[Daily Reflections] REPAIRING THE DAMAGE (0)
Posted 14 August, 2009 in Daily Reflections
Daily Reflections has posted a new item, ‘REPAIRING THE DAMAGE‘
We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves. If we haven’t the will to do this, we ask until it comes. Remember it was agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76
Making a list of people I had harmed was not a particularly difficult thing to do. They had showed up in my Fourth Step inventory: people towards whom I had resentments, real or imagined, and whom I had hurt by acts of retaliation. For my recovery to be thorough, I believed it was not important for those who had legitimately harmed me to make amends to me. What is important in my relationship with God is that I stand before Him, knowing I have done what I can to repair the damage I have done.
You may view the latest post at
http://www.daily-reflections.com/2009/08/14/repairing-the-damage-3/
You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.
Best regards,
Anonymous
webmaster@daily-reflections.com
[Daily Reflections] A CLEAN SWEEP (0)
Posted 13 August, 2009 in Daily Reflections
Daily Reflections has posted a new item, ‘A CLEAN SWEEP‘
. . . and third, having thus cleared away the debris of the past, we consider how, with our newfound knowledge of ourselves, we may develop the best possible relations with every human being we know.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 77
As I faced the Eighth Step, everything that was required for successful completion of the previous seven Steps came together: courage, honesty, sincerity, willingness and thoroughness. I could not muster the strength required for this task at the beginning, which is why this Step reads “Became willing. . .”
I needed to develop the courage to begin, the honesty to see where I was wrong, a sincere desire to set things right, thoroughness in making a list, and willingness to take the risks required for true humility. With the help of my Higher Power in developing these virtues, I completed this Step and continued to move forward in my quest for spiritual growth.
You may view the latest post at
http://www.daily-reflections.com/2009/08/13/a-clean-sweep-2/
You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.
Best regards,
Anonymous
webmaster@daily-reflections.com
[Daily Reflections] Important Announcement from Daily Reflections (0)
Posted 12 August, 2009 in Daily Reflections
Daily Reflections has posted a new item, ‘Important Announcement from Daily Reflections‘
To better serve our growing membership, we are changing how we will deliver Daily Reflection emails. We ask that for all those who want to continue to receive their Daily Reflections please visit the following URL and signup for the new emails:
http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=daily-reflections&loc=en_US
We will continue to email the Reflections out until August 16th. At that time we will stop sending out emails ourselves and rely on the Feedburner Service to email you.
If you have any questions please let me know.
Anonymous
You may view the latest post at
http://www.daily-reflections.com/2009/08/11/important-announcement-from-daily-reflections/
You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.
Best regards,
Anonymous
webmaster@daily-reflections.com
[Daily Reflections] REMOVING “THE GROUND GLASS” (0)
Posted 11 August, 2009 in Daily Reflections
Daily Reflections has posted a new item, ‘REMOVING “THE GROUND GLASS”‘
The moral inventory is a cool examination of the damages that occurred to us during life and a sincere effort to look at them in a true perspective. This has the effect of taking the ground glass out of us, the emotional substance that still cuts and inhibits. AS BILL SEES IT, p. 140
My Eighth Step list used to drag me into a whirlpool of resentment. After four years of sobriety, I was blocked by denial connected with an ongoing abusive relationship. The argument between fear and pride eased as the words of the Step moved from my head to my heart. For the first time in years I opened my box of paints and poured out an honest rage, an explosion of reds and blacks and yellows. As I looked at the drawing, tears of joy and relief flowed down my cheeks. In my disease, I had given up my art, a self-inflicted punishment far greater than any imposed from outside. In my recovery, I learned that the pain of my defects is the very substance God uses to cleanse my character and to set me free.
You may view the latest post at
http://www.daily-reflections.com/2009/08/11/removing-the-ground-glass-2/
You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.
Best regards,
Anonymous
webmaster@daily-reflections.com
[Daily Reflections] REDOUBLING OUR EFFORTS (0)
Posted 10 August, 2009 in Daily Reflections
Daily Reflections has posted a new item, ‘REDOUBLING OUR EFFORTS‘
To a degree, he has already done this when taking moral inventory, but now the time has come when he ought to redouble his efforts to see how many people he had hurt, and in what ways. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 77
As I continue to grow in sobriety, I become more aware of myself as a person of worth. In the process, I am better able to see others as persons, and with this comes the realization that these were people whom I had hurt in my drinking days. I didn’t just lie, I lied about Tom. I didn’t just cheat, I cheated Joe. What were seemingly impersonal acts, were really personal affronts, because it was people – people of worth – whom I had harmed. I need to do something about the people I have hurt so that I may enjoy a peaceful sobriety.
You may view the latest post at
http://www.daily-reflections.com/2009/08/10/redoubling-our-efforts-2/
You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.
Best regards,
Anonymous
webmaster@daily-reflections.com
[Daily Reflections] “MADE A LIST. . . . “ (0)
Posted 8 August, 2009 in Daily Reflections
Daily Reflections has posted a new item, ‘“MADE A LIST. . . . “‘
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, . . . . TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 77
When I approached the Eighth Step, I wondered how I could list all the things that I have done to other people since there were so many people, and some of them weren’t alive anymore. Some of the hurts I inflicted weren’t bad, but they really bothered me. The main thing to see in this Step was to become willing to do whatever I had to do to make these amends to the best of my ability at that particular time. Where there is a will, there’s a way, so if I want to feel better, I need to unload the guilt feeling I have. A peaceful mind has no room for feeling of guilt. With the help of my Higher Power, if I am honest with myself, I can cleanse my mind of these feelings.
You may view the latest post at
http://www.daily-reflections.com/2009/08/08/made-a-list-2/
You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.
Best regards,
Anonymous
webmaster@daily-reflections.com
[Daily Reflections] A “DESIGN FOR LIVING” (0)
Posted 7 August, 2009 in Daily Reflections
Daily Reflections has posted a new item, ‘A “DESIGN FOR LIVING”‘
We in our turn, sought the same escape with all the desperation of drowning men. What seemed at first a flimsy reed, has proved to be the loving and powerful hand of God. A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, “a design for living” that really works. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS , p. 28
I try each day to raise my heart and hands in thanks to God for showing me a “design for living” that really works through our beautiful Fellowship. But what, exactly, is this “design for living” that “really works”? For me, it is the practice of the Twelve Steps to the best of my ability, the continued awareness of a God who loves me unconditionally, and the hope that, in each new day, there is a purpose for my being. I am truly, truly blessed in the Fellowship.
You may view the latest post at
http://www.daily-reflections.com/2009/08/07/a-design-for-living-2/
You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.
Best regards,
Anonymous
webmaster@daily-reflections.com
[Daily Reflections] DRIVEN (0)
Posted 6 August, 2009 in Daily Reflections
Daily Reflections has posted a new item, ‘DRIVEN‘
Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS , p. 62
My selfishness was the driving force behind my drinking. I drank to celebrate success and I drank to drown my sorrows. Humility is the answer. I learn to turn my will and my life over to the care of God. My sponsor tells me that service keeps me sober. Today I ask myself: Have I sought knowledge of God’s will for me? Have I done service for my A. A. group?
You may view the latest post at
http://www.daily-reflections.com/2009/08/06/driven-2/
You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.
Best regards,
Anonymous
webmaster@daily-reflections.com
[Daily Reflections] LISTENING DEEPLY (0)
Posted 5 August, 2009 in Daily Reflections
Daily Reflections has posted a new item, ‘LISTENING DEEPLY‘
How persistently we claim the right to decide all by ourselves just what we shall think and just how we shall act. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 37
If I accept and act upon the advice of those who have made the program work for themselves, I have a chance to outgrow the limits of the past. Some problems will shrink to nothingness, while others may require patient, well-thought-out action. Listening deeply when others share can develop intuition in handling problems which arise unexpectedly. It is usually best for me to avoid impetuous action. Attending a meeting or calling a fellow A.A. member will usually reduce tension enough to bring relief to a desperate sufferer like me. Sharing problems at meetings with other alcoholics to whom I can relate, or privately with my sponsor, can change aspects of the positions in which I find myself. Character defects are identified and I begin to see how they work against me. When I put my faith in the spiritual power of the program, when I trust others to teach me what I need to do to have a better life, I find that I can trust myself to do what is necessary.
You may view the latest post at
http://www.daily-reflections.com/2009/08/05/listening-deeply-2/
You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.
Best regards,
Anonymous
webmaster@daily-reflections.com
[Daily Reflections] SEEDS OF FAITH (0)
Posted 4 August, 2009 in Daily Reflections
Daily Reflections has posted a new item, ‘SEEDS OF FAITH‘
Faith, to be sure, is necessary, but faith alone can avail nothing. We can have faith, yet keep God out of our lives. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 34
As a child I constantly questioned the existence of God. To a “scientific thinker” like me, no answer could withstand a thorough dissection, until a very patient woman finally said to me, “You must have faith.” With that simple statement, the seeds of my recovery were sown! Today, as I practice my recovery — cutting back the weeds of alcoholism — slowly I am letting those early seeds of faith to grow and bloom. Each day of recovery, of ardent gardening, brings the Higher Power of my understanding more fully into my life. My God has always been with me through faith, but it is my responsibility to have the willingness to accept His presence. I ask God to grant me the willingness to do His will.
You may view the latest post at
http://www.daily-reflections.com/2009/08/04/seeds-of-faith-2/
You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.
Best regards,
Anonymous
webmaster@daily-reflections.com