Mindfulness practice — a profound method for engaging life’s unpleasant moments — is a powerful tool for removing obstacles and rediscovering happiness in relationships. Mindfulness involves both awareness and acceptance of present experience. Some psychologists…talk about radical acceptance — radical meaning “root” — to emphasize our deep, innate capacity to embrace both negative […]
Filed under: Mindfulness, Buddhism on July 31st, 2007 | No Comments »
God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. (12 Steps and 12 Traditions, p. 125)
The power of this prayer is overwhelming in that its simple beauty parallels the A.A. Fellowship. There are times when I bet […]
Filed under: Daily Reflections, Prayer on July 31st, 2007 | No Comments »
…he has struck something better than gold…He may not see at once that he has barely scratched a limitless lode which will pay dividends only if he mines it for the rest of his life and insists on giving away the entire product. (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 129)
My part of the Seventh Tradition means so much […]
Filed under: Daily Reflections on July 30th, 2007 | No Comments »
As active alcoholics we were always looking for a handout in one way or another. (The Twelve Traditions Illustrated, p. 14)
The challenge of the Seventh Tradition is a personal challenge, reminding me to share and give of myself. Before sobriety the only thing I ever supported was my habit of drinking. Now my efforts are […]
Filed under: Daily Reflections, Traditions on July 29th, 2007 | No Comments »
Let us resist the proud assumption that since God has enabled us to do well in one area we are destined to be a channel of saving grace for everybody. (A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 232)
A.A. groups exist to help alcoholics achieve sobriety. Large or small, firmly established or brand-new, speaker, discussion or study group […]
Filed under: Daily Reflections on July 28th, 2007 | No Comments »
We will make every personal sacrifice necessary to insure the unity of Alcoholics Anonymous. We will do this because we have learned to love God and one another. (A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 234)
To be self-supporting through my own contributions was never a strong characteristic during my days as a practicing alcoholic. The giving of […]
Filed under: Daily Reflections on July 27th, 2007 | No Comments »
Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 160)
When I go shopping I look at the prices and if I need what I see, I buy it and pay. Now that I am supposed to be in rehabilitation, I have to straighten out my life. When […]
Filed under: Daily Reflections, Finances on July 26th, 2007 | No Comments »
For us, if we neglect those who are still sick, there is unremitting danger to our own lives and sanity. (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 151)
I know the torment of drinking compulsively to quiet my nerves and my fears. I also know the pain of white-knuckled sobriety. Today, I do not forget the unknown […]
Filed under: Daily Reflections, 12th Step on July 25th, 2007 | No Comments »
Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs. (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 20)
Self-centeredness was my problem. All my life people had been doing things for me and I not only expected it, but I was ungrateful and resentful they didn’t do more. Why […]
Filed under: Selfishness on July 24th, 2007 | No Comments »
This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing […]
Filed under: Mindfulness, Love on July 23rd, 2007 | No Comments »