A Moral Dilemma
www.recoverylane.com/a_moral_dilemma.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is June the 6th month, PLEASE share on the 6th step
If you haven¹t done the 6th step with your sponsor
Please share on willingness, surrender and responsibility...

(((Family))) a BIG hug to you ALL
Life is GOOD,
We are still waiting for my wife to give birth to our second child,
Her due date is Monday June 4th,
WE are anxiously awaiting God to open the door :)
The topic this week is on:
STEP 6 "We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of
character."  Becoming entirely ready won't happen in an instant. It's a long
process, often taking place over the course of our journey.
This is a program of awareness, acceptance and action.
Sharing my inventory increased my level of awareness of how I have harmed
myself and others by acting out on these defects of character.
I cannot change anything that I am not aware of.
It takes what it takes to change these defects,
being ware of them, being sick and tired of them and trusting that God will
help to remove them, because God helps those who help themselves.
The sixth step is similar to getting the garbage ready to take out to the
curb to be picked up. Without God I cant, without me He wont.
I must admit defeat from these from these internal forces that bing me pain
and degradation and then I have to admit I need help in dealing with that
force. It was explained to me that the difference between the 6th and 7th
step is. The 6th step is like saying "I have a flat tire"
and the 7th step is like saying "Fuck it I am going to drive on it anyway"
This is a step of progress not perfection, sometimes we take 2 steps forward
and one step back. This is a process of progress and regress.
I had to be willing to write a list of my defects and define them.
This is a step of commitment, perseverance, willingness and responsibility.
I must be willing to act differently. As I began to work this step,
I began to change, and I also began to get a small glimpse of the person
that I wanted to become. This step, is something that I work at each day
with vigilance . I am never completed with this.
I am fragile, frail and weak, I am not a finished product,
God is not through with me yet...

Thanks for letting me share,
In loving service,
Scott

The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is June the 6th month, PLEASE share on the 6th step
If you haven¹t done the 6th step with your sponsor
Please share on willingness, surrender and responsibility...

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

June 1
Today I know my Higher Power gives me
all the strength that I need to move forward.
I can feel this strength growing within me
as I dare to take one new step at a time.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Promises...of Alcohol and Drug Addiction

1. If we are casual with this phase of our development,
     we will be drunk/high before we are halfway through.

2. We are going to know a new imprisonment and a new misery.

3. We will relive the past and won't be able to shut the door on it.

4. We will comprehend the word CONFLICT and we will know PAIN.

5. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we'll sink even lower.

6. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will deepen.

7. We will gain interest in selfish things and lose interest in our fellows.

8. Self esteem will slip away.

9. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will SUCK.

10. Fear of people, and of economic insecurity will multiply.

11. We will intuitively know how to run from situations which never
     used to bother us.

12. We will suddenly realize that God would never have done to us what
     we are doing to ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not!
They are being fulfilled among those of us who are
still drinking and/or drugging --sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.
They will ALWAYS materialize, IF WE DRINK/USE FOR THEM.
Guaranteed.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Morning Prayer
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=703

Serenity Prayer
www.wscribe.com/parables/serenity.html

Acting and Reacting
www.serenityfound.org/readings/acting.html

A.A. Photos
www.rewritables.net/cybriety/aa_photos.htm

Stepping Stones The Home of Lois and Bill W
www.steppingstones.org

A Gentle Touch
www.csoakley.com/9188.html

Fabric Of Love
www.serenitygarden.net/index27.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
June 1                                 Keep Coming Back 

³We don't have to be clean when we get here but, after
the first meeting, we suggest that newcomers keep coming
back and come back clean. We don't have to wait for an
overdose or a jail sentence to get help from Narcotics .
Basic Text, p. 10

Very few of us arrive in NA brimming with willingness. Some of
us are here because we are court-ordered to attend. Some have
come to save our families. Some come in an effort to salvage a
career teetering on the brink of ruin. It doesn't matter why we
are here. It only matters that we are.

We have heard it said that ³if we bring the body, the mind will
follow:"We may come to meetings with a chip on our shoulders. We
may be one of those who sits in the back of the rooms with our arms
folded across our chest, glaring threateningly at anyone who
approaches us. Perhaps we leave before the final prayer.

But if we keep coming back, we find that our minds begin to open
up. We start to drop our guard, and begin to really listen when others
share. We may even hear someone talking with whom we can relate.
We begin the process of change.

After some time in NA, we find that more than our minds have arrived
in our meeting rooms. More importantly, our hearts have arrived, too.
After that happens, the miracles really begin.

Just for today:  I will strive to listen with an open mind to what
I hear shared.pg. 159

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/June.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Giving Without Strings

And he well knows that his own life has been made richer, as an extra
dividend of giving to another without any demand for a return.
AS BILL SEES IT, p.  69

The concept of giving without strings was hard to understand when I first
came into the program.  I was suspicious when others wanted to help me.  I
thought, "What do they want in return?"  But I soon learned the joy of
helping another alcoholic and I understood why they were there for me in
the beginning.  My attitudes changed and I wanted to help
others.  Sometimes I became anxious, as I wanted them to know the joys of
sobriety, that life can be beautiful.  When my life is full of a loving God
of my understanding and I give that love to my fellow alcoholic, I feel a
special richness that is hard to explain.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ June 1st

A.A. Thought for the Day

Some things I do not miss since becoming dry: that overall
awful feeling physically, including the shakes, a splitting
headache, pains in my arms and legs, bleary eyes, fluttering
stomach, droopy shoulders, weak knees, a three-day beard,
and a flushed complexion. Also, facing my loved one at
breakfast. Also, composing the alibi and sticking to it. Also,
trying to shave or put on make-up with a shaky hand. Also,
opening up my wallet to find it empty. I don't miss these
things, do I?

Meditation for the Day

You were born with a spark of the Divine within you. It had
been all but smothered by the life you were living. That
celestial fire has to be tended and fed so that it will grow
eventually into a real desire to live the right way. By trying
to do the will of God, you grow more and more in the new
way of life. By thinking of God, praying to Him, and having
communion with Him, you gradually grow more like Him. The
way of your transformation from the material to the spiritual
is the way of Divine Companionship.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may tend the spark of the Divine within me so that it will
grow. I pray that I may be gradually transformed from the old life to
the new 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
JUNE 01

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Directness

We feel safe around direct, honest people. They speak their minds, and we
know where we stand with them.

Indirect people, people who are afraid to say who they are, what they want,
and what they're feeling, cannot be trusted. They will somehow act out their
truth even though they do not speak it. And it may catch everyone by
surprise.

Directness saves time and energy. It removes us as victims. It dispenses
with martyrdom and games. It helps us own our power. It creates respectful
relationships.

It feels safe to be around direct, honest people. Be one.

Today, I will own my power to be direct. I do not have to be passive, nor do
I need to be aggressive. I will become comfortable with my own truth, so
those around me can become comfortable with me.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sick of Life? Learn to Free and Heal Yourself
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2007/June/feature1.html

A Tale of Two Students, by Alan Cohen
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/February/0297-19.html

Beauty and the Beast, , by Alan Cohen
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/April/cohen.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Opening Up To Love
by Deborah Johnson

   Once upon a time, there was a young woman who gave and gave to other
people until it hurt. She cooked for people, always threw parties or gave
presents to friends on their birthdays, bought expensive clothes for her
boyfriend, and generally bent over backwards to help anyone she cared about
(or didn't care about). It pleased her no end to buy something special for a
friend, even when she really needed some new clothing for herself. That
didn't seem to matter.

    She often wondered why no one brought her flowers, and why no one did
anything for her birthday-even when she hinted it was coming. The young
woman also wondered why she always felt empty and lonely inside. Then, one
day it hit her like a ton of bricks! She had been doing all these wonderful
things for other people, completely disregarding her own needs. A little
voice inside had been trying hard for years to tell her this, but she so
desperately needed love that she kept doing what her subconscious logically
thought would work, giving to others so that they would give to her.

    As soon as she realized that she needed to love herself more, she began
doing little things for herself; things she had previously expected other
people to do for her. She began buying herself a bouquet of flowers once a
week. When she'd forget, she would find that her friends brought her
flowers! Wonder of wonders, every time she did something nice for herself,
it increased the amount of nice things other people did for her, almost in
direct proportion!

    Then she took herself on a cruise to the Hawaiian Islands, fell in love
with Hawaii, and decided to live there for awhile. However, the loneliness
got worse, even in paradise. One morning the young woman woke up with the
solution. "Aha!" she cried, "If giving myself gifts helped others to give me
gifts, why not try giving myself LOVE so others will be able to give me more
love? It's worth a try."

    So she began with simple spiritual exercises that worked for her and
opened her heart to let God's love in. It was miraculous. She was able to
identify and accept this love, and realize that it is the true source of ALL
love, no matter who she thought it might be coming from. Then she began
feeling comfortable being alone. Even though she still wanted a mate, she
did not feel so lonely, and could accept more of what life brought (or
didn't bring). Because she was able to love herself, and take the time to
give this pure love of spirit to herself, she began to receive more love
from friends, family, and finally from a man with whom she felt closer to
than anyone else. As she continues this process, the joy in her life is
still increasing daily, and she overshadows the small bits of loneliness
with more and more love.

    Yes, that story was about me! Here is an exercise I used to help me
love and open up to the purest, most secure and satisfying love there is.

    See yourself walking in a desert. If you are feeling particularly
abandoned or forlorn, you can think of it as a vast, lonely desert with no
love to be anywhere. You have been walking for a long time and are very
thirsty. Suddenly you spy a patch of green... an oasis! As you get closer,
it calls to you with a hauntingly beautiful melody and a radiant heavenly
glow. As you enter it you see a lovely alabaster fountain flowing with a
spray of water sparkling like diamonds. Your guardian angel is standing next
to the fountain, and hands you a cup of this magnificent nectar of the
heavens. You drink it gratefully, feeling it not only quench your thirst,
but also filling you with the most wonderful feeling of love and contentment
ever.

   You are then invited to bathe in this extraordinary fountain, and you do
so, feeling now completely surrounded by this awesome feeling of pure, true
love. You feel protected, loved, and cherished like you have never felt
before. You walk back into your life singing.

   If you like, you can sing out HU, which is an ancient name for God found
in every sound on earth. Sing it out with a long drawn out breath and the
vibration of that name will fill you with even more love.

   Another simple exercise is to think of a time you felt more loved than
any other you can remember, and get into that feeling, no matter how far
back it goes, even if you were rocking in your mother's arms. Now fill
yourself with that love and let it open your heart to more.

   I also invite you to make up your own exercise, one that suits your own
spiritual beliefs and lifestyle. If you do this sort of thing daily, I
guarantee you will be graced with much more love in your life!

About The Author:
Deborah Johnson is a counselor, author and publisher of: "Think Yourself
Loved", "How to Love Yourself", "How to Think Yourself Thin", and "How to
Make Your Dreams Come True". Debbie can be reached at: Deborah Johnson
Publishing, 7030 SW Canyon West Dr., #6, Portland, OR 97225.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There is just no doubt that love is the most important thing. It
makes everything endurable.

Sometimes what we think is love, that passionate insanity that can
sometimes masquerade as love, produces only confusion, pain, and
mistrust.

But love, true, simple, honest, and kind, colors events and
circumstances in a special and beautiful way. Then a mistake is just
a mistake, not a hint of greater damage. Then the caring is itself a
result, the actual solutions to problems mere details in the context
of love and trust. We know people are doing their best. Our hopes are
transcended by that fact alone.

Love flavors every intention, every action. A request is felt as a
beautiful need, not an imposition. We give and receive joyfully. The
chance to interact in any way is an act of love, a joyful moment.

That will all sound very unreal, even false to someone who is
overwhelmed by resentments. Then the world seems a matter of manners
designed to camouflage true feelings, meaningless gestures, false
hopes, shattered dreams, everything a matter of winning and losing,
the living definition of cynical.

When we discover love, life becomes beautiful, amusing, absurd and
wonderful. Then the joy of life flows through us.

Then we creates systems of being and doing that are loving. Then we
make of life a good thing.

It all begins with a couple of basic things. Who can tell exactly
which is first or  most important? It takes honesty. It takes love.
Those two working together make miracles out of ordinary things.

And it takes making those things a conscious part of our own inner
lives, meditating, contemplating, taking the time for our own
understanding and love.

Then our love finds the love in others.

Emanations
Copyright © 2004  by John MacEnulty

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

TOUCH

Main Entry: 1touch
Pronunciation: tuch
Function: verb

Date: 14th century
transitive senses
1 : to bring a bodily part into contact with especially
so as to perceive through the tactile sense :
handle or feel gently usually with the intent to
understand or appreciate
           
Tonight a friend, one that I've never
seen, nor met sent me a site
that touched me deeply.  It was all about
TOUCH
My thoughts wandered about this
wonderful word
 To Touch
 To Be Touched
and what it meant to ME
As I've gotten older, and my children
grown and gone, there have been
times when I just craved to be touched
Sometimes while grocery shopping
I've brushed someone's shoulder
and a warm sensation came over me
thinking .... when was the last time
I was touched? If you have to think
About it then it has been much to long!
Right?  Since I¹ve volunteered at the AIDS hospice
I get to ³touch² and be ³touched² Š I am
Grateful.  On  my first day at the hospice
There was an elderly gentleman resident
sitting in the living room with one
Hand high on the sofa, the other hand holding
A newspaper.  His eyeglasses were way down on
His nose.  Before leaving for the day, I reached
Down and patted his hand and said ³Good-bye.²
He didn¹t move his head, he just looked up at
Me over the rim of his glasses, and slowly said
³What was that for?² Nervously I said, ³Well Š
I am a touchy feely person, if that is not okay
With you, just let me know.²  He took a long
Time to speak Š and then gently, he looked up
At me again, sighed,  and said ³Well Š
So am I!  That is how I got in this mess!²
We became the best of friends from that very
First day.  It was all about Œtouch¹, and not
Getting enough of it. You see, touching doesn¹t
Have to be of the romantic kind .. it comes in
All categories.  It is blind to gender, age, size,
Ability to see, hear, pretty, not so pretty, species.
It is my opinion that it even goes beyond this earthly
Realm.  I¹ve personally felt the touch of a loved one
That has passed into heaven.  I¹ve felt their breath
On the back of my neck.  Some may laugh, some may
Agree with me, and have felt the same.  While being
On-line, I¹ve actually felt a hug come across the screen
And felt a kiss on my cheek.  Crazy?  Maybe.  But that
Is how strong a bond I feel with folks that I¹ve met
On-line.  Thank you Leah for sending this site to me,
So that I may share your love for me to others that I
Feel the same about.


Each day
the earth awaits
the light of
Your love
and thanks you.

Live, Love, Laugh
Kater
Katerpilar00@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Week Of Prayers

Monday - Wash Day
³God, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may
serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.²

Tuesday - Ironing Day
³Dear God, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have
collected though the years so that I may see the beauty in
others.²

Wednesday - Mending Day
³O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for
others.²

Thursday - Cleaning Day
³God, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding
in the secret corners of my heart.²

Friday - Shopping Day
³O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase
eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.²

Saturday - Cooking Day
³Help me, Dear God, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and
serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.²

Sunday - Gods' Day
³O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my
heart as my honored guest so I may spend the day and the rest of
my life in your presence.²

  Author Unknown

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

One Voice

The Universe speaks in many languages, but in only one voice.
The language is not English, or French or Chinese or African.
It speaks the language of hope.

It speaks in the language of trust, the language of strength
and the language of compassion.

It is the language of the heart and the language of the soul.
But always it is the same voice...

The voice of our ancestors speaking through us.
The voice of our inheritors waiting to be born.
It is the small, still voice that says we are One.

No matter the blood, no matter the skin, no matter the country.
We are One.

No matter the pain, no matter the darkness,
no matter the loss, no matter the fear.
We are One.

Here, gathered together in common cause,
We agree to recognize this singular truth and this singular rule.
That we must be kind to one and other...
Because each voice enriches us and ennobles us
And each voice lost diminishes us.

We are the voice of the Universe.
The soul of Creation,
The fire that will light the day to a better future.

We are One.

©  Naomi Shifra, July, 1998

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I like not only to be loved, but also to be told that I am loved.
I am not sure that you are of the same mind.
But the realm of silence is large enough beyond the grave.
This is the world of light and speech,
and I shall take leave to tell you that you are very dear.
George Eliot

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Vision without action is a daydream.
Action without vision is a nightmare.
Japanese Proverb

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The only limits are, as always, those of vision.
James Broughton

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Admiration -- our polite recognition of
another's resemblance to ourselves.
Ambrose Bierce

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When one opens his heart,
he includes others in his sense of well being.
He does not trade their well being for his own.
He doesn't try to please others at his own expense.
He does not give himself away and find an identity in someone else.
Paul Ferrini

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Luck runs out,
Blessings go on ....

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Gods' Grace brought me here,
Gods' will keeps me here.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you want to have conscious contact.....
just listen......

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spiritual seeking without service
is self indulgence.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit does not endorse any of the
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Advertising is the price that we pay for a free list server
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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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Hooked On Crack
www.recoverylane.com/hooked1.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What is your definition of "balance" in recovery ?
Why is learning when to say "no" important to finding balance ?
What do you do when you get all out of whack and you need to regain some
balance ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 31
Today I continue to remove any barriers
that keep me from being fully who I am in this universe.
As I continue to trust my inner guidance,
I receive all the inspiration I need
to grow in courage and faith and love.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

True Spirit

For the first time in this existence of mine,
I¹m feeling a sense of a spirit divine.

The inner destruction that used to prevail,
Now rests its uneasiness as if in jail.

I know if I allow it will rise up again,
With more hate, fear and anger
Then it had to begin.

The only respite that gives inner peace,
Is that God in his spirit will make all that cease.

Belief and faith heal all we abhor,
Trust in Him and open the door.

The gates of rapture will be yours infinite.
Within the halls of love
He will lead to truth, peace and eternal light.

Brad Benjaminson
BradBenjaminson@...
4/23/01

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Being Vulnerable
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=698

Rules For Being Human
www.wscribe.com/parables/human.html<>

Self-Pity
www.serenityfound.org/readings/self-pity.html

12 Step Program of Recovery for Web Addicts
www.ftmagic.com/addicts.html

Relationship Guide Index
www.relationshipweb.com/odat/odatind.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 31                           Keep it Simple 

"We live a day at a time but also from moment to moment.
When we stop living in the here and now, our problems become
magnified unreasonably."  Basic Text, p. 96

Life often seems too complicated to understand, especially for
those of us who've dodged it for so long. When we stopped using drugs,
many of us came face to face with a world that was confusing, even
terrifying. Looking at life and all its details, all at once, may be
overwhelming. We think that maybe we can't handle life after all and
that it's useless to try. These thoughts feed themselves, and pretty
soon we're paralyzed by the imagined complexity of life.

Happily, we don't have to fix everything at once. Solving a single problem
seems possible, so we take them one at a time. We take care of each
moment as it comes, and then take care of the next moment as it comes.
We learn to stay clean just for today, and we approach our problems the
same way. When we live life in each moment, it's not such a terrifying
prospect. One breath at a time, we can stay clean and learn to live.

Just for today:  I will take comfort in my conscious contact with a
Higher Power. I am never alone. pg. 156

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Progressive Gratitude

Gratitude should go forward, rather than backward.
AS BILL SEES IT, p.  29

I am very grateful that my Higher Power has given me a second chance to
live a worthwhile life.  Through Alcoholics Anonymous, I have been restored
to sanity.  The promises are being fulfilled in my life.  I am grateful to
be free from the slavery of alcohol.  I am grateful for peace of mind and
the opportunity to grow, but my gratitude should go forward rather than
backward.  I cannot stay sober on yesterday's meetings or past Twelfth-Step
calls; I need to put my gratitude into action today.  Our co-founder said
our gratitude can best be shown by carrying the message to others.  Without
action, my gratitude is just a pleasant emotion.  I need to put it into
action by working Step Twelve, by carrying the message and practicing the
principles in all my affairs.  I am grateful for the chance to carry the
message today!

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 31st

A.A. Thought for the Day

I shall not wait to be drafted for service to A.A. I Shall
volunteer. I shall be loyal in my attendance, generous in my
giving, kind in my criticism, creative in my suggestions,
loving in my attitudes. I shall give to A.A. my interest, my
enthusiasm, my devotion, and most of all, myself Do I also
accept this as my AA. credo?

Meditation for the Day

Prayer is of many kinds, but of whatever kind, prayer is
the linking up of the soul and mind to God. So, if prayer is
only a glance of faith, a look or a word of love, or just a
feeling of confidence in the goodness and purpose in the
universe, still the result of that prayer is added strength
to meet all temptations and to overcome them. Even if no
supplication is expressed, all the supply of strength that
is necessary is secured, because the soul, being linked and
united to God, receives from Him all spiritual help needed.
The soul, when in its human body, still needs the things
belonging to its heavenly habitation.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be taught how to pray. I pray that I may
be linked through prayer to the mind and will 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 31

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

What If?

I was talking to a friend one day about something I planned to do. Actually,
I was worrying about how one particular person might react to what I
intended to do.

"What if he doesn't handle it very well?" I asked.

"Then," my friend replied, "you're going to have to handle it well."

What if's can make us crazy. They put control over our life in someone
else's hands. What if's are a sign that we have reverted to thinking that
people have to react in a particular way for us to continue on our course.

What if's are also a clue that we may be wondering whether we can trust
ourselves and our Higher Power to do what's best for us. These are shreds of
codependent ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and they signal fear.

The reactions, feelings, likes or dislikes of others don't have to control
our behaviors, feelings, and direction. We don't need to control how others
react to our choices. We can trust ourselves, with help from a Higher Power,
to handle any outcome -- even the most uncomfortable. And, my friend, we can
trust ourselves to handle it well.

Today, I will not worry about other people's reactions, or events outside of
my control. Instead, I will focus on my reactions. I will handle my life
well today and trust that, tomorrow, I can do the same.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Power of The Positive
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/power-positive.htm

Choosing a Precious Life
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/February/0297-18.html

Dear Louise, Letters of Wisdom and Affirmations
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/April/hay.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hero Worship
by Marie T. Russell

Hero worship has existed "forever"... it seems that humans have a need to
worship someone or something "greater than" themselves. Whether we choose to
worship an external God figure (like a saint), or a hero figure from a comic
strip or movie, or the movie stars themselves, the concept is the same. We
look up to someone else, someone other than ourselves, as "better than us"
or "higher" than we are in our esteem and opinion.

Webster's has two definitions for hero. One which is similar to the concept
mentioned above, and that is: a man of great courage, nobility, etc., or one
admired for his exploits.

However, Webster's has a second definition for hero, and this is the one I'd
like us to consider: the central male character in a novel, play, etc.
(heroine is defined as a girl or woman hero in life or literature). For the
sake of our discussion, let's consider the word hero as applying to both
males and females.

So a hero is the central figure in a play... Being that, as Shakespeare so
well put it in "As You Like It",

   All the world's a stage,
   And all the men and women merely players.
   They have their exits and their entrances,
   And one man in his time plays many parts...

then, we are all heroes, or central figures in our own play. We are the
players on the stage of our life. Yet, many of us insist on living our lives
as if we are a Cinderella type of main character... you know the one who is
looked down upon, despised, taken advantage of, not loved, not appreciated,
etc. etc. Yet if we are the hero, then we can take charge of the situation
and plunge ahead and make changes -- we can rescue the fair maiden or lost
soul and raise them (lost parts of ourselves) to a better life.

I saw a movie recently which raised several issues concerning heroes. The
movie was Unbreakable with Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson. In this
movie, Bruce Willis discovers that he is a modern day hero, a superman if
you will. However, what was clear to me after watching this movie, is that
he only became a superhero or a super-person after accepting that this was
indeed true and possible. He had to first accept the possibility of this
being true for him and then be willing to experience it.

In the same way, in our own lives, we must first accept the possibility that
we too are a super hero or a super-person before being able to make it come
true. Just like Cinderella who had first to be willing to go to the ball to
discover her Prince Charming, so we too need to first be willing to step out
of the dungeon of our negative thoughts and expectations to meet our "dream
life"... the life we have dreamed of, but which cannot become reality until
we accept that it is indeed possible and real.

Who is the hero in your own life? If your hero is someone outside of
yourself, then you have given your power away to someone else. If you are
waiting for someone else to make a difference in your life (to rescue you,
to save you, to make your life better, to make you whole), then you are
wasting your time. No one but you can make your dreams come true.

The question that comes up after seeing Unbreakable is that how would anyone
know they were a hero or had superhuman powers if they didn't try... How
will you know you can fly if you don't take a leap? (I'm not suggesting you
try this now... this is figurative.) But, the question remains, how will you
know you can succeed at something is you don't give it a try? How will you
know you can drag yourself out of the depths of your despair if you don't
try? How do you know you won't get that new job is you don't apply? How do
you know...

Before becoming a success at anything, you must take that first step. Yet
many of us, convinced of our failure, don't even take that first step... we
don't take the leap into the abyss of the unknown. One of my favorite images
from a movie is when Harrison Ford steps into the abyss in Indiana Jones and
the Last Crusade. He doesn't see the bridge, but "knows" and trusts that it
is there. And it is only when he has taken the first step -- the step that
will put him on the bridge, or falling into the abyss if the bridge is not
there -- that he sees the proof that the bridge is indeed a reality. Only
when is he willing to take the risk does he become a hero. If he had not
been willing to believe his intuition or his "inner knowledge" he would have
stayed on the edge of the abyss cowering at the "impossibility" of the feat
in front of him.

How many times do we stay at the edge of the abysses in our life, cowering
with fear because we don't see the solution? Rather than take a deep breath
and step into the unknown, we stay securely attached to our security
blanket, to our present reality, to our comfort zone. Rather than trust that
the future will bring us something, anything, better than what we have now,
we choose instead to hang on to what we have, even if what we have "ain't so
hot".

In "Field of Dreams" (I'm in a movie state of mind right now as you can
tell), Kevin Costner plays a hero role -- one in which he must take his
existence in his own hands, and even in the face of ridicule and doubts,
forge ahead after his own dream, trusting that his "inner vision" is indeed
the one he must believe in. "Build it and they will come." Build your dream,
follow your wildest hopes and aspirations, trust in yourself, and the vision
will manifest. Be willing to step off the cliff of your fears, of your
upbringing, or your limitations. Jump into your future with your dreams in
one hand and your faith in life in the other. Know that the Universe will
always bring you something better if you are willing to trust it and "forge
ahead". So often, we choose to stay behind because it is safe -- or at least
it seems safer.

Yet, as the hero in our own life, we can't stay behind, we can't wait for
someone else to rescue the "underling", we can't close the door and hope it
all takes care of itself. If there is something in our life we are not happy
with, then we have to take a step forward toward creating the life we want
for ourselves.

Complaining without taking action will not change anything. You never hear a
hero complain about a situation and then sit back and hope it changes
miraculously. No! A hero (which you are) may complain at the "bad hand of
cards" they've been dealt, but then goes out to play the best he can with
the cards, and if that doesn't work, to see if there is another way around
the situation. A hero never gives up. A hero keeps on, past adversity, past
losses, past apparent defeat, and keeps on until the situation is resolved.

We are the heroes in our own lives. We have to pull ourselves up and do what
it takes to make a difference in our own lives, and in the lives of the
people around us, and in the life of this planet. The time is over when we
waited around for some other hero to rescue us... All heroes are busy in
their own lives. We must come to our own rescue. As the Lone Ranger (another
famous hero) would say, hi-ho Silver!  And away we go!

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.
www.innerself.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Soul Survivor
by Virginia Santoro

"Soul survivor, that's who you are.
You've been to hell and back...
though you haven't traveled very far.

You've nearly drowned in your tears.
Yet you've managed to float to the top...
Past all your many doubts and fears.

How do you do it, soul survivor?
Don't say it was luck, 'cause I've seen plenty of that...
And I know it's much more than luck who's your driver.

You've found the way to make it through.
No one can tell me different...
It's plain to me ~ you've figured out what to do.

You're a soul survivor, my friend, you see.
Because of all the things I know to be true...
That you're a soul survivor means your soul flies free,
just like the same soul survivor that lives and breathes in me."

Virginia Santoro © 2000
MorningMusings@...
www.myspace.com/morningmusings
www.hometown.aol.com/morningmusings

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Making Plans

There's something richly rewarding
about making plans for the future
even if it's only to catch a glimpse
of your dream in realized form
Putting into words of action, of feeling
of doing, of making
translates desires into tangible possibilities

As thoughts precede actions
as dreams precede reality
it's the first step onto the magic of tomorrow
a personal Yellow Brick Road
that we may embark on
tentatively
feelingly
but still have the power to manipulate
the landscape along the way

Look into the mirror of promise
Deeply where the shadows swirl
Define the lines according
to your own possibilities
and dare to dream
of your Magic Kingdom

Love
Stella
©2000 Stella Raymonde Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Freedom
Dr. Jim Walkenbach

Freedom,
Soaring,
Unshackled,
Untethered,
Not bound by beliefs to an earthly domain.
Rising high on the updrafting currents of knowledge,
The spiritual being remembers its Source.
Cast aside are the forms that anchor the earthling,
That cause judgment and fear and anger and death.
To think that one's color, one's nation, one's religion,
Are reasons for hatred, belies who we are.
All souls are the same as the water in vessels
Not defined by containers, but each part of the Sea...
Whether your vessel's a bucket, crystal vase, or a chalice,
The water's the same, if you look with eyes that can see.
Let the energy of Love be the Sun to your water.
Let it lift it like vapor once again to be free.
Let it rise and co-mingle with all water vapor
Uniting as one and reforming the Sea.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Forgiving

There I sat,
all tattered and torn.
All that I did,
was constantly morn.
All of my pain,
I blamed on another,
My husband, my children,
my father, my mother.
Yet I know today,
that I am to blame,
for deep in my heart,
I carried such shame.
Now that I know,
that I am forgiven,
every new day,
is life worth the living.
Forgiving ones self,
Is a must to be done,
Then we'll have a life,
That's second to none.

written by ~ Rebecca Ann
rbowlin14@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We are born into the World
Like a blank canvas
And each person that crosses our path
Takes up the brush
And makes his mark
Upon our surface
So it is that we develop
But we must realize there comes a day
That we must take up the brush
And finish the work
For only we can determine
If we are to be
Just another painting
Or a Masterpiece

Javan

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The only real voyage of discovery consists not
in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.
Marcel Proust

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When the only tool you own is a hammer,
every problem begins to resemble a nail.
Abraham Maslow

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two step formula for handling stress:
1. Don't sweat the small stuff.
2.Remember that it's all small stuff.
Anthony Robbins

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.
Joseph Fort Newton

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This is a spiritual program
and the spirit is love.
Love turns dead ends into endless highways.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You've got to get up and embrace the spirit.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

With God I can,
Without me he/she won't.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I am not my body
I am my spirit.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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,
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Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia , Saudi Arabia,
Scotland, Singapore, South Africa , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
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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 daily recovery email please visit me at:
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For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

First aid
www.recoverylane.com/first_aid.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What is your definition of "balance" in recovery ?
Why is learning when to say "no" important to finding balance ?
What do you do when you get all out of whack and you need to regain some
balance ?


to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 30
I am putting a large STOP sign
to all my negative self-talk today.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Stand Still

When you find your mind is whirling,
and thrashing all about,
Stand still for just a moment,
and cease from every doubt.
For there is One who has all power,
That One is God, you know.
Be grateful for the moment,
and peace will start to flow.
Each moment is a precious gift,
that's given by His grace.
Stand still for just a moment,
and you'll see you're right in place.
For nothing ever happens,
in Gods world by mistake.
By standing still and listening,
He reveals the steps to take.
The first step, is be honest,
To thine own self be true.
Be grateful for the moment,
He'll reveal the rest to you.

written by  Rebecca Ann
rbowlin14@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Search
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=695

No Greater Love
www.wscribe.com/parables/love.html

Moral Responsibility
www.serenityfound.org/readings/moral_responsibility.html

How Grateful Are You?
www.beliefnet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?sectionID=&surveyID=105

Meditation Menu
www.beliefnet.com/story/145/story_14571_1.html
www.beliefnet.com/story/145/story_14571_2.html
www.beliefnet.com/story/145/story_14571_3.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just for Today
May 30                         Loneliness vs. Being Alone 

"Sharing with others keeps us from feeling isolated and alone."
Basic Text, p. 81

  There is a difference between being alone and being lonely. Being
lonely is a state of the heart, an emptiness that makes us feel sad
and sometimes hopeless. Loneliness is not always alleviated when we
enter into relationships or surround ourselves with others. Some of
us are lonely even in a room full of people.

  Many of us came to Narcotics Anonymous out of the desperate
loneliness of our addiction. After coming to meetings, we begin to make
new friends, and often our feelings of loneliness ease. But many of us
must contend with loneliness throughout our recovery.

  What is the cure for loneliness? The best cure is to begin a relationship
with a Higher Power that can help fill the emptiness of our heart. We
find that when we have a belief in a Higher Power, we never have to feel
lonely. We can be alone more comfortably when we have a conscious
contact with a God of our understanding.

  We often find deep fulfillment in our interactions with others as we
progress in our recovery. Yet we also find that, the closer we draw to
our Higher Power, the less we need to surround ourselves with others.
We begin to find a spirit within us that is our constant companion as we
continue to explore and deepen our connection with a Power greater than
ourselves. We realize we are spiritually connected with something bigger
than we are.

Just for today:  I will take comfort in my conscious contact with a
Higher Power. I am never alone. pg. 156

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Freedom To Be Me

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be
amazed before we are half way through.  We are going to know a new freedom
and a new happiness.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  83

My first true freedom is the freedom not to have to take a drink today.  If
I truly want it, I will work the Twelve Steps and the happiness of this
freedom will come to me through the Steps -- sometimes quickly, sometimes
slowly.  Other freedoms will follow, and inventorying them is a new
happiness.  I had a new freedom today, the freedom to be me.  I have the
freedom to be the best me I have ever been.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 30th

A.A. Thought for the Day

I am part of A.A., one among many, but I am one. I need
the A.A. principles for the development of the buried life
within me. A.A. may be human in its organization, but it is
Divine in its purpose. The purpose is to point me toward God
and a better life. Participating in the privilege of the
movement, I shall share in the responsibilities, taking it
upon myself to carry my fair share of the load, not grudgingly
but joyfully. To the extent that I fail in my responsibilities,
A.A. fails. To the extent that I succeed, A.A. succeeds. Do
I accept this as my AA. credo?

Meditation for the Day

"Praise the Lord." What does praising God mean? It means
being grateful for all the wonderful things in the universe
and for all the blessings in your life. So praise God by being
grateful and humble. Praise of this kind has more power to
vanquish evil than has mere resignation. The truly grateful
and humble person, who is always praising God, is not tempted
to do wrong. You will have a feeling of security because you
know that fundamentally all is well. So look up to God and
praise Him.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be grateful for all my blessings. I pray that
I may be humble because I know that I do not deserve 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 30

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Commitment

As we walk through life, there are many things and people we may lose, or
lose out on, if we are unwilling to commit. We need to make a commitment for
relationships to grow beyond the dating stage, to have the home or apartment
we want, the job we want, or the car we desire.

We must commit, on deep levels, to careers, to goals, to family, friends,
and recovery. Trying something will not enable us to succeed. Committing
ourselves will.

Yet, we need never commit before we are ready.

Sometimes, our fear of commitment is telling us something. We may not want
to commit to a particular relationship, purchase, or career. Other times, it
is a matter of our fears working their way out. Wait, then. Wait until the
issue becomes clear.

Trust yourself. Ask your Higher Power to remove your fear of commitment. Ask
God to remove your blocks to commitment. Ask God for guidance.

Ask yourself if you are willing to lose what you will not commit to. Then
listen, quietly. And wait until a decision seems consistently right and
comfortable.

We need to be able to commit, but we need never commit until we are ready.
Trust that you will commit when you want to.

God, guide me in making my commitments. Give me the courage to make those
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.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dealing With ChangeŠThe Wind In Your Face
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/change.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Protecting Ourselves Against Drunk Drivers and Other Threats
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/February/0297-17.html

From the Heart
by Alan Cohen
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/May/cohen.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Becoming Fulfilled
by Deborah L. Price

The patterns influencing our relationship with money begin when are
children, which is also when we receive our first glimpse of fulfillment
reflected in the mirror of the material world. As children we often make
unconscious agreements about money that affect the choices we make about our
personal path as adults. By the time most children are in elementary school,
they have already begun to identify money as an important source for getting
their needs met. Adults perpetuate this belief by providing children with an
endless supply of material proof of their love and affection. And with each
passing birthday and holiday, the bar gets raised a little higher, until it
becomes increasingly difficult to meet the expectations we have created in
our children. Consequently, they grow up believing that fulfillment is an
external, material reality that can be bought with money.

We have so confused money with fulfillment that the very meaning of the word
has been lost. Fulfillment can only be truly experienced internally. It is
not something you can acquire or buy. It is not a place you can fill full
enough with stuff to take you there. Fulfillment is about completion and
self-realization. It is more a process than a destination. It is not
something anyone can give you; it is something you become.

LOSING OUR WAY
One of the ways we can experience true fulfillment comes from the deep
knowing in your soul that you are on your path and understand your life's
purpose. Unfortunately, we are often so disconnected from our own souls that
we have difficulty finding our path and often stop searching for it. We may
even stop believing that we have a soul at all. Too few of us were nurtured
to become what would fulfill us personally or spiritually. This is an
unfortunate reality, because we all need guidance and encouragement in
developing our awareness and acceptance of who we are and the gifts we
possess. To know your uniqueness is powerful indeed. To not know it leaves a
hollow space that too many of us simply attempt to fill in other ways.

As children we did not experience ourselves as separate from others; we felt
connected to everything around us. For this brief time, we all knew true
freedom. This freedom did not require money. As we grew up, we became
self-conscious as we were increasingly defined by the people around us,
namely, our parents, family, and friends. We were told who we were or were
not in relationship to others and our experience of them. We became known as
"good," "bad," "sweet," "smart," or whatever adjectives the people we looked
up to, literally, used to describe us. We have become unconscious of the
powerful effect that words and language have on our psyches and self-esteem.
This lack of consciousness is particularly harmful to children, who display
the psychic wounds inflicted by language so early in life. It is no small
wonder that our souls retreat so easily into the background of our lives. As
our center of truth, the soul is vulnerable to the untruths we are told and
submerges into a deeper, more protective space. This experience marks the
beginning of our disconnectedness and explains why so many of us have
difficulty finding our way.

By the time we reach adulthood, many of us have lost access to the truth
that lies inside the retreated soul and have become simply what we were
expected to be. We take jobs, create careers, marry, have children, and so
on largely based on unconscious agreements with people in our daily lives
and those who have influenced us. As it turns out, living this way works for
some people. But many others yearn for something more.

FINDING OUR PATH
Somewhere along the way, the sleeping soul grows restless and longs to
finally express the truth of who we really are. It becomes the still, small
voice within that says, "Wait a minute, this isn't the life I wanted. This
isn't who I really am! How did I get here? How do I get out?" And suddenly
we begin to question our life's choices and look around at the world we've
created and to feel trapped. At a certain point, we often realize that we
bought a ticket to a life that we no longer wish to live but that there is
no refund.

As a Warrior type I have fought being defined by anyone and have always felt
compelled to help others find their paths. From an early age I knew that I
had a purpose and destiny. I did not, however, have a clue what it was. I
was born with an intuitive gift of seeing the truth in others. In my work,
this gift has frequently allowed me to "see" if someone is on his or her
true path. Sometimes I can see the obstacle blocking the person from their
path. I rarely reveal this information directly to people but work instead
to facilitate their own discovery of it by opening the door.

We are blessed when we are truly seen and appreciated for who we are. We all
need people to hold the space for our greater truth to be known until we can
see it for ourselves. Finding our way back to our path and purpose can be a
lifelong journey. Some people are lucky and discover it early in life.
However, most of us struggle with this journey and often fall down or get
lost along the way. And that's okay. There is no such thing as a mistake
when you are truly working toward finding your path. What matters is that
you keep making the effort. Our task is to simply keep moving toward the
light until we can see. In the thirteenth century, the great Sufi poet and
philosopher Rumi wrote:

   There is one thing in this world that you must never forget to do. If you
forget everything else and not this, there's nothing to worry about; but if
you remember everything else and forget this, then you will have done
nothing in your life. It is as if a king has sent you to some country do a
task, and you perform a hundred other services, but not the one he sent you
to do. So human beings come to this world to do particular work. The work is
the purpose, and each is specific to the person. [The Illuminated Rumi, by
Jalal Al-din Rumi]

Although the truth is eternal, it not easy to find if we are busy looking
for something else. If you're trying to find your path, it will be easier to
discover if you stop expecting it to be clothed in money. I often ask the
people I work with what took them off their path. They usually answer with
conviction that "there's no money in it" or that they "cannot afford to make
the change." I can only tell you what I know to be true: You cannot afford
not to make the change. The price for not changing is far higher than you'll
ever know. We can only turn away the gift of our divinity so many times
before it is no longer offered.

People come to me wanting to make changes in their lives. They feel they are
off course and want to seek a new direction but are uncertain about how to
go about it. They frequently feel trapped by their choices. More often than
not they feel their only ticket to freedom is money. If only they had enough
money, they could make that change. Most people believe that money will cure
their problems, will buy them out of the life they're living and into the
life they desire. Money is the magic wand, the solution to all our problems.
Many of us believe it is the answer to the prayers we often forget to pray.

During the course of our lives, as we have become increasingly disconnected
from Spirit, we have lost access to our power. We have become blind to the
light within us. The more we have placed our trust and faith in the outside
world, the darker and more unfamiliar our inner world has grown. Without the
unrelenting voice of the soul, which constantly seeks our attention and
never stops trying to redirect us back to our path, we would never find our
way. We all possess an inner compass: We just have forgotten how to use it.
The soul doesn't say, "Follow me, I'll show you the way to the money." It
just says, "Follow me, I'll show you the way." Forget about money! It will
show up when it is time. Our task is to simply heed the signs and follow the
directions provided by the Spirit within.

PROSPERITY & ABUNDANCE
When we are on the right path, all our needs are met in abundance. Before I
go any further, I should say that the words abundance and prosperity are not
the same and need to be clarified. Abundance is our most natural state. To
have abundance means having plenty or more than enough. Yet the concept of
"enough" is what creates a dilemma for most of us. Abundance is very
subjective, since what one person considers plenty is a mere pittance to
another. Prosperity, on the other hand, is a little easier to define. To be
prosperous means to be "successful or fortunate." We have come to believe
that being truly prosperous requires "having a fortune." As a result many
people live in a state of abundance without knowing it, because they were
seeking the "fortune" of prosperity. In my experience, prosperity does not
come easily to those who wait for it or seek it out specifically. Prosperity
is what happens to people while they're busy doing other things. If our
actions are connected to our path, then we are truly fortunate, for we will
know the joy of prosperity that comes from fulfillment. The following
questions will help you examine and distinguish between prosperity and
abundance as they relate to fulfillment in your life.

Do you feel abundance in your life?
If not, what do you feel is missing?
Do you feel you are prosperous?
What does prosperity look like to you?
What makes you feel fulfilled?
What remains unfulfilled within you?
What are you willing to do to change that today?

RECHOOSING YOUR PATH
Fear of moving from the known -- even if we don't like it -- into the
unknown, prevents most of us from realizing the magic and wonder of being on
our true path. Every day I encounter people who allow fear to keep them from
moving forward into the uncertainty of the path that lies before them. It
helps to keep in mind that we are all already on a path. Not one of us is an
accident. Even if we were not all "planned" by our parents, that does not
make any one of us anything less than a miracle. We were not just created
because God needed extra people to take up space. God doesn't make mistakes.
Everyone and everything has a purpose.

We each have a gift to give -- a unique part of us that no one else can
give. When we have discovered, or, more accurately, uncovered this part of
ourselves, we truly begin to shine. I believe that we often get lost while
searching for who we really are and our true path because of the misguided
belief that they must have something to do with our occupation or vocation.
What you do is not necessarily who you are. What you do to earn money is not
always a reflection of who you are. Those who find a connection between
their path and their livelihood are greatly blessed. I wholeheartedly
believe that this is a state of grace available to us all. It does not,
however, always come easily or in the package you might have anticipated. It
often comes with great sacrifice. And sometimes we wait too long to take the
journey, only to find that the journey is over.

ANOTHER WAKE-UP CALL
Two years ago, my life's path changed dramatically. Sometimes I think that
just when you're settling into your life, you get a wake-up call and realize
you were not really settled in at all. One morning, I received a phone call
informing me that my close friend and kindred spirit, Barbara, had died.
Although she had been ill, I was not prepared for her death. I didn't even
get to say good-bye to her. Barbara had been the best friend you could ever
hope for. Her life touched me deeply, and her death changed my life
immeasurably.

For months before Barbara's death, my own health had not been very good. The
long-term effects of stress and fatigue had worn me down. I knew I was
fighting a battle I could not win. Just two years earlier, I had told
Barbara that her business was killing her and that she needed to change her
life. She was beginning to fade, and I saw it. She cried when I told her
this and said that she felt trapped and afraid. She was paralyzed by
financial fear and did not know how she would survive if she gave up her
business. I advised her to have faith and trust that everything would work
out. All the signs indicated that she was meant to move on. I told her, "God
will support your decision to make this change. But you must find the
courage and faith within to take the first step and let go. Holding on no
longer serves you." Together we worked on finding a way to change her life's
direction. Eventually she agreed to put her business and her home up for
sale. Although she was afraid and did not know what her future held, she
knew she could not continue her life as it was.

Unfortunately, almost two years had passed before Barbara was able to free
herself of her financial burdens. Shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with
leukemia. Now, two years later, I was beginning to see the same signs in my
own reflection in the mirror. I had known for a long time that I needed to
make a change. I knew I needed to write. I also knew that we only get so
many chances to follow our path and do the work we were brought here to do.
I could feel Barbara's spirit: She was my messenger. I knew that I needed to
let go of the life I was leading and my business to change my life's course.
I had put off living the life I really wanted for too long.

One morning I woke up and said, "I'm selling my business and I'm going to
write my book. I've been doing my work and helping other people to live
their dreams, and now it is time that I do the same for myself." In other
words, it was time to walk my talk. It wasn't that I didn't like what I was
doing. To the contrary, I enjoyed being a financial consultant, and I was
good at it. However, I knew there was a deeper purpose to my work that I had
been putting off discovering. I was waiting until I had more money and more
time, until my daughter was older... all excuses that stemmed from a lack of
faith. Intuitively, I knew that I was meant to take this leap of faith. I
could no longer delay making this choice.

Exactly one month later, I sold my business and began writing this book. I
surrendered to my faith completely, and my faith was rewarded. In the months
that followed, all the doors opened, and my life became flooded with
miracles. My every prayer was answered. I asked for help and received it
beyond my greatest hope. Friends and strangers offered their guidance and
support. Before I knew it, I had an agent. All the money I needed to
facilitate my decision came to me more easily than ever. In less than one
year, I signed my first book contract. Shortly thereafter the publisher I
had envisioned publishing this book bought it. There are no accidents or
coincidences. When you are on your true path, the universe conspires and
collaborates with you in the most magical way. People have told me many
times how my story is the exception and not the rule. I choose to see it
differently. I think that miracles are happening all the time, all around
us. They are simply waiting for us to become available to them. All we need
to do is step into them with faith and surrender.

When you can freely express the gift of who you are, you are in direct
connection with Spirit. For here you have access to your higher self, the
part of you that holds the key to manifesting your highest dreams. In this
place, the possibilities are truly infinite.

EXERCISE
To determine where you are in relationship to your true path, answer the
following questions:

1. Do you feel you are on the right path?

2. If not, do you think you know what that path is?

3. What gifts or special talents do you have?

4. What brings you joy?

5. What aspect of you brings the most joy to others?

6. Is there something you have always wanted to do that you have yet to
choose for yourself?

7. What would that be?

8. Why aren't you doing it?

When you have finished answering these questions, take time to check in with
yourself, internally, and experience any emotions you might be feeling. What
did the previous exercise bring up for you? What feelings of pain, loss, or
grief did you experience? It is important to acknowledge and work through
these feelings. Write them down in your journal while they are still fresh
in your emotional body. This process will help you release and heal any
residual pain and clear the way for the creative flow to come into your
life.

This article is excerpted from Money Therapy, ©2000, by Deborah L. Price.
Reprinted with permission of the publisher, New World Library.
www.newworldlibrary.com

About the Author:
Deborah Price has been in the financial services industry for fifteen years.
She conducts Money Therapy seminars for both individuals and corporations.
She is also the author of Start Investing Online Today. Deborah lives on a
vineyard in Healdsburg, California, with her daughter. For information
regarding Money Coaching or Money Therapy seminars, contact Deborah Price at
(800) 639-0977 or visit her website at www.money-therapy.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Let the River

Rest in the comfort of the quiet time
fall into the non-doing, the non-grasping
to always reach, to make, to do, to have
Fall into a smile of peaceful reminisce
Lay back into your anxiety
and wrap it in warm woollen clouds

Rivers in their flow always have this constant:
reflections of sky  willows  clouds  birds  us
whatever goes by, the river carries it on its back
yet still manages to wash itself
of extraneous stuff that would hinder its course

Lay back as the river washes over you
and bathes you in crystal cleansing moisture
washing the cares, the must-dos of your life
its flow serene,  its waters replenishing
as calm floods into your soul
clean sands warm underneath you

let the river take you

Love
Stella

©2000 Stella Raymonde Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

All In God's Plan!

We don't always understand in our life,
why things happen the way that they do.
Sometimes we try to find the answers,
and other times, we don't feel a need to.

However, whatever the reason might be,
it always lays in God Almighty's hands.
We have to believe all that does happen,
is meant to be, as a part of God's plans.

The answers all rest in our faith in God;
there is a purpose for all our life brings.
And even through the sadness we feel,
we should try to find, a hidden blessing.

So often we don't see a reason right away,
as our hearts are filled with all our emotion.
We should remember it is all in His plans,
and even if it hurts, not forget His devotion.

Some things happen to teach life lessons,
and others are just a part of our time here.
We need to experience the many facets,
before the meaning of life, becomes clear.

No matter what we face, be it sadness or joy,
always let His love continue to shine within.
God has a plan for each one of His children;
we must trust in His love, and never give in!

This Poem was graciously donated to my site by a very talented lady
©Pamela Hall   ~Angel of the Heart

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You Welcomed Me In

You welcomed me in
There was no where else to go
Even my family closed the door
They let me know
Fear and anxiety had a hold on me
I was hooked I could not see
You welcomed me at the door
You said I did not have to use anymore
For a long time people told me
You should quit
I thought they were all full of shit
My whole life was coming apart
Using and partying
Were deep inside my heart
I was so lonely and very shy
When I was alone
All I could do was cry
The pain was so deep inside
I just wanted to run and hide
Seems like I could never get enough
I thought I was big
I thought I was tough
I acted like I did not care
I stayed stoned and unaware
I was at the center
Of my universe
I thought I was under a curse
I would think one way
Then I would think another
Seems like I lived under cover
Today I'm free
Thanks to you all
I can be whatever I want

Daniel M Corkery
3/21/2001
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Healing from trauma
By Judy Shepps Battle

Crashing to the surface
fear/ panic/ nausea rises
scared/ hurt/ wanting explanation
wanting to go away
wanting not wanting to leave

I hear you my youngest self
  hear your shock and hurt
  feel ancient desire and paralysis
  still see invading monsters
  still simmer inner rage
  still call out to yesterdays captors
Begone!

Lil Jude, I need to tell you:

We have wings now
       to fly beyond the present
We have feet now
       to walk away from any abuser
We have powerful voice to say
       No! ( without explaining )
       No! ( without staying )
       No! ( without apology )
We don't have to remain
       where there is unending pain
Or explain
        why we are not guilty
Or understand
         whys      lies     sighs      or
         byes of our perpetrators
Or drink/drug/shrug the pain of
         double-meaning hugs

Lil Jude
Our healing lies in not becoming them
Not begging one last time for recognition
Not scampering for scattered crumbs
Our healing is a sober surrender to the Infinite
                     a love story between all parts of self
                     a sharing with those of like spirit
                     a celebration of triumph
danced freely in April's warm sunshine
        consciousness overflowing
Whole

copyright 2003 Judy Shepps Battle
WriteAction@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God made each of us, and God doesn't make mistakes.  The first step in
living a soul-sized life is recognition, a re-cognition, re-thinking of
who we really are.  We are not our personality or our history.  That's
all part of our human experience, but we are more than that.  We are
spirit, having a human experience.  Practice this week staying in the
re-cognition of yourself as a daughter or a son of God.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies;
but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and,
as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find,
in every hour, some heavenly blessings!
Henry Ward Beecher

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In any society there are certain areas of human
experience that cannot be taught.

There is a great deal about love and the loving
relationship between two people that can be
demonstrated to a certain degree, but must be lived
and experienced directly in order for it to be part of
anyone's learning experience.

John-Roger
(From: Sex, Spirit & You)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve.
You don't have to have a college degree to serve.
You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve.
You only need a heart full of grace
and a soul generated by love.
Martin Luther King, Jr

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I wanted to change the world.
But I have found that the only thing
one can be sure of changing is oneself.
Aldous Huxley

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God knows,
God shows.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The best things in life
are not things.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God sees us as we can be
but loves us as we are.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God through a rock in my pond
and the ripples are a reflection of my life.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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or go to the website and unsubscribe
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Genetics
www.recoverylane.com/genetics.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What is your definition of "balance" in recovery ?
Why is learning when to say "no" important to finding balance ?
What do you do when you get all out of whack and you need to regain some
balance ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 29
Today I will be gentle with myself
as I meditate and look within.
I will look at my inner self lovingly and without judgement
as I find the blocks that have kept me stuck.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My Second Step Prayer

Help me God
For I have no control
Satan has come
And he's taken my soul

Whispering voices
So foul, yet so sweet
Before I know it
I'm admitting defeat

Humbly on my knees
For help  am pleading
I don't want to surrender
But part of me is needing

It's a pretty big order
And I've asked you before
But this time when I knock
Please answer the door

My life is in ruins
And you're the answer I'm told
Take me into your warmth
Out here it's so cold

written by ~ Aimiee
Amideia17@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Sandpiper
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=692

A Native American Prayer
www.wscribe.com/parables/chief.html

Will Power and Choice
www.serenityfound.org/readings/will_power.html

Attitude of Gratitude
www.sippiambrose.blogspot.com

Conflicts of the Heart
www.geocities.com/loriflower/2/heartofsteel.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 29                                      Carry Me

"We believe that our Higher Power will take care of us"
Basic Text, p. 55

  We all have times when it seems as though our lives are falling apart.
There are days, or even weeks, when it seems that everything that can go
wrong is going wrong. Whether it's the loss of a job, the death of a loved
one, or the end of a relationship, we doubt that we'll survive the changes
taking place in our lives.

  It's during the times when the world is crashing down around our ears
that we find our greatest faith in a loving Higher Power. No human being
could relieve our suffering; we know that only God's care can provide the
comfort we seek. We feel broken but we go on, knowing that our lives will
be repaired.

  As we progress in our recovery and our faith in our Higher Power grows,
we are sure to greet the difficult times with a sense of hope, despite
the pain we may be in. We need not despair, for we know that our Higher
Power's care will carry us through when we can't walk on our own.

Just for today: I will rely on God's care through the painful times,
knowing that my Higher Power will always be there.  pg. 155

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

. . .  And Forgive

Under very trying conditions I have had, again and again, to forgive others
-- also myself.
AS BILL SEES IT, p.  268

Forgiveness of self and forgiveness of others are just two currents in the
same river, both hindered or shut off completely by the dam of
resentment.  Once that dam is lifted, both currents can flow.  The Steps of
A.A. allow me to see how resentment has built up and subsequently blocked
off this flow in my life.  The Steps provide a way by which my resentments
may -- by the grace of God as I understand Him -- be lifted.  It is as a
result of this solution that I can find the necessary grace which enables
me to forgive myself and others.
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 29th

A.A. Thought for the Day

We who have learned to put our drink problem in God's hands
can help others to do so. We can be used as a connection
between an alcoholic's need and God's supply of strength.
We in Alcoholics Anonymous can be uniquely useful, just
because we have the misfortune or fortune to be alcoholics
ourselves. Do I want to be a uniquely useful person? Will I use
my own greatest defeat and failure and sickness as a weapon
to help others?

Meditation for the Day

I will try to help others. I will try not to let a day pass without
reaching out an arm of love to someone. Each day I will try to
do something to lift another human being out of the sea of
discouragement into which he or she has fallen. My helping
hand is needed to raise the helpless to courage, to strength,
to faith, to health. In my own gratitude, I will turn and help
other alcoholics with the burden that is pressing too heavily
upon them.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be used by God to lighten many burdens.
I pray that many souls may be helped through my efforts.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 29

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Powerlessness and Unmanageability

Willpower is not the key to the way of life we are seeking. Surrender is.

"I have spent much of my life trying to make people be, do, or feel
something they aren't, don't want to do, and choose not to feel. I have made
them, and myself, crazy in that process," said one recovering woman.

I spent my childhood trying to make an alcoholic father who didn't love
himself be a normal person who loved me. I then married an alcoholic and
spent a decade trying to make him stop drinking.

I have spent years trying to make emotionally unavailable people be
emotionally present for me.  I have spent even more years trying to make
family members, who are content feeling miserable, happy.

What I'm saying is this: I've spent much of my life desperately and vainly
trying to do the impossible and feeling like a failure when I couldn't. It's
been like planting corn and trying to make the seeds grow peas. Won't work!

By surrendering to powerlessness, I gain the presence of mind to stop
wasting my time and energy trying to change and control that which I cannot
change and control. It gives me permission to stop trying to do the
impossible and focus on what is possible: being who I am, loving myself,
feeling what I feel, and doing what I want to do with my life.

In recovery, we learn to stop fighting lions, simply because we cannot win.
We also learn that the more we are focused on controlling and changing
others, the more unmanageable our life becomes. The more we focus on living
our own life, the more we have a life to live, and the more manageable our
life will become.

Today, I will accept powerlessness where I have no power to change things,
and I'll allow my life to become manageable.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Is Your Body Language Sending The Wrong Message?
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/body-language.htm

Manifesting,
Though you do everything right, just what can hinder your process?
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/February/0297-12.html

A Priest, a Rabbi, and a Minister ...
by Guy Spiro
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/May/opinion.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Finding Reasons to Feel Good
by Lynn A. Robinson

The Universe totally supports every thought I choose to think and believe.
I have unlimited choices about what I think.
I choose balance, harmony, and peace, and I express it in my life.

-- Louise Hay

Last month I was teaching a class called Creating a Life You Love. I was
going over the lesson about affirmations. I stated something I thought was
self-evident - that each of us has an internal dialogue going on at all
times, and in essence we're constantly talking to ourselves. A man sitting
to my right let out an audible gasp and exclaimed, "Oh! I'm so glad you said
that. I thought I was the only one who talked to myself!"

Have you ever suddenly and inexplicably felt depressed or irritable when
just moments before you'd felt fine? That happens to all of us from time to
time. The next time it happens, take a moment to remember what occurred just
prior to your shift in emotions. You'll likely come up with something
someone said or did that hurt your feelings, or a situation that arose that
made you feel bad in some way.

The important thing is to observe your thoughts. What did you tell yourself
about the comment or situation that made you feel bad? Learning to ask this
question whenever you experience a sudden mood shift is vitally important.
You'll have some instant insight into some core thoughts and beliefs.

I'll give you an example to illustrate this point. Recently I was coaching
Roy, a middle manager at a corporation near Boston. We were speaking about
his recent successes and an award that he had received the week before. He
was upbeat and positive as we spoke.

Moving on to a different subject, I asked him something about his boss,
Neil. Roy immediately began shifting in his seat. His energy and posture
changed, and he looked crestfallen. I was startled by the abrupt shift and
asked, "What did you just tell yourself about the topic of Neil?" He quickly
replied, "I'll never be as smart as Neil. I won't get ahead because I'm not
as good as him." I remarked that it was interesting to me that we could be
talking about his successes one moment, then make such a rapid shift in
focus based on his self-defeating internal dialogue.

Clearly it didn't help Roy to perceive himself as unintelligent and
incapable of getting ahead. Neither was it true! The rest of the session was
spent in reframing how he saw himself in relation to others. The next time
he experienced the beginning of a negative thought pattern, he learned to
question it and ask, "What's a more productive way of thinking about this?"
The answer he came up with in connection to his boss was to say to himself,
"I have many abilities that enable me to do my job well. They are just a
different set of skills than Neil's."

The book A Course in Miracles has an affirmation that says, "I could choose
peace instead of this." You have a choice about the thoughts you pay
attention to. You can choose the ones that make you feel good, hopeful, and
positive or the ones that make you feel rotten, hopeless, and miserable.
Take a look at how this model works in the Intuition Exercise.

Intuition Exercise: Find Reasons to Feel Good
Begin to look for reasons to feel good, and consciously change the direction
of your thoughts. Practice asking your inner guidance, "Is there another way
to view this situation?" and listen for the answers. Here's a practice
exercise:

Write a few sentences about a recent event that you felt bad about.

What did you say to yourself about this situation? How did you interpret
what took place?

What is another way of viewing or interpreting the situation that makes you
feel better?

Here's an example from my journal:

The situation: I had a miscommunication with a local landscaper about the
cost of planting some bushes in our backyard. I realized that this was my
misinterpretation of the work involved. It was not his fault.

My interpretation/what I told myself: I spent the day feeling bad because I
felt I had spent too much money. I was chastising myself for not keeping to
our budget. I began generalizing that I was not good at saving money. I told
myself that I should be investing that money in our retirement fund.

An alternate way of viewing the situation: I began to stop beating myself up
when I asked the question, "How can I look at this differently?" The answers
came flooding into my mind. I feel expansive when I look into my "new"
backyard. I feel good that I could afford to have this work done. I trust
that more money will come from some other source to more than make up for
this money I spent.

Epilogue: The next day my husband received a contract for his freelance work
that more than covered the check I'd just written to the landscaper. I find
over and over again that when I can shift my thinking to feeling good about
something and placing my focus on what I want rather than what I don't want,
I create positive results. Ask your intuition to direct your thinking. Your
inner wisdom will always guide you to well being.

Your Intuition Journal
Do you have a chronic situation in your life that takes a lot of your
energy? This might be an area in which you are disappointed, sad, or
discouraged.

Write one or two sentences about this situation in your journal.

What do you tell yourself about this situation?

For example: "This will never change." "I'm just not good at this."

What could you tell yourself that would make you feel better and more
optimistic?

For example: "This situation is only temporary." "I'm taking steps to change
and this will get better." "I've been in difficult situations before and
things have worked out."

What are you willing to do to change your internal dialogue to be more
positive?

Sometimes you may not feel that you have options, or you may believe that
the other person or the situation has power and you have none. This is
rarely true, and continuing to think that way may shut you off from your
wise inner guidance attempting to offer you solutions. Answers and options
will come to your mind and heart. Allow yourself to be open to the potential
for change.

Transforming Your Fear
We cannot escape fear. We can transform it into a companion
that accompanies us on all our exciting adventures. . . .
Take a risk a day - one small or bold stroke
that will make you feel great once you have done it.

- Susan Jeffers

Divine intuition speaks to you most strongly through your hopes and dreams.
God communicates your next steps through what you feel excited and
passionate about. In talking to thousands of clients, I've discovered that
many of us suppress and restrain our enthusiasm. Have you ever done that?
You might have been excited about a work project, a potential move, a new
business venture, but you talked yourself out of it. You let your initial
enthusiasm fade away.

Many of us do that because the task seems insurmountable. How do I get from
Point A (where I am) to Point B (where I want to be)? The Roman philosopher
Seneca stated, "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare;
it is because we do not dare that they are difficult." We give up when our
fear gets in our way. Intuition can provide you with the appropriate steps
to take to bring your dream to fruition.

Intuition Exercise: Small Steps, Big Gains
1. Think of a goal or dream you've had. Write it in your journal. Examples:

I'd like to lose twenty pounds.

I want to be self-employed in my own graphic-design business.

I want to be a well-known poet.

I'd love to be a great watercolorist.

2. Each morning when you arise and each evening before going to bed,
visualize yourself having achieved your goal. Just spend a few minutes each
time.

3. Think of a small step you could take that would move you toward your
goal. Think of something you feel excited about that doesn't feel like too
much of a stretch to achieve.

Examples:

I'd like to lose four pounds this month.

I'd like to find out more about starting a business.

I'd like to discover where I could read my poetry in public.

I'd like to find a great watercolor class.

4. Begin to take the small steps you listed above. Each day, pay attention
to what you feel enthusiastic about in relation to your goal. This is your
intuition communicating with you and encouraging you toward your goal. Take
action on your enthusiasms!

Your Intuition Journal
Creating major change in your life can feel overwhelming. Many people don't
change, if given an option. They prefer to stay stuck and wait until they're
assured that the change they contemplate will be successful. Those
assurances are rarely forthcoming, and then it's often too late. Think of
the excitement and enthusiasm you feel as your intuition indicating the
direction of some small steps to take.

What do you feel excited about today?

What small steps can you take toward your goal?

Your action plan:

Success breeds success. As you start to take small steps, you'll feel more
self-confident and you'll develop trust that your intuition will lead you in
the right direction. Slowly but surely you'll find that you'll experience a
greater sense of self-achievement and satisfaction.

This article was excerpted from Compass Of The Soul, ©2003, by Lynn A.
Robinson.  Reprinted with permission of the publisher, Andrew McMeel
Publishing. www.andrewsmcmeel.com

About the Author:
Lynn Robinson, M.Ed., is one of the nation's leading experts on intuition.
She's a popular and widely recognized author and motivational speaker. She
is the author of four books, including Divine Intuition: Your Guide to
Creating a Life You Love. She is also the co-author of The Complete Idiot's
Guide to Being Psychic.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The work of your heart

For several years I have saved a touching piece written by Beth
Nelson, a teacher. She reminds us of the satisfaction gained by
doing the "work of our hearts."

   Let me give children the healing knowledge
   That there is a better way, a more beautiful way
   To live each day of their lives.
   A physician I am not, but healing is part of my
       profession.

   Let me give some child hope for eternity,
   Peace in this life, confidence in what will come.
   I am not a member of the clergy, but faith is
       part of my profession.

   Let me give children a feeling of justice;
   A sensitivity for right and wrong;
   A love of truth and an abhorrence of evil.
   A legal advisor I am not, but justice is part
       of my profession.

   Let me bring children relief from pain of
       disappointment and disillusionment;
   A remedy for dissolving personality;
   An escape from the ravages of self-pity;
   A psychologist I am not, but the healthy mind
       is part of my profession.

   Let me give children a balance between an
       appreciation of their cultural heritage,
   And an enthusiastic participation in the
       human family,
   And anticipation for the world of tomorrow.
   For I am a teacher.

To some, teaching may be a job; to others, a means to a greater
end. One person may think he merely lays bricks; another
understands that he is helping to build a hospital. Who among us
cannot find a higher purpose in our work?

Michael Bridge beautifully says,"When our eyes see our hands
doing the work of our hearts, the circle of creation is completed
inside us, the doors of our souls fly open and love steps forth
to heal everything in sight."

© 2001 Steve Goodier

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Seasons

We go through seasons of change
we accommodate ourselves to the changing times
dictated by an inner climate
that directs us to greater fulfillment

Just as the earth adjusts itself
to the presence or distance of the sun
to the angle of itself spinning in space
we too seek our own balance of nature
to aright our sight, to stabilize our senses

It's all happening in subtle energy tones
not readily perceptible to the naked eye
but we change our Spring into Summer
as the soulweather finds self-expression
mild days fill the heart when happiness
has come around for a visit
time to take a well-deserved vacation
time to weave the creative threads together

Then soulsearching Falls around cool nights
alterations are in order for a while
to reconstruct a hearth to go to for safety
to seek solitude from the blustery Wintery clime
time to lay back and let transformation
have her way with us
in the upheaval of dreams
that only she can truly create

Seasonal fluctuations
happen for good reasons
that is what renewal is made of
it's an interesting way to have the time of our lives
lead us to our destination ~
But only if we can let go
and get in flow with the seasons

Love
Stella

©2000 Stella Raymonde Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Whatever you think you're praying for,
the underlying Truth is that you're seeking more God in your life.
What does more God look like?

Understanding
Love
Acceptance
Wisdom
Compassion
Patience
Power
Tolerance
Forgiveness
Trust
Kindness
Peace
Order
Joy
Intelligence
Enthusiasm
Prosperity
Honesty
Wholeness
Gratitude
Appreciation

Think on these Divine Attributes of God.
Take them into your heart.
Let these be your prayers,
and the answers to your prayers will be
the manifestation of these qualities of God in your life."

Madeline Lawrence

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Be Aware

I pray every morning
God keep me aware
When someone
Somewhere
Reaches out
Let my hand
Be there
I can only keep
What I give away
I do my best
Not to stray
Remember your best
Try not to judge
Anyone today
Just as you judge
You will be judged one day
I was waiting about to die
Looking in the mirror
I started to cry
What had
I become
I could now
Very clearly see
The man looking back
Surely was not me
With no power
To turn around
My mind was far from sound
Now I was no longer alone
Here in the meetings
Is truly my home
So if your down and blue
Always remember
We love you

Daniel M Corkery
3/20/2002
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Have Faith, and Expect the Best

Faith begins
by believing
in your heart
that what is right
has a chance.

Faith is knowing
in your heart
that good can
overcome evil,
that the sun can shine
in a rainstorm.

Faith is peaceful
and comforting,
because it comes
from within where
no one can invade
your private dreams.

Faith is not something
you can demand
or command;
it is a result of
commitment to belief.

Faith is believing
in something you can't
see or hear, that
only you understand
and only you control.

Faith is trusting
in yourself
enough to know
that no matter
how things turn out,
you will make
the best of them...

Beth Fagan Quinn

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Children are happy because they don't yet have a file in their
minds called "All the Things That Could Go Wrong."
They don't have a mind-set that puts "Things to Fear" before
"Things to Love." Unless we can be like little children,
we can't enter into the kingdom of heaven;
unless we can be like little children, we can't be happy.
Children are happy because they don't have all the facts yet.
Marianne Williamson, Illuminata

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"'But' is a fence over which few leap."
German proverb

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you learn from your suffering,
and really come to understand
the lesson you were taught,
you might be able to help someone else
who's now in the phase you may have just completed,
or completed long ago.

Maybe that's what it's all about after all...
Anonymous

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the
best of everything, they just make the most of
everything that comes along their way.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When you love, you should not say,
'God is in my heart,' but rather,
'I am in the heart of God.'
Kahlil Gibran

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God does not ask your ability or your inability.
He asks only your availability.
Mary Kay Ash

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Light Bulb Theory
If you look at me I am like
a light bulb shining bright,
but the power is coming from another source.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The only thing I know about God
is that He / She IS
and I am not.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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
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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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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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Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
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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
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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 daily recovery email please visit me at:
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For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
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The Patch
www.recoverylane.com/patch.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What is your definition of "balance" in recovery ?
Why is learning when to say "no" important to finding balance ?
What do you do when you get all out of whack and you need to regain some
balance ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 28
Nothing can stop me from feeling wonderful today.
I am filled with all the wonder and splendor
of the universe and I pass these on to everyone I meet.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

First Step Prayer
Dear God,
I admit that I am powerless over my addiction.
I admit that my life is unmanageable when I try to control it.
Help me this day to understand the true meaning of powerlessness.
Remove from me all denial of my addiction.

Alternate Prayer
Today, I ask for help with my addiction.
Denial has kept me from seeing how
powerless I am & how my life is unmanageable.
I need to learn & remember that I have an incurable
illness & that abstinence is the only way to deal with it.

Second Step Prayer
Dear God,
I know in my heart that only you can restore me to sanity.
I humbly ask that you remove all twisted thought &
addictive behavior from me this day.
Heal my spirit & restore in me a clear mind.

Second Step Prayer
I pray for an open mind so I may come to
believe in a Power greater than myself.
I pray for humility & the continued
opportunity to increase my faith.
I don¹t want to be crazy any more.

Third Step Prayer
God, I offer myself to Thee
To build with me & to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy love & Thy way of life.
May I do Thy will always!  Amen

Third Step Prayer
Take my will & my life,
Guide me in my recovery,
Show me how to live.

Fourth Step Prayer
Dear God,
It is I who has made my life a mess.
I have done it, but I cannot undo it.
My mistakes are mine & I will begin a
searching & fearless moral inventory.
I will write down my wrongs,
but I will also include that which is good.
I pray for the strength to complete the task.

Fifth Step Prayer
Higher Power,
My inventory has shown me who I am, yet I ask for Your help
in admitting my wrongs to another person & to You.
Assure me, & be with me, in this Step,
for without this Step I cannot progress in my recovery.
With Your help, I can do this & I will do it.

Sixth Step Prayer
Dear God,
I am ready for Your help
in removing from me the defects of character
which I now realize are an obstacle to my recovery.
Help me to continue being honest with myself &
guide me toward spiritual & mental health.

Seventh Step Prayer
My Creator,
I am now willing that you should have all of me, good & bad.
I pray that you now remove from me every
single defect of character which stands in the way
of my usefulness to you & my fellows.
Grant me strength, as I go out from here to do Your bidding.

Eighth Step Prayer
Higher Power,
I ask Your help in making my list of all those I have harmed.
I will take responsibility for my mistakes &
be forgiving to others as You are forgiving to me.
Grant me the willingness to begin my restitution.
This I pray.

Ninth Step Prayer
Higher Power,
I pray for the right attitude to make my amends,
being ever mindful not to harm others in the process.
I ask for Your guidance in making indirect amends.
Most important, I will continue to make amends
by staying abstinent, helping others &
growing in spiritual progress.

Tenth Step Prayer
I pray I may continue:
To grow in understanding & effectiveness;
To take daily spot check inventories of myself;
To correct mistakes when I make them;
To take responsibility for my actions;
To be ever aware of my negative &
self-defeating attitudes & behaviors;
To keep my willfulness in check;
To always remember I need Your help;
To keep love & tolerance of others as my code; &
To continue in daily prayer how I can best serve You,
My Higher Power.

Eleventh Step Prayer
Higher Power, as I understand You,
I pray to keep my connection with You
open & clear from the confusion of daily life.
Through my prayers & meditation I ask especially for
freedom from self-will, rationalization & wishful thinking.
I pray for the guidance of correct thought & positive action.
Your will, Higher Power, not mine, be done.

Twelfth Step Prayer
Dear God,
My spiritual awakening continues to unfold.
The help I have received I shall pass on & give to others,
both in & out of the Fellowship.
For this opportunity I am grateful.
I pray most humbly to continue walking
day by day on the road of spiritual progress.
I pray for the inner strength & wisdom to practice
the principles of this way of life in all I do & say.
I need You, my friends & the program every hour of every day.
This is a better way to live.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Most Beautiful Flower
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=687

A Most Important Lesson
www.wscribe.com/parables/a_most_important_lesson.html

The Reality of Spiritual Experience
www.serenityfound.org/readings/spiritual_experience.html

Original Manuscript of the A.A. Big Book
www.gsowatch.aamo.info/1939/manu/manu39.htm

The Power of Kindness
www.lollie.com/Bkind/Bkind.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 28                                       As We Understand

"We examined our lives and discovered who we really are. To be
truly humble is to accept and honestly try to be ourselves."
Basic Text Page-35

As using addicts, the demands of our disease determined our
personality. We could be whoever or whatever we needed to be in
order to get our "fix:'We were survival machines, adapting easily
to every circumstance of the using life.

Once we began our recovery, we entered a new and different life.
Many of us had no idea what behavior was appropriate for us in any
given situation. Some of us didn't know how to talk to people, how
to dress, or how to behave in public. We couldn't be ourselves because
we didn't know who we were anymore.

The Twelve Steps give us a simple method for finding out who we
really are. We uncover our assets and our defects, the things we like
about ourselves and the things were not so thrilled about. Through the
healing power of the Twelve Steps, we begin to understand that we are
individuals, created to be who we are by the Higher Power of our
understanding. The real healing begins when we understand that if our
Higher Power created us this way, it must be okay to be who we really are.

Just for today: By working the steps I can experience the freedom to
be myself, the person my Higher Power intended me to be. Page-154

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Deep Down Within Us

We found the Great Reality deep down within us.  In the last analysis it is
only there that He may be found . . . search diligently within yourself . .
. With this attitude you cannot fail.  The consciousness of your belief is
sure to come to you.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 55

It was out of the depths of loneliness, depression and despair that I
sought the help of A.A.  As I recovered and began to face the emptiness and
ruin of my life, I began to open myself to the possibility of the healing
that recovery offers through the A.A. program.  By coming to meetings,
staying sober, and taking the Steps, I had the opportunity to listen with
increasing attentiveness to the depths of my soul.  Daily I waited, in hope
and gratitude, for that sure belief and steadfast love I had longed for in
my life.  In this process, I met my God, as I understand Him.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 28th

A.A. Thought for the Day

In A.A. we learn that since we are alcoholics we can be
uniquely useful people. That is, we can help other alcoholics
when perhaps somebody who has not had our experience
with drinking could not help them. That makes us uniquely
useful. The A.A.s are a unique group of people because they
have taken their own greatest defeat and failure and sickness
and used it as a means of helping others. We who have been
through the same thing are the ones who can best help other
alcoholics. Do I believe that I can be uniquely useful?

Meditation for the Day

I should try to practice the presence of God. I can feel that
He is with me and near me, protecting and strengthening me
always. In spite of every difficulty, every trial, every failure,
the presence of God suffices. just to believe that He is near
me brings strength and peace. I should try to live as though
God were beside me. I cannot see Him because I was not made
with the ability to see Him else there were no room for faith.
But I can feel His spirit with me.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may try to practice the presence of God. I pray
that by doing so I may never feel alone or helpless again.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 28

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©


Letting Go of Self Doubt

A married woman who had recently joined Al-Anon called me one afternoon. She
worked part-time as a registered nurse, had assumed all the responsibilities
for raising her two children, and did all the household chores, including
repairs and finances. "I want to separate from my husband," she sobbed. "I
can't stand him or his abuse any longer. But tell me, please tell me," she
said, "do you think I can take care of myself?"
--Codependent No More

Not only is it okay to take care of ourselves, we can take good care of
ourselves.

Many of us, so confident about our ability to take care of others, doubt our
inherent strength to care for ourselves. We may have come to believe, from
our past or present circumstances, that we need to take care of others and
we need others to take care of us. This is the ultimate codependent belief.

No matter where this self-defeating belief was born, we can release it and
replace it with a better one, a healthier one, a more accurate one.

We can take care of ourselves -- whether we are in or out of a relationship.
Everything we need will be provided. We will have loved ones, friends, and
our Higher Power to help.

Knowing that we can take care of ourselves doesn't mean we won't have
feelings of fear, discomfort, doubt, anger, and fragility at times. It means
we practice "courageous vulnerability," as Colette Dowling called it in
Cinderella Complex. We may feel scared, but we do it anyway.

Today, God, help me know how I can take care of myself.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Whole Brain Thinking
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/whole-brain.htm

Intimacy
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/February/0297-08.html

Letters of Wisdom and Affirmations, Louise Hay
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/May/hay.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Accepting the Kid
by Marie T. Russell

So many of us go through life trying to be better than... better than
someone else, or better than who we are, or better than who we've been.
We have a picture in our heads of how we "should" be, a picture of life
"should" be, and we endeavor to live up to that picture. However, it's just
a picture. It's a figment of our, or of someone else's, imagination.

Just as Bruce Willis's character in The Kid, we go around trying to
"achieve" -- achieve changing ourselves, changing others, and changing our
world. On the surface, that may seem like a good thing... after all, we want
to become a better person. Yes, but at what cost? Are we trying to become
someone were not? The Kid sums it up when he says (and I paraphrase), that
his adult self's job as an image consultant entails "helping people hide who
they are so they can pretend to be someone they're not".

In trying to "improve" ourselves, we need to ask ourselves a question... Are
we trying to improve because we just can't stand who we are? Do we dislike
ourselves so much that we can't wait to become someone else? If that's the
reason behind our taking personal growth workshops or reading books on
becoming a better person, then I think we're starting at the wrong place.

Have we accepted what we were told (sometimes subliminally, sometimes
blatantly) throughout our childhood? That we weren't good enough? That we
were stupid, ugly, nerdy, vain, not fit to be played with, would never
amount to anything, whatever, whatever... Did we take those comments to
heart -- comments made by an angry or confused parent, by an insecure
sibling, a frightened bullying classmate, an exhausted teacher? Did we take
those comments to our hearts, and then proceed to build a wall so others
could no longer laugh at us, or mock us? Did we close the door to our heart
so we wouldn't be vulnerable, so we wouldn't get hurt?

How many of us sealed off the door to our heart promising ourselves we
wouldn't let others hurt us like that again? How many of us struggled to
"become" a success so that we could "show them" that we were ok, that we
were lovable, that we were "worth something", that they'd been wrong in
their judgment of us? Or did you go the other way... accepting what "they"
said about you, and not even bothering to try... Accepting that you were
unlovable, and worthless, never would be anybody...

Why do we need to go back into our childhood? Is it to dredge up all the
hurtful events, to examine them one by one, so we can face up to the pain?
That might be part of the process, but it is not the goal. Is it so we can
forgive everyone in our past? Again, that may be part of the process, but it
is not the goal. Is it so we can forgive ourselves? Again part of the
process...

The reason it is important for us to get back in touch with the kid we were,
is so we can learn to love that kid, exactly as it was. With the lisp, or
pimples, or chubbiness, or whatever it was that you didn't love about
yourself. Whatever it was that you felt made you "not good enough"! Whatever
it is that you still judge yourself for being "way back then" and are intent
on not letting anyone see in you now... Whoever it was that you were, that
you're busy trying to change... The goal of "going back to your childhood"
is so that you can finally love that person, that kid... That kid who was
simply doing the best it could in the circumstances... whatever those
were... Whether your childhood was so-so, or miserable, or even happy, there
is a ghost you may have been trying to bury... and that ghost is you.

If we can't love ourselves, if we can't feel love and compassion for the
child we were, then we're simply trying to be someone else, someone were
not. Of course we made mistakes, of course we did stupid things in our
childhood, of course we didn't "have it all together", of course we often
took the blame for things that had nothing to do with us... No, it wasn't
your fault that your mother was always grumpy, or sick, or tired, or
whatever. No, it wasn't your fault that your father had to go to work
everyday to put "bread" on the table. No, it wasn't your fault that the
other kids gathered in a circle and talked about you, or laughed at you, or
whatever... It wasn't your fault! It simply was what it was -- an experience
you had while growing up! And that's it! It wasn't "because of you" -- it
wasn't "your fault".

The movie "The Kid" encourages us to meet up with the kid we were -- not to
change him, but to understand where he's been, where he's going, and where
he truly wants to be. Does he really want to be a high-powered executive
that lords it over everyone, or does he simply want to love and be loved?
Does the successful job, big house, and great car make him a success, no
longer the "loser" that he always felt he was? Or is he still a loser even
with all those trappings of success? And is it too late, on the eve of his
40th birthday, to finally learn how to have a happy childhood, right here
and right now? Can he "unbury" the kid he was, and finally let him come out
and play, finally let him be himself? Finally live up to his own dreams, not
someone else's?

All these questions, and more, are some that we might want to stop and ask
ourselves. If our kid was to show up in our life today, would we be living
the life he'd always dreamt of? Or would we still be a "pathetic loser" in
his eyes, just working our butt off to become someone we don't think we
are... trying to "become someone" instead of realizing we already are
someone and maybe what we need to do is discover who that is... Instead of
trying to create a new "us" from scratch, or think we have to "fix up" the
current model of who we are, maybe we need to dig up the "original" us and
see who that really is and finally let him be really who we are...

About The Author:
Marie T. Russell is the founder of InnerSelf Magazine (founded 1985) and The
Natural Yellow Pages (1987). She also produced and hosted a weekly South
Florida radio broadcast, Inner Power, from 1992-1995 which focused on themes
such as self-esteem, personal growth, and well-being. Her articles focus on
transformation and reconnecting with our own inner source of joy and
creativity. www.innerself.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Playing with Life

Today I step lightly in the world
I enter with tender expectation
a playful anticipation
of what I may encounter there

Loosing the anxiety cloak
Letting go of fears
Embracing faith
I wish to see some colours of inspiration
all the words of healing inherent
in things magical to my soul

I have been hard and tight with
the doors of my imagination
Keeping Play and Joy at a distant
and untouchable space
outside my universe

Today I enter a place
of many verses
where Freedom is to be
the only condition of entry
I let windows and doors
fly open
and I am away ~
Will you join me?
or will you stay?

Love
Stella
©2002 Stella Raymonde Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spiritual Warrior
Author Unknown

Life offers us the opportunity to become a Spiritual Warrior.
A warrior is one who bravely goes into those dark areas within
themselves to ferret out the Truth of their being.

It takes great courage, stamina and endurance to
become a Spiritual Warrior.

The path is narrow, the terrain rough and rocky.
You will walk alone: through the dark caves,
up those steep climbs and through the dense thick forest.
You will meet your dark side. The faces of fear, deceit, and
sadness all await your arrival.

No one can take this journey but you.
There comes a time, in each of our lives,
when we are given the choice to follow this path.

Should we decide to embark on this journey,
we can never turn back.... Our lives are changed forever

On this journey, there are many different places we can
choose to slip into and hide. But the path goes on.

The Spiritual Warrior stays the course, wounded at times,
exhausted and out of energy. Many times, the Warrior will
struggle back to their feet to take only a few steps before
falling again.

Rested, they forge on, continuing the treacherous path.
The journey continues. The Spiritual Warrior
stays the course. Weakened, but never broken.

One day, the battle, loneliness and desperate fights are over.
The sun breaks through the clouds; the birds begin to sing
their sweet melodies. There is a change in the energy.
A deep change within the self.

The warrior has fought the courageous fight.
The battle of the dark night of the soul is won.
New energy now fills the Warrior.
A new path is now laid before them.
A gentler path filled with the inner-knowing
of one who has personal empowerment.

With their personal battle won, they are filled with joy.
A new awareness that they are one with the Spirit beams
as they go forth to show others the way.

They are not permitted to walk the path for others.
They can only love, guide and be a living example
of the Truth of their being.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spiritual Warrior
Author Unknown

Life offers us the opportunity to become a Spiritual Warrior.
A warrior is one who bravely goes into those dark areas within
themselves to ferret out the Truth of their being.

It takes great courage, stamina and endurance to
become a Spiritual Warrior.

The path is narrow, the terrain rough and rocky.
You will walk alone: through the dark caves,
up those steep climbs and through the dense thick forest.
You will meet your dark side. The faces of fear, deceit, and
sadness all await your arrival.

No one can take this journey but you.
There comes a time, in each of our lives,
when we are given the choice to follow this path.

Should we decide to embark on this journey,
we can never turn back.... Our lives are changed forever

On this journey, there are many different places we can
choose to slip into and hide. But the path goes on.

The Spiritual Warrior stays the course, wounded at times,
exhausted and out of energy. Many times, the Warrior will
struggle back to their feet to take only a few steps before
falling again.

Rested, they forge on, continuing the treacherous path.
The journey continues. The Spiritual Warrior
stays the course. Weakened, but never broken.

One day, the battle, loneliness and desperate fights are over.
The sun breaks through the clouds; the birds begin to sing
their sweet melodies. There is a change in the energy.
A deep change within the self.

The warrior has fought the courageous fight.
The battle of the dark night of the soul is won.
New energy now fills the Warrior.
A new path is now laid before them.
A gentler path filled with the inner-knowing
of one who has personal empowerment.

With their personal battle won, they are filled with joy.
A new awareness that they are one with the Spirit beams
as they go forth to show others the way.

They are not permitted to walk the path for others.
They can only love, guide and be a living example
of the Truth of their being.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Prayer Treatment For A Loved One

"I will not worry, fret or be unhappy over you.
I will not be anxious concerning you.
I will not be afraid for you.
I will not give up on you.
I will not blame you, criticize or condemn you.
I will remember first, last and always...
that you are life's perfect expression.
I know you have the Spirit of God indwelling you.
I trust Spirit to take care of you,
to be a light to your path...
to provide for all your needs.

I think of you as always being surrounded
by a loving Presence...
as being enfolded in that protecting care ~
kept safe and sure in all things.
I have confidence in you.
I stand by you.
I know that you are growing...
and finding the help you seek.

I see the love you desire filling your heart...
and enriching your world.
I now behold the complete healing of you ~
physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually.
I know all your financial needs are right now...
being fully met.

I have only Love in my heart for you,
for I share with you the freedom to live your life
as you feel guided by your Indwelling Spirit.
Your way may not be my way,
but I trust Spirit in you to show you the way...
to your highest Good.
I believe in you.
I love you.
I know all is well.
And so it is!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God's Gift

Waking this morning
I made a decision
to open my eyes and see
to listen and touch
to smell the air that I breathe

I simply woke today
and let what already was
the decision I made
was to put it into God's care
and accept what he's already given

John Anderson
1996
JohnA@...

Available as a free e-greeting at:
www.recoverygreetings.com/cards/cja034.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Be not the slave of your own past
plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep,
and swim fast, so you shall come back
with self-respect, with new power,
with an advanced experience,
that shall explain and overlook the old.

Ralph Waldo Emerson
Born May 25, 1803, died 1882

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

To sin means to err;
it's an archery term that means,
"to miss the mark."
Look at any way you have been living your life
that has taken you off the mark of what brings fulfillment,
joy, peace and that feeling of knowing
that you live in alignment with God's will in you.
  Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Treat people as if they were what they should be, and you
help them become what they are capable of becoming.
Johannn von Goethe

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I was brought up to believe that
how I saw myself was more
important than how others saw me.
ANWAR EL-SADAT

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Wherever you are,
whatever your circumstances may be,
whatever misfortune you may have suffered,
the music of your life has not gone.
It's inside you.
If you listen to it, you can play it.
Nido Qubein

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I came,
I came to,
I came to believe.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Bring the body
and the mind will follow.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I can't
he/she can,
I think I will let him/her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Letting go is a process,
not an event.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*Put Gratitude In Your Attitude*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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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Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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,
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Lithuania, Mali West Africa, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands,
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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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Cartoons
www.serenityfound.org/humor/cartoons3.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What is your definition of "balance" in recovery ?
Why is learning when to say "no" important to finding balance ?
What do you do when you get all out of whack and you need to regain some
balance ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 27
I will take all the time I need
to keep in touch with my Higher Power today.
Meditation slows me down
and brings me peace whenever I choose.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Shelter from the Storm

Once upon a time
there was a thunderstorm.
You know, the kind with booming cymbals
and lightning flashes like possessed cameras.
Smile, say "BOOM! CRASH! for the camera!"

Like all thunderstorms, it was colossal.
Everything grew dark and
the fiercest lion's roar
was reduced to a "YIPE!"
He even piddled.

At the bottom of the tallest tree, lived a mouse with glasses.
She listened to the storm and smiled with crooked teeth.
All around her the trees were bowing down
and the dead twigs fell to the ground
like so many wounded soldiers.

All of the lights were gone.
The stars refused to twinkle through the clouds.
The moon had gone into prolonged seclusion.
No sun, no moon, no stars...only darkness.
And she sat there grinning like an idiot!

Who did she think she was, anyway?
I stomped up to her and screamed,
"Don't you see it's storming?
Don't you see all the destruction?
Why aren't you scared stupid like everybody else?"

Rotten mouse, she never said a word.
Instead, she pressed a gift-wrapped box into my hands.
I didn't know whether to open it
or throw it on the ground and squash it under my foot.
It frightened me more than the damn storm.

I plodded home through the mud
he rain was drenching my coat
rivulets ran freely down my face and blinded my eyes.
They made me cold and I plodded on,
shivering like some abandoned child.

Holding the box through a clenched fist
I pushed it to the bottom of my pocket and held it still.
With my luck, it'd disappear.
"Don't  you go anywhere until I find out
what you are, and what you want," I grumbled.

When I got home, I slammed the door
and the windows flew open instead.
It didn't matter how I tried to hide away
the storm was going to find me.
I cowered in the corner and cried out.

"Help me!  Help me because I'm afraid!"
I didn't know who or what I was hollering to.
I had stopped believing a long time before.
All I could see was that mouse smiling at me
and laughing to herself as I screamed at her.

I crawled on my knees to an empty fireplace.
The place of safety and warmth
was now cold and lifeless.
I laid down on my stomach, sobbing.
It all would have been perfect if I didn't have
a small lump in my pocket disturbing my discomfort.

My hand felt the present.
It was the smoothest wrapping;
slippery and solid at the same time.
I drew it from my pocket and
opened the tiny ribbon with trembling hands.

Inside was a piece of paper
with tiny mouse handwriting.
Suddenly, my hands stilled,
my heart stopped pounding, and
my eyes cleared long enough so see.

"For you, dear friend,
enclosed is some of my faith.
You may borrow it until you have your own,
but then you must pass it on.

Now, I do not know a great many things.
I am not learned. I am not famous.
I am not popular or well heeded.
You see, of all I don't know
I do know a couple of things for sure.

(Not because my mind championed them
but because my heart accepted them.)

Mighty storms produce rainbows.
Blizzards clear away the wreckage
of tiny preceding, leaf-like deaths
and give us spring flowers, instead.
Persistent, driving rain,
quenches the thirst dried and barren earth
and makes it the bearer of Life.

I don't know why.
I don't know how.
But I know Who.

All of this is an illusion,
like some childhood bogeyman.
The threat of danger is very real, indeed,
but the promise is worth
every single stumble and stride.

One day you will look back
in the aftermath of the storm
and find that it was a path to freedom.

So, dear friend, for today...
listen to the thunder booming about you
and hear the voice of your faith calling.

It's trying very hard to get your attention.

Let those tears wash over you
and in you, and through you
as your body trembles and bows
to a Power much greater than yourself.

The end of this storm is near
and from it, you will breathe clean air
and dance in puddles reflecting sunshine.
This is what I know to be truth."

I closed the box, but not before it opened my heart.
I slammed the door, but not before the storm threw open the windows.
I hid in the corner, but not before I was already found.
I crawled as fast as I could, but found it was merely in circles.
All the while, I was screaming, "Help me!"

Listen quietly, friend, Help is already within you.

SueAnn Jackson Land
sampoet@...
September 20, 1999
{Printed with Permission}

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Are Unhappy ...
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=681

On Maturity
www.wscribe.com/parables/maturity.html

Respect
www.serenityfound.org/readings/respect.html

How to be Depressed and How to be Happy
www.lollie.com/blue/compare.html

Working Sobriety
www.workingsobriety.com

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 27                       Meeting The Day's Challenge

"Š..the decision to ask for God's help is our greatest source of
strength and courage." Basic Text, p. 26

A challenge is anything that dares us to succeed. Things new and
unfamiliar serve as challenges, whether those things appear good or bad
to us. We are challenged by obstacles and opposition from within
ourselves and from without. New and difficult things, obstacles and
opposition, all are a part of "life on life's terms:' Living clean means
learning to meet challenge.

   Many of us, consciously or unconsciously, took drugs to avoid meeting
challenge. Many of us were equally afraid of failure and success. Each
time we declined the day's challenge, we suffered a loss of self-esteem.
Some of us used drugs to mask the shame we felt. Each time we did that,
we became even less able to meet our challenges and more likely to use.

   By working the NA program, we've found the tools we need to
successfully meet any challenge. We've come to believe in a Power greater
than ourselves, a Power that cares for our will and our lives. We've asked
that Power to remove our character defects, those things that made our
lives unmanageable. We've taken action to improve our conscious contact
with that Higher Power. Through the steps, we've been given the ability to
stop using drugs and start living.

   Each day, we are faced with new challenges. And each day, through
working our program of recovery, we are given the grace to meet those
challenges.

Just for today: I will ask my Higher Power to help me squarely meet
today's challenge. Basic Text, p. 26

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We Forgive

Often it was while working on this Step with our sponsors or spiritual
advisers that we first felt truly able to forgive others, no matter how
deeply we felt they had wronged us.  Our moral inventory had persuaded us
that all-round forgiveness was desirable, but it was only when we
resolutely tackled Step Five that we inwardly knew we'd be able to receive
forgiveness and give it, too.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.  58

What a great feeling forgiveness is!  What a revelation about my emotional,
psychological and spiritual nature.  All it takes is willingness to
forgive; God will do the rest.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 27th

A.A. Thought for the Day

In twelfth-step work, the fifth thing is Continuance.
Continuance means our staying with prospects after they
have started on the new way of living. We must stick with
them and not let them down. We must encourage them to
go to meetings regularly for fellowship and help. They will
learn that keeping sober is a lot easier in the fellowship of
others who are trying to do the same thing. We must
continue to help prospects by going to see them regularly
or telephoning them or writing them so that they don't get
out of touch with A.A. Continuance means good sponsorship.
Do I care enough about other alcoholics to continue with
them as long as necessary?

Meditation for the Day

Every strong and beautiful flower must have a strong root
in the ground. It must send a root down so that it may be
rooted and grounded while at the same time it sends a
shoot up to be the flower that shall gladden the world.
Both growths are necessary. Without a strong root, it would
soon wither. The higher the growth upward, the deeper must
be the rooting. My life cannot flower into success and
helpfulness unless it is rooted in a strong faith, or unless
it feels deeply secure in the goodness and purpose of the
universe.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that my life may be deeply rooted in faith. I pray that
I may feel deeply secure.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 27

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Recognizing Choices

We have choices, more choices than we let ourselves see.

We may feel trapped in our relationships, our jobs, our life. We may feel
locked into behaviors such as caretaking or controlling.

Feeling trapped is a symptom of codependency. When we hear ourselves say, I
have to take care of this person. . . . I have to say yes. . . . I have to
try to control that person. . . . I have to behave this way, think this way,
feel this way. . . . we can know we are choosing not to see choices.

That sense of being trapped is an illusion. We are not controlled by
circumstances, our past, the expectations of others, or our unhealthy
expectations for ourselves. We can choose what feels right for us, without
guilt. We have options.

Recovery is not about behaving perfectly or according to anyone else's
rules. More than anything else, recovery is about knowing we have choices
and giving ourselves the freedom to choose.

Today, I will open my thinking and myself to the choices available to me. I
will make choices that are good for me.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Trapped In Manifestationland?
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/trapped.htm

Without and Within
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/February/0297-02.html

Time To Change  Gods?
by  John Price
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/Time_To_Change_Gods.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Finding Spiritual Guidance
by Marie T. Russell

For some people spiritual guidance comes while sitting quietly in
meditation.

For others (and I am one of these), spiritual guidance comes while taking a
quiet walk, or taking a long shower, or washing the dishes quietly, or doing
anything quietly...

There is no "right" way to attune to your spiritual guidance. The right way
for you is whatever works for you. We are all each unique, and we may each
have a unique way of connecting with our guidance.

For some, they need to sit in a church to receive spiritual guidance, for
others the middle of the forest is the place. And for yet others, it is on
their meditation cushion.

For others looking a angel cards or tarot cards helps provide their
connection. For others, no external tools are necessary... They simply
"hear" their guidance.

There is no "one" place or not "one" way where spiritual guidance can be
found.

I used to think that something was wrong with me because I had no interest
in sitting for hours in meditation, as others do. I felt guilty for not
being interested in doing that. Yet for me, my spiritual guidance came in
the moments when I was doing the dishes, or taking a long walk down the
beach, or driving alone down a long highway.

Look for spiritual guidance everywhere and at any time... Spiritual guidance
is not restricted to one area, or one particular day, or one particular time
of the day. While you may be more open to receiving your guidance in the
quiet hours of the early morning, or the late night, your spiritual guidance
is always present. It is present in books that you "happen" to come across,
articles you are attracted to reading, things you hear that when looked at
from that perspective apply to your situation.

Perhaps if we expected to receive spiritual guidance at each and every
moment of our lives instead of simply in church on Sunday, or when we sit
quietly in meditation, we would receive many more messages throughout the
day.

Sometimes we make the mistake of overlooking spiritual guidance because it
does not come in the "package" we are expecting. Yes, your guidance is
within in the silence, and it does come from our spiritual teachers, but it
is also everywhere we choose to look for it (and everywhere we don't look
for it too).

Sometimes, spiritual guidance comes in the form of an overheard conversation
which really has nothing to do with us, but yet when applied to our context
is the perfect message for us at the moment. Everything we hear can be a
spiritual message.

You can try the following. Hold a question in your mind and then open a
book, or even a newspaper, and let your finger fall on the page. and read
where your finger has "coincidentally" landed. You'll be amazed at the
guidance you can find in this way.

Or, before you turn on the radio, ask the question you have in mind and
expect to hear the answer when you turn on the radio, and lo and behold, the
next song you hear (or the comment from the radio announcer) will be
perfectly attuned to your situation.

Spiritual messages are everywhere. after all, most spiritual teachings tell
us that God is everywhere, so why would the voice of God not be everywhere?
It is!

It is found in the voice of children, of birds, or accidentally overheard
conversations, in books that fall into our hands, in "wrong" numbers, in
everything you hear. In the TV shows you watch, in the people you meet, in
the people whose paths you cross in the street.

If you hear something more than once, then it may be a message for you. If
you keep hearing of people having candida, or hypoglycemia, (or whatever)
perhaps you need to investigate this for yourself, for perhaps the Universe
is sending you messages for you to pay attention.

Whatever we hear, a song, a conversation, a story, all are to be applied to
ourselves. we can ask, how does this apply to me?

If someone tells you a story about their friend who is so angry, or
righteous, or whatever, then the question is "how does this apply to me?"
"Am I like this?" "Is there something I need to learn here?"

The Universe is always sending us messages. but the messengers are not
always wearing wings, or dressed in holy robes, as a matter of fact, they
usually are not wearing wings or holy vestments. Sometimes they are wearing
rags and are panhandling on the corner. sometimes the messengers have an
attitude and are a "royal pain". sometimes they are your next door neighbor.
sometimes they are the person you like best or like least... sometimes it is
that thing that REALLY aggravates you...

The spiritual guidance is all around us. are we listening?

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://innerself.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Collage-Connections

Ever make a collage ~
Ever collected images that struck your fancy
and brought them together to see
what story they revealed
of some secret place deep inside you?

Images, photos, drawings will do that to you
You are drawn to them, they draw you in
their depiction with the unfolding
of your emotion
they bring out teasingly your feelings
about a myriad of issues
that need facing
as picture-perfect illustrations
the raw revelation
of your soul's meanderings

To see with open imaging
let the child out peeking
from within your heart
immerse in the collecting
and awaken to a pure sense
of the adventure
don't censor
open to the miracle
that is you
unfolding
Sounds like fun?

Love
Stella
©2000 Stella Raymonde Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Daily our spirits are renewed.

For most of us, a spiritual awakening does not come once and for all.
Instead, we have small flashes of insight here and there, and every once in
a while we look back and realize with gratitude how the promises of our
journey have been coming true for us.

Just as our bodies need daily nourishment, so do our spirits. We can seek
people and experiences that leave us feeling warm and uplifted. We can take
time each day to become quiet in mind and body so that we hear the inner
messages that refresh our spirits. We can read something inspirational,
listen to good music, look at a beautiful painting or a sunset, grasp a
friend's hand in understanding, and say a prayer.

Our spirits bounce back from hurt and depression. They are more easily
renewed when we take proper care of our bodies, since we are a total entity
of heart, mind, body, and spirit.

Today, I will look for ways to feed my spirit.

from the book: Inner Harvest by Elisabeth L

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Written Before I Got Clean

I'm sitting here wondering and feeling a heaviness in my chest.
(can you hear it?)
I can't quite put my finger on what this feeling is~
scared to confess on what I'm feeling and afraid you'll slip away.
Love or care
This feeling of being really scared.
I feel the change coming and my blood flows though me at it's hot peak
and sometimes I can hardly get the words out of my mouth to speak.
I turn around and take a look at the world and stand there
wonder where my place is in it.
I try to figure out what my purpose is.
I know I'm a mother ,a drug addict, and someone's part time lover,
Maybe I should run for cover-
I'm trying to find my place in all this mess.
I hope and pray that God finds it within his heart
to still watch over me at this end of my life.
Don't even close one eye cuz if you do, you just might miss who I really am,
then you may never see into my soul pass all the bull and
find I really have a heart of gold-
that I truly cherish and hold deep inside.
I do have peace somewhere in there
aaahhh it's just a mess.
Sometimes I'm afraid to let go the really deep tears I have inside
in fear if I let them flow and let go!
I just don't know.
I'm here right in front of you and I feel I'm not even seen
I'm here trying to stay clean.
I'm exposing myself not trying to hide a thing.
Somedays I feel grown
Somedays I'm strong and yes somedays I haven't even been born yet
you know I haven't looked at myself in the mirror in a long time
for the fear I might not see me,
The real me that deep down inside healthy, loving, responsible,
and smart me.
that's all part of who I am.
Hold me tight and feel my energy flow,
feel the depths of my soul reach out to you-
or maybe your just to cool but you would be the fool not to cherish me
for me.
I know someday things are gonna change for the better as long as I am
honest with myself first.

LOVE ALWAYS ME
By Sheila S  ~ stooky2@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

For One Day

For one day I had awaken to reality
I was blind I could not see
I had made a mess of my life
I was so full of anger and strife

The best I could do
Was drink and stay stoned
Spent most everyday totally alone
Always spending all of my money
My life was so far from funny

I had hurt everyone who loved me
I was addicted and chained you see
Then in tired desperation I cried out
So all alone confused and full of doubt

God had heard my cries
He had come to my aid
I was consumed
It took a lot of work
I did not have it made

God led me
To the fellowship
With people just like you
I almost immediately was able to see
You fine people were just like me

I got honest and open
Willing to change
At this time
Every thing
Sounded so strange

I had hit my bottom
Then I was ready to go
To just about any length
I choose a sponsor
Who helped me
To get the needed strength

It was simple not easy you see
I had to do this all for me
I had to stop for only one day
This was easy
I could do anything
For just one day

Daniel M Corkery
2/27/2002
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Appreciation is a wonderful thing;
It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.
Voltaire

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Heaven is the decision I must make.
ACIM Lesson No. 138:

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you want to reconnect with God,
Love yourself.
Be compassionate with yourself right now.
If you want to reconnect with yourself,
love the person who is in front of you.
When you love another, you can feel compassion for
and acceptance of yourself stirring in your heart and mind.
  Paul Ferrini

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A leader is one who knows the way,
goes the way and shows the way.
John C. Maxwell

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Enlightenment is understanding that there is nowhere to go,
nothing to do, and nobody you have to be
except exactly who you're being right now.
Neale Donald Walsch

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I don't believe in luck.
I believe in blessings.
If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have had any.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There's a blessing in every lesson,
There's a lesson in every blessing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You can't stumble on your knees.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What you have is a gift from God.
What you become is your gift to God.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
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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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend


Cartoons
www.serenityfound.org/humor/cartoons2.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What is your definition of "balance" in recovery ?
Why is learning when to say "no" important to finding balance ?
What do you do when you get all out of whack and you need to regain some
balance ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 26
Today I know that I am being guided and protected
by a power greater than myself.
I look forward to the unknown
around the next bend in the road,
the adventure over the next hill.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Great Reminder

This member was sitting at a stop light this morning. The lady in front
was going through papers on the seat of her car, and when the light
changed to green she did not obey its command - a green light is a
commandment - NOT a suggestion.

When the light turned to red, and she had still not moved, this member
began (with windows up) screaming epithets and beating on the steering
wheel. The expressions of distress were interrupted by a policeman, gun
drawn, tapping on the window. Against said member's protestations of,
"You can't arrest me for hollering in my car," he ordered him into the
back seat of the police car.

After about two hours in a holding cell, the arresting officer advised
the member he was free to go. The member said, "I knew you couldn't
arrest me for what I was yelling in my own car. You haven't heard the
last of this."

The officer replied, "I didn't arrest you for shouting in your car. I
was directly behind you at the light. I saw you screaming and beating
your steering wheel, and I said to myself, "What a jerk. But there is
nothing I can do to him for throwing a fit in his own car. Then I
noticed the 'Praying Hands' hanging from your rear view mirror, the
bright yellow 'Easy Does It' license tag, the 'But For The Grace Of
God' bumper sticker, and the 'AA' symbol, and I thought you must have
stolen the car ."

Remember, you may be the only AA example someone sees today.

IT's An ISM Not a WASM.. Treat it DAILY
Chuck F.
czfuller@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Heaven
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=679

A Matter of Priorities ...
www.wscribe.com/parables/priorities.html

Freedom Through Acceptance
www.serenityfound.org//readings/acceptance.html

Viral Hepatitus C
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/chronic.htm

Dealing with Liver Disease
www.healthsquare.com/ftliver.htm

HepNet - The Hepatitis Information Network
www.hepnet.com

Hepatitis C  Outreach Project
www.hcop.org

NHCC links to hepatitis C information
www.nationalhepatitis-c.org/heplinks.htm

Botanical.com
www.botanical.com

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 26                            The Power in the Group

"Our understanding of a Higher Power is up to us.... We can call it
the group, the program, or we can call it God." Basic Text, p. 24

Many of us have a hard time with the idea of a Higher Power until we
fully accept the depth of our own powerlessness over addiction. Once we
do, most of us are at least willing to consider seeking the help of some
Power greater than our disease. The first practical exposure many of us
have to that kind of Power is in the NA group. Perhaps that's where we
should start in developing our own understanding of God.

   One evidence of the Power in the group is the unconditional love shown
when NA members help one another without expectation of reward. The
group's collective experience in recovery is itself a Power greater than
our own, for the group has practical knowledge of what works and what
doesn't And the fact that addicts keep coming to NA meetings, day after
day, is a demonstration of the presence of a Higher Power, some
attractive, caring force at work that helps addicts stay clean and grow.

   All these things are evidence of a Power that can be found in NA groups.
When we look around with an open mind, each of us will be able to identify
other signs of that Power. It doesn't matter if we call it God, a Higher
Power, or anything else‹just as long as we find a way to incorporate that
Power into our daily lives.

Just for today: I will open my eyes and my mind to signs of a Power
that exists in my NA group. I will call upon that Power to help me
stay clean. pg. 152

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Know God; Know Peace

It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to
futility and unhappiness. . . . But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the
maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of
resentment is infinitely grave.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  66

Know God;
Know peace.
No God;
No peace.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 26th

A.A. Thought for the Day

In twelfth-step work, the fourth thing is conversion.
Conversion means change. Prospects must learn to change
their way of thinking. Until now, everything they've done
has been connected with drinking. Now they must face a
new kind of life, without liquor. They must see and admit
that they cannot overcome drinking by their own willpower,
so they must turn to a Higher Power for help. They must
start each day by asking this Higher Power for the strength
to stay sober. This conversion to belief in a Higher Power
comes gradually, as they try it and find that it works. Do I
care enough about other alcoholics to help them to make
this conversion?

Meditation for the Day

Discipline of yourself is absolutely necessary before the
power of God is given to you. When you see others
manifesting the power of God, you probably have not seen
the discipline that went before. They made themselves
ready. All your life is a preparation for more good to be
accomplished when God knows that you are ready for it. So
keep disciplining yourself in the spiritual life every day.
Learn so much of the spiritual laws that your life cannot
again be a failure. Others will see the outward manifestation
of the inward discipline in your daily living.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may manifest God's power in my daily living. I
pray that I may discipline myself so as to be ready to meet
every opportunity.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 26

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Gossip

Intimacy is that warm gift of feeling connected to others and enjoying our
connection to them.

As we grow in recovery, we find that gift in many, sometimes surprising,
places. We may discover we've developed intimate relationships with people
at work, with friends, with people in our support groups -- sometimes with
family members. Many of us are discovering intimacy in a special love
relationship.

Intimacy is not sex, although sex can be intimate. Intimacy means mutually
honest, warm, caring, safe relationships -- relationships where the other
person can be who he or she is and we can be who we are -- and both people
are valued.

Sometimes there are conflicts. Conflict is inevitable. Sometimes there are
troublesome feelings to work through. Sometimes the boundaries or parameters
of relationships change. But there is a bond -- one of love and trust.

There are many blocks to intimacy and intimate relationships. Addictions and
abuse block intimacy. Unresolved family of origin issues prevent intimacy.
Controlling blocks intimacy. Off balance relationships, where there is too
great a discrepancy in power, prevent intimacy. Caretaking can block
intimacy. Nagging, withdrawing, and shutting down can hurt intimacy. So can
a simple behavior like gossip -- for example, gossiping about another for
motives of diminishing him or her in order to build up ourselves or to judge
the person. To discuss another person's issues, shortcomings, or failures
with someone else will have a predictable negative impact on the
relationship.

We deserve to enjoy intimacy in as many of our relationships as possible. We
deserve relationships that have not been sabotaged.  That does not mean we
walk around with our heads in the clouds; it means we strive to keep our
motives clean when it comes to discussing other people.

If we have a serious issue with someone, the best way to resolve it is to
bring the issue to that person.

Direct, clean conversation clears the air and paves the way for intimacy,
for good feelings about ourselves and our relationships with others.

Today, God, help me let go of my fear of intimacy. Help me strive to keep my
communications with others clean and free from malicious gossip. Help me
work toward intimacy in my relationships. Help me deal as directly as
possible with my feelings.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Do You Have A Life Map?
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/life-map.htm

Letters of wisdom and affirmation, by Louise Hay
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/March/0397-23.html

The Inner Life
  by Jasmin Lee Cori
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/inner_life.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Unseen Help
Alan Cohen

   "While visiting a prison, I was required to walk through
a series of five thick electronically secured steel doors and
gates, connected by a maze of sidewalks and corridors.  As I
reached each door, I wondered if anyone would be there to
guide me and open the door.  As if by magic, the moment I
approached a door, it was buzzed open electronically.  After
going through a few doors, I realized I was being watched via
remote television cameras, and I heard a voice call out of
nowhere, 'You are going the wrong way.'  I returned to the
intersection and stood at the crossroads, puzzled.  The voice
returned, 'Now, just continue in the direction you are facing.'

   On the path of life, we come up against locked doors and
wonder how we will get through and whether anyone is available
to help us.  As I discovered at the prison, if we are in our right
place, the door will be buzzed open; it would have been useless
for me to try to open the doors manually.  But there was someone
watching me who had the power to release the door without
struggle on my part.

   The same guide will assist us if we take a wrong turn.  A voice
will call out, 'You are going the wrong way.'  It may not be an
external voice we hear, but an internal knowingness.  When we
return to the intersection and reposition ourselves, the same
inner guide will let us know, 'Just keep going in the direction you
are facing.'

   Although we do not see our watcher, we are seen and known.
On my way out of the jail, I noticed a guard booth adjacent to one
of the corridors.  The glass windows were heavily tinted so I could
not see in, but the guards could see out.  While we may be unable
to peer into the guidance booth of the universe, those in charge of
helping us can see us.  We are never alone.  Every door will open
when we are ready to enter.

I trust You to open locked doors for me.
I do not have to fight to do the will of God.

God is watching over me, making my path easy."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twins

When the soul is yeaning for nourishment
it goes looking for its twin
even in the conscious ways of the psyche
may not even be an awareness thing

The mind has been trained to live to the left
of the world's conditioning
goes about its business, though the soul's bereft
and some call it making a living

As in dreams where the road is so long
the traveller sad, tired, and weary
the soul nevertheless hears her own song
still seeking, yearns for symmetry

The search takes flight, has a life of its own
may take years may take a lifetime
but the depth of soul seeking her home
is a force that won't be denied

When fire meets fire, there is but one flame
the search is fruitful, filling the hunger
a healing of souls, a meeting of the same
familiar hearts as one beating together

may you find yours

Love
Stella
©2000 Stella Raymonde Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Life Inside the Womb

Once upon a time, twin boys were conceived in the womb. Seconds, minutes,
hours passed as the two embryonic lives developed. The spark of life grew
and each tiny brain began to take shape and form. With the development of
their brain came feeling, and with feeling, perception--a perception of
surroundings, of each other, and their own lives. They discovered that life
was good and they laughed and rejoiced in their hearts.

One said to the other, "We are sure lucky to have been conceived and to have
this wonderful world."

The other chimed in, "Yes, blessed be our mother who gave us life and each
other."

Each of the twins continued to grow and soon their arms and fingers, legs
and toes began to take shape. They stretched their bodies and churned and
turned in their little world. They explored it and found the life cord which
gave them life from their mother's blood. They were grateful for this new
discovery and sang, "How great is the love of our mother--that she shares
all she has with us!"

Weeks passed into months and with the advent of each new month, they noticed
a change in each other and in themselves.

"We are changing," one said. "What can it mean?"

"It means," said the other, "that we are drawing near to birth."

An unsettling chill crept over the two. They were afraid of birth, for they
knew that it meant leaving their wonderful world behind.

Said the one, "Were it up to me, I would live here forever."

"But we must be born," said the other. "It has happened to all the others."
Indeed, there was evidence inside the womb that the mother had carried life
before theirs. "And I believe that there is life after birth, don't you?"

"How can there be life after birth?" cried the one. "Do we not shed our life
cord and also the blood tissue when we are born? And have you ever talked to
anyone that has been born? Has anyone ever re-entered the womb after birth
to describe what birth is like? NO!" As he spoke, he fell into despair, and
in his despair he moaned, "If the purpose of conception and our growth
inside the womb is to end in birth, then truly our life is senseless." He
clutched his precious life cord to his breast and said, "And if this is so,
and life is absurd, then there really can be no mothers!"

"But there is a mother," protested the other. "Who else gave us nourishment?
Who else created this world for us?"

"We get our nourishment from this cord--and our world has always been here?"
said the one. "And if there is a mother--where is she? Have you ever seen
her? Does she ever talk to you? No! We invented the mother when we were
young because it satisfied a need in us. It made us feel secure and happy."

Thus, while the one raved and despaired, the other resign himself to birth
and placed his trust in the hands of his mother. Hours turned into days, and
days into weeks. And soon it was time. They both knew their birth was at
hand, and they both feared what they did not know. As the one was first to
be conceived, so he was the first to be born, the other following.

They cried as they were born into the light. The coughed out fluid and
gasped the dry air. And when they were sure they had been born, they opened
their eyes--seeing life after birth for the very first time. What they saw
was the beautiful eyes of their mother, as they were cradled lovingly in her
arms. They were home.

"No eye has seen, no ear had heard, no mind has conceived what God has
prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Written by Wayne Rice

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today I Will

Today I will share a smile
I will offer my hand
Walk that extra mile
Because I understand

Listen to those who share
I will give a hug to show I care
Today is a gift from God above
Given to those who show love

In recovery I will walk today
As I pass along my way
I will offer my hand
Show new comers we
Understand

Also I will
Open my ears
I go to a meeting
Share my fears

Just one a day
That is all it takes
We only need one
To help stop
Mistakes

Get honest
Be open
Willing
To change

DMC
4/30/2002
Daniel M Corkery
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Trust

Can You Fly?
What does the caterpillar newly turned a butterfly feel?
Although flying is now within its capability.
The way is unclear.
Yet, through faith in itself, it gloriously takes off.
The beautiful butterfly is forever within each of us.
Trust your heart and yourself,
And you will find you can fly.

Robert B. James

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Way To God

Start the Day with Love;
Spend the Day with Love;
Fill the Day with Love;
End the Day with Love;
This is the way to God.

Sathya Sai Baba

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Don't let yesterday use up too much of today.
  Native American Proverb

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Time is like a river - it flows by and doesn't return.
Chinese Proverb

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.
Native American Proverb

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When it is time,
God will move you in the right direction.
Get out of Gods' way.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Let it happen
Don¹t make it happen

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It's one thing for a kid to be afraid of a doctor.
It's another thing for a man/woman
to be afraid of the light.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God didn't bring us this far to let us down.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Faith will move a mountain,
but you have to bring a shovel.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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:

twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or
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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 the group
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or go to the website and unsubscribe
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Cartoons
www.serenityfound.org/humor/cartoons1.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What is your definition of "balance" in recovery ?
Why is learning when to say "no" important to finding balance ?
What do you do when you get all out of whack and you need to regain some
balance ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 25
I celebrate myself today.
I am alive.  I am growing.
I am willing to do all I am able to do
to be the best of who I am.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Recovery Tool Kit

Don't use no matter what.
Get a sponsor.
Call your sponsor.
Work the STEPS with your sponsor.
Be a sponsor.
Make a meeting.
Pray.
Read your meditation book.
Read program literature and books.
Help someone.
Give a newcomer a phone call.
Take a deep breathe.
Say the Serenity Prayer.
Call people in your support group.
Consider the consequences of your actions.
Move a muscle, change a thought.
Exercise.
Connect with nature.
Read your meditation book.
Put some gratitude in your attitude.
Give a smile.
Give someone a compliment.
Look for the beauty.
The little things are the BIG things.
Fasten your seatbelt,
you are in for the ride of your life.
The top of one mountain,
is the bottom of the next.
Thank God for EVERYTHING !
Keep Stepping,
Stay in the light.

Scott
YOUnMEnHP@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Strength Vs. Courage
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=673

Making Amends
www.wscribe.com/parables/rabbi.html

Recovery Crossword Puzzle
www.serenityfound.org/cross1.html

A.A. Documents
www.gsowatch.aamo.info/aaws/index.htm

Who Invented A.A.
www.gsowatch.aamo.info/1938/index.htm

Light the Way
www.geocities.com/loriflower/3/light.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 25                             "Good" and "Bad" Feelings

"A lot happens in one day, both negative and positive. If we do not
take time to appreciate both, perhaps we will miss something that
will help us grow."     IP No. 8, "Just for Today"

  Most of us seem to unconsciously judge what happens in our lives each
day as good or bad, success or failure. We tend to feel happy about the
"good" and angry, frustrated, or guilty about the "bad." Good and bad
feelings, though, often have little to do with what's truly good or bad
for us. We may learn more from our failures than our successes,
especially if failure has come from taking a risk.

  Attaching value judgments to our emotional reactions ties us to our old
ways of thinking. We can change the way we think about the incidents of
everyday life, viewing them as opportunities for growth, not as good or
bad. We can search for lessons rather than assigning value. When we do
this, we learn something from each day. Our daily Tenth Step is an
excellent tool for evaluating the day's events and learning from both
success and failure.

Just for today: I am offered an opportunity to apply the principles
of recovery so that I will learn and grow. When I learn from life's
events, I succeed. pg. 151

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It's Okay To Be Me

Time after time newcomers have tried to keep to themselves certain facts
about their lives.  .  .  .  they have turned to easier methods . . . But
they had not learned enough humility . . .
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp.  72-73

Humility sounds so much like humiliation, but it really is the ability to
look at myself --  and honestly accept what I find.  I no longer need to be
the "smartest" or "dumbest" or any other "est."  Finally, it is okay to be
me.  It is easier for me to accept myself if I share my whole life.  If I
cannot share in meetings, then I had better have a sponsor -- someone with
whom I can share those "certain facts" that could lead me back to a drunk,
to death.  I need to take all the Steps.  I need the Fifth Step to learn
true humility.  Easier methods do not work.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 25th

A.A. Thought for the Day

In twelfth-step work, the third thing is conviction. Prospects
must be convinced that they honestly want to stop drinking.
They must see and admit that their life is unmanageable.
They must face the fact that they must do something about
their drinking. They must be absolutely honest with
themselves and face themselves as they really are. They
must be convinced that they must give up drinking and they
must see that their whole life depends on this conviction. Do
I care enough about other alcoholics to help them reach this
conviction?

Meditation for the Day

There is no limit to what you can accomplish in helping others.
Keep that thought always. Never relinquish any work or give
up the thought of any accomplishment because it seems beyond
your power. God will help you in all good work. Only give it up if
you feel that it's not God's will for you. In helping others, think
of the tiny seed under the dark, hard ground. There is no
certainty that, when it has forced its way up to the surface,
sunlight and warmth will greet it. Often a task seems beyond
your power, but there is no limit to what you can accomplish
with God's help.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may never become discouraged in helping others.
I pray that I may always rely on the power of God to help 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 25

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Loving Ourselves Unconditionally

Love yourself into health and a good life of your own.

Love yourself into relationships that work for you and the other person.
Love yourself into peace, happiness, joy, success, and contentment.

Love yourself into all that you always wanted. We can stop treating
ourselves the way others treated us, if they behaved in a less than healthy,
desirable way. If we have learned to see ourselves critically,
conditionally, and in a diminishing and punishing way, it's time to stop.
Other people treated us that way, but it's even worse to treat ourselves
that way now.

Loving ourselves may seem foreign, even foolish at times. People may accuse
us of being selfish. We don't have to believe them.

People who love themselves are truly able to love others and let others love
them. People who love themselves and hold themselves in high esteem are
those who give the most, contribute the most, and love the most.

How do we love ourselves? By forcing it at first. By faking it, if
necessary. By acting as if. By working as hard at loving and liking
ourselves as we have at not liking ourselves.

Explore what it means to love yourself.

Do things for yourself that reflect compassionate, nurturing, self love.

Embrace and love all of yourself -- past, present, and future. Forgive
yourself quickly and as often as necessary. Encourage yourself. Tell
yourself good things about yourself.

If we think and believe negative ideas, get them out in the open quickly and
honestly, so we can replace those beliefs with better ones.

Pat yourself on the back when necessary. Discipline yourself when necessary.
Ask for help, for time; ask for what you need.

Sometimes, give yourself treats. Do not treat yourself like a pack mule,
always pushing and driving harder. Learn to be good to yourself. Choose
behaviors with preferable consequences -- treating yourself well is one.

Learn to stop your pain, even when that means making difficult decisions. Do
not unnecessarily deprive yourself. Sometimes, give yourself what you want,
just because you want it.

Stop explaining and justifying yourself. When you make mistakes, let them
go. We learn, we grow, and we learn some more. And through it all, we love
ourselves.

We work at it, and then work at it some more. One day we'll wake up, look in
the mirror, and find that loving ourselves has become habitual. We're now
living with a person who gives and receives love, because that person loves
him or herself. Self-love will take hold and become a guiding force in our
life.

Today, I will work at loving myself. I will work as hard at loving myself as
I have at not liking myself. Help me let go of self-hate and behaviors that
reflect not liking myself. Help me replace those with behaviors that reflect
self-love. Today, God, help me hold myself in high self-esteem. Help me know
I'm lovable and capable of giving and receiving love.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The One Percent Factor
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/one-percent.htm

Friends or Lovers
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/March/0397-21.html

Steps to Inner Healing
by Dan Joseph
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/joseph_dan_03074.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adventuring into Midlife
by Mark Gerzon

Midway through my life, I was living as if most of my deep, fundamental
growth was behind me. Without knowing it, I had accepted our culture's stale
and simplistic view of adulthood -- that the person you are at midlife is
the person you will always be.

But I was wrong.

We have many words to describe less than twenty years of the life cycle:
newborn, infant, toddler, preschooler, child, teenager, adolescent, and so
forth. We need all of these words because children grow so fast. But to
describe the next half-century -- the period of fifty years or more after we
reach the age of twenty -- have only one generally accepted word: adulthood.
The poverty of our language reveals that we still do not understand that
"grown-ups" grow too. We act as if adulthood is one long, stable,
predictable period. We act as if we have signed a protracted, long-term
contract, like paying off a mortgage.

I was jolted from this narrow view not long ago after certain events in my
life, which I describe in this book (Listening to Midlife), threw me into a
state of confusion and uncertainty. At precisely the time when I thought my
development was coming to an end, I found myself embarking on a totally
unexpected journey of growth and change. I entered what the great Swiss
psychoanalyst Carl Jung called the "second half of life".

   Wholly unprepared, we embark upon the second half of life . . . we take
the step into the afternoon of life; worse still we take this step with the
false assumption that our truths and ideals will serve as before. But we
cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life's
morning -- for what was great in the morning will be little at evening, and
what in the morning was true will at evening have become a lie. (1)

We cannot tell if we have entered the afternoon of our lives by counting the
number of candles on our birthday cake. We do not enter the second half just
because we reach a certain age that ends in a zero. To know where we are in
our process of transformation, we must learn to took inside.

Once we look within, we discover that adulthood can be a time of
transformation. It can be a time of spiritual unfolding. Dramatic as it may
sound, adulthood can be metamorphosis. If you find this hard to believe,
remember that a creature as simple and primitive as a caterpillar enters a
cocoon; its body partly dissolves and "dies"; it is reconstituted in another
shape; and finally it emerges as a butterfly. Is it therefore not at least
possible that a creature as complex and evolved as a human being might also
have an equally profound metamorphosis?

Based on interviews I have conducted with a wide variety of men and women,
and based on my research of the literature on adult development, I am
convinced that the answer to this question is yes. There is an adult
metamorphosis. However, unlike the caterpillar's metamorphosis, our
transformation is invisible. It happens in a part of us that does not show
up on X rays, cannot be measured by medical equipment, and cannot be tested
in a laboratory. It happens inside us. And it happens over a lifetime.

Our metamorphosis is, in fact, a quest. The signposts on our quest are
questions (from quaerere: to search). They may not automatically point us in
the "right" direction. But if we ask these questions and seek answers with
an open heart, they will move us forward on our journey. Some of them
include:

   a.. You no longer look young. You cannot hide the signs of aging anymore.
Why does it bother you so much?

   b.. Your sense of purpose is draining away. Everything seems to be losing
its meaning. What has happened to the spark?

   c.. Another side of your personality is suddenly asserting itself. This
"shadow side" bubbles up unexpectedly. You find yourself doing things that
are out of character. Who is this "other person" inside you'?

   d.. You are searching now for a different kind of relationship -- deeper,
more authentic. But where, and with whom, can you find it?

   e.. Without warning, you get a "crush" on someone. You're shocked. That
person is not even "your type". Why are you thinking about them so much?

   f.. When you made your career choice years ago, you brushed aside certain
talents that you had. Why are they coming back, demanding to be expressed?

   g.. Your kids are growing up, and fast. They have consumed so much of your
energy and focus. You wonder: what would life have been like without them?

   h.. Or, you are childless. It seemed fine before. But now the question
gnaws at you: Should you have a child? Or is it already too late?

   i.. You have always known that you would die. But now you feel it in your
gut. Why does time seem shorter now . . . sometimes too short?

   j.. It's been years since questions about God or faith were on your mind.
You thought they were settled long ago. So why are they coming up again?

Already on the shelves of bookstores and libraries are scores of books, both
academic and popular, telling us about the crises or stages of our lives.
You will pass through certain "psychosocial stages", says the renowned
psychoanalyst Erik Erikson, who was my teacher and adviser at Harvard
University. You will progress through a sequence of "transitions", reports
psychiatrist Daniel Levinson, whom I interviewed for my book, Listening to
Midlife. You will undergo a set of interrelated "transformations", advises
another expert on adult development, Roger Gould. You will experience
predictable "passages", counsels journalist Gail Sheehy, whose book
popularized these experts' theories. (2)

But what they cannot do, I believe, is predict the path your life will take,
or mine. To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, some of their generalizations apply
to some of us some of the time -- but the times when they don't apply to us
are usually the most crucial. They don't apply to us when our lives are
"interrupted" by major historical shifts that are unique to our generation.
They don't apply to us when we are challenged by either unexpected illness
or unusual longevity. They don't apply when we are expressing the talents or
gifts that are uniquely ours. And, perhaps most important, they apply less
and less to us as we move into and through the second half of life.

You may recall that the best seller Passages, which effectively brought the
issue of adult development into public consciousness in the mid-seventies,
bore the subtitle "predictable crises of adult life". Just as children go
through specific phases of child development, Sheehy marshaled life stories
and anecdotes which suggested that adults similarly pass through a specific
sequence of developmental stages. While Sheehy demonstrated beyond a shadow
of a doubt that grown-ups do grow, I do not believe our growth is
predictable. If it was, why would any of us get lost? Indeed, why would the
experts themselves get lost? If you read between the lines in these experts'
books, or interview them (as I have done), you soon learn that they are just
as confused about their journey through adulthood as any of us.

The truth is: The experts could not predict their own growth, much less
ours. The more we truly grow for our whole lives, the harder it is to reduce
to a statistic. Try as the experts may to make us fit their theories, we
won't. Try as they may to make our life histories follow their stages, they
can't, because as we mature, we are less predictable.

Perhaps child development researchers can predict when, and in what order,
children will learn to crawl, walk, speak, and so on. After all, a child's
development is visible. It has clearly identifiable, observable, sequential
stages. But this is only the beginning of the human journey. When we reach
our full height physically, we are still in the caterpillar stage of our
journey. What happens next is not clear, not observable, and not sequential.
What happens over the next five, six, or seven decades is a mystery. We can
study it, probe it, interview it, map it -- but in the end, the mystery
remains.

When the experts try to describe what happens in various stages of
adulthood, they run into trouble. Can they generalize that in the early
twenties young adults marry and have children? No. Can they assume that men
and women in their twenties will select a career ladder? Hardly. Can they
predict that forty-year-olds will be less fit than when they were thirty?
Not anymore. We know precisely what "grade" in elementary school to find a
child who is ten years old. But can we predict what grade in life we will
find forty-year-olds? They may be grandparents -- or they may have just had
their first child! They may be experiencing the first signs of energy loss
and decreased vitality -- or they may be more fit than they were a decade
earlier! They may have stopped being so ambitious and become concerned about
spiritual matters -- or they may have finally decided to express the secret
ambitions they never before dared to show! There is simply no way that the
modern lives of men and women can be categorized in neat, standardized
chronological stages.

Instead of answers, we are left with questions. How do adults grow? What
exactly is our metamorphosis? Does it happen to everyone? How do we enter
the cocoon -- and how do we get out? And finally, how do we come into our
own and learn to fly? Although these questions are metaphorical, they are
real. I know they are because I have listened to scores of men and women
tell their own true stories of transformation.

As you learn about the transformations of adulthood, both the breakdowns and
breakthroughs, you will see for yourself that no one's process of growth or
change is like your own. As Walt Whitman wrote, "Not I, not anyone else, can
travel that road for you. You must travel it for yourself." Nevertheless,
the stories of those who have gone before you can serve as a guide. When you
get lost on your journey, turn to their wisdom. But they can show you the
way inside yourself, where the voice most important to you lies.

When you find that voice, listen to it. It will help you along the journey
through adulthood. It will help you come into your own.

About The Author:
Mark Gerzon's role as chronicler of the postwar generation's journey began
with his 1969 best-seller, The Whole World if Watching. He is also the
author of A Childhood for Every Child, A Choice of Heroes, and A House
Divided: Six Belief Systems Struggling for America''s Soul. He leads midlife
workshops nationwide with his wife, Shelley Kessler. This article was
excerpted with permission from his book, "Listening to Midlife", ©1992.
Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Inc., Boston.
www.shambhala.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Someone Grieves

  We either have been, or will be, put in the position of
comforting someone who is grieving. That is an important role
played by good friends. The most common question I hear on such
occasions is, "What should I say?" We want to help, but
we feel helpless to make a difference in the face of such tragedy.

  I often remember a story told by Joseph Bayly when I struggle to
say the "right thing" to someone who is hurting. Mr. Bayly lost
three children to death over the course of several years. He
wrote a book called, VIEW FROM A HEARSE,
(Lifejourney Books, 1992) in which he talks about his grief. He
says this about comforting those who grieve:

  "I was sitting, torn by grief. Someone came and talked to me of
God's dealings, of why it happened, of hope beyond the grave. He
said things I knew were true. I was unmoved, except to wish he
would go away. He finally did. Someone else came and sat beside
me. He didn't talk. He didn't ask leading questions. He just sat
with me for an hour or more, listened when I said something,
answered briefly, prayed simply, left. I was moved. I was
comforted. I hated to see him go."

  I have found Joseph Bayly's experience to be excruciatingly
typical. Both men wanted to help. Both men cared. But only one
truly comforted. The difference was that one tried to make him
feel better, while the other just let him feel. One tried to say
the right things. The other listened. One told him it would be
all right. The other shared his pain.

  When put in the difficult position of comforting someone in
emotional pain, sometimes what needs to be said can be said best
with a soft touch or a listening ear. It may not seem like much,
but it can be more effective than you may ever know.

From the book, RICHES OF THE HEART
Steve Goodier

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

An open letter to my family and friends

I am a drug user.
I need help.
Don't solve my problems for me.
This only makes me lose respect for you.
Don't lecture, moralize, scold, blame, or argue,
whether I'm loaded or straight,
It may make you feel better,
but it will make the situation worse.

Don't accept my promises.
The nature of my illness prevents me from keeping them,
even though I may mean them at the time.
Promises are only my way of postponing pain.
And don't keep switching agreements;
if an agreement is made, stick to it!

Don't lose your temper with me.
It will destroy you and any possibility of helping me.
Don't allow your anxiety to make you do what I should do for myself.
Don't cover up or try to spare me the consequences of my using.
It may reduce the crisis, but it will make my illness worse.

Above all, don't run away from reality as I do.
Drug dependence, my disease, gets worse as my using continues.
Start now to learn, to understand, to plan for recovery.
Find Nar-Anon, who groups exist to help
the families and friends of drug abusers.
I need help - from a doctor, a psychologist,
a counselor, or a recovering addict
who has found serenity in Narcotics Anonymous,
and from God.

I cannot help myself.

Signed,
Your User.
Anonymous

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Poor Me

Have you ever not liked yourself very much?
Put yourself down for being a dummy and such?

I grew up and lived most of my life wondering why I had been born.
  Seeking attention anyway I could get it if only to be scorned.

Always wanting to be someone else or any other place.
Having these feelings inside, life I didn't want to face.

Seems I was always day dreaming that someday things would be changed.
Not knowing that all this time my life was already being rearranged.

God had not made a mistake when He created me.
He took great pains, it was I who had failed, not He.

But with all "my" defects it was so much easier to blame
God and others than to blame me.
It was much easier to run from life, because then,
I just couldn't handle any responsibility.

So since I was to be in this world, I would try to exist.
I would try to please others especially when they would insist.

When I finally got tired of existing and tried to bring it to an end,
the arranging had came about.
God stepped in and life was about to begin.

He sent me to a place where there were people who had felt just like me,
  They said, "come let us help you to feel happy, joyous and free".

I looked at them and then at me and thought they'll never understand,
but they kept calling and saying, "let us help you, here take my hand."

It took a long time for me to understand,
I can't blame anyone but me,
My problems are of my own making and that's hard to accept,
but I have to you see.

I don't want to go back the way I used to be, full of self-loathing and
fear.
But I had to have this all happen to me so I could appreciate
all the things I now hear.

If I can remain grateful for just one day,
The rewards that I reap would cause some people dismay.

There are those days when poor lil ole me will try to think,
I better be careful, it could cause poor me to pour me another drink.

But as long as I keep in touch with God and my friends to show me how,
To have the awareness to overcome the poor me's, it brings me back to the
now.

This is the answer to all my prayers,
all I ever wanted was to be happy you see,
And all I had to do was listen to these people and work 12 steps,
and God took away all the misery.

Fiji B. 8-7-75/9-6-99
Written by my mother

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

How Many

How many bridges
Must I burn
Before the day arrives
When I learn
How many hearts
Must I break
As I take take, take
Self-centered and selfish
In so many ways
I lived like there is no end
To my days
Alone and lonely
In a room full of people
My conscience bothers me
Will I ever break free
So full of anger and resentments
I've never paid any complements
To those providing for my needs
My garden has is full of weeds
Laying in the gutter
Looking down on another
What is wrong with me
Am I right
Or
Am I wrong
It never mattered as long
As I had enough
Of my own stuff
How many years must pass by
Before I find out why
I can't surrender to win
God my life is so full of sin
Freedom came one rainy day
I praise God
That He helped
Me to break away

Daniel M Corkery
3/21/2001
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Change and growth take place when
a person has risked himself and dares to
become involved with experimenting with his own life.
Herbert Otto

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Whatever the tasks that your soul has agreed to,
whatever its contract with the Universe is,
all of the experiences of your life serve to
awaken within you the memory of that contract,
and to prepare you to fulfill it.
Gary Zukav

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The places in our personality where we tend to deviate
from love are not our faults, but our wounds.
Marianne Williamson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Every single act of love releases blocked energy in your body.
Unconditional love heals the body and the mind.
Keep reminding yourself of this truth until it becomes your reality.
Love is a frequency that you can choose to tune into,
just you tune into a frequency on the radio.
Wayne Dyer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The mind emerges from the
body and reflects upon itself...
  you ask me what my love for you means...
I will not answer...
for by answering I would give it
limits which it does not have...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God forgives us right then and there,
It is we who have to forgive ourselves.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I don't have everything that I want,
But God gives me everything that I need.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God puts people in our lives
exactly when we need them.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spirituality is learning how to be true to yourself
and listen to your heart.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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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Under Bill s.1618 TITLE III passed by the 105th U.S. Congress
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or go to the website and unsubscribe
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

The Promises ?
www.recoverylane.com/promises_.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What is your definition of "balance" in recovery ?
Why is learning when to say "no" important to finding balance ?
What do you do when you get all out of whack and you need to regain some
balance ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 24
Today I dare to believe in the beauty of love.
Today I trust I am being led to love by love
and my day will be full of love.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

H.O.W.

In honesty, WE recover, The strength to face our fears,
In open-mindedness, WE recover, Our thoughts become clear,
In willingness, WE recover, All of our lost tears,
WE learn, WE laugh, WE live, WE love,

In accepting, WE recover, Those lost parts of ourselves,
In surrender, WE recover, Today as a reality,
In our sadness, WE recover, Those children who love unconditionally,
WE hug, WE smile, WE speak, WE are miracles,

In reflection, WE recover, The innocence we had forsaken,
In attending, WE recover, The courage that was shaken,
In prayer, WE recover, Ourselves as we awaken, To the now, and the H.O.W.
WE feel.

© December 10, 1995 Rod A.
AKA: Exhead Poetry In The Key Of Pain

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dare To Believe
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=668

The Lottery Player
www.wscribe.com/parables/lottery.html

Blessings come in Disguises
www.mcfeth.com/blessings.htm

Cruise Control
www.aagrapevine.org/gv/current/article1.php

It Might Have Been The Time . . .
I too needed spiritual development
www.aagrapevine.org/gv/current/bonus_article1.php

N.A. Way Magazine 4/2007 Issue
www.na.org/naway/en/Apr07/en-naway0704.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 24                                Risking Vulnerability

"As we grow, we learn to overcome the tendency to run and hide
from ourselves and our feelings." Basic Text, p. 81

  Rather than risk vulnerability, many of us have developed habits that
keep others at a safe distance. These patterns of emotional isolation
can give us the feeling we are hopelessly locked behind our masks. We
used to take risks with our lives; now we can take risks with our feelings.
Through sharing with other addicts, we learn that we are not unique; we
do not make ourselves unduly vulnerable simply by letting others know
who we are, for we are in good company. And by working the Twelve Steps
of the N.A. program, we grow and change. We no longer want or need to
hide our emerging selves. We are offered the opportunity to shed the
emotional camouflage we developed to survive our active addiction.

  By opening ourselves to others, we risk becoming vulnerable, but that
risk is well worth the rewards. With the help of our sponsor and other
recovering addicts, we learn how to express our feelings honestly and
openly. In turn, we become nourished and encouraged by the unconditional
love of our companions. As we practice spiritual principles, we find
strength and freedom, both in ourselves and in those around us. We are
set free to be ourselves and to enjoy the company of our fellow addicts.

Just for today: I will openly and honestly share with another recovering
addict. I will risk becoming vulnerable and celebrate my self and my
friendship with other NA members. I will grow.   pg. 150

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Easier, Softer Way

If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  72

I certainly didn't leap at the opportunity to face who I was, especially
when the pains of my drinking days hung over me like a dark cloud.  But I
soon heard at the meetings about the fellow member who just didn't want to
take Step Five and kept coming back to meetings, trembling from the horrors
of reliving his past.  The easier, softer way is to take these Steps to
freedom from our fatal disease, and to put our faith in the Fellowship and
our Higher Power.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC. \Daily Reflection
In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 24th

A.A. Thought for the Day

In twelfth-step work, the third thing is conviction. Prospects
must be convinced that they honestly want to stop drinking.
They must see and admit that their life is unmanageable. They
must face the fact that they must do something about their
drinking. They must be absolutely honest with themselves and
face themselves as they really are. They must be convinced
that they must give up drinking and they must see that their
whole life depends on this conviction. Do I care enough about
other alcoholics to help them reach this conviction?

Meditation for the Day

There is no limit to what you can accomplish in helping others.
Keep that thought always. Never relinquish any work or give
up the thought of any accomplishment because it seems beyond
your power. God will help you in all good work. Only give it up if
you feel that it's not God's will for you. In helping others,
think of the tiny seed under the dark, hard ground. There is
no certainty that, when it has forced its way up to the surface,
sunlight and warmth will greet it. Often a task seems beyond
your power, but there is no limit to what you can accomplish
with God's help.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may never become discouraged in helping others.
I pray that I may always rely on the power of God to help 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 24

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Letting the Cycles Flow

Life is cyclical, not static. Our relationships benefit when we allow them
to follow their own natural cycles.

Like the tide ebbs and flows, so do the cycles in relationships. We have
periods of closeness and periods of distance. We have times of coming
together and times of separating to work on individual issues.

We have times of love and joy, and times of anger.

Sometimes, the dimensions of relationships change as we go through changes.
Sometimes, life brings us new friends or a new loved one to teach us the
next lesson.

That does not mean the old friend disappears forever. It means we have
entered a new cycle.

We do not have to control the course of our relationships, whether these be
friendships or love relationships. We do not have to satisfy our need to
control by imposing a static form on relationships.

Let it flow. Be open to the cycles. Love will not disappear. The bond
between friends will not sever. Things do not remain the same forever,
especially when we are growing and changing at such a rapid pace.

Trust the flow. Take care of yourself, but be willing to let people go.
Hanging on to them too tightly will make them disappear.

The old adage about love still holds true: If it's meant to be, it will be.
And if you love someone, let them go. If they come back to you, the love is
yours.

Today, I accept the cyclical nature of life and relationships. I will strive
to go with the flow. I will strive for harmony with my own needs and the
needs of the other person.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Why Are You Here?
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/why-are-you-here.htm

Why Am I Here?
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/March/0397-16.html

Revitalization of Spirituality
by Hank Wesselman, Ph.D.
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/wesselman_hank_61304.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Opening Up To Love
by Deborah Johnson

   Once upon a time, there was a young woman who gave and gave to other
people until it hurt. She cooked for people, always threw parties or gave
presents to friends on their birthdays, bought expensive clothes for her
boyfriend, and generally bent over backwards to help anyone she cared about
(or didn't care about). It pleased her no end to buy something special for a
friend, even when she really needed some new clothing for herself. That
didn't seem to matter.

    She often wondered why no one brought her flowers, and why no one did
anything for her birthday-even when she hinted it was coming. The young
woman also wondered why she always felt empty and lonely inside. Then, one
day it hit her like a ton of bricks! She had been doing all these wonderful
things for other people, completely disregarding her own needs. A little
voice inside had been trying hard for years to tell her this, but she so
desperately needed love that she kept doing what her subconscious logically
thought would work, giving to others so that they would give to her.

    As soon as she realized that she needed to love herself more, she began
doing little things for herself; things she had previously expected other
people to do for her. She began buying herself a bouquet of flowers once a
week. When she'd forget, she would find that her friends brought her
flowers! Wonder of wonders, every time she did something nice for herself,
it increased the amount of nice things other people did for her, almost in
direct proportion!

    Then she took herself on a cruise to the Hawaiian Islands, fell in love
with Hawaii, and decided to live there for awhile. However, the loneliness
got worse, even in paradise. One morning the young woman woke up with the
solution. "Aha!" she cried, "If giving myself gifts helped others to give me
gifts, why not try giving myself LOVE so others will be able to give me more
love? It's worth a try."

    So she began with simple spiritual exercises that worked for her and
opened her heart to let God's love in. It was miraculous. She was able to
identify and accept this love, and realize that it is the true source of ALL
love, no matter who she thought it might be coming from. Then she began
feeling comfortable being alone. Even though she still wanted a mate, she
did not feel so lonely, and could accept more of what life brought (or
didn't bring). Because she was able to love herself, and take the time to
give this pure love of spirit to herself, she began to receive more love
from friends, family, and finally from a man with whom she felt closer to
than anyone else. As she continues this process, the joy in her life is
still increasing daily, and she overshadows the small bits of loneliness
with more and more love.

    Yes, that story was about me! Here is an exercise I used to help me
love and open up to the purest, most secure and satisfying love there is.

    See yourself walking in a desert. If you are feeling particularly
abandoned or forlorn, you can think of it as a vast, lonely desert with no
love to be anywhere. You have been walking for a long time and are very
thirsty. Suddenly you spy a patch of green... an oasis! As you get closer,
it calls to you with a hauntingly beautiful melody and a radiant heavenly
glow. As you enter it you see a lovely alabaster fountain flowing with a
spray of water sparkling like diamonds. Your guardian angel is standing next
to the fountain, and hands you a cup of this magnificent nectar of the
heavens. You drink it gratefully, feeling it not only quench your thirst,
but also filling you with the most wonderful feeling of love and contentment
ever.

   You are then invited to bathe in this extraordinary fountain, and you do
so, feeling now completely surrounded by this awesome feeling of pure, true
love. You feel protected, loved, and cherished like you have never felt
before. You walk back into your life singing.

   If you like, you can sing out HU, which is an ancient name for God found
in every sound on earth. Sing it out with a long drawn out breath and the
vibration of that name will fill you with even more love.

   Another simple exercise is to think of a time you felt more loved than
any other you can remember, and get into that feeling, no matter how far
back it goes, even if you were rocking in your mother's arms. Now fill
yourself with that love and let it open your heart to more.

   I also invite you to make up your own exercise, one that suits your own
spiritual beliefs and lifestyle. If you do this sort of thing daily, I
guarantee you will be graced with much more love in your life!

About The Author:
Deborah Johnson is a counselor, author and publisher of: "Think Yourself
Loved", "How to Love Yourself", "How to Think Yourself Thin", and "How to
Make Your Dreams Come True". Debbie can be reached at: Deborah Johnson
Publishing, 7030 SW Canyon West Dr., #6, Portland, OR 97225.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

How Can You Tell When It's Your Intuition on the Line?

The question I'm asked most often is "How do I know it's my intuition
and not fear or wishful thinking?" This is such a tough question to
answer because it's really about knowing yourself. Most of us feel
fear when we try anything new because it takes us out of our comfort
zone. Conversely, most of us have an ideal life we'd like to
experience and our intuition can help guide us there.  But how do we
know it's not just "Pollyanna thinking?" Here are some guidelines to
help you in trusting your intuition:

* If the message contains thoughts of hope, love, encouragement,
wisdom, strength and comfort, it's your intuition speaking.

* You may feel a sense of peace come over you as you contemplate a
right course of action. You may still feel nervous about actually
doing this thing but you will feel right about it nonetheless.

* You feel consistently passionate and excited about something over a
period of time.  This is usually a nudge from your intuition to go for
it.

* You've followed your guidance and taken some small steps towards
your goal and you find that opportunities begin to open up to you.
You're on the right path!

* You're drawn to a book or overhear a conversation and the words
seem as though they were directly spoken to you in answer to your
request for guidance.

* You begin to feel grateful or have an attitude of appreciation for
your life even though you may be going through a difficult time. This
is your intuition speaking.

* Insight that comes quickly into your mind after a prayer or request
for guidance is usually the right path to follow.

Lynn Robinson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Boundaries---tough deal if you've never set them.  Just a suggestion----
take some lipstick and write on your mirror:

1) I AM OK.
when you believe that in YOUR HEART,
then write:

2) GOD LOVES ME.
when you believe that in YOUR HEART,
then write:

3) I AM WORTHY OF GODS LOVE.
when you believe that in YOUR HEART,
then write:

4) TODAY I AM LOVEABLE.
when you believe that in YOUR HEART,
then write:

5) TODAY I LOVE WHO I HAVE BECOME, A LOVING CHILD OF GOD.

That's it. There is no hurry.  It sometimes takes awhile to get from
your head to your heart.  You'll know when it gets to your heart,
then move to the next one. When you get to number 5, live it to the
best of your ability each day and you will have become a loving,
caring child of God who will receive His blessings beyond your wildest
imagination. Be patient.  It will all come in Gods time, but you must
TAKE THE ACTION!!!

At some point you will find your past will become an asset to help someone
else.
We each go through what we go through in order to be of maximum service to
other children of God.

The basics---pretty simple and it works for anything you might be going
through to keep you OK with what you're going through!!
1) Go to meetings and don't drink or use drugs in between the meetings.
2) Pray to a God of your understanding.
3) Participate in your recovery. (work the steps with the help of a sponsor)
4) Help others.
5) Be responsible.
That's it.  Simple but not easy.

I love you my friend,
Richard
RICHARDOWEN@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Faith

Faith isn't anything you can see;
It isn't anything you can touch.
But you can feel it in your heart.
Faith is what keeps you trying
When others would have given up.
It keeps you believing in
The goodness of others
And helps you find it.

Faith is trusting in a power
Greater than yourself
And knowing that whatever happens,
This power will carry you through anything.
It is believing in yourself
And having courage
To stand up for what you believe in.

Faith is:
Peace in the midst of a storm,
Determination in the midst
Of adversity,
And safety in the midst of trouble.
For nothing can touch a soul
That is protected by faith.

Author Unknown

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Decisions


Sometimes we make up our minds
sometimes our mind makes itself up
as it comes to some sort of understanding
with itself
It¹s a quirk of the human brain
to reconcile its beliefs and values
with what¹s fermenting on the outside

The day brings choices laid out before us
which the night introduced
The day is wide open to all we can be
A prelude to living out our dreams
In the real-time of the rest of our life

Use one day as template
Calm the inner rumblings
Make the choice to follow your Spirit

Make those dreams
come true
and live with integrity of the heart
Forever

Love
Stella
© 2005 Stella Raymonde Savoie Johnson
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I make a continual practice of self-love, whether I am up or down, sick or
well, tired or well-rested.

There may be nothing harder than sticking to a policy of self-love
regardless of the flux of my feelings. For when things are not going the way
I want them to, when my expectations are not being fulfilled, I immediately
begin the old pattern of shoveling myself into the garbage as if I am a
useless failure.

If I stop and take note when I take out the shovel, I will be able to
realize that as a child I had few resources to keep alive the sense of
myself as lovable. But now I am free to develop all the resources I need. I
have friends to call who will remind me I am loved. I can look at my face in
the mirror and affirm my love for myself. I can hug myself or a teddy bear
and console the child within me. I can slow down and become aware of my
Higher Power as a force that I can trust to lead me and provide for me all
that I need, even when I am unable to see the provisions.

from the book: Daybreak by Maureen Brady

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rejoice in all your relationships,
the ones that are easy and the ones that are not.
They are bringing you exactly what you need to know
for your soul's awakening and evolution.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

One always speaks badly when one has nothing to say.
Voltaire

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Man's main task in life is to give birth to himself,
to become what he potentially is.
The most important  product of his effort is his own personality.
Erich Fromm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My life was unmanageable,
I needed a new manager

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This disease will bring you down to your knees,
and God and the people in the fellowship
will help you back up one day at a time.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This is a spiritual not religious program.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In this program,
the service begins,
when the meeting ends.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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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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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

A friend once asked "Why aren't you drinking?"
I responded" I am allergic to alcohol,
When I drink alcohol, I break out in CRACK"

Tradition 12
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad12.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition12.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad12.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What is your definition of "balance" in recovery ?
Why is learning when to say "no" important to finding balance ?
What do you do when you get all out of whack and you need to regain some
balance ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 23
I do not need to know anything about
this day beyond this moment.
This moment is perfect...just as it is
and I can handle anything in this moment.
My Higher Power gives me all the strength I need today
to handle whatever comes up in this moment.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I Thought To Myself

Alone and scared
I entered the room
My life was full
Of doom and gloom
Your welcomed here
Is what you said
I thought to myself
Your out of your head
If you knew me
With all I've done
I would not be
Your welcomed one
You said you were just like me
I thought to myself
Your blind you can't see
I was all worn down
So full of doubt
I thought to myself
Can you really help me out
The things I heard
I could agree
Now I'm not normally paranoid
Yet you touch me deep
Inside my void
Don't compare, identify
I heard you say
Something happened that very day
I thought to myself
Maybe there is a way
Try us for ninety days
If your not happy then
We refund all your misery
Give us time to see
This all sounded
So very strange that night
You said to surrender
That there would be no fight
I thought to myself
You could be right
So I decided to give recovery a try
The first ninety days flew on by
I'm still here
Your still near
This is where I belong

Daniel M Corkery
3/21/2001
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What Is Narcotics Anonymous?
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=666

Look to this day
www.wscribe.com/parables/today.html

Alone with Me
www.inspiredliving.com/life/self~AloneMe.htm

experience, strength, and hope as told by individuals in recovery
www.anonymousone.com/stories.htm

Young, Sober and Free
www.day-by-day.org

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today

May 23                                  Amends and Sponsors

"We want to be free of our guilt, but we don't wish to do so at
the expense of anyone else." Basic Text, p. 39

   Let's face it: Most of us left trails of destruction in our wakes and
harmed anyone who got in our way. Some of the people we hurt most
in our addiction were the people we loved most. In an effort to purge
ourselves of the guilt we feel for what we've done, we may be tempted
to share with our loved ones, in gruesome detail, things that are better
left unsaid. Such disclosures could do much harm and may do little good.

   The Ninth Step is not about easing our guilty consciences; it's about
taking responsibility for the wrongs we've done. In working our Eighth
and Ninth Steps, we should seek the guidance of our sponsor and amend
our wrongs in a manner that won't cause us to owe more amends. We are
not just seeking freedom from remorse‹we are seeking freedom from
our defects. We never again want to inflict harm on our loved ones. One
way to insure that we do not is by working the Ninth Step responsibly,
checking our motives, and discussing with our sponsor the particular
amends we plan to make before we make them.

Just for today: I wish to accept responsibility for my actions. Before
making any amends, I will talk with my sponsor. pg. 149

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Past Is Over

A.A. experience has taught us we cannot live alone with our pressing
problems and the character defects which cause or aggravate them.  If . . .
Step Four . . . has revealed in stark relief those experiences we'd rather
not remember . . . then the need to quit living by ourselves with those
tormenting ghosts of yesterday gets more urgent than ever.  We have to talk
to somebody about them.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.  55

Whatever is done is over.  It cannot be changed.  But my attitude about it
can be changed through talking with those who have gone before and with
sponsors.  I can wish the past never was, but if I change my actions in
regard to what I have done, my attitude will change.  I won't have to wish
the past away.  I can change my feelings and attitudes, but only through my
actions and the help of my fellow alcoholics.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 23rd

A.A. Thought for the Day

The Twelfth Step of A.A., working with others, can be
subdivided into five parts, five words beginning with
the letter C; confidence, confession, conviction, conversion,
and continuance. The first thing in trying to help other
alcoholics is to get their confidence. We do this by telling
them our own experiences with drinking, so that they see
that we know what we're talking about. if we share our
experiences frankly, they will know that we are sincerely
trying to help them. They will realize that they're not
alone and that others have had experiences as bad or
worse than theirs. This gives them confidence that they
can be helped. Do I care enough about other alcoholics to
get their confidence?

Meditation for the Day

I fail not so much when tragedy happens as I did before
the happening, by all the little things I might have done,
but did not do. I must prepare for the future by doing the
right thing at the right time now. If a thing should be done,
I should deal with that thing today and get it righted with
God before I allow myself to undertake any new duty. I
should look upon myself as performing God's errands and
then coming back to Him to tell Him in quiet communion that
the message has been delivered or the task done.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may seek no credit for the results of what I do.
I pray that I may leave the outcome of my actions to 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 23

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Enjoyment

Life is not to be endured; life is to be enjoyed and embraced.

The belief that we must square our shoulders and get through a meager,
deprived existence for far off rewards in Heaven is a codependent belief.

Yes, most of us still have times when life will be stressful and challenge
our endurance skills. But in recovery, we're learning to live, to enjoy our
life, and handle situations as they come.

Our survival skills have served us well. They have gotten us through
difficult times  - as children and adults. Our ability to freeze feelings,
deny problems, deprive ourselves, and cope with stress has helped us get
where we are today. But we're safe now. We're learning to do more than
survive. We can let go of unhealthy survival behaviors. We're learning new,
better ways to protect and care for ourselves. We're free to feel our
feelings, identify and solve problems, and give ourselves the best. We're
free to open up and come alive.

Today, I will let go of my unhealthy endurance and survival skills. I will
choose a new mode of living, one that allows me to be alive and enjoy the
adventure.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dad's Checkbook
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/alan-cohen.htm

Shelter for the Spirit:
How to Make Your Home a Haven in a Hectic World
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/March/0397-15.html

Peace Be With You!
by Barbel Mohr
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/peace_11212.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What Do You Value Most?

"A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door...

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls,
career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the
country in pursuit of his dreams.  There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack
had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his
wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night.  The
funeral is Wednesday."  Memories flashed through his mind like an old
newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days. "Jack, did you
hear me?" "Oh, sorry, Mom.  Yes, I heard you.  It's been so long since I
thought of him.  I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack
said.

"Well, he didn't forget you.  Every time I saw him, he'd ask how you were
doing.  He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the
fence' as he put it," Mom told him. "I loved that old house he lived in,"
Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure
you had a man's influence in your life," she said. "He's the one who taught
me carpentry," he said.  "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for
him.  He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important.
Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word.  Jack caught the next flight to his
hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful.  He had no children
of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. The night before he
had to return home, Jack and his mom stopped by to see the old house next
door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment.  It
was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and
time.

The house was exactly as he remembered.  Every step held memories.  Every
picture, every piece of furniture...  Jack stopped suddenly. "What's wrong,
Jack?" his mom asked. "The box is gone," he said.  "What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk.  I must
have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was
'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.  It was gone.  Everything about the
house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box.  He figured
someone from the Belser family had taken it. "Now I'll never know what was
so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep.  I have an early
flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died.  Returning home from work
one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a
package.  No one at home.  Please stop by the main post office within the
next three days," the note read. Early the next day Jack retrieved the
package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred
years ago.
The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his
attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read.

Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside
was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note
inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett.
It's the thing I valued most in my life."  A small key was taped to the
letter. His  heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully
unlocked the box.  There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.
Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the
cover.

Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! Harold
Belser."

"The thing he valued most...was...my time."

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared
his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way,
Janet...thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments
that take our breath away."

Bob Perks

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A-B-C Method of Managing Attitudes

Have you heard of the A-B-C method of managing your attitude? It's
simple and effective.

"A" stands for the "Activating Event." Let's say you get stuck in
traffic. The traffic jam is the activating event.

"B" stands for your "Belief System." You believe that traffic is only
getting worse and you'll have more and more days like this ahead.

"C" stands for the "Consequence of the Event." You become angry. You
want to honk your horn. Your stomach is tied in knots and you bang the
dashboard with your fist.

The problem is...most people jump directly from "A" to "C." They get
stuck in traffic and become angry. They think the traffic jam made
them upset. They don't realize that they didn't HAVE to get angry.
They skipped an important step!

Let's try it again:

"A" - you get stuck in traffic.

"B" - you believe that you were given some unexpected and extra time
to spend in solitude, to listen to a great tape or to plan your day.

"C" - the consequence is that you feel gratitude for the gift of time.

I have a friend who is fond of saying, "A traffic jam has no power to
make us angry. It just stops our car." He is aware that between the
activating event and the consequence is something that we control: our
beliefs about what is happening.

The next time you have a problem -- at home or at work, big or
small -- decide to manage your attitude toward it. Practice the A-B-C
method. You probably can't change "A," the activating event. But try
changing "B," your beliefs about the problem. When you change your
beliefs, you also change "C," the consequences of the situation.

It's as simple as A-B-C. Manage your beliefs, and you'll manage to be
a lot happier!

Steve Goodier © 2002

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When to Receive

When a butterfly wings itself
Into your view
Be blessed with the process
of transformation
she brings within
the fold of her wings

Change rides the waves of days
Constant, flowing ~ why be afraid ?
Be objective to life's lessons
Embrace your silent metamorphosis

Letting go
into your nourishing cocoon
Your purpose and its ways
In stillness
In gladness, be ready to
Receive

Love

Stella

© 2002 Stella Raymonde Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

10 recovering addicts, all in a line
One got to thinking... Then there were Nine.

9 recovering addicts, one said "Wait!
One beer or joint can't hurt!" Then there were eight.

8 recovering addicts, lookin' up to heaven.
One stopped attending meetings... Then there were seven.

7 recovering addicts, doing service for kicks.
One started grumbling... Then there were six.

6 recovering addicts, glad to be alive.
One wallowed in self-pity... Then there five.

5 recovering addicts, greeters at the door.
One played the Big Shot... Then there were four.

4 recovering addicts, for fun and for free.
One's case was "different"... Then there were three.

3 recovering addicts, knowing what to do.
One rewrote the Basic Text... Then there were two.

2 recovering addicts, having some fun.
One started lying... Then there was one.

1 recovering addict, talking to HP.
"If only one is clean... I'm grateful that it's me!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I Wonder

I wake up and I wonder
What God has in store for me
I will gladly do whatever
He sets in front of me

For I owe God today
My life my hope
My every way
God has surely blessed me
After all God has set us all free

I wish to serve my fellow man
Help him try to understand
I was once lost as I went astray
Then Gods grace
Had brought me back to AA

Daniel M Corkery
2/27/2002
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"The Creator of the universe, who has ordered the stars and the
heavens and the earth, has a plan for your life.  You are not a random
act. You are not here by chance, but by design. You are destined for
greatness that begins with your believing in your own destiny."
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You¹re only fooling yourself if you think you got away with it.
Glen Hopkins

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude
from achieving his goal;
nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
E. Joseph Cossman

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You can complain because roses have thorns,
or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.
Tom Wilson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two men look out the same prison bars;
one sees mud and the other stars.
Frederick Langbridge

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The slogans are the banisters to the steps.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The ones that I hate the most
work the best.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You are exactly where you need to be.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You have to be where you are at,
it's the only way to get where you are going.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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:

twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or
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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 the group
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or go to the website and unsubscribe
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Tradition 11
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad11.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition11.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad11.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What is your definition of "balance" in recovery ?
Why is learning when to say "no" important to finding balance ?
What do you do when you get all out of whack and you need to regain some
balance ?

(((Family))) a BIG hug to you ALL
The weekly topic is on Balance and this is something
that has been a difficult thing to maintain.
I do realize that recovery is a process of progress and regress
2 steps forward and one step back.
Balance is something that I strive for it is not a destination
Balance is best described for me by looking at the N.A. Symbol
which is a Pyramid in a Circle
The base of the pyramid is Goodwill-Doing the right thing,
for the right reason and not expecting anything in return.
The four sides are "God" This is a God given program
"Self" God helps them who helps themselves
"Society" as we recover, we learn responsibility
and things around us get better.
"Service" giving back what was freely given to you
Balance for me is being spiritually centered and grounded,
making meetings regularly, being present and available in my family
and relationships, being a responsible member of society
and showing up and reporting for duty by doing service .
The most important service I do is secret service,
by not telling anyone about my efforts.
Saying no was a difficult thing for me top learn.
I would say yes, to show up for you
and I had a full plate and would drop the ball in my life.
It was a form of people pleasing and dishonesty.
Helping you would be hurting me.
Today when I am not able, by saying no to you,
I am saying yes to me!!!
When I get off balance and out of whack
I pray and get my ass to a meeting,
on the way to the meeting I call up my sponsor
for a check up from the neck up.
ALL is well over here,
I am busy with business,
My family is GREAT, my wife is due to give birth on 6/4
although the doctor says it will happen any day now :)
I am sticking close to home.
I am off tomorrow and I am looking forward to buying flowers
and planting the garden with my son.
I've got it real good,
Actually, I have never had it so good.
Thanks to God, and the 12 Step Program and Fellowship
Have a blessed day,
In loving service,
Scott

The weekly meeting topic is:
What is your definition of "balance" in recovery ?
Why is learning when to say "no" important to finding balance ?
What do you do when you get all out of whack and you need to regain some
balance ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 22
Today I choose to feel love in this moment.
Today I choose to let love fill my day and bring joy.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Acceptance of Serenity

After all these years you¹d think I¹d finally get it together ‹
Come to believe I never had to use again.
Crazy as it seems, I really want a life that¹s better,
Even though I keep going out ‹ hurting family and friends.
Perhaps I¹m one of those who¹s not supposed to make it, my sick
Thinking tells me, trying to keep me beat down.
After all, look how long I¹ve been trying to stop using, this
New life they keep talking about seems nowhere to be found.
Could it be I¹ve reservations? Clinging to that momentary
Escape the dope provides? I¹ve got to realize I can¹t run from me.

Once I come to, I¹ll be deeper in whatever tragedy my life is in,
Falling further away from sanity, reality and my God.

So God, please help me. I¹m asking once again.
Enter into my heart and in my daily life.
Replenish this spirit I¹m surrendering, and then, help me
Educate others in how to live within your light.
Never Alone, Never Again ‹ what a miracle and blessing!
I think I can make it with all of you by my side!
Thank you God and N. A. for your life-saving message, for
Your patience and tolerance ‹ for giving me a new life!

Never again do we have to listen to the lie that "this one will be
different." Never again do we have to believe that the only life we deserve
is one of pain, misery and despair. We can come out of the darkness, into
the light of recovery, discovering a new way of life ‹ one that is happy,
joyous and free!!!
john h.
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

To Risk
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=662

Life Speed
www.wscribe.com/parables/lifespeed.html

Al-Anon, ACOA AND CODA type links
www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/8183/alanonlinks.html

The Marriage Toolbox
www.marriagetools.com/index.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 22                     Symptoms of a spiritual awakening

"The steps lead to an awakening of a spiritual nature. This
awakening is evidenced by changes in our lives."  Basic Text, p. 48

   We know how to recognize the disease of addiction. Its symptoms
are indisputable. Besides an uncontrollable appetite for drugs, those
suffering exhibit self-centered, self-seeking behavior. When our
addiction was at its peak of activity, we were obviously in a great deal
of pain. We relentlessly judged ourselves and others, and spent most
of our time worrying or trying to control outcomes.

   Just as the disease of addiction is evidenced by definite symptoms,
so is a spiritual awakening made manifest by certain obvious signs in a
recovering addict. We may observe a tendency to think and act
spontaneously, a loss of interest in judging or interpreting the actions
of anyone else, an unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment, and
frequent attacks of smiling.

   If we see someone exhibiting symptoms of a spiritual awakening, we
should be aware that such awakenings are contagious. Our best course
of action is to get close to these people. As we begin having frequent,
overwhelming episodes of gratitude, an increased receptiveness to the
love extended by our fellow members, and an uncontrollable urge to
return this love, we'll realize that we, too, have had a spiritual
awakening.

Just for today: My strongest desire is to have a spiritual awakening. I
will watch for its symptoms and rejoice when I discover them.  pg. 148

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A New Sense of Belonging

Until we had talked with complete candor of our conflicts, and had listened
to someone else do the same thing, we still didn't belong.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.  57

After four years in A.A. I was able to discover the freedom from the burden
of buried emotions that had caused me so much pain.  With the help of A.A.,
and extra counseling, the pain was released and I felt a complete sense of
belonging and peace.  I also felt a joy and a love of God that I had never
experienced before.  I am in awe of the power of Step Five.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 22nd

A.A. Thought for the Day

What impresses us most at an A.A. meeting is the willingness
to share, without holding anything back. And pretty soon we
find ourselves sharing also. We start telling our own
experiences and by so doing we help the other person. And
when we've got these things off our chest, we feel a lot
better. It does us a lot of good to share with some other
poor unfortunate person who's in the same box that we were
in. And the more we share, the more we have left for
ourselves. Do I know that the more I share, the better
chance I'll have to stay sober?

Meditation for the Day

Constantly claim God's strength. Once convinced of the
right of a course of action, once reasonably sure of God's
guidance, claim that strength now. You can claim all the
strength you need to meet any situation. You can claim a
new supply when your own supply is exhausted. You have a
right to claim it and you should use your right. A beggar
supplicates, a child appropriates. When you supplicate, you
are often kept waiting, but when you appropriate God's
strength in a good cause, you have it at once.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may claim God's strength whenever I need it.
I pray that I may try to live as a child 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 22

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Times of Reprogramming

Do not ask for love unless you're ready to be healed enough to give and
receive love.

Do not ask for joy unless you're ready to feel and release your pain, so you
can feel joy.

Do not ask for success unless you're ready to conquer the behaviors that
would sabotage success.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could imagine ourselves having or becoming - and
then immediately receiving - what we wanted? We can have and be the good
things we want. All good things are ours for the asking. But first,
groundwork - preparation work - must be done.

A gardener would not plant seeds unless the ground was adequately prepared
to nurture and nourish those seeds. The planting would be wasted effort. It
would be wasted effort for us to get what we wanted before we were ready.

First, we need to become aware of our need or desire. This may not be easy!
Many of us have become accustomed to shutting off the inner voice of our
wants, needs, and desires. Sometimes, life has to work hard to get our
attention.

Next we let go of the old programming: the behavior and beliefs that
interfere with nurturing and nourishing the good. Many of us have strong
sabotaging programs, learned from childhood, that need to be released. We
may need to act as if for a while until the belief that we deserve the good
becomes real.

We combine this process with much letting go, while we are being changed at
the core.

There is naturalness to this process, but it can be intense. Things take
time.

Good things are ours for the asking, if we are willing to participate in the
work of groundbreaking. Work and wait.

Today, God, give me the courage to identify the good I want in my life and
to ask for it. Give me also the faith and stamina I need to go through the
work that must be accomplished first.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

An Escalation In Awakening
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/editorial.htm

Make Time Work in Your Favor
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/March/0397-14.html

Making  Your Life Real
by  P.M.H. Atwate
www.innerself.com/Behavior_Modification/life_real.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Who Are You?
by Marie T. Russell

We have all gone through life saying certain things about ourselves, such
as-I'm a shy person, or I'm intelligent, or I'm stupid, or I'm clumsy, or
I'm slow, etc. Now that we understand the power of the word and of the mind,
we have come to the realization that all of these statements were simply
creating self-fulfilling prophecies.

Consequently we can now remake ourselves into the image of God. Whew! I know
that may seem like a tough one to some people, and even possibly
blasphemous. Yet, look at that more closely. In the Bible it says we were
made in the image of God... What does that mean? We are supposed to have, or
come to have, the same attributes as God - loving, all knowing, able to
create what we choose, eternal, forgiving, and all that good stuff.

We all have the power to be whoever we choose to be. If you've gone through
your life saying I'm patient, then you have affirmed yourself into being
that way. In the same way, if you've been saying for decades, I'm impatient,
that's where you are now. But all that can change. Every morning when we
wake up, we have a new day ahead of us in which we can be whatever we
choose. We can re-create ourselves daily, especially when we consciously
choose to let go of old resentments, grudges, patterns, fear, etc.

In the morning, start your day by affirming, I have the power to be whatever
I want to be. I choose to be loving, peaceful, joyous, harmonious,
prosperous, and patient with myself and others. Once you make your intent
known to your subconscious by that affirmation, it will cooperate in helping
you create that reality. If, on the other hand, you wake up saying, I'm so
tired. I hate myself (cancel), I never get things right (cancel) then your
subconscious will also cooperate with what you are telling it. Make sure you
are affirming what you want to create - not what you don't want.

I choose to be me! And every day I am re-discovering who that is, without
the conditioned set of rules, i.e.: I'm female so I must wear makeup, wear
perfume, get married, have kids, cook for my husband, etc. I'm a man, so I
must support a wife and children, I'm the head of the household, etc. We
have moved away from a lot of the traditional expectations of who we are
supposed to be, whether as males or females, but how much of our behavior is
conditioned by the norm? We can step away from any preconceived ideas of who
we are by starting to live in the moment, and by listening to the song of
our heart.

Some people fear change... yet we are changing every single moment. You are
not the same person you were yesterday... since then you have had numerous
inter-reactions, learned things you did not know, and had experiences you
had not had before. So you are a new you!

There is no set definition of who you are. You are whoever or whatever you
choose to be at that moment. Let your inner child and your innermost desires
lead you to who you are at this moment, and who you are to be in the next
moment. Let go of any definitions of who you are... lazy, stupid, impatient,
etc. Those are simply changes of clothing you put on. Just as every day you
change your clothes, every day, every minute you can change your
`personality- wear'. I now feel enthusiastic, and yesterday I felt
otherwise... Remember that you are not any of those things. You are not
anger, you are not impatience, you are not afraid. You are simply choosing
to experience those emotions.

We are all great actors. And we are free to play any role we choose. So if
the role you have been playing is not bringing you joy and happiness, look
inside - see what role would make your inner child happy and make your heart
sing.

You are free to be... Let your heart guide you to who you want to be at this
moment, and then the next... No choice is right or wrong... they are all
simply experiences. In the same way you may prefer some of your clothes to
others - some may be comfortable, some feel good on your skin - so you will
find that some behaviors also feel better, give you more enthusiasm and joy
for life.

Take your pick... Who do you want to be today? or simply at this moment?
Live in the moment and make your choices according to what will give your
inner being the most joy and peace. Go for it! Be who you really want to be!
.. and who you really are... You are infinite, you are all-knowing, you are
omniscient, omnipotent... Yes! That's who you are. Go within and discover
the truth!

About The Author:
Marie T. Russell is the publisher of InnerSelf Magazine and The Natural
Yellow Pages. She has produced a series of cassette tapes recorded from her
South Florida radio broadcast, Inner Power. Her articles, workshops, and
cassette tapes focus on transformation and reconnecting with our own inner
source of joy and creativity. www.innerself.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Letting Go

A form of magic emerges/materializes
when given permission by two little words
*let go*
it's as if an invisible door opens
double french patio doors, wide and large
and a full view of landscape/seascape
spreads itself at your feet

Two little words that strip down walls
of restraint, judgment, cold heart and
expectations ~ those defense mechanisms
that exist to protect the selfish ego ~
leaving bare a kind of innocence
as a wrapped up gift
colourfully boxed just for you

Freedom blossoms only in the arms
of an open heart
Permission gives birth to Passion
only with Surrender
to the gentler forces
of Nature
Replacing the good with the better

Don't hold on so tight
Let go
Surrender
Love
Stella

©2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rare Gift

A rare gift
indeed
when one can look
into another
see the beauty
the potential within
and nurture
that fragile bud
into a growing
rose

(c)  *Star*
smorris@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

No Longer

The pool of my soul,
brings forth the ripple from my tongue
With love and joy,
my praise for you, to God, I have sung
May I pray, always to
live this new life I've begun
For I know over that death
with you, I have won
Now the shadows in the night
no longer cast their wicked spells
For in the rooms, I found God
and was thrown safely out of hell
No longer will the alcohol
take my soul away
For now you have taught me
to live just for today
No longer is there the pain
of loneliness and despair
For you all reached out with love
and showed me that you cared
No longer do I cry
from the pain I held inside
For you too have also lived it
and showed me, not to hide
No longer do I have that strife
for you've given me a brand new life
Yes, with you, my new family
I have come a long, long way
I definitely feel stronger
For the drugs and the alcohol
I crave no longer

By:  Angela F Moore   whfl
Amoore530@...
Printed with Permission

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Free...

Hope is such a fragile thing
Faith is ever stronger.
God and you have shown me how
To run from life no longer.
 
Love is such a precious thing
Life is even greater.
I work the steps and learn today
And go to God in Prayer.
 
Thank you for this brand new day
Thank you for loving me.
NA, the steps, and you my friends
Have helped me to be free.

Meg M. 
mm1597@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Every situation, properly perceived, becomes an opportunity to heal.
A Course in Miracles

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Too often we under estimate 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.
Leo Buscaglia

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If God brings you to it,
He will surely see you through it

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you can place yourself in the company of people
who are infused with spirit, their energy gives you
spark and facilitation -- a confidence boost.
Fortunately, the electricity of spirit is contagious.
When this positive energy of well-beingness circulates through
your system, people often refer to you as being "lit up."
Benjamin Disraeli

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If I try to be like him,
Who will be like me?
Yiddish proverb

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In helping another,
God helps me.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I share my pain so that I can heal.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We are the eyes and the ears for each other.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I am so glad that you are here,
It helps me to realize how beautiful my world is.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

$$$$$$
A one dollar bill met a 20 dollar bill and said,
"Hey, where've you been?
I haven't seen you around here much."
The twenty answered, "I've been hanging out at the casinos,
went on a cruise and did the rounds of the ship,
back to the  United States for a while,
went to a couple of baseball  games,
to the mall, that kind of stuff.
How about you?"
The one dollar bill said, "You know, same old stuff,
meetings, meetings, meetings."


Tradition 10
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad10.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition10.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad10.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I don't understand what is the difference between
the fellowship and the program ?"
Aren¹t they the same?
Can you explain this to me?"

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 21
Change is an action step and I am taking
new action today to bring positive change to my life.
I know longer accept the unacceptable ways
that no longer work for me.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Who Will Win

Who will win
Who will lose
It is not up to us
To judge or choose
Everyone has a chance
Each one is different you see
No matter what we believe
Everyone has a right to be free
We are to offer a helping hand
Or an ear to understand
We must give it away
If we plan to stay
Who will lose
Who will win
On our knees
Is where we begin
Offer a hand or ride
Show the new comer
We do not hide
If your serious
You will see
We are all the same
We all want to be free
Love is where it is at today
To keep it you must
Give it away

Daniel M Corkery
10/1/2002
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Pleasing Everyone
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=655

Lessons from Geese
www.wscribe.com/parables/goose.html

12 Step Café
www.12steps.org

Dept. of Health and Human Services Prevention Online
www.ncadi.samhsa.gov/

Light the Way
www.geocities.com/loriflower/4/lit.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 21                            Keep Coming Back!

"Meetings keep us in touch with where we've been,
but more importantly with where we could go in our recovery."
Basic Text Page-54

  In many ways, addicts are different. When we came to Narcotics
Anonymous we found others like ourselves, people who understood us
and whom we could understand. No longer did we feel like aliens,
strangers wherever we went. We were at home in NA meetings,
among friends.

  We don't stop being addicts after we've been clean awhile. We still
need to identify with other addicts. We continue coming to NA meetings
to keep in touch with who we are, where we've come from, and where
we're going. Every meeting reminds us that we can never use drugs
successfully. Every meeting reminds us that we'll never be cured, but
that by practicing the principles of the program we can recover. And
every meeting offers us the experience and example of other addicts
in ongoing recovery.

  At meetings, we see how different people work their program, and the
results are apparent in their lives. If we want the lives we see others
living, we can find out what they've done to get where they are. Narcotics
Anonymous meetings offer us identification with where we've been and
where we can go-identification we can't do without and can't get
anywhere else. That keeps us coming back.

Just for today: I will attend an NA meeting to remind myself of who
I am, where I've come from, and where I can go 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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Free At Last

Another great dividend we may expect from confiding our defects to another
human being is humility -- a word often misunderstood  .  .  .  it amounts
to a clear recognition of what and who we really are, followed by a sincere
attempt to become what we could be.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.  58

I knew deep inside that if I were ever to be joyous, happy and free, I had
to share my past life with some other individual.  The joy and relief I
experienced after doing so were beyond description.  Almost immediately
after taking the Fifth Step, I felt free from the bondage of self and the
bondage of alcohol.  That freedom remains after 36 years, a day at a
time.  I found that God could do for me what I couldn't do for myself.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 21st

A.A. Thought for the Day

One of the finest things about A.A. is the sharing. Sharing
is a wonderful thing because the more you share the more
you have. in our old drinking days, we didn't do much sharing.
We used to keep things to ourselves, partly because we
were ashamed, but mostly because we were selfish. And we
were very lonely because we didn't share. When we came
into A.A., the first thing we found was sharing. We heard
other alcoholics frankly sharing their experiences with
hospitals, jails, and all the usual mess that goes with drinking.
Am I sharing.?

Meditation for the Day

Character is developed by the daily discipline of du- ties
done. Be obedient to the heavenly vision and take the straight
way. Do not fall into the error of calling "Lord, Lord," and
doing not the things that should be done. You need a life
of prayer and meditation, but you must still do your work
in the busy ways of life. The busy person is wise to rest and
wait patiently for God's guidance. If you are obedient to the
heavenly vision, you can be at peace.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be obedient to the heavenly vision. I pray
if I fall, I will pick myself up and go on.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 21

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Getting Needs Met

I want to change careers. . . . I need a friend. . . .I'm ready to be in a
relationship. . . .

Regularly, we become aware of new needs. We may need to change our behavior
with our children. We may need a new couch, love and nurturing, a dollar, or
help.

Do not be afraid to recognize a want or need. The birth of a want or need,
the temporary frustration from acknowledging a need before it's met, is the
start of the cycle of receiving what we want. We follow this by letting go,
then receiving that which we want and need. Identifying our needs is
preparation for good things to come.

Acknowledging our needs means we are being prepared and drawn to that which
will meet them. We can have faith to stand in that place in between.

Today, I will let go of my belief that my needs never get met. I will
acknowledge my wants and needs, then turn them over to my Higher Power. My
Higher Power cares, sometimes about the silliest little things, if I do. My
wants and needs are not an accident. God created me and all my desires.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Water Is A Messenger Of God
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/05/f1.htm

Two Wrongs Make a Right, by Alan Cohen
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/March/0397-13.html

Life is Your Prayer
by Neale Donald Walsch
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/prayer.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Emotional Elbows
by Barbara J. Semple

My thoughts and feelings have a lot to do with how I do or don't love
myself. Imagine learning to love every part of your Self, the good stuff and
the "bad." It has been a big project for me.

Some years ago, a wise teacher told me a story about the importance of
healing my emotions. He said I could not know God any other way than through
my feelings. I could only know God through my heart: a higher pathway of my
heart that could only be reached by feeling and healing my feelings. My
teacher said emotional balance was key to knowing the higher levels of my
Self.

My teacher went on to say that in the past I had judged many of my feelings
as being harmful, "bad," and shameful. Every one of those feelings I had
pushed away from myself, or denied, suppressed or judged to be bad, or
someone else had judged to be bad for me, were pieces of my emotional self
which I needed to love and heal. He gave this analogy.

He said if I fall down and severely cut my elbow so blood and bone are
exposed, my immediate, innate response is to pull my elbow into myself and
do whatever it takes to bring my elbow back to full health and usefulness. I
might even kiss it. I will surely hold it tightly into myself to support it
and stop the bleeding until I get more help for myself. I will baby my
healing elbow, protect it from bumps, and keep it clean. I will nurture it
back to full and useful health because I need my elbow.

It is necessary I do the same for my emotional health: nurture it back to
full usefulness. I need emotional balance even more than I need my real
elbow. Healthy emotions are a doorway to a sensitive awareness of things,
which are not physical or cannot be seen with physical eyes.

My teacher went on to say each of those emotions I had pushed away from
myself, judged as bad, were "boo boos" or injuries to myself that needed to
be brought back into myself for my wholeness. I needed to draw back into
myself my "emotional elbows" and love each of them into wholeness. I needed
to be healthy emotionally to let my feelings and emotions rise to a higher
level of awareness in order to know God.

I can see how me loving the parts of myself I judge as ugly might have
something to do with me bringing back to wholeness whatever parts of me want
to continue to "attack myself" as in an auto-immune disease. I expect it is
the same for any disease: cancer, AIDS, diabetes, heart disease. I also know
that my body is the densest part of myself and I will probably have to
reinforce self-love and healing my emotional elbows many times over the
years of my life to have a physical impact. Or, will I?

I have plenty of chances every day with the TV news, magazines and papers,
social situations and my daily interactions with people to catch myself in
judgment about something or someone. Then I get to say "I love the part of
myself that is judging that behavior or feeling as bad."

I know loving what I or someone else may perceive as bad or ugly feelings
and judgments about others and myself is a big stretch. When I first started
doing the "I love the part of myself that is icky"' dialog, which I do in
private with my personal inner voice, it was difficult and didn't feel like
anything was happening. I guess it might be similar to the alcoholic saying
"no" to that first drink after she chooses sobriety: It sounds foreign,
feels like the hardest thing to do, and, it gets easier the more I choose to
love my "emotional elbows."

In summary, "emotional elbows" are those parts of myself or another which I
judge as ugly, shameful, bad in any way, and which I push away or stuff
somewhere or deny myself as feeling.

Kissing my "emotional elbow boo boos," drawing them back into myself with
love with an intention for health, instead of denying them, brings my
emotional self into greater wholeness. Starting with myself, healing my own
emotional elbows, my perceived "bad" parts, makes it easier for me to feel
compassion for others.

Loving Myself Or Beating Myself Up
The whole idea of loving my "emotional elbows" back into wholeness has been
very helpful to me. Once I was watching a program about grizzly bears on the
Discovery Channel. I noticed how completely attentive and caring Mother Bear
was with her babies. It was her job to give them the best training and
opportunities to grow to full size just like her. She never beats her kids,
or yells at them. She always gives her cubs just enough space to get
themselves into little troubles so they can learn. She always stands between
her cubs and harm. She will kill anyone who threatens the well being of her
children.

I feel great wisdom from Mother Bear. I imagine if she could talk, Mother
Bear would say: "There is nothing you can say or do that would make me love
you any less. How can you learn if you do not make mistakes? You are
learning what it means to be you, your Whole, True Self. There are no
failures. I love all parts of you."

This article is excerpted from Soul Aerobics Conscious Movement of a Soul
into Wholeness, ©2000, by Barbara J. Semple. Reprinted with permission of
the publisher, Blue Topaz Publishing. www.bluetopazpublishing.com

About the Author:
Barbara Semple has been a practitioner of Jin Shin Jyutsuâ , a gentle
Oriental healing art, for ten years. She enjoys Zen painting, and is also
the author of Personal Power Cardsä , flashcards for emotional wellness.
Barbara spent 20 years working in corporate and marketing communications
until switching her focus to the holistic healing arts. She lives with her
husband and cat, Oprah, in Northern California.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Wooden Bowl

  A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and
four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight
was blurred, and his steps were faltered.

  The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's
shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off
his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on
the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with
the mess, We must do something about Grandfather," said the son.
I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.

  So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There,
Grandfather ate alone while the rest of  the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a
wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction,
sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.  Still, the only
words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped
a fork or spilled food.

  The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before
supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the
floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as
sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for You
and Mama to eat your food when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled
and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they
were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.

  Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That
evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back
to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal
with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed
to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the
tablecloth soiled.

  Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their
ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they
absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for
family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their
lives.

  The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being
laid for the child's future. Let's be wise builders and role models.

  "Life is about people connecting with people, and making a positive
difference" Take care of yourself, ...and those you love,....today, and
everyday! On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens how
bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

Author Unknown

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Finding Seashells

Finding love for your life
is a lot like coming upon small
treasures on the beach
You walk in a sacred place
with the sound of life's ebb and flow
in your ears
with the view of expansive horizons
in your eyes
with the warmth of millions of sand grains
as there are stars in the sky
under your naked feeling feet
with the breeze of an oceanic paradise
caressing your face
tossing your hair freely about

Suddenly in front of you appears
colour
form
substance
beauty

such as you've never experienced before
you come closer
you look deeper
you listen more intently to whispers
as the whole sea reverberates from the shell
into your life
and all you want to do
is bring it home with you

Love
Stella
©2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Vision For You
from Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, page 67

Abandon yourself to God as you understand God.
Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows.
Clear away the wreckage of your past.
Give freely of what you find and join us.
We shall be with you in the fellowship of the spirit,
and you will surely meet some of us
as you trudge the road of happy destiny.
May God bless you and keep you - until then.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The gift of integrity
knowing that I'm worthy
wanted
that others believe
I can contribute
that I'm deserving
of their trust
knowing in my heart
I have earned that trust
God, what a feeling of gratitude!
For though I demonstrate integrity
it is only a gift
I'm only a vessel
just glad to be chosen
to be used
a definition of integrity
is: containing all parts or steps; whole
think about that
isn't integrity a great goal?
all the parts fitting in harmony
all the steps working in time
and because of this wonderful dance
I am whole.
and the greatest gift of all of this
is the resultant chance to help others
attain this beauty in their lives as well.
For that I am truly thankful
and willing to continue on this path.

with love,
john h.
johnh94@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God is love. And will is thought.
So, God's will is loving thought.
Marianne Williamson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It comes down to a moment-to-moment choice to serve the highest good.
It is not enough to do it just once today and figure that is it.
Keep choosing the highest good.
John Morton
(From: The Blessings Already Are)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Our pasts are perfect in a way our minds can never fully understand.
We would not have the opportunities for awakening
and experiencing that are ours today,
without exactly what happened.
Now, it's what we do with our pasts
that provides the opportunity for growth.
Today, spend some time thinking about
the gifts in your past that you may have overlooked.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The love that is real is the love that
lies at the heart of all relationships.
That is the love of God, and it doesn't change
with form or circumstance.
Marianne Williamson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

One seeks God in books;
One finds Him in prayer.
Padre Pio

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A drug is a drug

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Alcohol is a perfect solvent:
It dissolves marriages, families & careers...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Addiction is the only disease that tries
to convince you that you don¹t have it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Call your sponsor before you pick up.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Tradition 9
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad09.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition09.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad09.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I don't understand what is the difference between
the fellowship and the program ?"
Aren¹t they the same?
Can you explain this to me?"

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 20
Today I will look at all my fears in a new light.
I can now see them as a result of my thinking
and will turn over all my fear thoughts to my Higher Power.
Fear no longer owns me or is a threat to my day.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I Have Been Shown the Way

I have filled my heart and soul with AA
To help me learn to live and get through another day
When I felt so lost and could not get by
I realized I needed help or I could possibly die
The arms of AA were welcoming me
I just had to convince myself that this is where I needed to be
I am living peacefully,not just existing today
I owe it to AA and God and this is the only way!!!!!

Cheryl S.
DOS-1/06/05
Sweetnsober922@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Paid In Full
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=650

Keep Playing
www.wscribe.com/parables/playing.html

N.A. Literature Online
www.na.org/ips/eng/index.htm

N.A. Literature International
www.na.org/ips

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 20                                Coming Out of Isolation 

"We find ourselves doing and enjoying things that we never
thought we would be doing." Basic Text, p. 98

   Active addiction kept us isolated for many reasons. In the beginning,
we avoided family and friends so they wouldn't find out we were using.
Some of us avoided all nonaddicts, fearing moral backlash and legal
repercussions. We belittled people who had "normal" lives with families
and hobbies; we called them "uncool:' believing we could never enjoy
the simple pleasures of life. Eventually, we even avoided other addicts
because we didn't want to share our drugs. Our lives narrowed, and our
concerns were confined to the daily maintenance of our disease.

   Today, our lives are much fuller. We enjoy activities with other
recovering addicts. We have time for our families. And we've discovered
many other pursuits that give us pleasure. What a change from the past!
We can live life just as fully as the "normal" people we once scorned.
Enjoyment has returned to our lives, a gift of recovery.

Just for today:  I can find pleasure in the simple routines of daily
living. pg. 146

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Walking Through Fear

If we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask God to help us be
willing.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  76

When I had taken my Fifth Step, I became aware that all my defects of
character stemmed from my need to feel secure and loved.  To use my will
alone to work on them would have been trying obsessively to solve the
problem.  In the Sixth Step I intensified the action I had taken in the
first three Steps -- meditating on the Step by saying it over and over,
going to meetings, following my sponsor's suggestions, reading and
searching within myself.  During the first three years of sobriety I had a
fear of entering an elevator alone.  One day I decided I must walk through
this fear.  I asked for God's help, entered the elevator, and there in the
corner was a lady crying.  She said that since her husband had died she was
deathly afraid of elevators.  I forgot my fear and comforted her.  This
spiritual experience helped me to see how willingness was the key to
working the rest of the Twelve Steps to recovery.  God helps those who help
themselves.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 20th

A.A. Thought for the Day

If we get up in a meeting and tell something about ourselves
in order to help the other person, we feel a whole lot better.
It's the old law of the more you give the more you get.
Witnessing and confession are part of keeping sober. You
never know when you may help somebody. Helping others is
one of the best ways to stay sober yourself And the
satisfaction you get out of helping a fellow human being
is one of the finest experiences you can have. Am I helping
others?

Meditation for the Day

Without God, no real victory is ever won. All the military
victories of great conquerors have passed into history. The
world might be better off without military conquerors. The
real victories are won in the spiritual realm. "He that conquers
himself is greater than he who conquers a city." The real
victories are victories over sin and temptation, leading to
a victorious and abundant life. Therefore, keep a brave
and trusting heart. Face all your difficulties in the spirit of
conquest. Remember that where God is, there is the true
victory.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that the forces of evil in my life will flee before God's
presence. I pray that with God I will win the real victory over
myself.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 20

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Sadness

Ultimately, to grieve our losses means to surrender to our feelings.

So many of us have lost so much, have said so many good byes -- have been
through so many changes. We may want to hold back the tides of change, not
because the change isn't good, but because we have had so much change, so
much loss.

Sometimes, when we are in the midst of pain and grief, we become
shortsighted, like members of a tribe described in the movie Out of Africa.

"If you put them in prison," one character said, describing this tribe,
"they die."

"Why?" asked another character.

"Because they can't grasp the idea that they'll be let out one day. They
think it's permanent, so they die."

Many of us have so much grief to get through. Sometimes we begin to believe
grief, or pain, is a permanent condition.

The pain will stop. Once felt and released, our feelings will bring us to a
better place than where we started. Feeling our feelings, instead of denying
or minimizing them, is how we heal from our past and move forward into a
better future. Feeling our feelings is how we let go.

It may hurt for a moment, but peace and acceptance are on the other side. So
is a new beginning.

God, help me fully embrace and finish my endings, so I may be ready for my
new beginnings.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Peace Begins At Home
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2003/05/doreen-virtue.htm

On the Wisdom of Silence
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/March/0397-12.html

Knock, KnockŠ Who's There?
by Doreen Virtue, Ph.D.
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/knock_9052.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Getting What You Want
by Marie T. Russell

For some people, asking for what they want is easy... while for others it is
very difficult. And for the rest of us, we alternate between the two. In
some instances, we have no problem asking, yet in others we can't seem to
get around to it. Why is that?

When the asking is easy, it is usually because we are confident in our
"deservability". We know we deserve what we are asking for, either because
it is rightfully ours, or we have worked hard for it, or whatever other
reason. The important thing is that we are secure in knowing that whatever
we are asking for is meant to be ours.

In other cases, when we hesitate in asking, or procrastinate, or perhaps ask
timidly, we have some doubts that we are deserving. Many times that attitude
may be completely unconscious. We may ask our boss for a raise, and on the
outside, we seem to believe that we deserve it... after all we worked hard,
do our job well, have gained experience and expertise, etc. So the
"rational" part of us has no problems in believing that we deserve the
raise.

But there's another side of us that doubts... Usually the doubts come from
beliefs ingrained as a child... times when we were criticized, ridiculed,
told we weren't "good enough". These beliefs are buried in our subconscious
and when we do ask (or don't ask) for that raise, they sabotage our ability
to receive. We may ask for a raise, but do so in such a way that we present
the picture of someone who is not sure about the results. We may come
through as "begging" rather than just requesting our "just rewards".

This applies to all areas of our life. We ask for health, happiness, a
loving relationship, but deep down we have all these thoughts... we don't
eat a "perfect" diet, so we can't have health... we are not "perfect" so how
can we deserve happiness... we are not always loving and we have so many
flaws, so how can we attract the "perfect" relationship...

All these thoughts are like stop signs -- they stop our good from coming to
us. We start a new diet or exercise program, yet we have an underlying
thought that we won't be able to sustain it. We look for Mr. (or Ms.)
"Right" yet are filled with self-loathing and self-criticism. If we don't
even like ourselves, how can we expect someone else to.

A famous comedian said that he wouldn't want to join a club that would have
him for a member. In many cases, that is our situation. We ask for
something, but if we were the people doing the giving, we wouldn't give it
to us. Now the irony is that, metaphysically, we are the person doing the
giving. If we ask and do not believe we deserve to receive, then we are the
one refusing to give it to us. While we may rant and rave at our boss for
not giving us the raise, we are the ones who feel undeserving and are
stopping our good from coming through.

The Universe operates as a big "YES". Whatever we truly believe we deserve,
we get "Yes" for an answer. For example: if you go around thinking that you
eat too much junk food and that it's not good for your health, you are
opening the door to problems. It is not so much the consequence of our
actions, but more the consequence of our beliefs. Which may explain why a
person who eats junk food, smokes, and drinks all their life lives to be 90,
while another who takes extremely good care of themselves ends up with
cancer.

The problem may lie in the attitude towards what we do. If we feel we are
not doing things "good enough" then we may believe we deserve to be punished
with illness. So, someone who eats healthily, exercises, and takes care of
themselves could still get cancer, because deep down, they are still judging
themselves for not doing it "good enough", and the Universe responds with a
YES.

When I first realized these things, it frightened me... If frightened me to
know that my thoughts carried so much power. I wanted to find a way to stop
thinking completely and, of course, knew that was impossible. It got
overwhelming! How can we get out of this predicament?

The first thing we need to realize is that random thoughts are not the
problem. Even if you have rare thoughts about your undeservability, or
whatever other negative thought, these do not count. Don't become paranoid
about every single negative thought that enters your mind. It is the
accumulation of repeated thoughts that make a difference -- those thoughts
that you repeat to yourself everyday and many times a day. For example, if
you constantly go around telling yourself that you're stupid, then after a
while, you will believe it, and so will the people around you.

We are all cases of self-fulfilling prophecy. Whatever we prophesize, or
believe, about ourselves will come true. This is why it is very important to
pay attention to our thoughts -- to make sure we don't let them go on and on
unattended. Our thoughts are like misbehaved children -- we need to pay
attention to them. Start listening to your self talk. Pay attention to what
you're inwardly telling yourself day after day. Then if what you hear isn't
prophesizing the results you want, then you can choose to change what you
tell yourself.

This process is usually called "affirmations" -- where one replaces a
negative thought with a positive one. I see affirmations as part of a
mathematical equation in our brain. If you've told yourself 10,000 times
throughout your life that you're an idiot, then you need to tell yourself
10,001 times (or more) that you are an intelligent child of God. The more
you tell yourself positive uplifting things, the more you will counteract
all the negative programming (whether the programming has come from parents,
siblings, teachers, ex-husband/wives, etc. or from yourself).

The task we have is to start paying attention to what we are really asking
for, deep inside the dark recesses of our mind. Any feelings of guilt need
to be addressed as they will close the door to our good. Any feelings of
unworthiness, hatred, thoughts of revenge, etc. also have to de dealt with.
Any of this "negative energy" or these negative thoughts serve as a wall
blocking us from our good.

So while you may think you've been asking for a raise, a good relationship,
prosperity, (or whatever) you may really have been saying (inside yourself)
that you are not deserving of these things... Our greatest challenge may be
to learn to listen... to listen to our "inner chatterer" so that we can "set
him/her straight" using positive feedback, supportive self-talk,
affirmations, etc.

If you haven't been getting what you've been asking for out of life, then
perhaps you need to ask yourself why you don't feel you deserve to get it.
Get out pen and paper and write down whatever comes to mind when you ask
yourself "Why I think I won't get..." Even write down the answers even if
you think they are ridiculous... If you thought it, then it is there and
needs to be addressed. For example, one of your thoughts as to why you
haven't attracted your soulmate may be "I'm not tall enough". You may
instantly judge that as a stupid thought, yet, regardless, since you thought
it, for you, it is real (until you replace it with another thought).

After you've made your list, sit and think of three other reasons to add to
it... Let your subconscious come up with three other reasons. Then run down
the list and make another list with a positive replacement. The positive
thought or affirmation should not contain the word not, no, etc. For
example, if one of your thoughts is "I'm fat", then don't replace it with
"I'm not fat". That is still focusing on fat. A more appropriate replacement
would be "Everyday I am getting healthier and closer to my ideal weight".

It is time for us to look at the things we say we want out of life and then
see what beliefs and thoughts we harbor that are keeping those things away
from us.

We are powerful beings. The power of our mind is awesome. We can learn to
harness that power and have it work for us rather than against us. All it
takes is our taking the time to pay attention to what we REALLY think and
focus on changing those thoughts to supportive ones.

You can do it... after all, it's all in your mind!

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.
www.innerself.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Comfort

Cats love sunshine
mine seeks out the falling rays
and she sprawls herself on them
all the more to absorb the heat
the light the warmth
her daily comfort dosage
of pleasure

Souls love comfort
we will go to great lengths
to seek out its benefits
to spread ourselves in its warmth
to acquire a smile, a hug, a word
of love
as sunshine on the floor
love flows generously
from children
from mothers
from fathers
from lovers

today seek the sun
and spread yourself
a little sunshine
Love
Stella

©2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

First Meeting

Anxious, exhausted, suicidal

The words spoken were like clear water
Rushing in torrents, running through my soul

I was still chaos inside
And I still longed to die

But I listened, and I believed
Eyes downcast, but still relieved.

It felt like someone was finally helping
Someone was finally there,
After all those years of suffering
When I knew no one really cared

I was a child of chaos
An adult of despair

Broken feelings
Shattered dreams
And worst of all it seemed
No one loved me.

I felt so uncomfortable in that church
After everything I had done
I had been on a long, long search
To be the chosen one.

Now I know
It took so much courage
To sit in that chair and try
Though I could not cry

All I could think was Why?
I stayed and
We Prayed

Just for Today
I am Recovering

Serena K.
SERENAKASCHAK@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

GOD, make me a better person

Teach me to understand people, no matter
how big or small they may appear to be by my estimate.
Show me where I have hidden my own defects of character
instead of me finding defects in others.

Teach me to listen to what people have to say;
to answer their questions unselfishly and fairly,
or just to simply reply with kindness.

Keep me from interrupting people,
or contradicting them when they speak.
Make me, as courteous and tolerant to others,
as I would expect them be to me.

Forbid that I should spread poison gossip;
don't let me laugh at others mistakes
or resort to shame or ridicule when people displease me.

May I never punish or condemn others,
for my own selfish satisfaction,
or to show I have more power than them.

Let me not tempt others to lie, deceive or harm people.
And guide me, hour by hour, to demonstrate by all that I say and do,
that honesty will produce a stronger character and ultimately, happiness.

Reduce, I pray, this evilness in me, for it is my greatest enemy.
And when I feel out of patience with myself,
help me God, to hold back a vicious tongue.

May I ever be mindful that people are people,
and I should not impose on them,
the judgement left for You, alone.

Let me not rob others, of the opportunity to
make choices and decisions for themselves.

Bless me, with the willingness to give, when the request is reasonable.
And the courage to deny things I know,
from my experiences, can bring harm by any measure.

Loan me, Your Wisdom, to have pure motives in all my affairs or endeavors.
And fit me, God, to be an instrument of Love and Respect,
so others will imitate me.

Richard M, Founder of Criminals & Gang Members Anonymous
www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Recovery Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust your Highest Power
that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom
to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Yes, we of agnostic temperament have had these thoughts and
experiences. Let us make haste to reassure you. We found that as
soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a
willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we
commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of
us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God.
Much to our relief, we discovered we did not need to consider
another's conception of God. Our own conception, however
inadequate, was sufficient to make the approach and to effect a
contact with Him. As soon as we admitted the possible existence
of a Creative Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe underlying the
totality of things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power
and direction, provided we took other simple steps. We found that God
does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. To us, the
Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive
or forbidding to those who earnestly seek.
It is open, we believe,  to all men.

From the AA Big Book © - Chapter  We Agnostics,  Page  46

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Life is not a "brief candle."
It is a splendid torch that I want to make burn as brightly as possible
before handing on to future generations.
George Bernard Shaw

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The game of life is a game of boomerangs.
Our thoughts, deeds, and words
return to us sooner or later,
with astounding accuracy.
Florence Scovel Shinn

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished.
That will be the beginning.
Louis L'Amour

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Recognize that every person in our lives
truly is doing the very best they know how.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I came in to get
and I stay to give.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The gift is in the giving.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What do you have if you have nothing to give?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you are not giving it away,
then you are stealing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Tradition 8
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad08.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition08.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad08.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I don't understand what is the difference between
the fellowship and the program ?"
Aren¹t they the same?
Can you explain this to me?"

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 19
I love the person that I am becoming.
Diane Crosby
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In Memory of Patty Allen

Patty was a girl I came to know,
While I was in treatment at Ivanhoe.
She taught me what it means to care,
And her story is one I¹d like to share.

In the group on her first day, were Lori, Kathy, Thad, and Ray.
Although none of them had ever met,
It became a day they wouldn¹t forget.

They spent several days with each other,
Brother to sister, sister to brother.
Patty was nervous and shy at the very start,
But had something about her that touched your heart.
You couldn¹t describe it but you could just feel,
That although she was hurting, she was ever so real.

As time went on and she became more at ease,
She would share some stories about her disease.
She¹d been through the mill, with booze and dope,
But in her eyes was a glimmer of hope.

The group noticed her changing after a while,
As her face would light up with a beautiful smile.
She began wearing makeup and dressing real neat,
This girl wasn¹t about to go down to defeat.

As the group kept changing, and problems were shared,
She would offer advice and you knew that she cared.
Her problems were minor from her point of view,
And all that mattered was if she could help you.

Patty died while in treatment, I¹m sorry to say,
And we laid her to rest on the fifth of May.
The year was nineteen hundred and ninety seven,
That she walked through the gates of heaven.

I know she¹s watching us from up above,
And sends us all her utmost love.
And Patty, dear, we just want you to know,
That the memory of you, will only help us to grow.

Ray Schmitt
rschmitt48@...
© 2003

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Guru
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=648

It Makes A Difference
www.wscribe.com/parables/difference.html

Raise My Sights
www.wisehearts2.com/RMS.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 19                                        A Growth Inventory

"We review our past performance and our present behavior to
see what we want to keep and what we want to discard."
Basic Text, p. 29

   As each day winds to a close, many of us reflect on the past
twenty-four hours and consider how we can live differently in the
future. It's easy for our thoughts to remain trapped in the mundane:
change the oil in the car, keep the living room clean, or empty the
litter box. Sometimes it takes a special effort to jog our thinking
out of the daily rut and onto a higher track.

   One simple question can put us on the high road: What do we think
our Higher Power wants for us tomorrow? Maybe we need to improve
our flagging conscious contact with the God of our understanding.
Perhaps we've been uncomfortable in our job or our relationship,
holding on only out of fear. We might be hiding some troubling defect
of character, afraid to share it with our sponsor. The question is, in
what parts of our lives do we really want to grow?

   As each day ends, we find it beneficial to take some moments to
spend time with our Higher Power. We can begin to reflect on what
will benefit our program of spiritual growth most in the coming day.
We think about the areas in which we have grown recently, and target
areas that still require work. What more fitting way to end the day?

Just for today: I will set aside some time at the end of the day
to commune with my Higher Power. I will review the past day,
meditating on what stands between me and my Higher Power's will
for my life.  pg. 145

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Resting Place

All of A.A.'s Twelve Steps ask us to go contrary to our natural desires . .
. they all deflate our egos.  When it comes to ego deflation, few Steps are
harder to take than Five.  But scarcely any Step is more necessary to
longtime sobriety and peace of mind than this one.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.  55

After writing down my character defects, I was unwilling to talk about
them, and decided it was time to stop carrying this burden alone, I needed
to confess those defects to someone else.  I had read -- and been told -- I
could not stay sober unless I did.  Step Five provided me with a feeling of
belonging, with humility and serenity when I practiced it in my daily
living.  It was important to admit my defects of character in the order
presented in Step Five: "to God, to ourselves and to another human
being."  Admitting to God first paved the way for admission to myself and
to another person.  As the taking of the Step is described, a feeling of
being at one with God and my fellow man brought me to a resting place where
I could prepare myself for the remaining Steps toward a full and meaningful
sobriety.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 19th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Fellowship is a big part of staying sober. The doctors
call it group therapy. We never go to an A.A. meeting
without taking something out of it. Sometimes we don't
feel like going to a meeting and we think of excuses for
not going. But we usually end up by going anyway and we
always get some lift out of every meeting. Meetings
are part of keeping sober. And we get more out of a
meeting if we try to contribute something to it. Am I
contributing my share at meetings?

Meditation for the Day

"He brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry
clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my
goings." The first part, "He brought me up out of a
horrible pit," means that by turning to God and putting
my problems in His hands, I am able to overcome my sins
and temptations. "He set my feet upon a rock" means that
when I trust God in all things, I have true security. "He
established my goings" means that if I honestly try to
live the way God wants me to live, I will have God's
guidance in my daily living.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that my feet may be set upon a rock. I pray that
I may rely on God to guide my comings and goings.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 19

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Solving Problems

"Shame is the first feeling that strikes me whenever I, or someone I love,
has a problem," said one recovering woman.

Many of us were raised with the belief that having a problem is something to
be ashamed of.

This belief can do many damaging things to us. It can stop us from
identifying our problems; it can make us feel alienated and inferior when we
have, or someone we love has, a problem. Shame can block us from solving a
problem and finding the gift from the problem.

Problems are a part of life. So are solutions. People have problems, but we,
and our self-esteem, are separate from our problems.

I've yet to meet a person who didn't have problems to solve, but I've met
many who felt shamed to talk about the problems they actually had solved!

We are more than our problems. Even if our problem is our own behavior, the
problem is not who we are -- it's what we did.

It's okay to have problems. It's okay to talk about problems at appropriate
times, and with safe people. It's okay to solve problems.

And we're okay, even when we have, or someone we love has, a problem. We
don't have to forfeit our personal power or our self-esteem. We have solved
exactly the problems we've needed to solve to become who we are.

Today, I will let go of my shame about problems.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Many Goals But No Place To Go
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2003/05/asoka-selvarajah.htm

The Buffalo Soldier
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/March/0397-11.html

The Joy of Service
by The Ramala Centre
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/Joy_of_Service.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Affirmation Power
by Louise L. Hay

Affirmations are really anything that we say or think. Our thoughts create
our feelings, beliefs, and experiences. Too often they are negative. we say,
"I don't want this in my life" or "I don't want to be sick anymore" or "I
hate my job". If we want to change or manifest something in our lives, we
must state what we do want. We must affirm that we are willing to see
ourselves or our lives in a different perspective. Thus, we can change our
experiences by first changing our thoughts.

When you first start using an affirmation, it may not seem true for you. If
it were already true, you would not need the affirmation. For example, think
of what happens when you plant a seed. First it germinates, then it sprouts
roots, and then it pokes its first shoot up through the ground. It takes
time to go from a seed to a full-grown plant. And so it is with
affirmations. Be gentle and patient with yourself.

You may also experience some doubt as to whether you are doing the
affirmations correctly or even whether the affirmations are doing any good
at all. This is perfectly normal. You see, the subconscious mind is like a
filing cabinet - all the thoughts, words, and experiences you have had since
birth get filed away like messages. Think of your mind as having a team of
couriers who grab the messages, look at them, and put them in the
appropriate files. Perhaps you have been building up files for years with
messages such as: I'm not good enough," "I'm not smart enough to do that,"
or "Why Bother?" The subconscious gets absolutely buried under these files.

Suddenly, when the couriers begin seeing messages that say, "I'm wonderful
and I love myself", they respond with, "What is this? Where do we file this?
We've never seen this message before."

That's when they call in "Doubt". Doubt picks up the message and says to
you, "Hey, look at this. We have no place to file this one - it must be a
mistake." You can either say to Doubt, "Oh, you re right. 'I'm terrible. I'm
not good. Sorry, I made a mistake", and go back to your old way of thinking.
Or, you can say to Doubt, "Thank you for sharing, but this is the new
message. Set up a new file because there are going to be lots of these
coming through." By doing so, over time you will change your thinking and
create a new reality for yourself. Remember, you are in charge.

Reinforce your new, positive affirmations in any way you can: in your
thoughts, your conversations with yourself and others, and by writing them
down in this journal, which I created to inspire you on your path to
personal growth and healing. You may choose to use the affirmations on each
page as a springboard to write your own. Once you find affirmations that are
right for you, you may want to put them up on your mirror, on your desk, or
on your car dashboard.

Remember:
One thought does not mean much, but thoughts that we think over and over are
like drops of water - at first there are just a few, and then after a while
you've created a pool, and then a lake, and then an ocean. If our thinking
is negative, we can drown in a sea of negativity; if its positive, we can
float on the ocean of life.

This article was excerpted from:  "A Garden of Thoughts - My Affirmation
Journal" by Louise L. Hay.
Reprinted with permission of Hay House. www.hayhouse.com

About The Author:
Louise L. Hay is a metaphysical lecturer and teacher and the bestselling
author of 20 books, including You Can Heal Your Life and Empowering Women.
Her works have been translated into 25 different languages in 33 countries
throughout the world. Since beginning her career as a Science of Mind
minister in 1981, Louise has assisted thousands of people in discovering and
using the full potential of their own creative powers for personal growth
and self-healing. Louise is the owner and founder of Hay House, Inc., a
self-help publishing company that disseminates books, audios, and videos
that contribute to the healing of the planet. This article was excerpted
with permission of Hay House from A Garden of Thoughts by Louise L. Hay.
www.hayhouse.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Yet We Pray

We have the resources and the channels
to feed every person on the planet,
yet we pray for an end to starvation.

We have the supplies and the means to
house and clothe each citizen on earth,
yet we pray for an end to poverty.

We have the ability to be friends and
companions to the elderly and the infirm,
yet we pray for an end to their loneliness.

We have the qualified competence
to mentor and guide the young,
yet we pray for the lost and misguided among them.

We have within us, the capacity to love one another,
yet we pray for an end to hatred.

We have the power to transform the world,
yet we pray for change.

We have been given so much,
yet we use so little of it.

Let us pray for the things we need,
not for that, which we already have.

Let our legacy be one of action, a generation
of doers, who prayed deeply and in earnest for
the strength, the courage, the determination and
the conviction, to use our God-given gifts - justly.

© 2001 Terri McPherson
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
tmcphers@...
www.wisehearts.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Know

Know that more is possible than you
think if you really want and believe.

Know that your eyes can never see
as clearly as your heart

Know that wisdom is in hearing
and believing your own voice

Know that giving is never losing
and that giving freely is the semicircle
that completes itself in receiving

Know that to want nothing is as
selfish as to give nothing

Know that sharing cannot be true
unless you keep enough for yourself

Know that no one can live your pain or joy

Know that no one can tell you who
you are and that friends can only
stand by while you make your discoveries

Know that help doesn't always appear
in the way you may expect or demand

Know that what you think you want
may be inferior to what you receive

Know that no matter who walks with
you no one can walk your journey for you

Know that often you may feel
you are walking alone

Know that you are never alone when
you know who you are

Unknown Author

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Fire

Fire is such an elemental thing
like Air
like Earth
like Water
Fire burns holes in souls
when it is embraced
and can either warm up
or move forward
when it is displaced
and shared

Fire is a fierce lover
you will quickly discover
it showers you bold
once it has a hold
of you
nothing stands in its way

Add it to your day
invite it in
it will ignite passion
in all you do
in all you love
in all you see

life will burn
with all the heat it contains
pay it attention
the rest is free

Love
Stella
© 2000 Stella Raymonde Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Free

Life is good and life is great
Live your life in your faith
Share a kind word or two
For one day they
Will return to you
What you give
Is what you get
Do your best
Have no regret
Wish the best
Pray for all you see
It is in praying
That you are free

Daniel M Corkery
2/18/2002
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Simplify your life.
You do not need all the clutter you are holding on to.
Get rid of it now because it is stealing your energy.

The clutter in your life takes energy to maintain.
Start with the smallest things.
Clear away a little and you'll be amazed at the
vast amounts of energy it releases inside of you.
Incomplete things also tie up energy.
Look at all your unread books, and declare them complete.
Guilt -- let go of it, right now.

Keep around you only the things that give you energy.

John-Roger
From: Spiritual Warrior, The Art of Spiritual  Living

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lord, help me to remember that nothing
is going to happen to me today that
You and I together can't handle.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You cannot always control what goes on outside.
But you can always control what goes on inside.
Wayne Dyer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Until we heal our painful relationships, we can never experience the
fullness of what is possible in an open heart in this lifetime.
An unhealed relationship actually colors
every other relationship that we might try to have.
Today, keep opening and tomorrow, keep opening.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The world was made round so that
we would never be able to see too far down the road.
Isak Dinesen

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I have gotten so much from the people in this fellowship,
that now I have something to give back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We are the wounded healers,
we must teach...
we have no choice.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Somebody needs who you are becoming.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Great occasions for serving God come seldom,
Little ones surround us everyday.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Tradition 7
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad07.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition07.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad07.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I don't understand what is the difference between
the fellowship and the program ?"
Aren¹t they the same?
Can you explain this to me?"

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 18
Today I look beyond the immediate moment of satisfaction
and decide what is good for me
in the larger picture of my life.
Today I have faith and patience and
can wait to make loving and positive choices.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Dedication to my Daughter, Mandy

When my daughter was born it was one of the happiest days of my life...
an extension of me!

But I was still a little girl inside..confused, hurting, wanting to be free

I did the best I could to show her love, but I was falling apart

I sunk into depressions, drank, avoiding her, not knowing how to mother,
where the hell to start

For a good 13 years I tried so hard not to repeat what my mother did to me

The difference was I told her I loved her all the time and I wanted a
functional, close family

Three years ago when I came into AA, it was the beginning of a new life,
hope, people who understood

As the days went by, I slowly started healing a little, motherly love poured
into my heart, a feeling that was so, so good!

Today, Mandy and I have a relationship that I had always wished for my
mother and I.

I can laugh with her, understand her, cherish her and I sigh

"Thank you dear God for giving me the strength not to repeat the pattern..
to be able to love my daughter for who she is and what she wants to be"

I broke the chain carried down from years and years

Now I cry from my heart...gratitude, realization, loving tears

She will always be my baby..I will always be there for her, through thick
and thin

My life with her is different now..I love her more than anyone else in the
word

Thank you, God, for taking me on this journey and helping me to learn what
is important to me

My sobriety, my daughter..I hug my Mandy ...and now I can finally see!!!

written by Cheryl
Sweetnsober922@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Prayer...for Freedom & Deliverance
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=641

An Irish Blessing
www.wscribe.com/parables/irish.html

Alcoholic Poet
www.alcoholicpoet.blogspot.com/

Gay & Lesbian Alcoholics Alcoholism Recovery Support
www.gayalcoholics.com

Dummies.com
www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 18                    Friends and amends - Keeping it simple

"We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except
when to do so would injure them or others." Step Nine

   In every relationship, we don't always handle things the way we would
have hoped. But friendship don't have to end when we make mistakes;
instead, we can make amends. If we are sincerely willing to accept the
responsibilities involved in friendship and make the amends we owe,
those friendships can become stronger and richer than ever.

   Making amends is simple. We approach the person we have harmed
and say, "I was wrong." Sometimes we avoid getting to the point, evading
an admission of our own part in the affair. But that frustrates the intent
of the Ninth Step. To make effective amends, we have to keep it simple:
we admit our part, and leave it at that.

   There will be times when our friends won't accept our amends. Perhaps
they need time to process what has happened. If that is the case, we
must give them that time. After all, we were the ones in the wrong, not
them. We have done our part; the rest is out of our hands.

Just for today: I want to be a responsible friend. I will strive to
keep it simple when making amends. Page-144

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Respect For Others

Such parts of our story we tell to someone who will understand, yet be
unaffected.  The rule is we must be hard on our self, but always
considerate of others.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  74

   Respect for others is the lesson that I take out of this passage.  I must
go to any lengths to free myself if I wish to find that peace of mind that
I have sought for so long.  However, none of this must be done at another's
expense.  Selfishness has no place in the A.A. way of life.

   When I take the Fifth Step it's wiser to choose a person with whom I share
common aims because if that person does not understand me, my spiritual
progress may be delayed and I could be in danger of a relapse.  So I ask
for divine guidance before choosing the man or woman whom I take into my
confidence.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 18th

A.A. Thought for the Day

We're in A.A. for two main reasons: to keep sober ourselves
and to help others to keep sober. It's a well known fact that
helping others is a big part of keeping sober yourself It's
also been proved that it's very hard to keep sober all by
yourself. A lot of people have tried it and failed. They come
to a few A.A. meetings and then stay sober alone for a few
months, but usually they eventually get drunk. Do I know that
I can't stay sober successfully alone?

Meditation for the Day

Look by faith into that place beyond space or time where God
dwells and whence you came and to which you shall eventually
return. "Look unto Him and be saved." To look beyond material
things is within the power of everyone's imagination. Faith's
took saves you from despair. Faith's look saves you from worry
and care. Faith's took brings a peace beyond all understanding.
Faith's look brings you all the strength you need. Faith's look
gives you a new and vital power and a wonderful peace and
serenity.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may have faith's look. I pray that by faith I may
look beyond the now to eternal 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 18

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Don't stop living your life!

So often, when a problem occurs, inside or around us, we revert to thinking
that if we put our life on hold we can positively contribute to the
solution. If a relationship isn't working, if we face a difficult decision,
if we're feeling depressed, we may put our life on hold and torment
ourselves with obsessive thoughts.

Abandoning our life or routines contributes to the problem and delays us
from finding the solution.

Frequently, the solution comes when we let go enough to live our life,
return to our routine, and stop obsessing about the problem.

Sometimes, even if we don't feel like we have let go or can let go, we can
act as if we have, and that will help bring about the letting go we desire.

You don't have to give up your power to problems. You can take your focus
off your problem and direct it to your life, trusting that doing so will
bring you closer to a solution.

Today, I will go on living my life and tending to my routine. I will decide,
as often as I need to, to stop obsessing about whatever is bothering me. If
I don't feel like letting go of a particular thing, I will act as if I have
let go of it until my feelings match my behavior.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cancel Self-Wrecking Resentments
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2003/05/life-is-short.htm

Judge Not
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/March/0397-02.html

It's Your Karma...
by Sylvia Browne
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/karma_browne.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Growing Beyond Victim

by Alan Cohen

"Americans, who make more of marrying for love than any other
people, also break up more of their marriages, but the figure
reflects not so much the failure of love as the determination not
to live without it."    - Morton Hunt

My friend Andrea is a popular college instructor of human relations,
and a relationship counselor. She has also been married four times,
and divorced three. At a party we both attended, I overheard one
of Andrea's former students ask her, "How can you pass yourself off
as a relationship expert when you are a four-time loser?"

Andrea responded coolly, "I don't see myself as a four-time loser; I
consider myself a four-time learner. Although those marriages didn't
endure, I gained valuable lessons that helped me bring more depth and
presence to the relationships that followed, and ultimately contributed
to the successful marriage I now have."

If you feel like a loser because your marriage or relationship has ended,
re-identify yourself as a learner.

If you are wiser for your experience, it was a success.
Rather than criticizing yourself for your shortcomings, honor yourself
for the courage to grow through experience.

As evolving beings, we discover what works by evaluating the results of
what didn't work; we grow as much (usually more) through our errors as
we do through our successes. Like a child learning to ride a bicycle, the
information we gain from falling is just as valuable as the feedback we
get from staying balanced. Every attempt, whether a "success" or
"failure", ultimately contributes to our skill. Seen in this way, we are
always progressing toward our goal.

One of the most difficult and painful questions to answer is, "Why did
your relationship fail?" When faced with such an inquiry, remember that
ending is not the same as failure. Your relationship would be a failure
only if you did not learn from it. If you gained insight, self-awareness,
or strength, and you would choose more wisely next time, you are
significantly ahead of where you began.

Begin to reframe your past relationships as successful learning
experiences.

We form new relationships according to the way we think about our old
ones. If you dwell on your past failures, you will manufacture new ones.
Focus on what you gained from past relationships, and you will build a
foundation for success in your new ones.

Here are some criteria by which losers are distinguished from learners:

Loser

* Denies sense of sorrow, grief, or loss
* Blames partner for failure. Criticizes self for failure
* Plunges into self-pity
* Forms judgments about opposite sex
* Seeks agreement from "allies" to bolster victim position
* Turns to favored addiction to numb pain
* Seeks new relationship immediately to offset sense of loss
* Revels in ex-partner's pain or guilt
* Seeks to punish ex-partner
* Seeks retribution

Learner

* Acknowledges pain without indulging it
* Inventories own actions
* Honors self for willingness to learn
* Explores self-awareness
* Gathers information to ensure future success
* Turns to friends for support to keep mind and heart open
* Turns to Higher Power to grow beyond pain
* Takes time to get reacquainted with self and integrate experience
* Delights in ex-partner's well-being
* Offers kindness and support to ex-partner
* Lets go and gets on with life

BEYOND KEN AND BARBIE
Many "model" couples live picture-perfect marriages with fine homes
in the suburbs, well-paying jobs, several expensive automobiles, and
bright children who make the honor roll. Behind the scenes, however,
many such marriages are devoid of intimacy, communication, and growth.
In my seminars, I have heard a significant number of divorced men and
women confess, "We looked great on the outside, but I was dying on the
inside". Just because a couple fulfills societal expectations for a model
marriage, it doesn't mean that they are achieving their deeper purpose
of growing as individuals. Someone who becomes stronger and more
self-aware through a painful divorce, by contrast, accomplishes more
for his or her spiritual growth than one who sleepwalks through a
lifeless marriage.

Do not be deceived by appearances, and do not allow yourself to fall
prey to the belief that you are here to live up to the expectations
of others.

Your life is valuable not for how it looks, but for what is happening in
your heart and soul.

If a relationship falls apart in the outer world, but you extract
personal growth from it, you are succeeding in a far more meaningful
way than one who amasses the symbols of success but fails to recognize
his or her own inner worth. The only true measure of success, we
eventually discover, is happiness.

After my book "The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore" was published,
I received a telephone call from a nun inviting me to present a seminar
to the Catholic ministry for the divorced and separated. Sister Alice
explained that many Catholics felt angry and guilty about their crashed
marriages, and then she asked me what I titled my workshop. Laughing,
I told her, "I usually call it 'The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore',
but in this case I think we should use another title."

I found that the greatest need of the participants in the divorced and
separated ministry was self-forgiveness. While these people struggled
with tremendous pain and grief in the wake of their broken relationships,
they shouldered the added burden of condemnation from the church,
which defined them as sinners for ending their marriages. Their lives
were difficult enough, I surmised, without having to bear the stigma of
excommunication. These folks did not need to worry about going to hell -
they were already there!

The divorced women and men in this group demonstrated great courage
in leaving their marriages in the face of the ecclesiastical judgment
they faced. They needed to find compassion for themselves and
forgiveness for their mates. I honored the church for establishing a
ministry to support this segment of their parishioners. In the long run,
these people grew a great deal from facing and overcoming their fears,
and they gained strength that they may not have found if they had
remained in barren marriages.

BROKEN OPEN
If you have been closed or armored, a painful breakup can lead you to
rediscover yourself and open to a depth of aliveness you might never
have known if you had just coasted along in your comfort zone.

If your heart has been broken, let it be broken open.

Opportunities Bestowed by a Broken Heart

* Get in touch with your feelings
* Reach out for support. Appreciate the love of friends
* Gain insight into the patterns that have run your life
* Tell more truth about who you are and what you want
* Claim your power to establish your own destiny
* Express creativity (poetry, music, art, original expression)
* Discover and develop a relationship with your spiritual source
* Deepen in compassion
* Make changes in your life that you might not have otherwise made
* Learn how to find richer rewards in your next relationship

The voice of shaky love tells you that your relationship ending has
ruined your life, while Big Love whispers that you now have more
life available to you. The road through hell leads to the door of
heaven. So your breakup merits not bitterness or resentment,
but gratitude and appreciation.

Popular singer Kenny Loggins went through a major crisis when his
marriage ended. As he searched his soul to discover his truth and
explain his divorce to his children, he found within himself a deeper
strength and love. This process moved him so profoundly that he wrote
many passionate and heartfelt songs about his insights, and collected
them into an album called Leap of Faith, which went on to become one
of his most successful productions. Many listeners remark that the
honesty and vulnerability Kenny displayed in these songs helped them
through similarly challenging times. (Since that time, Kenny has
remarried, and he and his new wife Julia have intimately chronicled
their love and marriage in a most inspiring book and album, The
Unimaginable Life.)

Similarly, when Native American descendant William Least Heat-Moon
lost his job and his wife left him, he plunged into deep introspection. In
the process of attempting to rebuild his broken life, William recalled
his dream to explore the country. Free and unencumbered, he bought
a Volkswagen van and sat down to plan his route. As he surveyed the
map, William noticed that the major thoroughfares were indicated with
thick red lines, while the smaller byways and country roads were marked
by thinner blue lines. William realized that he wanted an adventure, and
decided to travel the side roads. On his trek, he interacted with
fascinating people, received many insights he would never have
discovered in his old routine, and reconnected with his Native American
heritage. After his two-year odyssey, William had filled his journal with
a wealth of colorful stories, and he had them published. Blue Highways
went on to become a national bestseller, and William Least Heat-Moon
was catapulted into an entirely more meaningful world. Although he
could not see the plan in the midst of his hardship, his breakup launched
him into the life he had always dreamed of.

THE FAST-FORWARD AGE
We are living in a time of accelerated learning. Many people now go
through two, three, or more marriages in a lifetime, and participate in
many more relationships. We may have judged ourselves harshly for
having several mates or numerous relationships, and we may believe that
there is something wrong with us for failing the societal expectation of
staying with one person for a lifetime.

But . . .

What happens to you is not as important as what you make of it.

To find peace, reframe your opinion of how you or life "should" be. You are,
and have been, on your right path.

What you thought was wrong with you
may be what is right with you.

In wisdom you chose to go through a number of significant relationships so
you could master many lessons in a short period of time.

You have not missed your destiny;
you are in the process of fulfilling it.

If you lived in an earlier century, your relationships would have told quite
a different story and brought you very different lessons. You would have
married one person for a lifetime, lived in one town, worked in one
vocation, attended one church, and adopted one belief system. Your life
would have been slower and simpler - as would your learning. In those days,
it might have taken you an entire lifetime to master the lessons of a
relationship with a particular person.

Now, the pace and purpose of our relationships is different. Rather than
marrying for survival, economic, social, or political expedience - and being
assigned to a spouse by your parents, priest, or an astrologer - we marry
for love, romance, companionship, communication, sexual expression, and
spiritual growth - of our own free will. These higher ideals and increased
levels of personal responsibility call forth all kinds of issues that
marrying for survival never touched on. In greater soul maturity, we have
taken on deeper, richer, more subtle, and more varied lessons. In
accordance with our curriculum, our life changes call us to face our fears,
confront our unconsciousness, and bring light to the shadow selves we have
chosen to master.

Several marriages or many relationships in a lifetime are not necessarily
signs of weakness; they may be an indication of your dedication to discover
greater truths about who you are and what you are here to do. If, at the
end of your life, you are a wiser person for your relationship experiences,
they have all been worth it. And . . .

If you have learned to love,
you have fulfilled your highest purpose.

No matter how many relationships you have gone through, marriages you
have ended, or mistakes you have made, never define yourself as a loser.
Instead, be grateful for the awareness you have gained, and be proud of
yourself for your bravery in learning by doing. Recognize that you are not
the person you were 20 years, or even 20 days, ago. Remember that the
Big Picture is unfolding perfectly even if you do not see it in a given
moment.

Real learning usually occurs gradually - rarely overnight. You are always
adding to your wisdom. When you disown your identity as a loser and adopt
that of a learner, you are on your way to being a master. One day you will
discover that everything that has happened to you has been an element in
your awakening to the beauty in you and around you. Then you will be able
to bless all experiences and honor everyone who assisted you to grow.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Soul Company

We are social creatures
Needing one another
As hard as that may be for some to accept...

In equal proportion
we need to nurture ourselves
apart from the society that nourishes us

Sole company is comfort solace
A rebuilder, a rejuvenator
It fills us when we are low
It opens door to the adventure
of self-discovery

There is a need to communicate
with our own soul
which calls to us at times
wherever we may travel

The world is not so crowded yet
that you cannot find a space to call your own
where you may for a day
stay all by yourself

And when you do find it
Don't rush through it
Give it attention - as a child
who wants to savour being in play
who does not believe that time exists

Only the moment
Only the solitude
Apart from the multi-tude
That is all that matters
to the little child
slumbering in soul deep

Love
Stella

© 2002 Stella Raymonde Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My Morning Prayer

Good morning God,
Whatever good you have in store for me today,
please count me in.
I am showing up and reporting for duty.
Please use me throughout this day,
however you see fit.
I ask to be available to
my brothers and sisters in their time of need.
And may their need be our opportunity.
Amen

Scott H.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Humility Prayer

Lord, I am far too much influenced
by what people think of me.

Which means that I am always pretending to be
richer, or smarter, or nicer than I really am.

Please prevent me from trying to attract attention.

Don¹t let me gloat over praise on the one hand
or be discouraged by criticism on the other.

Nor let me waste time weaving imaginary situations in which
the most heroic, charming, witty person present is myself.

Show me how to be humble of heart like youŠŠ..

Willy Lehotz
wlehotz@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This Day is a Gift

Yesterday is gone
Tomorrow is not here
Live your life today
Free of fear
Today is a gift
That is why we call it
The present
Live life today free
Don't control
Just let it be
We are Gods children
We are meant to be free
Give you best
Soon you'll see
Take time to listen
Open your mind
All at once
You will
Find
Today
Is a
Gift

Daniel M Corkery
9/30/2002
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Positive Thought:

Forgiveness heals a broken heart.

Today's Positive Affirmation:

I AM forgiving and my heart is whole.


Today's Positive Visualization:

In my mind's eye I see and sense myself
surrounded with the light of forgiveness.
I imagine that this powerful light is
permeating every cell of my being. As this
powerful light fills me with loving and
forgiving energy I see and sense my heart
being completely whole and healed. I imagine
the powerful loving light of forgiveness
radiating from me to every one I encounter
today. In my mind's eye I see all to whom I
send this light easily accepting it and
allowing their own hearts to be whole and
healed. I combine these images with the
feelings of joy and let them go, knowing that
they will create the good things I am
visualizing and thinking.

© Sample Life, LLC
All rights reserved.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A brave man dies but once, a coward many times.
Native American Proverb

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous;
you get knocked down by traffic from both sides.
Margaret Thatcher

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not.
Anon

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This is a program based on love and service.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I wouldn't have anything if it wasn't for this program,
That is why its important for me to give it back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There is a difference between be thankful and being grateful.
If you look up the word gratitude in the dictionary,
it says "appreciation with a sense of obligation.
I have an obligation to
"give back what was so freely given to me"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

to have all
we must give all
to all

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

An addict must give so N.A. can live

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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,
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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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

We Lost POWER for the last 26 hours,
SORRY so late today!!!

Tradition 6
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad06.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition06.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad06.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I don't understand what is the difference between
the fellowship and the program ?"
Aren¹t they the same?
Can you explain this to me?"

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 17
Today I know that with every in-breath
I am breathing in powerful healing energy.
And with every out-breath I am letting go.
I am letting go of all anxiety, all stress...all negativity
that is standing in the way of my feeling good about myself.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A New Life

I once looked at my life with a feeling of dread.
I felt I would be much better off dead.
Not wanting to wake up after closing my eyes.
But each morning I did, with unhappy surprise.
I felt I was clinging to the end of my rope.
I had no dreams, no promise, no hope.

The rest of my life, it seemed to appear,
Would be lived out in perpetual fear.
But one day I woke up with a new point of view.
What gave me this new outlook, I had no clue.
I knew there must be something better out there.
I had to reach out to someone, somewhere.

And when I reached out, broken and crying,
Someone said, "Hang in there, keep trying!"
I was told of a place that had the knack
Of helping people get their lives back on track.
I made myself go there, rather than keep on running,
And they embraced me and said, "Welcome, keep coming!"

These people came up and took my hand,
And the feeling I got I couldn't quite understand.
When I spoke of my pain, they said "Thanks for sharing!"
I knew then and there that this was real caring.

They said, "Honey, we know just how you feel.
You are not crazy and your feelings are real!"
I can't tell you how different my life has become.
I now know I'm important, I AM SOMEONE!

By Kathy

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 know you are in recovery if...
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=639

Information Please
www.wscribe.com/parables/information.html

The Complete? List of AA Sayings
www.winternet.com/~terrym/aphorisms.html

I am responsible for...
www.winternet.com/~terrym/responsible.html

Recovery Horoscopes Soberscopes
www.steps4recovery.org/soberscopes_0607.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 17                                                     "Defects"

"We were entirely ready to have God remove all these
defects of character." Step Six

  After taking the Fifth Step, many of us spend some time considering
"the exact nature of our wrongs" and the part they'd played in making
us who we were. What would our lives be like without, say, our
arrogance?

  Sure, arrogance had kept us apart from our fellows, preventing us
from enjoying and learning from them. But arrogance had also served
us well, propping up our ego in the face of critically low self-esteem.
What advantage would be gained if our arrogance were removed, and
what support would we be left with?

  With arrogance gone, we would be one step closer to being restored
to our proper place among others. We would become capable of
appreciating their company and their wisdom and their challenges as
their equals. Our support and guidance would come, if we chose, from
the care offered us by our Higher Power; "low self-esteem" would
cease to be an issue.

  One by one, we examined our character defects this way, and found
them all defective‹after all, that's why they're called defects. And
were we entirely ready to have God remove all of them? Yes.

Just for today: I will thoroughly consider all my defects of
character to discover whether I am ready to have the God of
my understanding remove them.  pg. 143

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hold Back Nothing

The real tests of the situation are your own willingness to confide and
your full confidence in the one with whom you share your first accurate
self-survey.  .  .  .  Provided you hold back nothing, your sense of relief
will mount from minute to minute.  The dammed-up emotions of years
break out of their confinement, and miraculously vanish as soon as they
are exposed.  As the pain subsides, a healing tranquility takes its place.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.  61-62

  A tiny kernel of locked-in feelings began to unfold when I first attended
A.A. meetings and self-knowledge then became a learning task for me.
This new self-understanding brought about a change in my responses to
life's situations.  I realized I had the right to make choices in my life,
and the inner dictatorship of habits slowly lost its grip.

  I believe that if I seek God I can find a better way to live and I ask
Him daily to assist me in living a sober life.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC .
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 17th

A.A. Thought for the Day

A lot of well-meaning people treat alcoholics like the priest
and the Levite. They pass by on the other side by scorning
them and telling them what low people they are, with no
willpower. Whereas, they really have fallen for alcohol, in
the same way as the man in the story fell among robbers.
And the member of A.A. who is working with others is like
the Good Samaritan. Am I moved with compassion? Do I take
care of another alcoholic whenever I can?

Meditation for the Day

I must constantly live in preparation for something better to
come. All of life is a preparation for something better. I must
anticipate the morning to come. I must feet, in the night of
sorrow, that understanding joy that tells of confident
expectation of better things to come. "Sorrow may endure
for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Know that God
has something better in store for you, as long as you are
making yourself ready for it. All your existence in this world
is a training for a better life to come.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that when life is over, I will return to an eternal,
space-less life with God. I pray that I may make this life a
preparation for a better life to come.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 17

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Boundaries

Sometimes, life and people seem to push and push. Because we are so used to
pain, we may tell ourselves it doesn't hurt. Because we are so used to
people controlling and manipulating us, we may tell ourselves there is
something wrong with us.

There's nothing wrong with us. Life is pushing and hurting to get our
attention. Sometimes, the pain and pushing are pointing toward a lesson. The
lesson may be that we've become too controlling. Or maybe we're being pushed
to own our power to take care of ourselves. The issue is boundaries.

If something or somebody is pushing us to our limit, that's exactly what's
happening: we're being pushed to our limits. We can be grateful for the
lesson that's here to help us explore and set our boundaries.

Today, I will give myself permission to set the limits I want and need to
set in my life.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cancel Self-Wrecking Resentments
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2003/05/guy-finley.htm

Letters of Wisdom and Affirmation, by Louise Hay
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/April/0497-25.html

Is Your Bedroom Sacred?
by Jon Robertson
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/bedroom_7252.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Being Vulnerable
by Marie T. Russell

I remember, as a child, waiting for others to make the first step... waiting
for attention to be given to me, waiting for others to show love or
friendship. I was too "shy" to take the first step. I was afraid of being
rejected. So I built a persona that literally broadcasted "I don't need you.
I am very self-sufficient."

This attitude was even prevalent in my childhood. My mother once told me
that my first words were not "mommy" or "daddy", they were "I can do it!" I
now understand that this statement was my way of saying "I don't need you!"
It was my defense against the feeling that I was not needed or wanted. So
rather than be honest about my need to receive attention and love, I built a
wall that said "O.K. if you don't want me...I'll show you! I don't need you
either. I can do it all myself."

This has carried over to my "adult" life where I have demonstrated (or so I
thought) that I didn't need others. I could do it myself. Yet, I discovered
that living behind a glass wall can be lonely. You can see the others out
there, yet you somehow remain separated from them. They also see you, but
find it difficult to connect with you.

My belief was that no one had time for me. So what did I find on the other
side of my wall? Either other people who had no time for me (just as I
expected) or people who thought that I had no time for them and thus left me
alone.

You too may be living behind a wall that you have built. Your wall may be
called "I'm not good enough, so leave me alone" or "No one understands me or
loves me, so don't even try" or other such self-defeating attitudinal walls.

These glass walls have a way of magnifying the negative. The world seems
like a terrible place on the other side. Yet whatever you see through the
wall is only the reflection of what you have been projecting. If your wall
is a "I'm not good enough" one, perhaps what people see on your side of the
wall is a person who seems aloof and not very friendly. Consequently, they
stay away as you do not seem to be welcoming any friendships.

Is there a way out of that predicament? Yes. We can start by letting down
our defenses, and making ourselves vulnerable by being willing to trust
others and ourselves. Affirm: "I am now open to give and receive love. I
feel love in me and around me." Repeat to yourself, much as someone would
repeat a mantra, "It is safe to give and receive love", "It is o.k. to ask
for what I want" and "It's perfectly alright to show my feelings without
knowing what the response will be".

This opening of the cocoon is an ongoing process. I find that, for me, the
importance is to stay focused in the heart, to feel my heart expanding and
opening towards those around me. The fear of being "thought a fool" still
comes up now and then, yet, I am aware that only by "risking" and showing my
feelings will others feel safe in opening their hearts and showing me
theirs.

When two people are encased behind their respective walls, someone needs to
take the first step and step out from behind their defenses so that
communication and honesty can take place. Since I cannot ask of others what
I do not ask of myself, I take the first step and come out from behind the
wall of my fears. Will you join me, so we can play together and celebrate
life?

I invite you to abandon your defenses and to become, once again, as
vulnerable as a newborn child. Together we can do it! Don't wait for others
to make the first step... They may be waiting for you!

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.
www.innerself.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Looking Through Another

Through our daily exchange with others we can "re-discover"
our emotions and how to work with them as a result of our experiences.
In looking through the eyes of another, we see the reflections
of our own strengths and weaknesses, our triumphs and our shortcomings.

Could this also be a golden opportunity to develop the capacity to
demonstrate patience and strength as we listen to another and not judge?
Then as kindly as we can, ask what they intend to do about it?
Through this we learn and teach the virtues of patience, love and
responsibility...

Jim Grant

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Perfect Heart

One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming
that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd
gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was
not a mark or a flaw in it. Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most
beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and
boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart.

Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said, "Why
your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine."

The crowd and the young man looked at the old man's heart. It was beating
strongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been
removed and other pieces put in, but they didn't fit quite right and
there were several jagged edges.   In fact, in some places there were
deep gouges where whole pieces were missing.

The people stared - how can he say his heart is more beautiful, they
thought?

The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and
laughed.  "You must be joking," he said. "Compare your heart with mine,
mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears."

"Yes," said the old man, "Yours is perfect looking but I would never
trade with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have
given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and
often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place
in my  heart, but because the pieces aren't exact, I have some rough edges,
which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared.
Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person
hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges
giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful,
they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too,
and I hope someday they may return and
fill the space I have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?"

The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He
walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful
heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with
trembling hands. The old man took his offering, placed it in his
heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it
in the wound in the young man's heart. It fit, but not perfectly,
as there were some jagged edges. The young man looked at his heart,
not perfect anymore but more beautiful than
ever, since love from the old man's heart flowed into his. They embraced
and walked away side by side.

How sad it must be to go through life with a whole heart.

written by ~ Kirat Kyhalbu Gurung

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Out of My Hands
Virjinja

It's out of my hands.
I have nothing more to say.
Things work out for the best
in this much higher way
when I give it to God
who is infinitely more adept
at perfecting situations
that put me to the test.

It's out of my hands.
When I've exhausted all effort
with no options left,
I simply turn it over...
and give it a rest.
The wise person is (s)he
who knows the truth...
is to surrender the outcome,
and expect the highest good.

Virginia Santoro ~ © 2002 ~ All Rights Reserved
MorningMusings@...
www.myspace.com/morningmusings
www.hometown.aol.com/morningmusings

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Metamorphosis

When my spirit is moved
when I touch the heavens
from deep within my heart
without leaving home
some kind of new life begins living in me
I am transformed
into someone I was not before

I breathe unconsciously
I inspire exaltation animation unknowingly
I inhale with no thought of where the oxygen comes from
I take in life pounding pulsing fuel for my fire

A process of such nourishing inner workings
could go on forever without my awareness
but today I choose to embrace in words
this subtle phenomenon
active in each one of us

As inspiration performs miraculous modification
A metamorphose deep in the psyche
As you are gifting yourself with this awareness
Being true to your destiny
Beauty and Joy
Will drop by and stay awhile

Love
Stella

©2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You can make your world so much larger
simply by acknowledging everyone else's.
Jeanne Marie Laskas

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Change and growth take place
when a person has risked himself and dares
to become involved with experimenting with his own life.
Herbert Otto

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Our soul work...is to repair ourselves,
to heal into wholeness.
It is, simply put, to identify and remove whatever
gets in the way of being truly who we are.
It is the task of uncovering our authentic self
from the encrustations that overlay it,
concealing it from us.
M.J. Abadie, Awaken to Your Spiritual Self

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Prayer is the one thing that can make a change in your life.
If you will go direct to God in simple, affirmative prayer,
you can heal your body,
bring peace and harmony into your life,
and make well-being a reality.
Emmet Fox, Around the Year with Emmet Fox

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Those who think
that the world
is a dark place
are blind to the light
that might
illuminate their lives.
Wayne Dyer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Serenity is not the absence of conflict,
it is the ability to deal with life on life's terms
With the help of God and
the people that he puts in your life.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My greatest success is not
what I have been able to achieve,
but that which I have been able to overcome.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Being aware of my defects of character
and taking action on them are two different things.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

No God, No Peace
Know God, Know Peace

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Tradition 5
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad05.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition05.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad05.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I don't understand what is the difference between
the fellowship and the program ?"
Aren¹t they the same?
Can you explain this to me?"

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 16
I begin my day with quiet time,
finding peace and serenity in my mediation.
I carry those feelings with me wherever I am.
If anything happens to disturb this peace,
I can stop and spend a few minutes with my breath
and regain my serenity.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hope

T'was a Sunday night when I entered the room
A voice came across with a terrific boom,
At the end of the table he spoke with concern
To every member, who was there to learn

He spoke of convictions and his firm belief
When I began to relate with a sense of relief
With a smile so friendly, I watched with awe
We listened intently one and all

Hard to believe he came from skid row
This well dressed man who spoke to us now
I wanted so badly the things that he had
The peace and serenity as I felt so bad

I could listen for hours to the stories he told
I felt such love, convinced I was sold
Wanting the love he so obviously earned
I waited in line till it came my turn

He said "friend you too can be free
If you want what we have come back every week,
This was a promise, their affection and love
they filled me with hope, showed
Me God above;

Today we are one, the group and I
We have love for each other,
and Hope in our eyes.

Barbara Fagan

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Only What I Need
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=637

Indian 10 Commandments
www.wscribe.com/parables/indiancommandments.html

Addiction Is
www.addictionis.org

Inspiration
www.jansworld.com/inspir.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 16                                   Our Higher Power's Will

"God's will for us becomes our own true will for ourselves."
Basic Text, p. 46

   The Twelve Steps are a path to spiritual awakening. This awakening
takes the form of a developing relationship with a loving Higher Power.
Each succeeding step strengthens that relationship. As we continue to
work the steps, the relationship grows, becoming ever more important
in our lives.

   In the course of working the steps, we make a personal decision to
allow a loving Higher Power to direct us. That guidance is always
available; we need only the patience to seek it. Often, that guidance
manifests itself in the inner wisdom we call our conscience.

   When we open our hearts wide enough to sense our Higher Power's
guidance, we feel a calm serenity. This peace is the beacon that guides
us through our troubled feelings, providing clear direction when our minds
are busy and confused. When we seek and follow God's will in our lives,
we find the contentment and joy that often elude us when we strike
out on our own. Fear or doubt may plague us when we attempt to
carry out our Higher Power's will, but we've learned to trust the
moment of clarity. Our greatest happiness lies in following the will of
our loving God.

Just for today: I will seek to strengthen my relationship with my
Higher Power. I know from experience that knowledge of my Higher
Power's will provides a sense of clarity, direction, and peace.  pg. 142

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Forest And The Trees

.  .  .  what comes to us alone may be garbled by our own rationalization
and wishful thinking.  The benefit of talking to another person is that we
can get his direct comment and counsel on our situation.  .  .  .
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.  60

   I cannot count the times when I have been angry and frustrated and said to
myself, "I can't see the forest for the trees!" I finally realized that
what I needed when I was in such pain was someone who could guide me in
separating the forest and the trees; who could suggest a better path to
follow; who could assist me in putting out fires; and help me avoid the
rocks and pitfalls.
   I ask God, when I'm in the forest, to give me the courage to call upon a
member of A.A.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 16th

A.A. Thought for the Day

In the story of the Good Samaritan, the wayfarer fell
among robbers and was left lying in the gutter, half dead.
And a priest and a Levite both passed by on the other
side of the road. But the Good Samaritan was moved with
compassion and came to him and bound up his wounds and
brought him to an inn and took care of him. Do I treat
another alcoholic like the priest and the Levite or like the
Good Samaritan?

Meditation for the Day

Never weary in prayer. When one day you see how
unexpectedly your prayer has been answered, then you
will deeply regret that you have prayed so little. Prayer
changes things for you. Practice praying until your trust
in God has become strong. And then pray on, because it
has become so much a habit that you need it daily. Keep
praying until prayer seems to become communion with
God. That is the note on which true times of prayer should
end.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may form the habit of daily prayer. I pray
that I may find the strength I need, as a result of this
communion.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 16

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Self Love

"I woke up this morning and I had a hard time for a while," said one
recovering man. "Then I realized it was because I wasn't liking myself very
much." Recovering people often say: I just don't like myself. When will I
start liking myself?

The answer is: start now. We can learn to be gentle, loving, and nurturing
with ourselves. Of all the recovery behaviors we're striving to attain,
loving ourselves may be the most difficult, and the most important. If we
are habitually harsh and critical toward ourselves, learning to be gentle
with ourselves may require dedicated effort.

But what a valuable venture!

By not liking ourselves, we may be perpetuating the discounting, neglect, or
abuse we received in childhood from the important people in our life. We
didn't like what happened then, but find ourselves copying those who
mistreated us by treating ourselves poorly.

We can stop the pattern. We can begin giving ourselves the loving,
respectful treatment we deserve.

Instead of criticizing ourselves, we can tell ourselves we performed well
enough.

We can wake up in the morning and tell ourselves we deserve a good day.

We can make a commitment to take good care of ourselves throughout the day.

We can recognize that were deserving of love. We can do loving things for
ourselves.

We can love other people and let them love us.

People who truly love themselves do not become destructively self-centered.
They do not abuse others. They do not stop growing and changing. People who
love themselves well, learn to love others well too. They continually grow
into healthier people, learning that their love was appropriately placed.

Today, I will love myself. If I get caught in the old pattern of not liking
myself, I will find a way to get out.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  A Perfect Match, by Alan Cohen
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2003/05/alan-cohen.htm

Learning Lessons Between Relationships
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/April/0497-23.html

How  Can I Find Inner Peace?
by  Prema Baba Swamiji
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/inner_peace.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

THE RIPPLE EFFECT
By Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D.

     When you drop a rock into a placid body of
water, the created ripples travel along the surface until they have
covered the entire body.  When the World Trade Center Towers dropped,
the economic waves traveled throughout the country.  The tragic ripple
effect continues to impact us all.  It generates continual turbulence
in our daily lives.

Physics teaches us that when a wave traveling in an opposite
direction, impacts another wave of equal height, the ripple effect is
neutralized.  If we want to neutralize the ripple effect of September
11, we need to start a wave of equal power in the opposite direction.
Perhaps we have already done that.  In response to the events of
9/11/01, Americans have increased their generosity, strengthened their
patriotism, and reaffirmed their essential unity.  They have generated
a wave of compassion that could possibly neutralize the negative
effect of the turbulence we have all experienced.  Have you added your
behavior to such a wave?  Or have you added to the strength and height
of the wave of hatred and violence?

For hundreds of years, spiritual leaders and masters of the mind
have used the characteristics of water as a metaphor for beneficial
behavior.  People who are experts in the martial arts, seek to achieve
a constant mental state they call, "mind like water."  In addition to
the ripple effect metaphorically used above, what are some other
characteristics of water you might want to develop?

When still, water accurately reflects the surrounding reality.
Still water mirrors perfectly whatever is around it.  When water is
turbulent, its ability to accurately reflect is distorted.  Perhaps we
need to still our minds to perceive more clearly and accurately
reflect on our current situation.  On our own way of being in the
world.  Let your mind and heart be quieted by not making judgments and
assumptions.  Avoid fearful speculation.

Water never runs faster or slower than what the circumstances
surrounding it require.  It seeks its own level without effort or
applied force.  It flows.  When your mind flows without force, you
always find your own center, your own level.  Your life becomes
flowing and never moves faster or slower than your circumstances
really require.  Does your actual, daily experience require you to be
terrorized?

Water is persistent and implacable.  If it does not absorb what it
surrounds, it wears it away, ultimately destroying the hardest of
surfaces.  Without hurry, with almost infinite patience, water
persists in changing everything it contacts.  It transforms the rough
and hard into smooth and soft.  With an implacable mind, you can
transform your life even when confronted with extremely hard
circumstances.

Water always receives whatever is thrown into it.  It surrounds
with itself whatever it receives.  It never anticipates, or prepares.
When your mind functions like water, you absorb whatever life throws
your way.  No matter what happens, you cope.  If you are alive, you
have already handled what life has thrown your way.  You have taken
everything in and surrounded it with who you are.  If you hadn't, you
would be dead.  If you are still alive, you are more absorbent and
stronger than you might think.

Water is without motive.  It has no agenda or "cause" of its own.
It has no plans for its future.  It is not invested in having its own
way.  It has no "way" of its own.  It doesn't have to "prove" anything
to anyone.  It "fits" itself into its environment.  Without changing
its nature, it flows around, over, under or through any obstacles in
its path.  One might say that water "trusts" itself and the world.
After all, water is absolutely necessary for life.  Trust your own
life and its power.  Live without modifying your essential nature.

Water may change its form from solid to liquid to vapor.  It never
changes its essence.  Water is, in its essence, always the same,
always complete within itself, always true to its own nature.  No
matter what you confront in life, always be true to yourself.  Sure,
you may change the way you express who you are.  But never allow the
actions of others to change who you really are...your essence.  Always
be yourself and express your true nature in all your relationships.  I
believe our "true nature" is: love and compassion, curiosity and
acceptance, adaptability and growth.

Finally, water moves in ripples and waves.  Live in such a state of
mind and heart, that you add to the waves of love and compassion.  You
will neutralize any other waves of fear and hatred.  You will live in
a state of mind like water.

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."  Check out the website:
www.lifecoachtraining.com Contact Dr. Thomas: (970) 568-0173 or E-mail:
DrLloyd@... or LJTDAT@....

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Priceless

Funny how what is most special
in our lives
has no price tag on it

I remember being confused as a little girl
about how the world values things
If something was so special and valuable
then it was termed "priceless"
meaning that no amount of money could ever buy it ~
But to me no pricetag meant that it must be 'free'
Yet why were these items guarded and kept in a vault or a museum
if they had no price?  Why weren't they shared with everyone
who wanted them?

Only love is priceless in the pure sense of the word
it has no tags, no label instructions for fine washables
it is not stored away in a vault encased in bulletproof glass
it is not ever for sale, on sale, or a bargain basement find

love is free
unconditional
toujours prêt-à-porter
anytime
anywhere
at arm's length
across the world's continents

love is a live-in-the-moment thing
yet it knows no time limit
doesn't take up space
yet fills up a heart like nothing else can

Feeling rich is as easy as it sounds
Try it
You'll like it

Love
Stella

©2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Flexibility

One mark of surrendering to the Voice of Silence within,
The Inner Guide, is flexibility.

The ego travels the well defined trail that can feel
Safe in one sense but is actually a rut.

The Inner Guide will alter course often and frequently
In dramatic ways. This distracts the ego and it is in those
Windows of distraction that we are most in tune with our own
Inner Truth.

Being willing to turn in a direction that feels foreign, and initially
Uncomfortable in response to an inner urging, is a sure
Sign that we are working with our inner Truth and
Following the path of our own destiny.

John McIntosh and Rev. Jo Ann "Ananda" Polito
Copyright © Teach Only Love

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God's Voice

How ironic to be hopelessly lost and not know it,
and be caught in something mistaken for pride
To not even have God, because you've turned a deaf ear
to the voice that comes from inside

Each day passing to a darker nowhere
Believing you have nothing to give
No longer dream dreams of tomorrows to come
Without even a will to live

I'm releases from the spiritual hell I created
with bad choices, guilt and shame
I have freedom and joy, and friends that I love
and the tools to deal with life's pain

At the end of the day, when they are tucked into their beds,
and I sing them their bedtime song,
I thank God for the chance to be a their mother again
and to right all that I might have done wrong

When I face my dreams, in the quiet of the night,
I no longer have panic and fear,
When I face myself in the light of the day
my conscience for the most part is clear

I'll never forget my life as it was
how willing I was to forsake
I thank God for the arms of the man that I love
I am thankful for each breath I take

The difference between my needs and desires
is often hard to divide
I have learned to ask, and to listen real hard
to the voice that comes from inside

love Ellen
ellen@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My Guardian Angel     

My Guardian Angel
Struggled with me for years
While I drowned in my tears
For you see I only lived in fear
And wouldn't let anyone near

My Guardian Angel
Reached into the pits of hell to pull me free
Washed my eyes so that I could see
The fountain of love that was in me
And what came was serenity

My Guardian Angel
Gave me a shove
So I could find true love
God's love from above
Now it fits like a glove

My Guardian Angel
Has been there through and through
In times I was happy or even blue
Guiding me in what to do
I'm sure I would have died without you

My Guardian Angel
Who has been there
And showed me life isn't always fair
Who taught me to care
And look for love everywhere

My Guardian Angel
Who brought me to heaven from hell
Who has struggled to keep me well
Who lifted me when I fell
I love you can't you tell
Now it's in my heart
You dwell

©1999 by: Angie F Moore. whfl
Amoore530@...
Printed with Permission

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"We will meet again my friend,
  A hundred years from today
  Far away from where we lived
  And where we used to play.

  We will know each others' eyes
  And wonder where we met
  Your laugh will sound familiar
  Your heart, I won't forget.

  We will meet, I'm sure of this,
  But let's not wait til then...
  Let's take a walk beneath the stars
  And share this world again."

  Ron Atchison

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We cannot experience all of what's possible
if we have unresolved issues with others.
We cannot truly rejoice in the expression
and the experience of God's love for us
and receive that fully if our hearts are closed to even one person.
As we forgive where there is pain or bitterness in our lives,
we open our selves to an experience of true celebration.
  Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists.
Herein lies the peace of God.
A Course In Miracles, Foundation for Peace

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Reach down and lift others up.
It's the best exercise you can get.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I offer you this prayer for all the difficult relationships in our lives:
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the people I cannot change,
the courage to change the person I can,
and the wisdom to know, that person is me.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Freedom isn't free,
It comes with responsibilities.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God protect me from my wants

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Those who fail to remember are doomed to repeat.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Don't let anybody tell you that your not somebody,
first things first,  you are a Child of God
and God doesn't make any junk.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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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or go to the website and unsubscribe
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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,
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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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Tradition 4
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad04.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition04.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad04.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
"I don't understand what is the difference between
the fellowship and the program ?"
Aren¹t they the same?
Can you explain this to me?"

(((Family))) a BIG hug to you ALL
First and foremost I am grateful to be clean.
The program is the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, 12 Concepts,
the Literature and Books.
The fellowship is the people.
There have been times in my recovery that people have let me down
I am sure that their have been times when I have let others down too.
Sometimes there is gossip, disagreements, resentments etc.
It is at these times that I must place principles b4 personalities.
Don't let the fellowship get in the way of your program,
If you give this disease an inch, It will take your life.
In the 18.5 years that I have been clean I might have had 2 days and
2 people that have let me down, in comparison to the thousands of people
that are in my recovery that have been there for me.
That's pretty good percentages.
I make meetings to save my ass, each day
I am grateful to God and the fellowship for keeping the doors open.
I am grateful for the program, for it would not work without the fellowship.
This disease has met its master, LOVE.
Love turns dead ends, into endless highways.
We are expecting a baby in the next 2 weeks,
ALL of my projects are done :)
I am staying close to home,
Laurie is feeling very good, although sleeping has been difficult,
Andrew is VERY excited and an absolute JOY,
It has been busy, I cant wait to get out in my garden and plant some flowers
Here comes my son :)
He's just waking up and spends his
first few waking moments on my lap
*smile*
Keep stepping
and
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...


to share please visit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
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This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 15
It is exciting to know that the more I listen
to the chattering that goes on in my mind,
the quicker I can identify the blocks
to my positive and creative energy.
Today I release all negativity
so that I can be fully alive in the moment.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Inner Journey

The inner journey -
There is no starting point-
No middle ground-
And no end.
The inner journey -
Is  Spiritual progression,
Through emotional response.
It takes time,
It is time.
The inner journey -
Is light seeking expression-
It's Love looking for Freedom-
It is me looking for I....

Skip   4/9/90
SkipCleary@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Mousetrap
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=634

If You Love Something ...
www.wscribe.com/parables/dove.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 15                                    Fear Of The Fourth Step

"As we approach this step, most of us are afraid that there is a
monster inside of us that, if released, will destroy us."
Basic Text Page-27

  Most of us are terrified to look at ourselves, to probe our insides.
We're afraid that if we examine our actions and motives, we'll find a
bottomless black pit of selfishness and hatred. But as we take the
fourth Step, we'll find that those fears were unwarranted. We're
human, just like everyone else-no more, no less.

  We all have personality traits that we're not especially proud of.
On a bad day, we may think that our faults are worse than anyone else's.
We'll have moments of self-doubt. We'll question our motives. We may
even question our very existence. But if we could read the minds of our
fellow members, we'd find the same struggles. We're no better or
worse than anyone else. We can only change what we acknowledge and
understand. Rather than continuing to fear what's buried inside us, we
can bring it our into the open. We'll no longer be frightened, and our
recovery will flourish in the full light of self-awareness.

Just for today: I fear what I don't know. I will expose my fears and
allow them to vanish. Page-141

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Entirely Honest

We must be entirely honest with somebody if we expect to live long or
happily in this world.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  73-74

Honesty, like all virtues, is to be shared.  It began after I shared
".  .  .  [my] whole life's story with someone .  .  .  " in order to find
my place in the Fellowship.  Later I shared my life in order to help the
newcomer find his place with us.  This sharing helps me to learn honesty in
all my dealings and to know that God's plan for me comes true through
honest openness and willingness.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden / May 15th

A.A. Thought for the Day

In A.A. we find a new strength and peace from the realization
that there must be a Power greater than ourselves that is
running the universe and that is on our side when we live a
good life. So the A.A. program really never ends. You begin
by overcoming drink and you go on from there to many new
opportunities for happiness and usefulness. Am I really
enjoying the full benefits of A.A.?

Meditation for the Day

"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and
all these things shall be added unto you." We should not seek
material things first, but seek spiritual things first and
material things will come to us, as we honestly work for them.
Many people seek material things first and think they can
then grow into knowledge of spiritual things. You cannot serve
God and Mammon at the same time. The first requisites of an
abundant life are the spiritual things: honesty, purity,
unselfishness, and love. Until you have these qualities,
quantities of material things are of little real use to YOU.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may put much effort into acquiring spiritual things.
I pray that I may not expect good things until I am right
spiritually.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 15

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Taking Risks

Take a risk. Take a chance.

We do not have to indulge in obviously foolhardy or self-defeating risks,
but we can allow ourselves to take positive risks in recovery. We cannot
afford to keep ourselves paralyzed.

We do not have to keep ourselves stymied and trapped out of fear of making a
mistake or failing. Naturally, we will make mistakes and fail from time to
time. That's part of being fully alive. There are no guarantees. If we are
waiting for guaranteed courses of action, we may spend much of our life
waiting.

We do not have to shame ourselves or accept shame from anyone else, even
those in recovery, for making mistakes. The goal of recovery is not to live
life perfectly. The goal of recovery is to live, learn our lessons, and make
overall progress.

Take a risk. Do not always wait for a guarantee. We don't have to listen to
"I told you so." Dust yourself off after a mistake, and then move on to the
success.

God, help me begin to take healthy risks. Help me let go of my fear of
failure, and help me let go of my fear of success. Help me let go of my fear
of fully living my life, and help me start experiencing all parts of this
journey.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Feng Shui For The Season
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/05/feng-shui.htm

Meditation Messages for Ascension
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/April/0497-22.html

God's Will Is Love
by Karen Anne Bentley
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/will_7112.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Following the Sacred Trail
by Michael Garrett

In our way of life, with every decision we make, we always keep in mind the
Seventh Generation of children to come. When we walk upon Mother Earth, we
always plant our feet carefully, because we know that the faces of future
generations are looking up at us from beneath the ground. We never forget
them.

-- Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of The Onondaga Nation

I do not remember the first time I heard the saying "If you can find the end
of a rainbow, you'll find a pot of gold." It sounded strange to me at the
time, but it was, nonetheless, something that I tucked away somewhere in the
back of my mind. After all, one never knows when one might need a pot of
gold. However, as a child, it was mainly the mystery of the whole thing that
struck me.

I do not remember the first time I actually saw a rainbow or where I was,
but I do know that its quiet beauty struck my heart with such awe that it
touched something deep within me. Just seeing a rainbow catches you quite
off guard and somehow just makes you stop and look ... and wonder. I suppose
it is like finding a pot of gold, although I have never had that pleasure.
But I am fortunate to be able to say that I have been given many gifts
during my time on Mother Earth, and seeing a rainbow has been among the more
cherished of them. It is sacred.

And just as the rainbow is sacred, so is my life. Yes, my life is sacred to
me. That may sound a bit arrogant at first, but only because of how it
sounds rather than what it means to me. It is interesting when we begin to
realize what we consider gifts and what we expect, what we consider
privilege and what we consider obligation. For example, my mother was not
obligated to give me life. And yet she did.

I remember once when I was home for my birthday, I noticed that my mother
was crying to herself. When I asked her why, thinking that something had
happened and maybe she needed my help, she simply responded, "I was having
you right now." At first, I didn't understand. Then, I suddenly realized
that she was reliving the moments leading up to my birth and that this was
still such an emotionally powerful experience for her, even all these years
later. She looked upon me as a gift and treated me as such. And I, in turn,
have always looked upon her gift of life to me as nothing less than sacred.

I have tried to live my life with this attitude. I live my life this way
because I choose to live my life this way. This is my Medicine, and for me
it is a Good Medicine Way. It holds power for me -- not the power of
control, but the power of perspective. To look upon all things as sacred and
purposeful is no small task for us human beings, who have been blessed with
the intellectual and spiritual capacity to transcend both time and space in
a single thought (sounds like Superman, right?). Yet there are times when we
human beings do not choose to look beyond our noses and walk right into a
tree that was standing there plain as day, for possibly hundreds of years
before we arrived. "Damn trees!" we might even say.

If Uwohali, Eagle, flying high, looks no further than the end of her beak,
then she misses the beauty of the great expanse that exists above, below,
and all around her. The eagle who has the ability to fly but chooses not to
recognize her place in relation to the Greater Circle loses that sense of
place and may become lost. How might it feel to be floating high upon the
wind, not knowing where we are or where we are going? Some might consider
this a welcome opportunity, but for how long? When we float high upon the
wind or when we walk upon the ground, can we recognize the forest for the
trees? Can we even see the trees there before us, let alone the vastness of
the forest of which they are a part?

Consider people's fascination with the past. What is this fascination with
history, legends, stories, things from the past, and things that remind us
of the past? What makes certain pictures or special gifts we received once
so important to us? Are we simply burdened with too much free time, or is
there a sense of connection that gives our lives meaning?

The past and things that tie us to it give us a sense of connection with
those things, experiences, people that have gone before us. In order for us
to know our place in the universe, we must realize where we stand in
relation to all things around us; this is the power of relation. Our
connection with the past gives us a sense of continuity, a sense that we are
somehow part of the Greater Circle. It gives us a sense of place and a sense
of direction. Our connection with the future also gives us a sense of
direction and purpose on the path that we walk.

I have long wondered what really is at the end of a rainbow. Quite honestly,
I have never checked (I've chalked that up as one of the many pursuits for
later life...). But I do wonder. There have been many stones on my path that
I have thus far left unturned, either because I just haven't gotten around
to them or maybe because those stones did not wish to be bothered in the
first place (it's important to know the difference).

So every time I see a rainbow, I just stand there in awe of its beauty and
immensity, and whisper a small prayer thanking the rainbow for being willing
to share its beauty with me. And something about the sight of it moves me
from within, as if it were touching my spirit, and a deep sense of calm
comes over me. I look upon the very sight of the rainbow as a gift, just as
I look upon the very sight of the eagle as a gift, and the squirrel, and the
ant, and the rock, and the little dandelions, and the rain, and all living
beings in the Circle of Life. I know that a rainbow is not a rainbow without
all of its colors, just as the Sacred Web of Life cannot exist without every
one of its strands in harmony and balance.

We usually don't look upon a rainbow and think about how much prettier the
red looks than the blue or how much nicer the whole thing would be if it
were curved in a different way or not curved at all. We usually either look
upon the rainbow as something of great beauty in and of itself, or we may
just ignore it almost altogether. The point is, when we look upon something
as a gift, we tend to accept it as it is, to appreciate it as it is, and it
just makes us feel good. There is a sense of connection. It touches
something within us and somehow grants us sacred moments of harmony.

THE NATURE OF THE JOURNEY
We can speak of the rainbow as a refraction of light and color, or we can
speak of the rainbow as spirit energy. In the same way, we can speak of our
own minds as the sky, our own thoughts as spirit energy refracted at will to
reflect the beauty and color of our hearts, the power of relation that flows
through our veins, and the vision that keeps us oriented along the journey.
We can speak of the light as the energy that we all share in common with all
our relations: life!

And now I ask, what if I did finally go looking for the end of a rainbow as
I mentioned that I still intend to do, and what if I were lucky enough to
find it? What if, when I finally found the end of the rainbow, there was no
pot of gold waiting there for me? Would I say, "Damn rainbows!" and kick the
rainbow because I didn't get what I expected? Would I just give up? Would
rainbows be any less beautiful to me? Would I go looking for another rainbow
to follow? Would I simply look elsewhere (perhaps at the end of a tornado)
for my pot of gold? What would I do? I suppose it all depends upon what I am
really looking for and why, as well as how I go about it.

Now, think about yourself. What are you really looking for? Where is your
sense of place? What is it that moves you? What are the things you cherish?
What are the gifts that you have received, and what are the gifts that you
have to give? Where is your love? Where does your vision lead you? What will
it take for you to follow your vision?

The journey is not "somewhere over there" or "some other time." It is with
us right here and right now. It is a part of us in everything that we do and
everything that we are. What we perceive as our "pot of gold" may in fact be
something very different when and if we find the end of the rainbow. What if
the rainbow has no end? What if it is a circle that wraps itself gently
around Earth in a continuous cycle of energy?

As we walk, all of our ancestors walk with us. As we dance, all of our
ancestors dance the Sacred Dance. Each step that we place is an important
one. All of our relatives are walking with us, speaking through us like the
many colors of the rainbow. Listen, and you will hear their steps, their
voices, their colors. Listen, and you will hear your spirit calling upon all
our relations, and you will feel their energy. Our spirit is an extension of
them and they are an extension of us. Our spirit connects us with the
memories of all that has gone before us, all that is, and all that will be.
Our spirit connects us with all of our relations in the Circle of Life.
Listen, and you will hear Water speaking, Wind dancing, Sun smiling, the
heartbeat of Mother Earth pulsing beneath our feet.

Every footstep is the journey. Every sight, every sound, every touch and
taste and smell with which we are blessed is the journey. All of the colors
before us are the journey, and we are the journey. May we always keep our
feet on Mother Earth, our eyes and minds above the treetops, our spirit with
the Greater Universal Spirit. And may we always walk the path of Good
Medicine in harmony and balance, with a sense of humility, kindness, wonder,
and respect for all living things as we follow the sacred trail of those who
have come before us and those yet to come.

This article is excerpted from Walking on the Wind, ©1998, by Michael
Garrett. Reprinted with permission of the publisher, Bear & Co., an imprint
of Inner Traditions Intl. www.innertraditions.com

About the Author:
Michael Tlanusta Garrett, Eastern Band of Cherokee, grew up on the Cherokee
Indian Reservation in the mountains of western North Carolina. He holds a
Ph.D. in counselor education and an M.Ed. in counseling and development.
During the past several years, he has taught courses at the university level
and given numerous presentations, workshops, and seminars on topics
including wellness, cultural values and beliefs, spirituality,
relationships, group techniques, counseling children, conflict resolution,
date rape / sexual violence, and play therapy. Author/coauthor of numerous
articles and book chapters, he has co-written with his father, J.T. Garrett,
Medicine of the Cherokee: The Way of Right Relationship. They also have
another book coming out in September 2002: The Cherokee Full Circle: A
Practical Guide to Sacred Ceremonies and Traditions.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

An Act of Faith

Blessings arrive from different directions
angling in through interior pathways
ofttimes appearing out of thin air

I believe in angels
I believe in miracles

I make myself welcome to my own possibilities
I have tilled the garden and sifted the soil
How can Hope not exist, I ask, while I'm bent over
planting a seed?
The odds may be stacked up tightly and highly
The weather may turn drastically
But Faith has her hand
in the Growth of things
And Fate spins out
the Web of life
I honor Nature's unerring weaving
and remain safe in intricate details

While opening a window
In burst the Big Picture
I can see clearly now
I may receive a blessing today
I have felt my angel's wings nearby
Whispering

Love
Stella
©2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

DETACHMENT

Alcoholism is a family disease. Living with the effects of someone else's
drinking is too devastating for most people to bear without help.
In Al-Anon, we learn individuals are not responsible for another person's
disease or recovery from it.
We let go of our obsession with another's behavior and begin to lead
happier and more manageable lives, lives with dignity and rights; lives
guided by a Power greater than ourselves.

  IN AL-ANON WE LEARN:

Not to suffer because of the actions or reactions of other people;
Not to allow ourselves to be used or abused by others
in the interest of another's recovery;
Not to do for others what they could do for themselves;
Not to manipulate situations so others will eat, go to bed,
get up, pay bills, not drink;
Not to cover up for anyone's mistakes or misdeeds;
Not to create a crisis;
Not to prevent a crisis if it is in the natural course of events.
Detachment is neither kind nor unkind. It does not imply judgement or
condemnation of the person or situation from which we are detaching.
It is simply a means that allows us to separate ourselves from the adverse
effects that another person's alcoholism can have upon our lives.
Detachment helps families look at their situations realistically and
objectively,
thereby making intelligent decisions possible.

AL-ANON IS

A worldwide organization that offers a self-help recovery program for the
families and friends of alcoholics whether or not the alcoholic seeks help
or
even recognizes the existence of a drinking problem.
Members give and receive comfort and understanding through a mutual
exchange of experiences, strength and hope. Sharing of similar problems
binds individuals and groups together in a bond that is protected by a
policy
of anonymity.

AL-ANON IS NOT

A religious organization or a counseling agency. It is not a treatment
center
nor is it allied with any other organization offering such services. Al-Anon
Family Groups, which includes Alateen for teenage members, neither express
opinions on outside issues nor endorse outside enterprises. No dues or fees
are required. Membership is voluntary, requiring only that one's own life
has
been adversely affected by someone else's drinking problem.

Copyright © Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.
Pamphlet S-19 - Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Groups, Inc.
For information and catalog of literature contact:
Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.
1600 Corporate Landing Parkway
Virginia Beach VA 23454-5657
1.888.425.2666 (Canada and USA)

www.al-anon.alateen.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A New Group

Experience was needed to start a new 12-Step group
But one year in the program was the most that we had.
A friend told me of a 12-stepper who¹d been in the loop
For 28 years. I thanked her for this and was very glad.

We live in a rural area and our community is small.
The old timer was called and asked if she would join
Us in starting a 12 step group.  I now know this call
Wasn't my HP¹s will  but my own, more like the flip of a coin.

She agreed to meet with us although it was a chore
For her to come in the evening as her health wasn¹t great.
She¹d have to drive a distance and that was such a bore.
My serious doubts had begun but I thought it was too late.

Her 28 years in recovery had been intermittent at best
But she knew the program and might help us with ease.
Every comment was followed, as you may have guessed,
By talk from our old timer about her conquest of the disease.

New people who came for help were given her advice
She knew alcohol and marriage, all of which was bad.
Her past was related but newcomers never came twice.
She knew they ³just weren¹t ready². I became very sad.

At a business meeting the Steps & Traditions were read
Then a motion for ³no crosstalk² at meetings was raised.
Misunderstanding was voiced by group members who led
And the motion was tabled. Our old timer wasn¹t fazed

Discussion ensued about the literature being ignored
And about too many details of the injustices we¹d endured.
Concepts of Experience, Strength & Hope was explored
And our sponsoring group members input was procured.

Our old timer than became furious, she¹d never heard of this.
Reacting in anger I said "and I don't like members giving advice².
She stormed out of the meeting. Mentally I began to list
The amends I¹d be making, couldn¹t I just have been nice?.

Our small town will benefit from a meeting with success
But doing it on my own power didn¹t fit Bill W¹s mold.
I blamed the opinionated old timer but it really was my mess.
Now I¹m learning to seek my HP¹s will and than do as I¹m told.

Carol Thomas
04/20/06
gillygumdrop@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Life is like a book that never ends.
Chapters close, but not the book itself.
The end of one physical incarnation is like the end of a chapter,
on some level setting up the beginning of another."
"Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn here.
The spiritual journey is the relinquishment -
or unlearning - of fear and the acceptance of love back into our hearts.
Marianne Williamson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Relationships are eternal.
Once they begin, they exist always because
they don't happen out in the world; they happen in us.
We cannot heal a relationship by ending it.
We can only heal a relationship with forgiveness.
Today, pray to find ways to see others with love.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We associate spirit with positive and creative energy.
This energy gives us the power to live, work, and create.
Spiritual people are positive and creative human beings.
They know, deep inside themselves,
that they have the power to create the difference in their lives.
They have looked within and found what can be called their yes to life,
and this yes shines forth in their attitudes and actions.
Father Leo Booth, When God Becomes A Drug

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

How do we treat the difficult people in our lives,
the ones who, when we think of them, we just cringe?
Do we cut them out of our lives?
Do we put up with them because we "have to,"
but really wall them off in our hearts?
Or is it possible that if we're open to it,
there may be some powerful medicine in this relationship
that becomes what Jean Houston calls, "Evolutionary potency for our soul,"
that's only available in our coming to a new understanding
or awakening of a gift that's in this relationship?
Consider today whether you are being called to a new capacity of loving
that you would never find if it were not for this relationship.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Blowing out another's candle will not make yours shine brighter.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There are no limits to either time or distance,
except as man himself may make them.
I have but to touch the wind to know these things.
Hal Borland

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Trees bear different fruits
and so do people.....
Today I am a fruit inspector.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you don't take your inventory ,
then someone else will.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I have to get a life,
In order to share a life.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Relationships are easy to get in to,
and difficult to get out of.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Tradition 2
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad02.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition02.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad02.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What do you believe is your responsibility to the fellowship as a whole ?
What do you believe is the fellowship's responsibility to the newcomer ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 14
I have all the power I need today
to say no to negative choices.
The personal choices I make today are positive and healthy.
I take responsibility for my life today.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Step Poem

I took Step One, began to moan
I can't do this one on my own.
I took Step Two, began to pray
Restore me God, please now, today.
I took Step Three, gave up my will
maybe God could love me still.
I took a Fourth, I looked inside
Nothing more would I hide.
And on the Fifth, I said aloud
I've done some wrong, and I'm not proud.
I took Step Six, and got prepared
To lose the defects, I was scared.
Now I'm at Seven, take them away
My God, for this I do pray.
And on Eight, the list was long
Amends to make for all the wrongs.
I took Step Nine, put down my pride
Amends made, I will not hide.
Step Ten I take, each day I pray
I make amends along the way.
And on Eleven I pray to know
Each day His Will, which way to go.
I take Step Twelve, I'm like a bird
To others now, I spread the word....

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Maybe
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=628

If You Can
www.wscribe.com/parables/dog.html

One of the oldest depression sites on the Web.
www.wingofmadness.com

This is a memorial site for a young writer who died from
a cocaine-induced cardiac arrhythmia at the age of 29.
You can read book excerpts, hear songs by a friend,
and sign up to get a free copy of his novel here:
www.jacobwaletzky.com

WiseHearts Love and Friendship Center
www.wisehearts.com/lfc.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 14                                          Oops!

"Insanity is repeating the same mistakes and expecting
different results." Basic Text, p. 23

  Mistakes! We all know how it feels to make them. Many of us
feel that our entire lives have been a mistake. We often regard
our mistakes with shame or guilt‹at the very least, with
frustration and impatience. We tend to see mistakes as evidence
that we are still sick, crazy, stupid, or too damaged to recover.

  In truth, mistakes are a very vital and important part of being
human. For particularly stubborn people (such as addicts), mistakes
are often our best teachers. There is no shame in making mistakes.
In fact, making new mistakes often shows our willingness to take
risks and grow.

  It's helpful, though, if we learn from our mistakes; repeating the
same ones may be a sign that we're stuck. And expecting different
results from the same old mistakes‹well, that's what we call "insanity!'
It just doesn't work.

Just for today: Mistakes aren't tragedies. But please,
Higher Power, help me learn from them!  pg. 140

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cleaning House

Somehow, being alone with God doesn't seem as embarrassing as facing up to
another person.  Until we actually sit down and talk aloud about what we
have so long hidden, our willingness to clean house is still largely
theoretical.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.  60

It wasn't unusual for me to talk to God, and myself, about my character
defects.  But to sit down, face to face, and openly discuss these
intimacies with another person was much more difficult.  I recognized in
the experience, however, a similar relief to the one I had experienced when
I first admitted I was an alcoholic.  I began to appreciate the spiritual
significance of the program and that this Step was just an introduction to
what was yet to come in the remaining seven Steps.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 14th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Having gotten over drinking, we have only just begun to
enjoy the benefits of A.A. We find new friends, so that
we are no longer lonely. We find new relationships with
our families, so that we are happy at home. We find release
from our troubles and worries through a new way of looking
at things. We find an outlet for our energies in helping
other people. Am I enjoying these benefits of A.A.?

Meditation for the Day

The kingdom of heaven is within you. God sees, as no one can
see, what is within you. He sees you growing more and more
like Himself. That is your reason for existence, to grow more
and more like God, to develop more and more the spirit of
God within you. You can often see in others those qualities
and aspirations that you yourself possess. So also can God
recognize His own spirit in you. Your motives and aspirations
can only be understood by those who have attained the same
spiritual level as you have.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may not expect complete understanding from
others. I pray that I may only expect this from God, as I
try to grow more like Him.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 14

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Honesty

     Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact
nature of our wrongs.
     --Step Five of Al-Anon

Talking openly and honestly to another person about ourselves, in an
attitude that reflects self responsibility, is critical to recovery.

It's important to admit what we have done wrong to others and to ourselves.
Verbalize our beliefs and our behaviors. Get our resentments and fears out
in the open.

That's how we release our pain. That's how we release old beliefs and
feelings. That's how we are set free. The more clear and specific we can be
with our Higher Power, ourselves, and another person, the more quickly we
will experience that freedom.

Step Five is an important part of the recovery process. For those of us who
have learned to keep secrets from others, and ourselves it is not just a
step - it is a leap toward becoming healthy.

Today I will remember that it's okay to talk about the issues that bother
me. It is by sharing my issues that I will grow beyond them. I will also
remember that it's okay to be selective about those in whom I confide. I can
trust my instincts and choose someone who will not use my disclosures
against me, and who will give me healthy feedback.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Strong and Sensitive
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/05/doreen-virtue.htm

The Tao of Prayer, by Alan Cohen
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/April/0497-12.html

G.O.D.
by Jacques Weisel
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/G_O_D_by_Jacques_Weisel.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Belief - Fact and Faith
by B.W. Holmes

When people fantasize about a perfect life, they usually envision great
personal wealth; which frees them from the necessity of going to work each
day, and worrying about apportioning out their income in order to pay the
bills. It allows them to acquire the things they desire; perhaps even staff
to take care of the mundane cooking and cleaning. They dream of having all
the things that money can buy. The parts of the fantasy add up to what they
truly desire: freedom from the stress of competition, where they no longer
have to struggle to get ahead in life, but simply enjoy it.

When people fantasize about a perfect existence, such as the type promised
by religions, they envision a state of bliss. Existence free from all stress
and competition, unhampered by the pressures of the material world. For some
it is a natural setting without the trappings of modern civilization: there
are no expensive automobiles, yachts, or fancy clothes in this dream.
Whether it is the vision of substance held by the Western religions, or the
release from the physical realm desired by other beliefs, the result is the
same: an end to the struggle that is part of life.

The two fantasies have the same fundamental goal, but the differences are
significant. The first dream is constrained by reason: however unlikely, it
is seen as a logical possibility. The second dream is spiritual imagery, and
does not require an empirical connection to reality. One is only what people
can hope for, the other is beyond what they feel is realistic to desire. The
important point is that when people imagine perfection that is unrestricted
by the physical world, materialism and competitiveness disappear.

There are two aspects to the way we perceive the world. There is that which
is connected to the physical: things and concepts we can see, and verify
logically. There is the spiritual: concepts of the mind which are abstract,
without tangible substance, and frequently difficult or impossible to
establish empirically. The two perceptions are often categorized as being
based on either fact, or belief. The physical world is defined rationally,
with substantive data to prove something, or sufficient related evidence to
reason toward a conclusion. A mental perception of the world might not have
adequate proof to define something as fact, and is therefore belief or
theory.

Mankind's mental ability to reason abstractly is responsible for that which
separates our species from the others on this planet. To move beyond the
obvious requires a spiritual nature; and much of our technology is built
upon this ability to believe something, without having any hard evidence to
support it. Most of our advanced scientific knowledge began with concepts
that were not provable at the time: the notion of the atom was theorized by
the Greeks thousands of years ago; and even today, the theory of Quantum
Physics is not supported by any physical evidence. Complex scientific ideas
often begin as mental explanations for observable phenomenon. Rules are
created to account for events, and if the rules consistently work over a
sufficient period of time, we consider them to be true.

Our ability to learn of the remarkable properties of the physical world is
dependent upon our mental powers; and the conclusions we reach are subject
to our perceptions, and a finite amount of knowledge: therefore, even what
we see as the truest of "facts", may actually be false.

Every old belief, that we now find amusing, was at one time the product of
the greatest minds and most advanced scientific techniques in existence. The
situation today is no different. For example: we believe there are subatomic
particles, and we build machines to verify that this is so. Each machine
that does not give us the result we desire is discarded, because it
obviously doesn't work, and we continue to change them until we make one
that proves our theory. If any subsequent machines disagree with our belief,
we consider them to be flawed, because we only have faith in the one that
provides us with the "correct" answer; yet logically, the only thing that
makes this particular machine "right", and all of the others "wrong", is the
fact that it validates our belief.

This is an oversimplification of the concept, but the fact remains that much
of our knowledge is based upon circular arguments: "our theory correctly
explains the phenomenon, and the phenomenon occurs because our theory is
correct". As history has demonstrated, mankind will blindly cling to a
belief until the evidence against it becomes overwhelming.

Fundamentally, there is only one principle that is unquestionable: you exist
as a consciousness at this moment, because you are aware of your existence
at this moment; all else, including a memory of a past prior to this
instant, could be an illusion created by your awareness. Obviously, you
cannot go through life accepting that this is the only truth, and nothing
else is as it seems; our faith in the existence of the corporeal world
allows us to function within it.

This does mean, however, that everything beyond this unquestionable truth is
by definition, only a belief; because you cannot prove otherwise. This is
not to say that we should be skeptical of everything, but we must be
prepared to question the "truest" of claims, and not simply accept them
because they are commonly held to be infallible.

If everything aside from our own self-awareness is a belief, how does one
determine between a logical belief, and one that is irrational? One must
apply reason to all principles. Some may say that this is apparent: but in
practice, such is definitely not the case. The most obvious example is
organized religion: the thousands of different versions, each claiming to be
the one true system, are all basing this conclusion on blind faith. The
members believe that their particular sect is true, yet there is no sound
justification for this: aside from the common principles of moral behavior
shared by all religions, the differences in doctrine are based on the
unsubstantiated claims of individuals.

Religion may be the most easily recognized demonstration of belief without
reasoning, but blind faith exists in many forms. The people who believe that
capital punishment deters crime, in spite of the fact it has been proven
beyond doubt that it does not; those who insist that the Earth has infinite
resources, contrary to simple logic; and groups that insist that Caucasians
are superior to other races, while "begging the question": not only rely on
blind faith, but actually believe in things that are patently false. They do
this because these beliefs are the cornerstones to the more complex ideals
that they have built their lives upon; and to lose the myths that support
their illusion of reality, is to lose their self-structure. The fear of such
an event will not allow them to risk having reason affect their convictions.

Blind faith has always been a major part of human society. The vast majority
of people lack the resources and inclination to establish that what they
know is actually true: we accept what we are told by experts, and live by
the assumption that these individuals have proof of the soundness of their
conclusions. This system works reasonably well, and common knowledge has
been right more often than wrong. The drawback to trusting those who
disseminate information is that it can lead to the widespread acceptance of
something that is untrue. Aside from the chance of error, there is also the
practice of intentionally promoting a false ideal. The persons who control
society see the majority of people as simple sheep, who can be herded in a
desired direction. Due to this conformity, beliefs are cultivated that
control and manipulate society, often because leaders feel that the public
cannot cope with the truth. You can be certain that a significant portion of
your knowledge falls within this category.

Using deceit to guide society in a way that is perceived to be in its best
interests can effectively maintain compliance and conformity, but there are
two major problems with this. Although most people are incapable of dealing
with the complexities of the technological and moral issues that govern
modern society, a great many of them could, if given the opportunity. We are
told what to believe, and how to behave, from birth. A minority of people
are able to subvert this pattern of conditioning and become the independent
thinkers, many of whom develop into the controllers of society. We then have
a relatively small number of individuals who are attempting to solve the
world's problems. Others, who need more information in order to "break from
the herd", could expand the total number of minds being applied toward
understanding the universe, and how we fit within it.

The reason accurate knowledge is not readily going to be made available to
the masses is due to the second problem with our control system. Whereas
many leaders truly have mankind's best interests at heart, a great many
others use their power for entirely self-serving purposes, and can be a
destructive force within society; it is not in their best interests to
encourage free thought. These self-centered individuals may be reasonably
intelligent, but they are narrowly focused on power and material gain, and
accomplish these goals through utilizing the blindly obedient nature of the
majority. Opportunistic leaders of this kind are actually casualties of the
very system they now control, and have had the artificial ideal, that
material pursuits are the meaning of life, instilled into them by their
predecessors.

Such people are as much victims of conditioning as the bulk of humanity, and
blindly strive for more power and money without ever completing their quest;
continuing to compete, even after accumulating great authority and wealth.
The truth of the matter is that, for most of these people, materialism
cannot satisfy their deepest desire for freedom, and they simply continue
along the same path. Even after gaining billions of dollars, they feel
unfulfilled, and have no idea of what else to do; so they desperately follow
the same narrow vision, until death finally brings them peace.

Continuing to accept the manipulation of the general population may not seem
to be a negative thing; after all, most people would rather live as sheep,
without the obligations that come with independent thought. There will
always be those who simply exist: they become aware, live as they have been
trained to do, and then die; all without any comprehension of anything
beyond their own day-to-day concerns, and with little or no positive impact
upon the world.

The problem with the status quo, is that the system is not working. We have
advanced to the point where we are capable of providing enough food to
maintain the well-being of everyone on Earth; medical technology can cure a
seemingly endless number of ailments and extend the human life span;
industrialization has provided the means to shelter all people and give them
a level of self-sufficiency: yet only fifteen to twenty percent of mankind
sees any substantial benefit from our scientific prowess. The vast majority
of people suffer as they have for thousands of years. Our inventiveness has
not eliminated war, nor reduced violent crime: it has only given us more
efficient tools for killing one another. Our population continues to
increase, while we progressively strip the planet of resources and other
life forms. Leaving mankind's destiny in the hands of the few is not only
failing to improve the lot of the majority: it is gradually leading all of
us toward a crisis of epic proportions.

There are no quick solutions to the problems facing humanity, but there is a
way to begin moving in the right direction. It does not demand revolution,
or drastic upheaval; nor does it even require organization. All that is
needed is for individuals to begin to sort out their lives, and realize what
is truly important to them. If people concentrate on eliminating the
obstacles that prevent them from reaching inner peace, through acquiring
understanding: the larger problems will take care of themselves. Just as all
things are components of the whole; the difficulties of each individual are
the components of our global dilemma. To understand, and appreciate, what is
meaningful in life -- and to see the artificial conditioned ideals for what
they are -- not only frees you from the stress and competition in your life:
it will eventually lead to a better life for all of humanity.

Copyright 1999 B.W. Holmes

About The Author:
B.W. Holmes is a student of the social sciences. The author states: "I
resist revealing my gender, race, age, or any other information that may
subconsciously bias a person's opinion of the text. Whether we like it or
not, humans are conditioned by society to perceive others in certain roles;
and I prefer to remain as neutral as possible." This article "Belief - Fact
and Faith" is part 15 of an online collection of connected essays called
"Reasoned Spirituality" on the author's website www.reasoned.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Unconditional Love

Love is not a part of us. We are a part of it. When we own the Love within,
what we are actually doing is offering ourselves in service to the Oneness,
to something larger than ourselves.

Love (Unconditional Love) as such is not something we offer to others or
ourselves. It is more like a wonderful current of Divinity we align with and
let go. It is only with aligning and surrendering that we offer ourselves.
Aligning and surrendering are not the easiest things to do. When choosing to
do so we face fear of the unknown. Many of us are at a point beyond where we
have ever been before. Love is such a vast energy. It is not possible to
fully understand or predict it. Love is such a powerful energy. What if it
swallows us up? You may have memories of opening to love before and getting
hurt.

We are at many states of love and loving. It can be one of the most painful
of experiences and yet the most joyful. As we progress spiritually and
integrates parts of ourselves that need loving, we move into a deeper
experience/expression of Love. Love has many "levels" of experience. What
this means is that our understanding of love changes as we grow. Then the
longing to be in, Love, our natural state of grace and flow, becomes so
intense, so deeply felt, that it "overwhelms" our fear of it and we let go.

It is like a magnetic pull. Except that we have to be close (open) enough to
know it is available and to feel the pull. This is not possible for most
people until they have done the inner work of self loving. This includes but
is not limited to: gratitude, forgiveness, seeing the mirrors, letting go of
self judgment, etc. We do not have to be "perfect" to feel and align with
the current of Love. There comes a point when enough work has been done that
we can choose to surrender or not. Sometimes we may not feel ready and we
choose to release more fear first. This is why the fear can become more
intense the closer we get to the Love experience.

Think of letting go of fear as enabling you to get lighter and lighter so
you can more easily let yourself be carried. Love is not the answer, nor the
end of doing your inner work. Love is the expression of Source which is
infinitely light.

We leave you now with the image that each of you is a very beautiful kite of
light, soaring on the current of Love. You are a most breathtaking sight as
you allow yourself to be carried. Joy and Love abound beyond measure. As
with actual kite flying, the hardest part is getting off the ground. But it
is well worth it.

Linda White Dove 6/2000

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the
lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer,
or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet if we have
problems with our friends or family, we blame the other person. But if we
know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like the lettuce.
Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using
reason and arguments.

That is my experience. No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just
understanding.

Thich Nhat Hahn

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Letting Go of Those Not in Recovery

We can go forward with our life
and recoveries, even though someone
we love is not yet recovering.

Picture a bridge.
On one side of the bridge it is cold and dark.
We stood there with others in the cold
and darkness, doubled over in pain.
Some of us developed an eating disorder
to cope with the pain.
Some drank; some use other drugs.
Some of us lost control of our sexual behavior.
Some of us obsessively focused on addicted people's
pain to distract us from our own pain.
Many of us did both: we developed an addictive behavior,
and distracted ourselves
by focusing on other addicted people.
We did not know there was a bridge.
We thought we were trapped on a cliff.

Then, some of us go lucky.
Our eyes opened, by the Grace of God,
because it was the time.
We saw the bridge.
People told what was on the other side:
warmth, light, and healing from our pain.
We could barely glimpse or imagine this,
but we decided to start the trek
across the bridge anyway.

We tried to convince the people around us
on the cliff that there was a bridge to a better place,
but they wouldn't listen.
They couldn't see it; they couldn't believe.
They were not ready for the journey.
We decided to go alone, because we believed,
and because people on the other side were cheering us onward.
The closer we got to the other side,
the more we could see, and feel, that what we had
been promised was real.
There was light, warmth, healing, and love.
The other side a better place.

But now, there is a bridge between us
and those on the other side.
Sometimes, we may be tempted to go back
and drag them over with us,
but it cannot be done.
No one can be dragged or forced
across this bridge.
Each person must go at his or her own choice,
when the time is right.
Some will come; some will stay on the other side.
The choice is not ours.

We can love them. We can wave to them.
We can holler back and forth.
We can cheer them on,
as others have cheered and encouraged us.
But we cannot make them come over with us.

If time has come to cross the bridge,
or if we have already crossed and
are standing in the light and warmth,
we do not have to feel guilty.
It is where we are meant to be.
We do not have to go back to the dark cliff
because another's time has not yet come.

The best thing we can do is stay in the light,
because it reassures others
that there is a better place.
And if others ever do decide to cross the bridge,
we will be there to cheer them on.

Today, I will move forward with my life, despite what others
are doing or not doing. I will know it is my right to cross the
bridge to a better life, even if I must leave others behind
to do that. I will not feel guilty, I will not feel ashamed.
I know that where I am now is a better place
and where I'm meant to be. -

Melody Beattie-
From "The Language of Letting Go" ©

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

How We Feel

We lived for so many years,
In a life full or sorrow and tears.

We feel ashamed and full of self doubt,
And we wonder what it's really about.

The abuse went well beyond the dope,
It seemed that there really was no hope.

The painful memories are still on our mind,
hoping there's a solution we'll be able to find.

Changes are not always easy to make,
Some chances are what we need to take.

Once we've been around for a while,
Life gets better and we start to smile.

We won't ever forget where we've been,
The many things we did again and again.

All we can do is learn from our mistakes,
Facing our feelings no matter what it takes.

Surround ourselves with people who care,
Have someone special in our life to share.

The experience and knowledge we get,
Tell us recovery is a pretty safe bet.

We only live once, so let's try to do it right,
Give thanks in the morning, noon and at night.

Chip K.
ClnChip1@...
http://members.aol.com/clnchip1/expressions.html
© 2000 8-29-00

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Bird

A bird lit on my open hand, cocked his head and stared
I felt alone until he came and stayed and sang and cared

My hand was open, this bird's body so light
He turned and preened, what a wondrous sight

He never stayed long, kept his visit brief
He stayed long enough to waken my grief

My longing for hope, for dreams, awakened
My need to be seen and seriously taken

My feelings were numbed from lack of soul-friends
I found one in him and the message he sends

From spiritual bereftitude loneliness stings
Leaves an ache for the brush of soft feather wings

My hand began to clench and fold
I wanted to consume him, not just to hold

I cared not for his need or desire to be free
His choked cries and struggles wouldn't move me

I needed to own him, that light calming touch
That made me feel as if I meant so much

But NO, I forced my hand flat, opened my hand
Let him flow free like a fist full of sand

I looked at my fear, my sadness, the need
My spirit so empty, needing to feed

I would take his breath as he struggled to flee
But instead saw my need to get down on my knee

And give up my hunger and aching of strife
And learn how to love, live the gift of my life

A lump in my throat, I swallow and nod
I know my true need is for the fullness of God

My soft, brief visitor lighter than air
Gave me an insight less common than rare

I open releasing us both to the light
Following God's lead wherever he might

I don't know where he takes me, this bird of my heart
I am grateful today though, I know how to start

to fly..............................

submitted by SoberNell@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It doesn't matter what spiritual practice you do
as long as it takes you into your heart and
helps you connect with the Source of Love.
If it does that, then stay with it throughout
all the twists and turns of your life.
Hold to your practice.
It is your lifeline.
When storms come up unexpectedly, it keeps you afloat.
Ever so gradually, it brings you home.
Paul Ferrini

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My Prayer
Dear God,
I ask of you today,
to take my hand and lead my way,
to give me sweet compassion,
in other peoples sorrow,
and make me better than I am
e¹re comes tomorrow,
give me more understanding
when everything seems wrong,
and lead my feet, lest they would stray,
oh, hear me God, now as I pray.
B.B.Smith

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When you are inspired
by some great purpose,
some extraordinary project,
all your thoughts break their bonds;
Your mind transcends limitations,
your consciousness expands
in every direction,
and you find yourself in a new,
great and wonderful world.
Dormant forces,
faculties and talents become alive,
and you discover yourself
to be a greater person by far
than you ever dreamed yourself to be.
Patanjali

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Quiet as the morning dew,
The sunlight creeps into my room,
Waking me with loving thoughts,
For day is starting soon.
'Tis time to go within,
Into the garden of my soul,
To touch the inner springs of life
And know that I am whole.
'Tis time to hear the message
That in the silence speaks,
To feast on hidden manna
That my inner spirit seeks.
It is the time of silence,
The golden, sacred hour
Where Spirit speaks to Spirit's own
And there is touched with power.
Donna Miesbach

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I had a  relationship with drugs.
I couldn't relate to anything else.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You can hide in a relationship.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In addiction the drugs were my lover,
In recovery the romance is over.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You can't deny anyone their bottom.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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:

twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or
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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 the group
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or go to the website and unsubscribe
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

I want to wish a Happy Mothers Day to all of the Mothers, Grandmothers, Step
Mothers, God Mothers and sponsors who are sponsoring women in the
fellowship. Thank you for your Love, Support, Understanding, Care,
Understanding, Nurturing, Nourishment, Guidance and Direction. Thank YOU for
ALL you do. Every day should be Mothers Day. Have a blessed day.
Love,
Scott

Things My Mother Taught Me
www.ahajokes.com/fp047.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What do you believe is your responsibility to the fellowship as a whole ?
What do you believe is the fellowship's responsibility to the newcomer ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 13
Today I will wait in quiet and faith for a clear answer
before making any decisions.
Today I feel secure, trusting that my instincts
are guiding me on every step on my path.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nurture

Who sees us with eyes ever loving as Mother,
tending and nurturing unlike any other?
She forgives our faux pas, overlooking our worst...
encouraging and supportive from the moment of birth.
Caring for children ~ the most incredible role
ascribed to humanity, precious value untold.
Living expressions of God's loving blessing,
mother lives in our hearts from her innate nurturing.
Man, woman or child ~ all are called to her example...
to cherish unendingly, by Love's highest standards.

Virginia Santoro - © 2002 - All Rights Reserved
MorningMusings@...
www.myspace.com/morningmusings
www.hometown.aol.com/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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Happy Mothers Day
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=684

Why God Made Moms
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/god-made-moms.htm

Just For Today
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/just-for-today.htm

Mean Mom
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/mean-mom.htm

One Flaw In Women
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/flaw-in-women.htm

What Is A Grandparent?
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/grandparent.htm

The Five Finger Prayer
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/five-finger-prayer.htm

The Value Lies Within
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/value-within.htm

Tradition 3
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad03.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition03.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad03.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 13                                    Onward On The Journey

"The progression of recovery is a continuous uphill journey"
   Basic Text, p. 79

The longer we stay clean, the steeper and narrower our path seems to
become. But God doesn't give us more than we can handle. No matter how
difficult the road becomes, no matter how narrow, how winding the turns,
there is hope. That hope lies in our spiritual progression.

   If we keep showing up at meetings and staying clean, life gets... well,
different. The continual search for answers to life's ups and downs can
lead us to question all aspects of our lives. Life isn't always pleasant.
This is when we must turn to our Higher Power with even more faith.
Sometimes all we can do is hold on tight, believing that things will get
better.

   In time, our faith will produce understanding. We will begin to see the
"bigger picture" of our lives. As our relationship with our Higher Power
unfolds and deepens, acceptance becomes almost second nature. No
matter what happens as we walk through recovery, we rely on our faith in
a loving Higher Power and continue onward.

Just for today: I accept that I don't have all the answers to life's
questions. Nonetheless, I will have faith in the God of my understanding
and continue on the journey of recovery. pg. 139

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Joyful Discoveries

We realize we know only a little.  God will constantly disclose more to you
and to us.  Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for
the man who is still sick.  The answers will come, if your own house is in
order.  But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven't got.  See
to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come
to pass for you and countless others.  This is the Great Fact for us.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  164

   Sobriety is a journey of joyful discovery.  Each day brings new
experience,
awareness, greater hope, deeper faith, broader tolerance.  I must maintain
these attributes or I will have nothing to pass on.

   Great events for this recovering alcoholic are the normal everyday joys
found in being able to live another day in God's grace.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 13th

A.A. Thought for the Day

In A.A. we find fellowship and release and strength. And
having found these things, the real reasons for our drinking
are taken away. Then drinking has no more justification in
our minds. We no longer need to fight against drink. Drink
just naturally leaves us. At first, we are sorry that we can't
drink, but we get so that we are glad that we don't have to
drink. Am I glad that I don't have to drink?

Meditation for the Day

Try never to judge. The human mind is so delicate and so
complex that only its Maker can know it wholly. Each mind
is so different, actuated by such different motives,
controlled by such different circumstances, influenced
by such different sufferings, you cannot know all the
influences that have gone to make up a personality.
Therefore, it is impossible for you to judge wholly that
personality. But God knows that person wholly and He can
change it. Leave to God the unraveling of the puzzles of
personality. And leave it to God to teach you the proper
understanding.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may not judge other people. I pray that I may
be certain that God can set right what is wrong in every
personality.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 13

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Property Lines

A helpful tool in our recovery, especially in the behavior we call
detachment, is learning to identify who owns what. Then we let each person
own and possess his or her rightful property.

If another person has an addiction, a problem, a feeling, or a
self-defeating behavior, that is their property, not ours. If someone is a
martyr, immersed in negativity, controlling, or manipulative behavior, that
is their issue, not ours.

If someone has acted and experienced a particular consequence, both the
behavior and the consequence belong to that person.

If someone is in denial or cannot think clearly on a particular issue, that
confusion belongs to him or her.

If someone has a limited or impaired ability to love or care, that is his or
her property, not ours. If someone has no approval or nurturing to give
away, that is that person's property.

People's lies, deceptions, tricks, manipulations, abusive behaviors,
inappropriate behaviors, cheating behaviors, and tacky behaviors belong to
them, too. Not us.

People's hope and dreams are their property. Their guilt belongs to them
too. Their happiness or misery is also theirs. So are their beliefs and
messages.

If some people don't like themselves, that is their choice. Other people's
choices are their property, not ours.

What people choose to say and do is their business.

What is our property? Our property includes our behaviors, problems,
feelings, happiness, misery, choices, and messages; our ability to love,
care, and nurture; our thoughts, our denial, our hopes and dreams for
ourselves. Whether we allow ourselves to be controlled, manipulated,
deceived, or mistreated is our business.

In recovery, we learn an appropriate sense of ownership. If something isn't
ours, we don't take it. If we take it, we learn to give it back. Let other
people have their property, and learn to own and take good care of what's
ours.

Today, I will work at developing a clear sense of what belongs to me, and
what doesn't. If it's not mine, I won't keep it. I will deal with my issues,
my responsibilities, and myself. I will take my hands off what is not mine.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Enchanted Cottage
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/05/enchanted-cottage.htm

Angels of The Sea
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/April/0497-15.html

Empowering the Human Spirit
by David R. Hawkins, M.D, Ph.D
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/hawkins04173.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Mothers....

For those who are lucky to still be blessed with your Mom this is beautiful.
For those who aren't, this is even more beautiful.

The young mother set her foot on the path of life.  "Is this the long way?"
She asked.  And the guide said "Yes, and the way is hard.  And you will be
old before you reach the end of it.  But the end will be better than the
beginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything
could be better than these years.  So she played with her children, she fed
them and bathed them,and taught them how to tie their shoes and ride a bike
and reminded them to feed the dog, and do their homework and brush their
teeth.

The sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried, "Nothing will ever be
lovelier than this."  Then the nights came, and the storms, and the path was
sometimes dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother
drew them close and covered them with her arms, and the children said,
"Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed
and grew weary, and the mother was weary.  But at all times she said to the
children, "A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed, and
as they climbed they learned to weather the storms.  And with this, she gave
them strength to face the world.

Year after year, she showed them compassion, understanding,hope, but most of
all unconditional love.  And when they reached the top they said, "Mother,
we would not have done it without you." The days went on, and the weeks and
the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she became little and
bent.

But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage.  And the
mother, when she lay down at night, looked up at the stars and said, "This
is a better day than the last, for my children have learned so much and are
now passing these traits on to their children."

And when the way became rough for her, they lifted her, and gave her their
strength, just as she had given them hers.  One day they came to a hill, and
beyond the hill, they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide.
And mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey."

And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can
walk with dignity and pride, with their heads held high, and so can their
children after them." And the children said, "You will always walk with us,
Mother, even when you have gone through the gates." And they stood and
watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her.  And they
said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us still.  A Mother like ours is
more than a memory.  She is a living presence."

Your Mother is always with you.  She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk
down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you
pick and perfume that she wore, she's the coolhand on your brow when you're
not feeling well, she's your breath in the air on a cold winters day.  She
is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow,
she is Christmas morning.

Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear
drop.

A mother shows every emotion..........
happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness,
excitement, joy, sorrow.....and all the while, hoping and praying you will
only know the good feelings in life.

She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow
with every step you take.
She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing
on earth can separate you.
Not time, not space...............not even death!

MAY WE NEVER TAKE OUR MOTHERS FOR GRANTED

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Mother:
You are the cradling arm --
the soothing coo.
You are comfort in times of fear.
When love feels lost,
you are the beacon
that brings it safely and softly
home once more.
You are constant
and steady
as ancient rivers are,
washing hope over
soul stones in your bed,
whisking worries away to the
vastness of your sea.
You are deep, deep peace
amidst a world of strife.
Your heart contains the cosmos,
and shines brightly in the lives
of all the lucky souls you touch.
Heavens and hearts are better
because of your love.
Thank you for being you.

With love, for mothers everywhere,
John H. 05/13/06
johnh94@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Great Teachers

Computers and technology made Ross Perot a wealthy man. But his greatest
teacher was not a university professor or a computer expert. It was his
mother - who raised him before the phrase "computer age" was ever coined.

He remembers the little things she did which taught him to be the kind of
man he eventually became. Like showing generosity and compassion.

During the Great Depression, "hoboes" regularly knocked on their door asking
for a little food. One day one of these visitors told his mother why. Out on
the curb in front of their house an earlier hobo had placed a white mark,
indicating to later travelers that their house was an "easy mark." Young
Ross asked his mother if she wanted him to erase the white mark. She told
him to leave it there. He never forgot that tiny act of compassion.

Ross Perot believed he received his greatest learnings from his mother. Her
lessons were the kind he could never pick up in a school. Her influence in
shaping his life was beyond measure.

You, too, are teaching powerful lessons simply by the way you live.

Steve Goodier, ONE MINUTE CAN CHANGE A LIFE,
www.lifesupportsystem.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

MOM  - Job Description
POSITION: Mother, Mom, Mama

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent
work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent
communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable
hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts
on call........ Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive
camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in
far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties
also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at
least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue
repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be
able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the
screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing
to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair,
mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls,
maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all
ages and mental outlooks.. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute,
an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing
of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must
always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.  Must assume final,
complete accountability for the quality of the end product.

Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work
throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to
remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly
retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can
ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required unfortunately. On-the-job training
offered on a continually exhausting basis........

WAGES AND COMPENSATION: Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and
bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the
assumption that college will help them become financially
independent........ When you die, you give them whatever is left.
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy
it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition
reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job
supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life
if you play your cards right.

Author Unknown

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Happy Mothers Day*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Growing Pains

In this life there will be bridges that you must cross alone.
There will be decisions that you must make on your own.
Some things you must learn from your own mistakes
and there will be times when you feel your heart will break.

I wish I never had to leave you to face this world alone,
but I know there will come a time when I must let go.
If I could take your heartaches and toss them to the wind,
I would wipe away your tears and replace them with a grin.

I know I'll make mistakes while you are growing up,
and if at times I am too hard, please know it's out of love.
I'm just a mere parent with a child that I adore and
I don't have all the answers to protect you from this world.

So in the years ahead I'll spend much time in prayer,
asking God for wisdom to teach you right from wrong and
for the strength to let you go, so He can make you strong.
I'll ask Him to go with you on your journey through this life
and always to protect you and help you get it right.

Of all the things I teach you I hope these stand out most,
Pray and Believe and always put Love first.

Copyright© Reatha Crow

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Reflected

There's a Reflection Pool in the Butterfly Garden
At the foot of the sundial
that reads "I only record sunny hours"
Flat stones invite kneeling, squatting
before a carpet of green lush grass growing
and Daffodils have their brilliant faces on parade
Today I have this special privilege
the garden to myself
I am in wealth today ~ I have a pool
A bouquet of yellow flowers
Little creatures under the water
Rich growing plants surrounded

This place is like my room for improvement
Spacious, inviting, tender feel for my soul
When I get soul-thirsty I come to the pool
So it can feed me slivers of the sun
scallops of clouds on its blissful surface
I can see myself in the depth/height
as the pool sees me
sufficient comfort
then I know I am not invisible
I am able to grasp things more firmly
when I can sense myself
when I know I am Home
Wishing you a Pool
to reflect by

Love
Stella

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Addiction

An image of life beating in my mind.
A picturesque illusion,
Neither loving or kind.
My heart pulses quickly with anxiety and fear.
While the demons within become all to clear.
An indiscriminate evil relaxed in my soul.
Relay words of anger,
Again, I lost control
I feel trapped in a haze.....
Outside looking in.
Controlled by hands that muzzle
My screams from within.
Things that were once familiar
Now seem so strange.
My body shakes uncontrollably
As I fill with rage.
Can't anyone see that this isn't me?
I want out of this hell,
I want to be free !!!!

Written By:  Patricia A

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.
She never existed before.
The woman existed, but the mother, never.
A mother is something absolutely new.
Rajneesh

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.
Oprah Winfrey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A little girl was asked where her home was,
she replied, "where mother is."
Keith L. Brooks

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My Mother's love is the Almond Blossom of my mind and the fragrance is worth
dying for. Her gentle compassionate touch shaped my very essence and --
forever -- I shall remember and although we are separated by the corridor of
life and the door way of heaven, I will always attempt to become the man
that she perceived me to be. I love you mom, where ever you are and I hope
you can feel my written word and I envision you enveloped in a shortcut of
kindness and love and -- forever -- happy and content. God bless all of the
Mother's of his world and other Space Time Continuum.
Frank L. de Roos III

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five
people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.
Tenneva Jordan

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Your relationship with your mother may be warm or strained. Your mother may
call every week, or she may have passed on to the next dimension. Regardless
of the status of your relationship, know this: God chose this parent,
providing opportunities for awakening and awareness that have molded you
into the person you are today.  Today we can CHOOSE to be grateful for our
Mother.  She too had fears, insecurities and dreams of her own.  And here we
are....we have been given life, a human birth, an awesome, precious gift.
Thank you Mom!
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When I stopped seeing my mother with the eyes of a child,
I saw the woman who helped me give birth to myself.
Nancy Friday

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

One of the very few reasons I had any respect for my mother when I was
thirteen was because she would reach into the sink with her bare hands -
bare hands - and pick up that lethal gunk and drop it into the garbage.  To
top that, I saw her reach into the wet garbage bag and fish around in there
looking for a lost teaspoon.  Bare hands - a kind of mad courage.
Robert Fulghum

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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,
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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 daily recovery email please visit me at:
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For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
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Tradition 2
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad02.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition02.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad02.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What do you believe is your responsibility to the fellowship as a whole ?
What do you believe is the fellowship's responsibility to the newcomer ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 12
When I place myself in the hands and
heart of my Higher Power today,
I know that I will get my needs met.
Only then do I trust that I will come from good and love,
keeping the good of others in my mind and my heart.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Glimmer of Hope

I never looked up but always down
never even looked around
all i saw was the ground beneath me
didn't see u standing beside me

i just kept digging the hole
unsure if i was going somewhere
just deeper into the darkness of my soul
i didn't see you there

my shovel kept digging until one day
i hit on a rock or a slate or stone
i couldn't dig any deeper
i finally hit bottom and felt so alone

the only place left to look was up
and there i saw a glimmer of light
way up above me a glimmer of hope
streaming in to my dungeon ever so bright

and as i looked around me then
i saw u standing there
u introduced yourself to me
and said you're everywhere

in the midst of my despair
u shone your love so bright
in the dawning of my hope
you lift me to the light

a long hard climb to the top
in which i know i'm not alone
my efforts match your strength and guidance
never on my own

i climb the steps to reach step 12
and i know i've awakened to your love
never to look down again
but always to you up above.

Jodi Scheper 5/8/04
jes1239@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Listen
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=620

A.A. Links
www.alcoholicsanonymous.9f.com

Alcohol Free Recipes
www.barricksinsurance.com/recipes.html

A.A. History
www.dickb.com/index.shtml

The Story Of Wild Geese
www.geocities.com/lf_loriflower/1/geese.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 12                     Living with Spiritual Experiences  

For meditation to be of value, the results must show in our
daily lives."  Basic Text, pp. 45-46

   In working our program, we are given many indirect indications of a
Higher Power's presence in our lives: the clean feeling that comes to so
many of us in taking our Fifth Step; the sense that we are finally on the
right track when we make amends; the satisfaction we get from helping
another addict. Meditation, however, occasionally brings us extraordinary
indications of God's presence in our lives. These experiences do not mean
we have become perfect or that we are "cured." They are tastes given
us of the source of our recovery itself, reminding us of the true nature
of the thing we are pursuing in Narcotics Anonymous and encouraging us
to continue walking our spiritual path.

   Such experiences demonstrate, in no uncertain terms, that we have
tapped a Power far greater than our own. But how do we incorporate that
extraordinary Power into our ordinary lives? Our NA friends, our sponsor,
and others in our communities may be more seasoned in spiritual matters
than we are. If we ask, they can help us fit our spiritual experiences into
the natural pattern of recovery and spiritual growth.

Just for today:  I will seek whatever answers I may need to
understand my spiritual experiences and incorporate them into my
daily life. pg. 138

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Crying For The Moon

"This very real feeling of inferiority is magnified by his childish
sensitivity and it is this state of affairs which generates in him that
insatiable, abnormal craving for self-approval and success in the eyes of
the world.  Still a child, he cries for the moon.  And the moon, it seems,
won't have him!"
LANGUAGE OF THE HEART, p. 102

While drinking I seemed to vacillate between feeling totally invisible and
believing I was the center of the universe.  Searching for that elusive
balance between the two has become a major part of my recovery.  The moon I
constantly cried for is, in sobriety, rarely full; it shows me instead its
many other phases, and there are lessons in them all.  True learning has
often followed an eclipse, a time of darkness, but with each cycle of my
recovery, the light grows stronger and my vision is clearer.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 12th

A.A. Thought for the Day

When we come into A.A., looking for a way out of drinking, we
really need a lot more than that. We need fellowship. We need
to get the things that are troubling us out into the open. We
need a new outlet for our energies and we need a new strength
beyond ourselves that will help us face life instead of running
away from it. In A.A. we find these things that we need. Have
I found the things that I need?

Meditation for the Day

Turn out all thoughts of doubt and fear and resentment. Never
tolerate them if you can help it. Bar the windows and doors of
your mind against them, as you would bar your home against a
thief who would steal in to take away your treasures. What
greater treasures can you have than faith and courage and l
ove? All these are stolen from you by doubt and fear and
resentment. Face each day with peace and hope. They are
results of true faith in God. Faith gives you a feeling of
protection and safety that you can get in no other way.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may feel protected and safe, but not only when
I am in the harbor. I pray that I may have protection and safety
even in the midst of the storms of 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 12

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Intimacy

We can let ourselves be close to people.

Many of us have deeply ingrained patterns for sabotaging relationships. Some
of us may instinctively terminate a relationship once it moves to a certain
level of closeness and intimacy.

When we start to feel close to someone, we may zero in on one of the
person's character defects, and then make it so big it's all we can see. We
may withdraw, or push the person away to create distance. We may start
criticizing the other person, a behavior sure to create distance.

We may start trying to control the person, a behavior that prevents
intimacy.

We may tell ourselves we don't want or need another person, or smother the
person with our needs.

Sometimes, we defeat ourselves by trying to be close to people who aren't
available for intimacy - people with active addictions, or people who don't
choose to be close to us. Sometimes, we choose people with particular faults
so that when it comes time to be close, we have an escape hatch.

We're afraid, and we fear losing ourselves. We're afraid that closeness
means we won't be able to own our power to take care of ourselves.

In recovery, we're learning that it's okay to let ourselves be close to
people. We're choosing to relate to safe, healthy people, so closeness is a
possibility. Closeness doesn't mean we have to lose ourselves, or our life.
As one man said, "We're learning that we can own our power with people, even
when we're close, even when the other person has something we need."

Today, I will be available for closeness and intimacy with people, when
that's appropriate. Whenever possible, I will let myself be who I am, let
others be who they are, and enjoy the bond and good feelings between us.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Alan Cohen¹s Secrets
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/05/alan-cohen.htm

Let It Be
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/April/0497-11.html

From Hollywood to Holy Woods
By Sadhvi Bhagwati
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/bhagwati07033.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Be An Original
by Robert K. Cooper

I began my school life on the wrong foot. But at least it was my own foot. I
have always wanted to learn how life could be and how the world really
works. Those things are not always emphasized in school curricula.

One of the unwritten codes I came to believe in was, "If everyone else is
doing it, don't." Through the years I have learned that when using this
approach many individuals in all walks of life have been able to call forth
more of their best.

When we suppress our originality, we lose touch with the source of our
vitality and initiative. The greatest learning and achievements come not
from standardized group work but from the unique efforts of individuals. In
this regard, the human spirit has its own set of rules. In many ways, it is
rebellious. The imperative to live life differently, on our own terms, keeps
building until it breaks through the surface. It is then up to us not to let
it fade away.

When Rosa Parks refused to do what everyone else was doing on a December
evening in 1955, American history was forever altered. She had been
returning home on the bus, at the end of a long day of working. "I was
sitting in the front seat of the colored section," as she tells it, "and the
white people were sitting in the white section. More white people got on,
and they filled up all the seats in the white section. When that happened,
we black people were supposed to give up our seats to the whites. But I
didn't move. The white driver said, 'Let me have those seats.' I didn't get
up." Her courageous refusal to accept an inhumane practice has been hailed
as a defining moment of the American civil rights movement.

Thomas Edison is another example. On his first day of school, Edison was
brought home by his kindergarten teacher, who told his parents, "He's an
imbecile and unteachable." Edison remembers, "I was always at the foot of
the class. I felt my teachers saw no potential in me and that my father
thought I was stupid."

Virtually deaf, fired from countless early jobs, Edison purposely marched in
the opposite direction of conventional thinking -- and as a result he played
a major role in inventing the twentieth century. He left us with 6,000
inventions that changed the world, three million pages of notes and
diagrams, and is credited with founding scientific teamwork.

Another person driven to go against what everyone else was doing was the
"Lone Eagle," Charles Lindbergh. Most of us know of him as the pilot of The
Spirit of St. Louis, the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic. Few
of us know that as a researcher at the Rockefeller Institute, he amazed the
medical profession by inventing the blood centrifuge and the artificial
heart and lung. These life-saving devices grew from his deeply felt desire
to do what others weren't doing. When no one else would fly a supply of
pneumonia serum from Wisconsin to Quebec to save the life of one of his
closest friends, he did it himself.

When the Cooper family council met to discuss my truancy problem, I was
firmly reminded that reading, writing, and arithmetic are important skills,
and that a five-year-old doesn't get to make the rules. But I could tell
from a certain twinkle in my grandfather's eye that no one thought I was
entirely at fault, and from a certain sternness in my mother's look that the
school officials would be encouraged to create a more hospitable learning
environment for newcomers. I returned determined to make the best of my time
in school.

As I continued asking questions and showing that I was willing to work hard
at the things that mattered, it seemed that many of my teachers -- even Miss
Robinson -- began to go out of their way to treat me as an individual
instead of just one of this year's students on a class roster.

In fifth and sixth grade, I served on the safety patrol. I helped protect
the other kids from strangers and cars, but I never chased down anyone who
was running home. When I could, I talked with them or ran beside them. An
independent spirit is never something to take lightly. Without it, no one
stands out from the crowd.

Another of the things I learned about originality is that you can't take it
for granted. If you want to keep your independence, good intentions or
willpower alone won't do it. It takes something rare but very practical: a
mechanism that makes it a reality.

One Good Mechanism Beats a Hundred Plans
A distinctive, learning-filled life results from a succession of small,
specific choices made each day. There's a world of difference between
imagining such a fulfilling life and actually living it. It is through
taking new actions that we learn to awaken and apply our hidden capacity. If
you know by doing, there is no gap between what you know and what you do.

There's something in the way, however. A powerful part of the brain, the
amygdala, wants the world to run on routine, not change. Located within the
limbic system, an ancient area of the mind that deals with the way you
perceive and respond to the world, the amygdala relentlessly urges us to
favor the familiar and routine. It craves control and safety, which at times
can be vital. Yet the amygdala's instincts, which have evolved over
thousands of years, tend to spill over into every aspect of life and promote
a perpetual reluctance to embrace anything that involves risk, change, or
growth. Your amygdala wants you to be what you have been and stay just the
way you are.

Unless you choose to consciously override this brain tendency, you're
consigned to repeating the past. One of the most effective ways to get past
this limitation is to devise simple mechanisms that help you stand apart
from the crowd and reach for what you can yet become. A plan is a fine
intention or faraway vision. It may be inspiring, but by itself it usually
doesn't amount to much. But once you have a clear sense of what you want, a
mechanism actually brings it to fruition.

For example, there's a simple mechanism that overcomes our natural
resistance to growth or change and helps us be our best. All that is
required is to regularly ask these two questions:

1. What's the most exceptional thing you've done this week?

2. What's the most exceptional thing you will do next week?

You can ask each member of a group to answer these questions or you can do
it alone -- you can schedule a weekly meeting with yourself (every Friday
morning in front of the bathroom mirror, for example). The word
"exceptional" is defined however you want. It simply means, "What stood out
for you?" or "How did you go against the crowd?" or "What real difference
did you make to the people around you or the world at large?" Perhaps this
week it was something big. Or maybe it was a kind word or an unnoticed task
at home or at work that made you proud. It is the intensity that counts.
Take a moment to reflect on your answer: Was this the best you could give?
Is there any way you could have given something more?

I learned the essence of this mechanism from my grandfather Cooper. On
Saturday mornings, when I was visiting or working at odd jobs around his
house, he would ask, "What did you do this week that made you the proudest?"
He would listen to my answer and we would talk about it. From time to time,
he would also tell me about answers he got from asking the same question of
recently arrived immigrants that he hired. What I heard was both humbling
and inspiring.

"I saved a dollar this week for my little girl's first dress," one said. "My
brother has polio and can't walk," said another. "The other night I carried
him up to the top of the hill at the end of our street and we watched the
stars come out." One man said, "My wife and I skipped a meal and brought it
to our parents who have little. When they asked if we had eaten, we said,
'Yes, of course, we have had more than enough to eat.' "

That's the other thing this simple mechanism does: It provides a direct and
unexpected way to notice and value the unseen but important efforts of
others. Most of us never realize the number of times people lend a helping
hand, go the extra mile, or perform some other act of kindness or initiative
in the course of a busy week. Day after day, every one of us is capable of
small yet exceptional acts of initiative and caring. When we live our lives
in original ways such as these, we also come to realize that positive
behaviors are a primary driver of positive attitudes, not the other way
around.

At the end of our weekly conversation, my grandfather would say, "Next week,
Robert, what can you do that no one else will expect from you?" He taught me
what had taken him a lifetime to learn: Although we may dream about our
future in splendid images, we must live our lives in practical everyday
actions, one after another.

In all the times I have used this mechanism, I have never once encountered
anyone who answered the two questions by saying that he or she had done
nothing exceptional this week and would do nothing exceptional next week. Of
course, no one wants to look stuck or unimaginative, but it's more than
that. This mechanism stimulates a simple yet significant shift in the way we
look at ourselves. It gets past good intentions and proclamations. It
prompts a deeper way of recognizing the times you could reach for the
exceptional.

If you ask yourself right now what you did last week that was exceptional,
you'll probably have to think a while. When you establish the asking of the
two questions -- what did you do last week and what will you do next week --
as an integral part of your life, it can change your approach to everything
you do. It steadily raises your sights about what you are capable of.

On Tuesday, you may be thinking, "But I haven't done anything really
exceptional yet this week." This may prompt an inner response, such as,
"Then I'd better think of something exceptional to do!" This heightens
curiosity about the possibilities for taking new actions. You'll be more
likely to find yourself actively seeking ways to give the world more of your
best, instead of just hoping for them.

Although studies indicate that people who regularly think ahead tend to
experience more frequent leadership opportunities and career advancement,
this mechanism is about something deeper than the external trappings of
success. It keeps overriding the don't-grow-or-change instincts of the
amygdala and clarifies what makes you original and sets you apart from the
crowd. It serves as a reminder that it is up to each of us to keep finding
practical and visible ways to leave a meaningful imprint on the world around
us and on the lives of the people we care most about.

This article was excerpted  from The Other 90% by Robert K. Cooper.
Copyright 2001. Excerpted by permission of Crown Business, 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:
Robert K. Cooper, Ph.D., is a faculty member of the "Lessons in Leadership
Distinguished Speaker Series." Called a "national treasure" by Professor
Michael Ray of the Stanford Business School, Dr. Cooper is recognized for
his pioneering work on excelling under pressure and the neuroscience of
trust, initiative, and commitment. He has designed and presented leadership
development programs for many organizations, including Arthur Andersen, 3M,
Ford, Sun Microsystems, Novartis, and Allstate.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Love vs. Obligation

A house is a house is a house-until love comes through the door,
that is. And love intuitively goes around sprinkling that special
brand of angel dust that transforms a house into a very special
home for very special people: your family.

Money, of course, can build a charming house, but only love can
furnish it with a feeling of home.

Duty can pack an adequate sack lunch, but love may decide to tuck
a little love note inside.

Money can provide a television set, but love controls it and
cares enough to say no and take the guff that comes with it.

Obligation sends the children to bed on time, but love tucks the
covers in around their necks and passes out kisses and hugs (even
to teenagers!).

Obligation can cook a meal, but love embellishes the table with a
potted ivy trailing around slender candles.

Duty writes many letters, but love tucks a joke or a picture or a
fresh stick of gum inside.

Compulsion keeps a sparkling house. But love and prayer stand a
better chance of producing a happy family.

Duty gets offended quickly if it isn't appreciated. But love
learns to laugh a lot and to work for the sheer joy of doing it.

Obligation can pour a glass of milk, but quite often love will
add a little chocolate.

Author Unknown

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A man died and went to heaven.

St Peter asked, "What denomination are you?" and the man said
" I don't belong here, I don't go to church" .
St. Peter said "Well, we don't make mistakes, you belong here, let's
just walk around and you can see where you'd like to stay.

So they walked down the hall, and St. Peter opened a door and there
were all these pews with people kneeling and praying and crossing
themselves.

"Who are they?" asked the man.  "Those are the Catholics." answered
St. Peter.  "Well, I don't want to stay here." said the man and they
walked on down the hall.

St. Peter opened the next door. Inside were all these pews with people
sitting  straight up staring ahead.  "Who are they?" asked the man.
"Those are the Protestants answered St. Peter.  "Well I don't want to
stay here" said the man and they walked down the hall.

The next room they came to, St. Peter opened the door and a big puff of
smoke came out and the man smelled coffee.  The man looked inside and
there were all these people laughing and hugging and they got in a big
group hug and said the serenity prayer.

The man said, "I like these people, who are they?"

St. Peter said, "I don't know. they won't tell us"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Will Of God

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you.

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,

  The will of God will never take you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Day of Light

This is the day I've been given
To breathe joyously happy, lovingly free,
Released my soul's heart from being driven.
This is the day I've been given
To absorb the light gifted the living,
Filling the black hole inside of me.
This is the day I've been given
To breathe joyously happy, lovingly free.

Iris F
ifox@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Principles of the Twelve Concepts

1. Responsibility
2. Reliance
3. Trust
4. Participation
5. Democracy
6. Accountability
7. Balance
8. Consistency
9. Vision
10. Clarity
11. Respect
12. Spirituality

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Seek direction from one who's already there.
Old Zulu Saying

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It is so important to allow each consciousness, each Soul,
the freedom to evolve into its own awareness in its own timing.
John-Roger
From: The Way Out Book

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The way to develop the best that is in a man
is by appreciation and encouragement.
Charles Schwab

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The human contribution is the essential ingredient.
It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.
Ethel Percy Andrus

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It's not always easy to be a Good Samaritan.
We may be called today to help someone in a difficult situation
and it may be someone who is usually outside our comfort zone,
someone who we might usually hold at bay,
the disenfranchised from the circle of our love.
Today, open to all the ways you are being called to help.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

All we have is a daily reprieve from this disease.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Those who are "well",  abandon the prescription.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If I stay in recovery,
I don't have to do this alone.
If I go back out and use,
I am all alone again.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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or go to the website and unsubscribe
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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,
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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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Step 12
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2002/step12c.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2003/step12.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2004/step12.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What do you believe is your responsibility to the fellowship as a whole ?
What do you believe is the fellowship's responsibility to the newcomer ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 10
Today I will look for opportunities to continue to grow
through seeing the beauty around me and in me.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Believe

I believe in you
I believe in me
I believe in the rooms
I believe in HP

Before I was shown
my stumbling way here
all I'd known
was self pity and fear

I know how to laugh
I know how to live
I know when to be silent
I know how to give

Before I came to this magical place
I thought that the answer was out of my face
thought I could float, isolated in space;
thought I had vanished without a trace.
Thought honesty was only for fools
laughed when you told me,
you could give me the tools.
Cried when you held me
and said "it's OK,
it's not a life-time
it's Just for Today"

Now today is tomorrow
but it's still just a day
less of the sorrow
and less of the pain

You believed in me
and I believe in you
I believe in the hope
and the good things we do.

written by - RJ Phillips
punksquaddie@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Both Glad and Sad
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=609

I Would Do Anything
www.wscribe.com/parables/anything.html

Gift of Serenity
http://www.giftofserenity.org

graffiti © brought to you with love from Indonesia
www.angelfire.com/hi/joydave

Unknown Feelings
www.geocities.com/loriflower/Loriflower/unknown.html

Thoughts to Ponder
www.geocities.com/loriflower/2/thoughts.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 10                              Becoming Entirely Ready

"We... get a good look at what these defects are doing to our
lives. We begin to long for freedom from these defects."
Basic Text, p. 33

   Becoming entirely ready to have our defects of character removed
can be a long process, often taking place over the course of a lifetime.
Our state of readiness grows in direct proportion to our awareness of
these defects and the destruction they cause.

   We may have trouble seeing the devastation our defects are inflicting
on our lives and the lives of those around us. If this is the case, we
would do well to ask our Higher Power to reveal those flaws which stand
in the way of our progress.

   As we let go of our shortcomings and find their influence waning, we'll
notice that a loving God replaces those defects with quality attributes.
Where we were fearful, we find courage. Where we were selfish, we
find generosity. Our delusions about ourselves will disappear to be
replaced by self-honesty and self-acceptance.

   Yes, becoming entirely ready means we will change. Each new level of
readiness brings new gifts. Our basic nature changes, and we soon find
our readiness is no longer sparked only by pain but by a desire to grow
spiritually.

Just for today: I will increase my state of readiness by becoming
more aware of my shortcomings. pg. 136

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Wide Arc of Gratitude

And, speaking for Dr.  Bob and myself, I gratefully declare that had it not
been for our wives, Anne and Lois, neither of us could have lived to see
A.A.'s beginning.
THE A.A. WAY OF LIFE, p.  67

Am I capable of such generous tribute and gratitude to my wife, parents and
friends, without whose support I might never have survived to reach A.A.'s
doors?  I will work on this and try to see the plan my Higher Power is
showing me which links our lives together.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 10th

A.A. Thought for the Day

One thing that keeps me sober is a feeling of loyalty to
the other members of the group. I know I'd be letting
them down if I ever took a drink. When I was drinking,
I wasn't loyal to anybody. I should have been loyal to my
family, but I wasn't. I let them down by my drinking.
When I came into A.A., I found a group of people who
were not only helping each other to stay sober, but who
were loyal to each other by staying sober themselves. Am
I loyal to my group?

Meditation for the Day

Calmness is constructive of good. Agitation is destructive
of good. I should not rush into action. I should first "be
still and know that He is God." Then I should act only as God
directs me through my conscience. Only trust, perfect trust
in God, can keep me calm when all around me are agitated.
Calmness is trust in action. I should seek all things that can
help me to cultivate calmness. To attain material things, the
world learns to attain speed. To attain spiritual things, I have
to learn to attain a state of calm.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may learn how to have inner peace. I pray that
I may be calm, so that God can work through 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thought for the Day
May 10

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go
Melody Beattie ©

Enjoying the Good Days

Good feelings can become a habitual part of our life.

There is absolutely no virtue in the unnecessary suffering, which many of us
have felt for much of our life. We don't have to allow others to make us
miserable, and we don't have to make ourselves miserable.

A good day does not have to be the calm before the storm. That's an old way
of thinking we learned in dysfunctional systems.

In recovery, a good day or a good feeling doesn't mean we're in denial. We
don't have to wreck our good times by obsessively searching for or creating
a problem.

Enjoying our good days doesn't mean we're being disloyal to loved ones who
are having problems. We don't have to make ourselves feel guilty because
other people aren't having a good day. We don't have to make ourselves
miserable to be like them. They can have their day and their feelings; we
can have ours.

A good feeling is to be enjoyed. More than we can imagine, good days are
ours for the asking.

Today, I will let myself enjoy what is good. I don't have to wreck my good
day or good feeling; I don't have to let others spoil it either.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden
Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be
reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Tao of Painful Relationships
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/doreen-virtue.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Letters of wisdom and affirmation, by Louise Hay
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/May/0597-22.html

Finding the Path to Peace
by Jane Katra, Ph.D. & Russell Targ
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/path_peace.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

No More Guilt
by Janet Dian

Ego does what is necessary to maintain its power. It does this by
subdividing itself. In other words, the consciousness of your
sub-personality creates other sub-personalities. In order to bring ego into
balance, the following sub-personalities must also be brought into balance.
Guilt is one of the more blatant sub -personalities of ego. It performs two
primary functions for ego: importance and responsibility. Both make you feel
needed as described below.

Importance

Guilt gives you importance in a variety of ways. Say you have a friend who
has a life full of challenges. You know she feels better after talking to
you, even though you feel drained. Yet you feel you must continue these
conversations. After all, who else does she have? You feel guilty when
thoughts of abandoning her enter your mind. Even though she is a drain on
your mental health, her need for you makes you feel important. Guilt
controls your actions. Instead of letting guilt control you, stop and
evaluate: Did you create her life?

Are you responsible for her? Do you feel like a dumping ground? Is she
interested in helping herself? Is it you she needs or would anyone willing
to listen do? Does she want to put her life in order or on some level does
she enjoy the confusion and turmoil?

Answer these questions by sending them up to your Oversoul (Oversoul -
Neutral energy that comes out of God. Your Oversoul is to you what your
Earth parents are to your body.) Ask for direction. You may find that
instead of helping, you are interfering. Her challenges may be her
motivation for change. Lessening her burdens may take away her opportunity
for growth. Releasing her may mean releasing your opportunity to feel
important and needed. Guilt tries to make you hang on. But you have to take
control. Allowing her to have her own life in turn allows you to have yours.

Think about this. You have two children and a spouse that constantly make
demands upon your time and energy. The occasional times that you tell them
"no" you feel guilty. Is it necessary to feel guilty because you are unable
to give beyond your capabilities?

Being responsible for everyone in the household acknowledges your
importance. It makes you feel needed. In this case, guilt holds ego close to
you. Letting go of some ego means letting others be responsible for
themselves. Creating balance within allows others to do the same. Everyone
around you is a reflection of self. Whenever you want change in the outer
world, the inner world must change first. Instead of asking others to
change, change self first.

Responsibility

Guilt makes you feel responsible even when you are not. It does this by
telling you that you "should" have done this or that. The real you knows
that if you could have done "that" you would have. You may say, "I shouldn't
have yelled at him, but I did. Now I feel guilty." While it may be true that
you are in the process of bringing anger into balance, it is not in balance
yet. Do the best that you can with your current capabilities. Then evaluate
the situation so you can do better the next time. That is all. Release these
thoughts and feelings to your Oversoul, along with your need for guilt.

Guilt makes you feel responsible for people/situations for which you are not
responsible. Look at the way charities use guilt when they solicit money.
They show pictures of starving and/or diseased children and animals brutally
treated. Without even bothering to investigate the legitimacy of these
organizations, many people simply send money. Guilt says send money, so you
do. Before sending money, it is important to first ask your Oversoul if this
is a place that needs your money.

Guilt allows you to feel pressured by others to be someone that you are not;
to give more of yourself than you are capable of giving. When you choose
your own path, you may feel guilty for denying what other people want you to
do.

For example, career choices create guilt for some people. Mom and Dad think
you would make a great engineer. Without ever asking you, this is a career
they assume you will follow. They may not ever take the time to know what is
in your heart. Telling them otherwise can be very difficult. The guilt you
feel for not pleasing your parents can be very heavy.

If you live close to your family, they may automatically assume that you
will be available at any time to help family members, regardless of your
plans. Being true to yourself means denying the needs of others. Breaking
out of this pattern creates tremendous guilt. When others control you
through guilt, who you are often gets lost in the process.

As much as you may want to do something else, it sometimes becomes easier to
let others control you rather than stand up for self. When pleasing others
means denying the needs of self, weigh what you can and cannot live with.
You may decide that it is easier to deny your own needs rather than live
with the guilt of displeasing others. The additional weight of guilt that
others place on you (and you allow) would be too much. Although this may
cause resentment, you may choose to carry resentment rather than guilt.
Guilt grabs the opportunity to take control of the situation.

When you choose to deny your own needs, thus damaging self, do so in
awareness. Becoming aware of what you do and the consequences of your
decisions are the first steps to self-healing. Only by becoming aware can
you move on to self-healing.

Be True To Self

Continue to strengthen self-esteem, explaining your changes to the people
around you via the involved Oversouls. Remember, you cannot change them. You
can only change self. Nor is it your responsibility to change them. However,
it is your responsibility to respect their choices. Release them to their
Oversouls, letting them go on their way. Have compassion for them. Realize
that they try to control with guilt because they are afraid.

Sometimes when you are true to self, guilt gets fed anyway. Not being able
to save a drowning person might allow guilt to live on forever. Yet, perhaps
this was the time and way that person chose to go. If you had been able to
save him/her, you might have been interfering in his/her life pattern. These
are difficult calls to make. Each one is uniquely personal. That is why it
is so important to open your inner channels of communication. Let your
Oversoul instruct your reality. Release the need for illusion to guide you.

Guilt helps you hold on to other people. In the same way that other people
try to control you with guilt, you do the same. Listen to your words. Watch
your actions. Look for the many subtle ways that you try to control with
guilt: "Do this for me or I'll be hurt." "If you go, I'll worry." "You
haven't written in ages; are you okay?"

Other Forms Of Ego

Ego comes in a variety of forms. Continue to develop self-awareness so that
you can identify and label them. Once labeled, "you" can take control.
Merely send all the excess orange energy up to your Oversoul.

There are other forms of ego which include:

POWER. You are not here to have power over anything. You are here to work
with and to appreciate the natural abilities of All That Is.

SELF-AGGRANDIZEMENT. You are not more important than anyone else. You cannot
be the boss if you do not have any workers. Workers merely establish who is
the boss and who is not.

SUPERIORITY. You are not better than anyone else. You may have skills that
someone else does not have, but they may have skills that you do not have.
Being different from others does not make you better; it simply makes you
different.

EMBARRASSMENT. Embarrassment allows the outer world to totally define you
for the moment. Praise may embarrass you as quickly as criticism. Accept the
compliments. Evaluate the criticism. Do the best that you can with the
tools, experiences, and knowledge that you have. Accept self as is in any
given moment.

DEFENSIVENESS. Ego blocks out the words of other people. Learn to listen.
Others may be aware of parts of self that you cannot yet see. Evaluate all
words spoken to you to determine their validity. Allow others to teach you.

STUBBORNNESS. Stubbornness is a wall of ego that will not let the real you
through. It is a defense mechanism that prevents you from admitting, "I'm
wrong; you're right." Acknowledging that someone else is right acknowledges
that you need to grow. That can sometimes be a very painful admission.

CONTROL AND MANIPULATION. Gain control of your life only long enough to give
that control to your Oversoul and God. With increased self-awareness, become
a conscious co-creator of your life.

MEDDLING. Release the need to play God. You did not create the challenges of
others. Thus, it is not your place to solve them. On some level of awareness
others want the satisfaction of solving their own challenges. Ask permission
through the involved Oversouls before offering help to anyone. Find out if
they truly need and want help.

The ego has been the downfall of many. It is strong, powerful, and sneaky.
Just when you think it is in balance, it gains control of you once again.
Respect its power and all that it has taught you. But now it is time for you
to take back the power that is rightfully yours. Your personal recipe is in
the process of conscious change.

About The Author:
Janet Dian Swerdlow is an internationally known author, seminar leader,
lecturer, and mystic. The above was excerpted from her book series, "In
Search of Yourself - Finding The Balance", ©1993. Janet helps others focus
and build on inner communication skills, strengthening the connection
between Self, Oversoul and God. She can be reached at: Expansions
Publishing, POB 1473, Lake Grove NY 11755-1473 USA, email:
expansions@... website: www.janetdian.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Touch

There are so many ways to touch a person
soft ways, distant ways, hugging ways
the beauty of a touch is that an exchange
of energy is provoked/provided
a flash of recognition
a spark of electric fire
like a burning tree dispelling dark at midnight
a transformation elicited
a dance from one cosmos being to another
a knowing deep warm
a metamorphosis
in the psychic realm

I am I yet I am you
you are you yet you are me
the miracle is that bodies
that touch, however briefly
are changed
forever

Love
Stella

© 2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...
Printed with Permission

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Inside Job

   An ancient parable tells that the Lord God, who created the
earth, did not want to give happiness to women and men directly,
but rather hide it from them so that they could search for it. So
the Lord called a council of the good spirits and asked where
happiness could be hidden.

   One spirit suggested that the bottom of the sea would be a good
place as people would not be able to reach it. But Lord did not
think it a suitable place as they could dive down and find it.

   Another suggested that it be hidden in the deepest mine. But
again the Lord said they would soon discover it.

   Finally the idea came that it be  hidden in the depths of men's
and women's hearts, because they would look for happiness
everywhere except within themselves...

   Have you been searching for peace and contentment? Happiness is,
after all, an inside job.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Principles of the Twelve Steps

1. Honesty/ Acceptance
2. Hope/ Open-mindedness
3. Faith/ Willingness
4. Courage
5. Integrity/Trust
6. Willingness
7. Humility
8. Unconditional Love
9. Forgiveness/ Self Discipline
10. Perseverance
11. Ever Presence of God/ Spirituality
12. Service

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Who'da Thunk?

Thought the answers that I knew
The many questions in my mind
Now seems the lessons that I got
Were of a different kind

Tis' dangerous to think you know
Just what it is you seek
When all you think is self-willed thought
Its hard getting a truthful peek

What lies ahead we do not know
Nor have to fret or doubt
Just take each day as the gift it is
Embracing all with Love I'm left to shout

It really is amazing
As manipulation fades away
Left with guidance not our own
To start each 24, living life "Just for Today"

To think I knew what was to come
And how my life would be
Its plain to see with upward growth
In retrospect I cheated me!

Nothing left to do or say
The now is what to live
I see the change that has occured
No longer taking, just here to give

Who'da thunk? that in this life
Theories could manifest
All mistakes were not in vain
Living my highest good and best

Thankful now to see the light
That I had shut down to
Wiser yes, but teachable
Otherwise, I'd still play the fool

To all I've met, encountered in
  My lessons as I grow
I thank you all for untold gifts
Helping me stay, not to run or go

AJ ~ 1/3/97
aj4how@...
5/9/04

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twelve Steps of a Relapse

1.  I decided I could handle any emotional problems if other
    people would just quit trying to run my life.

2.  I firmly believe that there is no greater power than myself and anyone
    who says differently is insane.

3. Made a decision to remove my will and my life from God, who didn't
    understand me anyhow.

4.  I made a searching and thorough inventory of everyone I know,
    so they couldn't fool me and take advantage of my good nature.

5.  I sought these people out and tried to get them to admit to me, by
     God,the nature of their wrongs.

6. I became willing to help these
    people get rid of their defects of character.

7.  I was humble enough to ask these people to remove their
    shortcomings.

8.  I kept a list of all people who had harmed me and waited patiently
    for a chance to get even with them.

9.  I got even with all these people whenever possible except when to
    do so would get me into trouble too.

10. I continued to take everyone's inventory and when they are wrong,
    which is most of the time, I promptly make them admit it.

11. Sought through concentration of my will power to get God, who didn't
    understand me anyhow, to see that all my ideas were best and He ought
    to give me the power to carry it out.

12. Having maintained my emotional problems with these steps,
    I can thoroughly recommend them to others who don't want to lose
    their hard earned status, but wish to be left alone to practice their
    neurosis in everything they do for the rest of their days.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

All our dreams can come true,
if we have the courage to pursue them.
Walt Disney

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The biggest mistake we could ever make in our lives is
to think we work for anybody but ourselves.
Brian Tracy

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

No one can make you feel inferior without your permission
Eleanor Roosevelt.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The earth has been called "the classroom of this universe."
People are often brought together to learn from one another.
Two people may come together with personalities that compliment
each other so that one completes the other;
they share their energies and abilities.
They may function better together than separately.
Great learning and understanding
can take place in this type of relationship.
This type of relationship can be called karmic in the sense
that each person is better able to fulfill his
or her karma through that relationship.

Other people who are brought together to learn from one another
may resist or misunderstand the process;
they may see it as difficult or unpleasant.
In this way, the word "karma" sometimes becomes
associated with situations that seem bad.
Karma is not bad; karma is action, learning, progression;
often it is an opportunity for completion.

It is your attitude toward karma that can make it
seem either good or bad while you're going through it.

John-Roger

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If money can solve it then it's not a problem,
it's a situation,
If I use that's a problem.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The most powerful message about money,
is written on it, "In God we trust"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Money can be a mood or mind altering substance.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Money can't buy you love.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep What You Need, Leave The Rest*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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,
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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 daily recovery email please visit me at:
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/

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

Tradition 1
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2002/trad01.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2003/tradition01.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/trads2004/trad01.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What do you believe is your responsibility to the fellowship as a whole ?
What do you believe is the fellowship's responsibility to the newcomer ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 11
Today my trust in the overall and
the long run is deep and is growing.
When events and people do not act as I would like them to act,
I reach deeper inside for my faith and let it comfort me.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Broken Wings

I once had dreams of soaring like an eagle strong and free.
My world would have no limits and the sky would belong to me.

I visioned a world of beauty, which I could view from above.
There would be no pain or sorrow, only happiness and love.

Such thoughts were very lofty, for one so young as I,
but I knew that God existed o'er the clouds up in the sky.

If I could just fly high enough, maybe someday I would see,
my Lord, my God, my Creator, the one who inspired me.

But as my life unfolded, my dreams slowly went astray.
I felt that God had left me and there was no reason left to pray.

How could life treat me so cruelly?
Doesn't God see these terrible things?

How had I gone from an eagle to simply
a bird with broken wings?

Suddenly the Lord appeared before me
and with a twinkle in His eye,
said, "Now that I've shown you how to fall,
I can teach you how to fly!"

© 2003 Ray Schmitt
rschmitt48@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

But You Promised!!!
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=614

I'll Lend You A Pup
www.wscribe.com/parables/puppy.html

Faces & Voices of Recovery's
www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/main/index.php

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
www.geocities.com/ddaaffee/LoriFlower/promise.html

Words From A Simple Heart Bookmarks
these are a wonderful collection of bookmarks
www.wisehearts.com/bookmarks.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 11                              Balancing The Scales

"A lot of our chief concerns and major difficulties come from our
inexperience with living without drugs. Often when we ask an old
timer what to do, we are amazed at the simplicity of the answer."
Basic Text, pp. 41-42

   Finding balance in recovery is quite a bit like sitting down with a set
of scales and a pile of sand. The goal is to have an equal amount of sand
on each side of the scales, achieving a balance of weight.

   We do the same thing in recovery. We sit down with the foundation
of our clean time and the Twelve Steps, then attempt to add employment,
household responsibilities, friends, sponsees, relationships, meetings,
and service in equal weights so that the scales balance. Our first try may
throw our personal scales out of kilter. We may find that, because of our
over-involvement in service, we have upset our employer or our family.
But when we try to correct this problem by resigning from NA service
altogether, the other side of the scales go out of balance.

   We can ask for help from members who have stabilized their scales.
These people are easy to recognize. They appear serene, composed, and
self-assured. They'll smile in recognition at our dilemma and share how
they slowed down, added only a few grains of sand at a time to either
side of the scales, and were rewarded with balance in recovery.

Just for today: I seek balance in my life. Today, I will ask others to
share their experience in finding that balance. pg. 137

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Lifetime Process

We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn't control our
emotional natures, we were a prey to misery and depression, we couldn't
make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, we were full of fear, we
were unhappy, we couldn't seem to be of real help to other people.  .  .  .
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  52

These words remind me that I have more problems than alcohol, that alcohol
is only a symptom of a more pervasive disease.  When I stopped drinking I
began a lifetime process of recovery from unruly emotions, painful
relationships, and unmanageable situations.  This process is too much for
most of us without help from a Higher Power and our friends in the
Fellowship.  When I began working the Steps of the A.A. program, many of
these tangled threads unraveled but, little by little, the most broken
places of my life straightened out.  One day at a time, almost
imperceptibly, I healed.  Like a thermostat being turned down, my fears
diminished.  I began to experience moments of contentment.  My emotions
became less volatile.  I am now once again a part of the human family.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 11th

A.A. Thought for the Day

We can depend on those members of any group who have gone
all out for the program. They come to meetings. They work
with other alcoholics. We don't have to worry about their
slipping. They're loyal members of the group. I'm trying to
be a loyal member of the group. When I'm tempted to take a
drink, I tell myself that if I did I'd be letting down the other
members who are the best friends I have. Am I going to let
them down, if I can help it?

Meditation for the Day

Wherever there is true fellowship and love between people,
God's spirit is always there as the Divine Third. In all human
relationships, the Divine Spirit is what brings them together.
When a life is changed through the channel of another person,
it is God, the Divine Third, who always makes the change, using
the person as a means. The moving power behind all spiritual
things, all personal relationships between people is God, the
Divine Third, who is always there. No personal relationships can
be entirely right without the presence of God's spirit.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be used as a channel by God's spirit. I pray
that I may feel that the Divine Third is always there to help 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 11

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Perfection

Many of us picked on ourselves unmercifully before recovery. We may also
have a tendency too pick on ourselves after we begin recovery.

If I was really recovering, I wouldn't be doing that again . . .. I should
be further along than I am. These are statements that we indulge in when
we're feeling shame. We don't need to treat ourselves that way. There is no
benefit.

Remember, shame blocks us. But self-love and acceptance enable us to grow
and change. If we truly have done something we feel guilty about, we can
correct it with an amend and an attitude of self-acceptance and love.

Even if we slip back to our old, codependent ways of thinking, feeling, and
behaving, we do not need to be ashamed. We all regress from time to time.
That's how we learn and grow. Relapse, or recycling, is an important and
necessary part of recovery. And the way out of recycling is not by shaming
ourselves. That leads us deeper into codependency.

Much pain comes from trying to be perfect. Perfection is impossible unless
we think of it in a new way: Perfection is being who and where we are today;
it's accepting and loving ourselves just as we are. We are each right where
we need to be in our recovery.

Today, I will love and accept myself for who I am and where I am in my
recovery process. I am right where I need to be to get to where I'm going
tomorrow.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Early Eating Effect
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/diet-door.htm

The Three Principles of Clutter Cleaning
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/April/0497-09.html

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

OWNING YOUR PERSONAL POWER
By Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D.

After reading a recent column of mine, a woman writes: "How do you
become proactive?  Aren't people really victims of circumstance?  If
they are, how do they change them so that they can be relatively
happy?  I have talked to many women on this subject and they all feel
that their circumstances are ruling their lives, to their detriment.
Divorce, unpaid child support, who will watch the children, how to
divide housework, if YOU would like to return to work or not and when.
  All of these decisions are being made for them by their husbands.  Do
they have a choice?  I don't think so.  We are not really masters of
our own fate.  Please convince me otherwise.  I want to take charge of
my life and so do most others but no one knows how.  We would be happy
with a 50/50 win." This letter was signed, "A Regular Reader."

My dear reader, you do not have to be so victimized by life, by your
husband, by people, situations, friends, circumstances.  If you see
yourself as a helpless victim, you will behave like one.  Behaving
like a victim invites others to make decisions for you.  Those same
decisions you feel victimized by.

You can own your own power.  You do not have to stand there with your
hands tied, groveling helplessly, and submitting to whatever comes
along.  There are lots of things you can do.  You can speak up.  You
can assert your own wants and needs.  You can solve problems.  You can
create problems for others to motivate them to take responsibility for
themselves.  You can use your own problems to invite you to take
responsibility for yourself.  You can let go of your fear of the
future.  You can stop avoiding the future by scaring yourself with
"what if" questions.  You can choose how you want to respond to ANY
event or circumstance.

You can make yourself feel good.  You can do something good for
yourself.  You can walk away, and come back only on your own terms.
You can stand up for yourself.  You can refuse to let others control
and manipulate you.  You can do whatever it takes to take good care of
yourself.

If you can't do anything about circumstances, others' behavior or
choices, you can change your own attitude and change your own
responses.  You can work within...face your own fears with courage.
Work on yourself.  There is an old Seneca Indian saying, "It's better
to cover your own feet with leather than to try and cover all the
rocks in the world." You are a victim only to the extent you ignore
yourself, your own feelings, your own needs, your own thinking, your
own beliefs and values.

Take risks.  Someone once wrote the following about risk-taking: "To
laugh is to risk appearing the fool.  To weep is to risk appearing
sentimental.  To reach for another is to risk involvement.  To expose
your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd [or your husband] is to risk
their loss.  To love is to risk not being loved in return.  To live is
to risk dying.  To believe is to risk failure.  But risks must be
taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing."

"The people who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing, are nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel,
change, grow, love, live.  Chained by their attitudes, they are
slaves; they have forfeited their freedom.  Only a person who risks is
free."

Stop trying so hard to control the things over which you have no
power and start controlling those things over which you do have
power...mostly yourself.  Recognize that it is how you perceive events
that is threatening, usually not the events themselves.  One person's
threat is another's challenge.  You can control your perceptions.
Remember it is the meaning you attribute to circumstances outside
yourself to which your body responds.  You have the power to change
that meaning.  Is a lemon so sour a fruit it's useless?  Is it a
glorious source of lemonade?  Is it a beautiful object of a painting?
You decide how you want to see it.

Knowing and using your own personal power will free you from your
self-imposed prison of fear and helplessness.  Learn to love yourself,
value your uniqueness, ask for your wants and needs to be met or meet
them yourself, accept your weaknesses, and identify your strengths.
Let go of the childhood view that others, or events control and
determine your life.  Refer all responses to their source...yourself.

Dear "Regular Reader," even if you practice just a few of these
suggestions you will begin "being in charge of your life." By the way,
don't settle for a 50/50 win.  Don't compromise on your own power.
Never settle for less than winning your fearless freedom and happiness
all the time.

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@....

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Fine Dining

Many distractions
lead you astray
Life tantalizes with sweets, with the delicious
satisfy the surface needs
make them shut up for a while
(so says your tastebuds)
but that's the superficial quick way
to feed yourself
we all know
the deeper hunger

Loud clear satisfaction cannot be gleaned
from nibbling or snacking
or even from chocolate cake
or one-night stands

An investment of higher value
is required to nourish such a worthy cause
That of reaching your Dream
That of filling all the emptiness
embodied in heart spirit soul

Stop the feeding frenzy
Listen to your Heart
Heed the message
Leave yourself a memo
nurture the Self
and never forget
There Are No Coincidences

Love
Stella
© 2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...
Printed with Permission

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Principles of the Twelve Traditions

1. Unity
2. Direction
3. Equality/Recovery
4. Understanding
5. Sharing
6. Simplicity
7. Independence
8. Selflessness
9. Service
10. Survival
11. Self Reliance
12. Humility

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Facing Our Fears

"Throughout life's path many of us are faced with FEARS.
In other aspects of our lives, we have FAITH in someone or something.

Definition of FEAR
It is something that hasn't happened yet,
but we feel that it will happen in the future.

Definition of FAITH
It is something that hasn't happened yet,
but we feel that it will happen in the future.

The only difference in FEAR and FAITH
is how we perceive things.

If we trust in our spirit, FAITH will surely override FEAR.
But if we trust in our flesh, FEAR will override FAITH.

Look at things in light, not darkness, and FEAR shall retreat."

Copyright © 1996 Jeff Linder

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Complete Man

I have a pain deep inside of me
I am not blind I can see
I start my daily journey with a prayer
I pray dear God make me aware
I share a smile to all I pass
I am not first
I am not last
No more bridges do I burn
I had many lessons I had to learn
I have been up
I have been down
That did not stop me
I kept coming around
We must keep coming back you see
It takes time to learn to live free
Bring the body the mind will follow
Just keep coming back from day to day
For all too soon you will learn your way
AA is a program of action
Cleaning house
Brings satisfaction
Today I see with my inner eye
Insight to my life
I no longer ask why
Now at last I understand
I will never be more or less
Than just a mortal man

Daniel M Corkery
5/29/2002
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hell is Awake

Mom and dad woke up that one fateful morning,
and found their only teenage son smoking pot
their lives changed forever in that one instant
little did they know, hell was descending

Mom and Dad tried talking and negotiating
finding ways and words to help their only son
their attention given fully to their son
but they did not know, darkness was not leaving

Soon Mom and Dad found their son graduating to heroin
they found this only when their son overdosed in the bathroom
the battle of addiction began to be too much to bear for them
again, with little they know, they did everything they can

Mom and Dad finally took their son to a doctor to fix
nothing changed, as their son relapsed minutes after detox
and after a few months to their horror they found
HIV and HCV has became a reality in their household

Mom and Dad went to yet another doctor,
who said that they mut keep their son's behavior  safe
only to find a few months afterwards
their only son had made three girls pregnant

Mom and Dad, began living in a private hell
none of their kin would help, none understood
the shame and the deep pain their son had caused
all fingers blamed only Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad sought those who'd listen,
through the doors of 12 Steps they have gone
finally although their son was still addicted,
their pain has slowly easing and diminishing

Yet, tonight as Mom and Dad were at the meeting
the junkie son came home to rip off their home
Mom and Dad, were left with nothing
The reality of Addiction is nothing but hell

Addiction is an awakening hell, they know that by now
dragging not only the addict, but also their families
if families are not enough, they drag their friends
deep into the abyss, the thick darkness of hell
and still the darkness clamour for more and more .....

   People continue to ask,
   why do you continue to go back
   why do you continue to live in hell,
   reduced, ultimately to animalistic level

Yet addicts continue to chase the dragon,
until the dragon stops dead, red fiery eyed, on its track
to the addict, the dragon would finally look back
and roaring vicious fire, the dragon chases the addict

   You can't tell the dragon to stop
   until the dragon has finally destroyed the addict
   and until what remains of the addict
   is ashes to ashes, dust to dust ....

For those of you who have found recovery
please stop relapsing once and for all
the cost is too great, for love, there's no survival
all are lost, until all is regained, through true recovery

   God, however you may call God
   patiently, and lovingly awaits you ....
   to reach out your hand and finally .....
   take 12 steps into a life with God ....

   Leaving without turning  ....
   honestly and willingly ...
   once and for all your life in hell
   retreating from your deadly dance with the devil

Bogor, March 28, 2002
joydave@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adventure is not outside a man. it is within.
David Grayson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Trouble brings experience, and experience brings wisdom.
Anonymous

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The gem cannot be polished without friction,
nor man perfected without trials.
Chinese proverb

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.
Roy Goodman

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This is a disease of the attitudes and behaviors.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Change or die.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We will need a personality change if we are to stay clean.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If nothing changes,
nothing changes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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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or
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To unsubscribe to to this list send an Email message to the group
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and write unsubscribe in the subject line
or go to the website and unsubscribe
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Step 12
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2002/step12c.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2003/step12.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2004/step12.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What do you believe is your responsibility to the fellowship as a whole ?
What do you believe is the fellowship's responsibility to the newcomer ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 10
Today I will look for opportunities to continue to grow
through seeing the beauty around me and in me.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Believe

I believe in you
I believe in me
I believe in the rooms
I believe in HP

Before I was shown
my stumbling way here
all I'd known
was self pity and fear

I know how to laugh
I know how to live
I know when to be silent
I know how to give

Before I came to this magical place
I thought that the answer was out of my face
thought I could float, isolated in space;
thought I had vanished without a trace.
Thought honesty was only for fools
laughed when you told me,
you could give me the tools.
Cried when you held me
and said "it's OK,
it's not a life-time
it's Just for Today"

Now today is tomorrow
but it's still just a day
less of the sorrow
and less of the pain

You believed in me
and I believe in you
I believe in the hope
and the good things we do.

written by - RJ Phillips
punksquaddie@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Both Glad and Sad
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=609

I Would Do Anything
www.wscribe.com/parables/anything.html

Gift of Serenity
http://www.giftofserenity.org

graffiti © brought to you with love from Indonesia
www.angelfire.com/hi/joydave

Unknown Feelings
www.geocities.com/loriflower/Loriflower/unknown.html

Thoughts to Ponder
www.geocities.com/loriflower/2/thoughts.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 10                              Becoming Entirely Ready

"We... get a good look at what these defects are doing to our
lives. We begin to long for freedom from these defects."
Basic Text, p. 33

   Becoming entirely ready to have our defects of character removed
can be a long process, often taking place over the course of a lifetime.
Our state of readiness grows in direct proportion to our awareness of
these defects and the destruction they cause.

   We may have trouble seeing the devastation our defects are inflicting
on our lives and the lives of those around us. If this is the case, we
would do well to ask our Higher Power to reveal those flaws which stand
in the way of our progress.

   As we let go of our shortcomings and find their influence waning, we'll
notice that a loving God replaces those defects with quality attributes.
Where we were fearful, we find courage. Where we were selfish, we
find generosity. Our delusions about ourselves will disappear to be
replaced by self-honesty and self-acceptance.

   Yes, becoming entirely ready means we will change. Each new level of
readiness brings new gifts. Our basic nature changes, and we soon find
our readiness is no longer sparked only by pain but by a desire to grow
spiritually.

Just for today: I will increase my state of readiness by becoming
more aware of my shortcomings. pg. 136

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Wide Arc of Gratitude

And, speaking for Dr.  Bob and myself, I gratefully declare that had it not
been for our wives, Anne and Lois, neither of us could have lived to see
A.A.'s beginning.
THE A.A. WAY OF LIFE, p.  67

Am I capable of such generous tribute and gratitude to my wife, parents and
friends, without whose support I might never have survived to reach A.A.'s
doors?  I will work on this and try to see the plan my Higher Power is
showing me which links our lives together.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 10th

A.A. Thought for the Day

One thing that keeps me sober is a feeling of loyalty to
the other members of the group. I know I'd be letting
them down if I ever took a drink. When I was drinking,
I wasn't loyal to anybody. I should have been loyal to my
family, but I wasn't. I let them down by my drinking.
When I came into A.A., I found a group of people who
were not only helping each other to stay sober, but who
were loyal to each other by staying sober themselves. Am
I loyal to my group?

Meditation for the Day

Calmness is constructive of good. Agitation is destructive
of good. I should not rush into action. I should first "be
still and know that He is God." Then I should act only as God
directs me through my conscience. Only trust, perfect trust
in God, can keep me calm when all around me are agitated.
Calmness is trust in action. I should seek all things that can
help me to cultivate calmness. To attain material things, the
world learns to attain speed. To attain spiritual things, I have
to learn to attain a state of calm.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may learn how to have inner peace. I pray that
I may be calm, so that God can work through 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thought for the Day
May 10

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go
Melody Beattie ©

Enjoying the Good Days

Good feelings can become a habitual part of our life.

There is absolutely no virtue in the unnecessary suffering, which many of us
have felt for much of our life. We don't have to allow others to make us
miserable, and we don't have to make ourselves miserable.

A good day does not have to be the calm before the storm. That's an old way
of thinking we learned in dysfunctional systems.

In recovery, a good day or a good feeling doesn't mean we're in denial. We
don't have to wreck our good times by obsessively searching for or creating
a problem.

Enjoying our good days doesn't mean we're being disloyal to loved ones who
are having problems. We don't have to make ourselves feel guilty because
other people aren't having a good day. We don't have to make ourselves
miserable to be like them. They can have their day and their feelings; we
can have ours.

A good feeling is to be enjoyed. More than we can imagine, good days are
ours for the asking.

Today, I will let myself enjoy what is good. I don't have to wreck my good
day or good feeling; I don't have to let others spoil it either.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden
Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be
reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Tao of Painful Relationships
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/doreen-virtue.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Letters of wisdom and affirmation, by Louise Hay
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/May/0597-22.html

Finding the Path to Peace
by Jane Katra, Ph.D. & Russell Targ
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/path_peace.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

No More Guilt
by Janet Dian

Ego does what is necessary to maintain its power. It does this by
subdividing itself. In other words, the consciousness of your
sub-personality creates other sub-personalities. In order to bring ego into
balance, the following sub-personalities must also be brought into balance.
Guilt is one of the more blatant sub -personalities of ego. It performs two
primary functions for ego: importance and responsibility. Both make you feel
needed as described below.

Importance

Guilt gives you importance in a variety of ways. Say you have a friend who
has a life full of challenges. You know she feels better after talking to
you, even though you feel drained. Yet you feel you must continue these
conversations. After all, who else does she have? You feel guilty when
thoughts of abandoning her enter your mind. Even though she is a drain on
your mental health, her need for you makes you feel important. Guilt
controls your actions. Instead of letting guilt control you, stop and
evaluate: Did you create her life?

Are you responsible for her? Do you feel like a dumping ground? Is she
interested in helping herself? Is it you she needs or would anyone willing
to listen do? Does she want to put her life in order or on some level does
she enjoy the confusion and turmoil?

Answer these questions by sending them up to your Oversoul (Oversoul -
Neutral energy that comes out of God. Your Oversoul is to you what your
Earth parents are to your body.) Ask for direction. You may find that
instead of helping, you are interfering. Her challenges may be her
motivation for change. Lessening her burdens may take away her opportunity
for growth. Releasing her may mean releasing your opportunity to feel
important and needed. Guilt tries to make you hang on. But you have to take
control. Allowing her to have her own life in turn allows you to have yours.

Think about this. You have two children and a spouse that constantly make
demands upon your time and energy. The occasional times that you tell them
"no" you feel guilty. Is it necessary to feel guilty because you are unable
to give beyond your capabilities?

Being responsible for everyone in the household acknowledges your
importance. It makes you feel needed. In this case, guilt holds ego close to
you. Letting go of some ego means letting others be responsible for
themselves. Creating balance within allows others to do the same. Everyone
around you is a reflection of self. Whenever you want change in the outer
world, the inner world must change first. Instead of asking others to
change, change self first.

Responsibility

Guilt makes you feel responsible even when you are not. It does this by
telling you that you "should" have done this or that. The real you knows
that if you could have done "that" you would have. You may say, "I shouldn't
have yelled at him, but I did. Now I feel guilty." While it may be true that
you are in the process of bringing anger into balance, it is not in balance
yet. Do the best that you can with your current capabilities. Then evaluate
the situation so you can do better the next time. That is all. Release these
thoughts and feelings to your Oversoul, along with your need for guilt.

Guilt makes you feel responsible for people/situations for which you are not
responsible. Look at the way charities use guilt when they solicit money.
They show pictures of starving and/or diseased children and animals brutally
treated. Without even bothering to investigate the legitimacy of these
organizations, many people simply send money. Guilt says send money, so you
do. Before sending money, it is important to first ask your Oversoul if this
is a place that needs your money.

Guilt allows you to feel pressured by others to be someone that you are not;
to give more of yourself than you are capable of giving. When you choose
your own path, you may feel guilty for denying what other people want you to
do.

For example, career choices create guilt for some people. Mom and Dad think
you would make a great engineer. Without ever asking you, this is a career
they assume you will follow. They may not ever take the time to know what is
in your heart. Telling them otherwise can be very difficult. The guilt you
feel for not pleasing your parents can be very heavy.

If you live close to your family, they may automatically assume that you
will be available at any time to help family members, regardless of your
plans. Being true to yourself means denying the needs of others. Breaking
out of this pattern creates tremendous guilt. When others control you
through guilt, who you are often gets lost in the process.

As much as you may want to do something else, it sometimes becomes easier to
let others control you rather than stand up for self. When pleasing others
means denying the needs of self, weigh what you can and cannot live with.
You may decide that it is easier to deny your own needs rather than live
with the guilt of displeasing others. The additional weight of guilt that
others place on you (and you allow) would be too much. Although this may
cause resentment, you may choose to carry resentment rather than guilt.
Guilt grabs the opportunity to take control of the situation.

When you choose to deny your own needs, thus damaging self, do so in
awareness. Becoming aware of what you do and the consequences of your
decisions are the first steps to self-healing. Only by becoming aware can
you move on to self-healing.

Be True To Self

Continue to strengthen self-esteem, explaining your changes to the people
around you via the involved Oversouls. Remember, you cannot change them. You
can only change self. Nor is it your responsibility to change them. However,
it is your responsibility to respect their choices. Release them to their
Oversouls, letting them go on their way. Have compassion for them. Realize
that they try to control with guilt because they are afraid.

Sometimes when you are true to self, guilt gets fed anyway. Not being able
to save a drowning person might allow guilt to live on forever. Yet, perhaps
this was the time and way that person chose to go. If you had been able to
save him/her, you might have been interfering in his/her life pattern. These
are difficult calls to make. Each one is uniquely personal. That is why it
is so important to open your inner channels of communication. Let your
Oversoul instruct your reality. Release the need for illusion to guide you.

Guilt helps you hold on to other people. In the same way that other people
try to control you with guilt, you do the same. Listen to your words. Watch
your actions. Look for the many subtle ways that you try to control with
guilt: "Do this for me or I'll be hurt." "If you go, I'll worry." "You
haven't written in ages; are you okay?"

Other Forms Of Ego

Ego comes in a variety of forms. Continue to develop self-awareness so that
you can identify and label them. Once labeled, "you" can take control.
Merely send all the excess orange energy up to your Oversoul.

There are other forms of ego which include:

POWER. You are not here to have power over anything. You are here to work
with and to appreciate the natural abilities of All That Is.

SELF-AGGRANDIZEMENT. You are not more important than anyone else. You cannot
be the boss if you do not have any workers. Workers merely establish who is
the boss and who is not.

SUPERIORITY. You are not better than anyone else. You may have skills that
someone else does not have, but they may have skills that you do not have.
Being different from others does not make you better; it simply makes you
different.

EMBARRASSMENT. Embarrassment allows the outer world to totally define you
for the moment. Praise may embarrass you as quickly as criticism. Accept the
compliments. Evaluate the criticism. Do the best that you can with the
tools, experiences, and knowledge that you have. Accept self as is in any
given moment.

DEFENSIVENESS. Ego blocks out the words of other people. Learn to listen.
Others may be aware of parts of self that you cannot yet see. Evaluate all
words spoken to you to determine their validity. Allow others to teach you.

STUBBORNNESS. Stubbornness is a wall of ego that will not let the real you
through. It is a defense mechanism that prevents you from admitting, "I'm
wrong; you're right." Acknowledging that someone else is right acknowledges
that you need to grow. That can sometimes be a very painful admission.

CONTROL AND MANIPULATION. Gain control of your life only long enough to give
that control to your Oversoul and God. With increased self-awareness, become
a conscious co-creator of your life.

MEDDLING. Release the need to play God. You did not create the challenges of
others. Thus, it is not your place to solve them. On some level of awareness
others want the satisfaction of solving their own challenges. Ask permission
through the involved Oversouls before offering help to anyone. Find out if
they truly need and want help.

The ego has been the downfall of many. It is strong, powerful, and sneaky.
Just when you think it is in balance, it gains control of you once again.
Respect its power and all that it has taught you. But now it is time for you
to take back the power that is rightfully yours. Your personal recipe is in
the process of conscious change.

About The Author:
Janet Dian Swerdlow is an internationally known author, seminar leader,
lecturer, and mystic. The above was excerpted from her book series, "In
Search of Yourself - Finding The Balance", ©1993. Janet helps others focus
and build on inner communication skills, strengthening the connection
between Self, Oversoul and God. She can be reached at: Expansions
Publishing, POB 1473, Lake Grove NY 11755-1473 USA, email:
expansions@... website: www.janetdian.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Touch

There are so many ways to touch a person
soft ways, distant ways, hugging ways
the beauty of a touch is that an exchange
of energy is provoked/provided
a flash of recognition
a spark of electric fire
like a burning tree dispelling dark at midnight
a transformation elicited
a dance from one cosmos being to another
a knowing deep warm
a metamorphosis
in the psychic realm

I am I yet I am you
you are you yet you are me
the miracle is that bodies
that touch, however briefly
are changed
forever

Love
Stella

© 2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...
Printed with Permission

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Inside Job

   An ancient parable tells that the Lord God, who created the
earth, did not want to give happiness to women and men directly,
but rather hide it from them so that they could search for it. So
the Lord called a council of the good spirits and asked where
happiness could be hidden.

   One spirit suggested that the bottom of the sea would be a good
place as people would not be able to reach it. But Lord did not
think it a suitable place as they could dive down and find it.

   Another suggested that it be hidden in the deepest mine. But
again the Lord said they would soon discover it.

   Finally the idea came that it be  hidden in the depths of men's
and women's hearts, because they would look for happiness
everywhere except within themselves...

   Have you been searching for peace and contentment? Happiness is,
after all, an inside job.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Principles of the Twelve Steps

1. Honesty/ Acceptance
2. Hope/ Open-mindedness
3. Faith/ Willingness
4. Courage
5. Integrity/Trust
6. Willingness
7. Humility
8. Unconditional Love
9. Forgiveness/ Self Discipline
10. Perseverance
11. Ever Presence of God/ Spirituality
12. Service

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Who'da Thunk?

Thought the answers that I knew
The many questions in my mind
Now seems the lessons that I got
Were of a different kind

Tis' dangerous to think you know
Just what it is you seek
When all you think is self-willed thought
Its hard getting a truthful peek

What lies ahead we do not know
Nor have to fret or doubt
Just take each day as the gift it is
Embracing all with Love I'm left to shout

It really is amazing
As manipulation fades away
Left with guidance not our own
To start each 24, living life "Just for Today"

To think I knew what was to come
And how my life would be
Its plain to see with upward growth
In retrospect I cheated me!

Nothing left to do or say
The now is what to live
I see the change that has occured
No longer taking, just here to give

Who'da thunk? that in this life
Theories could manifest
All mistakes were not in vain
Living my highest good and best

Thankful now to see the light
That I had shut down to
Wiser yes, but teachable
Otherwise, I'd still play the fool

To all I've met, encountered in
  My lessons as I grow
I thank you all for untold gifts
Helping me stay, not to run or go

AJ ~ 1/3/97
aj4how@...
5/9/04

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twelve Steps of a Relapse

1.  I decided I could handle any emotional problems if other
    people would just quit trying to run my life.

2.  I firmly believe that there is no greater power than myself and anyone
    who says differently is insane.

3. Made a decision to remove my will and my life from God, who didn't
    understand me anyhow.

4.  I made a searching and thorough inventory of everyone I know,
    so they couldn't fool me and take advantage of my good nature.

5.  I sought these people out and tried to get them to admit to me, by
     God,the nature of their wrongs.

6. I became willing to help these
    people get rid of their defects of character.

7.  I was humble enough to ask these people to remove their
    shortcomings.

8.  I kept a list of all people who had harmed me and waited patiently
    for a chance to get even with them.

9.  I got even with all these people whenever possible except when to
    do so would get me into trouble too.

10. I continued to take everyone's inventory and when they are wrong,
    which is most of the time, I promptly make them admit it.

11. Sought through concentration of my will power to get God, who didn't
    understand me anyhow, to see that all my ideas were best and He ought
    to give me the power to carry it out.

12. Having maintained my emotional problems with these steps,
    I can thoroughly recommend them to others who don't want to lose
    their hard earned status, but wish to be left alone to practice their
    neurosis in everything they do for the rest of their days.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

All our dreams can come true,
if we have the courage to pursue them.
Walt Disney

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The biggest mistake we could ever make in our lives is
to think we work for anybody but ourselves.
Brian Tracy

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

No one can make you feel inferior without your permission
Eleanor Roosevelt.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The earth has been called "the classroom of this universe."
People are often brought together to learn from one another.
Two people may come together with personalities that compliment
each other so that one completes the other;
they share their energies and abilities.
They may function better together than separately.
Great learning and understanding
can take place in this type of relationship.
This type of relationship can be called karmic in the sense
that each person is better able to fulfill his
or her karma through that relationship.

Other people who are brought together to learn from one another
may resist or misunderstand the process;
they may see it as difficult or unpleasant.
In this way, the word "karma" sometimes becomes
associated with situations that seem bad.
Karma is not bad; karma is action, learning, progression;
often it is an opportunity for completion.

It is your attitude toward karma that can make it
seem either good or bad while you're going through it.

John-Roger

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If money can solve it then it's not a problem,
it's a situation,
If I use that's a problem.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The most powerful message about money,
is written on it, "In God we trust"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Money can be a mood or mind altering substance.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Money can't buy you love.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep What You Need, Leave The Rest*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit does not endorse any of the
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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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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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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
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Even if your country is listed
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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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For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
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Step 11
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2002/step11c.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2003/step11.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2004/step11.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What do you believe is your responsibility to the fellowship as a whole ?
What do you believe is the fellowship's responsibility to the newcomer ?

to share please visit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
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This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 9
Today I am letting a power greater than myself
remove all my fear.
I am now free to look within for my answers.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

NA Bullshit Bingo

Do you keep falling asleep in meetings?
What about those long and boring drug-histories
Here is a way to change all that...

1. Before (or during) your next meeting, prepare yourself
by drawing a square.  I find that a 5" x5" is a good size.
Divide the card into columns-five across and five down.
That will give you 25 one-inch blocks.

2. Write one of the following word/phrases in each block:
Such as:

Issues

Inner-child

Living Amends

Meaningful Relationship

Slip

I'm Stuck On Step __

I Couldn't  Find A Meeting

My Sponsor Has Been Out Of Town

  Can't

  Won't

Yeah But

But....don't you think

Misunderstood

Never

Rational Recovery

Recovering Person

Searching (as in, "for answers")

Gonna (sometimes prefaced with, "I'm")

Been thinking (sometimes prefaced with, "I've")

She/He said

Dysfunctional

I heard

Rage

I don't know much about this, but...

3. Check off the appropriate block when you hear one of those words or
phrases.

  4. When you get five blocks horizontally, vertically, or
diagonally, stand up and shout "BULLSHIT!"

TESTIMONIALS   FROM SATISFIED "NA BULLSHIT BINGO" PLAYERS:

  --"I had been in the meeting for only five minutes when
I won."  Adam W., Atlanta

  --"My attention span at meetings has improved dramatically."
David T., Tampa

  --"What a gas!  Meetings will never be the same for me after
my first win."
Dan J., NY City

  --"The atmosphere was tense in the last "Honesty" meeting
as 14 of us waited for the fifth box.
Ben G., Denver

  --"The speaker was stunned as eight of us screamed out
"BULLSHIT" for the third time in 20 minutes."
"Carnie" Joe, Miami

  Play "NA Bullshit Bingo" at your next meeting...!!!!!!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There's A Hole In MY Sidewalk, Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=603

I want that one!!!
www.wscribe.com/parables/want.html

The N.A. Way Magazine
www.na.org/naway/naway-current.htm

A.A. Grapevine Current Issue
www.aagrapevine.org/gv/current/

The Forum, Al-Anon¹s Monthly Magazine
www.al-anon.org/forum.html

Roses and Thorns
www.geocities.com/Loriflower/Loriflower/thorn.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 9                                    Write About It!

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

  When we're confused or in pain, our sponsor sometimes tells us to
"write about it." Though we may groan as we drag out the notebook,
we know that it will help. By laying it all out on paper, we give
ourselves the chance to sort through what's bothering us. We know
we can get to the bottom of our confusion and find out what's really
causing our pain when we put the pen to the paper.

  Writing can be rewarding, especially when working through the
steps. Many members maintain a daily journal. Simply thinking about
the steps, pondering their meaning, and analyzing their effect is not
sufficient for most of us. There's something about the physical action
of writing that helps to fix the principles of recovery in our minds and
hearts.

  The rewards we find through the simple action of writing are many.
Clarity of thought, keys to locked places inside of us, and the voice of
conscience are but a few. Writing helps us be more honest with
ourselves. We sit down, quiet our thoughts, and listen to our hearts.
What we hear in the stillness are the truths that we put down on paper.

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

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

An Inside Look

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

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

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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

A.A. Thought for the Day

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

Meditation for the Day

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

Prayer for the Day

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

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
MAY 09

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Learning New Behaviors

Sometimes we'll take a few steps backward. That's okay too. Sometimes it's
necessary. Sometimes it's part of going forward.
--Codependent No More

Life is a Gentle Teacher. She wants to help us learn.

The lessons she wants to teach us are the ones we need to learn. Some say
they are the lessons we chose to learn before we were born. Others say they
are the lessons that were chosen for us.

It's frustrating to be in the midst of learning. It is like sitting in
algebra class, listening to a teacher explain a subject beyond our
comprehension. We do not understand, but the teacher takes the understanding
for granted.

It may feel like someone is torturing us with messages that we shall never
understand. We strain and strain. We become angry. Frustrated. Confused.
Finally, in despair, we turn away, deciding that that formula will never be
available to our mind.

Later, while taking a quiet walk, we break through. Quietly, the gift of
understanding has reached that deepest place in us. We understand. We have
learned. The next day in class, it's hard for us to imagine not knowing. It
is hard to remember the frustration and confusion of those who have not yet
caught on. It seems so easy . . . now.

Life is a Gentle Teacher. She will keep repeating the lesson until we learn.
It is okay to become frustrated. Confused. Angry. Sometimes it is okay to
despair. Then, it is okay to walk away and allow the breakthrough to come.

It shall.

Help me remember that frustration and confusion usually precede growth. If
my situation is challenging me, it is because I'm learning something new,
rising to a higher level of understanding. Help me be grateful, even in my
frustration, that life is an exciting progression of lessons.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Age of the Soul
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/age-of-soul.htm

The Shared Heart New Dimensions of Relationship
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/May/0597-20.html

Evolve  Yourself
by Rich Rahn
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/evolve.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Comfort For Those Who Mourn
by Marianist Mission

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

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

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

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My Wish

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

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

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

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

Love
Stella
© 2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Anatomy of a Recovered Suicide

She knew she was different and had no real connection
Her body, mind and thoughts never fit anywhere
Not even in the privacy of her mind, they were wrong,
Or bad or misplaced only there to cause pain.

The journey to end the pain came early and intensely
She looked to every person, place or thing to fill the awful chasm
Which she felt with the constancy and relentlessness
Of pounding ocean waves in her mind.

Everywhere and to everyone she looked the hatred she felt
for herself was reflected

Why didn't they see the desperation she felt to be loved and
meant only, to be kind, loving and beautiful, helpful and strong,
each time she reached with her heart or hand it was rejected
and pushed back, amplifying her personal hate

The hate grew in intense white heat only quenched by the touch
or words others
Her need became overwhelming the suffocation she was feeling
was projected out
Always relentlessly needing to be filled and rescued from the
person she had become
An empty shell, certain that she held no value to the world or anyone.

Time passed and the girl grew in to a woman
the intensity and need grew and covered here like a poison river
The loving soul broke through and endeared her to many people
That subsequently drives away the pain

What really was the point of all this, no amount of love, possessions,
substances
Relieved the constant pain and desire to escape
Her thoughts move to permanent solutions to end it all,
Reviewed in her mind over and over and finding no peace in that

The permanence of a solution brought her to a crossroad to end the
life she knew
The end came by the death of the person she had become and the
rebirth of the person she was at the beginning of her life
The pain has ended now through a choice of life and love and soul

A reconnection through a sober and deliberate existence
Following with the discipline of love shown by the Father
As the love radiates from her soul and grows the, the pain slowly
subsides
She slowly emerges from the fog of her life, into the sunshine

The pain is now controlled by love, by her reaching out her hand
She extends a smile, a soft touch and a kind word like the teachings
of humanity
The reflection from the people she touches and sees is in kind
A passion for life that surpasses all understanding of the mortal
world.

kim r.
kimron11@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ending is Beginning

Walking out the door of Life
I find myself in a void.
Nothing moves. No color. No sound.
I wander forever it seems,
But I have no measure of time.
I wonder: Will this be my death?
The silence bothers me
and I begin to yell:
I want to go home! I want to Live!
My decision made,
I struggle anew
To find my new path and new ways to play.
I know I can make it
I just have to try
I can't go back out there
I DON'T WANT TO DIE!

Ester Mitchell

Copyright ©2005 Ester Mitchell
desertmitchells@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

12 Signs of a Spiritual Awakening

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You can make your world so much larger
simply by acknowledging everyone else's.
Jeanne Marie Laskas

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What men and women need is encouragement. . .
Instead of always harping on a man's faults,
tell him of his virtues.  Try to pull him out
of his rut of bad habits.
Eleanor H. Porter

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The difficulties we experience
always illuminate the lessons we need most.
Unknown

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you are patient in one moment of anger,
you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.
Chinese Proverb

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The grateful person doesn't measure service by the hour,
because the grateful person is always in a state of giving.
It begins with awareness.
We respond lovingly to a child asking for our help.
We give a friend a word of encouragement,
or do an act of kindness for a stranger.
And the greatest beneficiary of our caring is we.
It is our own hearts that expand.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The truth will set you free,
but first it will kick your ass.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I can lie to you well,
I lie to me perfectly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My disease speaks to me in a voice of my own.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Reaching out is the beginning of the struggle
that will set you free.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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:

twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or
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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 the group
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or just email me YOUnMEnHP@...
and write unsubscribe in the subject line
or go to the website and unsubscribe
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www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Step 9
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2002/step10c.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2003/step10.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2004/step10.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
What do you believe is your responsibility to the fellowship as a whole ?
What do you believe is the fellowship's responsibility to the newcomer ?

(((Family))) a BIG hug to you ALL
I am not going to go into a whole what do I think here
However, I will tell you what I do.
What do you believe is your responsibility to the fellowship as a whole ?
My responsibility is to make meetings,
My responsibility is to be available to ALL,
My responsibility is that when I ask someone how they are to listen to what
they say, and not just do it in passing
My responsibility is to be of service,
My responsibility is to carry a responsible message when I share.

What do you believe is the fellowship's responsibility to the newcomer ?
My responsibility is to make the newcomer feel welcome
My responsibility is to make the newcomer feel safe in an atmosphere of
recovery,
My responsibility is to reach out to the newcomer and give him/her phone
numbers
My responsibility is to reach out to the newcomer and ask him/her for their
phone number
My responsibility is to reach out to the newcomer by taking a minute out of
their day to call them
My responsibility is to reach out to the newcomer and be available and
listen to them
My responsibility is to reach out to the newcomer and love them no matter
what!!!

That's my story and I'm stickin to it!!!
In loving service,
Scott

The weekly meeting topic is:
What do you believe is your responsibility to the fellowship as a whole ?
What do you believe is the fellowship's responsibility to the newcomer ?

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 8
I am letting go of all self-criticism today and
changing all my judging thoughts to thoughts of love.
I am becoming softer and more gentle
and accepting of myself,
making more space to feel joy and love
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rebirth Of A Soul

Nothing but pain, misery and strife,
Don't know what to do with my life.
I tried to fix this by myself,
It's time to put "my way" on the shelf.
Yearning to take a serene breath,
Don't want jail, institutions or death.
I can't stay wrapped up in my vanity,
Can't take any more insanity.
I need help to remove this mask,
How do I do this? Who do I ask?
I'm tired of my heart always breaking,
I long to have my spirit awakened.
What is this, what do I see?
My hand is reached out; someone's reaching back to me.
Sponsorship, a network, and meetings,
I'm filled with joy from the warm heartfelt greetings.
Never again do I have to be alone,
If no one is with me, there's always the phone.
And even then, when no one is there,
I can talk to my Higher Power through prayer.
All I had to do was open the door,
To God and others, and I'm lonely no more.
All these years I thought no one was there,
How was I to know that you were waiting to care?

written by ~  Joe T.
jojoixnay@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

How To Save Narcotics Anonymous
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=599

I Am
www.wscribe.com/parables/iam.html

The Risks of Loving
www.geocities.com/loriflower/1/risk.html

Reflections
www.geocities.com/loriflower/3/reflections.html

To provide an enlightened, caring treatment community
in which all those affected by alcoholism
or other drug addiction may begin a new life.
www.caron.org

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 8                                           Teachable  

"We have learned that it is okay to not know all the answers,
for then we are teachable and can learn to live our new life
successfully" Basic Text, p. 93

In a way, addiction is a great teacher. And if addiction teaches
us nothing else, it will teach us humility. We hear it said that it took
our very best thinking to get to NA. Now that we're here, we're
here to learn.

The NA Fellowship is a wonderful learning environment for the
recovering addict. We aren't made to feel stupid at meetings.
Instead, we find others who've been exactly where we've been and
who've found a way out. All we have to do is admit that we don't
have all the answers, then listen as others share what's worked for
them.

As recovering addicts and as human beings, we have much to learn.
Other addicts‹and other humans‹have much to teach us about what
works and what doesn't. As long as we remain teachable, we can take
advantage of the experience of others.

Just for today:  I will admit that I don't have all the answers.
I will look and listen to the experience of others for the answers
I need.  page. 134

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Freedom From "King Alcohol"

     . . . let us not suppose even for an instant that we are not under
constraint...  Our former tyrant, King Alcohol, always stands ready again
to clutch us to him.  Therefore, freedom from alcohol is the great "must"
that has to be achieved, else we go mad or die.
AS BILL SEES IT, p.  134

When drinking, I lived in spiritual, emotional, and sometimes, physical
confinement.  I had constructed my prison with bars of self-will and
self-indulgence, from which I could not escape.  Occasional dry spells that
seemed to promise freedom would turn out to be little more than hopes of a
reprieve.  True escape required a willingness to follow whatever right
actions were needed to turn the lock.  With that willingness and action,
both the lock and the bars themselves opened for me.  Continued willingness
and action keep me free -- in a kind of extended daily probation -- that
need never end.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 7th

A.A. Thought for the Day

I'm grateful that I found a program in A.A. that could
keep me sober. I'm grateful that A.A. has shown me
the way to faith in a Higher Power, because the renewing
of that faith has changed my way of life. And I've found
a happiness and contentment that I had forgotten existed,
by simply believing in God and trying to live the kind of a
life that I know He wants me to live. As long as I stay
grateful, I'll stay sober. Am I in a grateful frame of mind?

Meditation for the Day

God can work through you better when you are not hurrying.
Go very slowly, very quietly, from one duty to the next,
taking time to rest and pray between. Do not be too busy.
Take everything in order. Venture often into the rest of God
and you will find peace. AU work that results from resting
with God is good work. Claim the power to work miracles in
human lives. Know that you can do many things through the
Higher Power. Know that you can do good things through God
who rests you and gives you strength. Partake regularly of
rest and prayer.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may not be in too much of a hurry. I pray that I
may take time out often to rest with 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thought for the Day
May 8

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go
Melody Beattie ©

Giving Ourselves What We Deserve

I worked at a good job, making a decent salary. I had been recovering for
years. Each morning, I got into my car and I thanked God for the car. The
heater didn't work. And the chance of the car not starting was almost as
great as the chance that it would. I just kept suffering through and
thanking God. One day, it occurred to me that there was absolutely no good
reason I couldn't buy myself a new car - that moment - if I wanted one. I
had been gratitudeing myself into unnecessary deprivation and martyrdom. I
bought the new car - that day.
--Anonymous

Often, our instinctive reaction to something we want or need is, No! I can't
afford it!

The question we can learn to ask ourselves is, But can I?

Many of us have learned to habitually deprive ourselves of anything we might
want, and often things we need.

Sometimes, we can misuse the concept of gratitude to keep ourselves
unnecessarily deprived.

Gratitude for what we have is an important recovery concept. So is believing
we deserve the best and making an effort to stop depriving ourselves and
start treating ourselves well.

There is nothing wrong with buying ourselves what we want when we can afford
to do that. Learn to trust and listen to yourself about what you want.
There's nothing wrong with buying yourself a treat, buying yourself
something new.

There are times when it is good to wait. There are times when we
legitimately cannot afford a luxury. But there are many times when we can.

Today, I will combine the principles of gratitude for what I have with the
belief that I deserve the best. If there is no good reason to deprive
myself, I won't.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden
Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be
reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

12 Reasons Why People Don¹t Get Wealthy
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/12reasons.htm

Drum-The Heartbeat
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/May/0597-16.html

Empowering the Human Spirit
by David R. Hawkins, M.D, Ph.D
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/hawkins04173.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

NURTURING YOURSELF

By Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D.

What's wrong with this statement: "If you loved me, you'd know I
need emotional nurturing.  And when your partner fails to nurture you
the way you have learned to expect it, you feel unloved and resentful.

Mothers in particular have been taught that to be self-nurturing is
"selfish."  They always have to put the needs of their children first.
Women who are always addressing the needs of a spouse and children
quickly become emotionally empty.  They lose track of who they are
other than a parent.  They often become unhappy and resentful.

Consider this: when you are empty and resentful, what is the of the
parent/spouse you bring to your relationships?  Are you bringing to
your spousal relationship the best you can be?  Are you bringing to
your children the best parent you can be?  If you are always giving
water to others, will anyone ever suspect you may be thirsty?  Can you
give to others that which you do not have within yourself?

When we're grown up, it becomes our responsibility to nurture
ourselves, or to let others know precisely what we want, and ask
directly (using the words, "will you...) for something that would
address our desire.

No matter how much I might love you, I cannot "read your mind" or
"know your need" without you telling me about it.  To do so is
presumptive on my part.  To change my behavior toward you based on my
own unconfirmed assumptions is at best intrusive and at worst,
self-neglectful.  You know the old adage, "When you assume, you make
an ass of u and me."

When we were young children, most all of us accurately concluded
that we were unable to address most all of our own needs, including
our need to be nurtured.  And if our parents were at all nurturing, we
came to believe that we always needed someone else to nurture us, and
we could not be self-nurturing.  If we carry such conclusions into
adulthood, we become dependent on others (usually a spouse) to nurture
us, or we label self-nurturing as "selfish" and fail to learn
self-nurturing skills, thereby failing to meet our primary
responsibility as a grown-up: to see to it that we are well cared for.

We all need to become our own best parents.  We need to become
self-nurturing or learn how to ask directly for our need for nurturing
be met by others.

We often have been so neglectful of learning self-nurturing skills,
we remain ignorant of what those skills are.  We also remain dependent
on others to figure out what our nurturing needs are and to provide
them without us having to let them know what they might be.

So, in an effort to inform you of several possible self-nurturing
skills, I offer you the following list...as long as room in this
column will allow.  Practice any of these skills on a daily basis, and
you increase your skill at becoming your own best self-nurturer.

1.  Take a warm bath complete with bubbles or bath oil.
2.  Have breakfast in bed
3.  Take a sauna or get a massage
4.  Buy yourself a card, flower or gift
5.  Go for a walk on your favorite path
6.  Have a manicure or pedicure
7.  Watch a sunset and go to bed early
8.  Wake up early and watch a sunrise
9.  Relax in a warm blanket with a good book or soft music
10. Take a "mental health day off" from work
11.  Call a good friend...or several good friends
12.  Go out for your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant...all
         by yourself
13.  Fix a special dinner for yourself and eat by candlelight
14.  Ask a special person to cuddle, feed, read, or nurture you
15.  Buy yourself a stuffed animal and play with it.
16.  Record and listen to your own self--affirmation tape
17.  Read an inspirational book
19.  Practice taking your own time, relaxing or meditating

Make up your own list of self-nurturing activities, things you
enjoy, things that make you feel good about yourself, things only you
can do for you.  Then when you feel your need to be nurtured, bring
out the list.  Practice self-nurturing and your self-esteem will rise,
your self-confidence will be strengthened, and your sense of
self-worth will grow.  Just as you would offer caring and nurturing to
others to deepen your relationship, you can do the same for yourself
and deepen self-awareness and self-care.  And that is your primary
responsibility as a grown-up, a spouse and a parent.

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@....

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Very young children have a very subtle relationship with the visible and
invisible worlds. They possess a form of sensibility which finds its origin
in the distant past, when human beings were fully conscious of belonging to
the living organism of nature.. This is why children perceive animals,
plants, stones and objects as beings that are very close to them; they talk
to them, they are their friends.

Some children even enter into contact with the spirits of nature, they see
them, they smile at them, they have conversations with them; they listen and
they answer. But as time goes on, because of the attitude displayed by
adults and because of the education they receive, children lose this
contact. Therefore, for the good of the children, but also for their own
inner evolution, parents, educators and anyone involved in looking after
children must give this matter some serious consideration. Careful
observation of children in early childhood will allow them to delve into the
book of the child's soul and discover the true secrets of life."

Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

John Powell, A professor at Loyola University in Chicago writes about a
student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy:

Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the
classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith.  That was the day
I first saw Tommy.  My eyes and my mind both blinked.  He was combing his
long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders.  It was the
first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long.  I guess it was just
coming into fashion then.

I know in my mind that it isn't what's on your head but what's in it that
counts; but on that day I was unprepared and my emotions flipped.  I
immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange.  .  .very strange.  Tommy
turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course.
He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an
unconditionally loving Father/God.  We lived with each other in relative
peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious
pain in the back pew.

When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked
in a slightly cynical tone, "Do you think I'll ever find God?" I decided
instantly on a little shock therapy.  "No!" I said very emphatically.  "Oh,"
he responded, "I thought that was the product you were pushing."I let him
get five steps from the classroom door and then called out, "Tommy!  I don't
think you'll ever find Him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find
you!"

He shrugged a little and left my class and my life.  I felt slightly
disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line --- He will
find you!  At least I thought it was clever.  Later I heard that Tommy had
graduated and I was duly grateful.Then a sad report came.  I heard that
Tommy had terminal cancer.  Before I could search him out, he came to see
me.  When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted and the
long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy.  But his eyes were
bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe.

"Tommy, I've thought about you so often.  I hear you are sick," I blurted
out.  "Oh, yes, very sick.  I have cancer in both lungs.  It's a matter of
weeks."

"Can you talk about it, Tom?" I asked.  "Sure, what would you like to know?"
he replied.  "What's it like to be only twenty-four and dying?" "Well, it
could be worse." "Like what?" "Well, like being fifty and having no values
or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and
making money are the real 'biggies' in life."

I began to look through my mental file cabinet under 'S' where I had filed
Tommy as strange.  (It seems as though everybody I try to reject by
classification, God sends back into my life to educate me.)

"But what I really came to see you about," Tom said, "is something you said
to me on the last day of class." (He remembered!) He continued, "I asked you
if you thought I would ever find God and you said, 'No!' which surprised me.
Then you said, 'But He will find you.' I thought about that a lot, even
though my search for God was hardly intense at that time.  (My clever line.
He thought about that a lot!)

"But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was
malignant, that's when I got serious about locating God.  And when the
malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists
against the bronze doors of heaven.  But God did not come out.  In fact,
nothing happened.  Did you ever try anything for a long time with great
effort and with no success?  You get psychologically glutted, fed up with
trying.

And then you quit.  Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few
more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not
be there, I just quit.  I decided that I didn't really care about God, about
an after life, or anything like that.  I decided to spend what time I had
left doing something more profitable.  I thought about you and your class
and I remembered something else you had said: 'The essential sadness is to
go through life without loving.  But it would be almost equally sad to go
through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that
you had loved them.'"

"So, I began with the hardest one, my Dad.  He was reading the newspaper
when I approached him." "Dad." "Yes, what?" he asked without lowering the
newspaper.  "Dad, I would like to talk with you." "Well, talk." "I mean .  .
.  It's really important." The newspaper came down three slow inches.  "What
is it?" "Dad, I love you.  I just wanted you to know that."

Tom smiled at me and said it with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a
warm and secret joy flowing inside of him.  "The newspaper fluttered to the
floor.  Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing
before.  He cried and he hugged me.  We talked all night, even though he had
to go to work the next morning.  It felt so good to be close to my father,
to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me."

"It was easier with my mother and little brother.  They cried with me, too,
and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other.
We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years.

I was only sorry about one thing --- that I had waited so long.  Here I was,
just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to."
"Then, one day I turned around and God was there.  He didn't come to me when
I pleaded with Him.  I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a
hoop, 'C'mon, jump through, C'mon, I'll give You three days, three weeks.'
Apparently God does things in His own way and at His own hour.  But the
important thing is that He was there.  He found me.  You were right.  He
found me even after I stopped looking for Him."

"Tommy," I practically gasped, "I think you are saying something very
important and much more universal than you realize.  To me, at least, you
are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make Him a private
possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but
rather by opening to love.  You know, the Apostle John said that.  He said:
'God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is
living in him.' "Tom, could I ask you a favor?  You know, when I had you in
class you were a real pain.  But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me
now.  Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them
what you have just told me?  If I told them the same thing it wouldn't be
half as effective as if you were to tell them."

"Ooh .....  I was ready for you, but I don't know if I'm ready for your
class." "Tom, think about it.  If and when you are ready, give me a call."

In a few days Tom called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to
do that for God and for me.  So we scheduled a date.  However, he never made
it.  He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and
my class.  Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only
changed.  He made the great step from faith into vision.  He found a life
far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has
ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined.

Before he died, we talked one last time.  "I'm not going to make it to your
class," he said.  "I know, Tom." "Will you tell them for me?  Will you tell
the whole world for me?" "I will, Tom.  I'll tell them.  I'll do my best."

So, to all of you who have been kind enough to hear this simple statement
about love, thank you for listening.  And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the
sunlit, verdant hills of heaven --- I told them, Tommy, as best I could.

With thanks,
John Powell, Professor Loyola University in Chicago

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy...

From my own limited experience I have found that
the greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the
development of love and compassion.

The more we care for the happiness of others,
the greater our own sense of well-being becomes.
Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others
automatically puts the mind at ease.
This helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have
and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter.
It is the ultimate source of success in life.
Dalai Lama

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Reflected

There's a Reflection Pool in the Butterfly Garden
At the foot of the sundial
that reads "I only record sunny hours"
Flat stones invite kneeling, squatting
before a carpet of green lush grass growing
and Daffodils have their brilliant faces on parade
Today I have this special privilege
the garden to myself
I am in wealth today ~ I have a pool
A bouquet of yellow flowers
Little creatures under the water
Rich growing plants surrounded

This place is like my room for improvement
Spacious, inviting, tender feel for my soul
When I get soul-thirsty I come to the pool
So it can feed me slivers of the sun
scallops of clouds on its blissful surface
I can see myself in the depth/height
as the pool sees me
sufficient comfort
then I know I am not invisible
I am able to grasp things more firmly
when I can sense myself
when I know I am Home
Wishing you a Pool
to reflect by

Love
Stella

© 2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...
Printed with Permission

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Addiction

An image of life beating in my mind.
A picturesque illusion,
Neither loving or kind.
My heart pulses quickly with anxiety and fear.
While the demons within become all to clear.
An indiscriminate evil relaxed in my soul.
Relay words of anger,
Again, I lost control
I feel trapped in a haze.....
Outside looking in.
Controlled by hands that muzzle
My screams from within.
Things that were once familiar
Now seem so strange.
My body shakes uncontrollably
As I fill with rage.
Can't anyone see that this isn't me?
I want out of this hell,
I want to be free !!!!

Written By:  Patricia A

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

So In Gratitude I Say

God has granted me a new day
So in gratitude I say
May you find
Peace and serenity
May you enjoy being free
My heart is open
To my inner voice
Today I make a choice
I choose to smile
I choose to spread joy
I feel like a child
With a new toy
I smile and tell everyone
I happen to meet
How God has granted me
A new life so sweet
Today I have been granted
Another chance
So in gratitude
I now dance

Daniel
4/17/2002
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There are lessons to be learned in every place.
The mark of spiritual mastery is
the ability to remember God wherever we go,
and through whatever we experience.
Alan Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Practicing being in service takes the focus off ourselves
and looks for how we might help others.
When we feel grateful,
we naturally want to share ourselves and our good fortune.
Then we find that being in service only increases our gratitude and joy.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you don't know where you are going,
how can you expect to  get there?
Basil S. Walsh

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Natural beauty comes in all colors,
strength in many forms.
When we learn to honor the differences
and appreciate the mix,
we're in harmony.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

ABC = Acceptance Belief Change

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

ABC = Ashtrays Brooms Chairs

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

ACTION = Any Change Towards Improving Ones Nature

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

ADDICT = Angry Dishonest Deceitful Insane Careless Thinking

*~*~*~*Don't Count Your Blessings, Make Your Blessings Count*~*~*~*

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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Putting together these Daily Recovery Emails has been such
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me you can email me at
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit" is intended to give
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Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
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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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Step 9
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2002/step09c.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2003/step09.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2004/step09.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is May the 5th month, PLEASE share on the 5th step
If you haven¹t done the 5th step with your sponsor
Please share on trust and integrity...

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 7
Today I choose to accept live on life's terms...all of it.
I am open to all I see, hear,
think and feeling the moment, without resistance.
I am opening to be fully alive
and enjoying the adventure.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today

Sitting here thinking
and watching time go by
Keeping the mind active
as year after year says goodbye
Somethings stay the same
others we must change
Only by looking inside
will we know what to rearrange
We are free to try new ideas
learn about ourselves a bit
Never forget our past
or we are doomed to repeat it
Have plans and dreams for tomorrow
we need them to learn and grow
But don't lose your focus
today is the day that counts you know
Today may hold joy and laughter
or maybe sorrow and pain
Live each moment for what it's worth
for never will we live it again

Ester Jean Mitchell
Copyright ©2005 Ester Mitchell
desertmitchells@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just for Today and Everyday
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=596

Half The Person
www.wscribe.com/parables/pet.html

A Home Of One's Own
www.wscribe.com/parables/house.html

  The Shape of Things to Come by Bill W.
www.silkworth.net/grapevine/thingstocome.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 7                                       Turning turmoil into peace

"With the world in such a turmoil, I feel I have been blessed to
be where I am."   Text, p. 155

     Some days it doesn't pay to turn on the news, we hear so many
stories about violence and mayhem. When we used, many of us grew
accustomed to violence. Through the fog of our addiction, we
rarely got too disturbed by the state of the world. When we are
clean, however, many of us find we are particularly sensitive to the
world around us. As recovering people, what can we do to make it a
better place?

   When we find ourselves disturbed by the turmoil of our world,
we can find comfort in prayer and meditation. When it seems like
everything is turned upside down, our contact with our Higher Power
can be our calm in the midst of any storm. When we are centered
on our spiritual path, we can respond to our fears with peace. And
by living peaceably ourselves, we invite a spirit of peace to enter our
world. As recovering people, we can affect positive change by doing
our best to practice the principles of our program.

Just for today:  I will enhance peace in the world by living, speaking, and
acting peacefully in my own life. Page-133

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

True Brotherhood

We have not once sought to be one in a family, to be a friend among
friends, to be a worker among workers, to be a useful member of
society.  Always we tried to struggle to the top of the heap, or to hide
underneath it.  This self-centered behavior blocked a partnership relation
with any one of those about us.  Of true brotherhood we had small
comprehension.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.  53

This message contained in Step Four was the first one I heard loud and
clear; I hadn't seen myself in print before!  Prior to my coming into A.A.,
I knew of no place that could teach me how to become a person among
persons.  From my very first meeting, I saw people doing just that and I
wanted what they had.  One of the reasons that I'm a happy, sober alcoholic
today is that I'm learning this most important lesson.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 7th

A.A. Thought for the Day

It's very important to keep in a grateful frame of mind, if
we want to stay sober. We should be grateful that we're
living in a day and age when alcoholics aren't treated as
they often used to be treated before Alcoholics Anonymous
was started. In the old days, every town had its town drunk
who was regarded with scorn and ridiculed by the rest of the
townspeople. We have come into A.A. and found all the
sympathy, understanding, and fellowship that we could ask
for. There's no other group like A.A. in the world. Am I grateful?

Meditation for the Day

God takes our efforts for good and blesses them. God needs
our efforts. We need God's blessing. Together, they mean
spiritual success. Our efforts are necessary. We cannot merely
relax and drift with the tide. We must often direct our efforts
against the tide of materialism around us. When difficulties
come, our efforts are needed to surmount them. But God directs
our efforts into the right channels and God's power is necessary
to help us choose the right.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may choose the right. I pray that I may have God's
blessing and direction in all my efforts for good.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thought for the Day
May 7

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go
Melody Beattie ©

Letting Go of Fear

Fear is at the core of codependency. It can motivate us to control
situations or neglect ourselves.

Many of us have been afraid for so long that we don't label our feelings
fear. We're used to feeling upset and anxious. It feels normal.

Peace and serenity may be uncomfortable.

At one time, fear may have been appropriate and useful. We may have relied
on fear to protect ourselves, much the way soldiers in a war rely on fear to
help them survive. But now, in recovery, we're living life differently.

It's time to thank our old fears for helping us survive, then wave good-bye
to them. Welcome peace, trust, acceptance, and safety. We don't need that
much fear anymore. We can listen to our healthy fears, and let go of the
rest.

We can create a feeling of safety for ourselves, now. We are safe, now.
We've made a commitment to take care of ourselves. We can trust and love
ourselves.

God, help me let go of my need to be afraid. Replace it with a need to be at
peace. Help me listen to my healthy fears and relinquish the rest.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden
Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be
reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It Wants You Too, by Alan Cohen
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/alan-cohen.htm

Planting Dream Seeds
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/May/0597-14.html

Death Denial
by Margaret Coberly, Ph.D., R.N.
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/death.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Why Do I Feel So Tired?
by Debra Waterhouse, M.P.H., R.D.

(Editor's Note: While this article and the book it is excerpted from are
written for women, the information it contains pertains to both genders.
Men, as well as women, will greatly benefit from reading and following the
advice given.)

Chances are, this question has crossed your mind more than once today. You
felt the wave of fatigue come crashing over your body, and the question hit
you like a ton of bricks. But having neither the energy to figure out why
nor the time to let yourself be tired, you grabbed another cup of coffee and
forced yourself to move on to number 14 of 32 on today's to-do list.

If you could take the time to ponder this question, what would be your
answer?

"I must not be organized enough." Organized? With the amount you have to
accomplish each day, even Martha Stewart couldn't keep her day planner
organized by the minute, her desk clear of clutter, and her sock drawer
lined up by color.
"Maybe I'm premenstrual." While it's true that your fatigue level increases
during PMS, you can't possibly be premenstrual all month long. You're
actually in the middle of your cycle and should be at the peak of your
energy, not the pit.

"I'm menopausal, so I'm supposed to be tired." True again, but are you
supposed to be this exhausted? Hot flashes can drain your energy, but you
feel like you've been run over by a train.
"Maybe I have chronic fatigue syndrome." Less than 1 percent of our fatigued
population can be clinically diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (or as
it's called now, chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome). For the rest of
us, fatigue is not an illness. It's a chronic feeling of exhaustion caused
by doing too much and resting too little.
"I must be fighting something." Occasionally an intruder virus may be
zapping your energy, but if it's not flu season, most likely the only thing
you're fighting is your fatigue.
Daily, relentless fatigue is not due to viral invasion, an illness,
organizational impairment, PMS, or menopause (although these can certainly
intensify it). It's due to the reality that you're overworked, overstressed,
overextended, and overwhelmed -- and underrested, undernourished,
underjoyed, and under a dark cloud. You feel tired all the time because you
are tired all the time. And you're not alone.

The undisputed medical fact is: We're in a female energy crisis. At any
given time of day or night, 80 percent of all women report fatigue. We drag
ourselves out of bed, unrefreshed and anxious about the day, then rush
through our day as we fall farther and farther behind schedule, and finally
collapse in bed worn out and worried about tomorrow. Every woman I know
personally and professionally makes some reference to how stressed, spent,
worn-out, unhappy, or disconnected she feels. And those who don't come right
out with a verbal declaration of their exhausted state of existence give
more subtle signs. I can hear it in their labored speech or see it in their
strained faces -- the same dark circles and furrowed brow that are sometimes
familiar from my own reflection.

Since "the mirror doesn't lie" is a widely accepted adage, let's use it. Go
into the bathroom or take out your compact to view your face of fatigue. Do
you look enthusiastically alive or dead tired? Even the best makeup job
can't cover up fatigue. As you walked to the bathroom, did your steps come
with ease or excruciating effort? When you're worn out, even a short journey
can feel like a monumental feat.

It's impossible to look, feel, or act vital when you are exhausted from
stressful days, endless schedules, and/or sleepless nights. In the most
basic sense, energy is life. It gives us the passion and enthusiasm to
actively live. Without it, we passively go through the monotonous motions of
life without truly living. It's no wonder that only 24 percent of us say
that we have a good life, that more than 50 percent say that we feel sad
more often than we feel happy, and that one in four women will experience
major depression in their lifetimes. We feel depleted and defeated by our
exhausting lives.

I have been helping women for almost twenty years by writing books, giving
seminars, and providing counseling, and what saddens me most is that the
majority of women I come across have resigned themselves to a life that
lacks happiness, a heart that lacks passion, a soul that lacks spirit, eyes
that lack sparkle, and a body that lacks nourishment. "That's just the way
it is," they tell me. "I don't have the time, energy, or desire to be
anything but exhausted. Maybe when the kids are out of the house, maybe when
I'm twenty pounds thinner, maybe when my ship comes in, maybe when I win the
lottery, maybe in my next life -- things will be different and I'll have the
time and energy to take care of myself."

Well, maybe your kids will live with you longer than you'd like, perhaps
your body was meant to be a bit larger than that of an emaciated model,
maybe your ship has sunk at sea, maybe you'll be one of the 999,999,999 who
don't win the jackpot, perhaps this life is it. What then? Another ten or
twenty or thirty years will go by and instead of wondering where your energy
has gone, you'll wonder where your life has gone.

Needless to say, fatigue can be a real downer -- in more ways than one. And
despite the dismal topic, I want to give you some light heartedness to lift
your spirits and a positive approach to a negative subject. Every cloud has
a silver lining -- even the dark cloud of fatigue -- and my goal is to help
you find that silver lining, solve your personal fatigue crisis, and enjoy
the journey to enhanced energy, balance, and peace. In other words, I want
to help you give yourself the gift of living.

If you are like many of my female friends, clients, and colleagues, you may
be excited about the prospect of enhancing your energy and restoring your
vitality. "Quick! Tell me now! What pills should I be taking? I've heard
about ginseng, should I try it? How about B12 injections? Which energy bar
is the best? Tell me what to do!"

My female circle knows me better than to ask about quick-fix megadoses,
potions, drinks, injections, or bars. But you may not, so let me introduce
you to the philosophies that guide everything I do.

A woman's body is a miracle of engineering -- from our premenstrual tension
to our menopausal memory loss, from our food cravings to our mood swings,
and from our expanding fat cells to our extreme fatigue -- explanations
exist for everything our bodies experience. Listen to and trust the wisdom
of your female body -- it's the expert in directing you down the path of
health, vitality, and longevity.

You are responsible for your own health and well-being -- not me, a book, a
pill, your partner, your homeopath, your doctor, or your therapist. You have
to take charge to recharge your energy.
There are no quick fixes or magical cures -- if it sounds too good to be
true, it probably is.
Historically, women's concerns have always been a magnet for the purveyors
of unproven remedies and miracle cures -- whether it be for PMS, menopause,
aging, or weight loss. Just look to the diet industry as an example. For the
past forty years, we have been presented with diet after diet, gimmick after
gimmick, pill after pill, each leading us to believe that it is the magical
solution to weight loss.

Let's learn from the past. We have forty years of gimmicks, but we also have
forty years of weight-loss research to prove that quick weight-loss diets
don't keep their promises -- but they certainly do keep piling the pounds on
quickly. Since we started dieting in the 1960s, the average woman has added
twenty-five pounds to the scale. We haven't lost any weight by dieting, but
we have lost a lot of energy. Instead we've gained weight and increased our
level of fatigue. Could there be a correlation here? As our dieting efforts
and weights have climbed, our energy levels and vitality have plummeted.
Maybe this is why they are called "crash diets."

It should come as no surprise that fatigue has recently tied with weight as
a woman's primary concern -- and the market is already flooded with products
that claim to "banish fatigue" or "boost energy." Manufacturers are quick to
respond to women's concerns, and their claims are convincing. What woman
wouldn't be tempted by the promise of youthful energy, sustained stamina,
everlasting vitality -- and sometimes permanent weight loss at the same
time? But promise is not proof. Some of the so-called energy enhancers may
give you a temporary surge like a cup of coffee or a candy bar would. But
also like caffeine and sugar, your body will probably be more fatigued
afterward. These "energy enhancers" may work in a pinch, but they are
external solutions to internal imbalances. They mask your fatigue for a
while, fooling you into thinking you have more energy. But the fatigue is
still there, just waiting for the adrenaline rush to be over.

If women aren't going from health food store to health food store searching
for energy enhancers, then they are going from doctor to doctor looking for
a medical cause of their fatigue. Although it's true that fatigue is a
symptom of almost every illness and that prolonged exhaustion can sometimes
be an indicator of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, sleep apnea, low thyroid
functioning, low blood sugar, iron deficiency, depression, mononucleosis,
allergies, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome, the
vast majority of the time fatigue is simply fatigue -- a warning sign from
your body that something is amiss and out of balance. More energy is being
expended than is being replenished -- and you'd better refuel quickly. And
as you will discover, a woman's fatigue warning system is more advanced and
more persistent than a man's. Our brain chemicals, hormones, and blood
supply are all involved in making sure that we "feel" our fatigue,
acknowledge it, and do something about it.

When you feel tired, accept the fact that you are tired. Your body is
communicating with you -- trying to get your attention about the fuel gauge
approaching empty and telling you that energy in is not equaling energy out.
It's informing you that you have one of two choices:

Either expend less energy by doing less -- taking a break, rescheduling an
appointment, taking a nap, meditating for a while, saying no to unsatisfying
obligations, canceling a date with a draining friend, or letting the laundry
sit in the basket until tomorrow. Or replenish more by eating a nutritious
meal, having a snack, drinking a glass of water, taking a brisk walk,
getting a good night's sleep, inhaling a few deep breaths, basking in some
sunshine, or inviting some intimacy, fun, laughter, and play into your life.
Actually you do have a third (and most effective) choice: Do less and
energize more. But I don't want to overwhelm you with too much before you
even get into this book. We'll take it one small, non-fatiguing step at a
time. Many women argue that they absolutely, positively, hands-down cannot
under any circumstances do less. They have homes, businesses, churches,
organizations, infants, toddlers, teenagers, partners, employees, employers,
parents, in-laws, siblings, friends, and pets who are depending on them.
Will the house clean itself? Who's going to do the grocery shopping? Pay the
bills? Submit the report? Complete the project? Chair the committee? Give
the kids a bath? Supervise homework? Cook dinner? Invest their parents'
retirement funds? Help that friend in need? Take the dog to the vet?

Whether we're indispensable or codependent is a matter of debate. And we'll
discuss that later. But for now, if you feel you cannot shed some things
from your hectic life, you can still understand, acknowledge, and address
your fatigue. You can still replenish the massive amounts of energy you're
expending each day -- simply and naturally -- by tapping into your 8 sources
of natural energy.

1. Food: Sink Your Teeth into Caloric Energy. To give 100 percent, you have
to get 100 percent -- all the calories, carbos, protein, fat (yes, some fat
is energizing!), vitamins and minerals, meals, and snacks you need to
replenish your body.

2. Water: Take a Sip of Hydraulic Energy. Cool, refreshing, thirst-quenching
water fights fatigue. When your body is water deprived, you're energy
deprived. But when your body is properly hydrated, your energy is quickly
restored.

3. Fitness: Power Your Body with Physical Energy. A strong, fit, muscular
body has the power to run faster than a speeding bullet, leap across tall
buildings, lift a powerful locomotive ... well, maybe not quite ... but it
does have the stamina to react, think, problem-solve, carry the groceries,
vacuum the house, and make it to your appointment on time -- often with
energy to spare.

4. The Great Outdoors: Surround Yourself with Natural Energy. Go ahead, fool
with Mother Nature. Take advantage of her fresh air, sunshine, flowers,
plants, rivers, lakes, mountains, and beaches. Then make your home and work
environment pleasing to your soul and energizing to your spirit by bringing
nature to you.

5. Sleep: Recharge Your Battery with Restorative Energy. Nothing restores
the body and mind more than a good night's sleep, and a nap can be
rejuvenating if it's short and satisfying.

6. Intimacy: Tap into Your Sensual Energy. Loving and being loved can fuel
your soul. A close friendship, a loyal pet, a touch, a hug, a kiss, and, of
course, passionate sex can all lift your spirits. But being loving and kind
to yourself may be the most powerful energizer of all.

7. Joy: Tickle Your Soul with Comic Energy. A one-minute laugh rejuvenates
you more than a twenty-minute walk. A smile (even a forced one) can lift
your mood. Being silly, playing jokes, and having fun is not just for
kids -- it's for your soul.

8. Balanced Stress: Calm Your Chaotic Energy. You can't live without stress,
and sometimes it's a source of positive energy: anticipating a new
challenge, getting excited about a new experience, or looking forward to a
change in routine. But the negative stressors often zap our excitement: an
overwhelming to-do list, endless obligations, and constant worry. Achieving
balanced stress is the life-affirming goal.

When was the last time you focused on replenishing your energy with these 8
natural sources? When was the last time you enjoyed the taste of fat without
guilt? Stopped everything and ate immediately when your body sent hunger
signals? Sipped ice water on a leisurely afternoon? Walked on the beach to
breathe in the fresh sea air? Drove to the mountains to behold the beauty of
Mother Nature? Slept in an extra hour? Asked for a hug? Gave a hug? Made
love in the afternoon? Laughed until you cried? Spontaneously called a
friend for a drink? Done nothing without the guilt that you should be doing
something?

If it's been longer than twenty-four hours, I strongly suggest that you stop
everything right now and do one of the above to replenish your body. Instead
of trying to override your fatigue by drinking coffee, taking supplements,
ignoring it, working through it -- outsmart it by recognizing what it is,
what your body is trying to tell you, and what you need to do (or not do) to
energize your body, mind, and soul.

Food, water, fitness, nature, sleep, intimacy, joy, and balanced stress --
this is where real energy comes from; these are the areas in your life that
will give you the vitality and enthusiasm you are searching for, not just
for the next hour but for the next million hours. And you don't have to
search any farther than your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, family room, and
backyard. They are within arm's reach, just waiting for your grasp.

This article is excerpted from Outsmarting Female Fatigue, ©2001, by Debra
Waterhouse, M.P.H., R.D.. Reprinted with permission of the publisher,
Hyperion, New York. http://www.hyperionbooks.com

About the Author:
Debra Waterhouse is an internationally recognized nutritionist and best
selling author of Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell, Why Women Need Chocolate,
Like Mother, Like Daughter, and Outsmarting the Midlife Fat Cell,
Outsmarting Female Fatigue, as well as other books. As an expert in women's
health and a leader in the anti-dieting movement, she has been featured on
numerous radio and television programs. Through her private practice,
seminars, and workshops, she has inspired hundreds of thousands of women
break free from the trap of dieting and body dissatisfaction and start
feeding and respecting their bodies they were born with. Visit her website
at www.waterhousepublications.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods,
and two of them fell into a deep pit.
All the other frogs gathered around the pit.
When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the
unfortunate frogs they would never get out.
The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to
jump up out of the pit.
The other frogs kept telling them to stop,
that they were as good as dead.
Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other
frogs were saying and simply gave up. He fell down
and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard
as he could.
Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop
the pain and suffering and just die. He jumped even
harder and finally made it out.
When he got out, the other frogs asked him,
"Why did you continue jumping? Didn't you hear us?"
The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He
thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story teaches two lessons:

!. There is power of life and death in the tongue.
An encouraging word to someone who is down can
lift them up and help them make it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can
  be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you
  say. Speak life to those who cross your path.
  The power of words ... it is sometimes hard to
   understand that an encouraging word can go such a long
   way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another
   of the spirit to continue in difficult times.

Special is the individual who will take the time to
encourage another.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Legacy of Recovery

Twelve Steps are a group of principles, spiritual in their nature,
which, if practiced as a way of life, can expel the obsession to
drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole.

Many of us, upon first seeing those words, asked ourselves the
question "Can it be just that simple?" -- and then heard a voice
inside us answer "Yes."

Bill's application of AA principles to ever-changing circumstances
was another of his remarkable talents. Day in and day out, letters
would arrive at his desk asking for his "last word" on a matter of
AA policy. And, in answer after answer Bill would fall back upon
the basic principles of AA's three Legacies, tempered by wisdom,
humor, perspective, and regard for the feelings of others.

One warm example occurred in 1968 when a well-meaning AA wrote
to Bill, in deep concern, about an influx of youthful hippies or flower
children to local AA groups, along with their distinctive manner of
dress, sexual mores, and other unorthodox behavior, including the
use of drugs. The writer feared that this particular invasion might
be "a very real threat to our wonderful, God-given program."

Bill's reply was typical of his use of AA principles to meet new
challenges.

"Your letter about the hippie problem, so-called, was mighty
interesting to me. I doubt that we need to be alarmed about this
situation, because there have been precedents out of the past.
All sorts of outfits have tried to move in on us, including
communists and heroin addicts, prohibitionists and do-gooders of
other persuasions.

"Nearly all of these people, who happened to have an individual
problem with alcohol, not only failed to change AA, but, in the long
run, AA changed them. I have a number of them among my closest
friends today, and they are among the best AA's I know.

"You also have some people who are not alcoholics, but are addicts
of other kinds. A great many AAs have taken pity on these people,
and have actually tried to make them full-fledged AA's. Of course,
their identification with alcoholics is no good at all, and the groups
themselves easily stop this practice in the normal course of AA affairs.

"Thoughtful AAs, however, encourage these sponsors to bring addicts
to open meetings, just as they would any other interested people. In
the end, these addicts usually gravitate to other forms of therapy.
They are not received on the platform in open meetings unless they
have an alcohol problem, and closed meetings are, of course, denied
them. We know that we cannot do everything for everybody with an
addiction problem.

"There has also occurred lately a new development centering upon
hippies who have LSD or marijuana troubles -- not so much stronger
stuff. Many of these kids appear to be alcoholics also, and they are
flocking into AA, often with excellent results.

"Some weeks ago, there was a young people's convention of AAs.
Shortly thereafter, four of these kids visited the office. I saw one
young gal prancing down the hall, hair flying, in a mini-skirt, wearing
love beads and the works. I thought, 'Holy smoke, what now!' She told
me she was the oldest member of the young people's group in her area
-- age twenty-two! They had kids as young as sixteen. I was curious
and took the whole party out to lunch.

"Well, they were absolutely wonderful. They talked (and acted) just
about as good a kind of AA as I've seen anywhere. I think all of them
said they had had some kind of drug problem, but had kicked that, too.
When they first came around, they had insisted on their own ideas of
AA, but in the end they found AA plenty good enough as it was. Though
they needed their own meetings, they found interest and inspiration in
the meetings of much older folks as well.

"Perhaps, as younger people come into AA, we shall have to put up with
some unconventional nonsense -- with patience and good humor, let's
hope. But it should be well worth the attempt. And also, if various hippie
addicts want to form their own sort of fellowship along AA lines, by all
means let us encourage them. We need deny them only the AA name, and
assure them that the rest of our program is theirs for the taking and
using -- any part or all of it.

"For these reasons, I feel hopeful and not a bit scared by this trend.
Of course, I'm no prophet. I may be mistaken, so please keep me posted.
This is a highly interesting and perhaps significant development. I
certainly do not think it ought to be fought. Instead, it ought to be
encouraged in what we already know to be workable channels.

In affection ... Bill"

© AA Grapevine, March, 1971

reprinted with permission of the AA Grapevine, Inc.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sometimes....

Sometimes in life we bleed,
Sometimes in life we cry.
Sometimes in life we get kicked around,
Sometimes in life we die.

Sometimes in life we laugh,
Sometimes in life we smile.
Sometimes in life we connect with love,
If only for a while

And then comes the miracle,
And then comes the blessing.
To find that simple key to life,
And solutions to your lesson.

Sometimes in life we dream,
Sometimes in life we fly.
Sometimes in life we find our joy,
All you gotta do is try.

I'm so grateful to the program of Narcotics Anonymous
for teaching me how to live in the sometimes....Just For Today!
Live in peace, light, and love,
and KNOW that you are blessed.

Meg
mm1597@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs,
and returns home to find it.
George Moore

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We must release the old to make room for the new.
Alan Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Love knows no place it cannot go and
no person it cannot bring rest.
Gerald G. Jampolsky, MD, Teach Only Love

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We must become artists in living.
To live by inspiration means to sense the divine touch in everything;
to enter into the spirit of things;
to enter into the joy of living.
Ernest Holmes, This Thing Called Life

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Appreciation is a wonderful thing;
it makes what is excellent in others,
belong to us as well.
Voltaire

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Whatever you do, you need courage.
Whatever course you decide upon,
there is always someone to tell you you are wrong.
There are always difficulties arising which tempt you
to believe that your critics are right.
To map out a course of action and follow it to the end,
requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you relapse you might not die,
you might just suffer....

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I have another run,
but I might not have another recovery.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If I use,
I lose.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I used drugs,
Then they used me!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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
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or go to the website and unsubscribe
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Step 8
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2002/step08c.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2003/step08.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2004/step08.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is May the 5th month, PLEASE share on the 5th step
If you haven¹t done the 5th step with your sponsor
Please share on trust and integrity...

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 6
Today I feel my entire body energized
by my powerful positive, thoughts.
I feel alive and full of joy as I feed myself
with loving and positive energy.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

To All My Clean Babies In NA:

The Junkie Mother

Now through you...
My dreams can come true...
Remember my years heavy with sorrow...
Make of these years...
A torch for tomorrow...
Make my past...
A road to light...
Believe in yourself...
Let none push you down...
Look upward to the stars...
For I will be with you...
Till no one dares keep you down...
The children of a junkie mother...

Written By Barbara Blaze

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

How the Buzzard Got His Clothing
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=591

The Guru
www.wscribe.com/parables/guru.html

Twelve Steps To A Slip
www.nickscape.net/recoveryzone/stepstoa.htm

12 Step Laughs
www.12step.faithweb.com/Humor

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 6                                    Are we having fun yet?

"in time, we can relax and enjoy the atmosphere of
recovery." Basic Text, pp. 53-54

     Imagine what would happen if a newcomer walked into
one of our meetings and was met by a group of grim-faced
people gripping the arms of their chairs with white
knuckles. That newcomer would probably bolt, perhaps
muttering, "I thought I could get off drugs and be
happy".

      Thankfully, our newcomers are usually met by a
group of friendly, smiling folks who are obviously fairly
content with the lives they've found in Narcotics
Anonymous. What an enormous amount of hope this provides!
A newcomer, whose life has been deadly serious, is
strongly attracted by an atmosphere of laughter and
relaxation. Coming from a place where everything is taken
seriously, where disaster always waits around the next
corner, it's a welcome relief to enter a room and find
people who generally don't take themselves too seriously,
who are ready for something wonderful.

   We learn to lighten up in recovery. We laugh at
the absurdity of our addiction. Our meetings‹those rooms
filled with the lively, happy sounds of percolating
coffee, clattering chairs, and laughing addicts‹are the
gathering places where we first welcome our newcomers and
let them know that, yes, we're having fun now.

Just for today:  I can laugh at myself. I can take
a joke. I will lighten up and have some fun today. Page-132

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lighting The Dark Past

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

No longer is my past an autobiography; it is a reference book to be taken
down, opened and shared.  Today as I report for duty, the most wonderful
picture comes through.  For, though this day be dark as some days must be
-- the stars will shine even brighter later.  My witness that they do shine
will be called for in the very near future.  All my past will this day be a
part of me, because it is the key, not the lock.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 6th

A.A. Thought for the Day

I've noticed that the ones who do the most for A.A. are not
in the habit of boasting about it. The danger of building
myself up too much is that, if I do, I'm in danger of having
a fall. That pattern of thought goes with drinking. If one
side of a boat gets too far up out of the water, it's liable
to tip over. Building myself up and drinking go together. One
leads to the other. So if I'm going to stay sober, I've got to
keep small. Have I got the right perspective on myself?

Meditation for the Day

The way sometimes seems long and weary. So many people
today are weary. The weariness of others must often be
shared by me. The weary and the heavy laden, when they
come to me, should be helped to find the rest that I have
found. There is only one sure cure for world-weariness and
that is turning to spiritual things. In order to help bring about
the turning of the weary world to God, I must dare to suffer,
dare to conquer selfishness in myself, and dare to be filled
with spiritual peace in the face of all the weariness of the
world.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be a help to discouraged people. I pray that
I may have the courage to help bring about what the weary
world needs but does not know how to get.

"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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thought for the Day
May 6

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go
Melody Beattie ©

Feeling Good

Make yourself feel good.

It's our job to first make ourselves feel better and then make ourselves
feel good. Recovery is not only about stopping painful feelings; it is about
creating a good life for ourselves.

We don't have to deny ourselves activities that help us feel good. Going to
meetings, basking in the sun, exercising, taking a walk, or spending time
with a friend are activities that may help us feel good. We each have our
list. If we don't, we're now free to explore, experiment, and develop that
list.

When we find a behavior or activity that produces a good feeling, put it on
the list. Then, do it frequently.

Let's stop denying ourselves good feelings and start doing things that make
us feel good.

Today, I will do one activity or behavior that I know will create a good
feeling for me. If I'm uncertain about what I like, I will experiment with
one behavior today.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden
Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be
reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Culture or Death
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2007/May/Everyday%20Matters.htm

Mindfulness and the Discovery of the Self
by Joan Borysenko, Ph.D.
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/May/0597-13.html

Dangerous Prayers
by Regina Sara Ryan
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/ryan05013.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Eraser Power
by Jan Price

In the first grade I set off to school with my Big Chief tablet and a box of
#2 pencils. If I made a mistake I could change it instantly with the big fat
eraser on the end of my pencil. Later there was ink eradicator, then
white-out, and finally a magic key on the typewriter and computer that would
eliminate any error. I had the power of erasure. I was invincible.

There is a magic word that can remove from existence any unhappy condition
of mind, body, and affairs. This tiny word is power-packed and should be
used instantly to negate any seeming evil thought, word, or appearance
before it can establish a foothold in consciousness. NO is the magic word.
NO is our power of erasure. NO is our defense against evil.

Evil is not a word I often use. It seems so drastic, so sinister, creepy. In
that book of words it is described as something that brings sorrow,
distress, or calamity; the fact of suffering and misfortune. That is
definitely drastic and sinister and creepy. I do not wish to identify with
any such thought, word, or appearance.

A few years ago John woke me in the night talking in his sleep. With great
vehemence he said, Evil energy begone! Go, evil energy! Go to God!" When I
told him later, he didn't remember what it was about, but I believe that in
his sleep state he was exercising his power of erasure to eliminate
something held in the subconscious. As I contemplated his command,
additional words of explanation came to mind to complete the statement: Evil
energy be gone! Go, evil energy! Go to God... to be purified, dissolved,
eliminated.

In that prayer given to us by a master teacher we speak the words, "Deliver
us from evil" preceded by "Lead us not into temptation." Our conscious mind
must be the guardian at the gate turning away the temptation to allow evil
thoughts to enter -- evil thoughts being any which bring sorrow, distress,
calamity, suffering, or misfortune.

Catherine Ponder says in The Dynamic Laws of Prayer, "Evil conditions of
mind, body, or affairs are built up by someone feeling bad about them. This
bad feeling not only builds up but sustains the unhappy condition. When the
bad feeling is pulled out from under the negative appearance, that evil has
nothing to sustain it and has to fade away... When you say to any apparent
limitation of mind, body, or affairs, "No, I do not accept this appearance,
my life (health, wealth, happiness) cannot be limited!" you are dissolving
fear. You are saying "no" to negative appearances. You are not accepting
them or giving them power."

I read of a man who was diagnosed with a very debilitating disease. The
doctor told him in great detail the horror story he could expect, then asked
if he had any questions. What he heard coming out of his mouth was "Doctor,
I appreciate your being honest with me. But it's clear that while you say I
have this dreadful disease, I know it doesn't have me." He had discovered
the power of NO! He denied the power of the disease over him and went on
with his life. That was ten years ago and not only have the dire predictions
failed to manifest, but he has gone to ministerial school and has a new
career as a Unity minister.

Emile Cady in Lessons In Truth tells how she dealt with a domineering person
who was giving her a difficult time. Knowing that the personality is of the
human and the individuality is of God, she began to declare "There is no
such personality in the universe as this one." From that day forward she was
free from any influence of that personality as though it had never existed.
We could also declare that "There is no such personality in my life."
However it is phrased, we are no longer giving power to that persona; we're
saying NO!

In The Superbeings, John writes of the mental delinquents that sometimes
sneak into our mental household diverting the power flow from the
fulfillment pattern and channeling it through a negative thoughtform. He
suggests sweeping them all out at once with this statement: "I call on the
Law of Spirit now to arrest these intruders and take them out of my
consciousness, out of my life, permanently. I don't need them. I don't want
them. I will not have them."

Continuing in The Superbeings: "If you are having any kind of problem, do
not condemn the situation or circumstance. Face yourself squarely in the
mirror and acknowledge that you have been plugged into the race mind, which
is nothing but the carnal consciousness of mankind, and declare that you
have had enough of this mass illusion. Stake your claim to your inheritance,
which is the Kingdom, and to the Truth of your being, which is the spirit of
God. Now dedicate yourself to pulling the plug on mortal limitations and
rising into a new consciousness of Power and Dominion."

Say to yourself: "I live in this world, but I am not of it. I do not accept
anything but peace, power, and perfection -- and this consciousness of the
Ideal is outpictured in my world."

I let it be done!

About The Author:
Jan Price is the president and CEO of the Quartus Foundation, a spiritual
research and communications organization that she and her husband, John,
formed in 1981. Jan is a regular columnist for the magazine Whole Health,
and has written numerous articles for The Quartus Report and other
publications. She has also collaborated with John in the writing of twelve
inspirational books. She is an internationally known speaker and workshop
leader on the dynamics of positive living and has produced several
audiocassette tapes for meditation, and on other such topics as loving
yourself, the child with, and more. She can be reached at The Quartus
Foundation at PO Box 1768, Boerne, TX  78006-6768 or at www.quartus.org  for
more information on workshops and other books. This article was reprinted
with permission from The Quartus InBetweener newsletter.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Integrity

That is what this day was about: building character and integrity.  I was
out of integrity.  I was thinking things about someone without honestly
sharing what I felt.  I was talking to other people about the situation,
which meant I mistrusted what I knew to be true.  Somehow, I had forgotten
that you must put your spiritual knowledge into practice all of the time.
You have to tell the truth all of the time.  You must declare your goal,
state your intention, ask for what you want, and remain true to yourself,
all of the time.  The minute you forget any one or all of those principles,
the
enemy will step in.  When that happens, you have to work harder.  The time
had come for me to heal at a deeper level and get the lesson from another
perspective.  I may have simply scratched the surface.  Or perhaps I had
missed one tiny little detail.  I did know enough to realize that what was
showing up in my life was the answer.  I now had to remember the question.
I prayed...

Dear God,

Please bring me this lesson gently and lovingly.
Please let me see and understand
what is really going on,
and give me the courage to do whatever is necessary.
Remind me of what I have forgotten.
Inform me of your will for my own spiritual progress,
and the good of all others involved.
I am ready and willing to know the truth.

Don't ask if you don't really want to know."

by Iyanla Vanzant

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hard and Soft

We extend kindness to strangers.
At times it would be wise to extend it also to ourselves.
At times we need to search for the inner peace in the inner space
and when we don't find it immediately, we judge, we condemn,
we berate, we hurt ourselves.
Just because we haven't found it yet doesn't mean it's not there.
Perhaps life needs to perform its transformation trick on/in us.

In my hand I hold a marvel of creation:
A peach-coloured stone gathered on a beach of the Atlantic Ocean.
The stone is not uniformly peach;
there are pieces of the peach substance imbedded
amid another pale-colored, whitish material.
Looks like a jelly-bean cake, with the peach stuff translucent,
flattened throughout.

After four years of asking I found out that it was calcified marble.
The combining of hard marble with soft calcium must have taken
a very long time.
We know time has a way of melding, unifying otherwise unmeldable
objects, substances, concepts, ideas, and states of mind.
Now the marble and the calcium are inseparable, bonded.  The result is a
wondrous jewelled rock that I hold in the palm of my hand.

Allowance, willingness, patience, acceptance: Our Part.
Wisdom, confrontation, compromise, harmony, order:
Time and God's Part.
Which one is hardest, which one is softest?
Both. Together.

Love
Stella

©2000 Stella Savoie
stellaraymonde@...
Printed with Permission

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Discovery of Recovery

Chasing the man, trying to score,
Just one more fix, then no more.

So many years, hiding the pain,
Staying high, just to maintain.

Thought I had my life under control,
What I had was a very empty soul.

Angel of darkness stayed by my side,
Couldn't see the light for foolish pride.

My spirit is dead, this must end,
Where to start, so I can begin.

Surrendering, I made a great discovery,
A new way of life they called Recovery.

A journey beyond my wildest hope,
No more, will I ever need to use dope.

God leads me the way just for today,
And all I ever had to do was Pray.

Narcotics Anonymous has become my home,
They give me Love I've never known.

I am so blessed for this second chance to see,
The freedom of life meant to be.

By
Stella Marie Kendall

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In The Pain

In the pain, I found wisdom
And through the pain I heard this song
For when the night was darkest, I was never lost
Because I have found a strength that I won't lose again

And tomorrow's sun will be brighter
Each day will bring a greater joy to me
Then I will live each day for itself alone
And share with you the very best of me

Oh Lord, I know I'll be weak again
I'll forget to sing your song
But with my eyes wide open, I will seek again
And I'll know when I belong

For in the pain, I found wisdom
And through the pain I heard this song

  Jonathan B.
jonathan@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Listen to the Mustn'ts, child,
Listen to the Don'ts
Listen to the Shouldn'ts
The Impossibles, the Won'ts
Listen to the Never Haves,
Then listen close to me --
Anything can happen, child,
Anything can be."

Shel Silverstein
American Author and Cartoonist

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hope is really a form of blessing.
To bless is to increase, to allow something to unfold in its fullness.
To hope is to create a sacred space, a space of possibility,
in which the goodness of the Universe can express itself.
The stance we adopt in that sacred space
is one of readiness, openness
and non-attachment to a particular outcome.
Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., Fire In The Soul

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I am learning to be patient and compassionate with myself
as I gain the courage to be true to myself.
Shakti Gawain, Livingin the Light

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by
the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen
and thinking what nobody has thought.
Albert von Szent-Gyorgyi

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Recovery is not a race
but I can't afford to coast.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Relapse is not a requirement
but it is a reality.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The only crime in a relapse
is not making it back in the rooms.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You can't save your face and your ass at the same time.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Promise, Many Gifts*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Adult Children of Alcoholics
www.AdultChildren.org

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

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

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

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer¹s Anonymous
www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

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

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship forŠ
www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
www.depressedanon.com

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

Eating Disorders Anonymous
www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
www.naranon.com

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

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
www.spenders.org/home.html

Suicide Anonymous
www.geocities.com/samemphis

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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 and google 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
YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "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:

twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or
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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 the group
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or
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or just email me YOUnMEnHP@...
and write unsubscribe in the subject line
or go to the website and unsubscribe
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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 6000 recovering people in 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:
www.groups.google.com/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit

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

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

Step 7
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2002/step07c.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2003/step07.html
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/steps2004/step07.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
Each month we will share on a step and spiritual principles of the step.
Since it is May the 5th month, PLEASE share on the 5th step
If you haven¹t done the 5th step with your sponsor
Please share on trust and integrity...

to share please visit
www.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 otherwise your emails will bounce

Yahoo! Clubs Twelve Step Soul Food 4 the Spirit
www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/

A Safe Place to Share , Discover and Recover.
This is a SLAMMING, STRONG support group with
a whole lot of EXPERIENCE, LOVE and HOPE that is available to you.
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,
we will leave the light on in the room and there is coffee in the back :)
Thanks for your participation and support !!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Please Be There For The Newcomers*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

May 5
Today I will let my Higher Power
handle my worry so I can be free,
I choose to be alive in this moment and not blocked
by the conversations that go on over and over in my head.
I will stop trying to figure everything out
and will trust that I will get the right answers
at the right time.
written by ~ Ruth Fishel
"Time for Joy"
Check out Ruth's collection of
light, nourishing and nurturing Books and Tapes
& some touching and embracing Greeting Cards
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You know you are in recovery if...

1. You drink more coffee per day than Starbucks sells in one week.

2. Emails to your  friends have "HALT" as the subject header.

3. You and your buddies get thrown out of expresso bars
     and teahouses for being "too rowdy."

4. Songs like "There's a Tear In My Beer" make you
     cry for reasons different than most people.

5. For parties with your friends, you buy a couple cases
     of Mountain Dew and Pepsi-Cola.

6. Dining out, you wonder how someone at the next
     table, can drink half a glass of wine and leave the rest.

7. There is at least one magnet on your refrigerator, plaque on your wall,
     or bumper-sticker on your car with an inspirational message printed on
     it.

8. You don't know the last names of most of your best friends.

9. If you need advice on money, you ask the guy in your
     meeting who used to be bankrupt.

10. When you empty your purse or pockets you find at least one of the
     following: an anniversary chip, scraps of paper with phone numbers of
     people you met in meetings, pocket-sized Big Book, wallet-sized
     Preamble.

11. Your idea of a pick-up line is, "I really liked what you shared."

12. No matter how bad a day you had, if you go to bed
     clean and sober, you consider yourself a winner!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*I am not my body, I am my spirit*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumns rain.
When you awake in the mornings hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

written by James Young

dedicated to Mark K., Barbara Blaze, Rosalie
and the countless other courageous people who have touched our lives
who are no longer hear in the Physical,
BUT THEIR SPIRIT MARCHES ON !
Thank God for our predecessors

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

One Candle
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=589

Footprints
www.wscribe.com/parables/footprints.html

Recovery Slogans
www.recoverygreetings.com/slogans.html

N.A. Police
www.jft.ca/croc/police.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Recovery Gifts, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
www.serenityquest.org/tp40/Application.asp?app=Store&ID=20869

Recovery and Spiritual Greeting Cards for sale
www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
May 5                                   Any Lengths

  "...I was ready to go to any lengths to stay clean."
  Basic Text, p. 217

   "Any lengths?" newcomers ask. "What do you mean, any
lengths?" Looking back at our active addiction and the
lengths we were willing to go to in order to stay high
can help to explain. Were we willing to drive many miles
to get drugs? Yes, we usually were. Then it makes sense
that, if we are as concerned about staying clean as we
were about using, we will try anything to find a ride to
a meeting.

  In our addiction, didn't we often do crazy, insane
things or use unknown substances at the direction of
others? Then why do we often find it so hard to take
direction in recovery, especially when the direction is
designed to help us grow? And when we used, didn't we
often, in desperation, turn to our Higher Power, saying,
"Please, just get me out of this one!" Then why do we
find it so hard to ask for God's help in our recovery?

   When we used, we usually had an open mind when it
came to finding ways and means to get more drugs. If we
can apply this same principle of open-mindedness to our
recovery, we may surprise ourselves by how easily we
begin to grasp the NA program. Our best thinking, it is
often said, got us into the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous.
If we are willing to go to any lengths, follow
directions, and stay open-minded, we can stay clean

Just for today:  I am willing to go to any lengths
to stay clean. I will become as open-minded and ready to
take direction as I need to be. Page 131

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
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meditation of the Day
www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

Viking Thought of the Day
www.gorm.com/cgi-local/daily.pl

Elder's Meditation of the Day
www.whitebison.org/meditation

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
www.gatewayrehab.org/May.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Service

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 . . . Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is
the bright spot of our lives.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 89

It is through service that the greatest rewards are to be found.  But to
be in a position of offering true, useful and effective service to others,
I must first work on myself.  This means that I have to abandon myself
to God, admitting my faults and clearing away the wreckage of my past.
Work on myself has taught me how to find the necessary peace and
serenity to successfully merge inspiration and experience.  I have
learned how to be, in the truest sense, an open channel of sobriety.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
Daily Reflection In Loving Memory Of Scott Reeves

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ May 5th

A.A. Thought for the Day

I had to show off and boast so that people would think I
amounted to something, when, of course, both they and I
knew that I really didn't amount to anything. I didn't fool
anybody. Although I've been sober for quite a while, the
old habit of building myself up is still with me. I still have
a tendency to think too well of myself and to pretend to be
more than I really am. Am I always in danger of becoming
conceited just because I'm sober?

Meditation for the Day

I cannot ascertain the spiritual with my intellect. I can only
do it by my own faith and spiritual faculties. I must think of
God more with my heart than with my head. I can breathe in
God's very spirit in the life around me. I can keep my eyes
turned toward the good things in the world. I am shut up in
a box of space and time, but I can open a window in that box
by faith. I can empty my mind of all the limitations of
material things. I can sense the Eternal.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that whatever is good I may have. I pray that I may
leave to God the choice of what good will come to 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thought for the Day
May 5

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go
Melody Beattie ©

Control

Many of us have been trying to keep the whole world in orbit with sheer and
forceful application of mental energy.

What happens if we let go, if we stop trying to keep the world orbiting and
just let it whirl? It'll keep right on whirling. It'll stay right on track
with no help from us. And we'll be free and relaxed enough to enjoy our
place on it.

Control is an illusion, especially the kind of control we've been trying to
exert. In fact, controlling gives other people, events, and diseases, such
as alcoholism, control over us. Whatever we try to control does have control
over our life and us.

I have given this control to many things and people in my life. I have never
gotten the results I wanted from controlling or trying to control people.
What I received for my efforts is an unmanageable life, whether that
unmanageability was inside me or in external events.

In recovery, we make a trade off. We trade a life that we have tried to
control, and we receive in return something better - a life that is
manageable.

Today, I will exchange a controlled life for one that is manageable.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden
Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be
reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Telling It Like It Is
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2007/May/feature4.html

Blessed be the Cage Rattlers
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/1997/May/0597-12.html

Children  & Prayer
by  Sonia Choquette 
www.innerself.com/Spirituality/children_and_prayer.htm

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv