Post by lildee on Feb 6, 2006 5:16:02 GMT -5
Sorry for not posting the readings but things just got way out of control here. My youngest was on the path to following in her father's footsteps. So the insanity reigned once again. Anyway enough of my story on with the readings ... that is what you are here for. LOL
ODAT
FEBRUARY 6
Even after the alcoholic has become sober, I will not expect life to be free from difficulty and worry.
I will accept the usual upsets that occur in family life, realizing that they may have come into sharper focus now that they are no longer obscured by The Bottle.
I will take disappointments as they come, always reminding myself that the blessing of sobriety should make them easier to take, if I use them as enriching experiences. This attitude on my part will help to draw our family closer together.
Today's Reminder
Troubles are opportunities to grow, to make us bitter, not bitter. Rightly used, we can learn from them not to repeat our own mistakes. Once freed from the problem of active alcoholism, we are free to devote ourselves to solving all other problems as they arise.
"Let me never forget to be grateful for the good things in my life, and especially for the sobriety that will help restore our whole family to sanity and serenity."
----------------------------------------------------------------
COURAGE TO CHANGE
FEBRUARY 6
By the time I reached Al-Anon I was desperate to do something about my relationship with an alcoholic. I hoped that you would tell me to "throw the bum out," so I was dismayed when a member suggested that I make no major changes for six months after coming to Al-Anon. By the end of the six months, my thinking had changed dramatically and I was grateful to have waited.
At that point, something inside told me to continue to wait, to learn, to recover, before deciding about this relationship. But I hate to wait. I struggled, prayed for guidance, weighed the pros and cons. The answer was always the same: "Wait. Do nothing yet. The time will come." That wasn't the answer I was looking for. So I ignored it. I forced a "solution" and walked out.
I was immediately consumed with guilt and self doubt. Had I made the worst mistake of my life? I still loved this person so much, and though I was deeply troubled, I wasn't convinced that leaving was the answer. I had to admit that I had acted prematurely. Only with more time was I eventually able to come to a decision that I knew I could live with.
Today's Reminder
When my thinking becomes distorted by trying to force solutions, I probably won't get the results I seek. As the saying goes, "When in doubt, don't."
"Guide me in all I do to remember that waiting is the answer to some of my prayers." As We Understood. . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOPE FOR TODAY
February 6
I have realized since coming into Al-Anon that to have a peaceful existence, I need to be in relationship with the God of my understanding. For me there is a big difference between simply acknowledging the presence of God in my life and truly finding a spiritual connection. Step Eleven suggests I seek this deeper connection through prayer and meditation. When I discipline myself to observe some type of prayer and meditation, my day goes more smoothly and feels richer, more meaningful. No longer half-asleep to the wonders around me, I become aware that each moment fairly vibrates with the possibility of healing and wonderment.
I like to take Step Eleven even further by engaging in a daily running dialogue with my Higher Power, much as I would with my best friend. Sometimes this conversation is silent; sometimes I talk out loud or write in my journal. In any case I bring all of me, uncensored, to the relationship. Rather than being formal, my communication with Him is spontaneous and authentic. I'm just as likely to curse God out of anger, believing He understands my anguish just as an accepting parent would, as to praise Him out of awe and gratitude. I can tell Him that although I don't always like His will, I will defer to it; it just might take me a little while. I can cry my heart out to God, knowing my wordless sobbing somehow creates a prayer of its own. I can also celebrate with Him in joy and playful laughter as I rediscover parts of myself I thought were gone forever.
Thought for the Day
When I invite God into my life through prayer, meditation, and conversation, I open myself to infinite possibilities.
"I have an unlimited source of strength and comfort at my disposal.Today I will take the time to cultivate that spiritual connection."
Courage to Change, p. 327
------------------------------------------------
IN GOD'S CARE
· FEBRUARY 6 ·
Love doesn't grow on the trees like apples in Eden-it's something you have to make.
- Joyce Carey
There probably aren't many of us who feel we're loved enough. The paradox is that looking for love is not the way to find it. Abundant love will find us when we make the decision to attentively and unconditionally give it to all the people God has invited to share our life.
Our primary purpose today is to know and give love. Most of us turned to alcohol and other drugs in part because we felt unloved, unworthy, without purpose. This new life we've been graced with-a life filled with opportunities to experience positive ways of thinking, meaningful endeavors, and a family of loving friends-hasn't come to us accidentally or coincidentally. It has been God's will throughout our life that we know love, and be able to openly and freely offer it to others.
God is the caring guide who will help me know love as a result of my willingness to love.
---------------------------------------------------
DAYS OF HEALING DAYS OF JOY
· FEBRUARY 6 ·
Guilt has very quick ears to an accusation.
- Henry Fielding
A fellow at a meeting told a strange story to make a point about the very human tendency to take on undeserved guilt. The story was about a little trick he liked to play in his office once in a while. It seems he would choose a fellow employee at random, approach him innocently, and whisper, "They know," while looking around furtively. Then he would walk away quickly and watch what happened from a distance.
Inevitably, he said, the recipient of this strange message first looked bewildered and then looked worried. Sometimes the person would start to sweat, the man said, and every time his frantic thoughts became nearly visible on his face: "Oh my God, how much do they know? What will they do about it? Will they tell anyone?" The point was that nearly everybody is vulnerable to shame. Even the innocent have a knee-jerk tendency to conceal and protect. How horrified would we be, he asked, if someone whispered "They know" to us? Would we panic? Or would we be healthy enough to laugh it off since there is nothing anyone else could know that we aren't already dealing with?
Today, I pray for the courage to keep on working through my fear.
--------------------------------------------------------
A LIFE OF MY OWN
FEBRUARY 6
Unpleasant experiences are part of life: The traffic is snarled. or the neighbor's dog is barking again. Maybe the drinker didn't come home last night, or a friend at work seems distant. If, however, we spend our lives counting on everybody and everything living up to our expectations, we'll feel like failures and lose hope for the future.
Before discovering a Twelve Step program many of us didn't know that we had a choice other than hopelessness. We were probably unaccustomed to relying on a spiritual program for help. Conflict or other frustrating and scary situations made us shudder. Life was arduous at best. What a difference having hope has made. Nothing feels overwhelming for long when we remember to use the spiritual solutions found in our program.
I am given only as much as my recovery program and I can handle!
--------------------------------------------------------------
NIGHT LIGHT
· FEBRUARY 6 ·
God give us a mind that can or can't believe, but not even God can make us believe. . . . You have to believe first before you can pray.
- Harriet Arnow
Sometimes it's difficult to focus on our Higher Power after a hard day at work, after an argument with a loved one, after the frustrating experience of a flat tire, long bank line, or after any of the other nuisances that are pan of each and every day. "Why me?" we may cry out in frustration. On a day like today, it may be easier to believe that a Power greater than ourselves is out to get us.
But God does not choose sides. We have not been singled out for punishment. God is on our side, if we only choose to open our hearts and believe that.
As we reflect back on the events of the day, we need to remember the times we asked God for help and the times we didn't. And we need to believe first-before we pray tonight-that God is there to help us every minute of every day.
Did I ask my Higher Power for help today, or did I decide to "go it alone'? Which do I choose to do tonight?
FEBRUARY 6
Even after the alcoholic has become sober, I will not expect life to be free from difficulty and worry.
I will accept the usual upsets that occur in family life, realizing that they may have come into sharper focus now that they are no longer obscured by The Bottle.
I will take disappointments as they come, always reminding myself that the blessing of sobriety should make them easier to take, if I use them as enriching experiences. This attitude on my part will help to draw our family closer together.
Today's Reminder
Troubles are opportunities to grow, to make us bitter, not bitter. Rightly used, we can learn from them not to repeat our own mistakes. Once freed from the problem of active alcoholism, we are free to devote ourselves to solving all other problems as they arise.
"Let me never forget to be grateful for the good things in my life, and especially for the sobriety that will help restore our whole family to sanity and serenity."
----------------------------------------------------------------
COURAGE TO CHANGE
FEBRUARY 6
By the time I reached Al-Anon I was desperate to do something about my relationship with an alcoholic. I hoped that you would tell me to "throw the bum out," so I was dismayed when a member suggested that I make no major changes for six months after coming to Al-Anon. By the end of the six months, my thinking had changed dramatically and I was grateful to have waited.
At that point, something inside told me to continue to wait, to learn, to recover, before deciding about this relationship. But I hate to wait. I struggled, prayed for guidance, weighed the pros and cons. The answer was always the same: "Wait. Do nothing yet. The time will come." That wasn't the answer I was looking for. So I ignored it. I forced a "solution" and walked out.
I was immediately consumed with guilt and self doubt. Had I made the worst mistake of my life? I still loved this person so much, and though I was deeply troubled, I wasn't convinced that leaving was the answer. I had to admit that I had acted prematurely. Only with more time was I eventually able to come to a decision that I knew I could live with.
Today's Reminder
When my thinking becomes distorted by trying to force solutions, I probably won't get the results I seek. As the saying goes, "When in doubt, don't."
"Guide me in all I do to remember that waiting is the answer to some of my prayers." As We Understood. . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOPE FOR TODAY
February 6
I have realized since coming into Al-Anon that to have a peaceful existence, I need to be in relationship with the God of my understanding. For me there is a big difference between simply acknowledging the presence of God in my life and truly finding a spiritual connection. Step Eleven suggests I seek this deeper connection through prayer and meditation. When I discipline myself to observe some type of prayer and meditation, my day goes more smoothly and feels richer, more meaningful. No longer half-asleep to the wonders around me, I become aware that each moment fairly vibrates with the possibility of healing and wonderment.
I like to take Step Eleven even further by engaging in a daily running dialogue with my Higher Power, much as I would with my best friend. Sometimes this conversation is silent; sometimes I talk out loud or write in my journal. In any case I bring all of me, uncensored, to the relationship. Rather than being formal, my communication with Him is spontaneous and authentic. I'm just as likely to curse God out of anger, believing He understands my anguish just as an accepting parent would, as to praise Him out of awe and gratitude. I can tell Him that although I don't always like His will, I will defer to it; it just might take me a little while. I can cry my heart out to God, knowing my wordless sobbing somehow creates a prayer of its own. I can also celebrate with Him in joy and playful laughter as I rediscover parts of myself I thought were gone forever.
Thought for the Day
When I invite God into my life through prayer, meditation, and conversation, I open myself to infinite possibilities.
"I have an unlimited source of strength and comfort at my disposal.Today I will take the time to cultivate that spiritual connection."
Courage to Change, p. 327
------------------------------------------------
IN GOD'S CARE
· FEBRUARY 6 ·
Love doesn't grow on the trees like apples in Eden-it's something you have to make.
- Joyce Carey
There probably aren't many of us who feel we're loved enough. The paradox is that looking for love is not the way to find it. Abundant love will find us when we make the decision to attentively and unconditionally give it to all the people God has invited to share our life.
Our primary purpose today is to know and give love. Most of us turned to alcohol and other drugs in part because we felt unloved, unworthy, without purpose. This new life we've been graced with-a life filled with opportunities to experience positive ways of thinking, meaningful endeavors, and a family of loving friends-hasn't come to us accidentally or coincidentally. It has been God's will throughout our life that we know love, and be able to openly and freely offer it to others.
God is the caring guide who will help me know love as a result of my willingness to love.
---------------------------------------------------
DAYS OF HEALING DAYS OF JOY
· FEBRUARY 6 ·
Guilt has very quick ears to an accusation.
- Henry Fielding
A fellow at a meeting told a strange story to make a point about the very human tendency to take on undeserved guilt. The story was about a little trick he liked to play in his office once in a while. It seems he would choose a fellow employee at random, approach him innocently, and whisper, "They know," while looking around furtively. Then he would walk away quickly and watch what happened from a distance.
Inevitably, he said, the recipient of this strange message first looked bewildered and then looked worried. Sometimes the person would start to sweat, the man said, and every time his frantic thoughts became nearly visible on his face: "Oh my God, how much do they know? What will they do about it? Will they tell anyone?" The point was that nearly everybody is vulnerable to shame. Even the innocent have a knee-jerk tendency to conceal and protect. How horrified would we be, he asked, if someone whispered "They know" to us? Would we panic? Or would we be healthy enough to laugh it off since there is nothing anyone else could know that we aren't already dealing with?
Today, I pray for the courage to keep on working through my fear.
--------------------------------------------------------
A LIFE OF MY OWN
FEBRUARY 6
Unpleasant experiences are part of life: The traffic is snarled. or the neighbor's dog is barking again. Maybe the drinker didn't come home last night, or a friend at work seems distant. If, however, we spend our lives counting on everybody and everything living up to our expectations, we'll feel like failures and lose hope for the future.
Before discovering a Twelve Step program many of us didn't know that we had a choice other than hopelessness. We were probably unaccustomed to relying on a spiritual program for help. Conflict or other frustrating and scary situations made us shudder. Life was arduous at best. What a difference having hope has made. Nothing feels overwhelming for long when we remember to use the spiritual solutions found in our program.
I am given only as much as my recovery program and I can handle!
--------------------------------------------------------------
NIGHT LIGHT
· FEBRUARY 6 ·
God give
- Harriet Arnow
Sometimes it's difficult to focus on our Higher Power after a hard day at work, after an argument with a loved one, after the frustrating experience of a flat tire, long bank line, or after any of the other nuisances that are pan of each and every day. "Why me?" we may cry out in frustration. On a day like today, it may be easier to believe that a Power greater than ourselves is out to get us.
But God does not choose sides. We have not been singled out for punishment. God is on our side, if we only choose to open our hearts and believe that.
As we reflect back on the events of the day, we need to remember the times we asked God for help and the times we didn't. And we need to believe first-before we pray tonight-that God is there to help us every minute of every day.
Did I ask my Higher Power for help today, or did I decide to "go it alone'? Which do I choose to do tonight?
~With Peace & Love, dg~ 8*)[/b][/size]
. I will be back looking for Lin and others.