Stools and Bottles

[majestyjo]

Day 21 – Stools & Bottles

Twenty-First Daily Reminder –

After a few months of unhappy sobriety, a disgruntled AA member left his group and resumed drinking. He openly left his group and resumed drinking. He openly opposed certain spiritual parts of our program, labeling them “opium for the masses” and rowed that AA could not run his life. He won his point but by drinking lost his job, wife and home.

Daily Inventory –

Could he have been rebelling against the provisions of Step Six and Seven? With regard to self-discipline, what are the functions of these steps?

Suggested Meditation –

The sign of outward depression in an alcoholic is only the shadow of the real oppression within. He is a very sick person ruled by a strong obsession which says, “I want to be free. I want to think and to drink as I please. I refuse to part with my character flaws — AA or no AA.” Such freedom only adds to our alcoholic bondage. Such spiritual rebellion is mental drunkenness–another slavery for us.

Spiritual Contact –

Our Father, illuminate our defects of character. Help us to enforce self-discipline. Grant us a willing desire to fully accept Steps 6 and 7.

Daily Physical Audit –

Modern medicine emphasizes diet as a powerful factor of healthful living. It claims we eat too much bread, fats and sugar at the expense of proteins, carbohydrates, mineral salts and vitamins which support body growth and repair. Chemical reaction in the alcoholic’s body is impaired by lack of proper food. Our diet should be well balanced and fortified with ample vegetables, fruits and meat.

[caressa222]

Day 22 - Stools & Bottles

Twenty-Second Daily Reminder --

Having gained sobriety from living the AA program, it is easy to become overconfident about our future security. We often mistake recovery for cure and get off the AA beam. Satisfied with our progress and impressed by our evident maturity we become complacent and are ready to graduate from AA.

Daily Inventory --

What is complacency? Is it a danger signal? Do we ever reach full maturity in AA? Are there specific graduation qualifications? Name them.

Suggestion Meditation --

The Big Book gives the answers for all our drinking problems. It also gives an AA graduation test on page 42 in the old book, or page 31 second edition. "If anyone, who is showing inability to control his drinking, can do the right-about-face and drink like a gentleman, our hats are off to him." Complacency (self-satisfaction) is not for us. Our goal is serenity)the reward for daily AA living.

Spiritual Contact --

Our Father, we pray that we may realize our need for daily AA living. Manifest the dangers of complacency to us. Teach is the meaning of serenity.

Daily Physical Audit --

Alcoholics are physically ill from toxic poisoning acquired by substituting alcohol for food and rest. We are impatient people who want to get well fast. It is not uncommon for newcomers to resort to the self-administration of drugs and antibiotics. This is a dangerous practice from which we suffer ill effects. Sedation is most harmful because it is habit forming. AA is ineffective for the willful users of self-administered drugs.

[caressa222]

Day 23 - Stools & Bottles

Twenty-Third Daily Reminder --

The keys to AA success and service are found in the last eight words of Step 12, "to practice these principles in all our affairs." It takes a lot of constructive thought, effort and courage to arrest our alcoholism -- not the physical kind, but the moral courage to be honest with ourselves and live AA.

Daily Inventory --

Is there more to Step 12 than just "carrying the message"? What about "a spiritual awakening"? What is meant by "these principles"?

Suggested Meditation --

"These principles" cover all of the 12 Steps. "Carrying the message" to alcoholics is vital, indeed, but it is only a part of practicing "these principles in all our affairs." Without their practice there could be no recovery. Without it we could have no examples of contented sobriety--no message to carry--no sponsorship--no AA. Let us never forget the significance of the last eight words of Step 12.

Spiritual Contact --

Our Father, awaken us spiritually. Allow us to "carry the message" to alcoholics. Help us to stay sober and to live the 12 Steps 24 hours a day.

Daily Physical Audit --

Medical science has long been interested in the relation of blood sugar to the physical condition of the alcoholic and his lack of craving after eating.

Experience teaches is that compulsion to drink usually occurred when our stomachs were empty and our blood sugar low. We should remember this in AA and always try to maintain an adequate level of nutrition for defense against that first drink.

[caressa222]

Day 24 – Stools & Bottles

Twenty-Fourth Daily Reminder —

An AA member with several years of sobriety and a record of active service moved to another city and attached himself to the local group. Working upon the basis of AA seniority, he tried to assume authority and rule the group. Failing in this, he broke their unity and later got drunk himself.

Daily Inventory –

Is AA run? Do our members rule? Where is AA’s authority? How is it expressed? Bo we rule by force or lead by example?

Suggested Meditation —

A fellowship of sick persons, who are recovering from the effects of alcoholism, cannot be legislated back to health. They should be led by understanding alcoholics who have arrested their illness by 12 Step living and are willing to share their experiences with others. Our only authority is God’s Will activation the conscience of our group–His voice speaking through AA to the alcoholics who still suffer.

Spiritual Contact —

Our Father, may our examples of serenity and happy sobriety attract to us the alcoholics who still suffer. Make us realize the value of service.

Daily Physical Audit —

Good health is our best safeguard against disease. Some people inherit it while others must fight to acquire it. The alcoholic, regardless of his former status, has placed himself in the second category. Recovery from alcoholism now confronts us with two real problems. The first one is to regain our health. The second is to maintain it. Willingness to admit and treat our illness and physical defects is an important asset to recovery.

[caressa222]

Day 25 - Stools & Bottles

Twenty-Fifth Daily Reminder --

Unity of purpose, thought and acts is vitally important to an AA group's success, Without unity we can only expect failure. You and I may stand or fall in accordance with the success of our group. We owe a unified stand on AA purpose to ourselves, to our group and to its future membership.

Daily Inventory --

Does the welfare of the group come first? Does individual recovery depend upon group unity? Who is responsible for the unity of the group?

Suggested Meditation --

Tradition One advises us that without unity an AA group cannot survive. Without a group many of us could not survive. Obviously, the preservation of group unity is the responsibility of every member. We must hang together or John Barleycorn will surely hang us separately. With this in mind, let us put our petty ambitions aside and band ourselves together with determination to support the principles of AA.

Spiritual Contact --

Our Father, we pray that our group may bne unified in its purpose to maintain individual sobriety and pass it on to alcoholics seeking our aid.

Daily Physical Audit --

Although the heart is innocent of creating many pains and feelings of discomfort attributed to it, we act wisely to investigate the cause of unusual symptoms which may occur. A good way to prevent heart trouble is to see your doctor for a check-up every year and to consult him at the appearance of any symptom which may or may not have its source in the heart. Perhaps this may disclose organic illness in time for treatment and cure.

[caressa222]

Day 26 - Stools & Bottles

Twenty-Sixth Daily Reminder --

A dirty middle-aged alcoholic lay dying on an old couch in the slums of a Midwestern city. Sick, helpless and broke he called upon AA for help. Sympathetic members responded, placed him in a hospital. He recovered and later joined AA where he stayed and served with credit to his group.

Daily Inventory --

What are the requirements for AA membership? Are we interested in both low and high bottom drunks? How do we handle those who refuse to believe in God?

Suggested Meditation --

"The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking." It is not within our province to refuse AA to an alcoholic who asks for help. God has a way of handling those who do not believe in Him. AA does not demand belief in God, yet the newcomer soon learns that contented sobriety demands it. There can be no satisfactory personality change in a member who refuses spiritual help.

Spiritual Contact --

Our Father, prevent us from passing judgment upon anyone. Grant us wisdom to discern between tolerance and indulgence. Let us live and give AA.

Daily Physical Audit --

Common sense governs the rules of healthful living. Good health does not result from a single act but is the result of many daily practices which eventually becomes habits of self-preservation. They keep us from "digging our grave with our own teeth." There are detours to be observed on the road of Wellville which circumvent fast eating, overeating, gulping food down with liquids and eating when overfatigued.

[caressa222]

Day 27 - Stools & Bottles

Twenty-Seventh Daily Reminder --

An AA veteran, the main speaker at an anniversary meeting, sat waiting for almost two hours while other speakers dramatized many subjects -- some of them foreign to AA. Finally he was introduced. He spoke for thirty minutes, inspiring us with the humble virtues of AA. His subject? Love and service.

Daily Inventory --

Have we ever visualized the power of true humility? Do we seek contented sobriety or AA recognition? Are our efforts inspired by love and service?

Suggested Meditation --

The truly great members of AA are all humble members. They give freely of their talent but seek no praise. The publicity seeker is different. He lacks humility but never seems to feel small about it. We can be either great or small about in AA, but as we sacrifice our vanities upon the alter of AA service we will rise and grow in stature and gain recognition without seeking it.

Spiritual Contact --

Our Father, knowing the weakness of our vanity, we pray for the strength of humility. Reveal our need for love and service. Makes us worthy AA servants.

Daily Physical Audit --

Alcohol does not contribute to diabetes, but diabetes can contribute to relapses. We find verification of this fact in the lives of our diabetics who, suffering from complications of their primary illness, go on a mental spree and end up drunk. AA diabetics have two incurable diseases to arrest. They should adhere strictly to their diet. Undue physical and mental effort must be avoided. Infection and neglect may lead to gangrene, blindness and death.

[caressa222]

Sorry I had to catch up on these readings. I feel bad, the addict who starts and fails to finish.

Hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

[majestyjo]

Day 28 - Stools & Bottles

Twenty-Eighth Daily Reminder

A few AA members and their wives were assembled at the home of another member for a weekly AA meeting. The host arrived too late to hold his meeting. When questioned about his absence he shouted, "What in h--l is all this bellyaching about -- I'm here and sober, isn't that enough?"

Daily Inventory --

Is sullen and surly sobriety enough? How far off the beam dare we get? Is it possible to benefit from aor add to AA meetings in an angry, sullen mood?

Suggested Meditation --

It is remarkable that a few months of sobriety will allow us to forget the mental binge always precedes the physical drunk. Members who are physically dry and mentally wet do not stay that way. We must either improve our sobriety or vainly try to suppress our alcoholism. Suppression is not our answer. It only leads to drinking. It lets us drift back, like washed pigs, to wallow in the alcoholic mire.

Spiritual Contact --

Our Father, help us to stay put with our group. Fill us with enthusiasm for the AA program. We pray for willingness to improve upon our sobriety.

Daily Physical Audit --

Relaxation and sleep are not only good health practices, they are vital essentials of life itself. We cannot miss them for any great length of time and live healthy lives. Nature's rules for the upkeep of the body are definite and exacting. Alcoholics require systematic daily rest periods to relieve mental fatigue. Our body tissues need sleep to overcome the chemical changes caused by work during the day.

[majestyjo]

Stools & Bottles Day Twenty-Nine
Twenty-Ninth Daily Reminder --

An older AA member killed himself today, bringing sorrow and grave concern to the members of his group. Despite their knowledge of infidelity with his family, self-sedation and his refusal to consider alcoholism a disease, some members wondered why he resumed drinking and then took his own life.

Daily Inventory --

The reasons for this man's troubles are well defined in Chapter Five in the Big Book. Honesty pays big dividends in AA. Let's work it 24 hours daily.

Suggested Meditation --

All drinking alcoholics are potential suicides. Contented sobriety and AA are not compatible with suicide, nor with dishonesty in business and home dealings, nor in sneaking that first drink. Alcoholism is more than sin--it is sickness also. If it were just a sinful act we could recover by asking forgiveness and keep right on drinking. That's what we did before AA. That's what killed our old friend.

Spiritual Contact --

Our Father, we know our great need for Your help and wisdom. Grant them to us. Enable us to arrest the dishonest and fatality of alcoholism.

Daily Physical Audit --

Medical doctors have not recognized alcohol as the cause of gastric ulcer. Alcohol, smoking and spicy foods, however, do aggravate conditions where ulcers exist. Members with known ulcers are advised to follow prescribed medication and diet. Persons with high-up abdominal pains, bloating, pains in the back, nausea after eating and black or bloody stools may be developing ulcers and should get a physical checkup.

[majestyjo]

Stools & Bottles Day Thirty
Thirtieth Daily Reminder --

The unmanageable lives which we have developed from years of self-centered drinking have taught us our weakness apart from the help and influence of a Higher Power. AA suggests that we avail ourselves of God's power. It advises us to pray unselfish prayers that help us and are a blessing to mankind.

Daily Inventory --

Have we a relationship with God? Is there a brotherhood of man? Are we our brothers keeper? Do we understand the power of unselfish prayer?

Suggested Meditation --

Some members claim that AA is a selfish program. Is this true or is AA just the opposite--a program which frees us from self-centeredness? Their statements are well meant but most misleading. It seems that intelligence, not selfishness, actuates our recovery from alcoholism. Step 11 suggests that we pray to lose self-will and that our prayers include welfare of others.

Spiritual Contact --

Our Father, let us see beyond life's material needs to our 24-hour spiritual needs. Clear our minds of selfishness. May we be guided by Your Will.

Daily Physical Audit --

Most alcoholics require some form of moderate exercise to keep fit physically. Since ignorance of the harm of overexertion does not shield us from its physical penalties, we should work within the individual limits of our strength. Outdoor exercise taken once or twice a week stimulates circulation, help digestion, aids elimination and adds years to our lives.

[majestyjo]

Hope you enjoy these readings as much as I did. There are only 30 readings available.