A lady recently joined NA and was asked by a coworker, "What it was like to be a clean addict?"
She replied, "It's like being a pumpkin. Your Higher Power picks you from the patch, washes all of the dirt off that you may have gotten from the other pumpkins. Then He cuts the top off and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
October 31, 2006
October 29, 2006
Transform Your Life with Gratitude
"Gratitude can be a powerfully transformative practice...Practicing gratitude can actually improve our emotional and physical well-being...Here are daily practices anyone can try.
1. See the giver behind the gift...
2. Ask yourself three questions every day... 'What have I received today? What have I given? What trouble have I caused?'...'As we become aware that we've received so much more than we've given, not only does that cultivate gratitude, it also cultivates often a sense of wanting to give something back to the world.'
3. Practice even when you don't feel like it. 'One of the mistakes people often make in our culture is thinking you have to feel grateful to practice gratitude...You can practice anytime'...
4. Make thank-you your mantra...
5. Create a simple family ritual. 'In our family, every evening when we have dinner, we say our thank you's...I's not a formal prayer of any kind, but just what we're grateful for in the moment, and that's all. It brings us back, it's a touchstone to the miracles of life that we may have been overlooking.'
6. Bow to life. 'I do three bows in the morning...The first bow is to my self as part of the universe. The second bow is to my family, children, and friends to acknowledge and appreciate them. The third is bowing to the universal life force and what is. Doing this helps me let go of controlling, and instead open to the flow of life...'
Read more in this article from Beliefnet.com.
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
1. See the giver behind the gift...
2. Ask yourself three questions every day... 'What have I received today? What have I given? What trouble have I caused?'...'As we become aware that we've received so much more than we've given, not only does that cultivate gratitude, it also cultivates often a sense of wanting to give something back to the world.'
3. Practice even when you don't feel like it. 'One of the mistakes people often make in our culture is thinking you have to feel grateful to practice gratitude...You can practice anytime'...
4. Make thank-you your mantra...
5. Create a simple family ritual. 'In our family, every evening when we have dinner, we say our thank you's...I's not a formal prayer of any kind, but just what we're grateful for in the moment, and that's all. It brings us back, it's a touchstone to the miracles of life that we may have been overlooking.'
6. Bow to life. 'I do three bows in the morning...The first bow is to my self as part of the universe. The second bow is to my family, children, and friends to acknowledge and appreciate them. The third is bowing to the universal life force and what is. Doing this helps me let go of controlling, and instead open to the flow of life...'
Read more in this article from Beliefnet.com.
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
October 28, 2006
Fear: False Evidence Appearing Real
One of humanity's biggest fears is losing what we have. It is healthy when fear of loss helps us take steps to protect what we have worked hard to attain, but it is unhealthy to continue to fear something we can do nothing about.
We need to remember that focusing our energy on fear can actually create what scares us, and holding tightly to what we have keeps us from participating in the universal flow of abundance and instead creates stagnation. Since we can only really control our thoughts and our responses, gaining proper perspective may be key to conquering such fears.
The letters of the word "fear" can be used to stand for "False Evidence Appearing Real." Fears of being separated from something or someone we feel we need for our security or happiness comes from a delusion-a distorted way of understanding ourselves and the world around us. When we understand that possessions are only representations of the energy at work in our lives, we can shift our attention to the right and proper place.
We can stop fearing loss of money or success because when we understand how it is created, we can always create more. We can stop fearing loss of possessions when we realize that they are not the source of our joy or well-being but only icing on our cakes. And when we understand the energy of love, we need not hold anyone too close for fear of losing them for we know that love does not diminish when it is given or shared but expands beyond boundaries of time or space.
By focusing our light on our fears, they are revealed as mere shadows that disappear in the presence of mind and spirit. We can choose instead to direct our thoughts and creative power toward things of true value-love, abundance, peace, passion, and joy. These are energies that are always available to us when we place ourselves confidently in the universal flow of abundance.
From DailyOM - Nurturing Mind Body & Spirit.
We need to remember that focusing our energy on fear can actually create what scares us, and holding tightly to what we have keeps us from participating in the universal flow of abundance and instead creates stagnation. Since we can only really control our thoughts and our responses, gaining proper perspective may be key to conquering such fears.
The letters of the word "fear" can be used to stand for "False Evidence Appearing Real." Fears of being separated from something or someone we feel we need for our security or happiness comes from a delusion-a distorted way of understanding ourselves and the world around us. When we understand that possessions are only representations of the energy at work in our lives, we can shift our attention to the right and proper place.
We can stop fearing loss of money or success because when we understand how it is created, we can always create more. We can stop fearing loss of possessions when we realize that they are not the source of our joy or well-being but only icing on our cakes. And when we understand the energy of love, we need not hold anyone too close for fear of losing them for we know that love does not diminish when it is given or shared but expands beyond boundaries of time or space.
By focusing our light on our fears, they are revealed as mere shadows that disappear in the presence of mind and spirit. We can choose instead to direct our thoughts and creative power toward things of true value-love, abundance, peace, passion, and joy. These are energies that are always available to us when we place ourselves confidently in the universal flow of abundance.
From DailyOM - Nurturing Mind Body & Spirit.
Alcohol Abuse Screening Quiz
Answering these 20 questionswill give you an idea if your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. The test is completely confidential and anonymous; your results are not recorded; and are available only to you. You will not be asked for any personal identifying information.
Giving Gives Health Benefits
"It would seem fairly intuitive that helping others would make you feel good, but what about actual health benefits? Recent studies have shown that volunteering can play a role in increasing your overall sense of well-being, alleviating chronic pain, and even reducing depression."
Read more in this Beliefnet.com article
Read more in this Beliefnet.com article
The Circus is Still in Town
My perception of any situation is in my control -- I have a choice about which way my mind will react. I try my best to look for positive solutions; I take my problems to my sponsor or I let my friends at a meeting know what is going on inside me. . .
I must always remember, however, that "the monkey may be off my back, but the circus has not left town" -- and it never will for this alcoholic.
The AA Grapevine, November 2006, p. 25
Thought to Ponder . . .
Sobriety is a choice and a treasure.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
P A C E = Positive Attitudes Change Everything.
AA Thought for the Day from AAOnline.net
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
I must always remember, however, that "the monkey may be off my back, but the circus has not left town" -- and it never will for this alcoholic.
The AA Grapevine, November 2006, p. 25
Thought to Ponder . . .
Sobriety is a choice and a treasure.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
P A C E = Positive Attitudes Change Everything.
AA Thought for the Day from AAOnline.net
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
October 24, 2006
An Apache Blessing
May the sun bring you new energy by day,
May the moon softly restore you by night,
May the rain wash away your worries,
May the breeze blow new strength into your being.
From www.gratefulness.org WORD FOR THE DAY
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
May the moon softly restore you by night,
May the rain wash away your worries,
May the breeze blow new strength into your being.
From www.gratefulness.org WORD FOR THE DAY
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
I am Responsible
"We are not responsible for our disease, only for our recovery. As we begin to apply what we have learned, our lives begin to change for the better" Basic Text, p.88
The further we go in recovery, the less we avoid responsibility for ourselves and our actions. By applying the principles of the Narcotics Anonymous program, we are able to change our lives. Our existence takes on new meaning as we accept responsibility and the freedom of choice responsibility implies. We do not take recovery for granted.
We take responsibility for our recovery by working the Twelve Steps with a sponsor. We go to meetings regularly and share with the newcomer what was freely given to us: the gift of recovery. We become involved with our home group and accept responsibility for our part in sharing recovery with the still- suffering addict. As we learn how to effectively practice spiritual principles in all areas of our lives, the
quality of our lives improves.
Just for today:
Using the spiritual tools I've gained in recovery, I am willing and able to make responsible choices.
Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©1991 by World Service Office Inc.
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
The further we go in recovery, the less we avoid responsibility for ourselves and our actions. By applying the principles of the Narcotics Anonymous program, we are able to change our lives. Our existence takes on new meaning as we accept responsibility and the freedom of choice responsibility implies. We do not take recovery for granted.
We take responsibility for our recovery by working the Twelve Steps with a sponsor. We go to meetings regularly and share with the newcomer what was freely given to us: the gift of recovery. We become involved with our home group and accept responsibility for our part in sharing recovery with the still- suffering addict. As we learn how to effectively practice spiritual principles in all areas of our lives, the
quality of our lives improves.
Just for today:
Using the spiritual tools I've gained in recovery, I am willing and able to make responsible choices.
Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©1991 by World Service Office Inc.
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
October 23, 2006
Fear of Losing Control
"The master addiction is control.
It is not lack of courage that keeps us from moving forward, as most people think; it is the fear of losing control.
The Spiritual Warrior can overcome addictions by surrendering control and confronting inner enemies by embracing them like ones own children who are misguided and looking for loving discipline from the one who has control.
By being the master of acceptance, cooperation, understanding, empathy and enthusiasm."
John-Roger
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
It is not lack of courage that keeps us from moving forward, as most people think; it is the fear of losing control.
The Spiritual Warrior can overcome addictions by surrendering control and confronting inner enemies by embracing them like ones own children who are misguided and looking for loving discipline from the one who has control.
By being the master of acceptance, cooperation, understanding, empathy and enthusiasm."
John-Roger
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
October 22, 2006
Humility is the Foundation
"The attainment of greater humility is the foundation principle of each of AA's Twelve Steps. For without some degree of humility, no alcoholic can stay sober at all.
Nearly all AA's have found, too, that unless they develop much more of this precious quality than may be required just for sobriety, they still haven't much chance of becoming truly happy.
Without it, they cannot live to much useful purpose, or, in adversity, be able to summon the faith that can meet any emergency."
c.1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 70
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
Nearly all AA's have found, too, that unless they develop much more of this precious quality than may be required just for sobriety, they still haven't much chance of becoming truly happy.
Without it, they cannot live to much useful purpose, or, in adversity, be able to summon the faith that can meet any emergency."
c.1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 70
Technorati Tags: addiction, alcoholism, recovery, 12-step
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