we’ll find that it simplifies lots of things later on.


I’ll try to do things in an orderly manner today. When I find myself taking short cuts or becoming too hurried, I’ll regain control by remembering to establish priorities.

 

[If Not For Grace]

TOUCHSTONES ~ (A Book of Daily Meditations for Men) ~

Before the rain stops we hear a bird. Even under the heavy snow we see snowdrops and some new growth.

~ Shunryu Suzuki ~

The signals that new growth is underway are often very small at first. It’s sometimes discouraging when we are trying to remake our lives and all we can see for our efforts is minor growth. That is how the natural world works, and we are part of this world. When the little sprouts of growth first develop under the snow in spring, we don’t even see them unless we search. Yet, they signal the beginnings of a total transformation. Time will bring vast changes, but only little signs are showing first.

Today, we may search for signs of progress in our lives. The little things we see may signal bigger transformations yet to come. To be true to them in the long run we must accept them – even welcome them – as they are today.

I will notice the subtle movements toward health and renewal in my life. Welcoming them will encourage them.

 

[If Not For Grace]

You are reading from the book Today's Gift: Daily Meditations For Families

Being a healthy parent means being firm but nurturing, giving children a decent sense of the boundaries along with lots of unconditional love.
—Karen Shaud

... In a healthy family, life goes along and everybody pitches in to do the housework. Some people wonder why housework is such a big deal. It is because people need to contribute to a group in order to feel they belong to it. Housework makes us part of the same group--our house, our family. We make our house comfortable so we can feel comfortable and safe in it. We show love for ourselves by making our surroundings likeable. And when we do physical work, we can do our inner housekeeping, letting go of negative feelings that pile up during the day.

On days when life feels out of control, we feel good when we do one simple job: clean the messy desk, wash dirty dishes, shovel the snowy walk. In this way we regain control of our feelings as well as a perspective on those things within our control.

What simple work do I need to do to feel better today?

 

[If Not For Grace]

Think of a ladder-being in the Middle means you are just as close to the bottom as you are the top.

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go By Melody Beattie

Staying Out of the Middle

"I don't want to get in the middle, but . . ." is a sign that we may have just stepped into the middle.
...
We do not have to get caught in the middle of other people's issues, problems, or communication. We can let others take responsibility for themselves in their relationships. We can let them work out their issues with each other.

Being a peacemaker does not mean we get in the middle. We are bearers of peace by staying peaceful ourselves and not harboring turmoil. We are peacemakers by not causing the extra chaos created when we get in the middle of other people's affairs and relationships.

Don't get in the middle unless you want to be there.

Today, I will refuse to accept any invitations to jump in the middle of others' affairs, issues, and relationships. I will trust others to work out their own affairs, including the ideas and feelings they want to communicate to each other.

 

[If Not For Grace]

~ AS BILL SEES IT ~ (The A.A. Way of Life, Selected Writings of A.A.’s Co-founder) ~

~ Page 80 ~

"Debits and Credits

Following a gossip binge, we can well ask ourselves these questions: "Why did we say what we did? Were we only trying to be helpful and informative? Or were we not trying to feel superior by confessing the other fellow's sins? Or, because of fear and dislike, were we not really aiming to damage him?"

This would be an honest attempt to examine ourselves, rather than the other fellow.

<< << << >> >> >>

Inventory-taking is not always done in red ink. It's a poor day indeed when we haven't done something right. As a matter of fact, the waking hours are usually well filled with things that are constructive. Good intentions, good thoughts, and good acts are there for us to see.

Even when we have tried hard and failed, we may chalk that up as one of the greatest credits of all."

SO
If you are going to use red ink-give yourself some credit for what you got right, your good traits and the progress you have made thus far..

 

[If Not For Grace]

~ AS BILL SEES IT ~ (The A.A. Way of Life, Selected Writings of A.A.’s Co-founder) ~

~ Page 82 ~

Trouble Becomes an Asset

"I think that this particular General Service Conference holds promise and has been filled with progress—because it has had trouble. And it has converted that trouble into an asset, into some growth, and into a great promise.

"A.A. was born out of trouble, one of the most serious kinds of trouble that can befall an individual, the trouble attendant upon this dark and fatal malady of alcoholism. Every single one of us approached A.A. in trouble, in impossible trouble, in hopeless trouble. And that is why we came.

"If this Conference was ruffled, if individuals were deeply disturbed—I say, `This is fine.' What parliament, what republic, what democracy has not been disturbed? Friction of opposing viewpoints is the very modus operandi on which they proceed. Then what should we be afraid of?"

~ TALK, P. 1958 ~

© 1967 by Alcoholics Anonymous ® World Services, Inc