January 3
Today my body guides me to refocus and God
heals me deep within as I again become strong and free.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel "Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
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The Pit

An addict fell into a pit and couldn't get himself out.

A SUBJECTIVE person came along and said:
"I feel for you, down there."

An OBJECTIVE person came along and said:
"It's logical that someone would fall down there."

A PHARISEE said:
"Only bad people fall into a pit."

A MATHEMATICIAN calculated
how he fell into the pit.

A NEWS REPORTER wanted
the exclusive story on his pit.

A FUNDAMENTALIST said:
"You deserve your pit."

An I.R.S. man asked
if he was paying taxes on the pit.

A SELF-PITYING person said:
"You haven't seen anything until you've seen MY PIT!"

A CHARISMATIC said:
"Just confess that you're not in a pit."

An OPTIMIST said:
"Things could be worse."

A PESSIMIST said:
"Things will get worse!"

A recovering addict saw him in the pit and jumped in with him,
The addict asked,"Why would you jump in the pit with me?"
The recovering addict replied,"Because someone jumped in the pit with me
and showed me these 12 steps and how to get out"
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If anyone has any original recovery poetry that they
would like to share with us please copy and paste it into the body
of an email and send it to me, Thanks for your support and contributions.
What I can't do alone, We do together.
In loving service, Scott ~ YOUnME.nHP@...
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Big Book Search Engine
<http://www.healingresource.org/book.cgi?Display_Welcome>
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Just For Today
January 3 Our Greatest Need

"We eventually redefine our beliefs and understanding to the point where
we see that our greatest need is for knowledge of God's will for us and
the strength to carry that out" Basic Text p. 46

When we first arrived in NA, we had all kinds of ideas of what we needed.
Some of us set our sights on amassing personal possessions. We thought
recovery equaled outward success. But recovery does not equal success
Today, we believe that our greatest need is for spiritual guidance and
strength.
The greatest damage done to us by our addiction was the damage done to our
spirituality. Our primary motivation was dictated by our disease: to get,
to use, and to find ways and means to get more. Enslaved by our
overwhelming need for drugs, our lives lacked purpose and connection. We
were spiritually bankrupt.
Sooner or later, we realize that our greatest need in recovery is "for
knowledge of God's will for us and the strength to carry that out:' There,
we find the direction and sense of purpose our addiction had hidden from
us. In our God's will we find freedom from self-will. No longer driven
only by our own needs, we are free to live with others on an equal
footing.
There's nothing wrong with outward success. But without the spiritual
connection offered by the NA program, our greatest need in recovery goes
unmet, regardless of how "successful" we may be.

Just for today: I will seek the fulfillment of my greatest need: a vital,
guiding connection with the God of my understanding.
Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.

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If you are enjoying this daily recovery email,
Please pass on 12 Step Soul Food For The Spirit to your online friends,
"We can only keep what we have by giving it away."
If you have received this as a forward
and would like to subscribe please email
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)
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The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am going to begin this New Year by taking my inventory
to see if there is anything that is no longer working
for me that I choose to let go of"
PLEASE note the NEW URL
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This a message bulletin board meeting, where people post on the
weekly topic. It takes only 1 minute to enter a password and
username. Please go this page on the upper right hand corner and click
the join club link, sign in and go to the left hand side and click
messages to read what others have shared and click on the post link,
now you can share on the topic of the week or whatever you would like.
There is a lot of good experience, strength and hope in here as well
as newcomers who need our support and love, PLEASE stop by.
Thanks for your participation and support :)
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CARRYING THE MESSAGE

Now, what about the rest of the Twelfth Step? The wonderful energy it
releases and the eager action by which it carries our message to the next
suffering alcoholic and which finally translates the Twelve Steps into
action upon all our affairs is the payoff, the magnificent reality, of
Alcoholics Anonymous.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, P- 109

To renounce the alcoholic world is not to abandon it, but to act upon
principles I have come to love and cherish, and to restore in others who
still suffer the serenity I have come to know. When I am truly committed
to this purpose, it matters little what clothes I wear or how I make a
living. My task is to carry the message, and to lead by example, not
design.
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

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Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ January 3rd

A.A. Thought for the Day

When I came into A.A., I learned what an alcoholic
was and then I applied this knowledge to myself to
see if I was an alcoholic. When I was convinced that
I was an alcoholic, I admitted it openly. Since then,
have I been learning to live accordingly? Have I
read the book Alcoholics Anonymous? Have I
applied the knowledge gained to myself Have I
admitted openly that I am an alcoholic? Am I ready
to admit it at any time when I can be of help?

Meditation for the Day

I will be renewed. I will be remade. In this, I need
God's help. His spirit shall flow through me and, in
flowing through me, it shall sweep away all the bitter
past. I will take heart. The way will open for me.
Each day will unfold something good, as long as I am
trying to live the way I believe God wants me to live.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be taught, just as a child would be
taught. I pray that I may never question God's plans,
but accept them gladly.

"Twenty-Four Hours A Day" is a © Copyrighted book of
Hazelden Foundation. No portion of this publication may
be reproduced in any manner without the written
permission of Hazelden.

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Lessons

People say everything happens for a reason and
God has a Plan for it all. I believe things do happen for a reason.
And God does have a Plan. But if we don't learn the lesson from
the circumstance and let ourselves completely heal from it --
whether it is the past or today -- the things that happen for a
reason will just keep happening over and over again. And we'll
end up on a talk show talking about what keeps happening to us
and wondering why.
With the millennium, time is of the essence. Everything's
being magnified. Events can easily feel bigger than life.
This is so we'll look at things, see things, feel things,
correct our path, do what we need to do because everything
we do helps shape the universe and affects everyone around us.
----Melody Beattie, PLAYING IT BY HEART, pp. 244-245.

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*Wise Hearts! Weaving Small Wisdoms Through The Fabric of Life
<http://www.mnsi.net/~tmcphers/index.htm>
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I see in my mind a little ball of golden light
I watch this light as it begins to grow larger and larger,
until now it covers the entire inner vision of my mind
I see within this light a beautiful temple
I see a garden that surrounds the temple and a body of water
that flows through the garden
I see that the inside of the temple is lit by this
same beautiful golden light, and I am here
For I have been drawn here by the power
and in the Presence of God
I dedicate my days and my relationships and
experiences to You
May Your Spirit, which is within me, so guide
my thoughts, my feelings and my perceptions of all things
That I might grow into a happier, more peaceful,
more loving human being
Illumine my mind, illumine my life

Amen

From Marianne Williamson's ILLUMINATA
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Our God Is A Awesome God!

I know you're tired. I know you feel overwhelmed. You may
feel as though this crisis, this problem, this hard time will last forever.
It won't. You are almost through.
You don't just "think" it has been hard; it has been hard. You have
been tested, tried, and re-tested on what you have learned.
Your beliefs and your faith have been tried in fire. You have believed,
then doubted, then, worked at believing some more. You have had to have
faith even when you could not see or imagine what you were asked to
believe. Others around you may have tried to convince you not to believe
in what you were hoping you could believe. You have had opposition. You
have not gotten to this place with total support and joy. You have had to
work hard, in spite of what was happening around you. Sometimes, what
motivated you was anger; sometimes fear.
Things went wrong....more problems occurred than you anticipated.
There were obstacles, frustrations, and annoyances en route. You did
not plan on this being the way it would evolve. Much of this has been a
surprise; some of it has not been at all what you desired.
Yet, it has been good. part of you, the deepest part that knows truth,
has sensed this all along, even when your head told you that things were
out of whack and crazy, that there was no plan or purpose, that God had
forgotten you.
So much has happened, and each incident....the most painful, the most
troubling, the most surprising....has a connection. You are beginning to see
and sense that. You never dreamt things would happen this way, did you?
But they did. Now you are learning the secret....they were meant to
happen this way, and this way is good, better than what you expected.
You didn't believe it would take this long, either...did you? But it did.
You have learned patience. You never thought you could have it, but now
you know you do.
You have been led. Many were the moments when you thought you were
forgotten, when you were convinced you had been abandoned. Now you
know you have been guided. Now things are coming into place. You are
almost at the end of this phase, this difficult portion of the journey.
The lesson is almost complete. You know....the lesson, you fought, resisted,
and insisted you could not learn. Yes, that one. You have almost mastered
it.
You have been changed from the inside out. You have been moved to a
different level, a higher level, a better level.
You have been climbing a mountain. It has not been easy, but mountain
climbing is never easy. Now, you are near the top. A moment longer, and
the victory shall be yours.
Steady your shoulders. Breathe deeply. Move forward in confidence and
peace. The time is coming to relish and enjoy all which you have fought for.
That time is drawing near, finally.
I know you have thought before that the time was drawing near, only
to learn that it wasn't. But now, the reward is coming. You know that too.
You can feel it.
Your struggle has not been in vain. For every struggle on this journey,
there is a climax, a resolution.
Peace, joy, abundant blessings, and reward are yours here on earth.
Enjoy!
There will be more mountains, but now you know how to climb them. And you
have learned the secret of what is at the top......abundant life! Freedom!
Everything that your heart has desired. It will all come to pass.
Remember to keep climbing to the top, don't look back. You will make
it because God is leading the way and has a hold on you that will never
release. He will make sure that you have success. You will make it. Don't
give up! And remember, I love you, but God loves you so much more than
I ever could.

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Hopelessly Drunk

I was a hopeless drunk
My whole life was sunk
I drank from morning until late at night
Most folks who knew me
Knew I was not right
I held a job
That supplied my money
My life was really shot
So far from funny
Hopelessly
Drunk
From
Day
To
Day
I had nothing left
That I could sell that day
I owed everyone
I had to pay
An
Pay
Low living
At a high cost
I lived a life
That truly
Was lost
I had
No direction
In which to go
No idea how to let go
The day came when my life
Came tumbling down
I had no friends
Who would
Come around
On the streets
With no where to go
I shivered at night under the bridge
I cried out to God oh please help me today
About that time a man came walking my way
He smiled as he offered me the hand of AA
Today I am free by the grace of God
My life is getting better
Nothing is to hard
I owe it to God
For His helping hand
Recovery is one life
Today I truly
Understand

Daniel M Corkery
7/17/2001
PAPACORK@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
<http://www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer/>
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We cannot have lived this long without having known some
tragedy. None of us is immune from crime, fire, accidents,
death. After the shock, terror and initial grief, we are often
driven back against ourselves. We ask, why me?
Or, why not me? Do I want to continue to live now? Do I
have the strength to carry on for even one more day?
Tragedy can bring out our authentic concern for one another.
Reaching out and accepting care and comfort can see us
through times that would otherwise be unbearable.
Living through a tragic event unmasks us, strips us of pretense.
This is who we are, this is what we have. It can get us in touch
with our deepest selves and regenerate our humanity. Tragedy
links us one to another, if we let it.
We can trust that our life experience has prepared us to survive.
Today, let me trust the wisdom of tragedy

from the book, Seasons of the Spirit
by Salley Coleman and Maria Porter copyright 1994

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Some flowers grow best in the sun;
others do well in the shade.
God plants us where we grow best.
-- Unknown
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Forgiveness is a funny thing.
It warms the heart and cools the sting.
Those who cannot forgive others
break the bridge over which they themselves must pass.
Confucius (551 - 479 B.C.) Chinese philosopher
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"You were born with potential.
You were born with goodness and truth.
You were born with ideals and dreams.
You were born with greatness.
You were born with wings.
You're not meant for crawling, so don't.
You have wings.
Learn to use them and fly."
by Rumi
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No one on the planet will ever have
exactly the mix of the people in their lives that you do.
No one else has the assignment to touch those particular people with love.
You have been given a divine purpose that no one else can fulfill.
We can do a hundred other things but if we don't do this one thing,
at the end, it will be as if we have done nothing at all.
--Mary Manin Morrissey
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"When you've got one foot in yesterday,
and the other in tomorrow,
all you can do is piss on today."
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"You can't direct the wind,
but you can adjust the sails."
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"An expectation is a premeditated resentment."
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"Work to become rather than acquire."
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 64 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium,
Bermuda, Brazil, Canada , Columbia, Costa Rica, China , Cyprus, Denmark,
Egypt, England, Finland, France, Guatemala, Germany, Greece, Honduras,
Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast,
Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Mali West Africa, Mozambique,
Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru,
Puerto Rico, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States of
America, Venezuela, Wales and West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me and let me know where you are from.
Thank you, Have a nice day , Keep Stepping ~ Scott
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
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12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit does not endorse any of the advertisements
that may appear in this daily mailing. Advertising is the price that we pay
for a free list server that yahoo groups provides.
Putting together these Daily Recovery Emails has been such a blessing
for me, Thanks for your support and contributions, "What I can't do
alone we can do together." If you have any original poetry or
submissions that you would like to send to me you can email me at
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
"12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit" is intended to give readers , inspiring
and thoughtful messages. To help fulfill our primary purpose which is to
carry the message to the alcoholic/addict who still suffers. A spiritual
adventure, a journey inwards this has a vision of opening and touching,
each and everyone, with the Loving Power and Presence of the Spirit within."
We invite you to share the writings by forwarding today's message to
others. Share "12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit" with friends and loved
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Stay in the light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
(\o/\o/) we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
/_\/_\ and can only fly by embracing each other /_\/_\

YOUnME.nHP@...
please visit me at:
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>




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