I’ve spoken many times about living on a type of reward system when actively drinking. I did something good for you regardless of the circumstances and I developed an expectation that, somehow, you owed me. When you were unable to pay off – resentment followed, then, not too far away, alcohol.
Today’s reading from the Daily Reflection is part of the change in thinking which ends that old reward system, replacing it with something much more rewarding.
“The Reward of Giving”
This is indeed the kind of giving that actually demands nothing. He does not expect his brother sufferer to pay him, or …read more

There is a particular writing in our literature that is of life-saving importance to me because it reminds me that the God I understand loves me in spite of me. It’s today’s Daily Reflection;
“Occasionally…. We are seized with a rebellion so sickening that we simply won’t pray. When these things happen we should not think too ill of ourselves. We should simply resume prayer as soon as we can, doing what we know to be good for us.”
From my experience, these moments truly are sickening. Yet knowing they are sickening and then extracting myself from them are two separate stories.
The …read more

I wonder how many of us in this “new era” of recovery through Internet resources are truly willing to accept this tenet?
From today’s Daily Reflection;
“Never since it began has Alcoholics Anonymous been divided by a major controversial issue. Nor has our Fellowship ever publicly taken sides on any question in an embattled world. This, however, has been no earned virtue. It could almost be said that we were born with it. … ‘So long as we don’t argue these matters privately, it’s a cinch we never shall publicly.”
To note quickly – had I not discovered that someone lacking the courage …read more

Today’s Daily Reflection reminds us that there is good even in the worst of us and it can flower and grow. But it grows in the light, not in the dark.
“With the self-discipline and insight gained from practicing Step Ten, I begin to know the gratifications of sobriety – not as mere abstinence from alcohol, but as recovery in every department of my life.
I renew hope, regenerate faith, and regain the dignity of self-respect. I discover the word ‘and’ in the phrase ‘and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.’
Reassured that I am no longer always wrong, I learn to …read more

The old me is doomed to live in perpetuity in the minds of those I loved who will never let go…
It’s sad – and real. And?
From today’s Daily Reflections;
“My alcoholic thinking led me to believe that I could control my drinking, but I couldn’t. When I came to AA, I realized that God was speaking to me through my group. My mind was open just enough to know that I needed His help. A real, honest acceptance of AA took more time, but with it came humility. I know how insane I was, and I am extremely grateful to have …read more

From today’s Daily Reflection;
“Someone who knew what he was talking about once remarked that pain was the touchstone of all spiritual progress. How heartily we A.A.’s can agree with him…”
And I ought to be a spiritual giant based on that
“When on the roller coaster of emotional turmoil, I remember that growth is often painful.”
Makes me about 7′ 4″ lol…
“If I am to have serenity, I must STEP my way past emotional turmoil and its subsequent hangover, and be grateful for continuing spiritual progress.”
There’s another one I can attest to – emotional hangovers. There’s a BIG hint in that …read more

From page 88 in the 12&12;
“Can we stay sober, keep in emotional balance, and live to good purpose under all conditions?”
I.E., when reality jumps up and says “hello” will we be grounded well enough in The Twelve Steps where we can call on our tools to help us go through whatever it is that life has to offer us, good or bad?
From today’s Daily Reflection;
“I have found that pain lets me know there is something wrong with my emotions, just as physical pain lets me know there is something wrong with my body. When I take appropriate action through the …read more

From today’s Daily Reflection;
“It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe.”
Patient, permanent, progressive and fatal. That’s alcoholism…
A must to remember is that I have lost the power of choice in drinking alcohol and it isn’t returning!
“Relief from pain is provided in the solutions contained in A.A.’s Twelve Steps.”
Thank God!
“But when I am feeling good and things are going well, I can become complacent.”
And this idle mind can be the devil’s playground, for sure.
“A daily inventory will tell …read more

It seemed my brothers and I always felt different. Especially after working diligently to prepare our lists to Santa each year, waiting with eager anticipation until Christmas, only to be discouraged and disappointed one more time.
Second best – at most! Sometimes Third or lower…
Eventually you lose the energy to make a list finding yourself staring at the “wishbook” forlornly having no faith whatsoever that any wish or desire would be fulfilled.
From today’s Daily Reflections;
“Material values ruled my life for many years during my active alcoholism. I believed that all of my possessions would make me happy, yet I still felt …read more

From today’s Daily Reflection;
“Made direct amends to such people wherever possible”
This reflection speaks of not being able to make amends to those folks who were casual acquaintances. People who passed through our lives briefly or barely. Like those neighbors I used to live near who no doubt heard my late night yelling…
“The only amends I can make to those untraceable individuals, the only ‘changes for the better’ I can offer, are indirect amends made to other people, whose paths briefly cross mine. Courtesy and kindness, regularly practiced, help me to live in emotional balance, at peace with myself.”
Just a personal …read more