Chris F. (clean 11/7/91)My best friend and sponsee's
Has been undergoing Chemo the past few days
He hasn't been feeling good because of the side effects.
I have made copies of the emails you have sent,
and this has picked up his spirits tremendously.
PLEASE send an email to Chris at my address
IT WOULD REALLY PICK UP HIS SPIRITS
and I will bring it to him in the hospital.
You can even send him a recovery greeting card
<http://open-mind.org/Serenity/>
Can you please say a prayer for him.
Thanks for your support.
Thank you ~ Scott ~ YOUnME.nHP@...

May 9
Today I am letting a power greater than myself
remove all my fear.
I am now free to look within for my answers.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy" www.spirithaven.com
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@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AFTER THE FOG CLEARS

When the time comes that
we want to make things all right,

we have a choice to be made
that would take all of our might.

The mysty cloud of fog which
had undoubtedly covered our minds,
make all the more reason to
try a simpler life to live and it
is very easy to find.

After the fog has time to clear,
all that we suggest for you is to keep an open mind
and heart throughout, and listen to what you hear.

The suggestions which we give
make it so much easier for you to
have a better and healthier life to be lived.

After you have done all the fancy researching that
had gotten you back to where you had stopped,
just be aware to know that you don't have to remain down
the bottom of that despaired life again
you have a way to move up on top.

Written By: Maryserp
Maryserp@...
Copywright: April 26, 2003

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Using is a career/ Learning to
Listen<http://www.recoveryjonescartoons.com/comicoftheweek.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 9 Write about it!

"We sit down with a notebook, ask for guidance, pick up our pen,
and start writing."Basic Text, p. 29

When we're confused or in pain, our sponsor sometimes tells us to
"write about it." Though we may groan as we drag out the notebook,
we know that it will help. By laying it all out on paper, we give
ourselves the chance to sort through what's bothering us. We know
we can get to the bottom of our confusion and find out what's really
causing our pain when we put the pen to the paper.
Writing can be rewarding, especially when working through the
steps. Many members maintain a daily journal. Simply thinking about
the steps, pondering their meaning, and analyzing their effect is not
sufficient for most of us. There's something about the physical action
of writing that helps to fix the principles of recovery in our minds and
hearts.
The rewards we find through the simple action of writing are many.
Clarity of thought, keys to locked places inside of us, and the voice of
conscience are but a few. Writing helps us be more honest with
ourselves. We sit down, quiet our thoughts, and listen to our hearts.
What we hear in the stillness are the truths that we put down on paper.

Just for today: One of the ways I can search for truth in recovery is
to write. I will write about my recovery today.pg. 135

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
"Letting Down the Mask"
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/thought_for_the_day.dbm>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AN INSIDE LOOK

We want to find exactly how, when, and where our natural desires have
warped us. We wish to look squarely at the unhappiness this has caused
others and ourselves. By discovering what our emotional deformities are,
we can move toward their correction.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 43

Today I am no longer a slave to alcohol, yet in so many ways enslavement
still threatens-my self, my desires, even my dreams. Yet without dreams I
cannot exist; without dreams there is nothing to keep me moving forward.
I must look inside myself, to free myself I must call upon God's power to
face the person I've feared the most, the true me, the person God created
me to be. Unless I can or until I do, I will always be running, and never
be truly free. I ask God daily to show me such a freedom!
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 9th

A.A. Thought for the Day

We alcoholics used so little self-control when we were
drinking, we were so absolutely selfish, that it does us
good to give up something once in a while. Using self-
discipline and denying ourselves a few things is good
for us. At first, giving up liquor is a big enough job for
all of us, even with God's help. But later on, we can practice
self-discipline in other ways to keep a firm grip on our
minds so that we don't start any wishful thinking. If we
daydream too much, we'll be in danger of slipping. Am
I practicing enough self-discipline?

Meditation for the Day

In material things, you must rely on your own wisdom and
that of others. In spiritual things, you cannot rely so much
on your own wisdom as on God's guidance. In dealing with
personalities, it is a mistake to step out too much m your
own. You must try to be guided by God in all human
relationships. You cannot accomplish much of value in dealing
with people until God knows you are ready. You alone do not
have the power or wisdom to put things right between people.
You must rely on God to help you in these vital matters.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may rely on God in dealing with people's
problems. I pray that I may try to follow His guidance
in all personal relationships.



"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Don't Avoid The Void

I was sitting at dinner with a group of friends
in a restaurant one evening.
Everyone but one person was done eating.
Feet were shuffling under the table.
We were ready to go.
One member of the group, an older woman, was picking at her meal.
She had ordered dessert, but hadn't eaten it yet.
Instead, she slowly sipped her coffee.

"I don't eat my dessert until I've finished coffee," she said,
when the waiter asked if he could take her plate.

All eyes at the table watched as she took a tiny sip,
placed the cup down, and chattered, telling stories and jokes,
making meaningless conversation.
We watched eagerly as she started to pick her fork up to
take a bite of dessert, then sighed quietly as she changed her mind,
set the fork down, and began to tell another story.

She was alone, widowed, and her children lived in another state.
It was obvious that she was trying to stretch dinner out with a friend
as long as she could.
She was trying to fill up that empty, silent place we call the void.

There's a lot of talk in life and in this book about
doing, achieving, and going for what we want.
There's much spurring on to activity that shouts,
"Yes, I'm alive. And I'm fully and richly living my life the best I can."

In all this busyness and living, there needs to be
mindfulness and careful attention paid to another part of life, too.
That part is the repetitive and natural cycle that some people call "the
void."
It's an empty space in our lives.

The void can be a small space in our lives-lasting a few days or weeks.
Or it can go on longer.
That relationship has ended. We're alone.
We don't know what to do next.
Or that cycle in our lives has ended-maybe we've graduated from school
or college, and we don't know where to go next.
Maybe our time as a parent has ended.
Maybe someone we loved, a roommate or best friend,
who was an important part of our lives has moved away.

Don't be afraid of the void.
Postpone it for a while, if you must.
Linger at dinner with friends, refusing to finish your dessert.
As dark, cold, and empty as it feels, the void is a friendly place.
It's rhythms are slower and often more confusing than other cycles in
our lives, but the rhythms of this cycle are still there.

Remember those quiet times in your life,
the ones you've gone through before,
when one cycle has ended and another has not yet begun.
Remind yourself when that void comes along that you don't have
to be frightened of it.
It's not the end.
It's only a creative and necessary pause, a cycle of its own, in the cycles
and rhythms of life.

God, give me the courage to step into the void in my life
with dignity, faith, and a sense of humor.
Help cherish the unknown as much as I enjoy activity and clarity.
Melody Beattie

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Roses and Thorns
<http://www.geocities.com/Loriflower/Loriflower/thorn.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Comfort For Those Who Mourn
by Marianist Mission


So many people see in death nothing but a cruel separation
from loved ones. Even good and religious people make that
sad mistake.

In death there is certainly the very real pain and sorrow
of physical separation. But it is equally true that our loved
ones remain with us. They do not just go off to some dark
and distant place. They simply continue into eternal life.
We do not see them because we are still in the darkness
of this world. But their spiritual eyes, filled with the light
of heaven, are always watching us as they wait for the day
when we shall share their perfect joy. We are born for
heaven and we end this life of tears to begin our life of
endless happiness.

I have often reflected upon this beautiful truth and found
it the greatest and surest comfort in time of mourning. A
firm faith in the real and continual presence of our loved
ones has brought the conviction and consolation that death
has not destroyed them, nor carried them away. Rather it
has given them life! A life with power to know fully and to
love perfectly. With this new life and new power our loved
ones are always present to us, knowing and loving us more
than ever before. The tears that dampen our eyes in times
of mourning are tears of homesickness, tears of longing for
our loved ones. But it is we who are away from home, not they!
Death has been for them a doorway to an eternal home. They
are still with us, lovingly and tenderly waiting for the day when
we, too, will enter the doorway of our eternal home. It is such
a mistake to see death as separation and nothing more. For
us who believe, death is a preparation for eternal union with
those we love, in the peace and joy of heaven.
Our sincere thanks to the Marianist Mission for offering
"Comfort For Those Who Mourn" as our featured Guest
Column. They can be reached at 1-800-348-4732 or at the
following address:

Marianist Mission
Mount Saint John
4435 East Patterson Road
Dayton, Ohio 45481-0001

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My Wish

This morn I am asked to make a Wish
Not just any wish
but a deep delving into the shy parts of my heart
to see what is trying to hide there
to see what I am afraid to admit that I truly wish for

A wish is so enigmatic, isn't it?
As I say to you, Make a Wish!
what myriad images flash forth to tease your mind?
what comforting moments do you envision in your private space?
Wishes, you know, reveal so much more than we'd like to admit
sometimes
they keep parts of us alive, parts that we don't want to show
too much or too often
they serve the purpose of preserving segments of our true selves
they keep the important genuine authentic elements thriving
even when life has shot us down a notch or two
what we wish for will reveal who we still are
deep delving down

Making a wish also reveals our true opinion of our self
do I love myself enough to wish for something big bold and beautiful?
do I still hold on to the past by wishing for someone who rejects me?
do I want the juiciest parts of the best that love/life has to offer?

This morning, Make a Wish...
and mine is
wishing you all
you wish for

Love
Stella

© 2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...
{Printed with Permission}
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

12 Signs of a Spiritual Awakening

1. An increased tendency to let things happen rather
than make them happen.
2. Frequent attacks of smiling.
3. Feelings of being connected with others and nature.
4. Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
5. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than
from fears based on past experience.
6. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
7. A loss of ability to worry.
8. A loss of interest in conflict.
9. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
10. A loss of interest in judging others.
11. A loss of interest in judging self.
12. Gaining the ability to love without expecting anything in return.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Convergence

Isn't it amazing and miraculous when you begin to sense
the beginning of something special coming for you
And more often than not, you don't even know
what or who it is that you're destined to meet
It's almost as if you were being tantalized by a force
which may or may not reason or think as we do
So we tend to remain off-guard and somewhat leery
about this thing or person which is coming for us
Sometimes it's a very dramatic or even traumatic happening
while other times it's so subtle that we hardly notice it at all
And in retrospect it may be something that challenges us
to the core of our being or it may invite us to open a new door
But it is my belief that these times are very important and critical
to our progress towards understanding what we need to learn
And I wonder if we should not consider that it is more important
to look forward and accept what we need rather than what we want
And regardless of how obvious or elusive the evidence may be
their tidings for us are meant to assist us in our spiritual growth
So, perhaps since we were given the ability to feel their approach
it would be prudent and wise for us to become even more aware
And I would suggest that fear or avoidance would be poor instruments
to employ at these times of significant evolution for our souls
For each step that we take towards true spiritual awakening
should be a wondrous and glorious event for each of us
Even though while we are experiencing and going through it
we may not be able to completely comprehend why it's happening
Therefore, open your heart and soul and rejoice in its coming
and embrace and accept its teachings for you with compassion

dennis j hopkins
mrseven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
What men and women need is encouragement. . .
Instead of always harping on a man's faults,
tell him of his virtues. Try to pull him out
of his rut of bad habits.
Eleanor H. Porter
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The difficulties we experience
always illuminate the lessons we need most.
-- Unknown
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If you are patient in one moment of anger,
you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.
-- Chinese Proverb
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The grateful person doesn't measure service by the hour,
because the grateful person is always in a state of giving.
It begins with awareness.
We respond lovingly to a child asking for our help.
We give a friend a word of encouragement,
or do an act of kindness for a stranger.
And the greatest beneficiary of our caring is we.
It is our own hearts that expand.
--Mary Manin Morrissey
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The truth will set you free,
but first it will kick your ass.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I can lie to you well,
I lie to me perfectly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My disease speaks to me in a voice of my own.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Reaching out is the beginning of the struggle
that will set you free.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


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
ones: Please keep passing this along to online recovery friends
"We can only keep what we have by giving it away." Anyone can subscribe
to this free daily e-zine by sending an Email message to:
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in the subject line.
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To unsubscribe to to this list send an Email message to:
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write unsubsribe in the subject line or go to the website and unsubscribe
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/ >

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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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