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#1571

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Tue Mar 1, 2005 2:28 pm
Subject: 3/1/05 "A Letter To My Son" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

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Step 3
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2002/step03c.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 3rd step
Or if you haven’t done the 3rd step share on
Willingness, faith and surrender....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
March 1
Today I will feel good about myself
and accept myself just the way I am.
I am open and ready to discover
all the miracles of this day.
Written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I have some poetry that my mother wrote in her sobriety
and would like to share with you to share with others.
She died in 1999, her sobriety date was 8-7-75
(I sobered up 8-5-81, we got to share this program.
Her name is Fiji Bogle.

Fiji wrote a letter to my brother who killed himself in
November of 81, it may help those who think they can
keep coming back, this was truly a lesson in this is a
program who want it, not for people who need it as
I sobered up in August of 81. Mary Y.

A Letter To My Son

Terry, I understood how you felt but I didn't get to share.
It was hard for you to listen because you thought I didn't care.
I have wanted to make this amend so many times before.
But each time I tried, you always cut me off, so I wasn't sure.
Then when you died from alcoholism, the killer disease, my chance
was gone to personally say, "Forgive me, please."
Forgive me son for not being the mother I should have been.
This is no excuse, but it was the best I could do back then.
It's very hard to say these things even though your not here.
I always seemed to pick on "you" out of anger and fear.
I wanted you to be perfect, because you reminded me of your dad.
Today I know that wasn't true, it was all the defects I had.
It was me I didn't like, so I abused and took it out on you.
You were so much like me, very defiant and crying for attention too.
I really didn't know this until I came to A.A. and started to grow.
I'd discuss you in meetings, they told me if you love him, let him go.
That was hard for me to do because I know what's best.
I did start listen, so I just loved you and let God do the rest.
That's why I kept saying I can't help you everytime you would call.
They said to let you hit bottom, so I let go to let you have your fall.
I certainly didn't have any idea it would happen this way.
It probably would have happened no matter what I had to say.
I have been told by many to not let your death to go in vain.
To share it with others, so some insight they may gain.
To show them how deadly drugs and booze can really be.
It has nothing to do with weakness or will power, it's a deadly disease.
So you see my son, you are doing some good and helping others today.
Though the day you expired you probably couldn't see it that way.
Terry, I do love you and I wanted you to have this way of life.
It didn't happen, and I'm still not the best, but I do try to strive.
I do have the program to help overcome what happened to you.
If I don't work these steps, the same thing will happen to me too.
That's the reason I write this even after your death, to you,
I owe an amend
and this is the only way for me to bring all my guilt to an end.
I know God forgives me and I forgive me too, it's the only way.
I love you and I know if you were living, that's what you would say.
I know you are at peace now and that you hurt no more.
I am at ease myself because your with God, of that I'm sure.

Love you, Mom

If you would like to put it in your 12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit
daily e-mails, I would be honored for her.

Mary Y.
mly@...
8-5-81
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Gift of Acceptance
<http://www.higherawareness.com/acceptance.shtml>

Letter to Anyone In A.A.
<http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/default/en_main.cfm?mainid=7>

Who, What, How and Why?
<http://www.na.org/ips/eng/IP1.htm>

What is Al-Anon?
<http://www.al-anon.org/about.html>

About Nar-Anon
<http://nar-anon.org/aboutnaranon.htm>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today

March 1                                Anxiety attack?

"The Power that brought us to this program is still with us and will
continue to guide us if we allow it."     Basic Text, p. 26

Ever had a panic attack? Everywhere we turn, life's demands
overwhelm us. We're paralyzed, and we don't know what to do about it.
How do we break an anxiety attack?

First, we stop. We can't deal with everything at once, so we stop for a
moment to let things settle. Then we take a "spot inventory" of the
things that are bothering us. We examine each item, asking ourselves
this question: "How important is it, really?" In most cases, we'll find
that most of our fears and concerns don't need our immediate attention.
We can put those aside, and focus on the issues that really need to be
resolved right away. Then we stop again and ask ourselves, "Who's in
control here, anyway?" This helps remind us that our Higher Power is in
control. We seek our Higher Power's will for the situation, whatever it
is. We can do this in any number of ways: through prayer, talks with our
sponsor or NA friends, or by attending a meeting and asking others to
share their experience. When our Higher Power's will becomes clear to
us, we pray for the ability to carry it out. Finally, we take action.

Anxiety attacks need not paralyze us. We can utilize the resources of
the NA program to deal with anything that comes our way.

Just for today: My Higher Power has not brought me all this way in
recovery only to abandon me! When anxiety strikes, I will take specific
steps to seek God's continuing care and guidance.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 3rd step
Or if you haven’t done the 3rd step share on
Willingness, faith and surrender....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/March.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I'M NOT DIFFERENT

In the beginning, it was four whole years before A.A. brought permanent
sobriety to even one alcoholic woman. Like the "high bottoms, " the women
said they were different; . . . The Skid-Rower said he was different
. . . so did the artists and the professional people, the rich, the
poor, the religious, the agnostic, the Indians and the Eskimos, the
veterans, and the prisoners. . . . nowadays all of these, and legions
more, soberly talk about how very much alike all of us alcoholics are when
we admit that the chips are finally down.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 24

I cannot consider myself "different" in A.A.; if I do I isolate myself from
others and from contact with my Higher Power. If I feel isolated in A.A.,
it is not something for which others are responsible. It is something I've
created by feeling I'm "different" in some way. Today I practice being
just another alcoholic in the worldwide Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ March 1st

A.A. Thought for the Day

When I find myself thinking about taking a drink,
I say to myself. "Don't reach out and take that
problem back. You've given it to God and there's
nothing you can do about it." So I forget about
the drink. One of the most important parts of
the A.A. program is to give our drink problem to
God honestly and fully and never to reach out and
take the problem back to ourselves. If we let God
have it and keep it for good and then cooperate
with Him, we'll stay sober. Have I determined not
to take the drink problem back to myself?

Meditation for the Day

Constant effort is necessary if I am to grow
spiritually and develop my spiritual life. I must
keep the spiritual rules persistently, perseveringly,
lovingly, patiently, and hopefully. By keeping them,
every mountain of difficulty shall be laid low, the
rough places of poverty of spirit shall be made
smooth, and all who know me shall know that God
is the Lord of all my ways. To get close to the spirit
of God is to find life and healing and strength.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that God's spirit may be everything to my soul.
I pray that God's spirit may grow within me.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Speak the Language of Letting Go

Sometimes in our lives, we can let go in an instant.
We recognize that we're dwelling on or obsessing
about a particular situation, and we just let go.
We drop it.
Or we run into someone who has a problem,
and we instinctively adapt a hands-off-posture,
knowing that it's not our responsibility
to take care of other people.
We say what we need to say,
and we almost automatically let go
and focus on taking care of ourselves.

Other times, it's not as easy.
We may be entangled in a situation
that feels utterly impossible to let go of.
We get enmeshed with a problem,
or a person, that seems to compel us to hang on
more tightly when letting go is the key.

We know we shouldn't be obsessing,
but we can't seem to stop.

One day, many years ago, back in Stillwater, Minnesota,
my son was hugging me tightly.
He didn't want to let go.
I started tipping over. I lost my balance.
"Shane," Nichole scolded,
"there comes a time to let go."
Sometimes letting go happens in stages.
Sometimes it means becoming more aware.
Sometimes it involves going deeply into the feelings
hidden underneath our behavior.
Learning to let go may involve gaining
more confidence and self-esteem.
Sometimes it means simply practicing gratitude
for the way things are.

Be gentle with yourself and others as you
learn to practice the language of letting go.
Sometimes, no matter how much we know,
letting go takes time.

God, help me remember that letting go is a powerful behavior,
one that can change my life and impact the lives of others.
Help me be patient with others and myself
as letting go becomes a way of life.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Uh-Oh, Robert Fulghum's
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/robful/part4.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/robful/part5.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/robful/part6.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
HOW TO CHANGE
by Louise L. Hay

"I cross bridges with joy and with ease."

I love "how to's." All the theory in the world is useless unless we know how
to apply it and make a change. I have always been a very pragmatic,
practical person with a great need to know how to do things.

The principles we will be working with at this time are:

a.. Nurturing the willingness to let go

b.. Controlling the mind, and

c.. Learning how forgiveness of self and others releases us.

Releasing the Need
Sometimes when we try to release a pattern, the whole situation seems to get
worse for a while. This is not a bad thing. It is a sign that the situation
is beginning to move. Our affirmations are working, and we need to keep
going.

Examples:

a.. We are working on increasing prosperity, and we lose our wallet.

b.. We are working on improving our relationships, and we have a fight.

c.. We are working on becoming healthy, and we catch a cold.

d.. We are working on expressing our creative talents and abilities, and
we get fired.

Sometimes the problem moves in a different direction, and we begin to see
and understand more. For example, let's assume you are trying to give up
smoking and you are saying, "I am willing to release the need for
cigarettes."

As you continue to do this, you notice your relationships becoming more
uncomfortable. Don't despair, this is a sign of the process working.

You might ask yourself a series of questions like: Am I willing to give up
uncomfortable relationships? Were my cigarettes creating a smoke screen so I
wouldn't see how uncomfortable these relationships are? Why am I creating
these relationships?

You notice the cigarettes are only a symptom and not a cause. Now you are
developing insight and understanding that will set you free.

You begin to say, "I am willing to release the need for uncomfortable
relationships."

Then you notice the reason you're so uncomfortable is that other people
always seem to be criticizing you.

Being aware that we always create all of our experiences, you now begin to
say, "I am willing to release the need to be criticized."

You then think about criticism, and you realize that as a child you received
a lot of criticism. That little kid inside of you only feels at home when it
is being criticized. Your way of hiding from this had been to create a
"smoke screen".

Perhaps you see the next step as affirming, "I am willing to forgive..."

As you continue to do your affirmations, you may find that cigarettes no
longer attract you, and the people in your life no longer criticize you.
Then you know you have released your need.

This usually takes a little while to work out. If you are gently persistent
and are willing to give yourself a few quiet moments each day to reflect on
your process of change, you will get the answers. The Intelligence within
you is the same Intelligence that created this entire planet. Trust your
Inner Guidance to reveal to you whatever it is you need to know.

Exercise: Releasing the Need
In a workshop situation, I would have you do this exercise with a partner.
However, you can do it equally as well using a mirror, a big one, if
possible.

Think for a moment about something in your life you want to change. Go to
the mirror and look into your eyes and say out loud, "I now realize that I
have created this condition, and I am now willing to release the pattern in
my consciousness that is responsible for this condition." Say it several
times, with feeling.

If you were with a partner, I would have your partner tell you if he
really thought you meant it. I would want you to convince your partner. Ask
yourself if you really mean it. Convince yourself in the mirror that this
time you are ready to step out of the bondage of the past.

At this point many people get scared because they don't know HOW to do
this releasing. They are afraid to commit themselves until they know all the
answers. It's only more resistance. Just pass through it. One of the great
things is that we do not have to know how. All we need is to be willing. The
Universal Intelligence or your subconscious mind will figure out the hows.
Every thought you think and every word you speak is being responded to, and
the point of power is in this moment. The thoughts you are thinking and the
words you are declaring at this moment are creating your future.

Your Mind Is a Tool
You are much more than your mind. You may think that your mind is running
the show, but that is only because you have trained your mind to think in
this way. You can also untrain and retrain this tool of yours.

Your mind is a tool for you to use in any way you wish. The way you now use
your mind is only a habit, and habits, any habits, can be changed if we want
to do so, or even if we only know it is possible to do so.

Quiet the chatter of your mind for a moment, and really think about this
concept: YOUR MIND IS A TOOL YOU CAN CHOOSE TO USE ANY WAY YOU WISH.

The thoughts you "choose" to think create the experiences you have. If you
believe that it is hard or difficult to change a habit or a thought, then
your choice of this thought will make it true for you. If you would choose
to think, "It is becoming easier for me to make changes", then your choice
of this thought will make that true for you.

Controlling the Mind
There is an incredible power and intelligence within you that is constantly
responding to your thoughts and words. As you learn to control your mind by
the conscious choice of thoughts, you align yourself with this power.

Do not think that your mind is in control. You are in control of your mind.
You use your mind. You can stop thinking those old thoughts.

When your old thinking tries to come back and say, "It's so hard to change,"
take mental control. Say to your mind, "I now choose to believe it is
becoming easier for me to make changes." You may have to have this
conversation with your mind several times for it to acknowledge that you are
in control and that what you say goes.

The Only Thing You Ever Have Any Control of Is Your Current Thought
Your old thoughts are gone; there is nothing you can do about them except
live out the experiences they caused. Your current thought, the one you are
thinking right now, is totally under your control.

Example:
If you have a little child who has been allowed to stay up as late as she
wishes for a long time, and then you make a decision that you now want this
child to go to bed at 8:00 every night, what do you think the first night
will be like?

The child will rebel against this new rule and may kick and scream and do
her best to stay out of bed. If you relent at this time, the child wins and
will try to control you forever.

However, if you calmly stick to your decision and firmly insist that this is
the new bedtime, the rebellion will lessen. In two or three nights, the new
routine will be established.

It is the same thing with your mind. Of course it will rebel at first. It
does not want to be retrained. But you are in control, and if you stay
focused and firm, in a very short time the new way of thinking will be
established. And you will feel so good to realize that you are not a
helpless victim of your own thoughts, but rather a master of your own mind.

Exercise: Letting Go
As you read this, take a deep breath, and as you exhale, allow all the
tension to leave your body. Let your scalp and your forehead and your face
relax. Your head does not need to be tense in order for you to read. Let
your tongue and your throat and your shoulders relax. You can hold a book
with relaxed arms and hands. Do that now. Let your back and your abdomen and
your pelvis relax. Let your breathing be at peace as you relax your legs and
feet.

Is there a big change in your body since you began the previous paragraph?
Notice how much you hold on. If you are doing it with your body, then you
are doing it with your mind.

In this relaxed, comfortable position, say to yourself, "I am willing to
let go. I release. I let go. I release all tension. I release all fear. I
release all anger. I release all guilt. I release all sadness. I let go of
all old limitations. I let go, and I am at peace. I am at peace with myself.
I am at peace with the process of life. I am safe."

Go over this exercise two or three times. Feel the ease of letting go.
Repeat it whenever you feel thoughts of difficulty coming up. It takes a
little practice for the routine to become a part of you.

When you put yourself into this peaceful state first, it becomes easy for
your affirmations to take hold. You become open and receptive to them. There
is no need to struggle or stress or strain. Just relax and think the
appropriate thoughts. Yes, it is this easy.

Physical Releasing
Sometimes we need to experience a physical letting go. Experiences and
emotions can get locked in the body. Screaming in the car with all the
windows rolled up can be very releasing if we have been stifling our verbal
expression. Beating the bed or kicking pillows is a harmless way to release
pent-up anger, as is playing tennis or running.

Awhile ago, I had a pain in my shoulder for a day or two. I tried to ignore
it, but it wouldn't go away. Finally, I sat down and asked myself, "What is
happening here? What am I feeling?"

I realized, "It feels like burning. Burning... burning... that means anger.
What are you angry about?"

I couldn't think of what I was angry about, so I said, "Well, let's see if
we can find out." I put two large pillows on the bed and began to hit them
with a lot of energy.

After about twelve hits, I realized exactly what I was angry about. It was
so clear. So I beat the pillows even harder and made some noise and released
the emotions from my body. When I got through, I felt much better, and the
next day my shoulder was fine.

About The Author:
Excerpted with permission from You Can Heal Your Life, ©1999 by Louise L.
Hay, metaphysical teacher and bestselling author of over 20 books including
"Heal Your Body" and "Empowering Women". Her works have been translated into
25 different languages in 33 countries. Published by Hay House, P.O. Box
5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018. 800-654-5126. Visit their website at
www.hayhouse.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Defining Grace

  "How do you define God's Grace? Can you even describe
it adequately so that I can understand your understanding of
it? It is not a very easy thing to do. And you have to wonder
why that is. When I think of God's Grace, what comes to
my mind is the scripture quote that starts off like this...
'God so loved the world that He gave...." God so loved the
world that He gave... that He gave... that He gave me my life.
That He gave me the breath that fills my lungs. That He gave
me my rising up this morning. That He gave me all the events
of this day. That He gave me the love and support of friends
and family. That He gave me everything I am and everything
I have and everyone in my life. That He gave and gave and
gave unendingly to me and still does. And why? Because He
expects me to return the favor? Because He wants me in His
debt? Because it's His ace in the hole? No, He gave just
because ~ just because He loves me, and for no other reason.
God's Grace looks like this to me ~ the unending givingness
of my Lord who loves me just because I am.

You know, I am reminded of the movie, The Best There Is.
In the most memorable scene for me, Jack Nicholson tells
Helen Hunt, "You make me want to be a better man." I can
never forget that line. The romantic in me, of course, just
hooks into the beauty of a man saying that a woman, just by
virtue of who she is, makes him want to be a better man. And
I like to use it as a metaphor for God's Grace here. God, just
by virtue of His presence in my life, makes me want to be a
better person. That is what effect God's Grace has on me.
And so it is!"

(Copyright 2001)
~ Virginia Santoro ~
Virginia write a wonderful daily inspirational email, it is something
that I look forward to each day, to subscribe send an email to
MorningMusings@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Welcome To The Fellowship

Welcome to the fellowship
Here take this chair
When you walked through our doors
We'll show you that we care
We will love you
Until you can love yourself
Put the plug in the jug
Keep the drugs on the shelf
All you need is a desire to stop
That's all it takes
To join our way
We'll share our program
Show you how to live in today
You will never again be lonely
Unless you choose
As long as you don't pick up
You'll never lose
We will teach you
How to work the steps
One by one
We will teach you
That in sobriety
You can have fun
Surrender to win
Is a good place to begin
First you have to clean up the past
In here no one is first
And no one is last
We have a way that is simple
But not easy you see
Rest assured we'll teach you
How to live free
In here we know
How you feel inside
Because we have been
Where your at
But no longer hide
Welcome to the fellowship
Of pure love
This program was given to us
By God above
Have some coffee
Sit right down
We are so happy
That you have come around
We'll show you how we
Make our way
Then you can be blessed
Yourself
As you give it away
Welcome to the fellowship

Daniel M Corkery
1/6/2001
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
<http://www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I treat myself with unconditional love.
I feel my heart opening, and
I know that there is room in there for me."
Louise L. Hay
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
  "If you ever expect to be loved, you must reveal who you are."
Leo Buscaglia
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It's like God is saying, 'I place before you a day.
Create with it what you will out of your mind.
It is my gift to you.'
Alan Cohen
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Directions to NA:
Just go straight to hell and make a U-turn
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
NA is the only place where you can walk into a room full of strangers and reminisce.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I just want to be one of the few,
who reach out to the many who need it.
Mark Kostew
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I put my hand in yours and
what I can't do alone,
we can do together.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We may not have it all together,
but together we can have it all.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In these meetings,
there are no strangers,
only friends we haven't met.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If you don't stand for something,
you will fall for anything.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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"
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada , Columbia, Costa Rica, China ,
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Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1570

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:00 am
Subject: 2/28/05 "The Friendly Face" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

I am headed to New Orleans through Thursday
So I am sending the e-mail out early.

Step 2
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2002/step02c.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?
How do I Find a Way In and NOT Looking for A Way Out ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 28
I am at choice today.
I accept the responsibility of my life
with a new sense of maturity,
confidence, and even excitement.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Friendly Face

I used to be so empty
trying to fill this giant hole
with every thing that I could find
through it, I lost my soul.
But nothing ever seemed to work
no madness that I tried.
finally, I hit desperate knees
raised my head and cried.
"Help me please, somebody!
lead me from this place."
I felt a hand upon my shoulder
looked up into a friendly face.
The hand reached down,
pulled me to my feet
took me to a meeting
and helped me find a seat.
I sat listening intently
to everything they shared
and, looking at their faces
I could tell they really cared.
slowly days and weeks went by
and I kept coming back
to see if this was really real
or just another act.
Finally, I surrendered.
I gave up my life of drugs.
switched my addiction to recovery
and caring friends and hugs.
The emptiness inside of me
hasn't completely gone away
I still can feel its presence
when i forget to pray.
or when I start in acting out
the way I used to do
instead of following spiritual principles
which, to me are still quite new.
But more and more I fill that hole
with this program's shining light.
And thank God for sending that friendly face
to comfort me that night.

With love johnh
johnh94@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My Miracle
.<http://www.ftmagic.com/miracle.html>

Wisdom Flash
<http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFlist.cfm>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today

February 28                                  The greatest gift

"We examine our actions, reactions, and motives. We often find that
we've been doing better than we've been feeling."   Basic Text, p. 93

When we begin coming to meetings, we hear other addicts talking about
the gifts they have received as a result of this program, things we never
thought of as "gifts" before. One such "gift" is the renewed ability to
feel the emotions we had deadened for so long with drugs. It's not
difficult to think of love, joy, and happiness as gifts, even if it's been
a long time since we've felt them. But what about "bad" feelings like
anger, sadness, fear, and loneliness? Such emotions can't be seen as
gifts, we tell ourselves. After all, how can we be thankful for things we
want to run from?!

We can become grateful for these emotions in our lives if we place them
in their proper perspective. We need to remember that we've come to
believe in a loving Higher Power, and we've asked that Power to care for
us-and our Higher Power doesn't make mistakes. The feelings we're
given, "good" or "bad;' are given to us for a reason. With this in mind, we
come to realize that there are no "bad" feelings, only lessons to be
learned. Our faith and our Higher Power's care give us the courage we
need to face whatever feelings may come up on a daily basis.

As we heard early in recovery, "Your Higher Power won't give you more
than you can handle in just one day:' And the ability to feel our emotions
is one of the greatest gifts of recovery.

Just for today: I will try to welcome my feelings, firm in the belief
that I have the courage to face whatever emotions may come up in
my life.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?
How do I Find a Way In and NOT Looking for A Way Out ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
OUR PATHS ARE OUR OWN

. . . there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of
spiritual tools laid at our feet.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 25

My first attempt at the Steps was one of obligation and necessity, which
resulted in a deep feeling of discouragement in the face of all those
adverbs: courageously; completely; humbly; directly; and only. I
considered Bill W. fortunate to have gone through such a major, even
sensational, spiritual experience. I had to discover, as time went on,
that my path was my own. After a few twenty-four hours in the A.A.
Fellowship, thanks especially to the sharing of members in the meetings, I
understood that everyone gradually finds his or her own pace in moving
through the Steps. Through progressive means, I try to live according to
these suggested principles. As a result of these Steps, I can say today
that my attitude towards life, people, and towards anything having to do
with God, has been transformed and improved.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ February 28th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Getting sober was a long and painful journey, but
we can truthfully say it was worth it. We know
now that all we've been through led us to A.A. and
was part of our spiritual journey. We found in A.A.
what we had been vainly seeking in the bottle.
We've learned that our journey goes on as we
continue to deal with our shortcomings and the
human problems everybody must face. And when
we reach a crossroads or a roadblock, we know
that our Higher Power will come to our aid in
making the right choices and surmounting all
obstacles. Do I turn to my Higher Power to sustain
me as I continue the spiritual journey that brought
me to A.A.?

Meditation for the Day

As I continue on my spiritual journey, I will seek
and follow Divine Guidance and know there is always
a but my own pride and place with God. I need
not strain or struggle to obtain that which God
wants me to have. My only responsibility is to accept
God's guidance and follow the highest principles
in all my affairs.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I'll continue to seek guidance as my
spiritual journey continues today. I pray to trust
that I am always doing the right thing and am in
the right place when my Higher Power is leading me.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Stopping Victimization

Before recovery, many of us lacked a frame
of reference with which to name the victimization
and abuse in our life.
We may have thought it was normal
that people mistreated us.

We need to let go, on a deep level,
of our need to be victimized and to victims.
We need to let go of our needs to be in dysfunctional
relationships, and systems at work, in love,
in family relationships, in friendships.
We deserve better. We deserve much better.
It is our right.
When we believe in our right to happiness,
we will have happiness.

We will fight for the right, and the fight will emerge
from our soul.
Break free from oppression and victimization.

Today. I will liberate myself by letting go of
my need to be a victim, and I'll explore my freedom
to take care of myself. That liberation will not take
my further away from people I love. It will bring me
closer to people and more in harmony with
God's plan for me life.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
All I Really Need to Know I Leaned in Kindergarten, Robert Fulghum's
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/robful/part1.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/robful/part2.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/robful/part3.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Freedom of Choice
by Randi B. Noyes

Many people convince themselves that they "have to" know so much, do so
much, and be capable of so much. Seeing life as a series of "have to's" can
be destructive. In reality, we don't have to do anything. On the contrary,
we choose to do everything. If, in fact, you were governed by "have to's,"
you would be renouncing all responsibility for your life. Taking full
responsibility for your existence on Earth gives you the key to recognizing
your freedom of choice.

Of course, consequences follow from our decisions, and become apparent as we
actively make choices. If we decide not to choose, there will be
consequences nonetheless. Taking a step back from our lives lets us see that
what we are, and where we are, results from the choices, conscious or not,
that we've made along the way. That's why it's so important to try to be
mindful of our choices. Take a moment now to give yourself the freedom to
choose, and then think about how it would feel to be without it. What are
your choices?

At the point where emotions interact with thought -- where a good mood leads
you to think positively -- you can expect emotional intelligence to arise.
You need to tap this emotional intelligence to make better choices, which
create a better life.

Giving yourself the gift of choice can be overwhelming, especially if you're
not in the habit. To help yourself, try to remember your happiest moments.
Start this journey into the past by searching for five joyful memories. Once
you identify them, dig a little deeper and consider why they made you happy.
I promise that by doing this exercise you'll uncover new strength and an
ability that will illuminate a goal.

Take care, though, not to be swayed by the events in your life that others
deem "successful" or "exciting." It's dangerous to let other people's
approbation define happiness for you. Instead, focus on those moments in
your life that gave you the most pleasure, regardless of others' reactions.

When you've taken time to find out what you really like to do, the next step
is to better understand why it makes you happy. Knowing will help you
develop goals that fit your true nature. Aligning your passions with your
goals produces a powerful energy that permeates your entire life.

Understanding and giving intention to your goals engenders a depth of
meaning that creates a whole that's greater than the sum of its parts. If
you feel you've lost the inner fire that propels you along, try to chart a
new path for yourself.

Knowing that we have to get up and pay our bills or take out of the garbage
isn't what makes us jump happily out of bed every morning. Our goals do
that. Goals have to be rich and attractive enough to hold our attention.
Psychologists often say that we should have realistic goals that are in
proportion to our abilities. This might be true with respect to some goals,
but I encourage you to grant yourself the luxurious pleasure of exciting,
ambitious dreams. Dare to surpass the confining limits that you yourself
have set. Let go of your inhibitions, and reach for a goal that makes your
heart sing and your blood run faster in your veins.

Do you dare to achieve your goal? Do you care what other people say? Do you
care if they laugh, or gloat over the fact that you didn't succeed? Remember
that this isn't about the rest of the world, it's about you. Never abandon a
goal that resonates deeply in your heart. That's the same as saying "No" to
life. Don't give up on anything that really excites you, even if it looks
impossible at first. And don't underestimate the tremendous power that comes
from within when you truly believe in your goal and make a commitment to
achieving it. That is when you can do the "impossible."

THE ROCKING CHAIR TEST
Imagine yourself when you're old, sitting in your rocking chair, a wool
blanket covering your knees. Think of the joy you'll have remembering all
the things you dared to do and say, and the choices you dared to make
because you took control of your life. Now remember that being true to
yourself is the same as being true to others.

Once, I attended a dinner for Fred, whose firm was honoring him for fifty
years' loyal service. As Fred sat facing me, I felt great respect for his
contribution and politely asked, "Have you been happy these fifty years?"
His unhesitating reply was a shock: "Not for a minute."

I wondered how that could have been possible. "But wasn't there anything you
liked about your job during all this time?" I asked. Fred told me that he
had spent some time doing carpentry and had really enjoyed it, so I asked
why he hadn't pursued that kind of work. He replied that he'd tried once but
it hadn't worked out. Once! Only once! Why not a hundred times? I thought to
myself. But then I reminded myself that these choices weren't mine to make;
they were Fred's, and his alone. He had the right to choose as he wished,
because his life was his responsibility and no one else's. As I sat staring
at his hands, which were obviously made for carpentry, he perceived my
disappointment. "Don't be so sad," he said. "I've just bought myself a
carpenter's bench."

Think for a moment about all the people in the world who died without ever
having chosen to buy themselves their carpenter's bench! When we believe
strongly that something is possible, it becomes possible. If we see only
impossibility, then that's what we guarantee ourselves. It's been said that
perception is one hundred percent of reality. If we believe we're too young,
then we are too young; if we think we're too weak, we are too weak. We need
to be consciously aware of how we choose to view the world, because that's
the reality in which we put ourselves.

It was a crucial day when I realized that my thoughts control my life. I had
no money when I began my professional journey twenty years ago, but I
believed that if I could see my goal clearly enough and wanted it badly
enough, I'd be able to achieve it. The hardest part was being honest enough
with myself to dare admit out loud what I was lacking. Honesty with
ourselves can be difficult if we're out of practice; we need to be
completely truthful and admit to what we really want.

Resist that hesitation you feel when you look around and see that no one in
your family or your neighborhood has ever done what you want to do. Avoid
the trap of believing that you won't succeed just because no one else has.
You are unique; no one else can do what you can do the way you can do it. No
one else can judge whether your goals are realistic. They can never be in
your shoes, and they can never know what you can achieve. It is amazing what
you can accomplish when you really want something and are willing to do all
it takes to get it.

THREE KINDS OF GOALS

1. The Goal of Acquiring
It's normal to want things. The Western world is flooded with material
goods, and wanting to acquire and possess them is a feeling familiar to all
of us. We can actually have a lot of fun in the pursuit of getting things
that interest us, and subsequently we often develop deep attachments to what
we own. Do you remember your attachment to the first thing you saved up for
when you were a kid -- a bike or a toy?

Some say that the urge to acquire material things has gone too far. I won't
moralize about the joys of ownership, but I'll assert that we can't grow as
human beings if acquiring is the only thing we strive for. Apart from a roof
over your head and enough to eat, things are just amusements, not to be
confused with necessities. The problem with this kind of amusement is that
when we get bored with it, we think we can remedy a lack of meaning in our
lives by replacing our old things with new ones. Instead, we create an
endless cycle of discontentment. So, while the desire to acquire is an
integral and acceptable part of life, it is only one piece of the puzzle.

2. The Goal of Achieving
I'll always remember Nick, a very angry man loaded with ideas that earned
him no support from his employer. Nick felt misunderstood and badly treated.
He didn't realize how hard it is to receive ideas from a very angry person.
After mapping his talents and abilities, and convincing himself that he
needn't be different than he was, Nick discovered a new peace. Accepting
himself allowed him to look more closely at the anger that had dominated his
life.

We needed to get to the root of Nick's anger. A long-time literary critic
for a newspaper, he was greatly respected for his knowledge and insight into
the world of books. He could talk about literature all day long, but never
dared admit to himself that he actually wanted to be an author. When I
learned this, I no longer had to wonder why Nick was so angry: he was
denying himself the opportunity to achieve a goal that was at the very core
of his being.

Once he'd articulated the goal of establishing himself as a writer, it was
amazing how strong his commitment became. Now, ten years later, he has
published several books. Not all of them have been well received, but that
doesn't discourage him from continuing to write with passion. Most
importantly, Nick is now engaged in a labor of love, and lives a happier,
more fulfilling life because of his achievement. You too can discover the
potent magic in uncovering what you really want to achieve.

Thomas came to me feeling dissatisfied with his job as a business manager.
He was experiencing a host of conscious and unconscious conflicts around the
life choices he had made. For Thomas everything felt like a struggle, and he
was tired. Five years away from retirement, he told me that his goal was to
endure those five years until he could afford to stop working. In other
words, he just wanted to survive.

Through intensive questioning and exploration, we were able to map his
talents and abilities. Then came the harder job of discussing his hopes and
desires. Finally, Thomas was able to admit that he had long dreamed of
living in Spain for six months and learning to speak Spanish. He imagined
this time away would also give him the opportunity to work on his inner self
and achieve greater peace. Through our work together, he decided to make his
dream a reality.

Thomas's wife, who had become frustrated with his pessimistic attitude
toward life, was wholly supportive of his decision to go. On the other hand,
Thomas dreaded how his employer might react. Before confronting the boss,
Thomas put all his thoughts on paper, preparing mentally to present himself
and his situation constructively. He succeeded in making his boss understand
that he needed a six-month leave of absence in order to achieve a greater
understanding in his personal life, which would ultimately benefit his work
at the firm. Not only did he receive a positive reaction, but he also became
a role model: several of his colleagues have followed suit.

3. The Goal of Being
You can be whoever you want to be, and your awareness of this is fundamental
to a fulfilling life. What qualities do you wish to have? I want to be
honest. I want to be a loyal friend. I want to be true to myself. I want to
be brave. I want to be an expert in my field. I want to be loving, patient,
flexible, and open to growth and change. I want to be compassionate and much
more. Often I slip and fall, but because I know what qualities I want to
have, I can pick myself up again and continue my journey. I believe I can be
whatever I want to be, as long as I know precisely what qualities I value.
Leading yourself through life's journey is an exciting adventure made up of
moments of being. You make choices about who you are and who you want to be
at every moment, and by embracing those choices, you can be a person whom
you cherish.

We're all looking for closeness and the possibility of contributing our best
along the way. Material goods can't fill the vacuum inside us. Meeting our
feelings, forgiving, and being true to ourselves will give life the meaning
we crave, and the very powerful peace at our deepest core. When we honestly
confront ourselves as we are we meet both our best and poorer sides. To meet
the one we must also meet and learn to accept the other, and acknowledge
that our darker side plays a key role in our contacting a force that's
infinite and greater than we are, but is at the same time contained in us.
Being what you are at this very moment is right, because you are exactly as
you should be. By going through the dark of night we walk toward the light
of day. The truth will free us to be just as we are.

Ann is a beautiful woman in her fifties. When I first met her I thought,
"She's the picture of health:" I was amazed to hear her incredible story.
For four years Ann had felt trapped in a tough job situation with two
employers who couldn't stand each other. Both were her supervisors, and she
felt that she was at the mercy of their decisions. She expended so much
energy in her frustrating attempts to reconcile these two feuding forces
that she neglected her commitment to herself.

Then Ann found out she had cancer. On getting the devastating news, she
cried for three days. Somehow, in the midst of her misery, the realization
came to her: "If I managed to make myself ill, I can manage to make myself
well, too." Regaining her health became her primary goal. As discussed
earlier, we've got to believe thoroughly in what we want in order to have
any real chance of success. Ann fought bravely to strengthen a belief that
might easily not have materialized -- the belief that she could get well.

Statistically, the odds were against her. Several doctors told her that her
chances were slim, but that didn't erase Ann's hopes for a full recovery.
She had to fight not only her illness, but also her doctors' pessimism.
Ann's story is both an encouragement to patients who lose hope, and a
caution to physicians who discourage the hopes of the sick.

Ann found the Oslo Creativity Center, where cancer patients gather to
provide a nurturing environment and a place for healing. There, Ann was able
to rid herself of her fear, aggression, and hopelessness. She battled her
illness because she wanted to live, and her husband and friends supported
her and fought right alongside. They all committed themselves to fight for
faith and hope, because that's what Ann needed. Somehow, despite the pain
and suffering, Ann knew that the "impossible" was possible. In the end, she
cured herself.

We've all heard people talk about their tribulations, and it can help us to
be mindful of the lessons they learned before we have to experience them for
ourselves. As Ann put it,

"I'm very grateful for the difficulties I've had. Through them I learned so
much about myself and about life. I learned that I have to take care of
myself, because no one else bears that responsibility but me. I learned to
set limits. I learned to be true to myself, instead of doing what I believed
others expected of me. I learned what's important and what's not. I learned
that love and closeness are the most essential components of a meaningful
life. I learned to distinguish between true and false friends. I learned
that life can't be taken for granted. I learned to take care of my body and
get enough exercise and rest. I learned that life is lived at this very
moment! I learned that there was nothing to wait for; it was life that had
been waiting for me."

This article was excerpted from the book "The Art of Leading Yourself", by
Randi B. Noyes. ©2001. Reprinted with permission. Published by Cypress
House, www.cypresshouse.com

About The Author:
Randi B. Noyes is a pioneer in the practical application of emotional
intelligence and president of Leadership International, Inc., a leadership
consulting firm. For over twenty years, Randi has provided leadership
coaching to hundreds of top executives and corporate clients in all
industries. Based in Boston, Massachusetts and Oslo, Norway, she can be
reached at: www.leadership-international.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Lord in the Tree
~ Alan Cohen ~

  "Two men were walking in a field when a bull charged them.
One man scampered up a tree while the other stood defiantly
in the bull's path. 'Get up here, you idiot!' called the man in
the branches.

  'The Lord will protect me!' retorted the other man.

  The bull butted the man vehemently and went on his way
triumphantly, leaving the obstinate fellow dazed and confused.
The first man came down from the tree to help his bruised friend.

  'I thought for sure the Lord would help me!' complained the
  injured man.

  'He tried,' answered his friend. 'Didn't you hear Him calling you
  from the tree?'

  A request for help from an unseen power often manifests itself
through earthly channels. God's wonders are not restricted to
supernatural miracles. Often miracles occur through people and
tangible messages here on earth.

  If you are looking for an answer to a question or problem, you
may receive it through physical means. Someone may hand you a
book, invite you to a lecture, or speak a phrase that resonates
within you. You may feel a tingling in your spine, get goose bumps,
or simply feel a sense of clarity or fulfillment. Be sensitive to your
feelings and energies when such a sign is presented. The word
'angel' means 'messenger,' and your message may come anytime
through any means. Stay awake to listen!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Different Drums and Different Drummers

"If I do not want what you want,
Please try not to tell me that my want is wrong.
Of if I believe other than you,
at least pause before you correct my view.
Or if my emotion is less than yours,
or more, given the same circumstances,
try not to ask me to feel more strongly or weakly.
Or yet if I act, or fail to act,
in the manner of your design for action, let me be.
I do not, for the moment at least,
ask you to understand me.
That will come only when you are willing
to give up changing me into a copy of you.
I may be your spouse, your parent, your offspring,
your friend, or your colleague.
If you allow me any of my own wants,
or beliefs, or actions, then you open your-self
so that someday these wants of mine
might not seem so wrong,
and might finally appear to you as right - for me.
To put up with me is the first step in understanding me.
Not that you are no longer irritated or disappointed
with me for my seeming waywardness.
And in understanding me you might come to prize
my differences from you, and far from seeking to change me,
preserve and even nurture those differences."

Author Unknown
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
THE BUTTERFLY

She sat by him and took a breath
Wondering what a mother says
When her child is sad, hurting so,
What could she do, what did she know?

She took his hand and led him to
A butterfly leaving its cocoon.
The creature struggled, would the creature live?
It seemed to have given all that it could give.

The child shuttered and pointed to
The place on the window by the cocoon,
“Mother, we just have to try
Without our help it may not survive.”
.
“Child,” she answered, “it sadly seems
That the creature will never free tightened wings;
But that’s really just the way it appears
Through eyes misted by human fears.

“For the struggle helps strengthen the butterfly,
Relieves it of fluid, part of learning to fly.
Any attempt of help that we’d give
Would not help the creature; it wouldn’t live.

“And you, too, leave your own cocoon.
Though I wish I could take all your pain from you,
I trust in you and would never try
For you and I both are just learning to fly.

She held her son and led him to bed
But the next day, eyes beaming, took her hand and he led,
His mom to the window: a miraculous sight
That beautiful butterfly was free and in flight.

written by: CARA S.
clscls@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Whispers in the wind

When times get rough and you feel
the waves of unfairness breaking
against your very being
and the rage of the wind seems to be forcing
you back into the darkness,
stinging your eyes with tears of sorrow and pain...
Clouds of doom seem to darken the moon and you can't find the sun...
Remember the words of wisdom from the whispering winds...
"This too shall pass"..
Like a storm in the night it will pass...
The rage will mellow and the stars will once again shine...
The tears that once filled an ocean will pass away...
We face storms each and every day in our lives...
Some storms more severe than others...
However, through our faith we hang onto the hope of a better tomorrow...
Sometimes it is just better to have faith and to let it be...
What will be will be...
We can not see into the future...
We can not dwell in our past....
We can only accept the gift of today and
let it be the best day of our lives....
Reaping wisdom from the strength of the
whispering winds and just let it be....
Living everyday to it's fullest we will never have any reason
to say I could have, I should have and/or I would have....

Written By Vee
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Adversity is the trial of principle.
Without it man hardly knows whether he is honest or not."
Henry Fielding (1707-1754)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
   "The spiritual journey, the path of recovery and personal growth,
is a detoxification process in which we
bring up and out the negative beliefs we have carried with us
from the past and that now poison the present."
Marianne Williamson
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The principles you live by create the world you live in;
if you change the principles you live by,
you will change your world."
-- Blaine Lee
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sometimes there are no answers,
there are only examples.
Mark Kostew
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Anger taken out on myself,
is like picking up a hot coal to throw at you.
I get burned first.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It is by sharing the pain
that I learn how to laugh.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When I share my pain,
my disease loses weapons to use against me.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hatred is too powerful of an emotion to waste
on someone that you don't like.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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
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giving it away." Anyone can subscribe to this free daily e-zine
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 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, Hong Kong, 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, Qatar, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1569

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Sun Feb 27, 2005 2:11 pm
Subject: 2/27/05 "Have You Ever?" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Step 1
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2002/step01c.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?
How do I Find a Way In and NOT Looking for A Way Out ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 27
Today I will trust myself
when something does not feel smooth and flowing.
I will begin to look around for alternatives
for anything that feels rough and irritating.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Have You Ever?

Have you ever wanted to jump and shout
Yelling to all who suffer
This way out
Have you ever prayed for peace
But could find none
Working hard everyday
To find your never done
Have you ever worked
The program from A to Z
Boastful and proud
You say look at me
I had no idea
How far I was
From being right
Yet I was blind
I had lost my sight
Have you ever wondered
Does it really matter at all
We are on this journey
Because we heard the call
Have you ever wondered
How this program works
It works very well thank you
When your honest and open
Willing to
Have you ever wondered
Why you are right where
Your supposed to be
Something's really baffle me
You did not get here over night
No one expects you to always be right
It is going to take time
For you to get well
So give it your best
And
You'll be doing swell
Have you ever wondered
This or that
Pray to God
That you
Accept
Just
Where
Your at

Daniel M Corkery
1/2/2001
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
<http://www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Step 12
<http://www.songdov.com/step12.htm>

The Promises
<http://www.songdov.com/promises/index.htm>

The Twelve Steps
<http://www.songdov.com/indexsteps.htm>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February                                   "Pure Motives"

"We examine our actions, reactions, and motives. We often find that
we've been doing better than we've been feeling."    Basic Text, p. 42

Imagine a daily meditation book with this kind of message: "When you
wake up in the morning, before you rise from your bed, take a moment
for reflection. Lie back, gather your thoughts, and consider your plans
for the day. One by one, review the motives behind those plans. If your
motives are not entirely pure, roll over and go back to sleep:' Nonsense,
isn't it?

No matter how long we've been clean, almost all of us have mixed
motives behind almost everything we do. However, that's no reason to put
our lives on hold. We don't have to wait for our motives to become
perfectly pure before we can start living our recovery.

As the program works its way into our lives, we begin acting less
frequently on our more questionable motives. We regularly examine
ourselves, and we talk with our sponsor about what we find. We pray for
knowledge of our Higher Power's will for us, and we seek the power to
act on the knowledge we're given. The result? We don't get perfect, but
we do get better.

We've begun working a spiritual program. We won't ever become
spiritual giants. But if we look at ourselves realistically, we'll probably
realize that we've been doing better than we've been feeling.

Just for today: I will examine myself realistically. I will seek the
power to act on my best motives, and not to act on my worst.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?
How do I Find a Way In and NOT Looking for A Way Out ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
THE LOVE IN THEIR EYES

Some of us won't believe in God, others can't, and still others who do
believe that God exists have no faith whatever He will perform this miracle.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 25

It was the changes I saw in the new people who came into the Fellowship
that helped me lose my fear, and change my negative attitude to a positive
one. I could see the love in their eyes and I was impressed by how much
their "One Day at a Time" sobriety meant to them. They had looked squarely
at Step Two and came to believe that a power greater than themselves was
restoring them to sanity. That gave me faith in the Fellowship, and hope
that it could work for me too. I found that God was a loving God, not that
punishing God I feared before coming to A.A. I also found that He had been
with me during all those times I had been in trouble before I came to
A.A. I know today that He was the one who led me to A.A. and that I am a
miracle.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ February 27th

A.A. Thought for the Day

When we came into A.A., the first thing we did
was to admit that we couldn't do anything about
our drinking. We admitted that alcohol had us
licked and that we were helpless against it.
We never could decide whether or not to take
a drink. We always took the drink. And since
we couldn't do anything about it ourselves, we
put our whole drink problem into the hands of
God. We turned the whole thing over to that
Power greater than ourselves. And we have
nothing more to do about it, except to trust God
to take care of the problem for us. Have I done
this honestly and fully?

Meditation for the Day

This is the time for my spirit to touch the spirit
of God. I know that the feeling of the spirit-touch
is more important than all the sensations of
material things. I must seek a silence of spirit-touching
with God. Just a moment's contact and all the fever
of life leaves me. Then I am, well, whole, calm, and
able to rise and minister to others. God's touch is
a potent healer. I must feel that touch and sense
God's presence.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that the fever of resentment, worry, and
fear may melt into nothingness. I pray that health,
joy, peace, and serenity may take its place.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Say Woohoo

I put on my skydiving gear and headed for the airplane.
Here I was again, ready to go.
My hands were already sweating;
I could feel the quiver in my lip.
Why did I keep doing this to myself?

Once I boarded the airplane,
I started what had become a routine for me.
I don't have to do this, I told myself.
I'm volunteering to skydive. It's not mandatory.
Not wanting to overly embarrass myself in front of the other,
more experienced sky divers, I coped with my anxiety by fidgeting.
Fidgeted with the altimeter on my hand.
I fidgeted with the strap on my helmet.

I wanted to tell my jump master I couldn't jump
because I was having a heart attack,
but I knew he wouldn't believe me.
It was just my anxiety, fear building up to an unmanageable, uncontrollable level.

A friend was sitting across from me, watching.
"How are you doing, Mel?" he asked.
"Scared," I said.
"Do you say woohoo?" he asked.
"When you get to the door and jump,
say woohoo," he said.
"You can't have a bad time if you do."
I walked to the door of the plane, hoisted myself out,
and waited for the nod from my jump master,
signaling that he was ready for the count.
"Ready," I said "Set."
Then with all my might, I yelled "WOOHOO,"
so loud the sky divers in the back
of the plane heard me.

My jump master followed me out of the plane
and then positioned himself in front of me.
I looked at him and grinned.
Then I grinned some more.
So this is why I'm doing this, I thought.
Because it's so much fun.
It was the best jump I'd had yet.
We're jumping into the unknown,
when we have a baby or a new job.

Sometimes, however, we don't choose our experience.
I can recall sitting on the edge of the bed in the hospital room
after Shane's death, knowing that the journey I was about
to embark upon would not be an exhilarating one.
God, I don't want to go through this, I thought.
It's not going to be over in three months or a year.
This one I'll live with the rest of my life.
I can remember standing in the parking lot outside
the courthouse after my divorce from the children's father.
I took one deep breath, feeling exhilarated and free.
The next one was filled with terror and dread.
My God, I was now a dirt-poor single parent
with two children to raise.
Sometimes we jump out that door voluntarily.
Sometimes we're pushed.

Feel your fear, then let it go.
Dread is just a prejudice against the future.
After having examined all the probabilities and possibilities,
we decide ahead of time that we're going to have the worst experience possible.
So let go of dread, too.

Fidget if you must. Ask yourself what you're doing here.
Then walk to the door and give the count.
See how much fun it can be when you jump into the unknown and
feel the rush of being fully alive.

God, help me take a deep breath and holler woohoo.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Art of Loving, Erich Fromm
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/erifro/part1.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/erifro/part2.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/erifro/part3.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Taking Sides?

by Marie T. Russell

Whenever there's an argument or a controversy, it seems that we
automatically take sides. Let's face it, even as far back as the story of
Adam and Eve, humans were taking sides. In some ways, every time we make a
choice we are taking sides. If you choose to be a vegetarian, some people
might see that as being "against" meat (and thus meat-eaters). If you choose
to be a non-smoker, then you may have a tendency to be "against" smoking
(and have a lot of anger towards smoking in your presence).

It seems that we see things as black and white; this against that; good
against evil; mine against yours, us against them, etc. Nowhere is this more
prevalent today than in the situation in the Middle East.

War. Such a short word, not even a four-letter word, but a thousand times
more powerful. A million times more hurtful than any four-letter word you
might throw at someone.

War. It's been going on for millennia. In university, my minor was history.
And I recall most specifically one course that was entitled "The History of
Human Conflict". The main thing I remember is coming to a realization that
war was not a current situation, or even a new one. It had been going on
since the beginning of recorded history (and of course, before that). I
remember asking myself, as many people do, When will we ever learn?

I used to blame wars on greedy, power-hungry people (or rulers). But then,
it is always easy to blame and say that it's "somebody else's fault".
Perhaps we need to look deeper in people's psyche to see where war really
resides.

What is war anyway? One of Webster's definitions is "any active hostility".
Hum. Any active hostility. So if I am angry (hostile) about someone blowing
cigarette smoke in my face, then I'm at war. If I take sides in a conflict,
and have "an attitude" towards the other group, I'm at war. Why even in
sports when we shout degrading remarks to the other team (or the referee)
and we are being "actively hostile", we are at war.

I've been receiving a lot of forwarded email about the war in the Middle
East. most of it taking sides. The writers are either giving reasons why
Israelis are "right" in fighting the Palestinians, or giving reasons why
Palestinians are in the "right". And as in any situation, there are always
two sides to every story. As far as I'm concerned, both "sides" are right
and both are wrong.

But the reality of it is that while anyone is considering who's right and
who's wrong, there's no chance of any peace. While we're busy trying to
figure out whose "side" we should be on, we still are engaging in an "us
against them" scenario, also known as war.

The only solution to any conflict, including the one in the Middle East, is
to start looking at a situation from the perspective of peace, love, and
balance. Every human being has the right to live in peace and in harmony
with their neighbors. Maybe if we were not so concerned about taking sides,
about who's right, about who's wrong, and more concerned about healing the
wounds on all sides, then we could get a peaceful resolution.

Whose side am I on? I'm on the side of life. I'm on the side of love,
respect, harmony, and peace. I'm on the side of equal opportunities for
all -- equal right to have a roof over our head, equal right to be alive,
equal right to have a corner of earth where we can plant lettuce and
flowers.

When the astronauts saw the earth from outer space, they did not see lines
demarcating where one country started and another ended. There are no
borders between countries other than those made up by man. There is no
difference in the color of our blood, whether we are Chinese, Caucasian,
Black, or whatever. We all have a heart beating in our body, and that heart
is pumping blood that is the same color. We all have the same mechanical
make-up: brain, eyes, nose, ears, heart, lungs, liver, etc. We are all
"related".

We need to stop putting up barriers between countries and peoples. So what
if you're brown, and someone else is yellow, and someone else is white? Do
we segregate according to hair color, shoe size, and height? Why is skin
color such a big thing? Why is genetic inheritance such a dividing factor?
Most of us, if we traced our genealogy far back enough, might be surprised
at the mixture that is found in our veins (and that's without knowing what
sometimes took place behind the woodsheds).

When I lived in Jamaica, I remember that people used to refer to me as "the
white lady", and my reply was usually, "I'm not white. I'm light brown." (I
had a good tan at the time.) And I'd show them a piece of clothing that was
white and say "Now, that's white. Am I that color?" Granted, they were
probably referring to my "financial" color. My skin color identified me as
coming from a country that was "richer" than they were. Yet, what does skin
color really show? Many people are "white" but are poor; many Arabs are not
Palestinians, or not terrorists for that matter.

When I traveled in Israel, I remember having difficulty telling apart the
Israelis that were originally from Mediterranean countries and the Arabs
living in Israel. To me, they looked the same. They all had Mediterranean or
Middle-Eastern facial features. They could have been cousins. And, if you go
back to your bible, then you see that they are distant cousins, since
they're actually all descendants of Abraham. It's a family feud that goes on
and on, and no one remembers what started it. It has been going on and on
out of habit and handed-down prejudices.

There is some new scientific research that shows that all modern humans are
descended from one woman. and that woman was from the continent of Africa.
(Discovery Channel, April 21st, 2002) How's that for throwing a monkey
wrench in the "us against them" viewpoints of a whole bunch of people. Not
only are we all related, but we're all descended from an African woman.

Even if you're not willing to accept that we are all share the same genetic
make-up, you must agree that we are all human. We are all inhabitants of the
same planet, and if we keep blowing each other up, killing each other and
other species, we're going to end up with a dead planet with no live
inhabitants.

Let's recognize our oneness, our common humanity, and start helping each
other rather than fighting each other and taking sides. If we all were
willing to work together at creating a better place to live for all, then
there would be no cause for war. If we can start moving away from the "us or
them", the "who's right and who's wrong" attitudes, then we can live as one
people on one planet.

I know, you're saying that's easy to say. Well, yes it is, so let's all
start saying it. Unless we start saying it to each other, to our
governmental representatives, to the people in other countries, then we
don't stand a chance. Every great invention started as an idea. World peace
also has to start with an idea, and it must be spread and spread until it
becomes the idea of the majority, and then can become reality.

Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela also had ideas. They had
ideas about changing their current reality by nonviolence. They had an idea
that things could change and that change did not have to come about through
force, killing, and war. They had an idea that they shared and then other
people shared and it became reality. A Peace Rally in Tel Aviv, a few years
ago, was attended by one million people. That's 1/3 of the population of
Israel! Even in the midst of war, there is a cry for peace.

Michael Moore in his bestselling book "Stupid White Men" has a letter to
President Arafat where he suggests that the Palestinians simply lay down in
the streets in nonviolent protest -- that they stop going to work, that they
stop throwing bombs, that they stop everything. That they simply block the
streets with their bodies, effectively stopping all traffic, business, and
movement of war machines. As he mentions, it worked for Gandhi and the
Indian people, so it can work for the Palestinians, as well as for the
Israelis who are pro-peace. Nonviolence is possible and it does get
results, results that we will feel better about than the results of war and
terrorism.

Rather than takes sides, we need to choose peace for all! Choose equal
rights for all. Choose food and shelter for all. No one owns the planet. No
one owns a country. If the planet decides to "take back" its territory, it
does so without concern as to who owns it. When a hurricane hits, or a
flood, or a tornado, or a drought, it does so without concern of whose
property it is, or whose country it is, or what language people are
speaking.

Maybe if we saw things more from the perspective of nature, we'd be in a lot
better situation today. Nature does not pick sides. It does not "prefer" one
individual, or even one species, over another. While "survival of the
fittest" has been a rule that we have attributed to nature, we forget to see
that collaboration is the greatest tool nature has. Bees make honey by
pollinating flowers, which then permits the flowers to make fruits and
seeds. Forest fires help release seeds for new growth. Fallen leaves make
compost for new trees and new plants to flourish. A fruit tree has an
abundance of fruits thus ensuring enough for people to eat as well as for
extras to fall, rot, sprout and create new trees, thus new fruit. Thus the
cycle of life and cooperation continues.

Nature is about cooperation and continuity. Nature does not pick sides: it
simply gives every plant a fair chance to life. The sun shines on everyone
regardless of their size, race, language, or opinions. Can we not do the
same? Forget our old quarrels, our old grievances, our old prejudices, and
start looking at everyone on earth as another person just like us. who
simply wants a chance to live in harmony and peace and with a fair chance at
happiness?

As John Lennon said "Let's give peace a chance." To do that we need to stop
taking sides and choose peace for all. Let's put our heads together and see
how we can create a win-win situation. There is no need to continue fighting
until things escalate to a point of no return. Let's give peace a chance.
Let's not take sides, except the side of humanity in general, of life for
all, of peace on earth.

"What the world needs now is love. not just for one, but for everyone." And
it starts with me, it starts with you. It starts in the heart and minds of
every single human being, one person at a time. It continues with your
conversations with your friends and neighbors. It grows by you contacting
your governmental representatives, by writing letters, by spreading the
vision. It gains power by our taking actions that contribute to peace both
in our close relationships and on the world stage.

Change can take place with our participation. First we have a vision, then
we take the actions to help that vision come true. Ask yourself what you can
do? It can be small, it can be big. Each person has their own "divine
purpose", their role to play. What can you do today to contribute to world
peace? End a feud with a co-worker or a relative? Learn to be at peace with
yourself? Write a letter or email to your governmental representatives
saying that you want a peaceful and fair resolution to war and that you want
to protect our environment and the planet? What else can you do? Talk to
your neighbors about your viewpoint. Send money to organizations that are
working for peace and to feed and educate the hungry. Start looking around
to how you can help.

The game of life goes on with each of us playing our part. There's are
things you can do. And you're the only one that knows in your heart what you
can do and what you're inspired to do. The ball's always in your court and
it's always your turn to play! Let's play ball!

About The Author
Marie T. Russell is the publisher of InnerSelf Magazine (first published in
1985 originally as Mighty Natural Magazine) and The Natural Yellow Pages
(1987-2002). She produced a weekly South Florida radio broadcast, Inner
Power, from 1991-1995 which focused on themes such as self-esteem, personal
growth, and well-being. Her articles focus on transformation and
reconnecting with our inner source of joy and creativity. Marie can be
reached at marie@... with personal comments and feedback, or to be
placed on a mailing list to be advised when her book becomes available.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this
world. There will most likely be no tickertape parades for us, no monuments
created in our honor. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for
there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along;
people who will appreciate our compassion, our encouragement, who will need
our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we
took the time to share what we had to give. Too often we underestimate the
power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest
compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential
to turn a life around. It's overwhelming to consider the continuous
opportunities there are to make our love felt."

Leo Buscaglia
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A deeper bonding with one's spirit and with others
at an essence level is the spiritual opportunity of the new millennium,
yet the first step is an inside job-starting with oneself.
People have an innate desire to bond with others in the spirit of love,
but an essential first step is rolling up our sleeves
and applying some elbow grease toward managing attitudes and emotions
that are not in line with our heart or authentic self.
Then bonding becomes not an action you do
but a way of being, the way of love.
Doc Childre
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Words from a Simple Heart

The basic core of our humanness is touched
when someone acknowledges our presence.

Children have no qualms about telling you how very
happy they are to see you. They rush straight at you
and let out your name with a delightful squeal. You
know, irrevocably, in that moment and at that time,
your presence is a big deal.

As we mature, a strange shyness replaces that
wonderful childish enthusiasm. We reserve it for
people we haven't seen in a very long time. No
one wants to be rushed at and have people flinging
themselves at you during the regular course of
every regular day. Yet, we don't want to be taken
for granted and feel invisible either.

I take notice when someone says, "Nice to see
you again," or "It was a pleasure talking to you".
I can't help but take notice. Their small gesture
honors me and my heart feels it.

Knowing the power of a few well spoken words, I
consciously take my thoughts and speak them out
loud. If I meet someone, and it was a great
pleasure to do so, I tell them. If I'm happy to see
someone, I tell them. If I'm happy 'for' someone, I
tell them. If I'm proud of someone, or appreciative
of something they've done, I tell them.

If you doubt the significance of simple, positive
acknowledgment, think back to a time when simple,
negative acknowledgment came your way.
Remember how strongly it hurt. "You look terrible,"
or "Look at all those wrinkles on your face," or
"You've sure packed on the pounds".

You get the idea........

We are not on this planet alone, yet there are
times when it's the loneliest place imaginable.
Split the cloud of indifference that darkens the
world and places its citizens out of each other's
sight. One small gesture of acknowledgment
brings one more person out of the shadows. It
strengthens the bond of humanity.

Be the change you want to see in the world. Let
the first small gesture be yours....

Living in love and loving life,

Terri McPherson writes a wonderful daily spiritually uplifting email
to subscribe send an email to: tmcphers@...
<http://www.wisehearts.com/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Daily Affirmation
I am aware of other people's realities and
I stay centered in my own calm, clear energy.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Footwork
If you can't fight,
and you can't flee.......flow.
If the wind don't blow.......row.
The sooner you push your wagon,
the quicker you will be on your way.
Get busy !
Vaughn Glanton
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Forgiveness is not an event,
but rather, it is a process in healing;
for when we forgive,
we lose all emotional attachment
to the person and the circumstance.
When we do this, we free ourselves to receive more
goodness in our lives"
Bobbie Gonder
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When your neighbor's house is on fire, you put yourself
   in danger if you don't help extinguish it.
Chinese Proverb
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When I was using my anger and resentments demanded relief.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
By facing our fears honestly,
we can stop giving them the power to paralyze
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My secrets won't get me high,
they will kill me.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Drugs made me feel
the way I thought everyone else felt.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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Putting together these Daily Recovery Emails has been such
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"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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

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inspiring and thoughtful messages. To help fulfill our primary
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has a vision of opening and touching, each and everyone,
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
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Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
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Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1568

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Sat Feb 26, 2005 9:20 pm
Subject: 2/26/05 "Journey to Soul's Bottom" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Research
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/research.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?
How do I Find a Way In and NOT Looking for A Way Out ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 26
It is safe to know there is a special place within me
where I can feel peace.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Journey to Soul's Bottom

Once you have awoken it,
The beast no longer sleeps.
It feasts upon your very soul.
What secret vows it keeps.

Babies birthed into its grasp,
Stare with solemn eyes.
Knowing only shame and guilt,
Quick is their demise.

Family bonds are fractured,
Children's cries, unheard.
Truth is unrecognizable.
Life is such a blur.

The path, once light, is darker.
Each breath brings forth a test.
Bleary eyed you travel on.
The beast is on a quest.

Consuming your ambitions,
Replacing them with pain.
Your emotions now are tempered.
Your mind, now its domain

Promises quick to wither.
Sometimes, forever doomed.
Thoughts become a mangled mess,
Where evil spirits loom.

Many lives it does devour,
Trading drugs for souls.
Its hunger grows with each new day.
Addiction takes its toll.

Cheri Thomley - 2/17/02
cherithomley@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
R-I-S-K-S
<http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/6794/pebble.html>

Alanon Slogans
<http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/6794/thealanonslogons.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 26                                       Remorse

"The Eighth Step offers a big change from a life dominated by guilt
and remorse."     Basic Text, p. 38

Remorse was one of the feelings that kept us using. We had stumbled
our way through active addiction, leaving a trail of heartbreak and
devastation too painful to consider. Our remorse was often intensified
by our perception that we couldn't do anything about the damage we had
caused; there was no way to make it right.

We remove some of the power of remorse when we face it squarely.
We begin the Eighth Step by actually making a list of all the people we
have harmed. We own our part in our painful past.

But the Eighth Step does not ask us to make right all of our mistakes,
merely to become willing to make amends to all those people. As we
become willing to clean up the damage we've caused, we acknowledge our
readiness to change. We affirm the healing process of recovery.

Remorse is no longer an instrument we use to torture ourselves.
Remorse has become a tool we can use to achieve self-forgiveness.

Just for today: I will use any feelings of remorse I may have as a
stepping-stone to healing through the Twelve Steps. page 38

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If you are enjoying this daily recovery email,
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"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
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Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
COMMITMENT

Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right
action is the key to good living.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 125

There came a time in my program of recovery when the third stanza of the
Serenity Prayer -- "The wisdom to know the difference" -- became indelibly
imprinted in my mind. From that time on, I had to face the ever-present
knowledge that my every action, word and thought was within, or outside,
the principles of the program. I could no longer hide behind
self-rationalization, nor behind the insanity of my disease. The only
course open to me, if I was to attain a joyous life for myself (and
subsequently for those I love), was one in which I imposed on myself an
effort of commitment, discipline, and responsibility.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ February 26th

A.A. Thought for the Day

When we came into A.A., we came to believe in
a Power greater than ourselves. We came to
believe in that Divine Principle in the universe
which we call God, and to whom we can turn for
help. Each morning we have a quiet time. We
ask God for the power to stay sober for the
next twenty-four hours. And each night we
thank Him for helping us to keep sober that
day. Do I believe that each man or woman I
see in A.A. is a demonstration of the power of
God to change a human being from a drunkard
to a sober person?

Meditation for the Day

I should pray for faith as a thirsty person prays
for water in a desert. Do I know what it means
to feel sure that God will never fail me? Am I
sure of this as I am sure that I still breathe? I
should pray daily and most diligently that my faith
may increase. There is nothing lacking in my life
because, really, all I need is mine, only I lack the
faith to know it. I am like a rich person's child
who sits in rags when all around me are stores of
all I could desire.

Prayer for the Day

I pray for the realization that God has everything
I need. I pray that I may know that His power is
always available.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Who Empowers You

Most of us need people around who empower and help us feel able, on
track, in balance, hopeful. We need people who tell us we can. Even if
they don't use words, they believe in us and that belief comes shining
through. We look at them and what we see reflected back is our own
power.

But sometimes we run into those who, instead, try to convince us of
their power, convince us that they have our answers, that we need them
to be able to see clearly, that without them, we won't be able to find the
way. They don't believe in us; they only believe in themselves. That's not
empowerment. That's an approach destined to create dependency often
unhealthy dependency.

Cultivate relationships with people who make you feel like you can, who
help you know that you're on track, right where you need to be. Spend
time with people who help you and that you can trust yourself.

By Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Tao of Personal Leadership, Diane Dreher
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/diadre/part7.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/diadre/part8.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/diadre/part9.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/diadre/part10.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Life Is A Series Of Steps
by Bobby Jennings

Ever heard the saying "3 steps forward and two steps back"? Of course you
have! Well there's more to it than that.

Elliott Wave Theory was developed by Ralph N. Elliott in the 1930's to
describe and predict the movement of the stock market. It quantifies mass
market psychology though a series of steps ever trending upward. Loosely
these steps are described as a total of 5 steps with 3 steps upward and 2
steps back thus correcting the upward movement. The theory is that all
universal activity, including human endeavor, occurs in excess and must be
corrected. And the downward correction, which is in excess must be corrected
upward. All of Elliott's waves can be broken into these 5 basic steps.

Elliotts's theory is based on the Fibonacci number sequence
(1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21..........) . This number sequence can be found in the way
rabbits multiply, the way sunflower seeds position themselves on the head of
the sunflower, the spiral on a snail's shell, or in the formation of the
stars of the Milky Way and other galaxies. The upward movement of the waves
can also be equated to the "big band creation theory" and the continual
expansion of the universe.

Elliott's theory can also help us understand the events of our life and our
karma.

Unfortunately, sometimes we overindulge ourselves in the negative aspects of
our lives or we over-celebrate our successes. Maybe we were mistreated as
children or our partner cheated on us, or we were unjustly fired. Maybe we
fell into an inheritance and now think we are among the elite, only to fall
back and suffer setbacks. But whatever the "good or bad "event, we must keep
it all in the prospective of the upward and positive movement of life.

While we cannot escape these upward and downward movements, we can, however,
smooth our jagged course. On the surface this may sound like
oversimplification, but is actually paramount in understanding of our life's
meaning. All the world's religions are based in part on this one small
principle. Both Christ and Buddha taught that the best path through life was
the middle path that limited life's excesses.

So the next time we are overcome by grief, distraught by adversity, jubilant
in our good fortune, we must remember that one's life is expanding in an
upward or positive fashion, but always with a series of setbacks to correct
our excesses. It is this "natural" progression that we describe as "three
steps forward and two steps back".

About The Author:
Bobby Jennings is co-publisher of InnerSelf Publications and webmaster of
InnerSelf.com.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
You And Yourself

It is rewarding to find someone whom you like,
but it is essential to like yourself.

It is quickening to recognize someone
as a good and decent human being, but
it is indispensable to view yourself as acceptable.

It is a delight to discover people who are
worthy of respect, admiration, and love,
but it is vital to believe yourself
deserving of these things.

For you cannot live in someone else.
You cannot find yourself in someone else.
You cannot be given a life by someone
else. Of all the people you will know in a
lifetime, you are the only one you will
never leave nor lose.

To the question of your life, you are the
only answer. To the problems of your
life, you are the only solution.

Unknown
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Healing the ‘Not Enough’

When is too much not enough?
When the hole to be filled is bottomless
When the edges are frayed from misuse
And there are no boundaries anymore

When is more a whole lot less?
When the amount used to fill
Will never surpass the deepest need
That existed since time began

The need for another to fulfill us
Is unrealistic expectation
Magic-thinking realization
Will never bridge the gap
Between what once was and
What one wants it to be
No matter how hard
How deep
How far
We try to make it come about

Look at the empty spots
The unfulfilled yearnings
Only you can bring about
Their healing closure
In this day and age
There remains only the reparenting
The acceptance of the past
The healing of needs and seeds
Our very own response-ability
Ours to close
Ours to build
Ours to start all over again

Love
© Stella Raymonde Savoie-Johnson

Stella's monthly SoulZine features inspiration from articles,
meditations, affirmations, floral and herbal healers. Join here:
http://she.soulopen.com
Looking for alternative healing? Nutritional and Herbal help:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/herbalmenopause
Looking for Support in your Healing and Recovery? Come see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/healingfromprocrastination
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Everything In My Life Is Good

I know and affirm in my consciousness right now, that my good is
present in this very moment. I now declare for myself Divine Harmony,
Peace, Health, Love, Joy, and Success. As I plant these seeds deep in
the soil of my mind, I accept their growth and manifestation in my
experience.   I am the Gardner in my life, all that I sow I shall also
reap. I am now sowing God thoughts, and I believe with all my heart that
these seeds will sprout for me a wonderful harvest. From this moment
on, I deposit in my Universal Bank, which is my subconscious mind an
infinite amount of good and wholesome thoughts. These thoughts are
made real, through feeling and knowing the truth of who I am and my
purpose for being. Everything in my life is good, because I know that
everything in my life is God in action. I am thankful for this awareness,
and I allow it to be exactly what it is...
Amen!

Author Unknown
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Search

There must be a wonderful morning somewhere
A dawn lit by justice and judgment is fair
A place where a helping hand is always held out
An ear that will listen stands poised and devout.
A place you can go when your heart needs attending
A place where a spirit gets healing and mending
A place where loves fire burns bright day and night
And in from the cold you may warm by its light.
There must be a wonderful evening somewhere
Where the sun finally sets on pain and despair
Where the coming of night is not filled with grief
And comforting sleep brings you joyful relief.
A place where the sunset is apt to reflect
A day without malice, without disrespect
A place where the only tears shed, are for joy
And a heart is not battered and bounced like a toy.
There must be a wonderful day somewhere
In a place filled with love and a great need to care
A place where the burdens of conflict are lifted
Where love is a skill and all lovers are gifted.
Where daily are spoken the words that support
And every mistake is not met with retort
A place where the land has not soaked up the blood
Where honor and truth are not cast in the mud.
A Place where the children are not left alone
Where Sisters and Brothers may come to atone
Where homeless and helpless don't cower in fright
Where the hearts and the minds of the world can unite.
So you set on a journey to seek out this land
With compass and map and a vision so grand
To find peace and comfort in a world that's so new
Where waters are crystal and skies are so blue.
With showers that cleanse and winds that refresh
Where the spirit is fed and not just the flesh
But search as you may, what you'll find to be true
That it cannot be found, till it's found within you.

Author Unknown
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The law of harvest is to reap more than you sow.
Sow an act, and you reap a habit.
Sow a habit and you reap a character.
Sow a character and you reap a destiny.
James Allen
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Blessed are those who can give without
remembering and take without forgetting.
Elizabeth Bibesco
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I do not know whether I was a man dreaming I was a butterfly,
or
whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man.
Chuang-tzu (c.369-c.286 BC)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Pearls are the product of pain -
precious, tiny, jewels,
conceived through irritation,
born of adversity,
nursed by adjustment.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Anger is a human emotion,
Rage is not,
Talk about it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Anger wears masks
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I had to learn to feel certain things.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Today I walk through feelings
that I used to run from.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 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, Hong Kong, 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, Qatar, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1567

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Fri Feb 25, 2005 12:01 pm
Subject: 2/25/05 "Resisting Urges" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Mom and Dad
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/mom&dad.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 25
I will give myself the gift of time today
and be quiet and hear with my heart.
I will go to my special place inside where
I really live in love and in joy and carry those feelings
with me throughout the day.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Resisting Urges

Well another nite is upon me, and I sit here kinda sad
Feelings out of sorts with me, letting things upstairs make me mad
I guess I should be glad that times like this are here
Because a few days down the road I know, my head will be more clear

A drug is now so tempting, at times like this I dread
But then again, if I went there, I'd surely end up dead
So I think about a meeting and I think about the drug
Luckily for me this time around, I am opting for that hug

Its hard to change the way we are , once that we get clean
I know inside it ain’t the drugs, with me its that machine
The one inside my body that doesn't want to change
Sometimes it is all I can do, to make it disengage..

But I know that I can do this, I've done it lots before
Thank god for all you people, that walk into that door
Thank you all who've shared your lives to people just like me
I'd hate to think there were no rooms, without them, where'd I be?

But there are and that is something, I can focus on tonight
Before I lay me down to sleep, I keep this all in site
I know I will feel better cuz tomorrows a brand new day
And hey I didn't use today, now THAT'S something to SAY

written by ~ Victoria
Foxondarun@...
2/22/2002
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Change/ Relationships
<http://relationshipweb.com/odat/feb/feb25.htm>

Cartoon of the week
<http://www.recoveryjonescartoons.com/comicsoftheweek.htm>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 25                          Sick as our secrets

"It would be tragic to write [out an inventory only to] shove it in a
drawer. These defects grow in the dark and die in the light of
exposure." Basic Text, p. 31

How many times have we heard it said that we are only as sick as our
secrets? While many members choose not to use meetings to share the
intimate details of their lives, it is important that we each discover
what works best for us. What about those behaviors we have carried
into our recovery that, if discovered, would cause us shame? How much
are we comfortable disclosing, and to whom? If we are uncomfortable
sharing some details of our lives in meetings, to whom do we turn?

We have found the answer to these questions in sponsorship. Although
a relationship with a sponsor takes time to build, it is important that
we come to trust our sponsor enough to be completely honest. Our
defects only have power as long as they stay hidden. If we want to be
free of those defects, we must uncover them. Secrets are only secrets
until we share them with another human being.

Just for today: I will uncover my secrets. I will practice being
honest with my sponsor.    pg. 57

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TAKING ACTION

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled
among us-sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize
if we work for them.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 84

One of the most important things A.A. has given me, in addition to freedom
from booze, is the ability to take "right action." It says the promises
will always materialize if I work for them. Fantasizing about them,
debating them, preaching about them and faking them just won't work. I'll
remain a miserable, rationalizing dry drunk. By taking action and working
the Twelve Steps in all my affairs, I'll have a life beyond my wildest
dreams.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden

A.A. Thought for the Day

Some people find it hard to believe in a Power greater
than themselves. But not to believe in such a Power
forces us to atheism. It has been said that atheism
is blind faith in the strange proposition that this
universe originated in a cipher and aimlessly rushes
nowhere. That's practically impossible to believe.
I think we all can agree that alcohol is a power greater
than ourselves. It certainly was in my case. I was
helpless before the power of alcohol. Do I remember
the things that happened to me because of the power
of alcohol?

Meditation for the Day

The spiritual and moral will eventually overcome the
material and unmoral. That is the purpose and destiny
of the human race. Gradually the spiritual is overcoming
the material in our minds. Gradually the moral is
overcoming the unmoral. Faith, fellowship, and service
are cures for most of the ills of the world. There is
nothing in the field of personal relationships that they
cannot do.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may do my share in making a better world.
I pray that I may be part of the cure for the of the world.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Be A Thermostat

There's a thermostat on my back porch.
It tells me when it's hot enough to go for a swim.

Inside the house, there's a thermostat.
The thermostat not only tells us how hot or cold it is,
but will actually do something about it as well.
If the temperature gets too warm,
the thermostat tells the air conditioner
to cool off the house.
If it gets too cool, the thermostat tells the heater
to warm things up a bit.

Which are you? Are you a thermostat-only reflecting
the attitudes of those around you?
Or are you a thermostat-determining your own
course of action and following through with it?
Thermostat people often know where they are;
they just don't do anything about it.
I'm stuck in this relationship.
I'm really angry, resentful, and upset.
Thermostat people are aware of where they are, too.
They just choose to do something about it, as well.
I'm in this relationship, and I will do everything
that I can to improve it.
But if necessary, I will walk away from it.
Being a thermostat means we take appropriate action
to take care of ourselves.

God, help me learn to respond to whatever
environment I'm in by taking the appropriate
actions to take care of myself.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Tao of Inner Peace, Diane Dreher
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/diadre/part1.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/diadre/part2.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/diadre/part3.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/diadre/part4.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/diadre/part5.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/diadre/part6.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Connecting Emotionally
by John M. Gottman, Ph.D., and Joan DeClaire

Meet Phil and Tina, a couple in their thirties who seem to have it all.
Solid jobs, two beautiful kids, lots of good friends -- and they love each
other. Trouble is, they haven't had sex in six months.

Seated together on a small sofa in a therapist's office, the couple
describes how the problem started.

"Tina's company was going through this big reorganization," Phil explains.
"And every day she'd come home exhausted."

"It was a real drag," Tina remembers. "I was spending all day in these long,
tense meetings, trying to defend people's jobs. When I got home, I couldn't
shake the stress. I didn't want to talk to anybody. I felt so anxious. Phil
tried to be nice, but . . ."

"I wanted to help her, to tell her it was going to be okay, but I couldn't
do anything right. It wasn't like we had this huge, catastrophic breakdown
or anything. It was more about the little stuff. I'd kiss her on the back of
her neck or start to rub her stomach when we were in bed -- things that used
to get her attention. But now I was getting nothing in return. Zip. It
definitely threw me off balance."

"And I felt that if I didn't get all hot and bothered the minute he touched
me, he was going to be wounded or something," Tina explained. "It just made
me so tense."

Phil got the point. "She has all these people leaning on her at work. And
then she comes home to this guy who's feeling insecure, who's whining about
his needs. It was such a turnoff for her."

So, to preserve his pride, Phil quit trying. "I got tired of the rejection,"
he explains to the therapist. "I don't know how long we can go on like this.
It's tough to keep putting yourself out there only to be shut down all the
time. Sure, I love her, but sometimes I'm afraid we're not going to make
it."

"It's not working for me, either," Tina says through tears. Then, after a
long silence, she adds, "I miss making love, too. I miss the way it used to
be."

"Well, maybe that's a place to start," Phil says quietly. "Because you never
told me that before. You never gave me that information."

Phil couldn't have said it better.

Whether people are struggling to save a marriage, to cooperate in a family
crisis, or to build rapport with a difficult boss, they usually have one
thing in common: They need to share emotional information that can help them
feel connected.

Phil and Tina are like many couples I see in marital therapy. Whatever
conflicts the couples may have -- sex, money, housework, kids -- all of them
long for evidence that their spouses understand and care about what they're
feeling.

Sharing such information through words and behavior is essential for
improving any significant relationship. This includes bonds with our kids,
our siblings, our friends, our coworkers. But even our best efforts to
connect can be jeopardized as a result of one basic problem: failure to
master what I call the "bid" -- the fundamental unit of emotional
communication.

This book (The Relationship Cure) will show you five steps you can take to
achieve this mastery and make your relationships work:

1. Analyze the way you bid and the way you respond to others' bids.
2. Discover how your brain's emotional command systems affect your bidding
process.
3. Examine how your emotional heritage impacts your ability to connect with
others and your style of bidding.
4. Develop your emotional communication skills.
5.Find shared meaning with others.

But first let's make sure you understand what I mean when I talk about bids.
A bid can be a question, a gesture, a look, a touch -- any single expression
that says, "I want to feel connected to you." A response to a bid is just
that -- a positive or negative answer to somebody's request for emotional
connection.

At the University of Washington, my research colleagues and I recently
discovered how profoundly this bidding process affects relationships. We
learned, for example, that husbands headed for divorce disregard their
wives' bids for connection 82 percent of the time, while husbands in stable
relationships disregard their wives' bids just 19 percent of the time. Wives
headed for divorce act preoccupied with other activities when their husbands
bid for their attention 50 percent of the time, while happily married wives
act preoccupied in response to their husbands' bids just 14 percent of the
time.

When we compared how often couples in the two groups extended bids and
responded to them, we found another significant difference. During a typical
dinner-hour conversation, the happily married people engaged one another as
many as one hundred times in ten minutes. Those headed for divorce engaged
only sixty-five times in that same period. On the surface the contrast may
seem inconsequential, but taken together over a year, the additional moments
of connection among the happy couples would be enough to fill a Russian
novel.

We also found that this high rate of positive engagement paid off in
tremendous ways. For example, we now know that people who react positively
to one another's bids have greater access to expressions of humor,
affection, and interest during arguments. It's almost as if all the good
feelings they've accumulated by responding respectfully and lovingly to one
another's bids form a pot of emotional "money in the bank." Then, when a
conflict arises, they can draw on this reservoir of good feeling. It's as if
something inside unconsciously says, "I may be mad as hell at him right now,
but he's the guy who listens so attentively when I complain about my job. He
deserves a break." Or, "I'm as angry as I've ever been with her, but she's
the one who always laughs at my jokes. I think I'll cut her some slack."

Having access to humor and affection during a conflict is invaluable because
it helps to de-escalate bad feelings and leads to better understanding.
Rather than shutting down communication in the midst of an argument, people
who can stay present with one another have a much better opportunity to
resolve issues through their conflicts, repair hurt feelings, and build
positive regard. But this good work must begin long before the conflict
starts; it's got to be grounded in those dozens of ordinary, day-to-day
exchanges of emotional information and interest that we call bids.

And what happens when we habitually fail to respond positively to one
another's bids for emotional connection? Such failure is rarely malicious or
mean-spirited. More often we're simply unaware of or insensitive to others'
bids for our attention. Still, when such mindlessness becomes habitual, the
results can be devastating.

I've seen such results in my clinical practice at the Gottman Institute,
where I've counseled many people who describe their lives as consumed by
loneliness. They feel lonely despite their proximity to many significant
people in their lives -- lovers, spouses, friends, children, parents,
siblings, and coworkers. Often they seem surprised and greatly disappointed
at the deterioration of their relationships.

"I love my wife," one client says of his faltering marriage, "but our
relationship feels empty somehow." He senses that the passion is waning,
that the romance is drifting away. What he can't see are all the
opportunities for closeness that surround him. Like so many other
distressed, lonely people, he doesn't mean to ignore or dismiss his spouse's
bids for emotional connection. It's just that the bids happen in such
simple, mundane ways that he doesn't recognize these moments as very
important.

Clients like these typically have trouble at work, as well. Although they're
often skilled at forming collegial bonds when they first start a job, they
tend to focus totally on the tasks at hand, often to the detriment of their
relationships with coworkers. Later, when they're passed over for a
promotion, or when they discover they have no influence on an important
project, they're baffled. And they often feel betrayed and disappointed by
their colleagues and bosses as a result.

Such feelings of disappointment and loss also crop up in these clients'
relationships with friends and relatives. Many describe peers, siblings, and
children as disloyal, unworthy of trust. But when we dig deeper, we find a
familiar pattern. These clients seem unaware of the bids for connection that
their friends and relatives have been sending them. So it's no wonder that
their loved ones feel no obligation to continue their support.

People who have trouble with the bidding process also have more conflict --
conflict that might be prevented if they could simply acknowledge one
another's emotional needs. Many arguments spring from misunderstandings and
feelings of separation that might have been avoided if people would have the
conversations they need to have. But because they don't, they argue instead.
Such conflicts can lead to marital discord, divorce, parenting problems, and
family feuds. Friendships fade and deteriorate. Adult sibling relationships
wither and die. Kids raised in homes filled with chronic conflict have more
difficulty learning, getting along with friends, and staying healthy. People
who can't connect are also more likely to suffer isolation, as well as
dissatisfaction and instability in their work lives. Any of these problems
can create a tremendous amount of stress in people's lives, leading to all
sorts of physical and mental health problems.

But our findings about the bidding process give me a tremendous amount of
hope. They tell me that people who consistently bid and respond to bids in
positive ways have an astounding chance for success in their relationships.

This article is excerpted from The Relationship Cure by John M. Gottman,
Ph.D., and Joan DeClaire Copyright 2001 by John M. Gottman, Ph.D., and Joan
DeClaire. Excerpted by permission of Crown, a division of Random House, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted
without permission in writing from the publisher.

About The Author:
John M. Gottman, Ph.D., is the cofounder and co-director of the Gottman
Institute, along with his wife, Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman. His work has
been featured on many national television shows, including The Oprah Winfrey
Show, 20/20, Dateline, and Good Morning America. His previous books include:
The Relationship Cure, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work,
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child, Why Marriages Succeed or Fail,
When Men Batter Women, and A Couple's Guide to Communication.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Information Overload From Precious Solitude
by Ruth Fishel
"The best thinking has been done in solitude.
The worst has been done in turmoil." Thomas Edison

We are receiving an incredible amount of information today from a vast
number of sources. In addition to everything we've had before, we now
have the latest technological development, the "electronic highway" of
the Internet and the World Wide Web. How can we ever keep up? How can
we remember everything we think we should remember? How can we remember
what others expect us to remember?

We can't. It's that simple. We just can't. Too much information is
coming at us all at once; it's overwhelming.

Sometimes we get so overloaded that we can't even remember our own
telephone number! And there are times when some of us feel afraid. We
wonder if we are losing our memories or developing Alzheimer's disease.
When we are under stress, the overload feels all the more oppressive.

When precious time alone is a regular part of our daily life, we can
minimize the effects of data overload. We can maintain a sense of
calmness without ever allowing ourselves to become overly stressed. We
stay balanced and centered. It becomes easier to weed out the important
from the trivial.      When we maintain a sense of inner peace and
tranquility, outside pressures are less apt to bother us.

This may be an "ideal" because when leading a full and busy life
maintaining inner peace and tranquility at all times is impossible for
most of us. I know of no one who is fully present in the world who can
accomplish this ideal. Even when we are away from the activities of the
world, such as at a retreat or on a vacation, the bombardment of our
own thoughts can disturb our peace of mind.

When we find ourselves on overload, it's time to take an important
action: withdraw. Even if we have only five minutes, we need to stop.
Change what we're doing. Take a walk. Meditate. Get away physically, if
not mentally. Begin supper. Do any one of the number of things that are
suggested in this book.

        When I find myself stressed and confused I can stop and take
some time for myself. In the quiet time I can give my mind a rest and
not demand from it more than it can handle. I can be gentle with
myself.

Ruth Fishel's Home Page
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The cloak of destructive behavior is shed, when
the burden of wearing it threatens to pull you
down farther than you're willing to go.

Our childhood, our upbringing, our families, all
mold and shape our thoughts and beliefs. They
define who we are - for a short amount of time.
Then, one day, we come to a crossroad. The
other side is where we want to be. The road in
between is the work we need to accomplish in
order to get there.

Magic will not transport you from one place to
the other, only work, hard work, and plenty of it.
You may be turned inside out before you get
there. You may fall down and have to get up
more times than you think is humanly possible.
But each difficult step moves you across the
street and farther away from the lonely corner
where you stood and cried out in the dark.

A quick fix is no fix. It takes courage to step
off the curb and dogged determination to keep
going. Hold yourself up to the worthiness of it
and begin your journey.

The view from the other side is breathtaking.
Living in love and loving life,

Terri McPherson
tmcphers@... Subscribe to Terri's daily email it is wonderful :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Share

When words and emotions crowd the mind
and nothing can escape through the heart
It's time to share
to give it some voice
to lessen the load
and regain some peace
I used to keep it all inside
bottled and tightly capped
A volcano seething and bursting
Ready to explode at the slightest provocation
Now I realize and ask myself:
What's the worst thing that could happen if I talk about my feelings?
Share a worry? Explain a hurt? Ask for a hug?
The best thing is that when I do
The concern is halved, even dissolved more often than not
The courage to share thoughts and feelings
in a safe environment
belongs to a loving heart
and a peaceful mind
Love
Stella
from 'Daydreams'©

Stella Raymonde Savoie-Johnson

Stella's monthly SoulZine features inspiration from articles,
meditations, affirmations, floral and herbal healers. Join here:
http://she.soulopen.com
Looking for alternative healing? Nutritional and Herbal help:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/herbalmenopause
Looking for Support in your Healing and Recovery? Come see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/healingfromprocrastination
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When the oak is felled the forest echoes with its fall,
but a hundred acorns are sown silently by an unnoticed breeze.
Thomas Carlyle
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"At a certain point, we forgive because we decide to forgive.
Healing occurs in the present, not the past.
We are not held back by the love we didn't receive in the past,
but by the love we're not extending in the present."
Marianne Williamson
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Let someone listen to you,
support and encourage you when you need that.
Receive comfort from someone's physical presence when you need that.
Allow yourself to be supported emotionally and cared about."
Melody Beattie
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
What is not love is fear.
Anger is one of fear's most potent faces.
And it does exactly what fear wants it to do.
It keeps us from receiving love
at exactly the moment when we need it most.
What is not love is fear.
Anger is one of fear's most potent faces.
And it does exactly what fear wants it to do.
It keeps us from receiving love
at exactly the moment when we need it most.
Marianne Williamson, Illuminata
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"God give me the courage
to make commitments that are right for me,
the wisdom to not commit to that which does not feel right,
and the patience to wait until I know."
Melody Beattie
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Feelings aren't facts,
but it's a fact that we feel.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Feelings are neither bad or good,
They just are.
It's what we do with them that counts.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
You are not what you feel,
You are not what you think.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sometimes we are doing better than we are feeling.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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."
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
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Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1566

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:19 pm
Subject: 2/24/05 "Insights" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Dating In Recovery
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/dating.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 24
I am growing in my ability to trust
what feels good and right.
Today I can look with
and wait until I know with my heart.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Insights

Insights come then insights seem to go
We must be aware if we are to know
Time alone is important for me and you
When we search out hearts
We will see what is true
Distractions stopped me
For so many years
Alone with anger
And hundreds of fears
I prayed for knowledge
Of Gods will for me
He said be quiet
Soon you will see
I am the voice deep in every man
At first you must listen
Then you will understand
What this all came about
When I started to meditate
God said be still get quiet
Just sit and wait
His love flooded my soul
At last this man is whole

Daniel M Corkery
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
<http://www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
You Are A Gem
<http://www.wisehearts2.com/YAG.htm>

Earth Group N.A. email and online meetings
<http://www.egna.org/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just for Today
February 24 �� A new influence �

"Personality change was what we really needed. Change from
self-destructive patterns of life became necessary."
Basic Text, p. 15

    In early life, most of us were capable of joy and wonder, of
giving and receiving unconditional love. When we started using,
we introduced an influence into our lives that slowly drove us
away from those things. The further we were pushed down the
path of addiction, the further we withdrew from joy, wonder,
and love.

That journey was not taken overnight. But however long it took,
we arrived at the doors of NA with more than just a drug problem.
The influence of addiction had warped our whole pattern of living
beyond recognition.

The Twelve Steps work miracles, ifs true, but not many of them
are worked overnight. Our disease slowly influenced our spiritual
development for the worse. Recovery introduces a new influence
to our lives, a source of fellowship and spiritual strength slowly
impelling us into new, healthy patterns of living.

This change, of course, doesn't "just happen:' But if we cooperate
with the new influence NA has brought to our lives, over time we
will experience the personality change we call recovery. The Twelve
Steps provide us with a program for the kind of cooperation required
to restore joy, wonder, and love to our lives.

Just for today: I will cooperate with the new influence of
fellowship and spiritual strength NA has introduced to my life,
I will work the next step in my program.pg. 56

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
EXPECTATIONS vs. DEMANDS

Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get well
regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trust in God and clean
house.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 98

Dealing with expectations is a frequent topic at meetings. It isn't wrong
to expect progress of myself, good things from life, or decent treatment
from others. Where I get into trouble is when my expectations become
demands. I will fall short of what I wish to be and situations will go in
ways I do not like, because people will let me down sometimes. The only
question is: "What am I going to do about it?" Wallow in self-pity or
anger; retaliate and make a bad situation worse; or will I trust in God's
power to bring blessings on the messes in which I find myself? Will I ask
Him what I should be learning; do I keep on doing the right things I know
how to do, no matter what; do I take time to share my faith and blessings
with others?

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden / February 24th

A.A. Thought for the Day

When we came to our first A.A. meeting, we looked
up at the wall at the end of the room and saw the
sign: "But for the grace of God." We knew right
then and there that we would have to call on the
grace of God in order to get sober and get over our
soul sickness. We heard speakers tell how they
had come to depend on a Power greater than
themselves. That made sense to us and we made up
our minds to try it. Am I depending on the grace of
God to help me stay sober?

Meditation for the Day

Share your love, your joy, your happiness, your time,
your food, your money gladly with all. Give out all
the love you can with a glad, free heart and hand.
Do all you can for others and back will come
countless stores of blessings. Sharing draws others
to you. Take all who come as sent by God and give them
a royal welcome. You may never see the results of your
sharing. Today they may not need you, but tomorrow
may bring results from the sharing you did today.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may make each visitor desire to return.
I pray that I may never make anyone feel repulsed or
unwanted.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Protect Yourself From Negative Influences

After a long rainstorm in the desert,
I watched little drops of runoff splashing off of a rock face
into little indentations in the rock.
Each drop fell in exactly the same place as the drop before,
and over the years, the procession had dug a tiny hole into the stone.
I looked around at the other rocks in the are and saw that they too,
were pockmarked by the slow but steady efforts of erosion over the years.

Poor relationships can be like that rain.
We start out on a course of learning
and self-improvement with the best of intentions,
but little by little our efforts are undermined by
the associations that we choose.
We do have an advantage over those rocks though.
We can move.

Maybe you have allowed your efforts to be sabotaged by wrong friends,
wrong thoughts, or negative input of some sort and kind. You can a choice.
You can choose to stand in the rain of negativity and slowly be worn down by it,
or you can find shelter, a support group of like-mined people,
a good book or program, a minister, or mentor,
a helpful and positive friend.

Be aware of the negative rain in your life.
If even a stone can be worn down over time by constant falling rain,
how much more must we be aware of the influences in our lives.
Seek out that which is edifying,
and find shelter from that which can erode your resolve.

God, protect me from negative influences, which erode my beliefs.
Help me protect myself.
Surround me with that which is positive, edifying, and uplifting.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tao Te Ching, Chapter Nineteen and Twenty
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/taotec/part10.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Overcoming Anxiety
by Robert Elias Najemy

In order to create the healthy, happy and harmonious reality we
all desire, we will need to create emotional harmony.

This process can be divided into six basic steps:

1. Recognize our emotions.
2. Accept them as they are.
3. Release them when necessary.
4. Understand how they are created.
5. Transform the negative ones through understanding and create
    more positive ones.
6. Transcend them.

Here we will present a short profile of some of the basic
emotions. We have developed specific questionnaires for
understanding each one.

As this book would have become prohibitively large if
we included them here, those who are seriously seeking
to understand themselves can download these
questionnaires from our web site at
http://www.HolisticHarmony.com/research/emotions.html.
(for members... but membership is free)

Answering those questions will help you discover how those
emotions are created and how you might transform them.

ANXIETY AND WORRY

Anxiety and worry, although obviously forms of fear, have become
so common that it is worth looking at them separately.

Anxiety often concerns the factors of time and results. We are
anxious because we fear that we will not have enough time to
complete all that we have planned, or that the result will not
be successful, perfect or acceptable to the others.

We worry often for the same reasons, but also when we fear
something may not turn out as we hope. That "something" may
concern ourselves, our children, or our parents or spouse, which
of course, ultimately, through our attachment to these people,
has to do with ourselves.

We learn to worry as children, and this becomes a habit causing
us to search for issues to be anxious or worrisome about, even
when there is nothing really important enough to merit such a
concern.

We may wonder at times why our mind thinks so much about a
particular matter, creating anxiety and worry, when in reality
that matter is not so important to us.

Anxiety and worry contain a feeling of danger, that we are
unable to achieve what we want or protect ourselves from others
or events. It is a form of self-doubt and lack of faith in
ourselves, others and the Divine Laws of the universe.

"Soul-utions"

For this reason, we would do well to employ a daily program of:
1. Exercises
2. Breathing techniques
3. Deep relaxation with positive projection,
4. Meditation
5. A healthy diet
6. Creative self-expression.

These activities will help reorganize our energy patterns,
freeing us from the hold of negative thoughts.

Positive antidotes to anxiety and worry could be:

1. Faith in divine wisdom and justice; that all will occur as is
necessary and beneficial for our growth process. This belief
allows us to surrender to the wisdom of the universe and feel
secure even when externally we are being challenged by difficult
situations.

This does not mean that we do not seek to create the reality we
prefer, but simply that we feel sure that the results of our
efforts will be the best for our growth regardless of whether
they are what we prefer.

2. Confidence in our ability to deal with whatever life brings us.

Why should we doubt that we can deal with whatever comes? We
have encountered so many tests in life, and here we are ? alive
and reading this. We have survived. We, as spirit, are greater
than any possible human experience.

3. Realizing that we are worthy of love and acceptance as we are.

Much of our anxiety has to do with our doubts about our
self-worth which we tend to measure by what others think and by
the results of our efforts. Accepting ourselves as we are
removes much anxiety.

4. Living in and enjoying the present moment.

Our fears, regrets, anxiety and worry seldom have to do with the
present, but rather with the past and future. But neither
actually exist. The past exists only to the degree that we carry
it in our minds. The future is equally an illusion.

Focusing on what we are doing in the present moment releases us
from anxiety and worry.

About The Author:
Robert Elias Najemy is the author of over 600 articles, 400 lecture
cassettes on Human Harmony and 20 books, which have sold over 100,000
copies. He is the Founder and director of the Center for Harmonious Living
in Greece with 3700 members. http://www.HolisticHarmony.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
All Things Grow...With Love

I once taught in a small private school located within the charming confines
of a three-story stone mansion. Each morning at nine o'clock all the
students gathered in the Great Room for a metaphysical warm-up in
preparation for the day. Fifty-three children, ranging in age from three to
seven years, sat on child-sized colorful chairs or in sun-flooded patterns
on the thick carpet. Each bright face was illuminated by positive thoughts
and feelings as he or she eagerly anticipated the morning's songs,
meditations and exploration into yet another metaphysical cranny of the
mind.

One morning the headmistress made an announcement to all the children
gathered. "Today we begin a great experiment of the mind, of your mind."
She held up two small ivy plants, each potted in an identical container.
"Here we have two plants," she continued. "Do they look the same?"

All the children nodded solemnly. So did I, for, in this way, I was also a
child.

"We will give the plants the same amount of light, the same amount of water,
but not the same amount of attention," she said. "Together we are going to
see what will happen when we put one plant out in the kitchen, on the
counter, away from our attention, and the other plant right here in this
room on the mantel."

She placed one plant on the white wooden ledge, then led the children en
masse to the kitchen where she sat the other plant on the white counter.
Afterward she led the parade of wide-eyed youngsters back to their places in
the Great Room.

"Each day for the next month, we shall sing to our plant on the mantel," she
said. "We will tell it with words how much we love it, how beautiful it is.
We will use our good minds to think good thoughts about this plant."

One of the smallest children jumped to her feet. "But, Ma'am, what about
the plant out there?" She pointed a stubbby finger toward the kitchen.

The headmistress smiled at all her charges. "We will use the kitchen plant
as the 'control' in our great experiment. How do you think it will work?"

"We won't speak to it?"

"Not even a whisper."

"We won't send it any good thoughts?"

"That's right. And then we'll see what happens."

Four weeks later my novice eyes were as wide and disbelieving as the
children's. The kitchen plant was leggy and sick-looking, and it hadn't
grown at all. But the Great Room plant, which had been sung to and swaddled
in positive thoughts and words, had increased threefold in size with dark
succulent leaves that fairly vibrated with energy when addressed with song,
word or thought.

In order to prove the experiment - and also dry the tears of the
tender-hearted among us who feared for the life of the other plant - the
kitchen ivy was rescued from its solitary confinement and brought to the
Great Room to join the other ivy on the mantel, but at the opposite end.

Within three weeks, the second plant had caught up with the first ivy.
Within four weeks, they could not be recognized, one from the other.

I took this lesson to heart and made it my own:

All things grow...with love.

By Joan Bramsch
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My Time

Oh, how many roads I've traveled here and there
and yet, I feel like I've been getting nowhere at all
My life has been so full of activities and obligations
which claimed my limited time in the here and now
And it always seemed so easy to add one more thing
while seldom did I ever consider that I had choices
But now the sheer weight of it all seems so heavy
as if I couldn't even catch my breath at times
It's like suddenly awakening from a bad dream
in which you were doing something that's harmful
And you shake your head and wonder out loud
why would you possibly choose to do such a thing
I've given so much to others and so little to myself
that I've become what I do more than who I am
And, the most frightening aspect of this nightmare
is that I'm not even sure anymore who I really am
But, now that I see the light of who I might become
if I just take the time to discover what I truly need
I'm going to use the time I have left and strike a balance
between what others want of me and what I need for me
So, my patient soul, I have finally found that I have time
to spend with you who are my essence and my immortality
Therefore, come softly to me as a warm, gentle breeze
for I need your living presence more than life itself

dennis j hopkins
mrseven@...
http://www.dennisjhopkins.com/Poetry.html
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lies, Lies and Damn Lies!

I'll just have a few,
down at the watering hole.
I promise
I won't get drunk,
fall down, throw up
pass out, blackout
and shame you
beyond embarrassment.
I won't have to bear
the face of guilt, and pain,
because I can handle it.
I know I won't be saying,
"I can have just one more",
because I have it under control.
I'm not an alcoholic,
a drunk, lush, rummy or wino.
I can't be a drunk because
Only bums are drunks,
and people who
drink before noon are alkies.
I'm not a drunk because
I only drink on the weekends,
I only drink beer, and I still have a job.
I'm not a drunk because
You cannot tell when I'm drunk,
I never lose friends,
and I still have a family.
I'm not a drunk and I believe it!
Frank B
fberesheim@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Every one of us needs a home. The world needs a home.
There are so many young people who are homeless.
They may have a building to live in,
but they are homeless in their hearts.
That is why the most important practice of our time,
is to give each person a home."
Thich Nhat Hanh
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It is one of the most beautiful compensations
of this life that no man can sincerely
try to help another without helping himself.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Be absolutely clear about who you are and what you stand for.
Refuse to compromise."
Brian Tracy
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We have two ears and one mouth so that
we can listen twice as much as we speak.
Epictetus
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Have compassion for yourself and others.
Everyone is doing the best they can based on their life experiences.
Everyone is learning and growing, and so are you.
HeartMath Discovery Program, Doc Childre and Sara Paddison
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Feelings pass if you express yourself.
If you don't they accumulate and you become confused.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It's one thing to own your own feelings and share them,
it's another thing to sit in your shit.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Pain is like a door,
you have to go through it to get to the other side.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I used to act off a feeling.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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:
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and
write subscribe in the subject line.

Under Bill s.1618 TITLE III passed by the 105th U.S. Congress
this letter cannot be considered spam as long as the following words
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To unsubscribe to to this list send an Email message to:
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or go to the website and unsubscribe
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 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, Hong Kong, 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, Qatar, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1565

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Wed Feb 23, 2005 12:44 pm
Subject: 2/23/05 "Family Found Among Strangers" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Holidays
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/holidays.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 23
Today I have the courage to own my own unhappiness,
daring to look within to discover its source.
Today I treat myself as a friend, with gentleness and acceptance.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Family Found Among Strangers

Lost and alone,
Friends and family gone,
I was drowning in self pity,
Self loathing eating away at my soul.
My family long since given up on the wreck that I had become.
My world shattered with the simple decree of a Judge,
Ordered to attend 13 weeks, meetings of AA.
I walked into that room, head bent in shame.
Lost and alone no where to turn no one to turn to.
Then a stranger held out her had and bade me welcome.
Surely if she knew she would not welcome me I thought.
That first night I listened to these strangers
and found myself in each of them.
And now through each struggle each craving
every high and every low I know where to go
I found myself in these rooms,
and I found a family among strangers

Anonymous
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Recovery Links
<http://silkworth.net/recovery.html>

A.A. Grapevine
<http://www.aagrapevine.org/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 23                           Messages and messengers

"Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever
reminding us to place principles before personalities." Tradition Twelve

The Twelfth Tradition reminds us of the importance of putting "principles
before personalities:' In recovery meetings, this might be paraphrased,
"don't shoot the messenger!' We often get the message confused with the
messenger, and negate what someone shares at a meeting because we have
personality conflicts with the person speaking.

If we are having problems with what certain people have to share at
meetings, we might want to seek the guidance of our sponsor. Our sponsor
can help us concentrate on what's being said rather than who's saying it.
Our sponsor can also help us address the resentments that may be keeping
us from acknowledging the value of some particular person's recovery
experience. It is surprising how much more we can get out of meetings when
we allow ourselves to do as our Twelfth Tradition suggests, focusing on
recovery principles rather than personalities.

Just for today: I will practice the principle of anonymity in today's NA
meeting. I will focus on the message of recovery, not the personality of
the messenger. pg. 55

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
WE CAN'T THINK OUR WAY SOBER

To the intellectually self-sufficient man or woman, many A.A.'s can say,
"Yes, we were like you -- far too smart for our own good . . . Secretly,
we felt we could float above the rest of the folks on our brain power alone."
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 60

Even the most brilliant mind is no defense against the disease of
alcoholism. I can't think my way sober. I try to remember that
intelligence is a God-given attribute that I may use, a joy -- like having
a talent for dancing or drawing or carpentry. It does not make me better
than anyone else, and it is not a particularly reliable tool for recovery,
for it is a power greater than myself who will restore me to sanity -- not
a high IQ or a college degree.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden / February 23rd

A.A. Thought for the Day

Besides our jobs, our families, our friends, and our
sobriety, we have something else that many of us
found through A.A. That's faith in a Power greater
than ourselves, to which we can turn for help: faith
in that Divine Principle in the universe which we call
God and which is on our side as long as we do the right
thing. There have been many days in the past when,
if we had taken an inventory, we'd have found ourselves
very much in the red, without sobriety, and therefore
without jobs, families, friends, or faith in God. We
now have these things because we're sober. Do I
make one resolution every day of my life to stay sober?

Meditation for the Day

Love the busy life. It is a joy filled life. Take your fill
of joy in the spring. Live outdoors whenever possible.
Sun and air are nature's great healing forces. That
inward joy changes poisoned blood into a pure, healthy,
life giving flow. But never forget that the real healing
of the spirit comes from within, from the close, loving
contact of your spirit with God's spirit. Keep in close
communion with God's spirit day by day.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may learn to live the abundant life. I pray
that I may enjoy a close contact with God this day and be
glad in it.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Find The Adventure In Your Life

He had to quit his job eight weeks earlier,
a prodigal son off to find his story in the world.
He arrived back in town dirty,
unshaven, tired, and smiling.
He had $4.38 in his pocket, he said.
Enough for a burger and fries, if someone would
give him a ride-there wasn't enough gas in his car
to get him to the restaurant and back.
We were just getting ready to go to the dinner
and one of the others asked if he wanted to come along,
"My treat, "a friend said, "as long as you tell us some stories." He did.

And oh what stories he told from his trip through
the west-high mountains, deep canyons,
altitude sickness, frigid nights.
Story after story poured out as we listened
over plates of tacos.
"But what will you do now?" I asked later.
"You only have four dollars to your name."
"It's okay," came the reply.
"I'll just go back to work for a while."
"And then?" Take another trip.
Next year I'm going to Europe
to see what's over there."

Take a chance.
We don't have to settle in and live in the first safe,
comfortable box that we find.
We can live in the moment,
pull all that we can from it,
then stretch our wings and fly someplace else.
I'm not saying to quit your job and go off
on a backpacking adventure,
unless that's what you want to do.
I'm just saying you might want to follow your heart.
Learn to cook, learn to paint, share what you know
by teaching a class.
Find the adventure in your life,
calculate the risk, then take it.

God, put the adventure back in my life. If I've
gotten to safe in my little world, help me take a risk.
Help me learn to live big.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tao Te Ching, Chapter Seventeen and Eighteen
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/taotec/part9.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The Still Small Voice"

Often, it seems, we come upon a problem that takes all our strength to even
begin to figure how to solve it.
As time goes on, it appears that every problem we encounter becomes more
difficult than the previous one.
How can we proceed when it appears that the world is crashing all around?

What choices do we make? Where do we go for help? How do we cope? What
road do we choose? Obviously, Yogi Berra's statement, "When you come to a
fork in the road, take it" does not bring us great comfort at such times.

Some of us analyze the facts and study the intricacies of the problem. This
is good, but analysis is not always enough. Then again, we may not and
cannot know all the facts. Analysis alone may lead to the "paralysis of
analysis." And facts may not be facts after all. Many of them may just be
opinions.

So how do we deal with our most troubling challenges? By using a
combination of methods and means. Remember, there are only three types of
problems in life: money, health and relationship. Name any problem you have
and, if you look closely, you'd see that it falls under one or more of
these.

Within each and every one of us is a guidance mechanism that always points
the way to overcome challenges. It doesn't matter whether the problem you
are facing is large or small. It really is not important whether it's a
problem of money, health, relationship or a combination of these. The first
thing to realize is that you are more powerful than any problem that comes
your way.

You came into this world equipped with all the tools necessary to solve all
your problems. Deep within us is a place that's not affected by problems as
we see them. Way, way deep in our hearts and souls is the perfect solution
to any problem that may come our way. All we have to do is work with the
guidance mechanism that we all have.

To start accessing this mechanism, the first requirement is that we become
quiet. All of us keep up a lively, running dialogue in our heads. We have
to quiet the dialogue for at least a short while so we can receive
information from the deepest part of our souls. Then the voice of intuition
will speak to us.

A number of times a day, choose a few minutes to be quiet. By being quiet,
what I am really saying is to turn down the volume of your self-talk. It
won't entirely go away, but it would become quiet enough so that we could
hear the "still small voice" of our inner-sense whispering guidance to us.

Listen intently to the messages you're getting from your inner-self. Do not
force it or try to interpret what you're hearing. Just listen with an open
mind. At first, it'll seem a bit difficult to do this. But as you
practice, it will become much easier. And as it becomes easier, it'll
become more useful.

The solutions to all your problems exist right now. The answers are already
there. Just listen for them in the quietness of your being and they will
come to you -- perhaps not immediately, but very soon. And trust the
process; it works much better and faster when you trust it.

Keep an open mind. Don't argue or analyze the messages you get from your
intuition. Sometimes the message may not make sense right away. Just go on
with your daily work and you'll start finding that you get hunches about
what is troubling you most. Follow your hunches. They are God's messengers
trying to lead you to your greatest good.

If you practice this seemingly simple exercise, you would find that guidance
comes to you in many forms and in many ways. The answer to your problem may
come to you while you're taking a shower, driving to the supermarket,
walking the dog or even in your sleep as a dream.

You may even find answers in a song on the radio, the words on a billboard
or a phone call from a friend. The universe has all the answers to our
problems. Be guided by the great wisdom within you. Trust yourself and
trust your God. You are the universe's special project and you cannot fail.

by John Harricharan
http://www.EnterprisingSpirit.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"There Are No Condoms For The Heart"
Dr. Paul C. Wanio

    "To isolate or split off the sexual side of your being from
the rest of yourself so that you might partake in casual sex,
is not only degrading and limiting, it is psychologically unhealthy.
By behaving in an intimate manner without actually being intimate,
you create a 'psychic contradiction.' You allow someone to get
extremely close to you physically, without being psychologically
prepared for the experience. In fact, it is not possible to be
prepared. To really know someone is a highly developed skill that
does not occur in one week or month, nor is it merely dependent
upon time. It requires in-depth awareness, emotional sharing,
honest communication, trust and non-defensiveness.

Though sex can express intimacy, it can also substitute for it.
We can learn to perform great sex without ever sharing or
knowing ourselves. And, without an intimate and deeply personal
knowledge of one another, love cannot exist. You can place a
condom around a penis, but you cannot place one around your mind.
Safety on a human level requires trust, respect, commitment and
love. Remember, there are no condoms for the heart.

We all hunger to be emotionally visible to one another, yet at
the same time, feel threatened by it. So we try to 'have our cake
and eat it, too.' We remove our clothes and imagine that we are
really exposing ourselves. If only it were that easy. Once the
eventual disappointment of impersonal sex sets in, it's on to the
next fix to bring back the feeling of the illusory state of
communion. Mistrust, defensiveness and 'game playing' between
the sexes largely takes place because casual sex has become an
option. The harm in casual sex is that the concept itself creates
mistrust. How would you feel if your mate said to you after an
affair, 'Hey it was only sex, don't worry.' Would you be relieved?
Hardly. Because you'd know that even if the sex was able to be
twisted into something impersonal, the intimate aspects of this
loving act could potentially arise to further threaten your
relationship. If sex is so casual, it would be as silly to object to
an affair as objecting to shaking hands.

Once you develop the ability to find fulfillment in a committed,
monogamous relationship, you will wonder how you could settle for
anything less. And, you won't."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Gift of the Gods

   It was a warm summer day when the gods placed it in her
hands. She trembled with emotion as she saw how fragile it
appeared. This was a very special gift the gods were
entrusting to her. A gift that would one day belong to the
world. Until then, they instructed her, she was to be its
guardian and protector. The woman said she understood and
reverently took it home, determined to live up to the faith
the gods had placed in her.

   At first she barely let it out of her sight, protecting
it from anything she perceived to be harmful to its well-
being; watching with fear in her heart when it was exposed
to the environment outside of the sheltered cocoon she had
formed around it. But the woman began to realize that she
could not shelter it forever. It needed to learn to survive
the harsh elements in order to grow strong. So with gentle
care she gave it more space to grow...enough to allow it to
grow wild and untamed.

   One day she became aware of how much the gift had
changed. It no longer had a look of vulnerability about it.
Now it seemed to glow with strength and steadiness, almost
as if it were developing a power within. Month after month
she watched as it became stronger and more powerful, and the
woman remembered her promise. She knew deep within her heart
that her time with the gift was nearing an end.

   The inevitable day arrived when the gods came to take
the gift and present it to the world. The woman felt a deep
sadness, for she would miss its constant presence in her
life. With heartfelt gratitude she thanked the gods for
allowing her the privilege of watching over the precious
gift for so many years. Straightening her shoulders, she
stood proud, knowing that it was, indeed, a very special
gift. One that would add to the beauty and essence of the
world around it. And the mother let her child go.

By Renee R. Vroman from Condensed Chicken Soup for the Soul
Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Patty Hansen
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The secret of life is to make the best of whatever comes along.
Make each day fresh and new.
Go in search of knowledge and experience.
Let your questions and your answers reconcile.
And do your best to remember...
The best kind of learning curve is an enlightened smile.
Allin Austen
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us,
and we see nothing but sand;
the angels come to visit us,
and we only know them when they are gone."
George Eliot
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I understand that my body goes with this world, so I take care of it.
My attitude is that the body is a temple.
This is a place where God can dwell.
What am I doing to make it a place where God is welcome?
John Morton
(From: The Blessings Already Are)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We are not human beings having a spiritual experience;
we are spiritual beings having a human experience.
Wayne Dyer
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"A teacher is the candle that lights others in consuming itself."
Giovanni Ruffini
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Good teachers are costly, but bad teachers cost more."
Robert Talbert
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sometimes family will kick your ass in the name of love.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I have to love my family from a distance.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
You have to go through it,
to grow through it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fear and Faith can't live in the same house.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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
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with friends and loved ones: Please keep passing this along to
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada , Columbia, Costa Rica, China ,
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Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1564

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Tue Feb 22, 2005 12:39 pm
Subject: 2/22/05 "The Angel I Never Knew" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Institutions
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/institutions.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 22
God is guiding me on my path
to self-sufficiency and independence today.
As I become willing to let go of
my feelings of inferiority and weakness,
my Higher Power gives me all the strength
that I need for all that comes up for me today.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Angel I Never Knew

How was I to know?
That God would use you and let you go

You helped me on my special day
Then you had to go away

I only knew your name and problem
Same as mine, together we could solve them

The voice behind the telephone
Helped me to find a strength I could own
A journey made by many others
Together the same, sisters and brothers
Understanding each other as only we could
Knowing the deep struggles we faced and would

Barry, you will never know how you helped me that day
You gave me a start in something special, to stay

Many hearts and hands you have touched in your life
Many tears will remember
Many memories remade anew
But this Angel, was someone I never knew

Thank you God for using him that day when I couldn't take it anymore
Thank you God for putting hope in my heart
Thank you God for standing by me all the way
Thank you God for giving me the strength to stay sober today.
Thank you Barry, I hope you can hear me.

(Barry died December 29th 2001, as my new life
started December 24th. He talked with me on the phone
and said some very memorable things to help me make
the most important decision in my life, being sober.)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If you or someone you love suffers from bipolar disorder
or any other mental illness,
you may find Mara's work to be specially poignant for you.
<http://www.maramcwilliams.com/>

A.A Big Book
<http://aainsa.org/BigBook/>

N.A. Archive
<http://www.mwbr.net/narchive/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 22                          God's will, or mine?

"We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong
promptly admitted it." Step Ten

In Narcotics Anonymous, we've found that the more we live in harmony
with our Higher Power's will for us, the greater the harmony in our lives.
We use the Tenth Step to help us maintain that harmony. On a daily basis,
we take time to look at our behavior. Some of us measure each action with
a very simple question: "God's will, or mine?"

In many cases, we find that our actions have been in tune with our Higher
Power's will for us, and we in turn have been in tune with the world
around us. In some cases, however, we will discover inconsistencies
between our behavior and our values. We've been acting on our own will,
not God's, and the result has been dissonance in our lives.

When we discover such inconsistencies, we admit we've been wrong and
take corrective action. With greater awareness of what we believe God's
will for us to be in such situations, we are less likely to repeat those
actions. And we are more likely to live in greater concord with our Higher
Power's will for us and with the world around us.

Just for today: I wish to live in harmony with my world. Today, I will
examine my actions, asking, "God's will, or mine?" pg. 54

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"THE ROOT OF OUR TROUBLES"

Selfishness -- self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 62

How amazing the revelation that the world, and everyone in it, can get
along just fine with or without me. What a relief to know that people,
places and things will be perfectly okay without my control and direction.
And how wordlessly wonderful to come to believe that a power greater
than me exists separate and apart from myself. I believe that the
feeling of separation I experience between me and God will one day
vanish. In the meantime, faith must serve as the pathway to the center
of my life.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ February 22nd

A.A. Thought for the Day

Now we can take an inventory of the good things
that have come to us through A.A. To begin with,
we're sober today. That's the biggest asset on
any alcoholic's books. Sobriety to us is like
goodwill in business. Everything else depends on
that. Most of us have jobs which we owe to our
sobriety. We know we couldn't hold these jobs if
we were drinking, so our jobs depend on our
sobriety. Most of us have families, which we either
had lost or might have lost, if we hadn't stopped
drinking. We have friends in A.A., real friends who
are always ready to help us. Do I realize that my job,
my family, and my real friends are dependent upon
my sobriety?

Meditation for the Day

I must trust God to the best of my ability. This lesson
has to be learned. My doubts and fears continually
drive me back into the wilderness. Doubts lead me
astray, because I am not trusting God. I must trust
God's love. It will never fail me, but I must learn not
to fail it by my doubts and fears. We all have much to
learn in turning out fear by faith. All our doubts arrest
God's work through us. I must not doubt. I must
believe in God and continually work at strengthening my
faith.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may live the way God wants me to live. I pray
that I may get into that stream of goodness in the world.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We Can Go Only So Far

There is no such thing as complete acceptance.
When you can remember a loss with a little
distance and much less pain,
you have accepted the loss and mourned it fully.
You accept that life is different
now and move on.
�-David Viscott,
Emotionally Free

There are certain events that we may never accept fully
What can be accepted, though, is that we are required
to live with these losses and find a way to go on.

Some people were horribly abused in childhood,
beyond what anyone can be expected to endure.
Some of us have experienced unthinkable losses
later on in life.
A spouse may have betrayed us.
We may have lost our family through divorce.
We may have lost our physical health through an
accident or illness. A loved one may have died.

It's okay to stop waiting for and expecting total
acceptance of the unthinkable in your life.
Instead, gently do one thing each day to demonstrate
that you're willing to move forward with your life.

God, grant me compassion for myself and others.
Help me learn to be gentle with broken hearts, including my own.
Activity: �Make a list of all the questions you have for ��
God, the "why's." For instance, why did so-and-so have to die,
why did I have lose my family, why did this have to happen to me?
Then, as much as possible, do not dwell on those questions.
Trust you'll get your answers possibly later, possibly when
you can talk to your Higher Power face-to-face.
For now, let those questions be the unsolved mysteries of life.

Melody Beattie ©
From - "More Language of Letting Go"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tao Te Ching, Chapter Fifteen and Sixteen
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/taotec/part8.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kissing & Driving
by Alan Cohen

"I saw a romantic greeting card which showed a couple kissing in the front
seat of a car. The message said, "'If you can kiss while driving safely, you
are not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.' Anything that is worth
doing, is worth doing with a whole heart. And mind. And body. We get into
trouble not because we do things that are wrong, but because we approach our
activities with divided intentions. Our body is doing one thing while our
heart is elsewhere. We go to jobs we'd rather not be at, we sleep with
people we don't love, we go to parties we secretly find boring or repulsive.
At the same time we love people we don't express our love for, we deny
ourselves food we would really enjoy, we have creative impulses we do not
follow, we know truths we do not act on.

I have a very simple definition of integrity: You are in integrity when what
you are doing on the outside matches who you are on the inside. I respect
people who live unapologetically. I know people who do things I don't agree
with, or wouldn't do myself, but I respect them for being 100% who they are.
They are in integrity.

In the movie City Slickers, a veteran cowboy named Curly teaches some
angst-ridden dudes some country wisdom. When things get tough, Curly raises
his index finger and nods. Eventually the city slickers figure out what he
meant: "Do one thing at a time. If you can really focus on what is right
before you, everything falls into place." What is it, then, that makes our
lives qualitatively better? Presence. Being 100% with what you are doing.
Approaching work, relationships, everything with a whole heart. Be fully
present with whatever you are doing. When you are at work, that's all that
exists. When you are making love, make total love. When you are with your
kids, really be with your kids. One.

I noticed that when I did book signings, I felt rushed so I could
accommodate everyone in line. I was not fully present with some people
because I was aware of the people behind them in line. Then I realized that
I was cheating them and myself. So I decided to be fully present with each
person, and stay with them until I really connected with them. Suddenly book
signings became a delight. Now I love talking to people, touching them,
looking into their eyes. Everything is like kissing and driving. If you're
driving, really drive. If you're kissing, really kiss."

About The Author:
Alan Cohen is the author of the best-selling The Dragon Doesn't Live Here
Anymore and the acclaimed Why Your Life Sucks and What You Can Do About It.
(The above books can be ordered by clicking on the book titles.) Join Alan
in Maui for his life-transforming Mastery Training and new Oxygen Training
for healers and therapists. For information on these seminars and a free
catalog of Alan's books, tapes, and courses, call 1-800-568-3079, visit
www.alancohen.com, email admin@..., or write P.O. Box 835, Haiku,
HI 96708.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Step Lightly
~ Virjinja ~

We come to see our enjoyments as privileges and gifts...
from precious people to pleasurable things,
all to our benefit.
The environment so perfect to meet our daily needs...
the food we eat for sustenance,
the very air we breathe.
People who are here with us, as part of the Grand Design...
angels on our journey, guiding like road signs.
The wisdom of gratitude includes responsibility...
not to misuse or manipulate these bestowals,
but instead to step lightly.
Our treasures are for cherishing, to hold out as a prize...
not thoughtlessly wasted or depleted,
soon gone and out of sight.
Step lightly with the legacy of what you've been blessed with.
Be gentle with your privileges...
to keep them in your midst.
(Copyright 2002 ~ Virginia Santoro ~ All Rights Reserved)

Morning Musings...
is a nondenominational, daily inspirational newsletter,
delivered to its subscribers Monday thru Friday,
and a single Weekender edition.
It is born of the meditations and experiences of the author.
Its purpose is to honor God in all expressions, and to
offer healing, compassion, peace and love to the reader.
Your comments appreciated and warmly received...:)
To Subscribe, Unsubscribe or Send Email, write to:
MorningMusings@...
Morning Musings Each mornings is a journey
<http://hometown.aol.com/morningmusings/myhomepage/profile.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lighting Your Way

If I was one thing, I'd be a candle
Lighting the way so you can handle
Your life easier without woes
Not having to fight with your foes.

I'd help keep you from stumbling over
Things blocking your path to an open door.
If I light your path, life is easier,
Even strong winds, my light will not deter.

No matter what, I'm here for you
To cheer you up when you are blue.
Do not fret when times get tough,
If things look down or kind of rough.

Just remember, I'm always here,
In your heart, close and near.
I will help you out in every way,
Happiness and love in your heart will stay.

Don't blow me out, that's one request
Unless it's me you do detest.
I do not try to hurt anyone
That isn't good or any fun.

But one day you may leave me behind
You may no longer need my light to shine.
If that day comes, go on your way
And I will hope to see you again one day.

If one day, I don't appear,
Do not worry, do not fear
I may be gone, but in your heart
The light I gave you did not depart.

It will be there forever and a day
To always bring happiness and light your way.
Farewell for now, I'm needed elsewhere
If your path grows dark, in your heart, I'm there.

So I'm really not gone, just not seen,
I would not leave, I'm not that mean.
Only one simple request that I must say,
Please, never forget those who lit your way.

© 1999 James Davidson
justageorgiaguy@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
THE MASK

When I look in the mirror at the person I see,
sometimes I wonder who is that looking at me?

She puts on a smile before facing the day,
though her heart may feel heavy
she pushes her cares out of the way.

In her eyes there's a sparkle on her brow not a frown,
and when she's ready to go she's up, never down.

There's no sign of trouble on the mask that she wears,
if I didn't know her I'd think she hadn't a care.

But under the mask there's lost dreams and some pain,
and a deep well of strength that fills again and again.

Most never look deeper than the mask that she wears,
what they see on the surface is all that they care.

But, oh what they're missing by not lifting the mask,
the surface is never the place one should bask.

The core of a person is what you must know,
if you look deep inside the real self will show.

The privilege of knowing a person that deep,
is truly a treasure filled with memories to keep.

Most people know heartache and have a story to tell,
but they're wearing a mask to cover their hell.

Adversity met and risen above,
fills a person with depth and teaches great love.

So, don't take for granted just what you see,
Look under the mask, that's where the real person will be.
author unknown
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Are You Ready?

Go on, what are you waiting for? Ask Him.
What are you afraid of? Letting go?
Relinquishing control? Receiving the guidance?
Can you stand to be blessed?
Surrender. Don't fix it, reveal it. Share it.
Give it away yet, own it.
Own what is yours and let go of the rest.
Go on, what are you waiting for? Ask Him.
Release the fear of freedom and believe that
you can maintain the responsibility to keep that freedom.
Go ahead, ask Him to release you from those self forged
shackles you've been dragging around for so long.
You have always had the key, now turn it, turn it over!
Over to the care of a loving God.
Give in, not up.

By: Joe T.
jojoixnay@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dear God,
Sporadically, for much of my life, I have sought You.
I have wandered in philosophies and religions,
Wandered in my own thoughts,
Listened to learned and holy people.
Read books, attended lectures, studied and yearned.
And then I realized (or You revealed)
That wherever I am, You are.
I sense Your presence within me as Love, Light and Peace.
Sometimes my sense of You is strong - other
times just a flicker.
I know that You do not change God.
It is me who is not always focused.
Guide me today to be aware of You in myself
and in each person.
Strengthen my focus and clear my vision.
I want to live the Truth of You in all ways.
Thank You sweet Spirit.
Amen
Marianne Williamson
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
God is present in all things,
even those events and circumstances that seem terrible.
Within any circumstance is the seed
that can bear the fruit of the greater good,
if we are willing to ask God
to lead us in bringing forth that good.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It is a fine thing to have ability,
but the ability to discover ability
in others is the true test.
Elbert Hubbard
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it.
For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it.
For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.
Ivan Panin
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Don't wait for faith to start praying,
We increase our faith by using our faith.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Breathe in faith,
Breathe out fear.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Faith isn't faith until it's all you have to hold on to.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fear is courage that hasn't said it's prayers.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada , Columbia, Costa Rica, China ,
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Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1563

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Mon Feb 21, 2005 5:19 pm
Subject: 2/21/05 "Gratitude After One Year" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Trust
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/trust.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 21
It is exciting to know
that I have all the strength I need today
to do what is good and right in my life.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gratitude After One Year

One year ago they said I would die,
If I didn't surrender so I said I would try.
I opened my heart and mind to God's will,
My life and soul with love he did fill.
Getting rid of the garbage stuffed deep inside,
Was but one of the suggestions that I did abide.
Please God, I said, take over my life,
Clean up this mess and calm the strife.
That he did and much, much more,
I got loving, and caring, and sharing galore.
I'm sober and straight and happy too,
Though just for today is all I must do.
The talents I have, I'm willing to give,
In hope maybe one more addict may live.
today's the day, in my very own way, I say
thanks, to N.A. , in my own special way.

By Dianne Halverson
December, 1989
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Naranon
<http://nar-anon.org/index.html>

Gift From The Sea, Anne Morrow Lindbergh
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/annlin/part1.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/annlin/part2.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/annlin/part3.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 21                  Self-pity or recovery-it's our choice

"Self-pity is one of the most destructive of defects; it will drain us
of all positive energy."    Basic Text, p. 77

In active addiction, many of us used self-pity as a survival mechanism.
We didn't believe there was an alternative to living in our disease—or
perhaps we didn't want to believe. As long as we could feel sorry for
ourselves and blame someone else for our troubles, we didn't have to
accept the consequences of our actions; believing ourselves powerless to
change, we didn't have to accept the need for change. Using this "survival
mechanism" kept us from entering recovery and led us closer, day by day,
to self-destruction. Self-pity is a tool of our disease; we need to stop
using it and learn instead to use the new tools we find in the NA program.

We have come to believe that effective help is available for us; when we
seek that help, finding it in the NA program, self-pity is displaced by
gratitude. Many tools are at our disposal: the Twelve Steps, the support
of our sponsor, the fellowship of other recovering addicts, and the care
of our Higher Power. The availability of all these tools is more than
enough reason to be grateful. We no longer live in isolation, without
hope; we have certain help at hand for anything we may face. The surest
way to become grateful is to take advantage of the help available to us in
the NA program and to experience the improvement the program will
bring in our lives.

Just for today: I will be grateful for the hope NA has given me. I
will cultivate my recovery and stop cultivating self-pity. pg. 53

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
THE LIMITS OF SELF-RELIANCE

We asked ourselves why we had them [fears]. Wasn't it because
self-reliance failed us?
ANONYMOUS, p. 68

All of my character defects separate me from God's will. When I ignore my
association with Him I face the world and my alcoholism alone and must
depend on self-reliance. I have never found security and happiness through
self-will and the only result is a life of fear and discontent. God
provides the path back to Him and to His gift of serenity and
comfort. First, however, I must be willing to acknowledge my fears and
understand their source and power over me. I frequently ask God to help me
understand how I separate myself from Him.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden / February 21st

A.A. Thought for the Day

I go to the A.A. meetings because it helps me in my
business of keeping sober. And I try to help other
alcoholics when I can, because that's part of my
business of keeping sober. I also have a partner
in this business and that's God. I pray to Him every
day to help me to keep sober. As long as I keep in
mind that liquor can never be my friend again, but is
now my deadly enemy, and as long as I remember
that my main business is keeping sober and that it's
the most important thing in my life. I believe, I'll be
prepared for that crucial moment when the idea of
having a drink pops into my mind. When that idea
comes, will I be able to resist it and not take that drink?

Meditation for the Day

I will be more afraid of spirit-unrest, of soul-disturbance,
of any ruffling of the mind, than of earthquake or fire.
When I feel the calm of my spirit has been broken
by emotional upset, then I must steal away alone with
God, until my heart sings and all is strong and calm again.
Uncalm times are the only times when evil can find an
entrance. I will beware of unguarded spots of unrest.
I will try to keep calm, no matter what turmoil surrounds me.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that no emotional upsets will hinder God's power
in my life. I pray that I may keep a calm spirit and a
steady heart.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Protect Yourself From Negative Influences

After a long rainstorm in the desert,
I watched little drops of runoff splashing
off of a rock face into little indentations in the rock.
Each drop fell in exactly the same place as the day before,
and over the years, the procession
had dug a tiny hole in the stone.
I looked around at the other rocks in the area and
saw that they, too, were pockmarked by the slow but
steady effects of erosion over the years.

Poor relationships can be like that rain.
We start out on a course of learning and
self-improvement with the best of intentions,
but little by little our efforts are undermined
by the associations that we choose.
We do have an advantage over those rocks though.

We can move.

Maybe you have allowed your efforts to be sabotage
by wrong friends, wrong thoughts, or negative input
of some sort and kind. You have a choice.
You can choose to stand in the rain or negativity and
slowly be worn down by it, or you can find shelter,
a support group of like-minded people,
a good book or program, a minister or mentor,
a helpful and positive friend.

Be aware of the negative rain in your life.
If even a stone can be worn down over time
by constant falling rain, how much more must we
be aware of the influences in our lives.
Seek out that which is edifying,
and find shelter from that which can erode your resolve.

God, protect me from negative influences,
which erode my beliefs. Help me protect myself.
Surround me with that which is
positive, edifying, and uplifting.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tao Te Ching, Chapter Thirteen and Fourteen
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/taotec/part7.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
With Beauty before me, I sit.
With Beauty behind me, I am in the center of life.
With Beauty below me, I am life.
With Beauty above me, I am held in the hand of Creator.

Vision Quest

Going alone into wild nature is an ancient way of connecting with your own
soul. Simply being alive and fully present in the moment opens a direct
connection to all of Creation which shamans call a state of ecstatic union.
If you can feel this even for a moment, it will change your life forever. In
the seeming simplest ways is hidden profound wisdom. The gateway is within.

"The vision quest is a spiritual journey to wisdom that has been practiced
by people for as long as history can remember. The resulting visions are
recorded in cave drawings and described in the oral traditions of cultures
throughout the world. Native North Americans believed that animals took
vision quests when they hibernated during the long winter months. Christ's
forty days in the wilderness was a vision quest. Many of the prayers,
meditations, and rituals used by the world's religions originally were
developed as vehicles for the vision quest. .. We and the other "moderns" on
this planet are perhaps the first people in history not to practice some
form of the vision quest as a regular part of our education process."
(John Perkins from The World is as You Dream It, Shamanic Teachings from the
Amazon and Andes)

What you accomplish on a Solo journey depends on your reason for doing it.
What is your intention for going into nature alone, and how willing and open
are you to what may come to you? Most people I think use the Solo experience
to find themselves or to deepen an already strong connection to spirit.
Whatever the reason, if it is done authentically, it will change your life
forever.

A journey alone is really the only way to connect with yourself. You rely
and trust only on your own instincts. You pay more attention to your gut
feelings. You are not following another's advice or opinions, you do not
have the false security of others around you. You are not trusting another
to keep you safe and out of harms way. Nothing and no one can give you the
confidence and courage to trust yourself, to live your life fearlessly only
your own connection to spirit can do that.

I do know that all spiritual masters spent many years of their lives alone
with nature. This should tell you of the powerful energy of nature. The same
life energy in nature is also within us, we just have to stop our way too
busy lives long enough to feel it. Being alone gives you a more peaceful and
aware feeling towards your own life. You begin to see things in your life
differently and you begin to react with more understanding and Love to the
situations in your life.

by Barbara Furlotte
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Black Belt

One of the best parables I've ever heard tells about a martial
artist who kneels before a master sensei in a ceremony to receive
the hard-earned Black Belt. After years of relentless training,
the student has finally reached a pinnacle of achievement in the
discipline.

"Before granting you the belt, you must pass one more test," the
sensei solemnly tells the young man.

"I'm ready," responds the student, expecting perhaps one more
round of sparring.

"You must answer the essential question, 'What is the true
meaning of the Black Belt?'"

"Why, the end of my journey," says the student. "A well-deserved
reward for all of my hard work."

The master waits for more. Clearly, he is not satisfied. The
sensei finally speaks: "You are not ready for the Black Belt.
Return in one year."

As the student kneels before his master a year later, he is again
asked the question, "What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?"

"A symbol of distinction and the highest achievement in our art,"
the young man responds.

Again the master waits for more. Still unsatisfied, he says once
more: "You are not ready for the Black Belt. Return in one year."

A year later the student kneels before his sensei and hears the
question, "What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?"

This time he answers, "The Black Belt represents not the end, but
the beginning, the start of a never-ending journey of discipline,
work and the pursuit of an ever-higher standard."

"Yes," says the master. "You are now ready to receive the Black
Belt and begin your work."

You may not be hoping for a Black Belt, but you might be at a
crucial point. Maybe you're facing a life change, perhaps even a
painful one. Or maybe you are awaiting something you have worked
hard to achieve -- graduation, a new job, a promotion, or even
retirement.

All wise people see that changes can be new beginnings. Change
need not be feared. And neither should we be looking for a
permanent resting place, for a full and happy life is never
stagnant.

Can you affirm that the change you face represents, not just an
ending, but a new beginning in your life's journey? If so, you
may be ready to move forward.
Steve Goodier

Just like our Basic text tells us at the end of the reading in the 12 step,
"We do recover to live clean and happy lives. Welcome to N.A.
The steps do not end here. The steps are a new beginning. J
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I Was Once New

One day I was once new
That's when I got honest and true
That was the day I had made my start
God had blessed me
He gave me a new heart
That's when I came through recoveries door
I liked what I had heard and wanted more
Take it easy keep is simple you told me
It takes hard work to break free
Using substance
Was just a small part
We had to change
Admit down in our heart
At last I there was hope
For me and you
We have to get honest
Remain humble and true
So if your down
You want to stop
We will help you to the top
Here take our hand
We will help you
To understand
It took time
For you to get here
It will take time
To overcome fear
I was new when I made my stand
You helped me and offered me your hand

Daniel M Corkery
8/20/2002
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
<http://www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
CREATING THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE
(c) Sopan Greene M.A.

At the end of each year, and on their birthdays, many people take time to
reflect and look ahead. If you're one of these people, or if you would like
to start getting the benefits from a little self reflection, then I have
some great questions for you.

These questions can be looked at once a year, once a month or whenever
you're looking for some direction in your life. I invite you to take a good
hard look at your life more than once a year. You'll get a lot more out of
your life if you're more conscious about what you're creating.

Some of the questions were developed by other people and many are from a
terrific book called "Your Best Year Yet: Ten Questions for Making the Next
Twelve Months Your Most Successful Ever" by Jinny S. Ditzler. I highly
recommend it if you want to go a little deeper.

These questions have been designed to help you to take time to complete the
year and to formulate the new year from a clean slate. By working on the
following questions you will complete this year powerfully so you can have
the room to build a new "me" for the new year.

Looking at this past year:

1. What do I want to be acknowledged for?

2. What did I accomplish?

3. What did I want to accomplish that I did not accomplish? (Do I still want
to do this?)

4. What did I say I would do that I didn't do? (Do I still want to do this?)

5. Who do I need to be in communication with?

6. What were my biggest disappointments?

7. What did I learn? - List 3 lessons which will make the most difference if
you remember them this year? (See them as guidelines for next year).

Changing patterns:

1. How do you limit yourself and how can you stop?

2. What do you say to yourself to explain your failures? (These are your
limiting paradigms).

3. List your limiting paradigm.

4. List your new paradigm which must be personal, positive, present tense,
powerfully and simply stated, pointing to an exciting future.

5. Read your new paradigm out loud when you awake and before going to sleep
each day. Teach your subconscious that this is your paradigm.

Looking ahead:

1. What are your personal values? What is most import to you in your life?
What drives you?

2. What roles do you play in your life? (List 8 or more). Then list new ones
you want to incorporate into your life in the next year. Rate each role on a
scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most important.

3. Where is your life out of balance? If you could put one problem behind
you, once and for all, what would it be?

4. Which role is your major focus for next year? (In what role do you want a
breakthrough performance? If you could put a check mark by one of these
roles at the end of next year showing, showing that you felt good about how
you are playing that role, which one would it be?)

5. What are your goals for each role?

The way that this works is that from now until the end of the year you ask
yourself the above questions. I write them down and do it in writing several
different times. Then after doing that for all of the above questions you
answer one final question:

What do I want to accomplish and who do I want to be in the coming year?

Remember the old saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Give
yourself the gift of self reflection that will help you to create the life
you really want this year. Don't you deserve better than settling for
whatever shows up when fail to plan? Of course you do.

About the Author:
Sopan Greene, M.A., who can be reached via email at Sopan@..., is
a 15 year marketing professional & editor of the Net Profits newsletter. Get
3 FREE eBooks & a FREE report: "Million Dollar Emails", "How To Start Your
Own Traffic Virus", "Born To Win," and "The 13 Deadly Internet Marketing
Mistakes Almost Every Business Is Making"
mailto:webmaster87-5956@... Visit her on the web at
http://www.NetMarketingMastery.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Truth is not learned, it is recognized.
The divine truth in us recognizes itself.
Elbridge Gagnon
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In the movie, "Family Man", there's a scene where an angel
posing as a convenience store clerk acts as if the $1 bill
he received was $10, and he gives a young girl $9.25 change.
She chooses to take the money and leave; she chooses dishonesty.
"It's amazing what people will sell for a few dollars," the angel comments.
She sold her character for $9.
Every day, life offers us choices.
We are invited to experience Love's presence.
But as we search our hearts, we may find we, too,
are trading that chance for something less.
Let this be the time that we fully step into Love.
Mary Manin Morrissey
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The Spirit does not die when the body dies.
Physical death is like taking off a suit of clothes."
Marianne Williamson
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
May you live all the days of your life.
Jonathan Swift
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Forgiveness is the way to true health and happiness.
By not judging, we release the past and let go of our fears of the future.
In so doing, we come to see that everyone is our teacher
and that every circumstance is an opportunity
for growth in happiness, peace and love.
Gerald G. Jampolsky, MD, Teach Only Love
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
God will not give you any more
than you can handle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
God has more faith in me,
than me.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We are blessed to be in recovery.
and we are blessed that we made it through the war zone.
Not everyone makes it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Faith is the bridge between you and God.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 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, Hong Kong, 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, Qatar, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1562

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Sun Feb 20, 2005 3:10 pm
Subject: 2/20/05 "Higher Power" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 20
I know that I am being led along a path of healing today.
As I become more and more open to spirituality and recovery,
My path becomes brighter and clearer every day.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Higher Power

When the fog had finally lifted
I was amazed what I could see
I’d never felt like this before
It feels wonderful to be free

I never realized how blind I was
Living the way I had
Recklessly I ran my life
It’s true.......life was bad

Then I found my Higher Power
As he opened up my eyes
He showed me how my life could be
I was totally mesmerized

He’s always been there for me
I just wouldn’t have believed
My troubles could all be turned over to him
So that I could be relieved

We all have our different problems
Mine were drugs and alcohol
Unless we turn it over to a Higher Power
It’s almost certain we will fall

I’m grateful I got a second chance
And want to pass the message along
So you can read it if you’d like
Or sing it in a song

There is no pain greater than God
He’ll help to get you through
Just don’t give up five minutes before
God sends a miracle to you.

Copyright © 1997
by Bill MacFeat
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Why We Are Here
<http://www.mwblog.com/journal/archives/2005/02/why_were_here.php>

Twelve Songs
<http://www.twelvesongs.com/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 20                Powerlessness, personal responsibility

"Through our inability to accept personal responsibilities, we were
actually creating our own problems." Basic Text, p. 13

When we refuse to take responsibility for our lives, we give away all of
our personal power. We need to remember that we are powerless over
our addiction, not our personal behavior.

Many of us have misused the concept of powerlessness to avoid making
decisions or to hold onto things we had outgrown. We have claimed
powerlessness over our own actions. We have blamed others for our
circumstances rather than taking positive action to change those
circumstances. If we continue to avoid responsibility by claiming that
we are "powerless;' we set ourselves up for the same despair and misery
we experienced in our active addiction. The potential for spending our
recovery years feeling like victims is very real.

Instead of living our lives by default, we can learn how to make
responsible choices and take risks. We may make mistakes, but we can
learn from these mistakes. A heightened awareness of ourselves and an
increased willingness to accept personal responsibility gives us the
freedom to change, to make choices, and to grow.

Just for today: My feelings, actions, and choices are mine. I will
accept responsibility for them. pg. 52

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
"I am having a problem connecting with people in the rooms,
do I need to make the same meetings every week?
I am not connecting and feel like an outsider, I don't understand why?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
GETTING THE "SPIRITUAL ANGLE"

How often do we sit in AA meetings and hear the speaker declare, "But I
haven't yet got the spiritual angle." Prior to this statement, he had
described a miracle of transformation which had occurred in him -- not only
his release from alcohol, but a complete change in his whole attitude
toward life and the living of it. It is apparent to nearly everyone else
present that he has received a great gift; " . . . except that he
doesn't seem to know it yet!" We well know that this questioning
individual will tell us six months or a year hence that he has found faith
in God.
LANGUAGE OF THE HEART, p. 275

A spiritual experience can be the realization that a life which once seemed
empty and devoid of meaning is now joyous and full. In my life today,
daily prayer and meditation, coupled with living the Twelve Steps, has
brought about an inner peace and feeling of belonging which was missing
when I was drinking.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ February 20th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Liquor used to be my friend. I used to have a
lot of fun drinking. Practically all the fun I had
was connected with drinking. But the time came
when liquor became my enemy. I don't know just
when liquor turned against me and became my
enemy, but I know it happened, because I began
to get into trouble. And since I realize that
liquor is now my enemy, my main business is
keeping sober. Making a living or keeping house
is no longer my main business. It's secondary to
the business of keeping sober. Do I realize that
my main business is keeping sober?

Meditation for the Day

I can depend on God to supply me with all the power
I need to face any situation, provided that I will
sincerely believe in that power and honestly ask for
it, at the same time making all my life conform to
what I believe God wants me to be. I can come to
God as a business manager would come to the owner
of the business, knowing that to lay the matter
before Him means immediate cooperation, providing
the matter has merit.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may believe that God is ready and willing
to supply me with all that I need. I pray that I may
ask only for faith and strength to meet any situation.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Answer May Be Right In Front Of You

   It was late at night. I had just pulled into Chimayo, New Mexico. The
streets were poorly lit; addresses and signs were difficult to see. I had
been driving along for what seemed to be hours, looking for an address.
Finally, in desperation, I stopped the car, got out, and flagged someone
down. A man stopped, but said he couldn't help me. I was at my wits end.
I turned around, staring frantically at the mail box in front of me. To my
surprise, I was right where I wanted to go.

How often we wave our hands in panic and despair, certain the answer,
the insight, the peace of information we need will never come. Yet often
the answer we're seeking is right in front of us.

There're is a part of us, our heart, that knows where we're going, knows
what we need, knows the next step is. Our heart will lead us on. Our soul
will move us forward. Our instincts will take us home like a radar signal
beaming us to safety.

By Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tao Te Ching, Chapter Eleven and Twelve
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/taotec/part6.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Addiction's Underlying Needs

by Gary Reiss, LCSW

Traditional approaches to addiction emphasize stopping use of the substance.
Process work emphasizes saying "no" to the substance, but also emphasizes
saying "yes" to the part of the personality accessed and supported by the
use of the substance. Often addictions support parts of the personality
society doesn't encourage. For example, in an age of increasing tension and
frenetic living, all kinds of relaxing substances are popular, especially
alcohol and marijuana. We as individuals have our own addictions to grow out
of, but let's not forget that our society needs to change too, and that
individual and societal change go hand in hand. Substances become addictive
psychologically because they help people live parts of themselves that need
expression. In substance abuse, people find temporary solutions to knock out
some of the intense cultural conditioning that limits their freedom.

For example, there is intense cultural pressure to work more hours to make
more money to consume more. Alcohol can open the door to down time and
relaxation. Getting drunk or stoned or wired on speed can be like drugging
the jail guard so that you can take the keys and escape for awhile, only to
be caught and have to suffer the consequences of escaping. But if you are
desperate enough to escape, you will do it any way you can, including
substance addiction. In small towns, community norms can become prison-like;
it is hard to hide much of what goes on in a small town, and not fitting in
with the norms can be devastating. Many people resort to substances as a way
to access the parts of themselves that are outside cultural norms.

Many approaches to drug treatment have a goal of eliminating use. In order
to eliminate substance abuse over time, deeper underlying needs must be
discovered, and the client must develop more effective ways to address these
needs than those provided by the substance. The person must address the
substance and the deeper underlying process, with an emphasis placed on the
individual's need for support for certain parts of his or her personality.
Focusing on the underlying needs is the key to eliminating substance abuse
over time, whether the emphasis of the treatment approach is educational,
spiritual, or peer pressure.

BEYOND THE DISEASE MODEL
A major breakthrough in addiction work came when addictions stopped being
identified as a moral deficiency and started to be addressed as diseases.
This reduced the stigma of treatment. Along with the benefits of the disease
model come some disadvantages. One of the limitations of the disease model
is its emphasis on the fact that the person is ill. While this is a step
away from thinking that the person is evil, as in the morality model, the
emphasis is still on what is wrong with the person. This focus can build
resistance in a person and make her feel even more out of personal control.
The advantage to the process model is that it supports the wisdom of the
person through stating that the addiction is trying to support a valuable
part of the person. The problem is that the addiction supports the part in a
way that makes the whole person sick. The end is the right end, but the
means are a problem.

People tend to get excited about this model, and about discovering ways to
get more of what they want without the negative effects of the substance.
They focus not only on giving up the substance, but on getting more of what
they need. This transition is not easy. For many people, giving up a
substance is an incredible struggle, even with inpatient treatment, AA, and
process work. Process work is not the magic answer; it just adds a powerful
tool to work with addiction problems.

The personal meaning of an addiction varies. I have worked with several
people who relate to marijuana or alcohol as their mother. They say things
like, "I feel like the mother I never had is soothing me." In such cases it
is important to focus on the issue of mothering and relaxation, discovering
why the mothering didn't occur, how the person could get mothered now, and
how they could mother themselves. People tend to respond well to this
approach, in which the therapist works together with the person to help her
learn how to care for herself without drinking or smoking, and to learn what
stops her from being able to get what she needs. In many cases, this
approach is effective because it is the path of least resistance. Instead of
fighting the strength of an addiction through telling the person to stop and
thus becoming an additional source of stress, the therapist supports the
wisdom of the organism and helps people find healthier ways to get their
needs met.

It is important to be able to distinguish the addictive process from the
addiction itself, so that the underlying need is identified and supported.
One way to discover the addictive process is to suggest that the person act
as if they were on the substance. Most people can to some degree quickly
access the state and start feeling and acting like they are on the drug.
This is the beginning of awareness that drugs are not only substances but
also states of consciousness that can be accessed without drugs. Once a
person is in this state, the therapist and client together can identify what
the substance does for the person, and then can work together to find other
ways for the person to get the same effect.

UNDERLYING NEEDS
Let's look more closely at what might lie beneath an addictive process. I
recently worked with someone I'll call Paul on his cigarette addiction.
Since smoking gave him a minute to breathe and detach from his usual frantic
state, picking up this detachment and supporting it was our task. While
relaxation itself is important and healthful, cigarette smoking accesses
relaxation in a deadly way. The therapist's task is to help separate the
two. We knew that the only way Paul would stop smoking over time was if his
new ways of relaxing were more effective and exciting than smoking. If Paul
could learn to truly take time for himself, to detach and relax not just
with a cigarette but as an ongoing part of life, then his cigarette use
should fall away.

One of the most important parts of working on addictions is to help the
person with the addiction access the state they are trying to reach. The
person's job is to learn to consciously access those parts of themselves
that the substance gave them access to. Having this kind of access lessens
the chances of the person's returning to the addiction. This approach helps
the person get to the root of what was behind the addiction. The work must
go far enough to give the person access to the state of consciousness in a
deeper, more easily accessible, and more powerful way than the substance. It
is important to give the person a physical way to remember that will anchor
this experience of successful accessing, without the substance. For one
person, it may be putting their head back, and for another, moving their
arms slowly. The easiest way to find an anchor is to ask the person how they
will remember the state they accessed, and watch what their body does. They
will show you how they access this state, and the therapist needs to help
them remember that whenever they need to go to this place, they can use
their anchor rather than the substance. This approach of accessing the state
works better with someone who is in the middle of abusing, or who has been
away from substance use for at least a few months. There is a risk that a
client who has just quit using, and who was repressing any feelings that the
substance might access, might awaken a hunger for the substance. However, I
have done this with hundreds of clients at various stages of using and
recovery, and have never had this experience. Here are some examples of
people who were able to use this approach to help them stop using.

When Paul smoked, he would look off into the distance and his jaw would
drop. Over time, he learned to look out into the distance and relax his jaw
in a certain way to access his state of relaxation without needing a
cigarette. Discovering how to relax his jaw provided him a safe and
effective way to get the relaxation he needed. Addictive substances are by
definition harmful, and they also do an incomplete job of accessing the
state. The substance gives a brief experience of what the person needs, but
the need is met only momentarily. For example, while Paul was smoking, he
also had physical symptoms of a tight jaw and grinding of the teeth.
Learning to complete the relaxation state that smoking was attempting to
reach also relieved him of his physical symptoms. His access to the relaxed
state without smoking was over time more complete and more useful than the
smoking had been. Once you integrate your addictive tendencies, your states
of consciousness are accessible whenever you need them.

Let's look at another example. I remember working with a woman who hadn't
smoked marijuana for quite a while and had recently started again after some
very painful experiences. In her difficult times, she had not been able to
relax and nurture herself much. When she smoked marijuana, she was able to
access the relaxed state she needed for her healing. The only problem was
that the marijuana was having other effects she didn't want, so she wanted
to access the state she desperately needed without using a drug.

I asked her to just sit like she sits when she is really stoned, and we
exaggerated that sitting position. Soon she started feeling like she had
smoked a lot of marijuana, except that she could still think clearly, which
wasn't the case when she really smoked marijuana. This woman was able to
learn to sit in a specific position and gain the relaxation she needed for
healing without needing to smoke marijuana and therefore without the side
effects that had been disturbing to her.

TOWARDS A NEW VISION
Because parts of ourselves that we need are hidden in addictions, campaigns
that encourage people to "just say no" are popular but not highly effective.
Saying no is a start, but once we say no to a substance, we need to say yes
to our development. Processing the states behind addiction is one of the
ways to support this development. We can see a pattern for accessing
important parts of ourselves if we look at certain shamanistic cultures.
Many tribes that once used hallucinogens to access altered states switched
at some point to using drumming or dancing. What is important is not the
substance, but accessing the state the substance provides.

Another example of positive results from drug use is the medical benefit of
marijuana to relieve pain in cancer patients. I hope that as a culture we
can keep an open mind so that we can work on addictions that are harmful,
and focus less on those that aren't. For example, cigarette smoking kills
hundreds of thousands of people each year, yet we send out the army to
destroy marijuana crops while we subsidize tobacco growers.

I am not saying marijuana is fine -- I think there are more effective ways
of accessing these states of consciousness that don't require drug use.
However, if we have limited resources to address these problems as a
culture, it makes sense to work to reduce alcohol and cigarette addiction,
the causes of great damage, and to spend fewer of our resources fighting
against peyote and marijuana, substances that some people find useful and
some harmful. In my town, alcohol and cigarettes are the most dangerous
drugs and most widely used, and crank, an amphetamine, is the other most
dangerous and widely used drug.

Treatment that offers people the opportunity to process their states is far
more effective in eliminating substance abuse than all the police we can
hire and prisons we can build.

This article is excerpted from Changing Ourselves, Changing the World,
©2000, by Gary Reiss. Reprinted with permission of the publisher, New Falcon
Publications.

About the Author
Gary Reiss, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and has his diploma
in process-oriented psychology. He is on the faculty of the Process Work
Center of Portland. One of Gary's special interest in process work includes
conflict work. He works extensively in Israel, India, Australia and other
hot spots in the world. He is currently working on three other books:
Transforming Family Life; Angry Men, Angry World; and Becoming Eagle: Moving
from Fear of Life and Death to Flying Freely. He regularly appears on radio
shows to talk about working on issues of racism, diversity and many other
topics. Visit his website at www.GaryReiss.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TODAY'S POSITIVE THOUGHT:

World peace begins with your inner peace.

TODAY'S POSITIVE AFFIRMATION:

I choose to think peaceful thoughts, to say
peaceful words, and to do peaceful acts.

TODAY'S POSITIVE VISUALIZATION:

I close my eyes, take in a gentle breath, and
allow the spirit of peace to expand and fill
every part of me. I imagine this peace as a
beautiful light that is filling every cell in
my body with health and vitality. The energy of
peace calms my emotions and clears my thoughts.
I see myself going through my day thinking
peaceful positive thoughts, speaking peaceful
words, and doing peaceful deeds. In my mind's
eye I see my peaceful attitude and actions
touching others and encouraging their inner
peace. I see this sharing of peace easily
traveling from person to person until the
whole world becomes more and more peaceful.
I combine these thoughts and images with a
feeling of joy and let them go.
Copyright © 2001 Institute For Creative Living
All rights reserved.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I Am There

Do you need me?
I am there.
You cannot see me, yet I am the light you see by.
You cannot hear me, yet I speak through your voice.
You cannot feel me, yet I am the power at work in your hands.
I am at work, though you do not understand my ways.
I am at work, though you do not understand my works.
I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries.
Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know me as I am, and then
but as a feeling and a faith.
Yet I am there. Yet I hear. Yet I answer.
When you need me, I am there.
Even if you deny me, I am there.
Even when you feel most alone, I am there.
Even in your fears, I am there.
Even in your pain, I am there.
I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.
I am in you, and you are in me.
Only in your mind can you feel separate from me, for only in your mind are
the mists of "yours" and "mine."
Yet only with your mind can you know me and experience me.
Empty your heart of empty fears.
When you get yourself out of the way, I am there.
You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all.
And I am in all.
Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there.
I am there because I have to be, because I am.
Only in me does the world have meaning; only out of me does the world take
form; only because of me does the world go forward.
I am the law on which the movement of the stars and the growth of living
cells are founded.
I am the love that is the law's fulfilling.
I am assurance.
I am peace.
I am oneness.
I am the law that you can live by.
I am the love that you can cling to.
I am your assurance.
I am your peace.
I am one with you.
I am.
Though you fail to find me, I do not fail you.
Though your faith in me is unsure, my faith in you never wavers,
because I know you, because I love you.
Beloved, I am there.

James Dillet Freeman
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rich Beyond Measure

   Today I feel rich beyond measure. What began as a new
idea for my department's celebration of the holiday season
has become a very moving and enriching experience.

   I was tired of the usual "draw names and buy a joke
gift for under $15" way of holiday celebration, so I
proposed that we try something different. "How about giving
each other the gift of acknowledgment?" I asked. Everyone
agreed; they were even enthusiastic. A few days before
Christmas, six of us gathered in my office. To start, I
asked that we all observe a few ground rules. The person
whose turn it was to be acknowledged could only say "thank
you." I also pointed out that it might be natural to feel
uncomfortable giving and receiving acknowledgment, but if
some people were truly uncomfortable, they could ask for
their acknowledgment in private. Silence and pauses were
deemed to be all right. They were probably just
opportunities to let the good stuff sink in.

   As we began our process, it struck me that the tribes
and communities that pass their cultures along through
storytelling are very wise people. Invariably, whoever was
speaking would tell a story that illustrated the
acknowledgment he or she wanted to make.

   Each of us started our communication by saying to our
colleague, "(Name), the gift you give me is ..." As each
group member spoke to the person being acknowledged, I began
to see sides of my colleagues of which I wasn't aware. One
male staffer acknowledged another male for his state of
grace that shone through. Another said, "I rest easy knowing
you are the one in your position." Other comments included:
"You give me the gift of your patience," "You listen to me,"
"I knew the moment I met you that I belonged here," and so
on. It was a privilege to be there.

   The spirit and connectedness we shared for those 60
minutes became bigger than we were. When we finished, no one
wanted to speak; we didn't want to break the spell. It had
been woven with heartfelt, authentic, simple truths that we
had shared with each other. We were all humbled and enriched
by it.

   I believe we will always treasure the gifts we gave
each other that day. I know how priceless my own
acknowledgments were for me. It cost each of us nothing but
our willingness to see the gifts in others and to speak it
out loud.

By Christine Barnes
from Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work
Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Maida
Rogerson, Martin Rutte & Tim Clauss
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"We see ourselves as broken, and then set out on a long
and frustrating journey to fill our emptiness.
But it is not fixing that we require; it is awakening."
Alan Cohen
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being
can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.
William James
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Once we know people's stories, we feel compassion instead of judgment.
Today, practice remembering that everyone has a story.
Mary Manin Morrissey
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
May every moment of glory
tell a kind and gentle story.
May every deed you do
show the love inside of you.
Terri McPherson
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There's no more potent way to thank God for your gifts,
or to increase them, than by sharing them.
You will be given as much power in the world
as you are willing to use on His behalf.
Marianne Williamson, from A Return to Love
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I don't know where I am going,
but I do know that if I don't use and make meetings
that I am on my way.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If you don't believe what you hear
Believe what you see,
We are miracles.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There is hope after dope.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Faith is not seeing,
but believing.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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or YOUnMEnHP@...

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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
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Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
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Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1561

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Sat Feb 19, 2005 1:58 pm
Subject: 2/19/05 "I Survived" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Change
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/change.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 19
Today I know that I am doing the best that I can
and I will be gentle with myself.
I will watch what comes without struggle
and will accept what is and adjust myself to it,
rather than wanting it to be different than it is.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I Survived

In my mind's eye, I can clearly see,
The many wrongs I've done.
I drank and drugged my way through life,
Convinced that it was fun.

For many years, I so denied
The person I'd become,
Through selfish days and sleepless nights,
I still was loved by some.

Locked in my chamber of self despair,
I tried so hard to die,
The thing I hated worse than me,
Was seeing my daddy cry.

This road to self destruction
Was paved with tears and woe,
Homeless and so near death, I thought,
There's no place else to go.

With nowhere to go but up the steps,
I started to descend,
I tried to right the wrongs I'd done,
And God became my friend.

My days now filled with gratitude,
I'm glad to be alive.
I thank my God in Heaven for
The life that I survived.

Sharlett Hunt
© 2/02/05
Sharlette863@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A.A. Big Book
<http://aainsa.org/BigBook/>

Recovering Couples Anonymous
<http://www.recovering-couples.org/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 19                                  Reservations

"Relapse is never an accident. Relapse is a sign that we have a
reservation in our program." Basic Text, p. 76

A reservation is something we set aside for future use. In our case, a
reservation is the expectation that, if such-and-such happens, we will
surely relapse. What event do we expect will be too painful to bear?
Maybe we think that if a spouse or lover leaves us, we will have to get
high. If we lose our job, surely, we think, we will use. Or maybe it's the
death of a loved one that we expect to be unbearable. In any case, the
reservations we harbor give us permission to use when they come true-as
they often do.

We can prepare ourselves for success instead of relapse by examining
our expectations and altering them where we can. Most of us carry within
us a catalog of anticipated misery closely related to our fears. We can
learn how to survive pain by watching other members live through similar
pain. We can apply their lessons to our own expectations. Instead of
telling ourselves we will have to get high if this happens, we can quietly
reassure ourselves that we, too, can stay clean through whatever life
brings us today.

Just for today: I will check for any reservations that may endanger my
recovery and share them with another addict.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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"We can only keep what we have by giving it away."
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Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
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This a message bulletin board meeting, where people post on the
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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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

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<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A GLORIOUS RELEASE

"The minute I stopped arguing, I could begin to see and feel. Right there,
Step Two gently and very gradually began to infiltrate my life. I can't
say upon what occasion or upon what day I came to believe in a Power
greater than myself, but I certainly have that belief now. To acquire it,
I had only to stop fighting and practice the rest of A.A.'s program as
enthusiastically as I could. "
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 27

After years of indulging in a "self-will run riot," Step Two became for me
a glorious release from being all alone. Nothing is so painful or
insurmountable in my journey now. Someone is always there to share life's
burdens with me. Step Two became a reinforcement with God, and I now
realize that my insanity and ego were curiously linked. To rid myself of
the former, I must give up the latter to one with far broader shoulders
than my own.
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden / February 19th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Many things we do in A.A. are in preparation for
that crucial moment when, walking down the street
on a nice sunshiny day, we see a nice cool cocktail
lounge and the idea of having a drink pops into our
minds. If we've trained our minds so that we're
well prepared for that crucial moment, we won't
take that first drink. In other words, if we've done
our A.A. homework well, we won't slip when
temptation comes. In preparation for that crucial
moment when I'll be tempted, will I keep in mind the
fact that liquor is my enemy?

Meditation for the Day

How many of the world's prayers have gone
unanswered because those who prayed did not
endure to the end? They thought it was too late,
that they must act for themselves, that God was
not going to guide them. "He that endureth to the
end, the same shall be saved." Can I endure to the
very end? If so, I shall be saved. I will try to
endure with courage. If I endure, God will unlock
those secret spiritual treasures that are hidden
from those who do not endure to the end.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may follow God's guidance, so that
spiritual success shall be mine. I pray that I may
never doubt the power of God and so take things
into my own hands.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Appreciate Our Past

It is easy to be negative about past mistakes and unhappiness.
But it is much more healing to look at ourselves
and our past in the light of experience, acceptance, and growth.
Our past is a series of lessons that advance us
to a higher levels of living and loving.

The relationships we entered, stayed in,
or ended taught us necessary lessons.
Some of us have emerged from the most painful circumstances
with strong insights about who we are and what we want.
Our mistakes? Necessary.
Our frustrations, failures, and sometimes stumbling attempts
at growth and progress?
Necessary too.

Each step of the way, we learned.
We went through exactly the experiences we needed to,
to become who we are today.
Each step of the way, we progressed.

Is our past a mistake? No.
The only mistake we can make is mistaking
that for the truth.

Today, God, help me let go of negative thoughts I may be
harboring about my past circumstances or relationships.
I can accept, with gratitude, all that has brought me to today.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tao Te Ching, Chapter Nine and Ten
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/taotec/part5.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Power of Forgiveness
by Brian Sheen

"Forgiveness is the demonstration that you are the light of the world.
Through your forgiveness does the truth about your self return to your
memory."
                           .....Course in Miracles

It is a reality of life that you will occasionally experience pain,
disappointment, upset, loss, and injury. Whether physical, emotional,
spiritual, familial, or economic - someone, somewhere at some time will
contribute to a negative experience that will affect you. Even angels have
their traumas. The question then becomes, HOW LONG DO YOU PROLONG THIS
NEGATIVITY BEFORE MOVING FORWARD? Each moment you cling to this trauma after
it occurs, you cause the past trauma to generate an entirely new sequence of
thoughts, emotions, and actions. Until you can give up your attachment to
the past incident, you are cursed to maintain and magnify the pain. This
brings us to the heart of the saying, "To forget is human, to 'for give' is
divine." I separate "forgive" into two words intentionally, because the
divine gift you receive is "for giving" it - get it?

Why is this and how does it work? Is forgiveness in some way "giving in" to
the forces of evil that have hurt you? Should you follow the eye-for-an-eye
philosophy to even the score?

Let's consider the following: Many great works of religion and philosophy
teach, "How can you expect God to forgive you if you refuse to forgive
someone else?" Ouch! This seems to insinuate you have done something wrong
in the eyes of God or whatever higher source or power you subscribe to. Have
you ever done something wrong? Have you ever intentionally or
unintentionally done something to another person that hurt or hindered them?
Maybe you just neglected to do something you felt or others felt you should
have. Recall a few of these now, particularly the ones that gnaw at you with
guilt. Let's turn these guilty feelings into a growth awareness.

Consider an easier side of the equation. Recall a few times you felt you
were wronged by others. Maybe you were victimized or taken advantage of,
maybe you were lied to, injured, or had something dear to you damaged or
stolen. Can you visualize a few of these?

Okay, now here's the hard part. As I mentioned earlier, we are all subject
to the indisputable law of physics: for every action there is an equal and
opposite reaction. The reactions may occur through other parties, in
different places, and may be observed at much later times, but the
equalizing reaction will occur. Therefore, you should first realize that any
negative reaction that you experienced was precipitated by actions you
previously took. Your karma just caught up with you, that's all.

You may have a hard time accepting this, so I'll approach it from another
viewpoint. You were damaged last week, last month or last year. The pain or
loss occurred sometime BEFORE. It was the PAST. The event is over now, even
though the consequence may continue. The effect this event had on you was
painful and detrimental in some way. The question now is, "do you keep
reliving this memory over and over again as if it just happened, so you can
keep experiencing this negativity? Or do you find a way to release this
negativity from having any further effect on your life (for giving it)? The
sooner you release this negative incident, the sooner you begin the healing
process, recover and build as needed. And there it is - forgiveness.

Forgiveness is completely letting go of the past, its pain, anger, and
grief. Forgiveness is operating in the here and now - where this event is no
longer occurring.

Forgiveness focuses you on the reality of what happens and asks you to
accept it as karma to engender your evolution to a higher level. You need to
learn from your bad karma and begin to understand how your actions helped
bring this change to your world. If you hold onto it, seek revenge, or
refuse to let go, you are ADDING your current strength and power to this
negative memory. The negative memory then:

1. adds more power to the already negative occurrence;
2. continues its negative influence on you and everyone else connected to you;
3. prevents new ideas and prosperity from emanating because your full
    attention is blocked; and
4. brings on new conflicts and bad karma from these unforgiving ways.

This is probably why many divorcees take so many years to regain their
footing or establish productive new relationships. They don't accept their
responsibility in the breakup and refuse to forgive their former spouse or
themselves.

This gives the wronged party an excuse to transmit their misery to those in
their circle of friends and associates. The pain is now multiplied and the
hardships litter their lives and cause more grief.

I recently met with a friend who had gone through an upsetting divorce. She
was devastated because he had been her "true love" - and he left her. Like a
car spinning out of control on the highway, she began smashing into every
vehicle in her path. One by one, her friends and family became innocent
bystanders caught in her emotional tornado. Her anger was transferred to the
people she loved and cared for - people who had played no part in her
marital breakup. This brought her more grief and eventually illness. It
wasn't long before she was in the hospital with pneumonia, followed by her
father, and then her mother, with a similar illness. She cast aside the new
man in her life who offered her love, understanding, and the fulfillment of
her lifelong dreams. Any time someone encouraged her to go back to using the
meditation and therapy techniques she was well-versed in, she shrugged off
their suggestions and kept her arms firmly crossed to keep the pain in -
like a vacuum, to suck in more.

Perhaps you recognize yourself in the above scenario, or maybe it reminds
you of some friends of yours. The more people internalize their pain and
hold on to the misery, the more they create this enormous inflow of energy
from everyone around them and suck in more and more misery. What was
incredible was that when I finally was able to reach my friend and persuaded
her to uncross her arms, to imagine herself sending thoughts of love and
forgiveness, and to stop using excuses for not having the time to meditate,
her entire life turned around.

I remember when I felt destroyed by the defamatory article about me in
"MONEY" magazine. I lashed out not only at the publication but at everyone
around me. I created a dozen or more new conflicts to deal with. My anger
and refusal to forgive kept making matters worse. Every time I lashed back
at someone, I gave them justification to come back at me. It wasn't until I
took responsibility for these effects on my life and practiced forgiveness -
not forgetfulness - that I began to heal. As long as you hold on to the
anger, victimization, and pain, you will have this negative energy locked
inside you making you ill - mentally, spiritually, and physically.

What is forgiveness?
It starts in your heart with understanding, a heaping measure of love,
acceptance of the truth, the truth of the light of consciousness, God's
grace - or whatever you wish to call it - and is followed by healing
actions. Any ongoing conflicts, such as lawsuits, arguments, or refusals to
communicate must be resolved. Words of resolution should be communicated
either in person (preferably), by phone, or with a nice letter. It must be
heart-felt, not mechanical, not just an act of going through the motions.
Fake it until you make it - that's a start. It can lead to a
transformational experience if repeated often enough, but the results will
be slow until it is truly from your heart. The more you focus your attention
on this healing, the faster your pain and the chaos you cause in everything
around you, will dissipate.

How perceptions can fool you
If you were holding a baby and it unexpectedly threw up on your new silk
outfit, would you consider this an intentional act and forever be upset at
the infant? Or should you take responsibility for playing too rowdily with
the baby after a meal, or not being proactive by protecting your garment
with a cloth. Imagine forever blaming the baby for ruining your suit and
refusing it love for the rest of its life because of your anger. Pretty
silly, huh? Imagine the baby hating you for the rest of your life and
calling you a child abuser because you got upset and yelled at him because
of this typical incident. Imagine someone being that mean to you. There you
go, stupid and ridiculous, right? After all, it's just a baby.

Give everyone else that latitude and you'll go a long way to better health
and success. Failing to forgive someone places a roadblock in your path. You
turn their potential future support into inevitable opposition. Not a good
thing. This is why we often hear the cliché, "Don't burn your bridges". The
baby who throws up on you today could be the future spouse of your
grandchild, the future governor, or a potential employer 25 years from now.
Your failure to forgive causes you to lock horns and project your negative
attachment into the future. It is certain that problems will come back to
haunt you.

In such cases, you've locked yourself into a conflict that will work like a
hidden magnet in the future to mysteriously attract you again to this person
or conflict together. The moment you forgive, not only do you break the
negative chain that blinds you, you convert this negative energy into
positive energy. This energy will enhance the future lives of yourself and
everyone around you.

I'll never forget receiving a lovely letter of support and caring from an
attorney I had tried to get disbarred because of actions I considered
unethical. I had been involved in an ugly 7-year-old court battle against
her client who caused me great turmoil. I had to be right at any cost. All
it took was a letter written by me forgiving her and requesting her
forgiveness. The knot in my stomach of suspended life energy was released.
It was a great feeling for both of us that allowed this conflict to be
resolved.

Calling someone, or writing them to forgive and ask for forgiveness, is
something that can be beneficial to all parties involved. Feel what it's
like to be divine.

About The Author:
Brian Sheen is the Executive Director of the Self Discovery and Meditation
Center in Delray Beach, Florida. He is the author of five books and various
audio and videotape series, including the best-selling book, Nest Egg
Investing, a guide to personal, career and financial independence. For more
info, check out his website at: http://www.spiritgrowth.com. Brian Sheen can
be reached by e-mail at BrianSheen@.... To order copies of the
audiotapes: "When Life Becomes Overwhelming" lecture or Brian guiding you
through the Self Discovery process and Empowerment Meditations as contained
in this book- please send $14.95 for each tape desired to Quan Publishing,
1355 Palmetto Park Road, Suite 258, Boca Raton, PL 33486 or order the book
by clicking on the book cover on the right.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I am blind and do not see the things of this world;
but when the Light comes from Above,
it enlightens my heart and I can see,
for the Eye of my heart sees everything.
The heart is a sanctuary at the center
of which there is a little space,
wherein the Great Spirit dwells, and this is the Eye.
This is the Eye of the Great Spirit
by which He sees all things,
and through which we see Him...
In order to know the center of the heart
where the Great Spirit dwells you must be pure and good,
and live in the manner that the Great Spirit taught us.
The man who is thus pure
contains the Universe in the pocket of his heart."

Black Elk, traditional Oglala Lakota
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When someone says, "My precious child," you get
an instant feeling of how deeply they love their off-spring.
Any time someone refers to another person as 'precious',
be it a parent, spouse, sibling, friend or mentor,
it expresses a special depth, a significant bond of caring.

Every Friday I ask all of you to, "Take care of your precious selves".
I use the word 'precious' for a reason.

How often do you say, "My precious self"?
Have you ever said it?

Chances are, you haven't.
We take extra care of the precious people in our lives,
yet we ignore the one precious person who 'is' our life.
We push ourselves to exhaustion,
demanding more and more of ourselves each day.
Our physical, mental and spiritual capacities are depleted
by the drive to do more, accomplish more, and be more.

No one can fill up the empty core at the center of your being.
When it's empty, it's empty.
You're the only one who knows it's empty and
you're the only one who can replenish the well.

How much good are doing when you're feeling terrible?
How well are you able to respond to the needs of others
when your mind is so weary you can't think straight?
How are you going to help, or care for another,
once you fall face down on the earth from pure exhaustion?
What are you really offering, when you have nothing left to give?

Stop depriving yourself of the time you need to relax, refuel and rejoice.
Pay attention to your needs and heed their call.
The simple act of being gentle and kind to yourself
is a profound way to offer your best self -
in all your precious glory - to the world.

Living in love and loving life,
Terri McPherson
tmcphers@...
WiseHearts Love and Friendship Center
<http://wisehearts.angelcities.com/lfc.htm>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Morning After

This morning the warmth of the sun felt a little closer
The air tasted a little sweeter
The quiet seemed a little louder
The path seemed a little straighter
The load a little lighter
Strangers seemed a little closer
The dogwoods seem majestic in bloom

I have been given something I have searched for all my life
A love that knows no limitations
A family that knows no conditions
What a wonder to know you are forgiven
To receive new insight of the price that was paid for my salvation

Thank you for sharing your faith
Thank you for sharing your God

What a gift !              What a day !

C.Peterson 3/6/2001
Carycappy@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Giving is a flowing energy that not only helps others
but also creates more for the person who is doing the giving.
When you are selfish or frightened of generosity you stop the circulation.
Giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin."
Trudy Styler
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
All the blessings in life happen to us as they happen through us.
Be the blessing, so that the blessings can increase, develop and grow.
"Today, I consciously bless everyone I meet."
Mary Manin Morrissey
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My attitude is that I am given this body, and God says,
"That is yours to manage. I will take care of the rest."
I think that is a wonderful relationship --
that God takes care of the rest and
makes it really clear to me what is mine.
John Morton
(From: The Blessings Already Are)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If you find it in your heart
to care for somebody else,
you will have succeeded.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Praying only for knowledge of His will for us
and the power to carry that out"
means we ask to be shown the plan for that day
and for the power to carry that through.
We'll get a yes to both requests."
Melody Beattie
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Many could forego the fancy car, nice house and wardrobe,
it is the ego that they cannot live without.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
God,
Deliver me from ego.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The ego does not forgive,
the spirit forgives.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I take no losses in recovery,
today everything is a profit.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit does not endorse any of the
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Putting together these Daily Recovery Emails has been such
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"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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada , Columbia, Costa Rica, China ,
Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Guatemala,
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Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Korea,
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Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1560

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Fri Feb 18, 2005 10:52 am
Subject: 2/18/05 "A Fighting Girl" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Denial
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/denial.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 18
"Today I am establishing rapport with myself"
Peter Vegso
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A Fighting Girl

The doors were still closed,
and the air was so cold.
She came up to my car,
for the time, I was told.

I was startled at first,
but gave her the time.
She asked to get warm,
of course it's no crime.

It's very hard to explain,
that first real impression.
I was struck by her presence,
to make an honest confession.

I've seen so many come in,
and even more go back out.
If it's a fight we are in,
she's winning this bout.

I've gone many rounds,
with this disease in the past.
From newcomer to contender,
I'm determined to last.

There's only one winner,
with this disease of addiction.
The one's who surrender,
to this dreaded affliction.

The only real champ,
is the one who can sing.
I'm winning this fight,
by staying out of the ring.

Beth's a real winner,
her spirit won't lose.
She's a survivor at heart,
and paid all her dues.

Dedicated to Beth G. - A real fighter at heart!
Written by Kenny B.
kennyb20@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Celestine Vision
<http://www.celestinevision.com/main.html>

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) History:
Titles and Articles by Dick B.
<http://www.dickb.com/index.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 18                        The recovery partnership

"As long as I take it easy and make a commitment with my Higher
Power to do the best I can, I know I will be taken care of today"
Basic Text, p. 120

Many of us feel that our fundamental commitment in recovery is to our
Higher Power. Knowing that we lack the power to stay clean and find
recovery on our own, we enter into a partnership with a Power greater
than we are. We make a commitment to live in the care of our Higher
Power and, in return, our Higher Power guides us.

This partnership is vital to staying clean. Making it through the early
days of recovery often feels like the hardest thing we've ever done.
But the strength of our commitment to recovery and the power of God's
care is sufficient to carry us through, just for today.

Our part in this partnership is to do the very best we can each day,
showing up for life and doing what's put in front of us, applying the
principles of recovery to the best of our ability. We promise to do the
best we can—not to fake it, not to pretend to be superhuman, but simply
to do the footwork of recovery. In fulfilling our part of the recovery
partnership, we experience the care our Higher Power has provided us.

Just for today: I will honor my commitment to a partnership with my
Higher Power.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc..
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Anyone who would like to put a link for the
12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit daily recovery email
on their web page please put this link
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
and email me to let me know
If you would like my banner artwork please email me
Thank you, Scott    YOUnME.nHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
CONVINCING "MR. HYDE"

Even then, as we hew away, peace and joy will still elude us. That's the
place so many of us A.A. oldsters have come to. And it's a hell of a spot,
literally. How shall our unconscious -- from which so many of our fears,
compulsions and phony aspirations still stream -- be brought into line with
what we actually believe, know and want! How to convince our dumb, raging
and hidden "Mr. Hyde" becomes our main task.
THE BEST OF BILL, pp. 42-43

Regular attendance at meetings, serving and helping others is the recipe
that many have tried and found to be successful. Whenever I stray from
these basic principles, my old habits resurface and my old self also comes
back with all its fears and defects. The ultimate goal of each A.A. member
is permanent sobriety, achieved One Day at a Time.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden / February 18th

A.A. Thought for the Day

After I became an alcoholic, alcohol poisoned my
love for my family and friends, it poisoned my
ambition, it poisoned my self respect. It poisoned
my whole life, until I met A.A. My life is happier
now than it has been for a long time. I don't want
to commit suicide. So with the help of God and A.A.,
I'm not going to take any more of that alcoholic
poison into my system. And I'm going to keep
training my mind never even to think of liquor again
in any way except as a poison. Do I believe that
liquor will poison my life if I ever touch it again?

Meditation for the Day

I will link up my frail nature with the limitless Divine
Power. I will link my life with the Divine Force for
Good in the world. It is not the passionate appeal
that gains the Divine attention as much as the quiet
placing of the difficulty and worry in the Divine
Hands. So I will trust God like a child who places
its tangled skein of wool in the hands of a loving
parent to unravel. We please God more by our
unquestioning confidence than by imploring Him
for help.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may put all my difficulties in God's
hands and leave them there. I pray that I may fully
trust God to take care of them.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gratitude

Sometimes in life things happen too fast.
We barely solve one problem when
two new problems surface.
We're feeling great in the morning,
but we're submerged in misery by nightfall.

Every day we face interruptions,
delays, changes, and challenges.
We face personality conflicts
and disappointments.
Often when we we're feeling overwhelmed,
we can't see the lessons in these experiences.

One simple concept can get us through
the most stressful of times.
It's called gratitude. We learn to say,
thank you, for these problems and feelings.
Thank you for the way things are.
I don't like this experience,
but thank you anyway.
Gratitude helps us stop trying
to control outcomes.
It is the key that unlocks
positive energy in our life.
It is the alchemy that turns problems into blessings,
and the unexpected into gifts.

Today, I will be grateful. I will start the process of
turning today's pain into tomorrow's joy.

*Melody Beattie*
from - "Language of Letting Go"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tao Te Ching, Chapter Seven and Eight
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/taotec/part4.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Avoiding Manipulation
by Jerry Minchinton

We can define manipulation as "getting people to do what you want without
giving them something they value in return".

How does manipulation work? When someone says to you, "If you don't help me
clean my house I'm going to be mad at you," that person is attempting to
manipulate you. He is not offering you anything except to withhold a display
of bad temper, which he could do in any case. But if the same friend says,
"If you'll help me clean my house, I'll take you to the baseball game this
afternoon," and your friend knows you love baseball, that is not attempted
manipulation because you are being offered something you value in exchange
for your efforts.

Or if we tell someone, "I'll be very disappointed if you don't come to my
party," we're trying to manipulate her by indicating she will be responsible
for the state of our emotions, a highly dubious "privilege" at best. On the
other hand, suppose we say, "If you come to my party, I'll introduce you to
the famous producer you want to meet." If the person we're talking with is
an aspiring actress and the famous producer actually is coming to the party,
then we are non-manipulatively offering her something she desires in
exchange for what we're requesting.

WHY MANIPULATORS MANIPULATE
Why do people seek to manipulate us? For reasons ranging from the meanest to
the most benevolent:

They derive emotional satisfaction from others' negative reactions.

Some people, because they are so dissatisfied with themselves and their
lives, try to create problems for us so we will feel bad, too. If they are
able to make us unhappy or uncomfortable they can focus on our pain instead
of their own and momentarily feel better.

Manipulating others gives them a feeling of power.

People who consider themselves weak and believe they lack power sometimes
try to manufacture it by persuading people to do as they wish. When they are
successful, they experience a temporary feeling of domination. Unfortunately
for them and those with whom they associate, the sensation dissipates
quickly, and they must continually reinforce it.

They believe they aren't important enough.

Some individuals believe they are so unimportant that others are unlikely to
give them what they want simply for the asking. To make up for their lack of
bargaining chips, they try to convince us we should feel guilty or ashamed
if we do not do as they ask, thinking (often correctly) that our desire to
avoid those painful feelings will be so great that we'll do what they want.

They believe certain tasks are beneath them.

Some profoundly misguided people tend to regard us more as servants than as
equals. Because of the lowly status they've assigned us, they expect us to
do tasks they're averse to doing themselves, whether because of their
ignorance, reluctance, laziness, or an unwillingness to clean up after
themselves.

They don't know how to do or get what they want.

Some people believe themselves incapable of achieving their goals directly,
as mature adults do, so they feel they have no choice but to manipulate us
so we will achieve their goals for them.

They are sure their manipulation will benefit those manipulated.

This idea is embraced by fanatics of every kind, who have deluded themselves
into believing they know what's best or right for practically everyone.
Since they are certain they are gifted with a special insight, they feel
gratified if they can manipulate "less knowledgeable" people like us into
taking the path they've chosen.

In fact, most would-be manipulators are not genuinely bad; they are just
weak, self-centered, insensitive, inconsiderate, and misguided. They think
of those they seek to manipulate as members of a lower order of creature, a
less important form of life, whose needs and desires are also less
important. To manipulators, other people are less "real" than they are,
somewhat like a clever puppy or a beast of burden, which is to say, a nice
enough creature, but one without a real existence of its own.

THE FORMS OF MANIPULATION
Manipulative techniques vary, but in general, manipulators try to get our
emotions to work against us. They do this by saying or doing something they
hope will induce in us guilt, shame, anger, fear, or some other
uncomfortable emotion. They may imply, for instance, that our failure to do
as they wish will bring about a major disaster. They may describe in minute
detail the various kinds of unpleasantness that will occur if we neglect to
take the action they suggest. They may insist certain things are our duty or
responsibility, or they may appeal to us on the basis of morality, ethics,
or anything else they think might persuade us to agree with them. Some will
pull out every emotional stop and tell us of the horrible pain they'll
experience if we "let them down". We may be told we'll feel better about
ourselves, that we'll make the manipulator extremely happy, that he or she
will love us forever, or any number of other essentially meaningless terms.

Manipulators' speech is frequently laced with phrases such as these:

"You should. . ." "You ought to . . ." "If I were you, I'd . . ." "It's
for the best," "I only want what's best for you," "You'll thank me for this
later," "What will people say?" "What will people think?"

They use these and many other phrases which imply we will suffer a censure
or penalty of some kind if we don't meet the "obligation" they've chosen for
us.

What element do all these techniques have in common? The manipulator offers
us nothing we value in exchange for doing what he or she asks

THE "BENEFITS" OF MANIPULATION
Since manipulators often seem to get what they want, it appears as though
manipulation works for them and against those being manipulated. But in
fact, no one involved in manipulative transactions gains any real benefit.
Appearances to the contrary, manipulation is a game played only by victims.
Whether we manipulate or are manipulated, we lose. And interestingly, no
matter which end of the manipulative spectrum we're on, we experience the
same negative feelings, although not for the same reasons:

Powerlessness: Manipulators, because they feel powerless, try to create
power for themselves by persuading others to do things for them. If we are
manipulated we feel powerless, too, because we have allowed the manipulator
to dictate our course of action.

Inadequacy: Manipulators believe they lack certain characteristics and
skills possessed by most others, so they try to gain access to these
qualities by "using" those they believe have them. If we are manipulated we
feel inadequate, too, because we think if only we were smarter or quicker,
we could have escaped or outwitted the manipulator.

Victimization: Manipulators feel victimized because they believe life has
dealt unfairly with them and given them far less than they deserve. Those of
us on the receiving end of their manipulation also feel victimized, because
we feel we must do as the manipulator asks, even though we don't want to.

Anger and frustration: Manipulators often feel irritated and thwarted
because those whom they try to manipulate either fail to do what they ask or
do it differently than they wish. Those whom they manipulate experience the
same feelings as they resentfully do what the manipulator wants them to do.

As you can see, when manipulation takes place no one wins. If we allow
ourselves to be manipulated, we sacrifice our right to self-determination,
our self-esteem, our time, money, or energy and, often, our principles.
Letting others control us, however briefly, makes us undervalue and
compromise ourselves.

If we manipulate others, we are diminished by our maneuvering. We surrender
our self-respect, resourcefulness, and self-reliance when we try to use
others to achieve our goals. Worse still, if we are successful, we remain
childish, emotionally immature, and dependent throughout life.

AVOIDING MANIPULATION
So what are we to do? Unless we have knowingly obligated ourselves, when
we're asked to do something that a) we don't want to do, b) isn't our
obligation, and c) isn't a genuine need, we can refuse with a clear
conscience. We don't have to feel guilty. We don't have to get caught up in
elaborate excuses or contrived explanations. When manipulators ask for our
help, we just have to say, "No".

This will no doubt shock those who are accustomed to our acquiescence, and
it will be difficult for us at first if we are in the habit of giving in to
unreasonable people. But saying, "No", is an acquired ability, and we will
discover that the more we use it, the more proficient we become.

It's fine to exchange favors with people, of course, and it is commendable
to voluntarily help others who are literally unable to help themselves. But
when people try to create a feeling of obligation in us or try to persuade
us to do something we dislike just to please them, beware: no matter how
much they emphasize that doing what they want will benefit us, it's rarely
our welfare with which they're concerned.

Important Ideas to Consider

. My time and energy are as valuable as those of anyone else.

. My "not wanting to" is at least as important as the other person's
"wanting me to".

. I definitely do not have to do everything I am asked to do.

. I don't have to provide an excuse for not wanting to do something.

. Only people who want to manipulate me insist that I should.

. If I don't say "No", my silence can be taken as a "Yes".

. Cooperation is a good alternative to manipulation.

. It is easier to avoid being manipulated if I am not a manipulator myself.

. My wants, needs, and happiness are as important as anyone's.

. I have the right to say "No" to doing things I dislike or find
objectionable or inconvenient.

. I am not stubborn or mean just because I don't want to do what others ask.

Questions to Ask Yourself

. Do I often feel I've been taken advantage of?

. Do I attempt to manipulate others? If I do, what are my reasons?

. Do I think I would be able to avoid a lot of unpleasant tasks if I were
smarter?

. Can people usually talk me into doing things I don't want to do? If they
can, why do I let them?

. If I allow people to manipulate me, what manipulative approach seems to
work best with me? What can I do to change this?

. Do I feel guilty when I don't do what people ask of me?

. Do I frequently feel uncomfortable, resentful, and angry? Do I feel that
way more around some people than around others?

An Experiment
When people attempt to manipulate you, tell them exactly how you feel about
the matter in a positive, but firm manner. To prepare yourself for doing
this, practice saying the phrases "No, thanks", "Thanks, I'd rather not",
"Sorry, but I've made other plans", "No, I don't want to", "Because I don't
want to", and "I don't have to give you a reason", until you can say them
with sincerity and conviction. Your skill will improve quickly with
experience.

This article is excerpted from Wising Up: How To Stop Making Such A Mess of
Your Life, © 1999, by Jerry Minchinton. Reprinted with permission of the
publisher, Arnford House, Vanzant, MO, USA.

About The Author:
Jerry Minchinton has read extensively about self-esteem, motivation, and
Eastern philosophies and religions. He combines the insight he's gained from
these studies with practical business experience to shed light on some
age-old problems of human behavior. He is the author of Maximum Self-Esteem:
The Handbook For Reclaiming Your Sense of Self-Worth, and 52 Things You Can
Do To Raise Your Self-Esteem. He can be reached at arnford@....
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There must be a beautiful morning somewhere
A dawn lit by justice and judgment is fair
A place where a helping hand is held out
An ear that will listen stands
poised and devout

A place you can go when your heart
needs attention A place where a
spirit gets healing and mending

A place where love's fire burns bright
day and night And in from the cold
you may warm by its light

There must be a brilliant evening somewhere
Where the sun finally sets on pain and despair
Where the coming of night is not filled with grief
And comforting sleep brings you joyful relief

A place where the sunset is apt to reflect
A day without malice, without disrespect
A place where the only tears shed, are for joy
And a heart is not battered and bounced like a toy

There must be a wonderful day somewhere,
In a place filled with love and a
great need to care

A place where the burdens of conflict are lifted
Where love is a skill and all lovers are gifted
Where daily are spoken the words that support
And every mistake is not met with retort

A place where the land has not soaked up the blood
Where honor and truth are not cast in the mud
A place where the children are not left alone
Where Sisters and Brothers may come to atone
Where homeless and helpless don't cower in fright
Where the hearts and the minds
of the world can unite

So you set on a journey to seek out this land
With compass and map and a vision so grand
To find peace and comfort in a world that's so new
Where waters are crystal and skies are so blue
With showers that cleanse and winds that refresh
Where the spirit is fed and not just the flesh

But search as you may, what you'll find to be true
That it cannot be found, until it's found within you.

Author Unknown
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A Matter of Faith

I've been this way so many times before
long past the midnight hour
Drifting in and out of here
wishing I were there
As the candlelight dances with the shadows
and I wonder about all the tomorrows
Which one will come for me
and do I really have a destiny
Or has it come and gone
while I waited for the dawn
I'm missing that which I need to be whole
and fragmented are my heart and soul
Where is the light of day
and will it show me the way
Or must I wander in the darkness
forever doomed to be homeless
No, I will not admit this fate to my path
for I will believe unto my last breath
That miracles were meant to be
and set the faithful free

dennis j hopkins
mrseven@...
<http://www.dennisjhopkins.com>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Body Deserves Respect
by Chérie Carter-Scott, Ph.D.

"Your body is your vehicle for life.
As long as you are here, live in it.
Love, honor, respect and cherish it,
treat it well, and it will serve you in kind."
-- Suzy Prudden

To respect your body means to hold it in high regard and honor it.
Respect is treating your body with the same care you would give
any other valuable and irreplaceable object. Learning to respect
your body is vital.

When you respect your body, you are in partnership with it. You
become grounded in your physical body and able to benefit from all
it has to offer you. Respect carries reciprocal energy. Your body
will honor you when you honor it. Treat your body as a structure
worthy of respect and it will respond in kind. Abuse or ignore it
and it will break down in various ways until you learn the lesson of
respect.

I know a man named Gordon who views his body as a sacred temple.
Besides keeping it extraordinarily fit through regular exercise and
sports, he maintains excellent health by always caring for it diligently.
He eats only healthy foods, would never dream of going out in the cold
improperly dressed, and generally treats his body as a valuable
treasure. As a result of all the love he gives it, his body never fails
him. He is almost always at optimum performance. His body is his
beloved partner and ready to do whatever he needs it to do.

Of course, each person's body is different. It could be considered a
big stretch for anyone else to maintain the level of attentiveness
Gordon gives his body. Every person's body has a specific formula that
works for it. It is your responsibility to become acquainted with your
body's individual requirements. No one diet works for everyone, nor
does any one sleep or exercise regimen. True respect comes from
learning what your body needs to run at optimum performance, and
then making the commitment to honoring those needs.

At the opposite end of the respect spectrum is Travis, a twenty-nine-
year-old diabetic who refused to take his disease seriously. Travis is
a wealthy, handsome jet-setter who loved living in the fast lane.
He indulged often in vodka martinis, stayed out late frequently, ate
red meat and rich, sugary desserts, and eventually became addicted to
cocaine. Despite his doctor's warnings, Travis refused to change any of
his unhealthy behaviors. He would not accept that his illness made his
body's requirements different from those of his friends.

The downward spiral continued for months, peppered with severe bouts
of millness, until one day Travis crashed. A friend found him collapsed on
the bathroom floor and intervened, saving Travis's life. Travis's lesson
of respect was learned at a painful price, but he finally moved through
the denial, neglect, and abuse and learned to honor his body's specific
needs and uniqueness.

As Travis illustrates, learning to respect your body is challenging in a
world filled with excess and temptation. Going along with the group and
indulging yourself is sometimes a lot easier than respecting your
boundaries. Indulging yourself now and then is fine -- in fact, at times it
is even healthy -- as long as you are not compromising your own special
requirements. If you know spicy food makes you sick, but you love it
anyway, how many times do you need to indulge and compromise your
body's truth before you learn to respect its limitations? Not too many,
I hope, for your own sake.

Treat your body with deference and respect, and it will respond
accordingly. Listen to your body and its wisdom; it will tell you what it
needs if you ask, listen, and take heed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
NA...
Romance......
The odds are good......
but the goods are odd
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Most people never run far enough on their first wind,
to find out if they've got a second.
Give your dreams all you've got and
you'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.
William James
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To recreate your life and
make a brand new start,
draw upon the power of
the love inside your heart.
Terri McPherson
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The best and most beautiful things
in the world cannot be seen nor touched...
but are felt in the heart.
Helen Keller
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Our work is to make God real through the lens of our life
for all the lives that we touch
so that when others have passed our way,
they have felt the touch of God,
they have been encouraged,
they have been supported,
they have been blessed by the presence that we bring
to whatever it is that we're doing.
That is our REAL work.
Rev. Mary Manin Morrissey
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If this disease doesn't kill you,
It will settle to make you miserable.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
All of the behaviors that I have done while I was using,
I can do without using.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My disease has never been honest with me.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We are ego maniacs,
with inferiority complexes.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada , Columbia, Costa Rica, China ,
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Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1559

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:07 pm
Subject: 2/17/05 "Listen" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

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Treatment
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/treat.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 17
Even in moments of doubt I know that my Higher Power
is guiding me on my path today.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Listen

I came to a meeting, all sad and alone,
So sick and tired, of the life I had known.
Aching and dying, deep down inside,
And feeling the pain, from the things I must hide.

They told me they Loved me, and were glad I was there,
Who are these people, and why should they care?
But the more that I listened, the more I could see,
This room full of addict's, were all just like me.

I started to share, trying hard not to cry,
And I no longer felt, like I wanted to die.
I wanted to live, but hadn't a clue,
Of what to say, feel or do.

These people were clean, and would show me the way,
So I listened some more, to what they had to say.
They spoke of a God, and Just For Today,
So I thought, "What the hell" and I started to pray.

They said "get a sponsor, and to keep coming back".
They said that a program, was all I did lack.
They said "Work the steps, or your going to die".
So I got me a sponsor, and I started to try.

I shared with my sponsor, who I had become,
The people I had hurt, the thing's I had done,
He told me he Loved me, and then shared with me,
The thing's he had done, and who he used to be.

That's when I knew, and could finally see,
That if I worked the step's, that I too could be free.
Free from using, and feeling that way,
Free from active addiction, JUST FOR TODAY.

So I still try to listen, to what you have to share,
Tell you I Love You, let you know that I care.
Let you know I have found, a much better way,
It's working a program, we call N.A.

It's sharing experience, strength and hope,
It's living a life, that is free from dope.
It's sharing with newcomer's, as they wander in,
And as they start to listen, they'll know they can win.

If we all really listen, to what's being said,
The thing's that are shared, the book that is read.
If we listen and learn, we will surely see,
How truly wonderful, Recovery can be.

~ written by an addict named derek
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Comics Of The Week
<http://www.recoveryjonescartoons.com/comicsoftheweek.htm>

The US Drug Rehab Centers directory...
<http://www.usdrugrehabcenters.com/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 17                 Carrying the message, not the addict

"They can be analyzed, counseled, reasoned with, prayed over,
threatened, beaten, or locked up, but they will not stop until they
want to stop." Basic Text, p. 62

Perhaps one of the most difficult truths we must face in our recovery
is that we are as powerless over another's addiction as we are over our
own. We may think that because we've had a spiritual awakening in our
own lives we should be able to persuade another addict to find recovery.
But there are limits to what we can do to help another addict.

We cannot force them to stop using. We cannot give them the results
of the steps or grow for them. We cannot take away their loneliness or
their pain. There is nothing we can say to convince a scared addict to
surrender the familiar misery of addiction for the frightening
uncertainty of recovery. We cannot jump inside other peoples' skins,
shift their goals, or decide for them what is best for them.

However, if we refuse to try to exert this power over another's
addiction, we may help them. They may grow if we allow them to face
reality, painful though it may be. They may become more productive, by
their own definition, as long as we don't try and do it for them. They can
become the authority on their own lives, provided we are only
authorities on our own. If we can accept all this, we can become what we
were meant to be -carriers of the message, not the addict.

Just for today: I will accept that I am powerless not only over my
own addiction but also over everyone else's. I will carry the message,
not the addict.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Anyone who would like to put a link for the
12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit daily recovery email
on their web page please put this link
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
and email me to let me know
If you would like my banner artwork please email me
Thank you, Scott    YOUnME.nHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to,
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A PATH TO FAITH

True humility and an open mind can lead us to faith, and every A.A. meeting
is an assurance that God will restore us to sanity if we rightly relate
ourselves to Him.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 33

My last drunk had landed me in the hospital, totally broken. It was then
that I was able to see my past float in front of me. I realized that,
through drinking, I had lived every nightmare I had ever had. My own
self-will and obsession to drink had driven me into a dark pit of
hallucinations, blackouts and despair. Finally beaten, I asked for God's
help. His presence told me to believe. My obsession for alcohol was taken
away and my paranoia has since been lifted. I am no longer afraid. I know
my life is healthy and sane.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ February 17th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Alcohol is poison to the alcoholic. Poison is not too
strong a word, because alcoholism leads eventually
to the death of the alcoholic. It may be a quick
death or a slow death. When we go by package
stores and see various kinds of liquor all dressed
up in fancy packages to make it look attractive, we
should always make it a point to say to ourselves so
we'll never forget it: "That stuffs all poison to me."
And it is. Alcohol poisoned our lives for a long time.
Do I know that since I'm an alcoholic all liquor is
poison to me?

Meditation for the Day

I must somehow find the means of coming nearer to
God. That is what really matters. I must somehow
seek the true bread of life, which is communion with
Him. I must grasp for the truth at the center of all
worship. This central truth is all that matters. All
forms of worship have this communion with God as
their purpose and goal.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may meet God in quiet communion. I pray
that I may partake of the soul-food that God has provided
for me.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Let Go of Your Plans

Letting go can feel so unnatural.
We work hard for a promotion,
a relationship, a new car, a vacation.
Then the universe has the gall to come along
and mess up our plans. How dare it!

And so, rather than opening ourselves to the experiences
that await us, we hold on to the plans that we made for ourselves.
Or we hold on to bitterness
about our plans going awry.

Sometimes losing our dreams and
plans for our future can hurt as much
as losing a tangible thing.
Sometimes accepting and releasing our
broken dreams is part of accepting a loss.

Let go of your expectations.
The universe will do what it will.
Sometimes your dreams will come true.
Sometimes they won't.
Sometimes when you let go of a broken dream,
another one gently takes its place.

Be aware of what is,
not what you would like to be, taking place.

God, please help me let go of my expectations and
accept the gifts that you give me each day,
knowing that there is beauty and wonder in each act of life.

*Melody Beattie*
from - "More Language of Letting Go"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tao Te Ching, Chapter Five and Six
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/taotec/part3.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Awakening the Sacred Longing
by Jack Kornfield

What is it that draws a person to spiritual life? From as far back as we can
remember, we can each sense a mystery in being alive. When we are present
with an infant in the first moments after birth, or when the death of a
loved one brushes close to us, the mystery becomes tangible. It is there
when we witness a radiant sunset or find a moment's silent stillness in the
flowing seasons of our days. Connecting to the sacred is perhaps our deepest
need and longing.

Awakening calls to us in a thousand ways. As the poet Rumi sings, "Grapes
want to turn to wine." There is a pull to wholeness, to being fully alive,
even when we have forgotten. The Hindus tell us that the child in the womb
sings, "Do not let me forget who am," but that the song after birth becomes,
"Oh, I have forgotten already."

Still, as surely as there is a voyage away, there is a journey home.

Throughout the world we find stories of this journey, images of the longing
to awaken, the steps along the path that we all follow, the voices that
call, the intensity of the initiation we may meet, the courage we need. At
the heart of each is the original sincerity of the seeker, who must honestly
admit how small is our knowledge of the universe, how great the unknown.

The honesty the spiritual quest requires of us is addressed in the Russian
initiation tales about Baba Yaga. Baba Yaga is an old woman with a wild,
haglike visage who stirs her pot and knows all things. She lives deep in the
forest. When we seek her out we are frightened, for she requires us to go
into the dark, to ask dangerous questions, to step outside the world of
logic and comfort.

When the first young seeker comes quaking up to the door of her hut, Baba
Yaga demands, "Are you on your own errand or are you sent by another?" The
young man, encouraged in his quest by his family, answers, "I am sent by my
father." Baba Yaga promptly throws him into the pot and cooks him. The next
to attempt this quest, a young woman, sees the smoldering fire and hears the
cackle of Baba Yaga. Baba Yaga again demands, "Are you on your own errand or
are you sent by another?" This young woman has been pulled to the woods
alone to seek what she can find there. "I am on my own errand," she replies.
Baba Yaga throws her in the pot and cooks her too.

Later a third visitor, again a young woman, deeply confused by the world,
comes to Baba Yaga's house far into the forest. She sees the smoke and knows
it is dangerous. Baba Yaga confronts her, "Are you on your own errand, or
are you sent by another?" This young woman answers truthfully. "In large
part I'm on my own errand, but in large part I also come because of others.
And in large part I have come because you are here, and because of the
forest, and something I have forgotten, and in large part I know not why I
come." Baba Yaga regards her for a moment and says, "You'll do," and shows
her into the hut.

Into the Woods
We don't know all the reasons that propel us on a spiritual journey, but
somehow our life compels us to go. Something in us knows that we are not
just here to toil at our work. There is a mysterious pull to remember. What
takes us out of our homes and into the dark of Baba Yaga's forest can be a
combination of events. It can be a longing from childhood, or an
"accidental" encounter with a spiritual book or figure. Sometimes something
in us awakens when we travel to a foreign culture and the exotic world of
new rhythms, fragrances, colors, and activity catapults us out of our usual
sense of reality. Sometimes it is as simple as walking in the blue-green
mountains or hearing choral music so beautiful it seems inspired by the
gods. Sometimes it is that mysterious transformation when we attend at the
bedside of the dying and a "person" vanishes from existence, leaving only a
lifeless sack of flesh awaiting burial. A thousand gates open to the spirit.
Whether in the brilliance of beauty or the dark woods of confusion and
sorrow, a force as sure as gravity brings us back to our heart. It happens
to every one of us.

The Messengers of Suffering
The most frequent entryway to the sacred is our own suffering and
dissatisfaction. Countless spiritual journeys have begun in an encounter
with the difficulties of life. For Western masters, suffering in early
family life is a common start: alcoholic or abusive parents, grave family
illness, loss of a loved relative, or cold absentee parents and warring
family members all recur in many of their stories. For one wise and
respected meditation master it started with isolation and disconnection.

When I was a child, our family life had so much unhappiness. Everyone was
yelling and I felt I didn't belong there. I felt like an alien. Then, about
age nine I became really interested in flying saucers. For years at night I
would fantasize that a UFO was going to pick me up, that I would be abducted
and taken back to another planet. I really wanted that to escape from my
alienation and loneliness. I guess that was the beginning of my four decades
of spiritual search.

We all know how much the heart longs for spiritual sustenance in times of
difficulty. "Honor this longing," says Rumi. "Those that make you return,
for whatever reason, to the spirit, be grateful to them. Worry about the
others, who give you delicious comfort that keeps you from prayer."

For another spiritual teacher, physician, and healer, thirty years of inner
work also began with family sorrows.

My parents fought terribly and then divorced quite violently when I was
young. I was sent to an awful boarding school. My family life was so
painful, it left me lonely, filled with grief, restlessness, and discontent
with everything. I didn't know how to live.

One day I saw a man in orange robes and shaved head chanting "Hare Krishna"
on the steps of the square. I naively thought he was some wise Indian saint.
He told me about karma, reincarnation, meditation, and the possibility of
freedom. It rang true in my whole body. I was so excited, I phoned my mother
and said, "I'm leaving school. I want to be a Hare Krishna monk." She became
quite hysterical, so we compromised to where I would learn meditation. That
opened me to another world. I learned to let go of my past and to have
compassion for myself. Meditation saved my life.

Crisis is an invitation to the spirit not only in childhood, but whenever
our life passes through suffering. For many masters, the gateway to the
spiritual opened when loss or desperation, suffering or confusion drove them
to look for solace of the heart, for a hidden wholeness. The long journey of
one teacher began in adulthood, overseas.

I was in Hong Kong. My marriage was going badly, my youngest daughter had
died from sudden infant death syndrome two years earlier, and in every way I
was not happy. We returned to America and at Stanford Business School I saw
a sign for tai chi and signed up. That began to calm my body, but my heart
remained sorrowful and confused. I separated from my wife and tried various
forms of meditation to calm myself. Then a girlfriend introduced me to her
meditation master, who invited me to a retreat. The room was formal and
silent as we all sat hour after hour. On the second morning, suddenly I saw
myself standing looking at my daughter's grave, with a shovelful of red
earth being thrown on it. Tears came and a wail rose from me. The other
students nearby hissed and whispered "Shut up," but the master came over and
told them to be still and held me for a time. And I wept and blubbered,
filled with grief all morning. That was how it began. Now, thirty years
later, I am the one holding those who weep.

The encounter with suffering that leads us to seek an answer is a universal
story. In the life story of the Buddha as Prince Siddhartha, the
Buddha-to-be was deliberately protected from the problems of the world by
his father, sequestered in beautiful palaces during his early years. Finally
the young prince insisted on going out to see the world. As he rode through
the kingdom with his charioteer Channa, he saw four sights which stunned him
deeply. First the Buddha saw a very old person, tottering, bent over, and
frail. Next he saw a man grievously ill, cared for by his friends. Then he
saw a dead body. Each time he asked his charioteer, "To whom do these things
happen?" Each time Channa replied, "To everyone, my lord."

These sights are called "the Heavenly Messengers," for just as they awakened
the Buddha, so they remind us all to seek liberation, to seek a spiritual
freedom in this life.

Can you remember the first time you saw a dead body or a person gravely ill?
This first up-close encounter with sickness and death sent a shock through
Siddhartha's whole being. "How can we best live in a life haunted by illness
and death?" he wondered. The fourth messenger came when he saw a monk
standing at the edge of the forest, a hermit who had devoted a life of
simplicity to seek an end to the sorrows of the world. At this sight the
Buddha realized that he too must follow this path, that he must face
directly the sorrows of life and attempt to find a way beyond their grasp.

Like a modern Siddhartha, one teacher tells how her journey in the cities
and countryside called her to her path.

After college I worked in a social service agency in Philadelphia trying to
help a series of desperate families. No work, lots of children, squalid
housing, drug problems. Some days I would come home from the agency and
weep. Then with a friend I went to work in Central America - El Salvador and
Guatemala. It seemed like an ocean of problems for the poor campesinos. They
labored just to get enough food and medicine for their kids, and had to
suffer periodic military raids. It was very hard. When I came back I entered
the convent for four years, not to run away, but to find myself, to learn
what I could really do to benefit this world.

The heavenly messengers come in some form to each of us, calling us to seek
a wholeness missing in our lives. They come not just as our own struggles,
but in the sorrows of the world. These have such a powerful effect on our
hearts that any day's news could break them open. The perennial floods of
Bangladesh; the hunger and warfare of Africa, Europe, Asia; the ecological
crisis worldwide; the racism, poverty, and violence of our cities - they too
are the messengers. They are a call. As they did for the Buddha, they demand
that we awaken.

Return to Innocence
Lest it all sound difficult, there is another side to the forces that draw
so many of us into the woods. A beauty calls to us, a wholeness that we know
exists. The Sufis call this "the voice of the beloved." We are born into
this world with the song in our ears, yet we may first come to know it by
its absence.

When we live without connectedness, without an illumination of spirit, we
can feel in ourselves the deep longing of a lost child, a subtle longing as
though we know something essential is missing, something that dances at the
edge of our vision, always with us like the air we forget until the wind
blows. Yet it is this elusive spirit which holds us completely, which
nourishes the heart, summoning us toward our search for what life is all
about. We are pulled to return to our true nature, to our wise and knowing
heart.

This sacred longing can arise first in childhood, as it did for the Zen
master of a large community in Europe.

I remembered as a child having experiences of wonder and identity with the
world. I felt an identity with the hills, seeing them dance, and the rivers
in between. One day I imagined myself a part of a great summer storm that
swept through our town. At about twelve I recognized how incredible the game
of life is, how much bigger than anything I knew. Then I would forget and go
back to playing soccer and playing with friends until the next time it
happened, another moment of this naive sweet opening. Later I heard an
Indian swami talk at the university about the world of nature and mystery,
and he wept quite openly. I was so touched, as if I was hearing Jesus talk,
and I began to remember again that innocent connection to my childhood. When
you realize how much you've lost, you have to go looking again for those
moments when your spirit first came alive.

Over the years, a practical and materialistic society can usurp the original
mystery of childhood. We are sent to school early to "grow up," to "be
serious," and if we don't let go of our childhood innocence, all too often
the world tries to knock it out of us. A hundred years ago the American
painter James McNeill Whistler encountered this attitude in his engineering
class at West Point Military Academy. The students were instructed to draw a
careful study of a bridge, and Whistler submitted a beautifully detailed
picturesque stone arch with children fishing from its top. The lieutenant in
charge ordered, "This is a military exercise. Get those children off the
bridge." Whistler resubmitted the drawing with the two children now fishing
from the side of the river. "I said get those children completely out of the
picture," said the angry lieutenant. So Whistler's last version had the
river, the bridge, and two small tombstones along its bank.

As the existentialist writer Albert Camus discovered:

A man's life is nothing but an extended trek through the detours of art to
recapture those one or two moments when his heart first opened.

The Zen tradition describes this journey in its account of the sacred ox. In
ancient India, oxen were a symbol for the wondrous and powerful qualities
that reside within every being, that awaken as we discover our true nature.
The Zen ox-herding story begins with a scroll painting of a man wandering
into the mountain thickets. The image is entitled "Seeking the Ox." Behind
the man is a maze of crisscrossing roads: the old highways of ambition and
fear, confusion and loss, praise and blame. For a long time this man has
forgotten the flowing rivers and mountain vistas. But on the day he finally
remembers, he sets out seeking the tracks of the sacred ox. In his heart he
knows that even in the deepest gorges and the topmost mountains, the ox
cannot be lost. In the beauty of the forest he stops to rest. And looking
down, he sees the first tracks.

For one meditation teacher in her sixties, ox-seeking began in middle age,
after raising three children.

When I was a girl I grew up in an intellectual environment where spiritual
life was never mentioned except maybe at Christmas. It's as if my parents
thought we were beyond that religion stuff. I was so jealous of my friends
who went to church. Starting at seven I cut the pictures of Mary and angels
and Jesus out of Christmas cards. I hid them in the bottom of my dresser
drawer and made a secret altar there. I would take them out every Sunday and
make up my own kind of service.

Then, at forty-three, I was traveling on business and had time to visit a
famous cathedral. I went into the vast cool interior and saw the sunlight
flaming through the stained glass. A choir began to sing Gregorian chants
for the late afternoon service, and the altar held a beautiful Mary, just
like my Christmas cards. I had to sit down. I felt seven again, my eyes
filled with tears and my heart about burst. That poor little girl was
spiritually starved. The next week I went to a yoga class and then signed up
for a meditation retreat.

This article was excerpted from After the Ecstasy, the Laundry by Jack
Kornfield. Copyright 2000. Excerpted by permission of Bantam, a division of
Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be
reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

About The Author:
JACK KORNFIELD was trained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, Burma, and India,
and has taught meditation worldwide since 1974. For many years his work has
been focused on integrating and bringing alive the great Eastern spiritual
teachings in an accessible way for Western students and Western society.
Jack also holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. He is a husband, father,
psychotherapist, and founding teacher of the Insight Meditation Society and
the Spirit Rock Center. His books include A Path With Heart, After the
Ecstasy, the Laundry, Buddha's Little Instruction Book, Buddhism in the
West, Seeking the Heart of Wisdom, A Still Forest Pool, and Soul Food.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
ENDURE

"Go through the darkness and come out the other side.
When you think 'I can't stand another minute of this,' know that you can.
When you think 'I won't make it through another day,' know that you will.
When you can't take another moment of the pain and the fear and the feelings
of hopelessness, realize that you just have.

Endure the heartache and come out heartstrong. Endure the tremors and the
grief and the isolation and come out sturdy and robust and ready for
another round. Like a diamond in the making, endure the heat and the
pressure for what seems like eternity, and emerge with a new
brilliance and clarity. When you think you've come to your end, dig deep
and endure."

Katherine Hepburn
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Beauty and confidence - deeper than the ocean -
reside in the soul of every person.
They are not reserved for a special few.
Some of us just don't know it.

Confidence born of possessions is tentative.
If the possessions are lost or taken away,
the confidence disappears along with them.

Beauty created from the glory of attention is a finite form of loveliness.
The physical reality of aging reaches beyond
the attention span of those who hail its youthful look.
Their flattery fades away.

Confidence is not cocky.
It is the self-assured knowledge you were born to live in love,
to give and receive, to share and care.
It is knowing the world is a better place
because of your presence on this planet.

Beauty is not arrogant.
It is the radiant knowledge you are a complete human being.
It is knowing that nothing can make you more beautiful
than the way you were created.

If you are not a living expression of true confidence and beauty,
you haven't lost them.
You've simply forgotten you have them.
Dig deep, look back and remember.

Living in love and loving life,

Terri McPherson
tmcphers@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There are many ways to measure success;
not the least of which is the way your child
describes you when talking to a friend.
Unknown
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The minute you settle for less than you deserve,
you get even less than you settled for."
Maureen Dowd
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The real measure of your wealth is how much
you'd be worth if you lost all your money."
Anonymous
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Prayer work is a constant and consistent conversation with Him.
God listens, and He answers.
His answer is the experience of peace."
Marianne Williamson
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Do not withhold your gift from others.
Do not make the mistake of
thinking that you have no gift to give.
Everyone has a gift.
But don't compare your gift to the gifts of others,
or you may not value it sufficiently."
Paul Ferrini
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"If someone listens, or stretches out a hand,
or whispers a kind word of encouragement,
or attempts to understand a lonely person,
extraordinary things begin to happen"
Loretta Girzatlis
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If you give this disease an inch it will take your life.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This is not the Flu that we have.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Addiction is not a disgrace it's a disease.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This disease does not give up.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 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, Hong Kong, 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, Qatar, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1558

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Wed Feb 16, 2005 2:27 pm
Subject: 2/16/05 "A B C�s of Recovery" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Homelife
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/homelife.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to,
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 16
Peace and relaxation flow through me
with every breath that I take.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A B C’s of Recovery

A is for attitude
A positive is good
B is for behavior
Change it we should

C is for changes
In our lives we will make
D is for Determination
We know it will take

E is for effort
Recovery will need
F is for faith
Growing stronger indeed

G is for God
Strength from above
H is for hope
A feeling to love

I is for involved
In groups that care

In knowing they’re there
J is for joy
K is for killing
“this disease wants us dead”
L is for life
We’re living instead

M is for meditation
Done every day
N is for “newcomer”
Let’s show him the way

O is for opportunities
In recovery they’re great
P is for patience
Learning to wait

Q is for quest
For serenity we’ll find
R is for recovery
First in our mind

S is for simple
Keep it we must
T is for training
From people we trust

U is for up
The direction to go
V is for victory
We’ll gain as we grow

W is for willingness
To make our wrongs right
X is for expectations
Our goals are in sight

Y is for yearning
For peace and harmony
Z is for zenith
Height attained through recovery

Now we’ve seen recovery from A to Z
Life does get better
Work hard and we’ll see

Jim R. 2/26/99
JRadackJrFamily@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" Richard Carlson
<http://www.dontsweat.com/>

Inner Self New Attitudes - New Possibilities
<http://innerself.com/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 16                               Faithful Feelings

"When we refuse to accept the reality of today we are denying faith
in our Higher Power This can only bring more suffering."
IP No. 8, "Just for Today"

Some days just aren't the way we wish they would be. Our problems may
be as simple as a broken shoelace or having to stand in line at the
supermarket. Or we may experience something far more serious, such as
the loss of a job, a home, or a loved one. Either way, we often end up
looking for a way to avoid our feelings instead of simply acknowledging that
those feelings are painful.

No one promises us that everything will go our way when we stop using. In
fact, we can be sure that life will go on whether we're using or not. We
will face good days and bad days, comfortable feelings and painful
feelings. But we don't have to run from any of them any longer.

We can experience pain, grief, sadness, anger, frustration- all those
feelings we once avoided with drugs. We find that we can get through
those emotions clean. We won't die and the world won't come to an end
just because we have uncomfortable feelings. We learn to trust that we
can survive what each day brings.

Just for today: I will demonstrate my trust in God by experiencing
this day just as it is.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Anyone who would like to put a link for the
12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit daily recovery email
on their web page please put this link
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
and email me to let me know
If you would like my banner artwork please email me
Thank you, Scott
YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to,
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A RALLYING POINT

Therefore, Step Two is the rallying point for all of us. "Whether
agnostic, atheist, or former believer, we can stand together on this Step.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 33

I feel that A.A. is a God-inspired program and that God is at every A.A.
meeting. I see, believe, and have come to know that A.A. works, because I
have stayed sober today. I am turning my life over to A.A. and to God by
going to an A.A. meeting. If God is in my heart and everyone else's, then
I am a small part of a whole and I am not unique. If God is in my heart
and He speaks to me through other people, then I must be a channel of God
to other people. I should seek to do His will by living spiritual
principles and my reward will be sanity and emotional sobriety.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden / February 16th

A.A. Thought for the Day

One drink started a train of thought that became
an obsession, and from then on, we couldn't stop
drinking. We developed a mental compulsion to
keep drinking until we got good and drunk. People
generally make two mistakes about alcoholism.
One mistake is that it can be cured by physical
treatment only. The other mistake is that it can
be cured by willpower only. Most alcoholics have
tried both of these ways and have found that they
don't work. But we members of A.A. have found a
way to arrest alcoholism. Have I gotten over my
obsession by following the A.A. program?

Meditation for the Day

I will try to be unruffled, no matter what happens.
I will keep my emotions in check, although others
about me are letting theirs go. I will keep calm in
the face of disturbance, keep that deep, inner calm
through all the experiences of the day. In the rush
of work and worry, the deep, inner silence is
necessary to keep me on an even keel. I must learn
to take the calm with me into the most hurried days.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be still and commune with God.
I pray that I may learn patience, humility, and peace.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We can only go so far

There is no such thing as complete acceptance.
When you can remember a loss with a little distance
and much less pain, you have accepted the loss and mourned it fully.
You accept that life is different now and move on.
                   David Viscott, Emotionally Free

There is certain events that we may never accept fully.
What can be accepted, though, is that we are required to live
with these losses and find a way to go on.

Some people were horribly abused in childhood,
beyond what anyone can be expected to endure.
Some of us have experienced unthinkable
losses later on in life.
A spouse may have betrayed us.
We may have lost our family through divorce.
We may have lost our physical health through an
accident or illness. A loved one may have died.

It's okay to stop waiting for and expecting
total acceptance of the unthinkable in your life.
Instead, gently do one thing each day to demonstrate
that you're willing to move forward with your life.

God, grant me compassion for myself and others.
Help me learn to be gentle with broken hearts, including my own.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tao Te Ching, Chapter Three and Four
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/taotec/part2.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Top 10 Benefits of Journaling

1. You can let your ideas and feelings flow freely, and follow them
wherever they lead you.

Because there is no editing, revising, or structure to journaling, it is
easier to put your inner critic on hold and get to the heart of what you are
thinking and feeling.

2. People write what they need to know.

You will gain surprising and valuable insights into yourself as you journal,
and again when you revisit past writings.

3. Journaling over time gives you a broader and more accurate perspective
on yourself and your journey.

It is easy to be unaware of how long you have been grappling with a
particular issue or challenge. Rereading journals from previous months and
years will afford you a time perspective and allow you to see recurring
themes.

4. There are many different ways to journal.

Experiment with journaling longhand on beautiful paper, on a keyboard, at
different times of the day, in different locations, and for varying lengths
of time. Many people find that doing "morning pages" upon first rising, and
"evening reflections" at the end of the day are very effective and yield
very different results.

5. Journaling is a safe way to express negative feelings and half-formed
thoughts until you are ready to communicate them to others in a healthy and
constructive way.

6. Journals can be burned.

If you are uncomfortable committing your innermost thoughts to paper,
journal and burn them. Although you will not get the longitudinal benefits
of rereading past writings, the journaling process itself is still extremely
valuable, and the ritual of burning the pages can be very freeing and
releasing.

7. You get to decide who you want to be, and you can change your mind at
any time.

Until you can grant yourself this personal freedom in real life, use
journaling to try on different ways of being and expressing yourself. Write
as though you are already the fearless, limitless being you aspire to be.
Remember, journaling is risk-free and private. No one but you is affected
by what you write. Your journal will not resist change or pressure you to
be who it thinks you ought to be!

8. Journaling can enrich the coaching process.

Sending selected journaling to your coach between coaching calls helps both
of you prepare for the next call, and gives your coach additional insights
into your visions and dreams, as well as your obstacles and blocks. Your
coach can also provide you with powerful questions to get you started.

9. Regular journaling can make the rest of your day better.

Ritualized practices, like journaling every morning or evening, bring a
rhythm to your life, and become a time for calming, centering, and
reflection. Taking this time to go inward and be with yourself enhances
your ability to be with others in a positive and intentional way.

10. Intentional journaling can be a gift to others.

While most journaling is private, another form of journaling is done for an
intended audience. Keep a notebook or tape recorder handy and record the
thoughts you want to share with your children or grandchildren -- stories of
the funny and touching things they say and do while they are still fresh in
your mind, important family stories you want to share, and even those of
your personal thoughts and feelings that will be meaningful to them later in
their lives.

-- Author Unknown
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Blossoming Denial Tree
by Virginia Santoro

    "Denial ~ it's found in all of us to a greater or lesser degree.
It's a blossoming tree out of control ~ destructive in that it keeps
us locked into an increasingly deteriorating pattern of behavior.
It's a tree with many blooms ~ complicated defenses and maneuvers
that we unconsciously use to prevent ourselves from facing reality.
Our tree grows so large and overpowering we believe it to be real
just by virtue of its overwhelming effect. As real as it is to us, is
just how false an illusion it truly is. You may recognize some of these
blooms on your own denial tree:

* Simple denial - you pretend something doesn't exist when it really
does (for example, discounting physical symptoms that may indicate
the presence of a problem ~ "Gimme some Tums. I've got heartburn"
when the reality is "'Lizabeth, I'm coming" - you're having a heart
attack).

* Minimizing - you're willing to acknowledge a problem, but unwilling
to see its severity (for example, admitting to estrangement in a
relationship, when in fact there is glaring infidelity ~ "Oh, honey, I
understand you've got to put in long days" as she stuffs his
lipstick-stained shirt into the hamper).

* Blaming - it's not your fault that you do the things you do, but it
is so-and-so's (for example, blaming your childhood for your current
inappropriate behavior ~ "I can't help being a flirt, my parents never
gave me any attention when I was growing up").

* Excusing - you offer excuses, alibis, justifications and other
explanations for your own or others' behavior (for example, calling
in sick for a partner who's not sick at all - or is he? ~ "My husband
won't be in today. He's feeling under the weather" while she trips
over his passed-out drunk body on the kitchen floor).

* Generalizing - you deal with problems on a broad, general level,
but avoid personal and emotional awareness of the situation or
conditions (for example, participating in a discussion about the need
for communication skills in relationships, then going home to continue
a week of angry silence with a partner rather than openly resolving
your own problems).

* Dodging - you change the subject to avoid threatening topics or
confronting issues (for example, you become adept at "small talk" ~
"Where were you last night?" "I got a flat, but hey, did you see that
meteor shower in the western sky?").

* Attacking - you become angry and irritable when reference is made
to the existing condition, thus forcing avoidance of the issue (for
example, "I'm not going there!!!! I'm not going to talk about that now.
Don't start with me.")

All of these techniques are wonderful for avoiding issues. They work.
I've done them. I've had them done to me. They absolutely work. But
~ and here's the catch. The more you do them, and the more they're
done to you, the bigger grows the tree. Before long, the tree is a
jungle. There's no chance of ever seeing daylight again. Right ~ you've
lost sight of what's real. With a steady diet of denial, everything you
see, everything you hear, everything you experience becomes unreal.

That first spoken denial has blossomed way out of bounds. But there's
always a way to start dismantling the jungle. Just don't water it. Let it
dry up and wither away. Every time something comes up, be a brave
soldier. Face it head on, even if you'll "catch hell" for it. Catching hell is
good. It gets it out on the floor. It gets it done with. You wipe away the
debris and move on to the next situation. You don't grow a tree! Soon
enough, the light of truth and reality begins to peek through. That tree
wasn't all that pretty after all, was it? Not half as pretty as those
blue skies, I'd say."

Virginia creates a wonderful daily spiritual, inspirational email
that is light, nourishing and nurturing.......
to subscribe please email MorningMusings@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My Hero

It is Thursday. I hate Thursday. Today, multitudes of
parents and children make long trips in order to arrive at
this destination ... hell. It is a crowded and noisy place.
It is a place where people do not smile, a place where pain
and fear lurk around every corner. I exit the elevator on
the fourth floor, turn the far-too-familiar corner, and sit
in the uncomfortable chair. People are all around me, yet I
am alone. Although my journey has just begun for today, it
is not an unfamiliar one. I have been here many times
before. Twenty-one grooves in each tile. I have counted them
often. I settle myself in my chair because I know it may be
some time before my name is called. Suddenly, I hear a
strange sound. It is a laugh. I can hardly believe it, for
no one laughs on Thursday. Thursday is chemo day on 4B.

I scan the crowded reception area, looking for the
source of the laughter. I note child after child, parent
after parent. They all look the same - tired and frightened.
I am certain each is thinking the same thought: Why is the
treatment worse than the disease? My eyes lock on one
particular mother who is holding her baby, a boy of about
eight months. The laugh is his. He is bouncing on his
mother's knee. It is obvious this is the child's favorite
game. The mother's face is one big smile. She relishes the
brief moments of happiness in her son's short life. She
realizes it may be a while before he has the strength to
smile again. He, too, has been chosen to suffer an unfair
and uncertain fate. My eyes fill with tears.

I shift in my seat to get a better view of the baby. I
stare at his small, bald head. Baldness is not unusual in an
infant, but I know why he is hairless. Suddenly I become
angry with myself. I despise it when people stare at me;
however, here I am sharing the stares I abhor.

I shift my weight once again and sink more deeply into
the groove of my chair. A rush of emotions - anger, fear,
sadness, pity - surge through me. I remain deeply engrossed
in my thoughts for a long time. A booming voice interrupts
my reverie. It is the nurse summoning mother and baby into
hell. Simultaneously the bouncing and laughing cease. The
mother picks up her son. As they walk past me, I look at the
baby once more. He is completely calm. His eyes are bright
and there is an expression of complete trust on his tiny
face. I know that I will never forget that expression.

This is but one of many Thursdays. However, on this
particular Thursday, many months into a seemingly endless
series of treatments, I learned a lesson from a little baby.
He changed my life. He taught me that anger, tears and
sadness are only for those who have given up. He also taught
me to trust. This I will carry with me always. Today, my
little hero is doing fine. His last treatment is in sight
and his future looks bright. I can honestly say that I am a
little surprised. That bright-eyed baby appeared so pale and
sick that day. However, that was before I learned to trust.

Everyone, some sooner than others, must endure his or
her own personal "hell on earth." It is important to keep
searching for the small joys, although they are sometimes
the most elusive. Trust that these joys will appear,
sometimes unexpectedly, and often in life's darkest moments
... for instance, in the smile on a baby's face.

By Katie Gill from Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul
Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty
Aubery & Nancy Mitchell, R.N.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Flower

I saw a flower today
nestled by a pathway
near a park bench that
seems like home to me
The harsh wintry wind
was bitter and frigid
as it swirled around
and through it and me
It's solitary vigil
captured my heart
and enflamed my passion
as it soothed my soul
And I watched the others
as they tread upon
their chosen pathways
oblivious to the flower
Oh, weep for them I cried
for they know not
what they are missing
along this darkened byway
Be generous in your purity
I cried against the night
and let your beauty reach out
and engulf them with vision
Let not this wondrous moment
be lost among the shadows
of things that might have been
but sing your song of forever
To save a single soul
from lifetimes of regret
would you not stay in bloom
until they see the light

dennis j hopkins
mrseven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed,
only if there is a light from within."
Elizabeth Kübler-Ross
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Learn to get in touch with the silence from within yourself,
and know that everything in this life has purpose.
There are no mistakes, no coincidences,
all events are blessings given to us to learn from."
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
e. e. cummings
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The deepest hunger of the human soul is to be understood,
to feel heard, to feel validated ...
The deepest hunger of the human body is for air.
If you can listen to another person,
in depth, until they feel understood,
its the equivalent of giving them air.
Steven Covey
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It is our mission to honor the sacred.
When the Guidance of Higher Power reveals itself to us,
we are bound not just to document but to act upon it.
Even if we don't see the whole path before us,
we take the step we are given.
Mary Manin Morrissey
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Drinking is the undercurrent of my addiction.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Watch out your disease might be dressing up.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Not getting high is abnormal for addicts.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Addiction is the disconnecting of the spirit.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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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this letter cannot be considered spam as long as the following words
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 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, Hong Kong, 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, Qatar, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1557

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:40 am
Subject: 2/15/05 "An Ordinary Day" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Court
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/court.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to,
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 15
Today I will "act as if" I am worth loving.
I am beginning to tell myself
that I am worthy of loving myself.
I will acknowledge all the good and lovable things about me.
I will "act as if" until I know that it is true.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An Ordinary Day

It's just another ordinary day,
An ordinary day for me.
I woke up and then I began to pray,
For the brand new way I see.
I ask for His will in all that I do,
And all that I will say.
I thank Him once more, for allowing me,
To live just one more day.
So dead inside for so many years,
A zombie, I became.
I didn't see the beauty here,
I hardly knew my name.
So locked in my cell of self defeat,
A lowly, drunken bum.
Nowhere to go, no food to eat
I hated what I'd become.
I wanted to die, and failed there, too,
Defeated until the end,
But God was with me and helped me through,
And He became my friend.
On a day like this He came to me,
And opened up the door,
To a life of happy sobriety,
With all that I need and more.

Sharlett Hunt�
© 2003
Sharlette863@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
What We Were Like
Emmet Fox and Alcoholics Anonymous
<http://silkworth.net/grapevine/emmet_fox.html>

Our Primary Purpose and the Special-Purpose Group
http://silkworth.net/grapevine/special_purpose.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 15                    An awakening of the spirit

"The last thing we expected was an awakening of the spirit"
Basic Text, p. 48

Few of us came to our first Narcotics Anonymous meeting aching to take
a personal inventory or believing that a spiritual void existed in our
souls. We had no inkling that we were about to embark on a journey which
would awaken our sleeping spirits. Like a loud alarm clock, the First Step
brings us to semi consciousness—although at this point, we may not be
sure whether we want to climb out of bed or maybe sleep for just five
more minutes. The gentle hand shaking our shoulders as we apply the
Second and Third Steps causes us to stand up, stretch, and yawn. We
need to wipe the sleep from our eyes to write the Fourth Step and share
our Fifth. But as we work the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Steps,
we begin noticing a spring in our step and the start of a smile on our lips.
Our spirits sing in the shower as we take the Tenth and Eleventh Steps.
And then we practice the Twelfth, leaving the house in search of others
to awaken.

We don't have to spend the rest of our lives in a spiritual coma. We may
not like to get up in the morning but, once out of bed, we're almost always
glad we did.

Just for today: To awaken my sleepy spirit, I will use the Twelve Steps.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to,
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
WHEN FAITH IS MISSING

Sometimes A.A. comes harder to those who have lost or rejected faith than
to those who never had any faith at all, for they think they have tried
faith and found it wanting. They have tried the way of faith and the way
of no faith.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 28

I was so sure God had failed me that I became ultimately defiant, though I
knew better, and plunged into a final drinking binge. My faith turned
bitter and that was no coincidence. Those who once had great faith hit
bottom harder. It took time to rekindle my faith, though I came to A.A. I
was grateful intellectually to have survived such a great fall, but my
heart felt callous. Still, I stuck with the A.A. program; the
alternatives were too bleak! I kept coming back and gradually my faith was
resurrected.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden / February 15th

A.A. Thought for the Day

If alcoholism were just a physical allergy, like asthma
or hay fever, it would be easy for us, by taking a skin
test with alcohol, to find out whether or not we're
alcoholics. But alcoholism is not just a physical allergy.
It's also a mental allergy or obsession. After we've
become alcoholics, we can still tolerate alcohol
physically for quite a while, although we suffer a little
more after each binge and each time it takes a little
longer to get over the hangovers. Do I realize that
since I have become an alcoholic, I cannot tolerate
alcohol mentally at all?

Meditation for the Day

The world doesn't need super men or women, but
supernatural people. People who will turn the self
out of their lives and let Divine Power work through
them. Let inspiration take the place of aspiration.
Seek to grow spiritually, rather than to acquire fame
and riches. Our chief ambition should be to be used
by God. The Divine Force is sufficient for all the
spiritual work in the world. God only needs the
instruments for His use. His instruments can remake
the world.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be an instrument of the Divine Power.
I pray that I may do my share in remaking the world.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
You're Connected to Life and the Universe

"My friend died, and I was upset," a man told me one day.
"I took off on a trip, wandering around the Southwest,
hiking through Bryce Canyon.
I saw the vastness of the universe, and the beauty in all of it.
I had set off on my trip to prove how unique and isolated I was in my grief.
By the time the trip ended, I realized just how connected to this world I am."

Part of letting go is to recognizing that you are a part
of this universe and not separate from it.

Perhaps a situation has come up in your life recently
that signals an ending-the passing of a relative,
the end of a relationship, the loss of a job.
The people we love and the things we do contribute
to our sense of who we are.
When the people and things we love are threatened,
taken away, we can rebel.
We want to hold on to the known and don't
want to see what's on the other side.

Let go of the uncontrollable in your life.
You're not a solitary being in this great universe,
set to struggle against all of the forces; you're part of the whole.
And the changes that come-whether they're joyous or sad,
easy or difficult-are just part of the growing process
that each of us goes through.

Feel the pain when you have a loss.
Feel the joy when you triumph.
Then let go and continue to grow.
See how connected you are.

God, help me recognize that I am a part of your creation
and don't need to fight it. Help me live in peace and celebration of life.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tao Te Ching, Chapter One and Two
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/taotec/part1.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
MAKING A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETTER

By Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D.

For over thirty years I have worked with couples to create the
quality of relationships they desire.   More often than not, couples
focus on their "problems" thereby inadvertently making them more
significant.   Couples rarely envision the nature of the relationship
they want in the near future and set about creating it.   Instead of
creating a better relationship, they focus on fixing the one they
already have.

When we focus our attention exclusively on the problems and
difficulties in our relationships, we strengthen the influence such
negative aspects have in our relationship. On the other hand, we
often ignore the positive characteristics of our relationships. We
take them for granted. If we attended to those positive facets of our
primary relationship, we would strengthen them as well.

Over the years as a relationship coach, I have identified the
following list of 40 actions you might take to make even better your
"good" relationship with your spouse or significant other.

1. Say what your feelings are.
2. Say what you like or desire.
3. Say what you need.
4. Ask directly for what you want using the words, "Will
5. Find the good qualities in your partner and talk about them.
6. Keep your own self-esteem high.
7. Tuck a love note amongst her/his papers.
8. Break any addictions, even caffeine.
9. Learn to give direct and honest messages in a gentle manner.
10. Develop the art of playfulness and silliness.
11. Learn to give massages and trade them often with your partner.
12. Keep yourself healthy physically and emotionally.
13. Schedule regular weekly times to process minor conflicts and
       share joys.
14. Hold hands while doing so.
15. Know your own contributions to the relationship, and work on
       them.
16. Relinquish the need to prove you're right in order to dominate,
       control or manipulate.
17. Snuggle regularly.
18. Keep a few strong friendships outside the relationship.
       Maintain couple friendships.
19. Share your fears by talking about one thing you're afraid to
       talk about.
20. Maintain your separate interests as well as those you have in
       common with your partner.
21. Talk about what you enjoy, and what excites you sexually.
22. Reverse your "roles" for a weekend.
23. Express appreciation often. Forgive more often.
24. Share your individual "life plans" and dreams and support each
       other in achieving them.
25. Create a common vision of what you want your relationship to be
       like.
26. Share your living wills, funeral plans, and wills.
27. Plan an evening in with music, finger food, bubble bath,
       candles and incense.
28. Tell your partner what you admire most in him/her.
29. Acknowledge with appreciation what you have learned from your
       partner.
30. Occasionally, think like your partner thinks.
31. Show respect and understanding of your partner's opinions,
       especially if you disagree.
32. Make love somewhere else other than the bedroom.
33. Tell your partner's best friend 3 reasons your partner is
       great.
34. Work outdoors together.
35. Say something sincere and positive about your partner's family.
36. Learn and practice constructive conflict-resolution skills.
37. Regularly say, "I like the way I am when I'm with you."
38. Regularly say, "Thank you for all that you add to my life."
39. Regularly say, "I love and cherish you."
40. Express respect and appreciation for the differences between
       you and your spouse.

Focus your attention on any of these listed elements and you will
strengthen the betterment of your relationships.

Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D. has 30+ years experience as a Life Coach and
Licensed Psychologist. He is available for coaching in any area
presented in "Practical Psychology." As your Coach, his only agenda
is to assist you in creating the lifestyle you genuinely desire. The
initial coaching session is free. Contact him: (970) 568-0173 or
E-mail: DrLloyd@... or LJTDAT@....
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In The House of Love
by Iyanla Vanzant
from "In The Meantime"

"…It's particularly interesting that we think we have to
fight to get love and fight to keep love. Fighting is painful!
Loving is not, or at least it shouldn't be. Love is gentle,
kind, sensitive and supportive. It is the conditions that we
place on loving and being loved that make it a rough, tough
show. It's what we do, not what love is, that makes us
believe that love is painful. The corresponding belief is that
the more I love, the more painful it will be. In order to
avoid the pain, we believe we must fight to keep from
getting hurt in love. It makes absolutely no sense! We must
give up the fight in relationships if we want to be healed on
our journey through love's house.

Some people jump into the relationship arena, pass go, collect
the two hundred bucks, and are never seen or heard from again.
Then there are those of us who have been engaged eighteen
times and never made it to the altar. There are also those of
us who have done our spiritual work, who have created a
meaningful life, those who have waded through the stuff,
cleaned it up, and still cannot find or maintain a loving, committed
relationship. There are no guarantees!

There is no guarantee that at the end of the day, after all of
the work you have done, you are either going to get a partner,
have a relationship, or save the relationship you are in. The thing
about the third floor is that those concerns are no longer critical
for you. Having a relationship or being in love is no longer a critical
or key aspect of living. This does not mean you do not want a
relationship. It means you will not lose sleep over not having one.
What's critical for you on the third floor is healing yourself in order
to serve and support as many people as you can, in any way that you can.
You have shifted out of the basement's physical attraction, needy,
clingy, I got to have you, ooh, baby, baby stuff into love is here all
the time. Love is what I am. Love is what I give. Love is what I
receive. You see everything as Love. You see money as Love. You see
compliments as Love. You see people as Love. On the third floor, what
you are working toward is how to deal with every situation that comes up,
until you really find that one partnership that makes you more than you
already are.

Here is a major mistake we sometimes make. We think we can pray
and meditate so long and so hard that God will send somebody to love
us. You cannot move toward finding yourself, loving yourself, just for
the sake of finding and loving someone else. You must do it for the sake
of doing it. You must love, honor, and respect you for the sake of it - no
strings attached. This would have made absolutely no sense to you
anywhere but on the third floor. At the lower levels, you were still
dealing with too much stuff.

Now you are ready. Ready to make the shift from conditional love to
unconditional love. You are now ready to be with yourself rather than
by yourself. You have been through a "meantime" process in which you
have become self-aware and self-reflective in order to make the
necessary changes or shifts that will result in spiritual transformation.
You are no longer in search of physical, emotional or sexual satisfaction
only. You want the true, full experience of love. If this is what you are
going for, this is what you will get."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Lessons we Learn

Well here I am once again sitting in a stew
I thought I fell in love again, now I know that its not true
Cause before I went and did that deed, I was feeling kinda blue
Knew damn well, I was looking for something and did not have a clue

So there he was, this man I know, things seem to go just fine
And then when I thought my heart was safe, I jumped right in so blind
I knew better, I've been here before and why I did it again?
Hell if I know I guess somehow I thought this time I'd win

I was looking for approval I suppose, from someone other than me
And now I guess I feel this way because I've not learned to see
See with my own two eyes and stand on both my feet
Now that's a thought, "get off your ass and wipe the dirt off your seat"

I could sit here and obsess on this thing but what good would that do?
None is the answer that comes to mind so I guess I'll move on too
Give this thing to God in my head and let him figure it out
Right now I got to live this life ain't that what its all about?

Most of the time I can move along, and hopefully find some good
I feel like most of my life its seems that I've been misunderstood
But I'm not gonna harp on that , I accept the addict in me
And I know that at the end of the road, some good there will truly be.

Victoria
Foxondarun@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dying To Say Good-bye

Once there was a child, so many years ago
He overflowed with wondrous things-golden days and
starry nights and love and peace and light
And as the child dreamt of magical worlds yet unexplored
Unbeknownst to him, so very unaware, a darkness he wouldn't comprehend
A malevolence crept coldly to his door

Savagely yet silently it burst into his world
He didn't know what he had done
Or why he had been chosen
But dark rain had begun to fall
And his happy life was frozen

His eyes turned opaque to beauty and joy
Now just portals unto his anger and fear
He didn't belong and he wasn't so strong
So he screamed and he cried, raised his fists to the skies
And felt very much all alone

Home one day, alone in his room
A startling discovery he'd made
Rather benign looking fellows, the Drink and the Pill
But his world changed forever that day

To his lips he placed them
Quite curious was he
And then the boy felt his brain soar
Awash with bliss he could not ignore
The child again felt strong and bright
And said, "these will surely be my friends for life!"
He'd become quite attached to his new found friends
After all, had they not snatched him from his strife?

So on his way he started his journey down the pathway of his life
His friends always there, beside him, to guide him
But carrying him more and more of the time

As he made his way from place to place
His inner glow began to fade
Said his friends, "we want more, you must worship us now
We have you where we want you
You must wear our chains, for we are your God
There is simply no escape
For we know you can't stand your reality
Without us to stop the pain.”

He sinned and he lied
And he stole and survived
Just to keep them always with him
His body bled hard, but not as much as his soul
And in the mirror couldn't meet his own eyes

The man now wanted to die and he tried
His back up against the very end
But he lived and he cried
And dreamt of the time before he'd met his friends

He wished for the eternal sleep
The stoppage of his mind
But his soul oh so withered, still managed to whisper
You must fight yet let go for your life

Above the abyss on a razor blade's edge
He clung and he screamed and he cried
He knew in his heart that his friends had to go
But equally that without them he'd die

Beaten and battered and totally shattered
He gave up and looked to the sky
Then the man felt a sudden and so unaccustomed
Calmness and peace in his heart

His knees slowly dropped as he bent his head downward
Thinking he couldn't survive such a fight
Against the power of his friends Drink and Pill
That he was maybe too much of a coward

Then warm light suffused him and spoke to him
Calm and gentle and still
"Alone you are not and though you can't see
You've gained freedom in your surrender,
The power of friends Drink and Pill
So much greater than You
But not nearly as the power of We.”

The man felt the chains on his soul start to break
As he picked up his friends, Drink and Pill
He stared at them strongly and calmly and said,
"You've been with me most of my time
And though you have stolen and tortured my life
I respect your awful power
And you've left me a gift, extraordinary in nature,
And rare by any measure
A gift of a soul allowed to bloom into life
A black and white world turned to color.”

The many long lessons of suffering and pain
Had opened his soul to see the light
Of compassion and reverence of love and peace
Of many good deeds yet undone
Much like the dry desert sand greedily holding it down
The little flower forced to make its way to the sun

So good-bye to them, his friends Drink and Pill
And of them he'd never forget
He may remember the fun and the games
But must never forget their whip

With a tear in his eyes the man said good-bye
And pours Drink and Pill down the drain
He can never lose sight of their darkness, their power
The dark rain and long, lonely hours
But for now as he kneels he chooses to feel
The hope of the new desert flower

written by ~ Jeffrey G
morphey_q@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Things which matter most must never
be at the mercy of things that matter least."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make our world.
The Buddha
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If you want a kinder world, then behave with kindness; if
you want a peaceful world, make peace within.
Dan Millman
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Love doesn't make the world go 'round.
Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."
Franklin P. Jones
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Intimacy is not sex, although sex can be intimate.
Intimacy means mutually honest, warm, caring, safe relationships
where both people are valued for who they are."
Melody Beattie
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This disease is between my ears.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Addiction is the enemy
and the disease of addiction will kick your ass.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This disease is cunning, baffling, insidious
powerful and patient
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This disease will talk to you
in a voice of your own.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
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Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1556

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:42 pm
Subject: 2/14/05 "Happy Valentines Day" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Happy Valentines Day

E-Recovery
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/e-recovery.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to,
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 14
I am beginning to actually feel
the energy of love that I have inside.
My entire being is in the process
of being transformed with love.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Love is a Privilege

It is more than a gift. It is much more than an opportunity and far
more than just a moment in time.

Love is a privilege.

Love is the purest form of praise.

Love is the echo of God's wanting us to be more.

It is a part of our obligation to live life fully. To find something
in living that gives us such fulfillment and satisfaction that we
leave with it a piece of who we are and take from it the essence of
ever being near.

To love even a little is to be even more than we could possibly be on
our own.

Love need not be passionate.

Love need not be romantic.

Love needs only to fill the gap between the longing for and the
finding.

To love a child is to nurture God's plans for the future, to make
fertile the seed of hope He has planted.

To love a man is a challenge. Men do not open that door too easily.
To be loved in return means he has discovered in you the part that
was missing in him. Completeness is the goal.

To love a woman is like a glimpse of heaven. The tenderness of her
spirit, the gentleness of her being, the fragrance of her soul must
be what lies ahead in the promise of eternal happiness...aaahhh,
heaven indeed! To be loved by her is an honor.

To love all living things is to praise the Master for His work.

To love a friend is a thankful act. A giving and return on
investment in time.

To love you, having never met you, means I trust that God has brought
us together for a reason. To love you, is to love God's plan for you.

Love is a privilege.

"I believe in you!"
Bob Perks
Bob@...

copyright 2005 Bob Perks I encourage you to
share my stories with your friends but, when copying
I ask that you keep my name and contact information
attached so that new readers can find their way here.
Use of this story for commercial use is prohibited without
direct permission from the author.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Love Makes The World Go Round*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Love Never Walks Alone
~ Virjinja ~

If no one special's in your life,
and you think you're all alone...
thoughts of Love may make no sense,
but your thinking is all wrong.

You're wanting things to be the way...
you think they ought to be,
try appreciating the Love you have ~
if only you could see.

A single rose blooms beautifully,
awesome in its stance...
embodying the Grace of God ~
the ultimate romance.

Longing for your own true love...
is normal and, in fact...
it points to what your heart knows well ~
Love gives itself right back.

Remember that you're greatly loved ~
it isn't hard to do.
Love never walks alone, my friend...
God always walks with you.

(Copyright ©� 2004 ~ Virginia Santoro ~ All Rights Reserved)
Morning Musings...
is a nondenominational, daily inspirational newsletter,
delivered to its subscribers Monday thru Friday,
and a single Weekender edition.
It is born of the meditations and experiences of the author.
Its purpose is to honor God in all expressions, and to
offer healing, compassion, peace and love to the reader.
Your comments appreciated and warmly received...:)
To Subscribe, Unsubscribe or Send Email, write to:
MorningMusings@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Attracting Genuine Love
<http://www.attractinggenuinelove.com/movie1.html>

A Positive Pause
<http://positivepause.com/>

PLEASE Donate a Mammogram One Click Away
<http://www.thebreastcancersite.com>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 14               Honesty and spirituality

"The right to a God of your understanding is total and without any
catches. Because we have this right, it is necessary to be honest
about our belief if we are to grow spiritually"     Basic Text, p. 25

In meetings, over refreshments, in talks with our sponsor, we hear our
NA friends talking about the way they understand their Higher Power.
It would be easy to "go with the flow;' adopting someone else's beliefs.
But just as no one else can recover for us, so no one else's spirituality
can substitute for our own. We must honestly search for an
understanding of God that truly works for us.

Many of us begin that search with prayer and meditation, and continue
with our experiences in recovery. Have there been instances where we
have been given power beyond our own to face life's challenges? When we
have quietly sought direction in times of trouble, have we found it? What
kind of Power do we believe has guided and strengthened us? What kind
of Power do we seek? With the answers to these questions, we will
understand our Higher Power well enough to feel safe and confident about
asking it to care for our will and lives.

A borrowed understanding of God may do on a short haul. But in the long
run, we must come to our own understanding of a Higher Power, for it is
that Power which will carry us through our recovery.

Just for today: I seek a Power greater than myself that can help me
grow spiritually. Today, I will examine my beliefs honestly and come
to my own understanding of God.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to,
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
FILLING THE VOID

We needed to ask ourselves but one short question. "Do I now believe, or
am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself?"
As soon as a man can say that he does believe, or is willing to believe, we
emphatically assure him that he is on his way.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 47

I was always fascinated with the study of scientific principles. I was
emotionally and physically distant from people while I pursued Absolute
Knowledge. God and spirituality were meaningless academic exercises. I
was a modem man of science, knowledge was my Higher Power. Given the
right set of equations, life was merely another problem to solve. Yet my
inner self was dying from my outer man's solution to life's problems and
the solution was alcohol. In spite of my intelligence, alcohol became my
Higher Power. It was through the unconditional love which emanated from
A.A. people and meetings that I was able to discard alcohol as my Higher
Power. The great void was filled. I was no longer lonely and apart from
life. I had found a true power greater than myself, I had found God's
love. There is only one equation which really matters to me now: God is in

A.A. Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ February 14th

A.A. Thought for the Day

After that first drink, we had a single track mind.
It was like a railroad train. The first drink started
it off and it kept going on the single track until it
got to the end of the line, drunkenness. We
alcoholics knew this was the inevitable result when
we took the first drink, but still we couldn't keep
away from liquor. Our willpower was gone. We had
become helpless and hopeless before the power
of alcohol. It's not the second drink or the tenth
drink that does the damage. It's the first drink.
Will I ever take that first drink again?

Meditation for the Day

I must keep a time apart with God every day.
Gradually I will be transformed mentally and
spiritually. It is not the praying so much as just
being in God's presence. The strengthening and
curative powers of this I cannot understand,
because such knowledge is beyond human
understanding, but I can experience them.
The poor, sick world would be cured if every day
each soul waited before God for the inspiration
to live aright. My greatest spiritual growth occurs
in this time apart with God.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may faithfully keep a quiet time apart
with God. I pray that I may grow spiritually each day.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Valentine's Day

For children, Valentine's Day means candy hearts, silly cards,
and excitement in the air.

How different Valentine's Day can be for us as adults.
The Love Day can be a symbol that we have not yet
gotten love to work for us as we would like.

Or it can be a symbol of something different, something better.
We are in recovery now.
We have begun the healing process.
Our most painful relationships, we have learned, have assisted us
on the journey to healing, even if they did little more than point out
our own issue or show us what we don't want in our life.

We have started the journey of learning to love ourselves.
We have started the process of opening our heart to love,
real love that flows from us, to others, and back again.
Do something loving for yourself.
Do something loving and fun for your friends,
for your children, or for anyone you choose.

It is the Love Day.
Wherever we are in our healing process,
we can have as much fun with it as we choose.
Whatever our circumstances,
we can be grateful that our hear is opening to love.

I will open myself to the love available to me from people,
the Universe, and Higher Power today.
I will allow myself to give and receive the love I want today.
I am grateful that my heart is healing
that I am learning to love.

Melody Beattie ©
"Language of Letting Go"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There Is a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, Wayne Dyer's
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part12.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part13.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part14.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TOUCHING UP YOUR LIFE

By Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D.

Touch is absolutely essential for human growth, development and
health. Of the five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch)
there is more brain tissue used to receive input from your skin than
all the other four combined.

Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It is derived from the
same embryonic tissue as your brain and spinal cord. In his book,
"Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin," Ashley Montagu wrote:
"...the skin may be regarded as an exposed portion of the nervous
system." Your skin contains more sensory receptors than any other
organ of the body. Touch is the way we use our skin, just like vision
is the way we use our eyes and hearing is the way we use our ears.

If so much of our nervous system is devoted to touch, why has this
sense been so ignored? Because we have culturally "sexualized" it.
We have equated touch with sexual contact and declared such contact as
inappropriate outside a loving or committed relationship. Therefore
the instinctive need for physical contact has been minimally
addressed.

Sight and hearing are senses used for "distant" awareness. We read
newspapers, listen to music, watch T.V., hear lectures and concerts,
see what is happening at a distance.

Smell, taste and touch are our "proximal" (close) senses. Smelling
is both distant and proximal. But tasting and touching are "contact
sports."

You would think that we, as human mammals, would behave like all
other animals. Other mammals routinely integrate all of their senses
to receive and process information about themselves, their
environment, and their staying alive and healthy. Do we integrate
touch to alter our behavior, enhance our moods, improve our personal
relationships, communicate with each other, treat illnesses, and
enhance our life? Usually not! Touch is often avoided.

All other mammals use their sense of touch as the "final judge"
about "what is real." Physician, Dr. Julian Whitaker, writes: "You see
a sign that clearly says 'wet paint.' What do you do? You test the
paint with your finger. How do you know fire is hot? Does it look
hot? Have you ever picked up something that looked cool but was hot?
Did you stand there and hold it because it looked cool?" Indeed,
touch is the most important of the five senses.

A human being, even though blind and deaf from birth, can learn
speech and a vast array of other skills exclusively through the sense
of touch as did Helen Keller. And a newborn, with his sense of touch
intact, will die if it is not stimulated with holding, cuddling,
rocking and stroking the skin. Left untouched in their cribs, infants
literally cry to death.

Stroking and petting is appreciated by virtually all mammals. Yet
we are told from very early on, to "keep your hands to yourself."

Sensual touching is absolutely critical for the healthy
psychological development of us all. Our sense of being alive, of
existing, of learning about getting our needs met, of whether or not
we are powerful or important, of whether we determine the world to be
safe or dangerous, whether we are loved or not...all of these are
developed through the quality and quantity of touch.

Unfortunately, the religious and moral values of our society have
declared virtually all touching as "bad" or "sinful" or "sexual." It
is the starvation for touch, not the touch itself that generates
sexual dysfunction and promiscuity. It even invites drug abuse! Our
culture is so anti-touch, it seems the norm for most of us to hate our
bodies and avoid touch...the only true antidote for body hatred. How
unfortunate! By associating touch with sin and guilt, especially in
our early formative years, we have practically abolished our sense of
touch from our lives.

Dr. Whitaker concludes: "Folks, we have missed this touching thing
big time. Stimulation of the skin in a variety of ways, with much of
that stimulation coming from other people, is as beneficial [to your
health and well--being] as making the right dietary choices."

Hug; massage; rub with both hands (instead of shaking hands); use a
brush when bathing; use vibrators; give back-rubs; hold one another
with no talking, no clothes and no sex; sit close enough to
touch...all make effective use of the healthy sense of touch. Stay in
touch and your relationships are enriched. Touch up your life and you
enhance your health and happiness. Enjoy!

About the Author:
Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D. has 30+ years experience as a Life Coach and
Licensed Psychologist. He is available for coaching in any area
presented in "Practical Psychology." As your Coach, his only agenda
is to assist you in creating the lifestyle you genuinely desire. The
initial coaching session is free. Contact him: (970) 568-0173 or
E-mail: DrLloyd@... or LJTDAT@....
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
On Love
From The Prophet
by Kahlil Gibran ...

"Then said Almitra, Speak to us of Love.

And he raised his head and looked upon the people,
and there fell a stillness upon them.
And with a great voice, he said:

When love beckons to you follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you.
Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest
branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them
in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred
bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know
the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge
become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness
and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh,
but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.

Love gives naught be itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather,
"I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love,
if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night;
To know the pain of too much tenderness;
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart
and a song of praise upon your lips."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
How It Works

Utter confusion, misery, and pain,
Humiliation, remorseful, ashamed.
Dreading to face the light of each day,
Not wanting to hear what people would say.
Like, "Where is your power? Where is your pride?"
They don't understand that deep down inside
I wish that I knew the answers to give,
Or how to find the courage to live.
I had taken pills... they told me I should.
I tried all the cures, but they did no good.
I made many promises and meant them, too.
But the compulsion to "use" is stronger than you.
One day a friend happened to say,
"I know the answer... I can show you the way.
All it takes is willingness to have an open mind.
Believe what you hear from one of your kind."
I went to a meeting; they read Chapter V.
The steps made some sense, and hope was revived.
I saw living proof of what faith can do.
It worked for them... why not for you?
One day at a time, they told me to live.
They said, "Easy Does It." And "Learn to Forgive."
"Be humble, be honest, and help when you can.
Pass on what you learn to any new man."
I heard them repeat the Serenity Prayer.
And soon realized all my answers were there.
Now, when someone asks, "Can miracles be?"
I always reply, "Take a look at me."

Author Unknown
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Love is an essence, an atmosphere, which defies analysis,
as does Life Itself… while elusive, [Love] pervades everything,
fires the heart, stimulates the emotions, renews the soul
and proclaims the Spirit. Love is God, and God is Love

...God is love, and God is the life within us.
The Source of all love is within us. The capacity
for love within each one of us is infinite. In fact,
the more we love the greater is our capacity to love.
When we are in harmony with love we are open for God's
loving energy to flow through us and renew us,
and inspire us.

The experience of love is a choice,
A mental decision to see God in all situations.
When we affirm that love is our priority,
the power of God's love expresses through us.
When love is forgotten, fear sets in.
Fear is a result of our failure to see love.
We then experience that fear is anger, abuse,
disease, pain, greed, addiction, selfishness,
obsession, corruption, violence and war.

Love is within us.
It cannot be destroyed.
It can be ignored.
To the extent that we abandon love
we will feel it has abandoned us.
Denying love is our only problem,
and embracing it is the only answer.
Through the power of love,
We can let go of past history
and begin again.
Love heals, forgives,
And makes whole.

Ernest Holmes
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lay My Head To Rest

God now I lay my head to rest
I am confident I've done my best
By your grace I live in today
Grateful and blessed
I walk this 12 step way
I was once a drunk
Whom did not give a damn
I would always say
I am who I am
If you did not like me
I could care less
In my mind I was the best
By Gods grace
I live in today
I'm very grateful
That I can say
My God spared me from my hell
Of His mercy I would gladly tell
God I lay my head to rest
To show my gratitude
I've done my best
Tomorrow
I'll stick out my hand
To every new man
This is the least I can do
You know I even go a lot further
As I put my best foot forward
I trudge this happy road
To my destiny
Now I love this thing
We call recovery
I'm in the meetings
In so many rooms
The faces change but it's still
The same story
This freedom we've won
Is to Gods glory
You probably know me
As Jim or Bill
I might also be
Mary or Jill
I'm in recovery for the long haul
I've found direction
I've heard the call
I worked the 12 steps
To sanity
God I just love recovery
God now I lay my head to rest
Know in my heart
I've done my best
If you don't know me just look
Around the room at the tables
I'll be there
Drinking coffee with a big smile
AA , NA , OA or SA
Many different programs
With 12 steps out
Just give up the confusion
Just come out
I thank God for this way
Now I'm ready
To get my rest
I thank you God for being blessed

Daniel M Corkery
11/28/2000
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
<http://www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"A man never discloses his own character so clearly
as when he describes another's."
Jean Paul Richter (1763-1825)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"We're all in place to do something of great magnitude and courage.
It does not have to be anything of wide scope,
or even something that a lot of people know about.
It's about touching the lives of people that cross our path."
James Redfield, The Celestine Prophecy
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Love does not consist in gazing at each other but
in looking outward together in the same direction."
Antoine de Saint Exupery
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Love transcends all cultures,
races, nationalities and
social status."
Shirley Pope Waite
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This disease is a killer.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As long as you go one on one
with this disease,
you lose.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I went AWOL from the army of my disease,
and now the army wants me back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Recovery is like the Mafia,
you can't quit it and live comfortably
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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:
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and
write subscribe in the subject line.

Under Bill s.1618 TITLE III passed by the 105th U.S. Congress
this letter cannot be considered spam as long as the following words
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or go to the website and unsubscribe
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 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, Hong Kong, 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, Qatar, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1555

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Sun Feb 13, 2005 7:02 pm
Subject: 2/13/05 "Program People" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

I apologize for being late today,
I am in Atlanta on business
And I got the Flu yesterday :(

Oops
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/oops.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to,
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 13
Today my faith and confidence grow
as I learn to accept all that I discover without judgment.
I feel energy and life flow through me
with this new freedom.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Program People

You're the people I turn to.
You always lend me an ear.
I can always talk to others,
but they don't hear the things you hear.
When I tell you my problems,
it seems you've had them, too.
And when you share your strengths with me,
I relate to what you do.
Sometimes you might not tell me
what I wanted you to say,
but I think that it's a God thing,
and that's what I needed that day.
I tell you things about me
no one else could understand.
And when I look for help,
the program reaches out its hand.
When others share at meetings,
they say what I need to know.
And if I keep on listening,
that is one way I can grow.

Kristin B.
(Written by the Child of an Alcoholic
Who Found Hope and Help Through AlAteen)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
PLEASE Donate a Mammogram One Click Away
<http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites>

Help Tsunami Survivors Rebuild
<http://www.thehungersite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites>

Recovery Quotes
<http://www.geocities.com/alaura1942/QuotationsRecovery1.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 13                                   The ties that bind

"As long as the ties that bind us together are stronger than those
that would tear us apart, all will be well"       Basic Text, p. 57

Many of us feel that without NA we would surely have died from our
disease. Hence, its existence is our very lifeline. However, disunity is
an occasional fact of life in Narcotics Anonymous; we must learn to
respond in a constructive way to the destructive influences that
sometimes arise in our fellowship. If we decide to be part of the solution
instead of the problem, we are headed in the right direction.

Our personal recovery and the growth of NA is contingent upon
maintaining an atmosphere of recovery in our meetings. Are we willing to
help our group deal constructively with conflict? As group members, do we
strive to work out difficulties openly, honestly, and fairly? Do we seek to
promote the common welfare of all our members rather than our own
agenda? And, as trusted servants, do we take into consideration the
effect our actions might have on newcomers?

Service can bring out both the best and the worst in us. But it is often
through service that we begin to get in touch with some of our more
pressing defects of character Do we shrink from service commitments
rather than face what we might find out about ourselves? If we bear in
mind the strength of the ties that bind us together — our recovery from
active addiction — all will be well.

Just for today: I will strive to be of service to our fellowship. I will
be unafraid to discover who I am.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
" I am new and ALL I do is lie even though I don't want to,
How did you learn to be honest with yourself an others ?"
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I DON'T RUN THE SHOW

When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not
postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either
God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He
isn't.   What was our choice to be?
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 53

Today my choice is God. He is everything. For this I am truly
grateful. When I think I am running the show I am blocking God from my
life. I pray I can remember this when I allow myself to get caught up into
self. The most important thing is that today I am willing to grow along
spiritual lines, and that God is everything. When I was trying to quit
drinking on my own, it never worked; with God and A.A., it is
working. This seems to be a simple thought for a complicated alcoholic.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden

A.A. Thought for the Day

Sometimes we can't help thinking: Why can't we
ever drink again? We know it's because we're
alcoholics, but why did we have to get that way?
The answer is that at some time in our drinking
careers, we passed what is called our "tolerance
point." When we passed this point, we passed
from a condition in which we could tolerate
alcohol to a condition in which we could not
tolerate it at all. After that, if we took one drink,
we would sooner or later end up drunk. When I
think of liquor now, do I think of it as something
that I can never tolerate again?

Meditation for the Day

In a race, it is when the goal is in sight that heart
and nerves and muscles and courage are strained
almost to the breaking point. So with us. The goal
of the spiritual life is in sight. All we need is the
final effort. The saddest records are made by
people who ran well, with brave, stout hearts, until
the sight of the goal and then some weakness or
self indulgence held them back. They never knew
how near the goal they were or how near they were
to victory.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may press on until the goal is reached.
I pray that I may not give up in the final stretch.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fill your world with color and Beauty

Fill your life and your world with the colors, textures, scents,
and objects that are beautiful to you, that have meaning to you.
Remember that we are connected to our environment.
The objects and the colors in our world have
energy and meaning. They have an impact on us.

The more we see how connected we are, the more carefully
and thoughtfully we may want o choose the items we place in our home,
or our space at work, if we have a special area, because these
objects and colors can reflect how we feel about ourselves and
what is important to us.

Objects have energy. They have energy already in them when we
obtain them, and they have the energy and meaning we attribute to
them. Choose carefully the possessions you want around you, for they
tell a story all day long.

Fill your world, your life, with objects that are beautiful and have
special meaning to you. What articles and hues have you surrounded
yourself with at home, at work? Is there a special article you want
close to you, on your desk, in your locker, in your pocket?

What story do these things tell about you, about what you're going
through, about your place in your journey?

By Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Real Magic, Wayne Dyer's
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part9.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part10.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part11.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PEACE
By Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D.

Our military in Iraq and Afghanistan have stopped their bombing and
aggressive fighting. President Bush declared the war in Iraq
"accomplished" several months ago. Our military personnel continue to
die. More Americans have died in Iraq since the "war is over" than
died when the war was on. Over the past few months, while the "war on
terrorism" continues, my thoughts have turned to some psychological
factors involved in peace.

Throughout history, many thinkers and philosophers have invested a
great amount of effort studying the psychology of peace. One
psychologist that stands out for his strategic skill in creating peace
is Charles Osgood, a psychologist born in 1916 and the creator of
GRIT. GRIT stands for Osgood's strategy of "graduated and
reciprocated initiatives in tension-reduction." GRIT calls for one
side of a given crisis to make small, unilateral steps away from
confrontation, with the expectation that the other side will do the
same.

There are many other people who have come up with some principles
involved in the creation, promotion and maintenance of peace. I share
some of these principles in hopes that in the days ahead, we might all
embrace them as "our contribution" to a peaceful world.

The most immediate principle of peace applicable to the current
Middle East situation is the "non-vengeful treatment of defeated
nations." Surely, if we become vengeful against the nation we have
recently defeated, we sow the seeds of hatred and rage which grow into
another future conflict. If we continue to kill and defeat so-called
terrorists around the world, we are once again breeding what
Shakespeare called "the dogs of war."

A second peaceful principle is that peace depends on respecting human
rights and on social and economic justice. Very few wars have been
fought between two nations who both respected the rights of others and
whose government was based upon social and economic justice.

The realization that prejudice (pre-judgment) of others and hostility
toward those defined as "not one of us" (the out group), are in
practicality, mistakes. Everyone needs to be known and judged by the
quality of his character. Everyone needs to feel he or she belongs.
And if we feel people know us and include us, we don't usually fight.
If we take the time to understand and respect the causes of hatred and
terrorism, we might just attenuate our killing of one another.

Another idea that promotes peace is the commitment to peaceful action
on the part of the individual as a necessary component to peace.
Peace begins with you and me being peaceful within ourselves and
acting in ways which increase the probability that interpersonal peace
is created.

Some principles of peace involve our attitudes toward war. In order
to promote peace, we may need to reconsider the "virtues of war." We
may need to rethink the belief that war solves problems and does not
corrupt the integrity of both individuals and society. We may want to
embrace the belief that war is economically and technologically
obsolete and too costly. The nations most prepared for war are today,
the nations whose economies are in the worst shape, including our own.
While those nations like Japan who do not spend a great amount on
armaments have the financial capacity to support a thriving economy.

Finally, there are those who believe that war is caused by fearful,
reactive preparation for war. Certainly if all nations in the world
did not prepare to defend" themselves, war would not occur as readily.
This does not mean the human's innate aggression and pugnacity would
be terminated. It does mean that we need to learn to divert the
aggressive need to protect ourselves into more constructive behavior.

If we are going to experience a genuine peace during our lifetime,
like Charles Osgood, we are going to have to spend much more of our
time and energy learning about the psychology of peace. Peace does
not seem to be a condition which comes about naturally and with no
effort on our part. It may turn out that we need to work as hard and
spend as much at creating peace as we do in creating conflict. If we
Americans were to do that, peace would become a certainty.

About the Author:
Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D. has 30+ years experience as a Life Coach and
Licensed Psychologist. Contact him: (970) 568-0173 or
E-mail: DrLloyd@... or LJTDAT@....

Dr. Thomas also serves on the faculty of the Institute For Life Coach
Training. In that capacity, he teaches advanced coaching teleclasses:
*Coaching Successful Life*s Lessons,* and *Intentional Creation:
Re-Shaping Your Life.* To contact the Institute, call 970-224-9830 or
E-mail: doccoach@.... Check out the website:
www.lifecoachtraining.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Way

"It's happening. It's working ~
My Lord's blessed plan.
I follow the path carved...
by His Loving Hands.

I've listened. I've heard it ~
His Guidance, His Care.
In quiet and stillness,
His assurance is there.

I see it so clearly -
His Way in my view.
Life in Divine Order...
My God leads me through."

(Copyright 2001)
~ Virginia Santoro~
Virginia creates a wonderful daily spiritual inspirational email
that is light, nourishing and nurturing.......
to subscribe email MorningMusings@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS

So, little man, you've grown tired of grass,
LSD, amphetamine, cocaine and hash.
And someone pretending to be a true friend said,
I'll introduce you to "Miss Heroin".
Well, honey, before you start fooling with me,
Just let me tell you how it will be.
I will seduce you and make you my slave,
I've sent men stronger than you to their grave.
you think you could never become a disgrace,
and end up addicted to poppy seed waste.
So you'll start inhaling me one afternoon,
And you'll take me in your arms very soon.
And once I've entered deep into your veins,
The craving will drive you nearly insane.
You'll need lots of money as so you were told,
Darling,   I'm more expensive than gold.
You'll swindle your mother for just a buck
You'll turn into something vile and corrupt.
You'll mug and you'll steal for my narcotic charms,
And for contentment when I'm in your arms.
The day you realize the monster you've grown,
You will solemnly vow to leave me alone.
If you think you've got that mystical knack,
Then try getting me off your back.
The vomit, the cramps, your gut in a knot.
The jangling nerves cry for just one more shot.
The hot chills, the cold sweat, the withdrawal pains,
Can only be saved by my white little grains.
There is no other way no need to look.
For deep down inside, you know you are hooked.
You'll desperately run to the pusher-man.
And you'll welcome me back in your arms once again.
And when you return, as I foretold,
I know you'll give me your body and soul.
You'll give up your morals, your conscience, your
heart   And you will be mine 'til death do us part.
Author Deceased, Heroin overdose

Sadly, some of us (addicts) must die and never find
the path to recovery in Narcotics Anonymous.
Thank God our message is Hope
and the Promise is Freedom,
That an addict, ANY addict,
can stop using, lose the desire to use,
and find a new way to live.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
" Lonely Eyes "

The crowd in the meeting,
was real quiet at first.
But the people who came,
were in cars with no hearse.

Some of them shared,
with tombstones in their eyes.
And others were barely heard,
over the wails and the cries.

This girl who showed up,
caught my eye in an instant.
Her face was so beautiful,
her arms held a lovely infant.

I thought to myself,
her eyes are so unique.
They have depth and perception,
with loneliness and so meek.

Yet when she spoke,
she radiated with life.
Of course she was hurting,
the pain cut like a knife.

Nobody had showed up,
because life was real great.
We are all seasoned addicts,
and God brought us not fate.

The child in her arms,
is fortunate she's there.
Seeking recovery and life,
and showing her care.

Some kids are not fortunate,
while their parents still use.
Lonely eyes is doing something,
that few can refuse.

Dedicated to "Sandra" in recovery.
from Kenny B.
kennyb20@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Iron rusts from disuse; stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather
becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind."
Leonardo da Vinci
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Spirituality cannot be something a person toys with,
a little compartment of their lives.
It has to be at the core,
in a way that affects every other part of their lives.
Stephen Covey
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There are no mistakes.
The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant,
are necessary in order to learn;
whatever steps we take,
they're necessary to reach the places we've chosen to go.
Richard Bach
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Let us dedicate ourselves to peace within ourselves,
that wherever we go,
we bring peace and we learn to find peace in all things.
John Morton
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
All you have shall some day be given;
Therefore give now,
that the season of giving
may be yours and not your inheritors
Kahlil Gibran
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Addiction is a disease of the opposites,
Those who love us, we hurt.
Those who want to kill us, we invite into our homes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
God is all merciful,
he will let us experience our own pain,
so that we reach up to Him for help.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The truth will set you free,
but first it will kick your ass.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My problem is not drugs or alcohol,
My problem is me.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
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Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1554

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Sat Feb 12, 2005 4:59 am
Subject: 2/12/05 "GRACE" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Slogans
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/slogans.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 2nd step
Or if you haven’t done the 1st step share on
open-mindedness and hope....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 12
As I let go of all the negative tapes that block my truth,
I trust and follow the energy
that leads me to peace and joy.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
GRACE

A newcomer ambled into the rooms,
Not uncertain and afraid,
But drunk and loud and talkative;
In spite of the glares, he stayed.

The AAs met the following night,
And aired their grievances loudly;
"That loser disturbed our serenity!" they cried,
"He should've been trounced soundly"

They spent an hour, the twelve of them
Voicing opinions between them;
The newcomer had asked for money, for chips-
He had shown no desire to fit in.

A few declared loudly he'd be unwelcome next time,
Next time they'd tell him to go,
But a quieter voice spoke up by and by,
Sharing thoughts he, himself, could know.

"My friends, I was that newcomer once,
I drank after every meeting;
I'm sure I smelled like a derelict,
Yet I always received a warm greeting".

He went on to say that his desire had been
Not to stop, but to drink "correctly",
And he continued this way for six years or more
Before Grace touched him unexpectedly.

"And now", he said, with a gentle smile,
"I've been sober for twenty one years,
By the Grace of God and a fellowship
That refused to give in to their fears."

"You loved me when there was nothing to love,
When my very days were numbered,
When your outstretched hand was met with a shrug,
And my conscience was unencumbered".

But he went on to say that he continued to go
To the meetings because he was welcomed,
And at last one dark day, when he saw himself clear,
He saw how his soul had been numbed.

So, be kind to the orphans of this large world
Who look to you for salvation,
And carry the message, as our 12th step says,
To the willing and unwilling of God's nation.

You can never know when the seeds you plant
Will come to happy fruition
Because God's plan is not ours to see and debate.
Nor his creatures made to our conditions.

Gabrielle P.
TheNetOwl@...
Haines City FL
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Recovery Greeting E-Cards
<http://www.recoverygreetings.com/cards/cardtoons.html>

The N.A. Way of Life
<http://www.nawol.org/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 12                             Living in the moment

"We regretted the past, dreaded the future, and weren't too thrilled
about the present."    Basic Text, p. 7

Until we experience the healing that happens when we work the Twelve
Steps, it is doubtful that we can find a statement more true than the
quote above. Most of us come to NA hanging our heads in shame, thinking
about the past and wishing we could go back and change it. Our fantasies
and expectations about the future may be so extreme that, on our first
date with someone, we find ourselves wondering which lawyer we'll use
for the divorce. Almost every experience causes us to remember
something from the past or begin projecting into the future.

At first, it's difficult to stay in the moment. It seems as though our
minds won't stop. We have a hard time just enjoying ourselves. Each time
we realize that our thoughts are not focused on what's happening right
now, we can pray and ask a loving God to help us get out of ourselves. If
we regret the past, we make amends by living differently today; if we
dread the future, we work on living responsibly today.

When we work the steps and pray each time we discover we're not living
in the present, we'll notice that those times aren't occurring as often as
they used to. Our faith will help us live just for today. We'll have
hours, even days, when our full attention is focused on the current
moment in time, not the regrettable past or fearful future.

Just for today: When I live fully in each moment, I open myself to
joys that might otherwise escape me. If I am having trouble, I will
ask a loving God for help.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 2nd step
Or if you haven’t done the 1st step share on
open-mindedness and hope....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
RESCUED BY SURRENDERING

Characteristic of the so-called typical alcoholic is a narcissistic
egocentric core, dominated by feelings of omnipotence, intent on
maintaining at all costs its inner integrity. . . . Inwardly the
alcoholic brooks no control from man or God. He, the alcoholic, is and must
be the master of his destiny. He will fight to the end to preserve that
position.
A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 311

The great mystery is: "Why do some of us die alcoholic deaths, fighting to
preserve the 'independence' of our ego, while others seem to sober up
effortlessly in A.A.?" Help from a Higher Power, the gift of sobriety,
came to me when an otherwise unexplained desire to stop drinking coincided
with my willingness to accept the suggestions of the men and women of
A.A. I had to surrender, for only by reaching out to God and my fellows
could I be rescued.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden / February 12th

A.A. Thought for the Day

As we look back on all those troubles we used
to have when we were drinking, the hospitals,
the jails, we wonder how we could have wanted
that kind of a life. As we look back on it now,
we see our drinking life as it really was and
we're glad we're out of it. So after a few
months in A.A., we find that we can honestly say
that we want something else more than drinking.
We've learned by experience that a sober life
is really enjoyable and we wouldn't go back to
the old drunken way of living for anything in the
world. Do I want to keep sober a lot more than
I want to get drunk?

Meditation for the Day

My spiritual life depends on an inner consciousness
of God. I must be led in all things by my
consciousness of God and I must trust Him in all
things. My consciousness of God will always bring
peace to me. I will have no fear, because a good
future lies before me as long as I keep my
consciousness of God. If in every single happening,
event, and plan I am conscious of God, then no
matter what happens, I will be safe in God's hands.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may always have this consciousness of God.
I pray for a new and better life through this God
consciousness.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Relax. You'll Figure It Out

Let the answers come naturally.
Have you ever gone into a room to get something
and by the time you got there,
you forgot what you went to get?
Often the harder we try to remember,
the worse our recollection.

But when we relax and do something else
for a minute-just let go-what we're trying
so hard to remember pops naturally into our minds.

When I suggest that we let go,
that's all I'm suggesting that we do.
I'm not saying the problem doesn't matter,
or that we have to entirely extinguish all thoughts
of the subject from our minds, or that the person we care about
isn't important anymore.
All I'm saying is that if we could do anything about it,
we probably would have by now.
And seeing as we can't letting go usually helps.

God help me relax and let my answer about
what to do next come naturally from you.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Wisdom of the Ages, Wayne Dyer's
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part6.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part7.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part8.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
HEALING FROM CHILDHOOD ABUSE
By Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D.

Survivors of childhood physical or sexual abuse have specific
emotional habits that are self-defeating when used in adulthood.
Victims of abuse usually learn two psychological habits that served as
an emotional defense when the abuse occurred. These two coping habits
are called "dissociation" and "denial." When these methods of
defensive functioning are carried into adult life, the adult survivor
provides himself with a "numb and dumb" way of life.

Dissociation occurs when children find the abuse so emotionally
painful or overwhelmingly intense, they mentally separate themselves
from awareness of their emotional experience. When this becomes a
habit, adults handle all feelings they might have, by mentally
separating themselves from experiencing them. Problems develop
because dissociation is global. That means even the positive feelings
of joy, love, delight, sex, and pleasure become deadened by
dissociation. Adult victims derive little pleasure or satisfaction
from their activities or relationships. They tend to go through life
"numb" to their own emotions or feelings. Unable to experience or
express their feelings, dissociating victims of abuse have lost the
emotional color and richness of being alive.

The abuse-survivor develops denial as a method of coping with the
overwhelming feelings by convincing himself that everything is just
fine, if not downright wonderful. The habit of denial allows the
victim to perceive events as at least "normal." "Everything is as it
should be" is a common denial phrase. Sometimes adult-survivors keep
everything in their perceptual world unrealistically positive. For
them, human tragedy "isn't so bad" and catastrophe becomes "the
usual." Their families are seen as "normal." Their financial problems
"aren't so bad." Their difficult marriages are viewed merely as "the
way things are." Their emotions are kept in check and the resulting
stress to their bodies can increase the likelihood of developing
stress-related illness. They tend to go through life "dumb" to the
realities, especially painful realities that occur sometimes in
everyone's life. This denial renders them helpless to cope very well,
if at all, with common everyday difficulties. They become paralyzed,
unable to handle stressful life events.

Healing from a "numb and dumb" existence requires a rather delicate
balance of new-skill development. This balance is best learned with
the help of a trained professional therapist who can serve the
survivor as a coach and accompany and guide him or her toward
reawakening their emotional life without strengthening the old coping
methods of dissociation or denial. The survivor needs to remember and
"reconnect" to the childhood traumas and the accompanying feelings.
Gentle attention to those emotions has a healing effect. Such
intentional remembering, sometimes called "expanding awareness of
childhood," will usually bring about powerful emotions such as rage,
intense sadness and fear.

Healing requires that survivors not only allow the emergence of their
powerful emotions, but also they need to learn how to use them without
hurting themselves or others. Emotions are powerful energy. Use of
them can be either positive or negative. We are all familiar with the
man, abused as a child himself, becomes the abuser of his own
children. He is handling his intense emotions in precisely the same
manner his parent(s) did. However, if survivors practice new positive
habits of emotional empowerment, they become skilled at
self-confidence, assertiveness, and fulfillment. When dissociation
and denial are no longer used to handle emotions, and when emotional
energy is expressed in positive action, then energy is freed to move
the survivor toward fully experiencing all events in life. Life
becomes emotionally rich. Energy is available for activities and
experiences which enliven and satisfy. In short, they are healed from
the old habits of dissociation and denial.

Healed survivors of childhood abuse are powerful, sensitive, caring
human beings. They are comfortable with their own emotional lives.
They have rich social relationships. They are vital, healthy and
alive!

About the Author:
Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D. has 30+ years experience as a Life Coach and
Licensed Psychologist. Dr. Thomas also serves on the faculty of the
Institute For Life Coach Training. In that capacity, he teaches advanced
coaching teleclasses: *Coaching Successful Life*s Lessons,* and *Intentional
Creation:
Re-Shaping Your Life.* E-mail: DrLloyd@... or
LJTDAT@....
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Beauty and confidence - deeper than the ocean -
reside in the soul of every person.
They are not reserved for a special few.
Some of us just don't know it.

Confidence born of possessions is tentative.
If the possessions are lost or taken away,
the confidence disappears along with them.

Beauty created from the glory of attention
is a finite form of loveliness.
The physical reality of aging reaches beyond
the attention span of those who hail its youthful look.
Their flattery fades away.

Confidence is not cocky.
It is the self-assured knowledge you were born to live in love,
to give and receive, to share and care.
It is knowing the world is a better place
because of your presence on this planet.

Beauty is not arrogant.
It is the radiant knowledge you are a complete human being.
It is knowing that nothing can make you more beautiful
than the way you were created.

If you are not a living expression of true confidence and beauty,
you haven't lost them.
You've simply forgotten you have them.
Dig deep, look back and remember.

Living in love and loving life,

Terri McPherson ©
*Wise Hearts! Weaving Small Wisdoms Through The Fabric of Life …
<http://www.mnsi.net/~tmcphers/index.htm>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Life Creed

To be alone, but not lonely.
To desire, instead of crave.
To do with or without, with no effect/reaction.
To give freely, and expect nothing in return.
To do, for the sake of doing.
To stop searching, only listen to our small quiet voice.
To not question everything, just to feel and Know.
To be Now, not in past or future.
To live life with Joy and Love.
To trust and love the self, and show your
Truth and Love to all the world.

Adonea
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A POSITIVELY NEGATIVE POEM ABOUT ALCOHOL�

We drank for joy��
and became miserable.�
We drank for sociability��
and became argumentative.�
We drank for sophistication��
and became obnoxious.�
We drank for friendship��
and became enemies.�
We drank to help us sleep��
and awakened exhausted.�
We drank to gain strength��
and it made us weaker.�
We drank for exhilaration��
and ended up depressed.�
We drank for "medical reasons"��
and acquired health problems.�
We drank to help us calm down��
and ended up with the shakes.�
We drank to get more confidence��
and became more afraid.�
We drank to make conversation��
flow more easily and the words��
came out slurred and incoherent.�
We drank to diminish our problems�
and saw them multiply.�
We drank to feel heavenly�
and ended up feeling like hell.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"This place where you are....
this place where you stand....
is where you must start.
From here you can go in any direction
and to any destination...
and it is impossible to start from anywhere else."
Ron Atchison
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I am taking the next step for my healing.
The moment I say positive affirmations,
I step out of the victim role.
I am no longer helpless.
I acknowledge my own power."
Louise L. Hay
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
With correct identification, correct imagination,
correct attunement, and correct action, we recognize
the essence of what we seek; we precipitate that
energy down, and manifest it in what we do.
We recognize and embrace our abundance, always
keeping ourselves open to the highest good.
- John-Roger
(From: Spiritual Warrior, The Art of Spiritual Living)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The more I listen,
the more profound the silence becomes."
Wayne Dyer
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The power and freedom God freely gives us
allows us to express greatness,
to build magnificent dreams and to call forth the good in our lives,
but we must claim that freedom.
Mary Manin Morrissey
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Isolation is the darkroom
where negatives are developed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It's not about the substance today,
It's about the behavior.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I came in for my drinking,
and I stay for my thinking.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Addiction is a system of slavery,
we build our own prisons.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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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write subscribe in the subject line.

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this letter cannot be considered spam as long as the following words
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<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 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, Hong Kong, 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, Qatar, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1553

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Fri Feb 11, 2005 12:37 pm
Subject: 2/11/05 "Fear" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Anonymity
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/anonymity.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 2nd step
Or if you haven’t done the 1st step share on
open-mindedness and hope....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 11
Even in moments of doubting,
I know that my Higher Power has
been guiding me on my path today.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fear

Fear is a prison made in the mind
It can steal your truth blind
And rob you of love in time
Fear can can take your security away
When you let it control and play
Fear is the disease of unease
It can take you to your knees
And if it does then ask god please
For there is a power greater than all
Just waiting for your beckoning call
It can make your fear real small
And comfort you in the long haul
So listen to me hear this truth
Then perhaps you will let it loose
Fear is simply........
False evidence appearing real
So don't let it eat you
For it's next meal

©2000
BY: ANGELA MOORE   WHFL
AMOORE530@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Early NA Literature
<http://mwbr.net/narchive/carena/recovery/>

Saturday Evening Post August 7, 1954
These Drug Addicts Cure One Another
<http://mwbr.net/narchive/satevepost.htm>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today

February 11                              A curse into a blessing

"We have become very grateful in the course of our recovery....
We have a disease, but we do recover" Basic Text, p. 8

Active addiction was no picnic; many of us barely came out of it alive.
But ranting against the disease, lamenting what it has done to us, pitying
ourselves for the condition it has left us in—these things can only keep
us locked in the spirit of bitterness and resentment. The path to
freedom and spiritual growth begins where bitterness ends, with
acceptance.

There is no denying the suffering brought by addiction. Yet it was this
disease that brought us to Narcotics Anonymous; without it, we would
neither have sought nor found the blessing of recovery. In isolating us,
it forced us to seek fellowship. In causing us to suffer, it gave us the
experience needed to help others, help no one else was so uniquely suited
to offer. In forcing us to our knees, addiction gave us the opportunity to
surrender to the care of a loving Higher Power.

We would not wish the disease of addiction on anyone. But the fact
remains that we addicts already have this disease— and further, that
without this disease we may never have embarked on our spiritual
journey. Thousands of people search their whole lives for what we have
found in Narcotics Anonymous: fellowship, a sense of purpose, and
conscious contact with a Higher Power. Today, we are grateful for
everything that has brought us this blessing.

Just for today: I will accept the fact of my disease, and pursue the
blessing of my recovery.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 2nd step
Or if you haven’t done the 1st step share on
open-mindedness and hope....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
GOAL: SANITY

". . . Step Two gently and very gradually began to infiltrate my life. I
can't say upon what occasion or upon what day I came to believe in a Power
greater than myself, but I certainly have that belief now."
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 27

"Came to believe!" I gave lip service to my belief when I felt like it or
when I thought it would look good. I didn't really trust God. I didn't
believe He cared for me. I kept trying to change things I couldn't
change. Gradually, in disgust, I began to turn it all over, saying:
"You're so omnipotent, you take care of it." He did. I began to receive
answers to my deepest problems, sometimes at the most unusual times:
driving to work, eating lunch, or when I was sound asleep. I realized that
I hadn't thought of those solutions -- a Power greater than myself had
given them to me. I came to believe.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ February 11th

A.A. Thought for the Day

If we're going to stay sober, we've got to learn
to want something else more than we want to drink.
When we first came into A.A., we couldn't imagine
wanting anything else so much or more than drinking.
So we had to stop drinking on faith, on faith that
some day we really would want something else more
than drinking. But after we've been in A.A. for a
while, we learn that a sober life can really be
enjoyed. We learn how nice it is to get along well
with our family, how nice it is to do our work well,
whether at home or outside, how nice it is to try to
help others. Have I found that when I keep sober,
everything goes well for me?

Meditation for the Day

There is almost no work in life so hard as waiting.
And yet God wants me to wait. All motion is more
easy than calm waiting, and yet I must wait until
God shows, me His will. So many people have
marred their work and hindered the growth of
their spiritual lives by too much activity. If I wait
patiently, preparing myself always, I will be some
day at the place where I would be. And much toil
and activity could not have accomplished the journey
so soon.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may wait patiently. I pray that I may
trust God and keep preparing myself for a better life.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Drop It

How do you let go?
I just can't let go?
It's impossible to let go of this.
These are thoughts that may run through our minds
when we worry, dwell, and obsess.

Pick up something around you.
Pick up this book. Hold it tightly.
Then just drop it. Release it.
Let it fall right out of your hands.

That's what you do with whatever you're obsessing
and dwelling about it.
If you pick it up again, drop it one more time. See!
Letting go is a skill that anyone can acquire.

Passion and focus can lead us along our path
and help us find our way.
But obsession can mean we've crossed that line, again.
We can be compassionate but firm with ourselves
and others as we learn to release our tight grip
and just let things go.

God, help me know that if I'm obsessing about a problem,
it's not because I have to. Dropping it is
always a choice available to me.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Your Sacred Self, Wayne Dyer's
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part1.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part2.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part3.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part4.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/waydye/part5.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Finding your Inner Teacher
by Shakti Gawain

Once we've developed a relationship with our own inner teacher and guide, we
have access to an unerring source of clarity, wisdom, and direction, right
inside us at all times!

How do we follow the path of transformation? One of the first steps is to
establish a personal connection with the universal intelligence, or higher
power. This higher power exists within everything and everyone. It's the
infinitely wise aspect of our being that simply "knows" everything that we
need to be aware of at any given time, providing us with guidance from
moment to moment, step by step throughout our lives.

There is nothing complicated or mysterious about this higher power. It's a
very natural part of our existence. It comes to us through our intuitive
sense, our gut feelings. We are all born into this world with this intuitive
guidance system. And if we had all been raised in a more enlightened way, we
would have learned to follow this inner guidance throughout our lives.
Instead, most of us did not receive much support or encouragement in
trusting our own deepest feelings. In fact, many of us were actively taught
not to trust ourselves but instead to follow an external authority. Or we
were encouraged to be rational -- to the exclusion of our intuitive
faculties.

As adults we can take responsibility for rediscovering and reconnecting with
our natural intuitive sense. As we learn to listen to and follow our
intuition, we develop an increasingly trusting and powerful relationship
with our own inner guidance.

On the path of transformation, it is essential to develop this relationship
with our inner guidance because on this path there are no final outside
authorities. There are no holy texts or priests, or ministers, or gurus who
represent the absolute word of God. There is no dogma to follow. Instead,
our primary guidance must come from our inner source.

In the Eastern transcendent traditions, and in many of the New Age groups
that are modeled after them, there is a belief that one must surrender to an
enlightened teacher in order to progress on one's spiritual journey.
However, from the perspective of the transformational path, there are no
fully enlightened teachers. The traditional masters and gurus are only
enlightened in the transcendent sense. They may be able to teach us a great
deal about our spiritual development, but they can't show us how to
integrate that fully into our human lives on earth, since they have not yet
learned to do that themselves.

We are not alone on this new path. There are teachers who can help us with
certain aspects of the journey. However, there is no one who has already
absolutely "made it" on this journey, because we are all still learning. We
are all moving along the path, more or less together. In a very real way we
are each other's teachers and mirrors, reflecting the other's process. Some
people are more developed in certain ways and can teach the rest of us what
they have learned. Each person's journey is unique, however, so ultimately
no one but you knows what you need to do.

Do We Need Teachers?
Do we, then, need teachers on the path of transformation? And if so, what is
their appropriate role in our lives? How can we relate to them in a way that
is healthy and most supportive to our growth?

Yes, I believe that most of us absolutely need teachers on this path. Of
course teachers come in many forms, not all of them human. For example,
nature is one of our greatest teachers.

Most of us also have human teachers, healers, and guides who come in many
different forms and often play crucial roles at certain times in our
journey. Someone in our lives, for instance, may be the initial catalyst or
inspiration that helps us get on a consciousness path. In the earlier states
of our process, almost all of us need information, feedback, support, and
guidance of some sort. In a sense, we are all in the childhood stage of the
consciousness journey and may need a wise parental figure to show us the
way. As we gain more knowledge and experience, we gradually develop more
trust in ourselves, but we still may need wiser and more experienced people
as resources, much as we do when we are adolescents and young adults
learning to take our place in the community.

Inner or Outer Guidance?
Eventually, once we are mature in our consciousness process, we primarily
follow our own inner direction. Yet the nature of life is constant growth,
so at times of stress or crisis, or whenever we are going through a major
change, or a deepening or expansion of consciousness, we may once again need
some outer guidance.

The pitfall in relating to teachers or healers of any kind is the tendency
we have to give too much of our power away to them. When we haven't yet
fully recognized and owned our inner wisdom, goodness, creativity, and
power, we tend to project these qualities onto our mentors and teachers.
This is perfectly natural. As we grow, we become aware that these qualities
reside in us, and we begin to claim them more and more as our own. A clear
and wise teacher helps and supports us in the process of owning our own
power. Such a teacher encourages us to take independent steps as soon as we
feel we are ready.

Unfortunately, there are many teachers, therapists, and healers who are
unclear in this regard. They are overly attached to being in a power
position with their students or clients, or to having them remain dependent
for too long. This takes care of certain emotional -- and often financial --
needs on the part of the leader, but it inhibits or severely impairs the
growth and empowerment process of the client or student.

I know many people who have suffered greatly from this type of
over-attachment to a leader or teacher. In fact, one close friend of mine
spent years healing herself -- both emotionally and physically -- after
finally breaking away from a teacher who had many fine qualities but
unconsciously entrapped her students in dependent relationships with her.

So I must warn readers to beware of teachers, workshop leaders, therapists,
healers, or any others who claim to have all the answers (or more than
anyone else), who regard themselves as more enlightened or farther along the
path than anyone else, or who generally seem to have an inflated sense of
themselves. They may be very developed in certain areas, and have much to
share, but we need to be cautious and maintain healthy skepticism in our
relationships with them. Proceed with caution, especially if you notice that
there seems to be a circle of very dependent devotees who seldom become more
empowered in their own lives or move on to other involvements, and who never
move into a relationship of more equality and balance with the leader. It
may also be a danger signal if you feel consistently one-down or inferior to
a teacher and he or she seems to cultivate that kind of relationship.

The key to relating to a teacher or healer in a healthy, empowering way is
to recognize that person as a mirror of your own inner qualities. If you
admire someone for his or her wisdom, love, power, or whatever, recognize
that you have those exact qualities within you and that you are drawn to
this person as a reflection of the parts of yourself that you need and want
to develop. Allow your teacher or therapist to inspire you and show you the
way to develop yourself. Afford your teacher respect, admiration, and
appreciation, but remind yourself that you are with him or her to learn to
love, respect, and honor yourself as much! Our teachers are in our lives
essentially to help us develop, strengthen, and deepen our relationship to
our own inner teacher.

I have had many wonderful teachers, therapists, and guides over the years,
and each one has helped me in a special way. Like most people, I put them on
pedestals at first and gave my power away to them. Once or twice I became
involved in a very dependent role for a while. However, each of these
experiences was extremely valuable ultimately in helping me to develop my
trust in my own inner teacher. Now I have certain people in my life who are
teachers and mentors for me. I can turn to them when I need help, support,
and guidance, and we have a relationship of mutual trust, honor, and love.

Where Do We Start?
Because so many of us have been thoroughly conditioned against trusting our
inner sources, we simply may not know where to begin the process of
developing our relationship with our inner teacher. There are teachers and
therapists available in most communities who can help us get on a path of
trusting our own inner processes more fully. We recognize these teachers,
not because they claim to know all the answers, but because they are
offering skills to help us find those answers ourselves. Even with the best
of teachers, however, there comes a time when we may need to let them go,
having developed in ourselves the skills we need to trust our own inner
guidance.

Once we've developed a relationship with our own inner teacher and guide, we
have access to an unerring source of clarity, wisdom, and direction, right
inside us at all times! Needless to say, this can be quite comforting,
especially in moments of fear and confusion. It gives us the basic sense of
trust that we need to have the courage to make this journey. From it we gain
the confidence that we are not alone, that there is a higher power guiding
our way and helping us along.

Excerpted from the book "The Path of Transformation" by Shakti Gawain,
©2000. Reprinted with permission from New World Library, Novato, CA, USA
94949. www.newworldlibrary.com

About The Author:
SHAKTI GAWAIN is an internationally renowned leader in the human potential
movement. Her many bestselling books, including Creative Visualization,
Living in the Light, and Creating True Prosperity, have sold more than six
million copies in thirty languages world. She leads workshops
internationally and has facilitated thousands of individuals in developing
greater balance and wholeness in their lives. For more info, visit her
website at http://www.shaktigawain.com.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A Simple Ball of Yarn

   We were seated in a circle on the carpeted floor. One member of
the group tossed a ball of yarn to someone across the circle,
holding tightly to one end. The recipient took hold of the string
and listened as the one who tossed it shared something that she
especially liked about him. Keeping hold of the string, he then
tossed the ball across the circle to someone else and affirmed
something positive about her. The ball of yarn was tossed across
and around the circle until everyone had both heard and shared
encouragement... and thus the yarn became a woven web of love and
good feelings....

Before we went our separate ways, I took scissors and snipped
through the web. Each person took a piece of yarn away as a
remembrance of the special words they heard. Surprisingly, many
of them wore cherished pieces of yarn around their wrists for
days and days....

This became an asked-for tradition in our high school. But of
course, it could be done with any group... most any age... most
any place... and a simple ball of yarn becomes a web of love.

Cynthia reminds us of the power of encouragement. Everyday we
can affirm others in our life, thereby creating an invisible web of
love.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Gift (Affirmative Prayer)

Oh most gracious Spirit, you are the love, which flows in my life, the Joy,
which is in my heart, and the peace that swells in my mind. You pervade
every inch of my being, every cell in my body, and every tissue throughout
my system. In you, I am whole, complete, and perfect in everyday. You are
the sunshine of my life, and I am constantly walking in your light of
allness. I know and affirm right now, that every inch of my body responds
to your inner joy within me. I feel wonderful, as I open all the gifts of
the universe.

These gifts of love, peace, happiness, faith, trust, compassion, health,
abundance, prosperity, and faith, anoint my intellect with insight and
enthusiasm. These gifts, are the lamp unto my feet.

As I open all my presents, I am adjusted emotionally. I feel a Divine
equilibrium functioning throughout my entire system. I resolve this moment
forward, to express peace and happiness to every person I meet. I know my
happiness and peace comes from God, as I shed God's light to everyone I come
in contact with. I am the gift of truth, love, peace, and illumination. I
am thankful, and so it is.

Amen
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Love
by Emmet Fox

"Love is by far the most important
thing of all. It is the Golden Gate
of Paradise. Pray for
the understanding of love,
and meditate upon it daily.
It casts out fear.
It is the fulfilling of the Law.
It covers a multitude of sins.
Love is absolutely invincible.

There is no difficulty that enough
love will not conquer;
no disease that enough love
will not heal;
no door that enough love
will not open;
no gulf that enough love
will not bridge;
no wall that enough love
will not thrown down;
no sin that enough love
will not redeem.

It makes no difference how deeply
seated may be the trouble,
how hopeless the outlook,
how muddled the tangle,
how great the mistake;
a sufficient realization of love
will dissolve it all.

If you could only love enough,
you would be the happiest and
most powerful being in the world."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Give Us Time

Give time time are you crazy
I must change now I am not lazy
I want to do it all today
That is if this is the better way
Insanity was truly a part of me
I knew what I needed was recovery
I want it all right from the start
Hurry up my life is falling apart
What do you mean
It does not work that way
How much do I need to pay
Here is a hundred
Do you now want more
Recovery is what I am here for
I am ready to recover
I will pay the price
All you folks in AA are so nice
Keep coming back is all you would say
I must stop for more then just a day
Seems funny now
That was years ago
By Gods grace
I finally know
You must surrender to win
Money will not pay your way in
Our doors are open to everyone
Give time time
In recovery our work is never done
Our doors are always I have come to know
We are free if we just let go

Daniel M Corkery
5/31/2002
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
<http://www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hatred does not cease by hatred at any time;
hatred ceases by love.
This is an unalterable law.
Buddha
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bitterness imprisons life; love releases it.
Harry Emerson Fosdick
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Face each day
on your own two feet,
at peace with yourself,
whole and complete.
Terri McPherson
tmcphers@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The goal of recovery is balance,
but sometimes we get there by going to extremes."
Melody Beattie
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We water resentments,
then turn around in the sun to let them grow,
instead of letting them go.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Resentments are like pissing on your own leg,
you are the only one who feels it,
and everyone else sees it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Having a resentment is like taking poison
and waiting for the other person to die.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fear causes me to act on impulse.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 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, Hong Kong, 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, Qatar, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1552

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:59 am
Subject: 2/10/05 "The Pain Inside" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Skills
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/skills.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 2nd step
Or if you haven’t done the 1st step share on
open-mindedness and hope....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 10
Today I look inside for my answers.
Today I will trust my instincts and
my connecting to my Higher Power.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Pain Inside

There's a pain inside that you can't see
I've struggled and worried how to let it all out
Gotta tell somebody what it's all about

I was drinkin and druggin but still couldn't hide
All the things I was holding and hurting inside

I gotta face reality is what I gotta do
And admit all this suffering that I'm going through

I wanted to be accepted amongst all my peers
So I partied and carried on for 25 years

Took too long to realize that this wouldn't work
Came close to my death from hiding this hurt

Giving to others I thought were my friends
They took for the taking and gave no amends

So to Hell with being accepted by all of them
And accept myself for who that I am

Now that I know it I'm opening my gut
Staying away from escaping and just facing up

Letting it out and showing my fears
Brings relief in my suffering and comes out in tears

Living a clean life and changing the plans
Letting these feelings slide right through my hands

By
John Poulos 4/16/95
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bill W. Twelve Suggested Points of AA Tradition
<http://silkworth.net/grapevine/suggested_points.html>

sober lady's homepage
<http://www.soberlady.com>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 10                                     Fun!

"In recovery our ideas of fun change." Basic Text, p. 102

In retrospect, many of us realize that when we used, our ideas of fun
were rather bizarre. Some of us would get dressed up and head for the
local club. We would dance, drink and do other drugs until the sun rose.
On more than one occasion, gun battles broke out. What we then called
fun, we now call insanity.

Today, our notion of fun has changed. Fun to us today is a walk along
the ocean, watching the dolphins frolic as the sun sets behind them. Fun
is going to an NA picnic, or attending the comedy show at an NA
convention. Fun is getting dressed up to go to the banquet and not
worrying about any gun battles breaking out over who did what to whom.

Through the grace of a Higher Power and the Fellowship of Narcotics
Anonymous, our ideas of fun have changed radically. Today when we are
up to see the sun rise, it's usually because we went to bed early the
night before, not because we left a club at six in the morning, eyes bleary
from a night of drug use. And if that's all we have received from
Narcotics Anonymous, that would be enough.

Just for today: I will have fun in my recovery!

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 2nd step
Or if you haven’t done the 1st step share on
open-mindedness and hope....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
OUR COMMON WELFARE COMES FIRST

The unity of Alcoholics Anonymous is the most cherished quality our Society
has. . . . We stay whole, or A.A. dies.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 129

Our Traditions are key elements in the ego deflation process necessary to
achieve and maintain sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous. The First Tradition
reminds me not to take credit, or authority, for my recovery. Placing our
common welfare first reminds me not to become a healer in this program; I
am still one of the patients. Self-effacing elders built the
ward. Without it, I doubt I would be alive. Without the group, few
alcoholics would recover.

The active role in renewed surrender of will enables me to step aside from
the need to dominate, the desire for recognition, both of which played so
great a part in my active alcoholism. Deferring my personal desires for
the greater good of group growth contributes toward A.A. unity that is
central to all recovery. It helps me to remember that the whole is greater
than the sum of all its parts.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ February 10th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Since I realized that I had become an alcoholic
and could never have any more fun with liquor and
since I knew that from then on liquor would
always get me into trouble, common sense told me
that the only thing left for me was a life of
sobriety. But I learned another thing in A.A., the
most important thing anyone can ever learn. That
I could call on a Higher Power to help me keep
away from liquor. That I could work with that
Divine Principle in the universe, and that God
would help me to live a sober, useful, happy life.
So now I no longer care about the fact that I can
never have any more fun with drinking. Have I
learned that I am much happier without it?

Meditation for the Day

Like a tree, I must be pruned of a lot of dead
branches before I will be ready to bear good
fruit. Think of changed people as trees that
have been stripped of their old branches, pruned,
cut, and bare. But through the dark, seemingly
dead branches flows silently, secretly, the new
sap, until with the sun of spring comes new life.
There are new leaves, buds, blossoms, and fruit,
many times better because of the pruning. I
am in the hands of a Master Gardener, who
makes no mistakes in His pruning.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may cut away the dead branches of
my life. I pray that I may not mind the pruning,
since it helps me to bear good fruit later.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Discipline Yourself To Let Go
It may sound odd, but the way to give up being over
controlled is to become more disciplined about letting go.
-Stella Resnick, The Pleasure Zone

I was sitting at home worrying one day when a friend called.
He asked how I was. I told him I was worrying.
Actually, I was crossing the line into obsessing about
something that was going on in my life then.
"There 's nothing you can do about it," he said.
"Just relax. It's out of your control."
What my friend was really talking about was
practicing the discipline of letting go.
After I hung up the phone,
I deliberately put my worries and obsessions aside.
I surrendered to the way things were.
I simply relaxed. It was like a miracle.
I was able to move forward with my life.
When we begin letting go, it may seem
almost impossible just to relax and let go.
As with anything else, with practice and repetition,
we will become more skilled.
That doesn't mean we won't need to remember to do it.
It just means letting go will become easier in time.
If you've become highly skilled at worrying, obsessing,
or trying to control, deliberately practice relaxing
and letting go until you're good at that, too.

God, help me make the discipline of relaxing and letting go
a daily part of my life. Teach me to let go with poise,
dignity, and ease.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Everyday Grace, Marianne Williamson
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part17.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part18.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part19.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part20.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part21.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Getting Along With Others
by Karol Kuhn Truman

Many people have real challenges in their relationships with other people.
Are you one of them? Whether your challenges are manifest by the way you
interact or react to a spouse, a parent, a brother, a sister, a friend, an
acquaintance, an employer, an employee, or a co-worker is determined by your
past feelings and how they have registered inside you. One of the largest
contributing factors to your ability to freely enjoy other people depends
upon how much you enjoy yourself... how much you accept yourself.

Let me share with you what Dr. Joan Borysenko says:

"Accept yourself as you are. (Fat thighs, big nose, mistakes, health
concerns, back pain, or other physical limitations notwithstanding.) This
means more than a grudging realization that you'll never again be some way
that you used to be or some way that you wish to be. Acceptance means
actually honoring yourself as you are now... This allows you to stop judging
yourself negatively, which invariably brings forth feelings of blame, shame,
guilt, or fear and escalates the cycle of anxiety and tension."

Getting along with others can be simple or complicated, depending on how you
look at it. If someone annoys or irritates you, for what appears to be no
apparent reason, it's usually an indication that you sense or feel something
in this person that you also sense or feel (sub-consciously) in yourself,
that you don't like. In other words, the person annoying and irritating you
is only a reflection of you -- a mirror.

An example of this would be:

You are a clerk in a retail store. Someone comes in to be waited on. From
the very beginning of your encounter with this person, they demand your
undivided attention. They act as if they're the only one in the store. Their
behavior really "bugs" you, they are so demanding. You can hardly wait until
they have completed their purchases so you won't have to put up with them
and their attitude any longer.

What you don't realize is that you possess these same qualities -- qualities
of superiority or of being demanding in your attitude, or you would not be
resonating with them... they would not be bugging you. Right here and now,
as you complete your transaction with them, is the time to take a look at
the issue you may have where these characteristics are concerned. This
person is only mirroring something that is in you.

This person is giving you a great gift. This person is there to teach you.
When you have this kind of experience, a great opportunity for growth is
presenting itself, and you may want to say to yourself, "Oh good, another
chance to see a part of me I don't like." Take accountability for the
distasteful part of you that you are recognizing in this other person.
Process those feelings. You will be astonished and surprised at the change
in yourself and your acceptance of others. All that is necessary in order
for you to initiate this shift is:

1. Recognize the fact that a person is either irritating or annoying you,
bugging you, causing you anger, or whatever the feeling.

2. Accept the possibility that you may have an undesirable attitude or
characteristic in common with that person.

3. Be willing to let it be all right.

4. Have the desire to accept responsibility for a less-than-glorious trait.

5. Accept responsibility for the behavior. Process undesirable feelings and
replace them with desirable feelings.

Another example:

You're at a party or a meeting with someone who enjoys making comments that
you feel are totally irrelevant. You wish they would just be quiet and let
the true order of business proceed without all their input. After awhile you
can hardly enjoy anything that's going on because this person is so
distracting.

If you haven't realized yet what is happening, perhaps at this point you'll
begin to see that there is a part of this person's inappropriate
(inappropriate, according to who?) behavior with which you identify. If you
want it to cease bothering you, just quietly instruct your Spirit to "please
locate the origin of the feelings causing Jane to bother you, irritate you,"
or whatever you want to label it.

Go all the way through until you come to the present, "filled with light and
truth, God's peace and love, forgiveness of myself for an incorrect
perception, and forgiveness of the other person. It doesn't matter, I see
only the best in everyone, I accept everyone just the way they are,
including myself" (or words to that effect). Then do your best to look at
this person through eyes of acceptance and love. Not only will you feel
better toward that person, but you will also be forgiving and accepting that
aspect of yourself.

How does it cause you to feel when you have a strong disagreement or
argument with someone? (It made me feel yukey! I always felt I had betrayed
a vital part of myself.) Does it ever make anything better? (I never came
away from an argument feeling I gained anything.) Is the issue ever
resolved? And if so, in whose mind? Does it ever serve a purpose?

Can you imagine a life without arguments or unpleasant confrontations with
others? Wouldn't it be wonderful!

Have you ever wished that you could bring an unpleasant situation to a
screeching halt by saying something appropriate yet uncontroversial, and
keep your cool at the same time?

There IS one way that you can defuse an argument, disagreement, or
confrontation and remain true to your Higher Self. First of all, it's
necessary to be willing to allow yourself to be wrong.

Let it be okay if the situation isn't resolved at that moment; let it be
okay if no one wins; let it be okay if you don't get the best of the other
person or make your point. You're only serving your ego when you feel you
have to be right and win all the time.

I like what Joan Borysenko says in her book, Minding the Body, Mending the
Mind, about the ego.

"The ego expresses its insecurities by judging everything, trying to ensure
happiness by keeping everything tightly controlled. For this reason I call
the ego the Judge. It splits life into two rigid categories, good and bad.
Blindly seeking good and avoiding bad, it is caught in the illusion that it
must be good in order to ensure its own existence."

And that is what we do when we feel we have to be right. In order to be
good, we think we have to be right, thereby ensuring our ego's existence."
(EGO has a wonderful acronym: Edging God Out). In the final analysis it
usually doesn't matter whether we are right or wrong, anyway... unless our
EGO is more important than peace.

If you can come from this posture -- that it doesn't matter -- keeping calm,
just say to the other person as they start arguing with you, "Bless you,
Jane or John (whatever their name is). Bless you."

The first time my 16 year old son said this to his 18 year old sister, she
couldn't stay in the arguing mode, although she was poised and totally ready
to go at it with him. When he said to her, "Bless you, Gina, bless you," it
disarmed her so completely that she looked at him with shock registered all
over her face, then she just started laughing. I've never seen anyone change
their frame of reference SO fast!

Saying, "Bless you," certainly works wonders when you become irritated at
someone on the highway, in the supermarket, or wherever else you may be.
Just bless them instead of cursing them as you go along. The words we speak
have powerful vibrations just like our thoughts and feelings. Even though
the person you have directed your thoughts or words to can't hear you, you
have created a thought field with your thoughts. The vibrations of those
words go out to the person, and that person is affected by the positive
energy coming from you.

Another way to stop an unpleasant outpouring of negative words and feelings
from someone you are with, is to stay centered, stay calm and collected, and
just say to them, "Thank you for sharing." Then drop it. Don't say another
word, or change the subject. Usually, a person doesn't know what to say to
this, and it automatically ends the discussion. Saying "Thank you for
sharing" changes your energy on the matter and keeps you from getting
emotionally involved or becoming reactive.

"Thank you for sharing," is also a good response to someone who continually
complains about everything in life. Ordinarily these people are seeking
sympathy, someone to agree with them, or idle discussion on the matter. They
don't get any mileage out of their complaints when "Thank you for sharing"
is your comment. And when you say, "Thank you for sharing," it's much easier
for you to avoid involving yourself unpleasantly and lending your power to
the negativity of the situation.

Direct love and caring to them from your heart by expressing in your
mind/heart, "I BEHOLD YOU WITH EYES OF LOVE AND GLORY IN YOUR PERFECTION."
This is a very powerful healing vibration for both parties involved. You CAN
make the difference.

About The Author:
KAROL KUHN TRUMAN is a practicing therapist, instructor, and counselor who
specializes in reaching "core" issues and resolving them painlessly. For
more information on her work, visit her website
http://www.healingfeelings.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Anna Quindlen's Villanova Commencement Address

It's a great honor for me to be the third member
of my family to receive an honorary doctorate
from this great university. It's an honor to follow
my great-Uncle Jim, who was a gifted physician,
and my Uncle Jack, who is a remarkable businessman.
Both of them could have told you something
important about their professions, about medicine
or commerce.

I have no specialized field of interest or expertise,
which puts me at a disadvantage, talking to you today.
I'm a novelist. My work is human nature. Real life is
all I know.

Don't ever confuse the two, your life and your work.
The second is only part of the first. Don't ever
forget the words my father sent me on a postcard
last year: "If you win the rat race, you're still a rat."
Or what John Lennon wrote before he was gunned
down in the driveway of the Dakota: "Life is what
happens while you are busy making other plans."

You walk out of here this afternoon with only one
thing that no one else has.

There will be hundreds of people out there with
your same degree; there will be thousands of people
doing what you want to do for a living. But you will
be the only person alive who has sole custody of
your life.

Your particular life. Your entire life.

Not just your life at a desk, or your life on a bus,
or in a car, or at the computer. Not just the life of
your mind, but the life of your heart. Not just your
bank account, but your soul.

People don't talk about the soul very much anymore.
It's so much easier to write a resume than to craft
a spirit. But a resume is a cold comfort on a winter
night, or when you're sad, or broke, or lonely, or
when you've gotten back the test results and
they're not so good.

Here is my resume.

I am a good mother to three children. I have tried
never to let my profession stand in the way of
being a good parent. I no longer consider myself
the center of the universe. I show up. I listen.
I try to laugh.

I am a good friend to my husband. I have tried to
make marriage vows mean what they say. I show up.
I listen. I try to laugh.

I am a good friend to my friends, and they to me.
Without them, there would be nothing to say to you
today, because I would be a cardboard cutout. But
I call them on the phone, and I meet them for lunch.
I show up. I listen. I try to laugh.

I would be rotten, or at best mediocre at my job, if
those other things were not true. You cannot be
really first rate at your work if your work is all you
are. So here's what I wanted to tell you today:
get a life.

A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion,
the bigger paycheck, the larger house. Do you think
you'd care so very much about those things if you
blew an aneurysm one afternoon, or found a lump in
your breast?

Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water
pushing itself on a breeze over Seaside Heights, a
life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed
hawk circles over the water gap, or the way a baby
scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up
a Cheerio with her thumb and first finger.

Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people
you love, and who love you. And remember that
love is not leisure; it is work. Each time you look
at your diploma, remember that you are still a
student, still learning how to best treasure your
connection to others.

Pick up the phone. Send an e-mail. Write a letter.
Kiss your Mom. Hug your Dad. Get a life in which
you are generous. Look around at the azaleas in
the suburban neighborhood where you grew up;
look at a full moon hanging silver in a black, black
sky on a cold night. And realize that life is the best
thing ever, and that you have no business taking it
for granted.

Care so deeply about its goodness that you want to
spread it around. Take money you would have spent
on beers and give it to charity. Work in a soup
kitchen. Be a big brother or sister. All of you
want to do well.

But if you do not do good, too, then doing well will
never be enough.

It is so easy to waste our lives: our days, our hours,
our minutes. It is so easy to take for granted the
color of the azaleas, the sheen of the limestone
on Fifth Avenue, the color of our kids' eyes, the
way the melody in a symphony rises and falls and
disappears and rises again. It is so easy to exist
instead of live.

I learned to live many years ago. Something really,
really bad happened to me, something that changed
my life in ways that, if I had my druthers, it would
never have been changed at all. And what I learned
from it is what, today, seems to be the hardest
lesson of all.

I learned to love the journey, not the destination.
I learned that it is not a dress rehearsal, and that
today is the only guarantee you get. I learned to
look at all the good in the world and to try to give
some of it back because I believed in it completely
and utterly. And I tried to do that, in part, by telling
others what I had learned. By telling them this:

Consider the lilies of the field. Look at the fuzz on
a baby's ear. Read in the backyard with the sun on
your face. Learn to be happy. And think of life as a
terminal illness because if you do you will live it with
joy and passion as it ought to be lived.

Well, you can learn all those things, out there, if you
get a real life, a full life, a professional life, yes, but
another life, too, a life of love and laughs and a
connection to other human beings.

Just keep you eyes and ears open. Here you could
learn in the classroom. There the classroom is
everywhere. The exam comes at the very end. No
man ever said on his deathbed "I wish I had spent
more time at the office."

I found one of my best teachers on the boardwalk
at Coney Island maybe 15 years ago. It was
December, and I was doing a story about how
the homeless survive in the winter months. He and
I sat on the edge of the wooden supports, dangling
our feet over the side, and he told me about his
schedule, panhandling the boulevard when the
summer crowds were gone, sleeping in a church
when the temperature went below freezing, hiding
from the police amidst the Tilt-a-Whirl and the
Cyclone and some of the other seasonal rides.

But he told me that most of the time he stayed on
the boardwalk, facing the water, just the way we
were sitting now, even when it got cold and he had
to wear his newspapers after he read them.

And I asked him why. Why didn't he go to one of
the shelters? Why didn't he check himself into
the hospital for detox?

And he just stared out at the ocean and said,
"Look at the view, young lady. Look at the view."

And every day, in some little way, I try to do
what he said. I try to look at the view. And that's
the last thing I have to tell you today, words of
wisdom from a man with not a dime in his pocket,
no place to go, nowhere to be.

Look at the view. You'll never be disappointed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
How does your life look from where you stand?

Look at that old couch. Those colors and that style
have been out of date for years. Look at those old
bed covers. They've been washed so many times
the pattern's faded to almost nothing. Look at that
pitiful wardrobe. Those old clothes are a disgrace.
Look at this entire place. It's a decorators
nightmare.

I hate my life.

Same house. Same person. Different perspective.

Look at that old couch. I've curled up in its corners
and read many good books, laid down on its
cushions and had many long naps. Look at those
well worn bedcovers. They've kept me warm on
endless winter nights and provided a cozy place
for my children to jump in to when they needed a
safe place to snuggle. Look at those clothes of
mine. I sure appreciate how good I make them
look when I put them on! Look at my home, my
haven, my sanctuary. Millions of people are
without shelter, and I have a place to return to at
the end of each day - a place I call my own.

I am blessed.

Changing your life doesn't have to cost a cent. 'What' you see - doesn't
determine your reality. 'How' you see it - is the truth of your life.

Living in love and loving life,

Terri McPherson
tmcphers@...
Wise Hearts - Weaving Small Wisdoms Through The Fabric of Life…
<http://www.mnsi.net/~tmcphers/index.htm>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
So I Drank

I was sad...so I drank to stop the tears
I was afraid...so I drank to calm my fears
I was angry...so I drank to quell my rage
I was trapped...so I drank to escape my cage
I was shy...so I drank to socialize
I was ashamed...so I drank for a disguise
I was stressed...so I drank to be serene
I was trusting...so I drank to make me mean
I was worthless...so I drank to be someone
I was bored..so I drank to have some fun
I was lonely...so I drank to have a friend
I was dying...but I drank until the end.

Now I see what I should have done instead
If I had, perhaps I'd not now be dead.

Too late for me, but I hope not so for you
Heed my words, this is just what you should do:

Say a prayer when your heart's about to break
Talk to God, it will ease that heavy ache
Face your fears, they will lessen when you do
Talk it out, there are friends there just for you
Free your soul of the burdens it does bear
You're unique,,. no one like YOU anywhere!
Think clear thoughts - it's amazing how you'll feel
Love yourself when you're sober - cause that's REAL!

So, my friend, maybe my sad tale has done
something to bring healing to someone

Life holds so much beauty one can't see
if they are addicts,
just
like
me

written by ~ Lori - ©1999
MissRed412@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When we release the bitterness, judgment and blame of the past,
whether of ourselves or others,
the past becomes a stepping stone to spiritual growth,
to increased compassion, understanding and love.
Today, repeat several times,
"I bless my past and see it as a stepping stone to greater good."
Mary Manin Morrissey
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When you can allow people to express their Light their own way,
to fulfill their destiny and walk the path to the drummer they hear,
then you are, in essence, doing the same thing God does -- allowing
them the freedom of their expression.
John-Roger
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Conscience is a mother-in-law whose visit never ends.
H.L. Mencken
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Conscience is the voice of the soul.
Polish Proverb
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither,
but just to enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate.
Thornton Wilder
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I thought that I was hip,
until I found out that 2 hips make an ass.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I'm a character looking for my defects.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Our defects of character will get us into a corner
that we can't get out of clean.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I can screw things up without even moving.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit does not endorse any of the
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Putting together these Daily Recovery Emails has been such
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"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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit" is intended to give readers ,
inspiring and thoughtful messages. To help fulfill our primary
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
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Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
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For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
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Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1551

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Wed Feb 9, 2005 7:19 pm
Subject: 2/9/05 "The Song" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Meetings
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/meetings.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 2nd step
Or if you haven’t done the 1st step share on
open-mindedness and hope....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 9
Today I have the courage to follow my own inner voice
that I hear in prayer and meditation.
Today I dare to be true to myself and my own needs,
whether anyone agrees with me or not.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Song

Thoughts running rampant of years gone by,
Sitting here pondering and wondering why,
These years that I had that were all God given,
Then why only now have I just started living?

I feel so content, there's no problems today,
At least not the same ones I had yesterday,
My life's like a river, so gently it flows,
As kissed by the rain, like a flower it grows.

With skies mostly blue I can sing in the sun,
And God will be with me when my day is done.
I'll sing in the morning cause it's a new day,
I'll sing through the sorrows I pass on my way.

And just when I think that my song is all through,
I awaken and see that this day is brand new,
Melodies at sunrise play deep in my heart,
Quietly arising to make a new start.

Sharlett Hunt 2/6/04 ©
Sharlette863@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cheri’s Homepage
<http://hometown.aol.com/lacleanncrazy/myhomepage/index.html>

A.A. History
<http://www.dickb.com/index.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 9                                Self-acceptance

"When we accept ourselves, we can accept others into our lives,
unconditionally probably for the first time." IP No. 19, "Self-Acceptance"

From our earliest memories, many of us felt like we never belonged. No
matter how big the gathering, we always felt apart from the crowd. We
had a hard time "fitting in:' Deep down, we believed that if we really let
others get to know us, they would reject us. Perhaps our addiction began
to germinate in this climate of self-centeredness.

Many of us hid the pain of our alienation with an attitude of defiance. In
effect, we told the world, "You don't need me? Well, I don't need any of
you, either. I've got my drugs and I can take care of myself!" The further
our addiction progressed, the higher the walls we built around ourselves.

Those walls begin to fall when we start finding acceptance from other
recovering addicts. With this acceptance from others, we begin to learn
the important principle of self-acceptance. And when we start to accept
ourselves, we can allow others to take part in our lives without fear of
rejection.

Just for today: I am accepted in NA; I fit in. Today, it's safe to
start letting others into my life.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 2nd step
Or if you haven’t done the 1st step share on
open-mindedness and hope....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
FREEDOM FROM . . . FREEDOM TO
We are going to know a new freedom. . . .
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 83

Freedom for me is both freedom from and freedom to. The first freedom I
enjoy is freedom from the slavery of alcohol. What a relief! Then I begin
to experience freedom from fear -- fear of people, of economic insecurity,
of commitment, of failure, of rejection. Then I begin to enjoy freedom to
-- freedom to choose sobriety for today, freedom to be myself, freedom to
express my opinion, to experience peace of mind, to love and be loved, and
freedom to grow spiritually. But how can I achieve these freedoms? The
Big Book clearly says that before I am halfway through making amends, I
will begin to know a "new" freedom; not the old freedom of doing what I
pleased, without regard to others, but the new freedom that allows
fulfillment of the promises in my life. What a joy to be free!

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ February 9th

A.A. Thought for the Day

In the past, we kept right on drinking in spite of
all the trouble we got into. We were foolish enough
to believe that drinking could still be fun in spite
of everything that happened to us. When we came
into A.A., we found a lot of people who, like
ourselves, had had fun with drinking, but who now
admitted that liquor had become nothing but trouble
for them. And when we found that this thing had
happened to a lot of other people besides ourselves,
we realized that perhaps we weren't such odd ducks
after all. Have I learned to admit that for me
drinking has ceased to be fun and has become
nothing but trouble?

Meditation for the Day

The lifeline, the line of rescue, is the line from the
soul to God. On one end of the lifeline is our faith and
on the other end is God's power. It can be a strong line
and no soul can be overwhelmed who is linked to God by
it. I will trust in this lifeline and never be afraid. God
will save me from doing wrong and from the cares and
troubles of life. I will look to God for help and trust
Him for aid when I am emotionally upset.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that no lack of trust or fearfulness will make me
disloyal to God. I pray that I may keep a strong hold
on the lifeline of faith.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Delight In Yourself

Stop picking on yourself, worrying if your good enough,
wondering what people will see if you let them see your heart.
This is what they'll see:
that you are lovable and delightful soul, a beautiful child of God.
Be yourself and accept yourself -- warts, waistline and all.
You don't have to sit up that straight, be that proper,
or fear what others may see.
Let your imperfections show!
When you do that, your life will be fun and a joyful gift to others.
People who comfortably accept who they are --
both their flaws and their good points --
are healing, delightful, and are fun to be around.
Look at any work of nature: a canyon, a flower, a bird.
A mountain or a forest trail.
Where does the perfection begin and imperfection end?
It's the combination that makes a perfect scene.
So it is with you.

Relax. Lighten up. Let go of shame and fear.
The whole picture is perfect, and perfectly okay.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Imagine, Marianne Williamson
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part13.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part14.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part15.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part16.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Enough Substitutes
by Marie T. Russell

Many times we crave something and find that even after getting that certain
something, we still aren't satisfied... I recall, years ago, I would start
craving dried fruit at the same time of the month... So I would gorge myself
on dried figs and dates, but the craving didn't go away. When I started
reading up on natural health, I found that when a woman is premenstrual, her
body craves calcium. So what I mistakenly took for a craving for dried fruit
was actually a craving for calcium. The next time I felt the craving, I ate
a food with lots of calcium, and the craving went away, and I didn't get the
negative side effects of gorging myself with dried fruit which is loaded
with sugar.

In the same way, we often crave something (whether it is a new TV, a new
car, a certain food, a relationship) only to find once we "fulfill" the
craving, that we still aren't satisfied... Why? Because the object of the
craving was only a symbol of what we really needed. We may have thought that
the new car, job, diet, etc. would make us happy, but lo and behold, it
didn't. What we ultimately find out is that once the newness wears off, we
still are "craving" something.

We think something will make us happy, we spend time, money, and energy on
attaining it, and when we have it, it doesn't quite fit the bill. Why?
Because what we are really seeking is not a "physical" or material thing.
What we seek is more of an internal experience. Perhaps what we seek is very
simple: to feel the experience of love.

Let's look at some examples. OK, so you crave chocolate, or potato chips, or
sugar... You eat that and are temporarily sated, but then the same craving
comes up. In some cases, it may be your body that is craving a certain
nutrient (which may be present in the food you're eating), but usually it is
more the emotional body that is craving a feeling of well-being.

I know that I associate certain foods with happy occasions. My favorite ice
cream reminds me of my grandmother who always had some for me when we went
to visit on Sundays. If by chance she was out of it, she'd send me over to
the store to pick up a quart of it. Certain foods remind me of my mother and
the extra time she took to prepare these "special treats" for us...

Thus, for me, these foods represent love. When I crave these foods, I am
really craving the feeling of unconditional love that I received as a child.
As an adult, I can "treat myself" to these foods, but I am aware that the
food itself is not what I am seeking -- I am seeking the feeling associated
with it.

This may be the story of your life... There is always something deeper than
what is obvious. If someone is addicted to a certain food, stimulant, drug,
then what are they really trying to fulfill with that item? That is what
their craving is really for, and the addiction is a misguided attempt to
fulfill the need.

It was found years ago, that many alcoholics are diabetics... In other
words, the sugar they crave is found in the process of converting alcohol to
sugar in the body... Thus they may become addicted to alcohol, but it is
really the sugar that they are looking for. Of course, what is a diabetic
really craving? Louise Hay in the book You Can Heal Your Life, says that the
"probably cause" (or metaphysical cause) of diabetes is "deep sorrow, no
sweetness left"... Thus the craving for sugar may instead be a craving for
"sweetness", or love, in their life.

When we look at the things we "crave" or "really really want", then we might
we well served to look deeper... What do we think this thing will fulfill in
our lives? If we simply "cut to the chase" and go for the root, then we'll
be much happier.

When I find myself craving ice cream, I realize that I am really craving
love... so I look at my life, and see where it is lacking. Usually, of
course, I tend to look outwards (i.e. who isn't giving me love), but then I
must come around to the real source -- myself. And I then find that I
haven't been loving to myself, either by not eating well, working too much,
not taking enough time for me, being angry at myself for something, etc.

When love is missing in our lives, we must look at ourselves and see how we
are not being loving to ourselves and to others. Since what we give out
comes back, then if we're short on love, we need to give ourselves and
others love, and then there will be plenty of love to go around.

Love is the easiest thing to give, because you can never run out. If you try
to fill needs with "things" or time, these are commodities that are, by
their very nature, limited. But if you give love, then you can never run
out.

Isn't it wonderful that the very thing that we all need can never run out,
since we all have an unending supply in our own hearts. What a treasure! So
rather than trying to fill our children's needs (and our inner child) with
material things, perhaps we need to get to the root of the matter, and give
what is really needed.

I do believe it is a universal concept... If we applied this truth in all
levels of our life, things would be much different. If we could see that the
disgruntled customer or co-worker is really crying for love, then we might
deal with them differently. If we saw that our boss is actually wanting love
and respect when he/she has "an attitude", we might choose to react
differently.

Now some people may misunderstand this concept, and think that I am
suggesting that you let yourself be run over. Not at all. First of all, you
must love yourself, and if you do that, you do not let others "run over
you", yet you must also "love your neighbor as yourself" which means that
you treat your neighbor (family, co-worker, world citizens) the same way
you'd like to be treated. If we applied the Golden Rule to all situations,
our life and our world would be much different.

So where do we start? With ourselves. We start by paying attention to our
cravings, to our wants, to our desires, and seeing what it is we really
want. We have been lulled into believing that the new car, the new
toothpaste, the new whatever, would bring us love. Just look at the
commercials. They usually are focusing on the pretty girl or the happy
couple in the commercial, not really on the product. What they are selling
us is the illusion that the product will give us the happiness (or love,
beauty, or sex) that is shown in the ad.

We need to strip off the veil of illusion that covers our actions and our
life. We, in the "Western world" live a life of luxury (compared to other
countries), yet we still don't feel it's enough. We feel we need more of
everything, or bigger everythings... The population of the US is grossly
overweight, while people are starving the world over. Perhaps if we looked
at what we are really craving, then things would fall into balance. If we
saw that what we crave is love, and gave more love, not only to ourselves
and to our families, but to our "neighbors" the world over, then we would
act differently. We would perhaps gorge ourselves less with food and
"things", and do more for the world.

What has taken place in the last century? We may have gained "efficiency"
and modernization, but we have lost intimacy, the companionship of
neighbors, the comfort of feeling safe and secure in our cities, the feeling
of support in our communities. The statement "it takes a village to raise a
child" is a very true one. In recent years, the attitude has developed that
we have to "stay out of other people's business"... So people have detached
themselves from each other... We don't dare comfort someone else's child,
for fear of being accused of child molestation. We don't dare show "love" to
strangers -- they might think we're "coming on to them".

I remember as a child, growing up in a rural area, my father would always
wave to everyone we passed on the road. Most of the times, it was someone we
knew (it was a small community), but sometimes I would say "Who was that?"
and he'd reply that he didn't know. And I would wonder why he had waved to
them if he didn't know them... Yet, that is symbolic of how life "used to
be"... Everyone was considered "a friend" until proven otherwise... These
days, we tend to consider others "an enemy" until proven otherwise.

Let's start living as if we're in a small village. Talk to the people in
line with you at the grocery store, at the bank, wherever. Rather that
standing isolated and closing yourself off from the people around you,
smile, say hello, make some comment -- on the weather, anything... Open up,
communicate, share "love" (friendship) with the people in your life...
whether you know them or not... After all, a stranger is only a friend
you've never met...

Since we all "crave" love, let's start sharing it with the people me meet...
Then perhaps, we won't need to try to fill that craving with material
things, and perhaps we can all work to creating a better world than the one
we have now... We now live in a world of "haves" and "have nots"... because
our measuring gauge is material... But perhaps if we start changing the
measure we use and use love as our rule, then we can all become a world of
"haves"...

"What the world needs now, is love, sweet love... No not just for one, but
for everyone...." We can do it, one heart at a time... We are already doing
it, we just need to keep expanding the radius of our love, or our light...
About The Author
Marie T. Russell is the publisher of InnerSelf Magazine (first published in
1985 originally as Mighty Natural Magazine) and The Natural Yellow Pages
(1987-2002). She produced a weekly South Florida radio broadcast, Inner
Power, from 1991-1995 which focused on themes such as self-esteem, personal
growth, and well-being. Her articles focus on transformation and
reconnecting with our inner source of joy and creativity. Marie can be
reached at marie@... with personal comments and feedback, or to be
placed on a mailing list to be advised when her book becomes available.
http://www.innerself.com/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Receiving Higher Guidance
Meditation by Orin and DaBen

I take a deep breath in and relax my body.
I imagine a golden light surrounding me.
Any thoughts I do not want are leaving.
My mind is filled with peace.

I am going within and experiencing
my thoughts, imagination, and the
serene inner core of my true Self.

I call back to myself any energy I have
left scattered out in the universe.
I feel more whole and complete within
as I do.

I bring my awareness
to the center of my being,
a place of light, of love, and
of peace and serenity.

As I go within
I can experience the light of my soul
simply by having the intent to do so.
I allow my soul to surround me
with its light.

From this place of inner serenity
I can tune into
whatever vibration I choose.
I now choose to tune into
the higher realms of light, love,
and wisdom.

I now experience the vibration of healing
that is always being broadcast
from the higher realms.
I receive healing into any part of
my body, emotions, mind, or life that
needs healing.

I think of some area of my life in which I
would like to create a positive change.

I open to receive the broadcast of light
from the Masters and Guides
that will assist me
in expanding my consciousness.

I open to new perspectives,
insights, and wisdom.
I open my heart and
bring about changes
in this area of my life.
I receive this light now.

I think of something
I would like guidance about.
I ask the Guides and Masters for guidance.
I open to receive their guidance now.

I affirm that I will honor and pay attention to
the new ideas, insights, and revelations
that come into my mind about whatever
issue I have requested guidance.

I think of my higher path.
I ask to receive the broadcast of
clarity, wisdom, and light
from the higher realms.

My next steps are becoming clearer to me.
They reveal to me more about
my higher purpose and path.
I open to receive this guidance
from the higher realms now.

I now focus my awareness upward.
I receive guidance from the higher realms.
I honor the guidance I receive
and I act upon it.
My life works in wonderful ways.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Wild Horses

Can't you just feel the spellbinding power
of the waves as they thunder into your shore
See the foaming whitecaps riding the crests
like the manes of magical and mystical wild horses
Coming to carry you away to the promised lands
of your heartfelt and most cherished wants and desires
Oh, they'll show you no mercy nor abatement
in their relentless and obsessive pursuit of you
And it's the fool who attempts to employ logic
and common sense to that which cannot be broken
For passion knows no rules and is left unbridled
when set upon you to quench your cravings
It can lead you to the very highest peaks of ecstasy
or to the deepest pit of the valley of despair
And more often than not there seems no rationale
for the outcome from our mortal point of view
We accept the victories with gladness and wonder
and the defeats threaten to pull us asunder
As if we actually believed that the outcome
of winning or losing our goal was important itself
But is it not what we learned and made of ourselves
during these rides with wild horses that's truly eternal
Or do we all too often become so engrossed in obtaining
the objects and fantasies of our wants and needs
That we become distracted from why they were sent to us
and all the wondrous lessons we might learn from them
So, ride the wild horses with joyous anticipation
for they know the way home even after a fall

~ dennis j hopkins ~
mrseven@...
http://www.dennisjhopkins.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We may walk through the world as orphans more often
than as the children of God that is our true identity.
How do you go about remembering your heritage?
Your birthright?
What action or thought causes you to shift into your higher self?
Mary Manin Morrissey
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Pain is the great equalizer.
It enables you to be honest and authentic.
It empowers you to ask for unconditional love and support from others
and to be willing to offer the same in return.
It connects you with a healing community of human beings
whose shells of denial are cracking."
Paul Ferrini
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"And what is healing? Healing is joining.
Healing is the coming together that brings peace and denies separation.
And healing, as I have told you, is quite simply the release from the past.
Because it is the past that determines where you are,
that defines your ego,
that places within your ego the demand to get and to become.
And all of that is really the demand to isolate yourself
from your brothers and your world.
And as you would release the past, you shall be healed."
Brent Haskell
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Prejudiced thinking comes from treating your mind
like a rental space for the thoughts and beliefs of others.
Learning to furnish your mind with your personal interpretation,
even for a moment, frees you to know
yourself and others through your higher self.
When your mind is occupied by prejudice, ego is the landlord."
Wayne Dyer
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Changes in life are always going to happen;
they're part of the human experience.
What we can change, however,
is how we perceive them.
And that shift in our perception is a miracle."
Marianne Williamson
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words.
Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors.
Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits.
Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values.
Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny."
Gandhi
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To die young,
as late as possible.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It takes a long time,
to learn to be young.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I made coffee
and I made friends.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Resentments, anger and fear
ALL ride the same horse.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada , Columbia, Costa Rica, China ,
Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Guatemala,
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Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Korea,
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New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico,
Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
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For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
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Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1550

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Tue Feb 8, 2005 12:01 pm
Subject: 2/8/05 "The Lane " ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

younmenhp

Offline

Send Email

Coffee
<http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/classics/coffee.html>

The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 2nd step
Or if you haven’t done the 1st step share on
open-mindedness and hope....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 8
Today I am willing to let go of all my thoughts and opinions
that are negative and destructive in my life.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
THE LANE

Have you ever woke up shaking,
holding your pillow tight?
The dream was only a short one,
but it seemed to last all night.

Have you ever wished upon a star,
when there weren't any in the sky?
The rain continues to pour down.
You want strength, but can only cry.

There seems to be no answers,
to the questions that you ask.
You want so bad to be first,
but you always come in last.

Have you ever wanted something so badly,
but couldn't seem to get it?
You have the most beautiful candles,
but just can't get them lit.

You promise things will be different,
they still remain the same.
You think you've found a highway,
it turns out to be only a lane.

And then when the lane gets rocky,
I veer off and go astray.
If I could only remember,
it can't rain everyday.

written by Barry L.
barryl81001@...

Scott,� Thought i would send you this poem.�
I wrote it 9/21/01.�
I was serving 2 years at the time
for multiple drunk driving charges.
Never have wrote much. It was just how i felt at the time.
Thanks,
Barry
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Clean Chips Expressions
<http://hometown.aol.com/clnchip1/expressions.html>

Partners And Allies of Sexual Assault Survivors Resources List
<http://twhj.com/allies.shtml>

Child Abuse Links
<http://child.cornell.edu/bookmarks.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 8                            What is a sponsor?

"We know we can look to our sponsor, but it is our responsibility to get
in touch with them." IP No. 11, "Sponsorship"

What is a sponsor? You know: That nice person with whom you had coffee
after your first meeting. That generous soul who keeps sharing recovery
experience free of charge. The one who keeps amazing you with stunning
insight regarding your character defects. The one who keeps reminding
you to finish your Fourth Step, who listens to your Fifth Step, and who
doesn't tell anyone how weird you are.

It's pretty easy to start taking all this stuff for granted once we're
used to someone being there for us. We may run wild for a while and tell
ourselves, "I'll call my sponsor later, but right now I have to clean the
house, go shopping, chase that attractive. And so we end up in trouble,
wondering where we went wrong.

Our sponsor can't read minds. It's up to us to reach out and ask for help.
Whether we need help with our steps, a reality check to help us
straighten out our screwy thinking, or just a friend, it's our job to make
the request. Sponsors are warm, wise, wonderful people, and their
experience with recovery is ours— all we have to do is ask.

Just for today: I'm grateful for the time, the love, and the
experience my sponsor has shared with me. Today, I will call
my sponsor.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 2nd step
Or if you haven’t done the 1st step share on
open-mindedness and hope....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
THE JOY OF SHARING

Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help
others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you,
to have a host of friends -- this is an experience you must not miss. We
know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with newcomers and
with each other is the bright spot of our lives.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 89

To know that each newcomer with whom I share has the opportunity to
experience the relief that I have found in this Fellowship fills me with
joy and gratitude. I feel that all the things described in A.A. will come
to pass for them, as they have for me, if they seize the opportunity and
embrace the program fully.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ February 8th

A.A. Thought for the Day

When the morning sun comes up on a nice bright day
and we jump out of bed, we're thankful to God that
we feel well and happy instead of sick and disgusted.
Serenity and happiness have become much more
important to us than the excitement of drinking, which
lifts us up for a short while, but lets us way down in
the end. Of course, all of us alcoholics had a lot of
fun with drinking. We might as well admit it. We can
look back on a lot of good times, before we became
alcoholics. But the time comes for all of us alcoholics
when drinking ceases to be fun and becomes trouble.
Have I learned that drinking can never again be
anything but trouble for me?

Meditation for the Day

I must rely on God. I must trust Him to the limit. I must
depend on the Divine Power in all human relationships.
I will wait and trust and hope, until God shows me the
way. I will wait for guidance on each important decision.
I will meet the test of waiting until a thing seems right
before I do it. Every work for God must meet this test
of time. The guidance will come, if I wait for it.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may meet the test of waiting for God's guidance.
I pray that I will not go off on my own.

"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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Say Yes To Yourself

Are you balanced?
Do you share your time, your energy, your life,
as much with yourself as you do with those around you?
We all know how simple it is to say "yes, yes, yes"
each time someone makes a request.
After all, it makes us feel good, makes us feel needed,
makes us feel loved.
And the more we say yes, the more they ask of us.
And we tell ourselves this is an example
of even more love.

But soon we say yes to too many things.
We get bitter about our relationships.
Can't they do anything for themselves? Nothing would
get done around here if it weren't for me.
Isn't there anyone else who can help?
After a while, things don't get done,
promises go unfulfilled, relationships break down.
And so do we.

It doesn't have to be that way.
Know your limits.
You are one of the most important people you need
to look after and love.
Balance your time, your energy,
your life with those around you.
You will be able to give more freely and joyfully as a result,
and you'll be more open to the gifts of the universe.

It's not wrong to give to others.
But it's okay to say yes, to ourselves, too.

God, help me live a life.
Help me learn when it's time to say yes to myself.

Melody Beattie ©
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Illuminata: A Return to Prayer:, Marianne Williamson
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part8.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part9.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part10.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part11.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Traits for Finding a Lifelong Mate
by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

1. Choose someone as though you were blind. Close your eyes and see what
    you can FEEL; their kindness, loyalty, insight, devotion, their ability to
    be concerned with you, their ability to care for themselves as an
    independent being.

2. Choose a person who has the ability to learn, explore new ways of doing
    things and perceiving things, who is curious, and who is EVOLVING.

3. Choose someone who is willing to be like you....strong like a tree, but
    flexible in the wind.   Someone who is sensitive and who has the ability to
    see what is around them......who is AWAKE and alert.

4. Chooses someone who when you hurt them, they are willing to show it; and
    when they hurt you, they see it and are sorry. COMMUNICATE it within 24
    hours.   Choose someone who can perceive your pain and feel for you about
    it.

5. Choose someone who has an INNER LIFE that they love, who is on their own
    journey - and who wants a partner on their own journey.

6. Choose someone who has similar passions as your own.   A relationship is
    for making similar memories together, doing things TOGETHER - this is the
    GLUE of the relationship during hard times. It can be very simple.

7. Choose someone who has similar VALUES about children, money, marriage,
    family. This decreases the friction in relationship. These need to be
    worked out before there is a long-term commitment.   When the pragmatics in
    the relationship are mostly taken care of, it is much more easy to SOAR.

8. Choose someone who is COMPASSIONATE, willing and able to listen, who
    gives equal time.

9. Choose someone who can LAUGH at themselves, or who can stop an argument
    in mid-sentence.

10. Be able to overlook certain faults and characteristics. KNOW WHAT YOU
    CAN LIVE WITH.   Anything that takes a person away from their soul life, or
    not telling the truth, or a person who cannot face you after making a
    mistake and who tries to cover it over in a dramatic, large way
    instead....this would be starting a relationship on a swamp ground.

11. Be FRIENDS, not just lovers.   Are you willing to do for your partner
    what you would do for your good friend?

12. ****VERY IMPORTANT*****...When you choose, choose someone who makes
    your life bigger rather than smaller."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
THE TATTOOED Stranger
By Susan Fahncke

He was kind of scary. He sat there on the grass with his cardboard
sign, his dog (actually his dog was adorable) and tattoos running up and
down both arms and even on his neck. His sign proclaimed him to be
"stuck and hungry" and to please help. I'm a sucker for anyone needing
help. My husband both hates and loves this quality in me.

I pulled the van over and in my rearview mirror, contemplated this
man, tattoos and all. He was youngish, maybe forty. And he wore one of
those bandannas tied over his head, biker/pirate style. Anyone could see
he was dirty and had a scraggly beard. But if you looked closer, you
could see that he had neatly tucked in the black T-shirt, and his things
were in a small, tidy bundle.

Nobody was stopping for him. I could see the other drivers take one
look and immediately focus on something else - anything else. It was so
hot out. I could see in the man's very blue eyes how dejected and tired
and worn-out he felt. The sweat was trickling down his face. As I sat
with the air-conditioning blowing, the scripture suddenly popped into my
head. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren,
so ye have done it unto me." I reached down into my purse and extracted
a ten dollar bill. My twelve year old son, Nick, knew right away what I
was doing." Can I take it to him, Mom?"

"Be careful, honey," I warned and handed him the money. I watched in
the mirror as he rushed over to the man, and with a shy smile, handed it
to him. I saw the man, startled, stand and take the money, putting it
into his back pocket.       "Good," I thought to myself, "now he will at
least have a hot meal tonight." I felt satisfied, proud of myself. I had
made a sacrifice and now I could go on with my errands.

When Nick got back into the car, he looked at me with sad, pleading
eyes. "Mom, his dog looks hot and the man is really nice." I knew I had
to do more.

"Go back and tell him to stay there, that we will be back in fifteen
minutes," I told Nick. He bounded out of the car and ran to tell the
tattooed stranger.

We then ran to the nearest store and bought our gifts carefully. "It
can't be too heavy," I explained to the children. "He has to be able to
carry it around with him." We finally settled on our purchases. A bag of
"OL' Roy" (I hoped it was good - it looked good enough for me to eat!
How do they make dog food look that way?); a flavored chew toy shaped
like a bone; a water dish, bacon flavored snacks (for the dog); two
bottles of water (one for the dog, one for Mr. Tattoos); and some people
snacks for the man.

We rushed back to the spot where we had left him. and there he was,
still waiting. And still nobody else was stopping for him. With hands
shaking, I grabbed our bags and climbed out of the car, all four of my
children following me, each carrying gifts. As we walked up to him, I
had a fleeting moment of fear, hoping he wasn't a serial killer.

I looked into his eyes and saw something that startled me and made me
ashamed of my judgment. I saw tears. He was fighting like a little boy
to hold back his tears. How long had it been since someone showed this
man kindness? I told him I hoped it wasn't to heavy for him to carry and
showed him what we had brought. He stood there, like a child at
Christmas, and I felt like my small contributions were so inadequate.
When I took out the water dish, he snatched it out of my hands as if it
were solid gold and told me he had no way to give his dog water. He
gingerly set it down, filled it with the bottled water we brought, and
stood up to look directly into my eyes. His were so blue, so intense an
my own filled with tears as he said, "Ma'am, I don't know what to say."
He then put both hands on his bandanna-clad head and just started to
cry. This man, this "scary" man, was so gentle, so sweet, so humble.

I smiled through my tears and said, "Don't say anything." Then I
noticed the tattoo on his neck. It said "Mama tried."As we all piled
into the van and drove away, he was on his knees, arms around his dog,
kissing his nose and smiling. I waved cheerfully and then fully broke
down in tears. I have so much. My worries seem so trivial and petty now.
I have a home, a loving husband, four beautiful children. I have a bed.
I wondered where he would sleep tonight. My step-daughter, Brandie,
turned to me and said in the sweetest little-girl voice, "I feel so
good."

Although it seemed as if we had helped him, the man with the tattoos
gave us a gift that I will never forget. He taught that no matter what
the outside looks like, inside each of us is a human being deserving of
kindness, of compassion, of acceptance. He opened my heart.
Tonight and every night I will pray for the gentle man with the
tattoos and his dog. And I will hope that God will send more people like
him into my life to remind me what's really important.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Look Upon Them As Wounded

   After vaccinating a young boy with an injection in the arm, a
doctor wanted to stick on a bandage. "Please put it on the other
arm," the boy pleaded.

"Why do that?" the doctor asked. "This will let everyone know you
have been vaccinated and they won't hit your sore arm."

"Please put it on my other arm! Please!" the boy begged. "You
don't know the kids at my school."

He couldn't show his weakness. He was afraid to let others know
of his vulnerability for fear of being hurt more than he was
already.

Adults, too, are pretty good at hiding pain. Not usually physical
pain, but the pain of loss or rejection or fear.They like to
appear as if they are in control; they can handle whatever life
throws at them; they're on top of it. And too often... they end
up going it alone. No one understands. No one is there to help.

Susan Muto, in her book BLESSINGS THAT MAKE US BE
(Crossroad, 1982), tells a story of a great ruler who needed a
second-in-command to help manage his kingdom. When he finally
selected the right person, he took him outside onto a balcony of
the palace where they could gaze over all the lands under his
jurisdiction. His assistant asked the king, "Master, what must I
remember most of all if I am to carry out your wishes?"

"My son," the king replied, "there is only one directive to
follow -- and that is to look upon the people as wounded."

The wise king knew that everyone is in pain in some way. Wounds
may not show, but they are there. And those people we find
particularly difficult to relate to may actually be hurting the
most.

Discover where people hurt, and you'll finally understand them.
Learn where the invisible bandages are and you'll know how to
help, heal or reach them. It makes for good leadership. But just
as important, it makes for great friendship.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yets of Recovery

I love it!!!!!!!
Who would of thought, what a spin on things.
I have not yet been to a world convention, ill keep coming back.
I have not yet spoke at a convention, ill keep coming back
I have not yet had 3 consecutive years clean, Ill keep coming back
I have not yet got old enough to be a grandmother, ill keep coming back.

I will make this a meeting topic.
this is good stuff.
Lisa
garcialhd@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The sun shines, and it does not care whether the creatures who receive its
rays are intelligent or stupid, good or criminal, deserving of its blessings
or not. It sends light to them all without distinction. This is why the sun
is said to be the best illustration of divine love. Consider the most
extraordinary beings who have lived on earth: all of them have had a few
prejudices, a few biases, and even a few animosities. Yes, even the greatest
prophets, even the greatest masters have not been able to free themselves
completely from resorting to the laws of justice and punishing the wicked,
because freeing oneself in this way is extremely difficult. Only the sun
regards human beings in the same way God Himself does, knowing that they are
divine sparks which will one day return to the bosom of the Eternal. This is
why, over thousands of years, he patiently continues to warm them, enlighten
them, and vivify them. Surely this example is sufficient to stimulate us?"

Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I can heal myself on all levels.
Healing means to make whole and to accept all parts of myself
- not just the parts I like, but all of me."
Louise L. Hay
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In archery, "sin," means "to miss the mark,"
to make a mistake.
When we make mistakes in our lives,
God knows and understands,
and loves us anyway.
Mary Manin Morrissey
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
Phyllis Diller
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Abundance does not mean that you have a lot of
money or material possessions.
It means that you have what you need,
use it wisely, and what you don't need to others.
Your life has poise, balance, and integrity.
You don't have too little. You don't have too much."
Paul Ferrini
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Change or Die.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Change is hard,
only if you resist it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Its tough to change a person
that you don't know.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Change or you will be begging for change
on the street corner.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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
or YOUnMEnHP@...

"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:
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and
write subscribe in the subject line.

Under Bill s.1618 TITLE III passed by the 105th U.S. Congress
this letter cannot be considered spam as long as the following words
are included:
To unsubscribe to to this list send an Email message to:
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
and write unsubsribe in the subject line
or go to the website and unsubscribe
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Adult Children of Alcoholics
http://www.AdultChildren.org/

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/access.htm

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org/

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org/

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org/

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org/

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous/

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org/

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com/

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com/

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official Homepage
http://www.na.org/

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.nar-anon.org

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org/

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org/

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org/

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org/

Suicide Anonymous
http://www.geocities.com/samemphis/

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org/

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 66 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, Hong Kong, 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, Qatar, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
U.S.A., Venezuela, Wales, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from.
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ clean date 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

    (\o/\o/)   we are each of us angels with only one wing (\o/\o/)
     /_\/_\    and can only fly     by embracing each other   /_\/_\

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/>

For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)

#1549

From: YOUnMEnHP <YOUnMEnHP@...>
Date: Mon Feb 7, 2005 12:09 pm
Subject: 2/7/05 "My Friend" ~12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit

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The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 2nd step
Or if you haven’t done the 1st step share on
open-mindedness and hope....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
February 7
I feel my entire body unwinding and relaxing
as I give up my resistance and struggle.
Today I accept life as it comes
and learn to flow with it with peace.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
PLEASE visit and check out Ruth's new book
LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER is arriving at bookstores now!
She even interviewed me for the book :)
If you would like a signed copy you can
order it at <http://www.spirithaven.com/> or email her at
spirithaven@... or call at 508-420-5301.
Check out her collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
<http://www.spirithaven.com/>
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My Friend

During the time of the darkest night,
I couldn't imagine ever seeing the light.
Left alone and all by myself,
I was hoping to see a little elf.
Where to turn, which way to go,
My Chi had lost it’s glowing flow.
I lost my sight, I lost my way,
I could not see the light of day.
I sunk way down in the Bacardi,
I always thought it was a big damn party.
Better to party and to have fun,
And of course to be numb.
If I’d of felt instead of not,
I could have healed instead of rot.
Then one day along came a guy,
Who showed me I didn’t have to die.
He pulled me out of my deep dark pit,
And told me I wasn’t a piece of shit.
He is very modest and quite calm and cool,
He’d have to be to keep me off the bar stool.
He never pushes or shoves me around,
He is always there to be found.
With a shoulder to cry on and a caring heart,
He always puts me together when I fall apart.
With a beautiful smile and a great big hug,
He makes me feel all warm and snug.
On the days I am feeling low,
And life seems it’s going to blow.
I just think of this guy,
And I’m sure I can fly.
So to this man,
With a giant heart span.
I’m glad I met and I found,
A man who can speak without a sound.
You have saved me from certain death,
And I will Thank You till my last breath.
I will be here for you my friend,
All the way to the end.
I owe you more than I could ever pay,
Anything you ever need, all you ever do is say.
All I can do till the end,
Is say Thank You and I Love You to my friend.

October 5, 2003

I wrote this about a good friend of mine who realized
before I did that I was an alcoholic. If it wasn't for him
I would most likely be dead. It took him a while
to get through my thick head but he finally accomplished
it without pressure or flat out telling me I was.
He let me figure it out on my own.
I owe him more than anything.
I'd take a bullet for him. He's the best.

Living4Serenity@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 ~ YOUnMEnHP@...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An Interactive Poem
<http://www.12stepcity.com/12-step-programs/poetry/interact.htm>

Comics of the Week
<http://www.recoveryjonescartoons.com/comicsoftheweek.htm>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just For Today
February 7                                This is not a test

"We have found a loving, personal God to whom we can turn."
Basic Text p. 27

"Some of us come into recovery with the impression that
life's hardships are a series of cosmic tests designed to teach
us something. This belief is readily apparent when something
traumatic happens and we wail, "My Higher Power is testing me!"
We're convinced that it's a test of our recovery when someone
offers us drugs, or a test of our character when faced with a
situation where we could do something unprincipled without
getting caught. We may even think it's a test of our faith when
we're in great pain over a tragedy in our lives.

But a loving Higher Power doesn't test our recovery, our
character, or our faith. Life just happens, and sometimes it hurts.
Many of us have lost love through no fault of our own. Some of us
have lost all of our material wealth. A few of us have even grieved
the loss of our own children. Life can be terribly painful at times,
but the pain is not inflicted on us by our Higher Power. Rather,
that Power is constantly by our sides, ready to carry us if we can't
walk by ourselves. There is no harm that life can do us that the God
of our understanding can't heal.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will have faith that my Higher Power's
will for me is good, and that I am loved. I will seek my Higher
Power's help in times of need.

Just For Today Daily Meditation is the property of Narcotics Anonymous ©
1991 by World Service Office Inc
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and
spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is February, PLEASE share on the 2nd step
Or if you haven’t done the 1st step share on
open-mindedness and hope....
to share please visit
<http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/>
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you
MUST join this club in order to participate
Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
<http://health.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 :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meditation of the Day
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts>

Daily Meditation for ALL 12 Steppers
<http://www.open-mind.org/Daily/>

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
<http://www.gatewayrehab.org/February.html>

NEED HELP Pick a topic Daily Meditation
<http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts/search.html>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
THE TREASURE OF THE PAST

Showing others who suffer how we were given help is the very thing which
makes life seem so worth while to us now. Cling to the thought that, in
God's hands, the dark past is the greatest possession you have -- the key
to life and happiness for others. With it you can avert death and misery
for them.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 124

What a gift it is for me to realize that all those seemingly useless years
were not wasted. The most degrading and humiliating experiences turn out
to be the most powerful tools in helping others to recover. In knowing the
depths of shame and despair, I can reach out with a loving and
compassionate hand, and know that the grace of God is available to me.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden / February 7th

A.A. Thought for the Day

A night club crowded with men and women all
dressed up in evening clothes looks like a very
festive place. But you should see the rest rooms
of that night club the next morning. What a mess!
People have been sick all over the place and does
it smell! The glamour of the night before is all gone
and only the stink of the morning after is left. In
A.A. we learn to take a long view of drinking instead
of a short view. We learn to think less about the
pleasure of the moment and more about the
consequences. Has the night before become less
important to me and the morning after more important?

Meditation for the Day

Only a few more steps and then God's power shall
be seen and known in my life. I am now walking in
darkness, surrounded by the limitations of space
and time. But even in this darkness, I can have faith
and can be a light to guide feet that are afraid.
I believe that God's power will break through the
darkness and my prayers will pierce even to the ears
of God Himself. But only a cry from the heart, a
trusting cry, ever pierces that darkness and reaches
to the divine ear of God.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that the divine power of God will help my
human weakness. I pray that my prayer may reach
through the darkness to the ear of God.

"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
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Let Go Of Unreasonable Fears

Sometimes, saying woohoo means working through our fears.
Fear can be a good thing.
It can signal danger and protect us.
Sometimes our fears are bigger than life
and bigger than they need to be.

Many of us have panic and anxiety attacks.
It's nothing to be embarrassed about.
But sometimes we can calm ourselves down
by reinforcing a little reality.
Maybe we're not really drowning, after all.
Maybe all we have to do to save our lives
is just sit up.

Explain to yourself that your fears are unrealistic and
you don't need to be that afraid, learn to calm yourself
down.

God, help me let go of my unreasonable fears,
the ones that are preventing me from living my life.

Melody Beattie ©
An Excerpt from "More Language of Letting Go"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A Woman's Worth, Marianne Williamson
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part5.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part6.shtml>
<http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/marwil/part7.shtml>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Asking and Offering: The Art of Spiritual Trading
by Christina Baldwin

We clasp the hands of those who go before us,
and the hands of those who come after us;
we enter the little circle of each other's arms,
and the larger circle of lovers
whose hands are joined in a dance,
and the larger circle of all creatures,
passing in and out of life,
who move also in a dance,
to a music so subtle and vast
that no one hears it except in fragments.

-- Wendell Berry, Healing

As a spiritual practice, when we ask for what we need and offer each other
what we can, we enter a dance of unavoidable reciprocity. We are doing a
two-step exchange of needs and offerings, and the whole village is dancing.
If we pay attention, we discover we cannot give without receiving; we cannot
receive without giving. When a friend asks, "Can I give you a hug?" I wonder
how she will give it to me without being in it with me? Or if someone says,
"I need a hug, " does he notice that his request requires my willingness to
offer my arms?
Asking / offering / giving / receiving is one circular motion. If we don't
ask for what we need, if we don't offer what we can, we block the dance.
Imagine a person in the middle of the dance floor suddenly not moving while
all around him continue on. People would start bumping into each other,
losing the beat, losing their sense of direction, tripping over each other's
toes. The dance is dependent on the dancers. Reciprocity is dependent on
unceasing exchange.

As we ask for what we need and offer what we can we become spiritual traders
of life's energy, time, abundance, and interrelatedness. Through this
practice, we are reminded that everything lives in reciprocal relationship
with everything else, whether or not we immediately perceive this
relationship, whether or not we choose to be aware of it. Even though we
often have an ambivalent relationship with reciprocity, not wanting to think
about the times when we are the ones stopping the dance, we are inspired by
it, over and over.

Though it was several decades ago, I remember an autumn dusk driving out of
the city in rush hour when I noticed a young boy sitting on his bicycle in
the grass median between lanes of busy traffic. The pack of cars on the
boulevard was crawling along bumper to bumper, giving me time to watch him
as I made my way up the block. A poor boy in a poor neighborhood of
subsidized housing units. Boy of brown skin, watching white-faced drivers
head home to houses he'd probably only seen on television. His demeanor
began to change as he waited for a break in the lines of cars. Now he
slumped across his handlebars, head down, resigned.

I knew nothing of his story, but I watched him through the eyes of
commonality, because I do know what it is like to stand at the side, to hope
for recognition, for entrance, for safe passage, for help. I turn on my
flasher lights and roll to a halt, stopping my lane of traffic. I bleep my
horn and signal the man next to me. We grin at each other and he, too, stops
his lane of traffic. The boy raises his head. Before him the Red Sea is
parting and he cannot believe his eyes. He looks through my windshield and
straight into my heart. Our faces light up for each other, and with the
greatest grin he jumps his rusty banana seat off the curb and wheelies
around in the space created for him. And in his acceptance of this gesture,
he creates for me a chance to celebrate exuberance. Confident now, he takes
his time. Crossing the road like a magic dancer, he struts his stuff before
us all, jumps the far curb, and rides off down a side street, head high and
whooping. I know nothing of his story, but I remember this moment, and trust
that he does, too.

Trading is practice in mindfulness. It slows us down so we may notice the
opportunity present in the moment. Through acts of spiritual trading we
learn to see that everything is an exchange. Today I will ask for what I
need, first by becoming aware of what that is. Today I will offer what I can
by holding all the choices I make within an understanding of reciprocity.
The trajectory I set into the day is not a straight line; it's a dance of
intersections and connections between myself and other people and the
opportunities we create as we cross each other's paths.

I have a saying by Annie Dillard posted over my desk that reads: "How we
spend our days is how we spend our lives." I have about sixteen hours of
waking energy in a day. How do I want to spend them? What will guide my
choices? My partner and some friends are going bicycling, but I need several
hours of peace and quiet to write. I trade one experience for another. There
is both loss and gain. I still need exercise and a sense that I have taken
advantage of sun and fresh air, so I make time to walk the dogs. I trade
their canine patience for the promise of a romp. I need help finding some
references, so I call the library and the local bookstore. I need to know
that my beloved and I are of like mind about a problem, so we talk over
breakfast and trade solitude for togetherness.

Today I will offer what I can by being open to surprise and interruption as
part of the flow of my intentions. An older neighbor calls to ask if I will
bring her mail from the box to her doorstep. Of course I will, though I also
know it means fifteen minutes of chatting. I trade a little efficiency for
the aid I can provide a neighbor. Someday I will be old and in need of a
younger person's kindness. A friend emails the request for a prayer chain
for his son. I stop and light a candle on my windowsill, hold the thought of
his need for a moment. Someday I will be in need of the prayers of friends
and strangers. A client calls and asks for twenty minutes of consultation.
As we enter our conversation, I trust that what she asks me to give will
also serve my needs. A friend invites us for supper. I say no, not tonight,
but I make a cup of tea and spend twenty minutes on the phone catching up
and setting a date for the future. I trade the evening for the moment,
because I want to honor our relationship even in my busyness. A solicitor
calls and I say no, but I trade one minute of politeness to a stranger who
may be working hard to pay her bills. Every yes and every no is held within
the flow of trade and reciprocity.

Sometimes reciprocity is immediate and obvious, sometimes we may not see it
for years, or may never see it, only trust the contribution has been made
and received and passed along. And I am not doing this alone. Everyone is
trading with everyone else. But not everyone is thinking about trade as a
spiritual practice.

I recently chose to help a teenager through her first year of community
college by lending her my car several days a week for the commute. I
willingly added her to my insurance, kept up repairs, and worked my own
needs for the car around her schedule. I entered this agreement to signal my
long-term support for her and to provide an opportunity for the two of us to
practice negotiating with each other. It was a very difficult offering
because she didn't see much need to offer something back. We were not very
successful in our negotiation practice, and she often used the car with an
attitude of entitlement that left me feeling my kindness was abused. Many
times I considered withdrawing my offer, wondering how to best help her see
reciprocity as a necessary skill for entering adulthood.

It was a complex choice, and I let her continue using the car. I decided I
had the stamina to make this offering and hold the tension of the trade
without demanding that her understanding match mine. I will be curious to
see if the gift of this support dawns on her over time. I will keep working
with our relationship to instill a sense of spiritual trade. And I will keep
track of my limits, for I am responsible to myself to see that I am indeed
asking for what I need and only offering what I can.

Only spiritual trading creates flow. As long as the energy is flowing and
cyclical, there is enough to go around. If any one of us stops asking or
stops offering, the flow is disrupted and the balance destroyed. We all know
people who give and give and give and forget to receive until they collapse
into exhaustion, depression, or illness. We all know people who take and
take and take and forget to offer until they find themselves alone at the
zenith of their careers, divorced from their families and friends. If we
become depleted, we have no energy left to respond and no energy left to
ask. If we keep demanding without reciprocating, people will respond with
resentment or hoard their energy and we will not get what we really need.
Perhaps the purpose of this learning cycle, playing out over and over again
in our lives, is to help us see the world differently.

Our Western cultural consciousness is saturated with competitive messages
and assumptions that do battle with our spiritual yearnings. We talk about
money and power and time as commodities, but we hardly know how to talk
about energy exchange, shared power, or spiritual trade. There is an
attitude out there (and in us) that if people are too dumb to take care of
themselves, well, it's their own fault if they get taken advantage of. There
is an attitude out there (and in us) that if we want something, and no one
is holding onto it at the moment, well, it must be ours for the taking:
land, oil, diamonds, market share, food, water, time, energy, attention.

All this confusion creates an enormous imbalance that extends all the way
from our personal emotions and thought processes to the global economy.
Along comes this little phrase that invites us to ask for what we need and
offer what we can, and we discover it has a taproot that penetrates the
subsoil of how we live in the world. This can make us very uncomfortable as
our unconscious privilege comes to light, but if a growing number of us
start living our lives as spiritual traders instead of as consumers or
competitors, something will change in the world.

This is the whisper that calls us in the opulent West to accountability.
Clattering about in our lives of too many things and too much to do, how do
we learn to live simply, so that others may simply live? Really, what do we
need? What do we offer? The rising interest in feng shui, in making sacred
space out of our homes and offices, and in recycling all point to our
awakening awareness of the need to simplify our lifestyles and make careful,
conscious choices.

In the coming years, I believe that we in the West will be challenged as
never before to look at the question of what we really need and what we have
the obligation to offer in order to re-establish balance in the global human
family. We cannot escape the system the world is living in at this time. We
cannot get pure, or self-righteous, or use our spirituality to remove
ourselves from the mess we are in. We can only consider our actions within
the circle of reciprocity.

This is not a New Age concept. In 1623, in his Devotions Upon Emergent
Occasions, John Donne wrote his famous soliloquy: "No man is an island,
entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less...." He understood.
And somewhere inside ourselves I believe we understand. It's just hard to
see this reality in our own culture where so much stuff puts us constantly
to sleep.

So on a recent trip to Africa I practiced noticing with new eyes. I noticed
that people were living side by side in what we would call great wealth and
what we would call stark poverty. The wealthy members of the community had
many resources and stockpiled goods, just as we do in America, but where the
flow of these goods stopped was much more obvious. The goods stopped at the
color line. The goods stopped at the neighborhood line. The goods stopped at
the economic line. I could wander a shopping mall that was like any mall in
the Western world, with the goods priced according to Western standards of
living. But outside, at the edge of town, at the edge of the squatter
villages, the markets were completely different. Here people sold crafts
they had made themselves or bartered from other tribes. Money that would pay
for one dinner in the city could buy a family's month supply of cornmeal in
the village. In these conditions, to ask -- What do I really need? What do I
have to offer? -- brought fresh insight and awareness. And discomfort to my
status quo.

While I pondered these questions, a woman told me with quiet dignity, "We
are happy to be poor in Africa, that we might teach the world how to be rich
in spirit. Despite our painful history, we are attempting to bring our
society back together in a way that honors all those who are here as
essential members of the community." She gestured at the razor wire
surrounding an opulent property. She gestured at the cardboard and tin
shacks and the shared, open cooking fires.

"It is taking too long. Some people are angry. Some people are afraid.
Nevertheless, the experiment continues, and we are all in it -- and you are
in it with us, even though you are thousands of miles away. What are you
going to do when you go home?"

At home I am going to stay awake and uncomfortable so that I can think. Not
that I know how to solve this dilemma -- it being the crisis of the moder

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