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 haven’t 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 haven’t 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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.htm

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

Just For Today
June 1                                 Keep Coming Back

“We 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 “if 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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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

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: touch
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 I’ve volunteered at the AIDS hospice
I get to “touch” and be “touched” … 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 “Good-bye.”
He didn’t move his head, he just looked up at
Me over the rim of his glasses, and slowly said
“What was that for?” Nervously I said, “Well …
I am a touchy feely person, if that is not okay
With you, just let me know.”  He took a long
Time to speak … and then gently, he looked up
At me again, sighed,  and said “Well …
So am I!  That is how I got in this mess!”
We became the best of friends from that very
First day.  It was all about ‘touch’, and not
Getting enough of it. You see, touching doesn’t
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.  I’ve personally felt the touch of a loved one
That has passed into heaven.  I’ve 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, I’ve 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 I’ve 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
“God, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may
serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.”

Tuesday - Ironing Day
“Dear 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.”

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

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

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

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

Sunday - Gods' Day
“O 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.”

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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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,
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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
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For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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,
I’m 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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/


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

Creating a Joyful and Optimistic Environment
by Lorna Ann Knox

Lorna Ann KnoxIn a world where negativity seeps into every corner of
our lives and whatever is gross, weird, or shocking is considered hip
and appropriate for children, we must find ways to create a home
environment that promotes positive thinking and joyful attitudes.

Use visible reminders of the people
who love your children and share their lives.

Pictures of family and friends will remind you and your children of
the love you share with others. Mementos of special times with friends
are much better decorations than designer items; they decorate your
home with love and joy.

Try to carve out an area that is specifically for the children.

If you have enough space to dedicate an entire room for a play area or
have a private bedroom for each child, that's great. But if not, use
the space you have and give up some area to the children. Let them
know they are part owners of your home, not unwelcome boarders who
take up valuable room. We have never had a playroom, but for a long
time I had the living room couch pulled away from the wall to create a
hiding place where no grown-up could fit. My older children still talk
fondly of "the place behind the couch."

Invite your children's help in decorating your home, and allow them to
choose things that they find inspiring.

I'm not suggesting scattering toys and cartoon characters all over the
house, but let them discover what they like. If their only choices
come from the toy aisle, they will miss opportunities for self-
discovery. You don't have to let the kids decide which couch to buy,
but you can include them in the process. Let them make small decisions
that are temporary and can be changed, like what centerpiece to use on
the table, or which picture to hang over the mantel, or which shower
curtain to put in the bathroom.

Help your children make their room a special, personal place.

Most adults like to have their rooms be retreats from the world.
Children like to have retreats too. Their rooms should definitely be
more than storerooms for toys. Many decorator magazines emphasize
making a child's room a playground or a miniature amusement park. I
think children get enough stimulation and amusement elsewhere, so
their rooms should be relaxing and peaceful. Most important is to make
it a place they think is special.

There is strong merchandising pressure to surround children with
images of TV or comic book characters. But there is more to your
child's personality than a love of Pokemon. Help them to dig deeper
and express something more personal. Ask them what they think is
beautiful; what makes them feel good. When they are upset, what kind
of place would they like to run away to? Remember to help your
children discover their inner spirit by expressing it in their space.

When my son was planning his little room, he first considered painting
it black and red, because he is fascinated with Spiderman. But after
more discussion and encouragement, he came up with a plan to make it
look like a forest meadow. His strong connection to nature is what he
was able to express, and it makes his room uniquely his. It was a fun
and inspiring project that he has never regretted. He loves his
retreat and he still has his Spiderman toys.

When children share a room, it is still possible to let them express
their unique personalities. Help them find a way, and don't worry
about breaking decorating rules.

Consider very, very carefully before putting a TV in your child's room.

There are so many reasons why putting a TV in a child's bedroom is
such a bad idea that entire books have been written on the subject. I
will just emphasize that putting a TV in your child's bedroom is
completely counter to most of the goals this book is addressing. TV
allows too many opportunities to violate the safe and secure
environment you are trying so hard to create. Resolve viewing
conflicts in other ways, and keep the TV in the main area of the house
where you have control. Don't give in to the whining and pleading: and
remember that a TV is not a toy.

Bring nature indoors

The beauty of the natural world is a wonderful way to make your home
more peaceful and uplifting. There are many ways to bring nature into
your home with pictures, plants, and fabric. Children love to bring
rocks, shells, feathers, pinecones, flowers and leaves home to admire
and share, but we often don't know what to do with the treasures after
we empty our pockets. Try creating a nature display dedicated to these
special collections. We have a nature tray in our home that we use to
keep our wonderful discoveries together and when it gets full we
discard old things to make room for new.

Try to de-clutter and beautify your home.

Ideally, everything you look at as you gaze around your home should be
something you enjoy seeing or using. Fill your home with things you
think are beautiful, and then try to keep it neat and clean so you can
enjoy the surroundings. Teach your children to respect the things you
own and to treat them with care. Everything should be comfortable and
accessible, but you'll find it so much more enjoyable if it is
orderly, too. Provide practical storage for the children to use so
that "clean up your room" is not an impossible task.

Teach your children to pay attention to their surroundings and to
listen to their feelings.

Although a difficult concept to articulate, I think it is important to
teach children that it is possible to feel the atmosphere of a place
on an inner level. You can substitute your own word here, but places
can give off a kind of aura, energy, vibration, atmosphere, or ... In
some places it is very subtle and in others it is pretty obvious, even
to less sensitive people. One example is a cathedral. Most people
whisper in a cathedral and step softly. They can feel the years of
worship that have taken place within the walls and almost hear the
choir singing. There are homes that welcome you and surround you with
warmth as soon as you step in the front door; there are homes that
seem to push you out the door.

I think children need to recognize how a place feels to them, to pay
attention to their inner sense and practice using and learning to
trust it. Such recognition can be a valuable tool. There may come a
time when some thing or some place doesn't "feel" right, and this
intuitive sense will guide them in making decisions or choices. It may
help keep them from harm, or it may simply help them choose their
first apartments.

Environment can be much stronger than the most determined will power.
In this modern world where scary news is so prevalent, it's absolutely
necessary to create a fortress of beauty, hope, and peace where we can
relax and remind ourselves that these things are a reality, too.
Consciously choose to surround yourself and your children with more
than love; give yourself visible reminders of the power of beauty and
harmony in the world. Choose to make peace and beauty a priority at
home, and they will give you strength.

Lorna Knox, RN, BSN was a nurse and health educator for 15 years
specializing in programs for children, family health care, home
health, prenatal education and high-risk obstetrics. She has three
children and currently works as a teacher in Portland, Oregon. She is
also the author of I Came From Joy: Spiritual Affirmations and
Activities for Children . Visit her website at www.joyfulchildren.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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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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Under Bill s.1618 TITLE III passed by the 105th U.S. Congress
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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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http://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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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

Fear

Fear has become a frequent visitor

He does not wait for an invitation

But just waltz' right on in

He begins with the questions

The what if this or the what if that

Then he states his theories

His projections, his thoughts

And I am just sitting there

Like a little kid, petrified to see the

Unraveling of my world as Fear

Continues to tell me my story

Then I open my eyes and automatically

Say "thy will be done, not mine"

And Fear vanishes from where he came from

Where he patiently waits for Faith to wonder and question

Once again the unknown



Kelly Warren 3~10~08

viequessoon@...

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Change…The Wind In Your Face
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/04/change.htm

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

Becoming Fulfilled
by Deborah L. Price

The patterns influencing our relationship with money begin when are
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
.

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.

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

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@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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 ,
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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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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.

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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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
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"What I can't do alone we can do together." If you have any
original poetry or submissions that you would like to send to
me you can email me at
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
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Stay in the Light,

In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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 don’t 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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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 need to go back into our childhood? Is is 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 were 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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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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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sorry for the delay I have been sick
with HIGH fevers and went to the hospital last night

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.htm

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

Just For Today
May 27                       Meeting The Day's Challenge

"…..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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

Notes On Intimacy
by Shepherd Hoodwin

Shepherd HoodwinOnce you are in a relationship, how can you develop
intimacy? One key is honesty. Some people tell little lies about
themselves when they first begin a relationship. This is destructive
to intimacy, because your partner will never be completely sure if you
are telling the truth. It is much easier to maintain credibility if
you start out being credible. This is not to say that you must talk
about things you are not ready to talk about, but neither do you have
to falsify information.

If, for instance, you lack a sense of self-worth,
you are likely to attract a partner
who mirrors your view of yourself,
who treats you as if you were worthless.

There are times when lying is appropriate, but rarely with someone
with whom you wish to have intimacy. Even lying about your age says to
the other person, "There is something about me I do not want you to
know. This is the boundary of our intimacy." If you want to be known
and understood, you must make yourself knowable and understandable.
Communication needs to be not only honest, but clear and complete.
Communicating with another person - any person, not only your mate is
a challenge, because each person speaks a slightly different language,
with different assumptions and definitions. You must be deliberate and
alert to make yourself clear to others.
Opening Up

People often have the unrealistic notion that if somebody really loves
you, he knows all you want, need, or mean without your having to
clarify it. Since human beings are generally not telepathic, this does
not usually occur. If you take responsibility for communicating what
you want, need, and mean, you avoid unnecessary disappointments and
misunderstandings.

Misunderstandings destroy intimacy more than any other factor, and
most of them can be avoided. Of course, the more deeply someone knows
you, the more aware he is of your wants and needs, and of how you
communicate. Nonetheless, as you change and grow, it is important to
stay up to date with each other.

Intimacy needs space and time to grow. If two people have packed
schedules day in and day out, they probably do not share much
intimacy. Intimacy implies being with the other person, being there in
the present, in both conversation and silence. It may include
expressing difficult emotions; a clear and appropriate expression of
anger, for example, can bring two people closer together. Any time you
love someone enough to tell him how you feel, you are offering a
bridge that can enable him to know you better. Of course, bridges go
both ways you can get to know him better as well.

You cannot be any more intimate with another person than you are with
yourself. For example, how can you expect someone else to know what
you are feeling, when you, yourself, do not know what you are feeling?
You can develop intimacy with yourself in the same ways that work with
others: be honest with yourself, communicate clearly with yourself,
and give yourself space and time to be with yourself.
Filling The Gap

You cannot expect any other person even someone who conforms to your
fantasies in every detail, to give you what you feel is missing within
you. You must do that yourself. If, for instance, you lack a sense of
self-worth, you are likely to attract a partner who mirrors your view
of yourself, who treats you as if you were worthless. Why? Because it
is confusing when a partner insists that you are worthy when you are
certain that you are not, and people do not like to be confused.

If you are fortunate enough to have a partner who tries to inspire a
sense of self-worth in you, but you are not willing to accept it, you
will probably deflect his input or dismiss him entirely. You might,
for instance, tell yourself that he is prejudiced, or think, "What
does he know?" Anything you have not yet dealt with in yourself will
likely come up at some point in the context of a mate relationship.

Therefore, if you are single and have been making use of your time
alone to release your old patterns, you will have an easier time when
you form a relationship. However, no one is finished processing
everything. The more you are willing to acknowledge and work on your
shortcomings, without self-judgment, the easier it will be to develop
intimacy with a partner. One reason is that you are less defensive.

Many fights arise over defensiveness. Suppose you are in a
relationship with someone who says to you, "You are selfish about the
television. We always have to watch what you want to watch." What
would most people's response be? Probably an automatic "No, I'm not!"
Suppose that, instead, you say, "Hmm...I wasn't conscious of that.
Thank you for pointing that out." After giving it some thought, you
discuss possible solutions, such as taking turns, or getting another
television - you agree that you do not always have to watch together.

Also, since you had not been aware of the problem, you ask him to be
clearer in saying what he wants to watch. Because you were open rather
than defensive, he does not have to be angry about that issue any
more. You have heard and received his complaint. If your partner
complains about something you do not agree with, or are not able to do
something about, your willingness to hear and discuss it can still
help defuse the issue.
Love Requires Maintenance

Some people want to get a relationship set up so that it is running
smoothly and they never have to do anything about it again. However,
this does not usually work. To make an analogy, someone may build his
dream house and move into it; however, he must continually refine and
maintain it. In a sense, a house is never done. The same is true of
relationships. They keep changing, providing opportunities for growth,
as the people in them change and grow. There is nothing wrong with
that. Wouldn't it be boring if you felt that you had everything set
up, that you always knew what to expect from your partner? It is more
fun to be constantly looking for the unexpected, discovering new
things and changing.

Sometimes relationships change to the point where they are no longer
workable in that form. Maybe the form needs to be changed to a more
distant relationship, a friendship perhaps. That is not necessarily an
indication of anyone's failure; you may have simply completed your
work together. Ending or changing a relationship gracefully, without
making anyone wrong, is a mark of maturity. The more quickly you
acknowledge that a relationship is no longer serving you, the sooner
you can move on to your next step. That may be a relationship that
does serve you, or a period of aloneness. Of course, some
relationships are fitting and adaptable enough to serve you for the
rest of your life.
A Genuine Relationship

How do you know whether to keep working on a relationship or to let it
go? There are no hard and fast rules about this, but generally, if you
have an automatic impulse to run, there is a good chance that you
would benefit from staying with it. If you have an automatic impulse
to hang onto it, it is likely that you would be well advised to let it
go.

The key factor is your motivation. If your impulse is to run, it is
likely to be because of laziness, not wanting to do the necessary
work, or fear of what that work might bring up. If your impulse is to
hang onto the relationship, it is likely to be because of fear that
you will not find anyone else, perhaps because you are not lovable
enough. It is preferable to stay in a relationship because you
genuinely want to.

Shepherd HoodwinShepherd Hoodwin is an intuitive, workshop leader, and
teacher. He is a conscious channel of a nonphysical entity referred to
as Michael. He also does past-life therapy, counseling, and channeling
coaching (teaching others to channel). He is the author of: "The
Journey of Your Soul -- A Channel Explores Channeling and the Michael
Teachings", "Meditations for Self-Discovery -- Guided Journeys for
Communicating with Your Inner Self", and "Loving from Your Soul --
Creating Powerful Relationships". Shepherd can be contacted through
his website at http://summerjoy.com, or toll-free at 877-SUMMERJoy
(877-786-6375).

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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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Under Bill s.1618 TITLE III passed by the 105th U.S. Congress
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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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http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
http://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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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:



        * You no longer look young. You cannot hide the signs of aging
anymore. Why does it bother you so much?

        * Your sense of purpose is draining away. Everything seems to
be losing its meaning. What has happened to the spark?

        * 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'?

        * You are searching now for a different kind of relationship --
deeper, more authentic. But where, and with whom, can you find it?

        * 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?

        * 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?

        * 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?

        * 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?

        * 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?

        * 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.

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.

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

When Someone Grieves
By Steve Goodier

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, (Life-Journey 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.

About the author
Steve Goodier is a professional speaker, consultant and author of
numerous books. Visit his site for more information, or to sign up for
his FREE newsletter of Life, Love and Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com
.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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
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YOUnMEnHP@...

Created in 1997 , "12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit" is intended to give
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We invite you to share the writings by forwarding today's
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Stay in the Light,

In loving service,
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YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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

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
It’s a quirk of the human brain
to reconcile its beliefs and values
with what’s 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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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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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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
by Steve Goodier


As an airport skycap checked through a customer at curbside, he
accidentally knocked over the man's luggage. He quickly collected the
fallen bags and apologized for the mishap. Unappeased, the traveler
burst into an angry tirade, raging and swearing at the skycap for his
clumsiness. Throughout the traveler's rant, the baggage handler simply
apologized and smiled. The angry man continued to berate the skycap,
until he finally headed off to catch his plane. Even then the baggage
handler remained calm and passively smiled.

The next customer in line witnessed the incident and marveled at the
skycap's professionalism and control. "I have never seen such
restraint and humility," he said. "How do you keep your cool when
somebody is attacking you so viciously?"

"It's easy," the skycap answered. "He's going to Denver, but his bags
are going to Detroit."

That is certainly ONE way of managing attitudes, but here is a more
constructive approach.

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
hanging "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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You’re 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
and write subscribe in the subject line.

Under Bill s.1618 TITLE III passed by the 105th U.S. Congress
this letter cannot be considered spam as long as the following words
are included:

To unsubscribe to to this list send an Email message to the group
that you belong to
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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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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 you’d think I’d finally get it together —
Come to believe I never had to use again.
Crazy as it seems, I really want a life that’s better,
Even though I keep going out — hurting family and friends.
Perhaps I’m one of those who’s not supposed to make it, my sick
Thinking tells me, trying to keep me beat down.
After all, look how long I’ve been trying to stop using, this
New life they keep talking about seems nowhere to be found.
Could it be I’ve reservations? Clinging to that momentary
Escape the dope provides? I’ve got to realize I can’t run from me.

Once I come to, I’ll be deeper in whatever tragedy my life is in,
Falling further away from sanity, reality and my God.

So God, please help me. I’m asking once again.
Enter into my heart and in my daily life.
Replenish this spirit I’m 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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

And So Life Goes...
by Marie T. Russell

Marie T. RussellWhile speaking to a friend who has recently "lost"a
dear one to death, I was reminded that we sometimes don't feel
comfortable around such situations. The thoughts come up: "What do I
say? How can I make that person feel better? Is it better to speak or
to be silent?"

I recall that years ago, when my mother passed away, I really felt
happier when I was not remembering her absence -- I know this may seem
obvious, but think about it. When we dwell on something, it takes up
our whole consciousness, and sets the tone for our whole experience.
The times when I was stuck in depression were the times when I felt
sorry for myself and did not seem to be able to think of anything else
but my loss. I had not progressed to the stage where I could remember
her with love and gratitude, and happy memories. I was still in the
"poor me" stage, so thinking about her, or being reminded of her, just
brought out the tears, not the smiles and cherished memories.

There were other days or moments when I would be living in a world of
pleasure and beauty enjoying the present. I once again felt in love
with life and would go out to meet it with peace of mind, not focusing
on my loss. Then someone would come along who, of course with good
intentions, would say "Oh, I'm really sorry about your mother..." etc.
I would once again drop off of the wavelength of 'feeling happy' and
on to one of 'feeling sad and sorry for myself'. I remember hating
those situations... to the point where I moved away from our small
community in order to start anew without all these painful reminders.
(In those days, running away was my medicine of choice.)

Now, of course, I see more clearly that I was not yet able to face and
deal with the emotions that were coming up in me following my mother's
death ...anger, sorrow, guilt, pain, rejection, abandonment, lack of
control... In other words, all my stuff was coming up -- but at that
time I had not yet discovered the tools to process all this emotional
matter and had to leave the scene of the crime (so to speak!) in order
to heal my wounds.

I did indeed feel like a wounded animal and certainly did not
appreciate people kindly wanting to dig into my wound. I did what
animals do when hurt... They go off alone to rest and heal. They don't
"hang out with the pack" for sympathy, but rather go away in solitude
to let nature take its course.

I realize that we feel uncomfortable in a lot of other day to day
situations. We may have feelings come up that we don't want to look
at, or we simply don't know how to respond. We often respond in the
way that we have learnt... we sympathize, we say "Aah, poor you" --
whether the comment is addressed to us, or to someone else.

Look at a typical response when someone is ill (talking about the
illness), or when two lovers go separate ways (talking about the
separation), or any other situation when we sympathize with the
other's "negative" situation. We usually respond with "sympathy",
which usually means we utter some comment to the equivalent of "poor
you".

Sympathizing means (according to Webster) sharing another's
feelings... It is not a very uplifting and positive way to deal with
negative occurrences. You cannot get someone out of the ditch by
sharing their plight and getting into the ditch yourself -- then
you'll both be in the ditch, and will need someone else to "rescue"
you. You can only help by lifting them out from above.

So also with emotional ditches. You have to stay on the outside so you
can lend a helping hand by extending love and inspiration. Getting
into the rut yourself with "sympathy" will certainly not make the
other person feel better. They may just end up feeling much worse when
you agree with them that they are indeed in a terrible situation, thus
adding fuel to the fire... Sharing thoughts along the "poor you" line,
and commiserating with the person on how bad things are, will not in
any way uplift or inspire.

I am not referring to feeling empathy, which is quite different...
When we empathize, we "understand the other's pain", but we don't get
into the rut with them. Empathizing allows us to get in touch with the
emotions of the moment, feel what they are feeling, become aware of
their experience, and then respond from a "higher" place in our
consciousness.

It might serve us to think twice before uttering trite sympathies in
such situations, and instead ask ourselves "what is the most loving
thing to do and say?" Each situation, each moment is different, so the
response one moment may be entirely different than the response the
next.

In some situations, a caring hug and allowing the other to express
their pain and their grief is required. At other times, it may be more
loving to not speak about the "negative" or painful situation and
instead bring some joy and light to the "afflicted" person. It may be
indeed a highly loving action to go out and play tennis with the
person, bringing pleasure to their life, rather than get into a
sympathy or "poor you" framework.

When we take a moment to "tune in" and reflect, and asking our Higher
Self for inspiration, we will be guided to the "right" words or
action. Our intention must be to support and love, in whatever way
feels appropriate at the moment.

Marie T. Russell is the founder of InnerSelf Magazine (founded 1985).
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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

$$$$$$
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 ?"
Aren’t 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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My Higher Power

When I think of My Higher Power, I think The Great One.
Higher Power stands for something greater than my self and
It is my belief that it is greater than all of mankind.
When I came into recovery, I did not have any sense of a Higher Power,
Or any connection with a God of my understanding.
   For so long, I had searched for answers and reasoning behind all of
life's chapters.
   But, I was so lost I never realized that the answers were right
there within arms reach.
All of those answer lie within

My Higher Power
Not only gives me answers, reasoning, truth, and faith,
He holds me accountable, defines right from wrong, and shows me the
light.
   My conscience is my direct connection to My Higher Power.
It is his way of speaking directly to me using his still small voice.

My Higher Power
Takes all of my pain, sorrow, worries, and dilemmas and
Makes it possible for me to persevere through life,
   On life's terms, no matter what I may face while here on Earth.
   He never gives me more than I can handle, no matter how difficult it
may seem at the time.
He has reasoning behind everything that happens
Even if I am unable to understand it.

My Higher Power
Works in mysterious ways but never gives up.
He doesn't pick and choose the times that he cares.
He doesn't condemn me when I make mistakes.
And He never abandons me especially, during a time of need.

My Higher Power
Is my strength when I don't feel strong,
My voice when I can't find the words,
My empathy when I don't know how to care,
And My rock when I don't feel grounded.
   He is my ultimate security.
For once in my life, I have finally found the answers to all of life's
chapters,
And that answer is and always will be,

My Higher Power.
And I will be forever certain that no matter what path I travel,
Choices I make, battles I fight, at any given moment,
Any time of day, no matter where I may be,

My Higher Power
Is there with me,
He is that still small voice always whispering to me.

J. Evans
2-1-08
jessica@...

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

Elder's Meditation of the Day
http://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."

Barbara Semple has been a practitioner of Jin Shin Jyutsu, a gentle
Oriental healing art, for ten years. She enjoys Zen painting, and is
also the author of Personal Power Cards, flashcards for emotional
wellness. Barbara spent 20 years working in corporate and marketing
communications until switching her focus to the holistic healing arts.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 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. Their
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 bowel. When the family glanced in grandfather's direction,
sometimes they saw a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only
words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions, when he dropped a
fork or spilled milk.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. Then; one evening after
supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the
floor. He asked his child sweetly, "What are you making?"

Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for
you and Mamma to eat your food on when I grow up."

The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless.

No words were spoken, but tears streamed down their cheeks and 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 dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are unusually perceptive. Their eyes observe, their ears ever
listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb.
Remember the saying, "Children are like sponges, they absorb
everything and anything that is put is front of them."
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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*But Do It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 don’t have it.

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

Call your sponsor before you pick up.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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,
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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

$$$$$$
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 ?"
Aren’t 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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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."

Barbara Semple has been a practitioner of Jin Shin Jyutsu, a gentle
Oriental healing art, for ten years. She enjoys Zen painting, and is
also the author of Personal Power Cards, flashcards for emotional
wellness. Barbara spent 20 years working in corporate and marketing
communications until switching her focus to the holistic healing arts.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 don’t have it.

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

Call your sponsor before you pick up.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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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http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
http://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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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 ?"
Aren't 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 I'd 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 wouldn't 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 couldn't 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.
She'd 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 wasn't 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, I'm 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 she's 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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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.

Louise L. Hay is a metaphysical lecturer and teacher and the bestselling author
of 20
books, including You Can Heal Your Life Empowering Women. Her works have been
translated into 25 different languages in 33 countries throughout the world.
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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer's 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 for…
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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http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
http://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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

        ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
   <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
       \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
        /  \/  \        embracing each other"
        `""``""`

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

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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

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 ?"
Aren’t 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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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.

Alan Cohen is the author of popular inspirational books, including the
classics, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore, I Had It All the Time,
and Handle with Prayer. To learn more about Alan and find out about
his conference schedule, visit the Hay House website at http://www.hayhouse.com
   To write to Alan Cohen directly or receive more detailed information
about his programs, write to The Mastery Foundation, 455 A Kukuna
Road, Haiku, Hawaii 96708, call 808/572-0001, or visit his website
www.alancohen.com
    This article is excerpted with permission from his book "Happily
Even After" published by Hay House.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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.

Don’t 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 you……..

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada , Columbia, Costa Rica, China ,
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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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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 ?"
Aren’t 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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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 one of "I'm not good enough", 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 important thing 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!

Marie T. Russell is the founder of InnerSelf Magazine (founded 1985).
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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 (Parable)

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 untouched 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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
and write subscribe in the subject line.

Under Bill s.1618 TITLE III passed by the 105th U.S. Congress
this letter cannot be considered spam as long as the following words
are included:

To unsubscribe to to this list send an Email message to the group
that you belong to
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
or
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
or just email me YOUnMEnHP@...
and write unsubscribe in the subject line
or go to the website and unsubscribe

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
http://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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

(((Family))) a BIG hug to you ALL
I am in need of some support...
Does anyone have access to their home groups "guidelines / bylaws / policy"
(different groups call it different names)
My homegroup is forming an adhoc committee to form group policy
and if we had a couple of different groups policies,
we wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel.
If you could send me the policies to my email address
YOUnMEnHP@...
Your attention and support are greatly appreciated,
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott

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 ?"
Aren't 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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/


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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer's 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 for…
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 just email me YOUnMEnHP@...
and write unsubscribe in the subject line
or go to the website and unsubscribe

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http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
http://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,
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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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

        ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
   <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
       \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
        /  \/  \        embracing each other"
        `""``""`

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

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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

(((Family))) a BIG hug to you ALL
I am in need of some support...
Does anyone have access to their home groups "guidelines / bylaws /
policy"
(different groups call it different names)
My homegroup is forming an adhoc committee to form group policy
and if we had a couple of different groups policies,
we wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel.
If you could send me the policies to my email address
YOUnMEnHP@...
Your attention and support are greatly appreciated,
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott


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 ?"
Aren’t 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.
Life is good, Recovery is good, God is GREAT!!!
Traveling has curtailed a bit :)
Spring has sprung and my children are getting to be outdoors more.
The weather has been inconsistent but should be warming up in the
next few weeks. I look forward to doing my first part of planting
this weekend with my son.
I am VERY grateful to be clean.
Keep stepping
and
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...


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

A Picture Of Peace
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=1330

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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

Michael GarrettI 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.

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 and
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 who’d 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 HP’s 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 wasn’t great.
She’d 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 “just weren’t ready”. I became very sad.

At a business meeting the Steps & Traditions were read
Then a motion for “no crosstalk” at meetings was raised.
Misunderstanding was voiced by group members who led
And the motion was tabled. Our old timer wasn’t fazed

Discussion ensued about the literature being ignored
And about too many details of the injustices we’d endured.
Concepts of Experience, Strength & Hope was explored
And our sponsoring group members input was procured.

Our old timer than became furious, she’d never heard of this.
Reacting in anger I said "and I don't like members giving advice”.
She stormed out of the meeting. Mentally I began to list
The amends I’d be making, couldn’t I just have been nice?.

Our small town will benefit from a meeting with success
But doing it on my own power didn’t fit Bill W’s mold.
I blamed the opinionated old timer but it really was my mess.
Now I’m learning to seek my HP’s will and than do as I’m 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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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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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

(((Family))) a BIG hug to you ALL
I am in need of some support...
Does anyone have access to their home groups "group policy"
My homegroup is forming an adhoc committee to form group policy
and if we had a couple of different groups policies,
we wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel.
If you could send me the policies to my email address
YOUnMEnHP@...
Your attention and support are greatly appreciated,
Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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.

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 http://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
e’re 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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 ,
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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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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

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

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/


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

nspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*But Do It !!!*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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

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

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@...

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

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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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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or go to the website and unsubscribe

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http://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,
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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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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 Cohen’s 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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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.

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 until love comes through the door, that is.
And love intuitively goes around sprinkling that special kind 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
enclose 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 embelishes the
table with a potted ivy trailing around slender candles.

Duty writes many letters, but love adds 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 geets offended quickly if it isn't appreciated,
but love learns to laugh alot and to work for the
sheer joy of doing it.

Obligation can pour a glass of milk, but quite often,
love adds 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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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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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
Email message to:

twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or
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and write subscribe in the subject line.

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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,
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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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

(((Moms))) a VERY BIG hug to you ALL !!!
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.
A super special hug to all of you (((Single Moms)))
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 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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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@...

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv


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

Mothers....

For those lucky to still be blessed with your Mom,This is beautiful.
For those of us who aren't, this is Even more beautiful. For those who
are moms, you'll love this.

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... ButThe 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, and gathered flowers for Them along
the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and
The sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried,'Nothing will ever
be lovelier than this.'

Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was Dark, and the
children shook with fear and cold, and the mother Drew them close and
covered them with her mantle, 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 when they reached the top
They said, 'Mother, we would not have done it without you.'

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 fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them
courage.
Today, I 've given them strength.'

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened The earth, clouds
of war and hate and evil, and the children groped And stumbled, and
the mother said: 'Look up. Lift your eyes to the light. ' And the
children looked and saw above the clouds
An everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the Darkness. And that
night the Mother said, 'This is the best day of all, for I have shown
my children God.'

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and The years, and
the mother grew old and she was little and bent.
But her children were tall and strong, and walked with Courage. And
when the way was rough, they lifted her, For she was as light as a
feather; and at last they came to a hill,
And beyond 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 alone, and 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 bleach In your freshly
laundered socks; she's the cool hand
On your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives Inside your
laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop. 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 And your first heartbreak, and 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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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, Mommy, Momma, Ma

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 and 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

Unfortunately, none required. 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

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

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

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

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}

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

The One Flaw In Women

By the time the Lord made woman, He was into his sixth day of working
overtime. An angel appeared and said, 'Why are you spending so much
time on this one?' And the Lord answered, 'Have you seen my spec sheet
on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over
200 movable parts, all replaceable and able to run on diet coke and
leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a
kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart -and
she will do everything with only two hands.'

The angel was astounded at the requirements. 'Only two hands!? No way!
And that's just on the standard model? That's too much work for one
day. Wait until tomorrow to finish.'

'But I won't, ' the Lord protested. 'I am so close to finishing this
creation that  is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself
when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days.'

The angel moved closer and touched the woman. 'But you have made her
so soft, Lord.' 'She is soft,' the Lord agreed, 'but I have also made
her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.'

'Will she be able to think?', asked the angel.
The Lord replied, 'Not only will she be able to think, she will be
able to reason and negotiate.'

The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the
woman's cheek. 'Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I
told you that you were trying to put too much into this one.'

'That's not a leak,' the Lord corrected, 'that's a tear!'
'What's the tear for?' the angel asked.

The Lord said, 'The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow,
her pain, her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief and
her pride.'
The angel was impressed.
'You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything!
Woman is truly amazing.'

And she is! Women have  strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness,
love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take 'no' for an answer when they believe there is a better
solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get
awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when
they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes  and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care
about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE TINY FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET
THEIR WORTH.

This is just to thank the amazing women in my life who have helped me
in ways they'll never know.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Love Is A Behavior*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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,
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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My Higher Power

When I think of My Higher Power, I think The Great One.
Higher Power stands for something greater than my self and
It is my belief that it is greater than all of mankind.
When I came into recovery, I did not have any sense of a Higher Power,
Or any connection with a God of my understanding.
   For so long, I had searched for answers and reasoning behind all of
life's chapters.
   But, I was so lost I never realized that the answers were right
there within arms reach.
All of those answer lie within

My Higher Power
Not only gives me answers, reasoning, truth, and faith,
He holds me accountable, defines right from wrong, and shows me the
light.
   My conscience is my direct connection to My Higher Power.
It is his way of speaking directly to me using his still small voice.

My Higher Power
Takes all of my pain, sorrow, worries, and dilemmas and
Makes it possible for me to persevere through life,
   On life's terms, no matter what I may face while here on Earth.
   He never gives me more than I can handle, no matter how difficult it
may seem at the time.
He has reasoning behind everything that happens
Even if I am unable to understand it.

My Higher Power
Works in mysterious ways but never gives up.
He doesn't pick and choose the times that he cares.
He doesn't condemn me when I make mistakes.
And He never abandons me especially, during a time of need.

My Higher Power
Is my strength when I don't feel strong,
My voice when I can't find the words,
My empathy when I don't know how to care,
And My rock when I don't feel grounded.
   He is my ultimate security.
For once in my life, I have finally found the answers to all of life's
chapters,
And that answer is and always will be,

My Higher Power.
And I will be forever certain that no matter what path I travel,
Choices I make, battles I fight, at any given moment,
Any time of day, no matter where I may be,

My Higher Power
Is there with me,
He is that still small voice always whispering to me.

J. Evans
2-1-08
jessica@...

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

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

The Tao of Painful Relationships
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/05/doreen-virtue.htm

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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"
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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
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Stay in the Light,

In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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
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 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-Anon’s 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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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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Under Bill s.1618 TITLE III passed by the 105th U.S. Congress
this letter cannot be considered spam as long as the following words
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or
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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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http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
http://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,
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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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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

Comes A Dawn
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=518

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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Don’t 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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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 first 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, 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?" "Sure, what would you like to know?" "What's it like
to be only twenty-four and dying?" "We'll, 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, then 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 afterlife, 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 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.
And 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."

"Oooh . . . 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 Tommy 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."
E-Mail Webmaster

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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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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,
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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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
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For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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 haven’t 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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
http://www.lime.com/meditation_room

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:

     1. 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.
     2. 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, Outsmarting the Midlife Fat Cell, 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
http://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
with Bill Wilson

The 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!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Take A Moment To GIVE (NO COST)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FREE Rice
http://www.freerice.com/

Click to GIVE @ the STOP HIV Site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/

Click to GIVE @ the Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Click to GIVE @ the Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Click to GIVE @ the Rain Forest Site
http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4

Click to GIVE @ the Animal Rescue Site
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Track Your Impact in GIVING
http://www.care2.com/click2donate/

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

Clutterer’s 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 for…
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
12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
and write subscribe in the subject line.

Under Bill s.1618 TITLE III passed by the 105th U.S. Congress
this letter cannot be considered spam as long as the following words
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To unsubscribe to to this list send an Email message to 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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http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
http://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. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

         ==  ==      "we are each of us angels
    <^\()/\()/^>       with but one wing,
        \/  \/  \/       and can only fly by
         /  \/  \        embracing each other"
         `""``""`

Scott’s Daily Blog
http://360.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://younmenhp.multiply.com/

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en

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

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



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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 haven’t 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

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

One Day At A Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iIq3Tm44A

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksa.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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Food For Thought Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_touchstone

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

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

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

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

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

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

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

Has Anyone Told You
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

meditationroom
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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!

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