If anything is sacred, the human body is sacred. —Walt Whitman
A renewed relationship with our bodies is part of our spiritual renewal. Perhaps we have not known our bodies as part of our spiritual selves. We may have treated ourselves and others as objects. Too often genitals were "tools" to be used, objects of our egos, or a way of taking care of someone else. Maybe we have used sex compulsively as an escape from other emotions. Men in recovery commonly encounter problems with sexuality. Those problems often come from knowing deep within that we must change, but not knowing how.
It helps to create new images in our minds. We can imagine a totally relaxed playfulness with our partners, with no goal in mind and no judgment. We can imagine our Higher Power being with us. We can imagine talking in detail with someone - our partner or a friend - about our feelings, anxieties, or frustrations with sex. We can imagine ourselves as a whole body; alone, not with a partner, and okay Bringing sexuality into the whole of our lives is a spiritual thing to do.
May I find ways to include sexuality in my spiritual awakening.
From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men©
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Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Keep It Simple
On occasion I realize it's easier to say the serenity prayer and take that leap of faith than it is to continue doing what I'm doing. --S.H.
The pain of change is a reality. But so is the pain of no change--when change is called for. In spite of our desires, changing others will never be an option, whereas changing ourselves takes only a decision and is a choice always available.
We can take an inventory for a moment. What are we presently doing that makes us ashamed or angry or fearful? We can let go of that behavior and responsibly choose a new tack. If strength is needed, or confidence to try a new behavior, we can simply ask that it be ours. The Third Step promises that our lives are in our Higher Power's care and our needs are always being attended to--not always our wants, but in every instance our needs.
Most of our struggles, today as in the past, are attached to persons and situations we are trying to forcibly control. How righteous our attitudes generally are! And so imposing is our behavior that we are met with resistance, painful resistance. Our recourse is now and always to "accept those things we cannot change, and willingly change that which we can." Our personal struggles will end when we are fully committed to the Serenity Prayer.
Action for the Day: The wisdom "to know the difference" is mine today.
Lifetime Learning
Following the principles laid out in the Big Book
has not always been comfortable, nor will I claim perfection.
I have yet to find a place in the Big Book that says,
"Now you have completed the Steps; have a nice life."
The program is a plan for a lifetime of daily living.
There have been occasions when the temptation to slack off has won.
I view each of these as learning opportunities.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 317
Thought to Ponder . . .
The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
O D A A T = One Day At A Time
Be a better you
No matter what the future brings, it will always bring you the opportunity to make a positive difference. No matter what may happen, you can always respond with integrity and positive purpose.
You can apply the very best of your wisdom and experience to the situations in which you have influence. And you can adjust and adapt to those situations over which you have little or no control.
There’s no point in worrying about the future, because your worry will not cause anything positive to happen. Instead, focus on making good and valuable use of the time you have right now, to grow stronger, more capable, more knowledgeable and experienced.
Position yourself so you can find and bring to life the positive value that exists in every situation. Prepare yourself to successfully move forward even in the face of challenge, frustration and uncertainty.
The way to assure a better future is to be a better you, right here and right now. The strength you build within your own life is a powerful tool you can use to create prosperity and fulfillment in any environment.
Every moment is an opportunity to add to that strength by living with love, gratitude, authenticity and positive purpose. Do what it takes to be a better you right now, and build a better world in the days, months and years to come.
— Ralph Marston
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