Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Today's Gift
When we were lost in our excesses, we were limited in our relationships. The history of our friendships and loves may be evidence of that. Many of us had a primary relationship with a substance or an addictive behavior, and people had only second place. Many of us were so lost in our codependency that our relationships were two-dimensional. We didn't know how to be there with our whole selves. In recovery our ability to relate to others charges slowly. We learn how to love like everyone else learned - only we are learning a little later.
We have to be willing to be vulnerable. We also must be willing to be accountable - willing to say to our loved ones, "You can count on me to never leave without saying good bye." "You can count on me to be respectful of you." "You can count on me to tell you how I feel, even when it hurts." As we mature, with the help of the Steps, we also grow in our relationships with others.
Excerpt of The Daily Motivator
Give and receive
To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness. --Confucius
Some of us were raised to decline generosity - to argue over who pays the restaurant bill, not to accept money for helping someone out, not to accept food or drink at someone's home. Some of these beliefs have strong cultural ties. Others are just a fear of imposing. We don't want to be a bother.
Generosity is a two-way street. It's just as important for someone to be generous as it is to accept the offerings. Most of us like to be generous. When we're being genuine, from the heart, with no strings attached, being generous makes us feel good -- it makes us feel great. We have no reason to deny others that feeling (unless, of course, there are strings attached). In fact, our own generosity is probably just coming back to us.
Today I will allow others the opportunity to be generous.
From the book Letting Go of Debt ©
From: Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation - Thought for the Day http://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/recovery/thought-for-the-day
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Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Keep It Simple
[A relationship] takes time and deeds, and this involves trust, it involves making ourselves naked, to become sitting ducks for each other. --Eldridge Cleaver
[A relationship] takes time and deeds, and this involves trust, it involves making ourselves naked, to become sitting ducks for each other. --Eldridge Cleaver
When we were lost in our excesses, we were limited in our relationships. The history of our friendships and loves may be evidence of that. Many of us had a primary relationship with a substance or an addictive behavior, and people had only second place. Many of us were so lost in our codependency that our relationships were two-dimensional. We didn't know how to be there with our whole selves. In recovery our ability to relate to others charges slowly. We learn how to love like everyone else learned - only we are learning a little later.
We have to be willing to be vulnerable. We also must be willing to be accountable - willing to say to our loved ones, "You can count on me to never leave without saying good bye." "You can count on me to be respectful of you." "You can count on me to tell you how I feel, even when it hurts." As we mature, with the help of the Steps, we also grow in our relationships with others.
Action for the Day: Today, I will be true to my relationships.
From: Bluidkiti's Alcohol and Drug Addictions Recovery Help/Support Forums Daily Recovery Readings - http://www.bluidkiti.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2
Spiritual Principles
"Quite as important was the discovery that spiritual principles would solve all my problems.
I have since been brought into a way of living infinitely more satisfying and, I hope,
more useful than the life I lived before. My old manner of life was by no means a bad one,
but I would not exchange its best moments for the worst I have now.
I would not go back to it even if I could."
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 22
Thought to Ponder
The solution is simple. The solution is spiritual.
AA-related 'Alconym'
S O B E R = Spiritually On Beam; Everything's Right
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One Day At A Time
Spiritual Principles
"Quite as important was the discovery that spiritual principles would solve all my problems.
I have since been brought into a way of living infinitely more satisfying and, I hope,
more useful than the life I lived before. My old manner of life was by no means a bad one,
but I would not exchange its best moments for the worst I have now.
I would not go back to it even if I could."
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 22
Thought to Ponder
The solution is simple. The solution is spiritual.
AA-related 'Alconym'
S O B E R = Spiritually On Beam; Everything's Right
From: AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net)
Excerpt of The Daily Motivator
Give and receive
by Ralph Marston
Give a little kindness, and receive friendship in return. Give an extra effort, and receive even more value in return.
Give an honest answer, and receive trust in return. Give a smile, and receive joy in return.
Give with real meaning, and receive fulfillment in return. Give thanks, and receive true abundance in return.
Give your full attention, and receive a positive experience in return. Give your knowledge, and learn something in return.
Give what you treasure most, and receive much more of it in return. Give what you can, and receive the best of who you are.
Give of yourself. And receive a life of richness in return.
Give a little kindness, and receive friendship in return. Give an extra effort, and receive even more value in return.
Give an honest answer, and receive trust in return. Give a smile, and receive joy in return.
Give with real meaning, and receive fulfillment in return. Give thanks, and receive true abundance in return.
Give your full attention, and receive a positive experience in return. Give your knowledge, and learn something in return.
Give what you treasure most, and receive much more of it in return. Give what you can, and receive the best of who you are.
Give of yourself. And receive a life of richness in return.
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