Lighting Your Way

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

I'd help keep you from stumbling over
Things blocking your path to an open door.
If I light your path, life is easier,
Even strong winds, my light will not deter.

No matter what, I'm here for you
To cheer you up when you are blue.
Do not fret when times get tough,
If things look down or kind of rough.

Just remember, I'm always here,
In your heart, close and near.
I will help you out in every way,
Happiness and love in your heart will stay.

Don't blow me out, that's one request
Unless it's me you do detest.
I do not try to hurt anyone
That isn't good or any fun.

But one day you may leave me behind
You may no longer need my light to shine.
If that day comes, go on your way
And I will hope to see you again one day.

If one day, I don't appear,
Do not worry, do not fear
I may be gone, but in your heart
The light I gave you did not depart.

It will be there forever and a day
To always bring happiness and light your way.
Farewell for now, I'm needed elsewhere
If your path grows dark, in your heart, I'm there.

So I'm really not gone, just not seen,
I would not leave, I'm not that mean.
Only one simple request that I must say,
Please, never forget those who lit your way.

© 1999 James Davidson


This is in memory of an EXTRAORDINARY Spirit
of Narcotics Anonymous in N.Y.
She was a pioneer of the fellowship in Florida,
one of the first women to be able to stay clean in N.A. (November 1977).
Rosalie had 29 years clean, she has touched many people,
who have touched many people, who have touched many people.
The ripples and imprints on our hearts are far reaching and lasting.
She was a magnificent, vibrant, extraordinary, spectacular, funny,
loving, giving and caring spirit.
This is not a loss, because we have ALL gained so much by God
allowing our paths to cross.
She is loved by many and is dearly be missed.
HER SPIRIT MARCHES ON!!!!
1/22/45-12/23/06

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*PLEASE REACH OUT*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Better Insurance
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/betterinsurance.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is:
I'm new "What plans do I make for the holidays?"
I have NO experience at staying clean for the holidays,
I feel like using now because my life is a wreck
I can't afford to buy gifts for my family.
How do I stay clean?
PLEASE reach back and help me.

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 22
I can handle anything that comes up today...
even if it is only a moment 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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

Santa Gets Clean

      I am an addict; my name is Nicholas. You can call
me Nick for short.  I always knew I was different from
other kids in my neighborhood. See, I was born with this
beard, and instead of having a dog like the other guys,
I had reindeers for pets.

       Most kids like to get things, but I always gave,
whatever I had. That  made me happy and I hoped
people would like me. My mother always told  me,
"Don't worry, someday people will look up to you."

       But I was lonely, with no one to talk to except the
reindeer. I had problems going to sleep at night when
I was in high school, just tossing and turning and
thinking about my future. That's when I discovered that
a little glass of wine at night would help me sleep.

       Soon I was sleeping real good, but after a while I
needed more than just  a little glass; I needed a big
glass to produce that blessed sleep.

       Things continued like that for a while. I functioned
fine during the day, but nights were a different story.
That's when the wine took over.

       During this time, I got a job, and I really, really liked
it. I was helping this old guy deliver toys and presents on
Christmas. This fit  right in for me, because I always liked
to give and now I could do it professionally, and people
would like me more.

       I didn't have a car or a truck but I could use that
big old sleigh that was out back in the barn. I could
even have my friends the reindeer pull it. I was sleeping
better, so I stopped using at night. Everything was going
great. I even met the Mrs. Her name is Sara -- what
a wonderful woman.

       She made cookies and candies for me to bring with the
toys on Christmas.  Life was great until the old man died.
There went the job. But Sara said, "Why not continue?
You do a good job, you know what you're doing."

      So I kept doing what I loved best -- delivering presents
on Christmas.

       But during the slow season I was bored, so I started
hitting the eggnog and the fruitcake that Sara made
(it had all that delicious brandy in it). Guess what? Sara
started to change. She began to nag: "You never do things
around the house anymore." She even had the nerve to
hint that I was slightly intoxicated sometimes.

       I worked so hard, I figured I deserved all the enjoyment
I could get. What harm could a little eggnog do, or a couple
of lines with the local elves?

       Then the reindeer began giving me trouble. They were
annoyed because I had gotten lost one Christmas eve. It
had nothing to do with the fact that I'd had several hot
toddies during the trip. It was all that snow -- anyone
would have gotten lost.

       So I got myself a new reindeer to lead them, a guy with a
bright red  nose.  He could set his radar and get us anywhere,
and I could continue doing my thing with no problem.

       That is, until one night I got pulled over by a state trooper.
I told him who I was and he said, "Sure you are," and charged
me with driving while intoxicated.

       Things were getting most unpleasant. I was mixing up the
toy lists. My wife wasn't talking to me. The reindeer weren't
happy. My head hurt every morning. And I was having problems
parking the sleigh on rooftops.  I even tried the geographic
cure -- we moved to the North Pole. But things didn't change.

       Then one Christmas Eve, in my usual stupor, I parked
sideways on this one roof and I had a terrible time getting
down the chimney. In fact, I went headfirst, and now I
really needed a drink.

       So when I got into this house, I started looking around
for some booze. But there was nothing, just those rotten
cookies and a glass of milk. How I hated the taste of milk
by that time.

       Couldn't someone take pity on me and leave me a nice
hot toddy with rum!   After all, it was so cold out there in
the sleigh. I guess I was banging around and making too
much noise, because I woke up this guy.

       He came downstairs and asked if he could help me.

      "Help me? Sure. Where do you keep the booze -- I need a drink."

       The guy said there wasn't any because he didn't use. I
wondered what  kind of a person I was dealing with.
He must be a real nut.

       Then he started to tell me that he had used in the past but
it caused him so many problems that he didn't use anymore.
I was interested in that. I wanted him to give me his magic
formula and he said it was simple.

       "I don't use one day at a time."

       He also said, "I go to meetings, I keep it simple, I read the
Basic Text, I carry the message -- and that's how I stay clean."

       At that point I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired,
I was willing to try anything. I wasn't sure if there was a
meeting at the North Pole, but this guy told me I could start one.

       Before I left, the guy gave me a book which he referred to
as the Basic Text. This was my first present -- I had always
been the giver and never let anyone give me anything. I asked
him to write something in the book for me, and this is what he wrote:

       Dear Nicholas,
       Merry Christmas!
       Your friend,
       Jimmy K.

       And that's how Santa got clean. Merry Christmas to all, and to
all a
good night.

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

Blissful Innocence
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=ibedchYxnikYHZTk7p\
54.PjslVT8z9C42WCOQ02LTvS7ehXgOQ

How Group Conscious Am I?
www.barefootsworld.net/aagroupconscious.html

Yesterday and Today
N.A. Way Magazine 1/1998
www.na.org/naway/en/naway2-e.htm#Newday

12 Steps of Non-Recovery
www.geocities.com/alaura1942/NonRecovery.html

Take Some Time
www.geocities.com/alaura1942/TakeSomeTime.html

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 22                            A New Way to Live

"When at the end of the road we find that we can no longer function
as a human being, either with or without drugs, we all face the same
dilemma.... Either go on as best we can to the bitter ends-jails,
institutions, or death-or find a new way to live."   Basic Text p.84

   What was the worst aspect of active addiction? For many of us, it
wasn't the chance that we might die some day of our disease. The
worst part was the living death we experienced every day, the
never-ending meaninglessness of life. We felt like walking ghosts,
not living, loving parts of the world around us.

   In recovery, we've come to believe that we're here for a reason: to
love ourselves and to love others. In working the Twelve Steps,
we have learned to accept ourselves. With that self-acceptance has
come self-respect. We have seen that everything we do has an effect
on others; we are a part of the lives of those around us, and they of
ours. We've begun to trust other people and to acknowledge our
responsibility to them.

   In recovery, we've come back to life. We maintain our new lives by
contributing to the welfare of others and seeking each day to do that
better-that's where the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Steps come in.
The days of living like a ghost are past, but only so long as we
actively seek to be healthy, loving, contributing parts of our own lives
and the lives of others around us.

Just for today: I have found a new way to live. Today, I will seek to
serve others with love and to love myself.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

Attraction, Not Promotion

Through many painful experiences, we think we have arrived at
what that policy ought to be.  It is the opposite in many ways of
usual promotional practice.  We found that we had to rely upon the
principle of attraction rather than of promotion.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 180-181

   While I was drinking I reacted with anger, self-pity and defiance
against anyone who wanted to change me.  All I wanted then was
to be accepted by another human simply as I was and, curiously,
that is what I found in A.A.  I became the custodian of this concept
of attraction, which is the principle of our Fellowship's public
relations.  It is by attraction that I can best reach the alcoholic
who still suffers.

   I thank God for having given me the attraction of a well-planned
and established program of Steps and Traditions.  Through humility
and the support of my fellow sober members, I have been able to
practice the A.A. way of life through attraction, not promotion.

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/ December 22nd

A.A. Thought for the Day

As we look back over our drinking careers, we must
realize that our lives were a mess because we were
a mess inside.  The trouble was in us, not in life itself.
Life itself was good enough, but we were looking at it
the wrong way.  We were looking at life through the
bottom of a whiskey glass, and it was distorted.
We could not see all the beauty and goodness and
purpose in the world because our vision was blurred.
We were in a house with one-way glass in the windows.
People could see us but we could not look out and see
them and see what life meant to them and should mean
to us.  We were blind then, but now we can see.
Can I now look at life as it really is?

Meditation for the Day

Fear no evil, because the power of God can conquer
evil.  Evil has power to seriously hurt only those who
do not place themselves under the protection of the
Higher Power.  This is not a question of feeling, it is
an assured fact of our experience.  Say to yourself
with assurance that whatever it is, no evil can seriously
harm you as long as you depend on the Higher Power.
Be sure of the protection of God's grace.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that fear of evil will not get me down.  I pray that
I may try to place myself today under the protection of
God's grace.

"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
DECEMBER 22

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

Good Things Coming

Do not worry about how the good that has been planned for you
will come.

It will come.

Do not worry, obsess, and think you have to control it, go out
hunting for it, or tangle your mind trying to figure out how and
when it will find you.

It will find you.

Surrender to your Higher Power each day. Trust your Higher
Power. Then, stay peaceful. Trust and listen to yourself. That
is how the good you want will come to you.

Your healing. Your joy. Your relationships. Your solutions. That
job. That desired change. That opportunity. It will come to you -
naturally, with ease, and in a host of ways.

That answer will come. The direction will come. The money. The
idea. The energy. The creativity. The path will open itself to you.
Trust that, for it has already been planned.

It is futile, a waste and drain of energy, to worry about how it
will come. It is already there. You have it already. It is in place.
You just cannot see it!

You will be brought to it, or it will be brought to you.

Today, I will relax and trust that the good I need, will find me.
Either through my leadings, or the leadings of others, all I want
and need will come to me when the time is right.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

Pet Rules
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/12/pet-rules.htm

The Real Cause of Heart Disease
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/12/heart-%20disease.htm

The Passing
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2001/February/feature1.htm

Links to Understanding Our Dreams
Links to Affirmations & Visualization
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_third.htm#dreams

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

THE GENTLE ART OF BLESSING
by Pierre Pradervand

On awakening, bless this day, for it is already full of unseen
good which your blessings will call forth; for to bless is to
acknowledge the unlimited good that is embedded in the very
texture of the universe and awaiting each and all.


On passing people in the street, on the bus, in places of work
and play, bless them. The peace of your blessing will
accompany them on their way and the aura of its gentle
fragrance will be a light to their path.

On meeting and talking to people, bless them in their health,
their work, their joy, their relationships to God, themselves, and
others. Bless them in their abundance, their finances...bless
them in every conceivable way, for such blessings not only
sow seeds of healing but one day will spring forth as flowers
of joy in the waste places of your own life.

As you walk, bless the city in which you live, its government
and teachers, its nurses and streetsweepers, its children and
bankers, its priests and prostitutes. The minute anyone
expresses the least aggression or unkindness to you,
respond with a blessing: bless them totally, sincerely, joyfully,
for such blessings are a shield which protects them from the
ignorance of their misdeed, and deflects the arrow that was
aimed at you..

To bless means to wish, unconditionally, total, unrestricted
good for others and events from the deepest wellspring in
the innermost chamber of your heart: it means to hallow, to
hold in reverence, to behold with utter awe that which is
always a gift from the Creator. He who is hallowed by your
blessing is set aside, consecrated, holy, whole. To bless is
yet to invoke divine care upon, to think or speak gratefully
for, to confer happiness upon - although we ourselves are
never the bestower, but simply the joyfull witnesses of Life's
abundance.

To bless all without discrimination of any sort is the ultimate
form of giving, because those you bless will never know from
whence came the sudden ray of sun that burst through the
clouds of their skies, and you will rarely be a witness to the
sunlight in their lives.

When something goes completely askew in your day, some
unexpected event knocks down your plans and you too also,
burst into blessing: for life is teaching you a lesson, and the
very event you believe to be unwanted, you yourself called
forth, so as to learn the lesson you might balk against were
you not to bless it. Trials are blessings in disguise, and
hosts of angels follow in their path.

To bless is to acknowledge the omnipresent, universal beauty
hidden to material eyes; it is to activate that law of attraction
which, from the furthest reaches of the universe, will bring into
your life exactly what you need to experience and enjoy.

When you pass a prison, mentally bless its inmates in their
innocence and freedom, their gentleness, pure essence and
unconditional forgiveness; for one can only be prisoner of
one's self-image, and a free man can walk unshackled in the
courtyard of a jail, just as citizens of countries where freedom
reigns can be prisoners when fear lurks in their thoughts.

When you pass a hospital, bless its patients in their present
wholeness, for even in their suffering, this wholeness awaits
in them to be discovered. When your eyes behold a man in
tears, or seemingly broken by life, bless him in his vitality
and joy: for the material senses present but the inverted image
of the ultimate splendor and perfection which only the inner
eye beholds.

It is impossible to bless and to judge at the same time. So hold
constantly as a deep, hallowed, intoned thought that desire to
bless, for truly then shall you become a peacemaker, and one
day you shall, everywhere, behold the very face of God.

And of course, above all, don't forget to bless the utterly
beautiful person YOU are!

Gratefully shared with permission of Pierre Pradervand,
prader@...
http://www.life.int.ch

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

A Sufi teaching story tells of the man who visited a great
mystic to find out how to let go of his chains of attachment
and his prejudices.

Instead of answering him directly,
the mystic jumped to his feet and bolted to a nearby pillar,
flung his arms around it,
grasping the marble surface as he screamed,
"Save me from this pillar!
Save me from this pillar!"

The man who had asked the question could not believe
what he saw. He thought the mystic was mad.
The shouting soon brought a crowd of people.
"Why are you doing that?" the man asked.
"I came to you to ask a spiritual question because
I thought you were wise, but obviously you are crazy.
You are holding the pillar, the pillar is not holding you.
You can simply let go."

The mystic let go of the pillar and said to the man,
"If you can understand that, you have your answers.
Your chains of attachment are not holding you,
you are holding them. You can simply let go."

Author Unknown

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

STEP ONE
RETHINK YOUR WORLDVIEW
The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our
wits to grow sharper - Eden Phillports

The voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new vistas but in
having new eyes. - Anonymous

STEP TWO
KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT SEPARATED FROM GOD
You are literally a drop of God in a sea of God. - Donald Schnell

Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate
in eternity. - Edwin Hubbel Chapin

STEP THREE
KNOW THAT YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND YOU ARE LOVED
As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically
liberates others. - Marianne Williamson

A person desperately searching for love is like a fish
desperately searching for water. - Deepak Chopra

STEP FOUR
ALWAYS CHOOSE THE PATH OF MOST LOVE
Then, for the second time in the history of the world, man will
have discovered fire. - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments
when you have really lived are the moments when you have
done things in the spirit of love. - Henry Drummond

STEP FIVE
FOLLOW YOUR GUIDANCE
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Alas for those who never sing and die with all their music
in them. - Oliver Wendell Holmes

STEP SIX
CREATE YOUR OWN REALITY
The quality of one's life depends on the quality of attention.
Whatever you pay attention to will grow more important in
your life.  There is no limit to the kinds of changes that
awareness can produce. - Deepak Chopra

We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.
- Anais Nin

STEP SEVEN
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE
God gives every bird its food but He does not throw it into
the nest. - J.G. Holland

Being ungrateful for what you get never gets you more.
- H. Glasow

STEP EIGHT
DETACH FROM OUTCOMES
Things turn out best for the people who make the best of
the way things turn out. - Art Linkletter

Leap and the net will appear. - Les Brown

STEP NINE
LEARN TO WANT WHAT YOU HAVE
We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only
to learn that it is God who is shaking them. - Charles C. West

The mark of your ignorance is the depth of your belief in injustice
and tragedy.  What the caterpillar calls the end of the world,
the master calls a butterfly. - Richard Bach

STEP TEN
SEE EVERY MOMENT AS A GIFT
The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being
can alter his life by altering his attitude. - William James

You may be the only Bible somebody ever reads. - Mark Twain

STEP ELEVEN
CONCENTRATE ON BEING, NOT DOING
Often, people attempt to live their life backward.  They try to have
more things or more money in order to do more of what they want
so that they will be happier.  The way it actually works is the
reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you
need to do, in order to have what you want. - Shakti Gawain

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters
compared to what lies within us. - Oliver Wendell Holmes

STEP TWELVE
RECOGNIZE THAT EXTERNAL SECURITY IS AN ILLUSION
Self-knowledge is an anchor that makes unpredictability
tolerable.

Deepak Chopra

When you have come to the edge of all the light you know, and are
about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, Faith is
knowing that one of two things will happen:  There will either be
something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to fly.

Anonymous

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

The Power of Appreciation

I was driving down the highway the other day. I was in the slow
lane, adhering to the speed limit, when suddenly the truck in
front of me had to brake sharply because of a slow moving truck
in front of him. I was in one of those situations where I wouldn't
have enough time to brake to avoid an accident and couldn't
overtake because of a car coming up fast in the overtake lane.

As if seeing my predicament, the driver in the overtake lane
quickly moved to the fast lane, thus freeing up the space I
needed to avoid hitting the back of the truck. As he drove past
me we looked at each other at precisely the same moment and
both raised our hands to say 'Thank You'.

I was really touched by this spontaneous 'meeting' of our two
spirits. For that split second we were in complete harmony with
each other. What he had done for me (without the usual issues
of dominance on the road) had most probably helped me avoid
a serious accident.

It really brought home to me what a powerful force the 'power of
appreciation' is.

How differently we react when someone answers our angry
comment with a kind word. What a difference it makes when
someone takes the time to listen when we need to talk.

Next time someone does something for you, take a minute and
express your sincere appreciation. I mean really express it.

-Tell them how much what they did for you, means
-Let them know how much you value having their shoulder to
   cry on
-Show how much their love means to you
-Say 'Thanks' like you really mean it.

A friend of mine has the wonderful habit of telling you when that
dress really suits you. You can see that she is sincere just by the
way she says it and it brightens up your whole day. She says it
without waiting for a compliment in return. She says it without
envy or jealousy and she also says it completely spontaneously.

I've included an excerpt of a list written by Steve Stephens of
things you can say, every day.

"Good Job!"
"You're wonderful."
"You look gorgeous today."
"I appreciate all the things you have done for me."
"You are the best friend I have."
"I missed you today."
"I can always count on you."
"You make me feel good."
"I am so proud to be married to you."
"I'm sorry."
"I was wrong."
"What would you like?"
"What's on your mind?"
"Thank you for loving me."
"Thank you for accepting me."

I guarantee that saying something heartfelt and genuine to
someone who's done something for you, or someone who
means a lot to you, will not only brighten their day, but yours too.

Copyright © Lisa van den Berg

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

What Christmas Means To Me

I'm searching deep inside to see
What Christmas really means to me.
Not just this time of Yuletide cheer,
But everyday, throughout the year.
I ask each day before I rest,
If I have done my very best.
Before I ever even start,
I need God's will to do my part,
To spread this message of love and cheer,
To everyone that I hold dear.
The gift of love that's given to me,
I wear for all the world to see.
For every time I look at you,
I see your spirit shining through.

Sharlett Hunt copywrite@2002
Sharlette863@...

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

There is no such thing as a 'self-made' man.
We are made up of thousands of others.
Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us,
or spoken one word of encouragement to us,
has entered into the make-up of our character
and of our thoughts, as well as our success.
George Burton Adams

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

I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, every valley shall be exalted,
every hill and mountain shall be made low,
the rough places will be made plain,
the crooked places will be made straight,
and the glory of God shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope.  This is our faith.
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

There is an awesome power that is at work in every one of us,
and when we withhold forgiveness,
we filter that power down to a mere trickle of itself
through the stubborn judgments that we hold in our minds.
Ask God to let you see the way God sees and
open your heart to the great flow of God's power in your life.
Mary Manin Morrissey

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

When you are inspired by some great purpose,
some extraordinary project,
all your thoughts break their bounds:
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 (Second century B.C.)
Philosopher

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

FAILURE =
Fearful Arrogant Insecure Lonely Uncertain Resentful Empty

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

FAITH = Fear Ain’t In This House

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

FAITH = Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him

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

FEAR = False Evidence Appears Real

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Addict Museum
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/addictmuseum.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is:
I'm new "What plans do I make for the holidays?"
I have NO experience at staying clean for the holidays,
I feel like using now because my life is a wreck
I can't afford to buy gifts for my family.
How do I stay clean?
PLEASE reach back and help me.

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 21
Today I seek spiritual understanding beyond everything else.
I choose peace and love and joy as my goals.
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

Sur-prise!

Al-Anon and Motherhood
Aren’t what I understood
Smilin’ faces, perfect life
Not a hint of comin’ strife

Joined Al-Anon for her trauma
Turned out it was my drama!
To cure her I learnt the key!
Fixin’ needed to center on me

Carol T
gillygumdrop@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=s4NEJ5M2nHvIOegzWr\
wvEiojtN1OiWHYy8xqmc0JyTseIgyI4g

What About Members With Longer-term Sobriety?
www.barefootsworld.net/aalongerterm.html

Recovery is free, but the rent isn’t
N.A. Way Magazine 1/1998
www.na.org/naway/en/naway2-e.htm#Feature

Recovery Threads
www.recoverythreads.com

Sober Duck T-Shirts and More
www.soberduck.com

Prayer Beads Made Exclusively For The Twelve Step Community
www.twelvebeads.com

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 21                             Acceptance and Change

"Freedom to change seems to come after acceptance of ourselves."
    Basic Text p.56

    Fear and denial are the opposites of acceptance. None of us are
perfect, even in our own eyes; all of us have certain traits that, given
the chance, we would like to change. We sometimes become
overwhelmed when contemplating how far short we fall of our
ideals, so overwhelmed that we fear there's no chance of
becoming the people we'd like to be. That's when our defense
mechanism of denial kicks in, taking us to the opposite extreme:
nothing about ourselves needs changing, we tell ourselves,
so why worry? Neither extreme gives us the freedom to
change.

    Whether we are longtime NA members or new to recovery, the
freedom to change is acquired by working the Twelve Steps.
When we admit our powerlessness and the unmanageability of
our lives, we counteract the lie that says we don't have to change.
In coming to believe that a Power greater than we are can help
us, we lose our fear that we are damaged beyond repair; we come
to believe we can change. We turn ourselves over to the care of
the God of our understanding and tap the strength we need to
make a thorough, honest examination of ourselves. We admit to
God, to ourselves, and to another human being what we've
found. We accept the good and the bad in ourselves; with this
acceptance, we become free to change.

Just for today: I want to change. By working the steps, I will counter
fear and denial and find the acceptance needed to change.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

The Perils of the Limelight

In the beginning, the press could not understand our refusal of all
personal publicity. They were genuinely baffled by our insistence upon
anonymity. Then they got the point. Here was something rare in the
world - a society which said it wished to publicize its principles and
its
work, but not its individual members. The press was delighted with
this attitude. Ever since, these friends have reported A.A. with an
enthusiasm which the most ardent members would find hard to match.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 182

It is essential for my personal survival and that of the Fellowship that
I not use A.A. to put myself in the limelight.  Anonymity is a way for
me
to work on my humility.  Since pride is one of my most dangerous
shortcomings, practicing humility is one of the best ways to overcome
it.
The Fellowship of A.A. gains worldwide recognition by its various
methods
of publicizing its principles and its work, not by its individual
members
advertising themselves.  The attraction created by my changing attitudes
and my altruism contributes much more to the welfare of A.A. than
self-promotion.

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 / December 21st

A.A. Thought for the Day

Have I ceased being inwardly defeated, at war with
myself?   Have I given myself freely to A.A. and to
the Higher Power?   Have I gotten over being sick
inside?  Am I still wandering mentally or am I "on the
beam"?  I can face anything if I am sure I am on the
way.  When I am sure, I should bet my life on A.A. I
have learned how the program works.  Now will I follow
it with all I have, with all I can give, with all my might,
with all my life?
Am I going to let A.A. principles guide the rest of my life?

Meditation for the Day

In this time of quiet meditation, follow the pressure
of the Lord's leading.  In all decisions to be made today,
yield to the gentle pressure of your conscience.  Stay or
go as that pressure indicates.  Take the events of today
as part of God's planning and ordering.  He may lead
you to a right decision.  Wait quietly until you have an
inner urge, a leading, a feeling that a thing is right, a
pressure on your will by the spirit of God.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that today I may try to follow the inner pressure
of God's leading.  I pray that I may try to follow my
conscience and do what seems right today.

"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
DECEMBER 21

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

Balance

Strive for balanced expectations of others. Strive for healthy
tolerance.

In the past, we may have tolerated too much or too little. We
may have
expected too much or too little.

We may swing from tolerating abuse, mistreatment, and
deception to refusing to tolerate normal, human, imperfect
behaviors from people. Although it's preferable not to
remain in either extreme too long, that is how people change -
real people who struggle imperfectly toward better lives,
improved relationships, and more effective relationship
behaviors.

But if we are open to ourselves and to the recovery process,
we will, at some time, begin another transition: it becomes
time to move away from extremes, toward balance.

We can trust ourselves and the recovery process to bring us
to a balanced place of tolerance, giving, understanding, and
expectations - of others and
ourselves.

We can each find our own path to balance as we begin and
continue recovery.

Today, I will practice acceptance with others and myself for
the way we change. If I have had to swing to the other extreme
of a behavior, I will accept that as appropriate, for a time. But
I will make my goal one of balanced tolerance and expectations
of others and 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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Soul Mate
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/12/soul-mate.htm

George Carlin’s Views On Aging
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/12/aging.htm

Letters of Wisdom and Affirmation
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/December/hay.htm

Links to Flow and Synchronicity
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_third.htm#flow

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

Make Whatcha Want
by Alan Cohen

What would you say is the most boring job in the world? A
survey asked this very question of a large group of people,
who most frequently answered,
"toll collector".

Recently I was in a car with several friends waiting to pay
a toll at the Chicago airport. The line seemed to be moving
rather slowly; I assumed the delay had something to do
with security. When we finally arrived at the booth, we
found a handsome Italian man with thick gray hair and
sparkling eyes. As he handed us our change, he leaned
over and enthusiastically sang us several verses of "La
Traviata" -- and he was really good! We thanked him, smiled,
and went on our way with a little more color in our cheeks.

Many years ago my mentor told me, "Take whatcha got and
make whatcha want." If ever anyone has ever put this
principle into action, it is that toll collector! He has taken
a potentially dreary and chilly tollbooth and transformed it
into an opera hall! I'm sure the people who pass through his
booth are the happiest in that airport.

As we enter this New Year, we all want to change our lives
for the better. The question is, how?

There are two ways you can change your life: (1) Change
your conditions; and (2) Change your mind. Sometimes you
can change your conditions. Always you can change your
mind. Ultimately, mastering your mind yields far more success
and reward than rearranging conditions. Perhaps you have
heard about the fellow who was losing coins out of a hole in
his pocket, so he went out and got a second job to replace
the coins. He didn't realize how much more helpful it would
have been to simply sew the hole!

I heard about a man who was walking across a bridge when
he saw a fellow fishing from the bank of the river. The
fisherman caught a small fish and tossed it into a small
bucket. Then he caught a large fish and cast it back into
the river. The onlooker kept watching and saw that the
fisherman kept all the small fish but rejected all the large
ones. Curious, he went down to the riverbank and asked,
"Why do you keep only the small fish?"

"It's simple," answered the fisherman. "I have this frying pan
here that's about nine inches wide. Only the smaller fish fit
in the frying pan, so they 're the ones I keep."

The frying pan, in this story, represents our mind and the
beliefs we hold. If you allow into your life only the things that
match your current beliefs, the world you live in will be
only as large as those beliefs -- but then you miss out on
lots of bigger fish! Instead of limiting life to your old frying
pan, get a bigger one and embrace all that life has to offer.
You can go to the ocean with a thimble, a cup, or a tanker,
and you will come back with a volume of water equal to the
size of the receptacle you bring. So bring a big one!

My friend Drake is a landscaper who had numerous small
accounts. One day one of his customers, a wealthy man
with a large estate, invited Drake to work on his property
full time. "What is your dream of how good this job could
be?" the owner asked Drake.

Drake told him he would have to think about it. He went
home and wrote down all the aspects he could picture for his
ideal job. A week later Drake revisited his notes and realized
that what he had written did not represent his entire dream.
So he expanded the salary, equipment, and working
conditions. Several weeks later Drake came back to his
written vision and realized it still wasn't big enough. This
process went on for three months, with Drake's dream job
continually expanding on paper. Finally he felt that what he
had written was big enough to match what was in his heart
and mind. He took the paper to his prospective employer
and showed it to him. The fellow read the paper, thought
for a moment, and answered, "Sounds good to me." Now
Drake is living his dream job. He took what he had and made
what he wanted.

The key to taking what you have and making what you want
is to reframe. Find a way to look at every experience so it
empowers you.  After the great Argentinean golfer Robert
De Vincenzo won a tournament, he received his check and
began walking to his car in the parking lot.  There he was
approached by a young woman who told him that her child
was seriously ill, near death.  She did not know how she
could pay the doctor's bills and hospital expenses.  De
Vincenzo was so touched by her story that he endorsed
his winning check and pressed it into her hands with the
loving wish, "Make some good days for the baby." A few
days later a golf official told him, "That woman you met in
the parking lot is a phony.  She has no sick baby. She's not
even married.  She fleeced you, my friend." "You mean there
is no baby who is dying?" asked De Vincenzo.  "That's right,"
answered the official.  "Well," De Vincenzo responded, "That's
the best news I've heard all week."

I wish you a new year of news that is good because you
choose to find it, and a wish list that is so magnificent the
universe has no choice but to fill it.

About The Author:
Alan Cohen is the author of the best-selling The Dragon
Doesn't Live Here Anymore, the award-winning A Deep
Breath of Life, and the acclaimed Why Your Life Sucks and
What You Can Do About It. (The above books can be ordered
by clicking on the book titles.) For more information on Alan's
books, tapes, seminars, and Mastery Training in Maui, phone
1-800-568-3079, visit www.alancohen.com, email
admin@..., or write P.O. Box 835, Haiku,
HI 96708

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

A Beautiful Heart

Once long ago and far away was a very special valley.
The outside world did not know about this special valley
or the very special people that lived within it.
You see, what made these people special was the fact that they wore
their hearts on the outside of their chest for everyone to see.
There were big ones and small ones, pretty ones and some not so pretty.

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 scares and tares."
"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,
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 scared heard 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.

author unknown

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

"Angel In Training"

    My memorabilia manages to escape organization by tucking itself
into every conceivable cranny of my home. Once or twice a year
I find the gumption to assemble my scattered treasures and store
them in a more dignified manner.

     Caitlynd, my granddaughter, assisted me on my recent forage
through the house. I put her in charge of the keepsake box and
passed her all the little bits of paper, various occasion cards
and letters I'd collected since my last endeavor to preserve the
family mementos for posterity.

    A diligent helper, Caitlynd gently place each remembrance in the
box. One card in particular caught her attention. By design, it
wasn't fancy, no glitter or gold lettering, but she held it up
and asked, "Who gave you this one?"

    Her innocent question put me in a bit of a quandary. The sender
was a mother who had spent the previous Christmas, along with her
three-year-old son, in a shelter for battered women. Unprepared
for a discussion on domestic violence with a five-year-old, I
stalled for time by reading the card out loud. "I do not know
your names or anything about you, but you will always be my
angels. Thank you!"

    A few years back, I introduced the idea of cutting back on gifts
at Christmas by limiting presents to a small circle of immediate
family. I wanted to use the money we would have spent on our ever
expanding brood of relatives, to make a positive impact on
someone's life. My handsome husband readily agreed. Since that
time, we have participated in various charitable 'Adopt A Family'
programs. In keeping with the spirit of the holidays and the
value of the gift of giving, we choose to remain anonymous.

    Caitlynd held the card from the woman we 'adopted' the previous
year. "How come you and Papa are her angels?"

    I proceeded with caution and told her a story about a woman and a
little boy, without possessions or a home, who had to spend the
holidays at a shelter. Presented with the opportunity to let my
granddaughter know there were safe places to go in times of
trouble, I explained the concept of shelters and how they help
people who need a place to stay, a warm bed and good food . I
finished the story by describing the way Grammy and Papa helped
bring a sprinkling of Christmas cheer to the woman and her little
boy. "We bought them special presents and wrapped each one in
beautiful holiday paper. The lady who runs the shelter said we
could write a note and tell the lady who we were, but Papa and I
thought it would be a better surprise if we kept our names a
secret." (Actually, we wrote 'From Santa' on each tag, but I
wasn't prepared to have THAT discussion.)

    Caitlynd was mesmerized by the tale. I could almost see the
widgets whirling and twirling in her brain. "People can be angels
too?" she asked.

    "Of course they can sweetie," I answered, "They just don't have
wings."

    "I don't know about that, Grammy," she said in earnest, "I think
I can kind of see your wings. Will you teach me how to be an angel
so I can get wings too?"

    The infamous lump that tends to appear in my throat at moments
such as this, grew to new proportions and prevented further words
from leaving my mouth.

    As I gathered her in my arms and buried my face in her satiny hair,
I was sure I felt the bud of her little wings sprouting.

Copyright © 1999
Terri McPherson
tmcphers@...
www.wisehearts.com/lfc.htm

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

Chips, Medallions and Birthdays

The traditions of chips, medallions and birthdays vary in different
parts of the country and I thought it would be interesting to look
up some of the history on them.

Sister lgnatia, the nun who helped Dr. Bob get the hospitalization
program started at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron was the first
person to use medallions in Alcoholics Anonymous. She gave the drunks
who were leaving St. Thomas after a five day dry out a Sacred Heart
Medallion and instructed them that the acceptance of the medallion
signified a commitment to God, to A.A. and to recovery and that if
they were going to drink, they had a responsibility to return the
medallion to her before drinking.

The practice of sobriety chips in A.A. started with a Group in Elmira,
N.Y.
in 1947 and has grown from there.

The celebration of birthdays came from the Oxford Group where they
celebrated the anniversary of their spiritual rebirth. As we have a
problem
with honesty, A.A. chose the anniversary of the date of our last drink.

Early celebrations of birthdays resulted in people getting drunk and
Dr. Harry Tiebout was asked to look at the problem and he commented on
this phenomenon in an articled titled "When the Big "I" Becomes Nobody",
(AAGV, Sept. 65)

"Early on in A.A., I was consulted about a serious problem plaguing the
local group. The practice of celebrating a year's sobriety with a
birthday
cake had resulted in a certain number of the members getting drunk
within
a short period after the celebration. Feb. 1948, Why All the
Congratulations?
"When we start taking bows (even on anniversaries) we bow ourselves
right
into the cuspidor."

"The camel is wholly emblematic of the purposes of most sincere A.A.'S,
i.e., to live for 24 hours without a drink." (the camel is on the AT
Center
chips)

August 1948. The Artesta, N.Mex. Group awards marbles to all members.
If you are caught without your marbles, you are fined 25 cents. This
money goes into the Foundation Fund.

June 1953, We operate a poker chip club in the Portland Group (Maine).
We have poker chips of nine colors of which the white represents the
probation period of one month. If he keeps his white chip for one month
he is presented with a red chip for one month's sobriety.

Also at the end of the year and each year thereafter, we present them
with a group birthday card signed by all members present at the meeting.
(my sister meeting does the card thing still, I have and treasure a
couple
from past Birthdays!)

January 1955, Charlotte, N.C. "When a person takes "The Long Walk" at
the end of a meeting, to pick up a white chip, he is admitting to his
fellows that he has finally accepted the precepts of A.A. and is
beginning
his sobriety. At the end of three months he exchanges his white chip
for a
red one. Later, a handsome, translucent chip of amber indicates that
this
new member has enjoyed six months of a new way of life. The nine month
chip is a clear seagreen and a blue chip is given for the first year of
sobriety. In some groups a sponsor will present his friend with an
engraved
silver chip, at the end of five years clear thinking and clean living.

March 1956, The One Ton Poker Chip. Alton, Illinois. Author gave friend
a chip on his first day eight years ago (1948) and told him to accept
it in
the spirit of group membership and that if he wanted to drink to throw
the
chip away before starting drinking.

July 1957, New Brunswick, Canada. Birthday Board. Member contributes
one dollar for each year of sobriety. (my sister did this, each
birthday she
contributed that much to Central Office)

July 1957, Oregon. Person is asked to speak and is introduced by his
or her
sponsor. The wife, mother, sister or other relative brings up a cake.
The Group sings Happy Birthday. The wife gives a two or thee minute
talk.

And that's a little bit of info on chips, cakes and medallions.
written by Jim Burwell

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

Getting Through Christmas

Its that time of year they call Christmas cheer
Now as I recall I drank wine and beer
Indulging myself with all laid to offer
I use to drink up, Only later to suffer

Something seems different to me in this season
I guess cuz I'm straight that must be the reason
Be even though straight I feel out of place
Isolating myself, in my own little space

Just want to stay home away from it all
In prior years past I'd be having a ball
But as I sit home admiring my tree
I realize this year, that "hey" I've got me

When I sit and think about how it was then
I cannot believe how stupid I'd been
Snorting and drinking with all that would dare
For myself,  I now know, that I did not care

Now that I'm clean, my eyes are much clearer
This holiday season, I can look in the mirror
It will be tough, but I will get through
And thank God above, to myself I was true

Thank god for the meetings, the people I've met
Without them I know, I would sit here and fret
But I dont have to, anymore, no sir ree
Cuz now I am thinking that I like the new me.

Victoria
Foxondarun@...

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

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
Helen Keller

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

We take a risk when we open our hearts because the truth is,
if we open our hearts, we will get hurt.
You can't open your heart and not have some hurt
because you're in a human experience.
Even if it's the love of your life and you have
many wonderful, deepening, growing, powerful years together,
it's a human experience, and that person will pass over.
Love takes courage.  Be courageous.
   Mary Manin Morrissey

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

Truth hurts--
not the searching after;
the running from!
John Virgil

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

Growing old is mandatory.
Growing up is optional.
Chili Davis, California Angels ballplayer

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

In the world of bodies, we are all separate.
In the world of spirit, we are all one.
Marianne Williamson

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

CHANGE = Choosing Honesty Allows New Growth Everyday

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

COURAGE = Cause Of Using Recovery’s A Great Effort

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

DEAD = Drugs End All Dreams

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

DENIAL = Don’t Even No I Am Lying


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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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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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Two Kinds
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/twokindsofalcoholics.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is: Our friend Lori F. has a special request,
Her home group is putting together a collection of everyones favorite
recovery program quotes and sayings in a notebook. PLEASE
stop by or email below to share in this collective experience.
Hopefully WE will be able to put something together to share with
you online too :) PLEASE SHARE YOUR FAVORITE RECOVERY
SAYING, QUOTE OR SLOGAN

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

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

December 20
Today I know that I am powerless over all the addictions,
obsessions, compulsions and dependencies in my life.
Today I am willing to let them go
to a power greater than 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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Emotional Hoaxes

Running low on patience, each day I delete
Offers of great riches, grand prizes and neat
Cruises on ocean liners. Am I thought so dense
That I don’t realize they aren’t worth two cents?

Each is an email hoax, skillfully constructed to try
To play on my emotions and sway me to buy
Things I don’t need. This is true so why do I seek
More feelings, emotion, from my HP each week.

Emotions are undependable, unreliable and weak
Although in their clutches more havoc we reek
They tell us we’re dependent on feelings each day
To be assured that our HP is controlling the way.

“Holidays are happy; I see it on TV! People are cheerful
So what’s wrong with me? My emotions make me fearful,
Depressed and sad.”  Service is the answer in the Big Book
Seek out those who need help and you have not far to look.

“I’ve never felt God’s presence” the new member declares
So depend on group conscious says the veteran who cares
Feelings are fickle; some are emotional hoaxes to delete.
Read the literature, listen to the group, you and HP will meet.

Carol Thomas
gillygumdrop@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 The Saint Next Door
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=BC.Wh7AxniiDKYLThi\
_zc8D5spQd2Wz9hyiBCVewmMYb8IDuCA

A Sensitive Alcoholic
www.barefootsworld.net/sensitiv.html

The challenge of recovering behind the walls
N.A. Way Magazine 7/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway163-13.htm

John Lennon Videos
www.johnlennon.com/html/videos.aspx

Recovery Greetings
www.recoverygreetings.com

Living One Day  At A Time
www.geocities.com/alaura1942/LivingOneDayAtATime.html

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 20                       Overcoming Self-Obsession

"In living the steps, we begin to let go of our self-obsession."
Basic Text p.94

   Many of us came to the program convinced that our feelings, our
wants, and our needs were of the utmost importance to everyone.
We had practiced a lifetime of self-seeking, self-centered behavior
and believed it was the only way to live.

   That self-centeredness doesn't cease just because we stop using
drugs. Perhaps we attend our first NA function and are positive
that everyone in the room is watching us, judging us, and condemning
us. We may demand that our sponsor be on call to listen to us
whenever we want-and they, in turn, may gently suggest that the
world does not revolve around us. The more we insist on being the
center of the universe, the less satisfied we will be with our friends,
our sponsor, and everything else.

   Freedom from self-obsession can be found through concentrating
more on the needs of others and less on our own. When others
have problems, we can offer help. When newcomers need rides to
meetings, we can pick them up. When friends are lonely, we can
spend time with them. When we find ourselves feeling unloved or
ignored, we can offer the love and attention we need to someone
else. In giving, we receive much more in return-and that's a promise
we can trust.

Just for today: I will share the world with others, knowing they are
just as important as I am. I will nourish my spirit by giving of myself.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

The Hazards of Publicity

People who symbolize causes and ideas fill a deep human need.  We of
A.A. do not question that.  But we do have to soberly face the fact
that being in the public eye is hazardous, especially  for us.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 181

As a recovered alcoholic I must make an effort to put into practice the
principles of the A.A. program, which are founded on honesty, truth and
humility.  While I was drinking I was constantly trying to be in the
limelight.  Now that I am conscious of my mistakes and of my former
lack of integrity, it would not be honest to seek prestige, even for the
justifiable purpose of promoting the A.A. message of recovery.  Is the
publicity that centers around the A.A. Fellowship and the miracles it
produces not worth much more?  Why not let the people around us
appreciate by themselves the changes that A.A. has brought in us, for
that will be a far better recommendation for the Fellowship than any I
could make.

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 / December 20th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Our faith should control the whole of our life.  We
alcoholics were living a divided life.  We had to find
a way to make it whole.  When we were drinking, our
lives were made up of a lot of scattered and unrelated
pieces.  We must pick up our lives and put them
together again.  We do it by recovering faith in a
Divine Principle in the universe that holds us together
and holds the whole universe together and gives it
meaning and purpose.  We surrender our disorganized
lives to that Power, we get into harmony with the Divine
Spirit, and our lives are made whole again.
Is my life whole again?

Meditation for the Day

Avoid fear as you would a plague.  Fear, even the
smallest fear, is a hacking at the cords of faith that
bind you to God.  However small the fraying, in time
those cords will wear thin, and then one disappointment
or shock will make them snap.  But for the little fears,
the cords of faith would have held firm.  Avoid
depression, which is allied to fear.  Remember that all
fear is disloyalty to God.  It is a denial of His care and
protection.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may have such trust in God today that
I will not fear anything too greatly.  I pray that I may
have assurance that God will take care of me in the
long run.

"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
DECEMBER 20

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

Expectations of Others

It is our job to identify our needs, and then determine a balanced
way of getting those needs met. We ultimately expect our Higher
Power and the Universe - not one particular person - to be our
source.

It is unreasonable to expect anyone to be able or willing to meet
our every request. We are responsible for asking for what we
want and need. It's the other person's responsibility to freely
choose whether or not to respond to our request. If we try to
coerce or force another to be there for us, that's controlling.

There's a difference between asking and demanding. We want
love that is freely given.

It is unreasonable and unhealthy to expect one person to be the
source for meeting all our needs. Ultimately, we will become
angry and resentful, maybe even punishing, toward that person
for not supporting us as we expected.

It is reasonable to have certain and well defined expectations of
our spouse, children, and friends.

If a person cannot or will not be there for us, then we need to take
responsibility for ourselves in that relationship. We may need to
set a boundary, alter our expectations, or change the limits of the
relationship to accommodate that person's unavailability. We do
this for ourselves.

It is reasonable to sprinkle our wants and needs around and to
be realistic about how much we ask or expect of any particular
person. We can trust ourselves to know what's reasonable.

The issue of expectations goes back to knowing that we are
responsible for identifying our needs, believing they deserve to
get met, and discover an appropriate, satisfactory way to do that
in our life.

Today, I will strive for reasonable expectations about getting my
needs met in relationships.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Success
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/12/success.htm

You Can Get Anything In Life In 68 Seconds
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/12/get-what-you-want.htm

The Art of Rest
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/December/vissell.htm

Links to Feminine Wisdom and Spirituality
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_fourth.htm#feminine

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv


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

Using the Mirror of Life
by Shakti Gawain

    Often, we are so stuck in our old beliefs and patterns that we aren't
able to see the changes we need to make. Even when we feel frustrated
about our problems, we may not recognize what we need to learn to change
things. That is why we need to use the mirror of life.

    Everything in our lives reflects where we are in the process of
developing integration and balance. We can use everything that happens
externally as a mirror to help us see the areas within us that need
healing
and development. Whenever we have a problem, especially a recurring or
chronic problem, it is always an arrow pointing directly to some
aspect of
our psyche where we need more awareness.

    If we accept that life is always trying to teach us exactly what we
need
to learn, we can view everything that happens to us as a gift. Even
experiences that are uncomfortable or painful contain within them an
important key to our healing, wholeness, and prosperity.

    We may have difficulty understanding what the mirror of life is
trying
to show us, but if we sincerely ask for the learning and the gift in
every
experience, it will be revealed to us one way or another.

    One of the clearest reflections we have to work with is the one
provided by our relationships. Everyone we attract into our life is a
mirror
for us in certain ways. All of our relationships -- our families,
children,
friends, co-workers, neighbors, pets, as well as our romantic partners
--
reflect certain parts of us. How we feel with someone is usually an
indication of how we feel about the parts of us that they mirror.

    We all attract certain people into our life who have developed
qualities
opposite to the ones we are most identified with. In other words, they
mirror our disowned selves, and we mirror theirs. These are often the
most highly emotionally charged relationships. We either love them, hate
them, or both! We feel very attracted to them, and/or very
uncomfortable,  judgmental, annoyed, or frustrated with them. The
stronger the feelings, the more important a mirror they are for us. We
have drawn them into our reality to show us something about what we
need to develop in ourselves. The fact that we have such strong feelings
(one way or another) toward them means that they are showing us a part
of ourselves we need to acknowledge, accept, and integrate.

    This does not mean we have to be with them or hold onto a harmful or
inappropriate relationship. It just means that as long as they are in
our
lives, or even in our thoughts and feelings, we can use the
relationship as
a learning experience. It also does not mean we are supposed to become
like them. They may carry an energy we need more of, but they may be too
far to the opposite extreme, or they may express that energy in a
distorted way.

    Still, we can look for the positive essence in the opposite
qualities they
carry. For example, if you have been taught never to express any anger,
you will probably at some point find yourself in relationship with a
person
who expresses their anger frequently and vehemently. Life is giving
you a
strong message that it's time for you to learn to acknowledge your own
anger. It is not saying you have to become like this person and go
around
dumping your anger everywhere. Instead, you need to find the appropriate
balance, learning how to assert yourself and stand up for yourself.

    If you have strongly developed being energy but have difficulty
taking
action, you may find that someone important in your life is a compulsive
doer who can't relax. Naturally, you don't want to go to that extreme,
but this person is your teacher, to show you the energy of action that
you
need to develop. Of course, you are a teacher for them, as well, but it
usually doesn't work very well to try to show the other person what they
need to learn from you -- although we all succumb to this temptation. It
works much better to concentrate on what we need to learn in the
situation.

    Once we use the mirror to understand what we need, and actually do
the work to develop a disowned self, the whole pattern of the
relationship
will shift.

    If we are strongly identified with power, we will attract vulnerable,
needy people. This mirror is reflecting our need to recognize and accept
our own vulnerability. If and when we do that, the needy people in our
lives
will either become more empowered, or will move out of our lives. If we
are overly vulnerable and disown power, we will find ourselves in a
relationship with someone who uses power one way or another. We will
feel overwhelmed, controlled, or victimized by them until we own our
power, at which point the relationship will either dissolve or become
more equal.

    As I mentioned in the last chapter, we often seem to gravitate toward
a romantic or business partner who has an opposite approach to financial
management. If the difference is not too extreme, this can be a
complementary and harmonious balance in which we appreciate and learn
from each other's strengths. If we are highly polarized, however, it can
be painful and frustrating, leading to a great deal of conflict and
stress.

    Still, it is a gift -- an opportunity to recognize how identified
we are
with one polarity and a chance to develop the opposite energy we need.
Like any relationship issue, it requires that we communicate with one
another, and be willing to listen and empathize with each other's
feelings
and perspective. If we feel stuck in our ability to communicate, it
may be
an appropriate time to call in a skilled third party -- a therapist,
marriage
counselor, or mediator -- to help us through. Personally, I find that
most
of us need help at certain times to get through the deep issues that are
reflected in our intimate relationships.

    The topic of relationships is a complex and fascinating subject,
which I
can only begin to touch on. Still, if you grasp the basic idea of how
our
relationships show us the next steps we need to take in our personal
growth, you can begin to use your relationships as powerful guides on
your
path to true prosperity.

© by Shakti Gawain
from the book, Creating True Prosperity

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

Repeating Lessons

Lessons repeat themselves over and
Over again in our lives.

Until we take a look at the cause
We can expect the same people and
Situations to show up over and over again.

The faces and circumstances may seem
Different, but they will be revealed as the
Same lesson in the final outcome.

Let us take a hard look at the dis-peace we
See in our lives, identify the source of the
Repeated patterns and decide to see what
Old beliefs we still hold sacred.

Once we understand that our faulty thinking
Is what keeps us in repeated misery we can
Alter our thinking and recreate a new way to
Live in joy.

This time of year and especially this year is
An excellent time to adjust our thinking, and
Build new relationships and new experiences
Based on Love.

Perhaps all the dragons of our lives
are princesses who are only waiting to
see us once, beautiful and brace.
Perhaps everything terrible is in
Its deepest being something
that needs our love

Rainer Maria Rilke

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

The Counselor Within
by Robert Landau

    "I am here for you now. Never forget the things that I have shared
with
you on this most important occasion as you shall be asked to prove
that you
have this knowledge time and time again. Remember, I love you always."

Jackie awoke from her dream with a start. Her body still reverberated
with
the energy of the voice that had been in the process of delivering a
long
message to her. However, Jackie could only manage to recall the last few
sentences, but how powerful that voice felt! She wrote down as much as
she
could recall.

    I was in a room, just like this. I closed my eyes in the dream and
started
to get in touch with my breath. How wonderful that felt. It wasn't deep
breathing or anything, just my natural flow of breath. I pictured a safe
place of mine, a mystical dark green emerald forest, an enchanted
forest. I
never lost touch with my breathing process. It was as if it were
guiding me
through each step of this experience. Then I came upon a cottage marked,
'The Counselor' and under those words, 'Enter at your own risk!'

All of a sudden Jackie's pen fell to the side of the paper as she
realized
that she had no recall of what happened next. All she could remember
were
the words that she had heard way at the end of her dream.

As the hours of the day moved on, Jackie was troubled that she couldn't
remember what happened to her in her dream. Over the next days she tried
desperately to recall, but nothing came to her. "Did I go in that
house? Did
I pass it by? If I did go in it, what happened? And where did that voice
come into the picture? Oh, I hate not being able to remember important
dreams!"

Days passed and she became more aggravated. Never had she become so
attached
to the outcome of a dream as with this one. She had to know and this
possessed her every waking moment. "Well, what do you think happened
next?"
she would ask everyone time and time again. Jackie's friends started
to find
it difficult to be around her as that was all she seemed to talk about.

Another weekend was about to pass and there was Jackie, in her apartment
about to go stark raving mad, vowing not to come out until she had total
recall of that experience. Then, an idea occurred to her. She sat in the
same chair where the dream occurred and thought, "If I re-create this
experience, maybe I'll find the missing pieces I'm looking for." So she
closed her eyes and, just like she had done in her dream, began to get
in
touch with her breathing.

She stayed a while with this, not letting any mind chatter come in,
and if
it did, she would acknowledge those thoughts and then return to her
breathing process. She then thought of her safe place, the emerald
forest,
and all at once, she was there. She once again found her way to the
cottage
with those words "The Counselor -- Enter at your own risk" over the
door and
she realized that the rest was now up to her.

She opened the door, and stepped in. "Wow, what a place!" she remarked
as
this cottage was filled with purple and white Light. It was powerful
and so
peaceful it made heart smile. "How could I not remember this!" she
exclaimed.

"You simply forgot, but you forgot for a reason", the very voice that
spoke
to her weeks ago remarked.

She was startled "Who are you...where are you?" Jackie asked.

"I am the voice within the voice and energy that is always with you, the
voice and energy you have often forgotten about in your everyday
dealings in
life but I Am nevertheless always there. I the Counselor within, the
Divine
Counselor within you. Many people often seek the guidance and love I
offer,
looking everywhere but never once thinking to turn within. In the days,
months, and years that are ahead of us, turn to me often for I will have
important knowings for you and you shall always be safe and secure
long as
you stay connected with me. For you and I are always connected did you
not
realize this?"

"Yes, I think," Jackie remarked.

"Then that was precisely why you could only remember parts of the
experience
initially. You had to want to know Me deeply enough for you to re-
trace your
steps here once again so that you would never forget the way back. And
not
only Am I always here for you, but I Am everywhere, every day, in every
way -- I Am your Higher Self, Jackie, I Am you."

The Light in the cottage began to center itself in a big swirling ball.
Then, out of the center, a physical form began take shape. It appeared
to be
a Light form of Jackie herself, with beautiful flowing robes and an
aura of
Golden Light around it. Jackie, awestruck, fell to her knees. The
image of
her Higher Self moved towards her as if gliding on air, and extended its
right hand. Jackie in turn extended hers, and a Divine union took place.

We each have a Higher Self that is just waiting to make itself known
to us.
If we but silence the mind and listen with the heart, then there It
shall
be. In a day and time when there are many fine counselors without, also
remember to seek the Counselor within, for no one but It knows exactly
what
counseling you need, and what your next steps should be. No one else can
guide you and unconditionally love you.

Close your eyes, breathe and find your safe place -- a forest, a
beach, a
mountain, whatever, and ask your Higher Self to appear there. Turn to
your
Higher Self, turn to you! Believe, trust, and be open to receive -- it's
easier than you think. For you are the wisest counselor.

About The Author:
Robert Landau is a trained, certified hypnotherapist, and Higher Self
Facilitator. He offers workshops, seminars and individual sessions to
facilitate, clear, heal & empower your connection to your Higher Self.

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

Harmony of Life

A butterfly flutters from flower to flower,
He stops for a moment, or maybe an hour,
I pause for just a little while,
This never fails to make me smile.

A tiny gator swims slowly toward shore,
Looking for minnows, not anything more.
So happy inside his watery castle,
Just enjoying his life without any hassle.

A little squirrel scurries, with nuts in his mouth,
He seems not to care that he lives in the south,
He's storing for winter, though only he knows where,
He seems so ambitious, I'll try not to stare.

The birds of the morning, oh how they do sing!
It gives me awareness of what God's love brings,
This harmony of life that's so freely given,
There's all this and more that makes life worth living.

Sharlett Hunt   12/19/03 ©
Sharlette863@...

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

A New Day

When you wake up each morn, at the break of dawn
You see a new day just being borne;
You watch the sun rise and hear the birds sing
And wonder what this day will bring;
If you've handed the day over, you are sure of one thing
It will bring you the best of everything;
It will bring you the joy of sober living
That's been placed in your hands just for the giving;
You may find fears and frustrations along the way
But by saying the Serenity Prayer this will guide you today;
Remember though when the day comes to a close
To Thank your Higher Power for whatever He chose

written by Keri
12/20/02
kbassett@...
Zimbabwe, Africa

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

RECIPE FOR MIRACLES

Ingredients:
1 part of knowing who you are
1 part of knowing who you aren't
1 part of knowing what you want
1 part of knowing who you wish to be
1 part of knowing what you already have before you
1 part of choosing wisely from what you have before you
1 part of loving & thanking for ALL you have ("bad" included)

Mixing Instructions:
Combine ingredients together gently and carefully.
Using faith and vision, mix together with strong belief of the outcome,
until finely blended.
Use thoughts, words and actions for best results.
Bake until Blessed.
Give thanks again.
Yield: Unlimited servings

Author Unknown

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

Learning is finding out what you already know,
doing is demonstrating that you know it,
teaching is reminding others that they know it as well as you do.
We are all learners, doers, and teachers.
Richard David Bach

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

The foundation of all spiritual practice is love.
Dalai Lama, THE LITTLE BOOK OF WISDOM

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

And the day came when the risk
to remain tight in a bud was more painful
than the risk it took to blossom.
Anais Nin

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

Everything we do is infused with the energy with which we do it.
If we're frantic, life will be frantic.
If we're peaceful, life will be peaceful.
And so our goal in any situation becomes inner peace.
Marianne Williamson

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

ANGER = Any No Good Energy Rising

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

ASK = Ass Saving Kit

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

BUT = Being Unconvinced Totally

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

CARE = Comforting And Reassuring Eachother

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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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USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Not Dead Yet
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/notdeadyet.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is: Our friend Lori F. has a special request,
Her home group is putting together a collection of everyones favorite
recovery program quotes and sayings in a notebook. PLEASE
stop by or email below to share in this collective experience.
Hopefully WE will be able to put something together to share with
you online too :) PLEASE SHARE YOUR FAVORITE RECOVERY
SAYING, QUOTE OR SLOGAN

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 19
In quiet meditation I find emotional balance.
I feel myself growing closer and closer
to my Higher Power and I find 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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

12 Steps I Took

I took one step, began to moan
I can't do this on my own
I took two steps, began to pray
restore me God, today
I took three steps, gave up my will
maybe God loves 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 six steps, and got prepared
To lose the defects, I was scared
Now I'm at seven, take them away
God for this I pray
And on eight, the list was long
Amends to make for all the wrong
I took nine steps, put down my pride
Forgiveness asked, I will not hide
Ten steps I take each day I pray
Make amends along the way
And on eleven I prayed to know
Each day His will, which way to go
I took twelve steps, I'm like a bird
To others now, I spread the word....

Author Unknown

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

Beginning Today
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=V5pnHo02mCsmmALpgL\
XLFXUMTnpu.aiIe1CBP12gkiLIxaaCxg

Our Allotment
www.barefootsworld.net/aaourallotment.html

Editorial reply To “Of Titles and Politics,”
January 1999 NA Way
N.A. Way Magazine 7/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway163-12.htm

Things To Remember.......And One Thing Never To Forget
www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/6794/things.html

Different Drums and Different Drummers
www.geocities.com/alaura1942/DifferentDrummers.html

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 19                     Walking the Way WE Talk

"Words mean nothing until we put them into action."   Basic Text p.56

   The Twelfth Step reminds us "to practice these principles in all our
affairs:' In NA, we see living examples of this suggestion all around
us.
The more experienced members, who seem to have an aura of peace
surrounding them, demonstrate the rewards of applying this bit of
wisdom in their lives.

   To receive the rewards of the Twelfth Step, it is vital that we
practice
the spiritual principles of recovery even when no one is looking. If we
talk about recovery at meetings but continue to live as we did in active
addiction, our fellow members may suspect that we are doing nothing
more than quoting bumper stickers.

   What we pass on to newer members comes more from how we live
than what we say. If we advise someone to "turn it over" without
having experienced the miracle of the Third Step, chances are the
message will fail to reach the ears of the newcomer for whom it's
intended. On the other hand, if we "walk what we talk" and share our
genuine experience in recovery, the message will surely be evident to
all.

Just for today: I will practice the principles of recovery, even when
I'm
the only one who knows.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

A Powerful Tradition

In the years before the publication of the book "Alcoholics Anonymous,"
we had no name. . .by a narrow majority the verdict was for naming our
book  "The Way Out." . . .One of our early lone members. . . found
exactly twelve books already titled "The Way Out.". . . So "Alcoholics
Anonymous" became first choice.  That's how we got a name for our
book of experience, a name for our movement and, as we are now
beginning to see, a tradition of the greatest spiritual import.
"A.A. TRADITION: HOW IT DEVELOPED." pp. 35-36

   Beginning with Bill's momentous decision in Akron to make a telephone
call rather than a visit to the hotel bar, how often has a Higher Power
made itself felt at crucial moments in our history!  The  eventual
importance that the principle of anonymity would acquire was but
dimly perceived, if at all, in those early days. There seems to have
been
an element of chance even in the choice of a name for our Fellowship.

   God is no stranger to anonymity and often appears in human affairs in
the guises of "luck", "chance," or "coincidence."  If anonymity,
somewhat
fortuitously, became the spiritual basis for all of our Traditions,
perhaps God was acting anonymously on our behalf.
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 / December 19th

A.A. Thought for the Day

The skeptic and the agnostic say it is impossible for
us to find the answer to life.  Many have tried and
failed.  But many more have put aside intellectual pride
and have said to themselves:  Who am I to say there
is no God?  Who am I to say there is no purpose in
life?  The atheist makes a declaration: "The world
originated in a cipher and aimlessly rushes nowhere."
Others live for the moment and do not even think
about why they are here or where they are going.
They might as well be clams on the bottom of the
ocean, protected by their hard shells of indifference.
They are going nowhere and they do not care.
Do I care where I am going?

Meditation for the Day

We may consider the material world as the clay
which the artist works with, to make of it something
beautiful or ugly.  We need not fear material things,
which are neither good nor bad in the moral sense.
There seems to be no active force for evil ---
outside of human beings themselves.  Humans alone
can have either evil intentions --- resentments,
malevolence, hate, and revenge --- or good intentions ---
love and good will.  They can make something ugly or
something beautiful out of the clay of their lives.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may make something good out of my life.
I pray that I may be a good artisan with the materials
that I have been given to use.

"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
DECEMBER 19

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

Work Roles

How easy it is to dive into roles at work. How easy it is to place
other people in roles. Sometimes, this is necessary, appropriate,
and expedient.

But we can also let our self-shine through our role.

There is joy in giving our gift of skill at work, at giving ourselves
to the task at hand so thoroughly that we experience an intimate
relationship with our work. There is joy when we create or
accomplish a task and can say, "Well done!"

There is also joy when we are our self at work, and when we
discover and appreciate those around us.

The most unpleasant, mundane task can be breezed through
when we stop thinking of ourselves as a robot and allow
ourselves to be a person.

Those around us will respond warmly when we treat them as
individuals and not job defined roles.

This does not mean we need to become inappropriately
entangled with others. It means that, whether we are an
employer or an employee, when people are allowed to be
people who perform tasks instead of task performers, we are
happier and more content people.

Today, I will let myself shine through my task at work. I will
try to see others and let them shine through too - instead of
looking only at their tasks. God, help me be open to the
beauty of others and myself at work. Help me maintain
healthy relationships with people at work.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tears & Tinsel
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/12/susan-apollon.htm

   Why Is Love So Hard?
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/12/love-so-hard.htm

Then What Will You Do
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/December/cohen.htm

Links to Family, Parenting & Community
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_fourth.htm#family

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

Looking for Love
by Marie T. Russell

Love... has it become a 'four letter word'? In many cases, love has
become
equated with other things such as sex, attention, rewards, or
approval. As
children, we often learn that if we behave or do as we are told, we
will be
"loved". Thus our behavior becomes tinted or tainted with a desire to
please. We think that love is something that has to be earned. If we are
'good enough' then we will be loved; if we are 'bad' we will not be
loved
(i.e. punished or rejected).

In many cases, what is depicted in movies as love is simply a need for
someone or something - either a need for security, approval, or sex. No
wonder we grew up confused about love. How many of us were told about
the
beauty of Love and the wonder of sharing Love through sex? Instead we
were
(in most cases) told embarrassingly about the 'birds and the bees'. I
remember thinking that " no way" had my parents done "that!"

As a matter of fact, in my Catholic family, " hugging" was a slight
cheek to
cheek contact at Christmas and other such occasions. Love was something
rarely talked of. Instead we heard about respecting our elders, and oh
yes,
that the reason my brother treated me so roughly was because he loved
me.
Talk about confusing! We were given a standard for Love that included
guilt,
martyrs, secrecy, shame, and punishment.

I remember feeling starved for attention (which I equated with love). I
thought that being in the limelight meant that I was loved; having good
grades ensured that my parents and teachers would love me; yet having
mediocre grades ensured that my schoolmates would love me. I was torn
between wanting it all and striving to attain a balance where everyone
would
love me -- my parents, my teachers, and my peers. Then many of us came
through the days of 'peace and love' thinking that having sex with
everyone
meant we loved everyone (and more importantly that everyone loved us).
And
through it all, we were simply looking for Love, as the song says, in
all
the wrong places. The ongoing search for love and approval led to
bouncing
back and forth in trying to get approval from everyone we met.

As I look at the current state of affairs and at the status of crime and
violence, I see that all of these behaviors are also a cry for love on
the
part of the perpetrators - a cry for attention, for someone to care
and to
love them unconditionally. Can we do anything about that? Yes! We can
help
the world by sending out love and compassion to those who are seen as
'bad'
or 'evil'. If we can love them unconditionally (which is different from
loving their actions), and see them as needing our compassion, our
forgiveness and understanding, our help, rather than hatred, we can help
raise the vibrations of the 'guilty' as well as the 'innocent'.

Someone once vandalized my car (they ripped through the top of my
convertible). I remember feeling that they had been expressing their
anger
through this act of vandalism: anger at the world and anger at their
feeling
of 'helplessness'. Why helpless? Many youths today do not believe they
will
live past the age of 30 - they don't think the planet will survive any
longer than that. If we can empathize with them, rather than blame
them and
judge them, we can help. When we choose to participate in creating a
better
world with our children (and the children of others) where there is
hope,
where there is a "light at the end of the tunnel", then we are being a
positive force in their lives. Even if to them (and maybe to us too),
the
future looks bleak, we can join forces with them and help create a
future
that children (and adults) can believe in and look forward to.

Let us each look and see how we can put more love in the world. To quote
another oldie 'What the world needs now is Love, sweet Love - no not
just
for one, but for everyone!' Ask yourself what you can do. There are
various
community projects you can get involved with - possibly donating your
time
to the homeless or to teenagers, or to projects dealing with
prisoners. Or
maybe by picking up the garbage and paper strewn about on the streets in
your neighborhood.

We need to take action and see what we can do to make a difference.
How can
you love the world more? How can you share more love with your
neighbors,
with the kids in your neighborhood or in deprived areas? And what
about your
co-workers, family members, and the people you interact with in the
course
of your daily life? Are we so involved with our lives, so busy, so
stressed,
so driven, that we forget to make "human contact" with the check-out
girl at
the store, with the person waiting in line with us, with the co-worker
who
sometimes "gets on our nerves".

When we choose to remember that the essential ingredient for peace
within
and for peace on earth and in our neighborhoods is love, then we can
choose
to remember to apply it in all situations... whether at work, at home,
or in
our interactions in public. Love is not a private, secretive thing.
Love is
the glue that holds it all together... So when you think your world is
falling apart, apply some glue... Love yourself, love the people you
love,
and also love the people you "hate"... What? Yes, love them for who they
"really are"... love them for their potential... love them in spite of
their
anger, their fear, their resentment, their frustrations, their
behavior...
Love them, because love is the greatest healer, and your actions, your
words, your thoughts, could be the saving grace for them... your smile
and
gracious attention could be the one thing they need to help them hang
on to
the hope that, for them too, there is a chance for a better life.

Let's remember that what the world needs now is Love, and keep in mind
that
the more Love you give away the more you will have to give. Of course,
beware of martyrdom or motivations that come from needing approval or
acceptance. Simply give love because you have it to give and because the
world needs it. This is how we will heal ourselves and the planet. And
remember to love yourself too! You can't give from an empty bucket.

Love does make the world go round, so let's give it a whirl!

About The Author:
Marie T. Russell is the publisher of InnerSelf Magazine (first
published in
1985 originally as Mighty Natural Magazine) and The Natural Yellow Pages
(1987-2002). She produced a weekly South Florida radio broadcast, Inner
Power, from 1991-1995 which focused on themes such as self-esteem,
personal
growth, and well-being. Her articles focus on transformation and
reconnecting with our inner source of joy and creativity. Marie can be
reached at marie@... with personal comments and feedback,
or to be placed on a mailing list to be advised when her book becomes
available. http://innerself.com/

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

WHAT DO YOU HEAR

    A Native American and his friend were in downtown New
York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan.  It was
during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people.
Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around
corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were
almost deafening.  Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a
cricket."

    His friend said, "What?  You must be crazy.  You couldn't possibly
hear a cricket in all of this noise!"
"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."
"That's crazy," said the friend.

    The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then
walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs
were growing.  He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and
sure enough, he located a small cricket.  His friend was utterly amazed.
"That's incredible," said his friend.  "You must have superhuman ears!"

    "No," said the Native American.  "My ears are no different from
yours.
It all depends on what you're listening for."
"But that can't be!" said the friend.  "I could never hear a cricket in
this noise."

    "Yes, it's true," came the reply.  "It depends on what is really
important to you.  Here, let me show you."  He reached into his pocket,
pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk.
And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their
ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see
if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.  "See what I
mean?" asked the Native American.  "It all depends on what's important
to you."

    What's important to you?  What do you listen for?  Some people say
that there is no God, and that He never speaks to us anymore.
But perhaps they can't see or hear Him because they aren't listening
for Him.  They are living for themselves, not for God.

    If you are in tune with God, you will be able to notice Him at work
in
your life and in the world.  And you'll be able to hear Him when He
speaks.

May God Bless You And Keep You Safe.

Author Unknown

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

Tao Te Ching
Chapter 80

If a nation could be small, with few enough people
Even if you had the means to produce more, they'd be useless.
Such a people would know that death is real,
And they wouldn't travel far, even if they were able to.
They would not vaunt their army or their weaponry.
They would count in their heads again and write by hand.
Their food would be simple, but it would feed them;
Their clothes would be fine, but homely
And they would have fires in their homes.
They would be happy with what they have!
And even though they'd live along the border within earshot
Of their neighbours' cocks at dawn, and the dogs barking,
They wouldn't mind if they never went there.
It is enough, for them, to live and let live.

Lao Tzu

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

Shines the Blame

Many win and many lose.
Some stand at the crossroads,
Not knowing which path to choose.
Many see the light,
But still they walk through the dark.
Some finish the race,
But are never aware of the start.
Some beg for help, but refuse the hand that offers.
Life is hard, but some try to make it softer.
While trying to make it a little less,
Life puts them through a test -
Test of faith - a test at hand,
At the crossroads they stand.
Taking every path, all but the one -
The one that will take all their pain and scorn.
Pain that makes them scream inside,
Everyday the soul is torn and the spirit dies.
They choose a fix for their cure,
While they scream, but are never heard.
Everyday comes down to the first.
As the days slip by, they're getting worse.
They say time is on their side,
Even though they run and hide.
Running and hiding from the one thing that causes them pain,
Pain so intense that every day feels the same;
Exactly like the last.
As the eyes close in a dream, they reflect on the past -
A past filled with warm sunshine and flowers in bloom.
As the dream fades, the reflection glistens from the spoon -
The spoon of pain and regret,
As the demon takes hold, they wish for an end - even death.
Growing agony, all but the end is near,
As the pages fall from the calendar, pacing out the years.
They stand at the path they never walked;
Indecision's like the hunted being stalked.
Somehow, some way they'll make it through,
As they look in the mirror for a clue.
One day they'll have to choose -
Many win and many lose,
Looking for the easy way that never came,
The mirror's reflection shines the blame.

By Mike Caton

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

A Past Christmas celebration


As I awake, I look at the wall clock; it says 11 p.m. The room is
brightly
lit and the season's decorations are in place.  "So, what about midnight
Mass"? I say out loud to no one in particular.  “What midnight Mass?" My
wife shouts at me. "Midnight Mass, for God's sake!" I shout back. "Are
you
daft; today's Holy Innocents day." She replies.  I have a funny
feeling I've
heard this before. A déjà vu of sorts; I'm aware it's Christmas season
and
it's definitely 1985. So it's 28th December!  Another Christmas has
come and
gone; yes gone, and it seems it has passed me by again. I know my wife
and
children are giving me that curious look  they always give me. I stare
at
the floor and keep nodding my head. I'm making out like I'm
reminiscing what
happened from 22nd to the present moment. Actually I don't remember
anything. My blackouts have been increasing in frequency and duration
these
past 3-4 years. By now, I know it's futile to recapitulate blackouts.
Not
only futile it's frustrating and vexing. It makes me feel miserable. It
makes me feel aware of my insanity. Of course I'm curious. It's
something
like: I wonder I wonder, but I really don't want to know.  My curiosity
always gets the better of me though; but I've become patient and
tactful. It
took me long to learn this. So I say to my higher power: "sorry I
didn't go
to Midnight mass!"   "When did you ever go to Midnight mass with me
and the
children" she says.  "Yes, yes, but that day I ate too much and was
feeling
drowsy." I reply. "Don't lie, don't lie! I know you've been out to get
more
stuff for yourself after we left for church. You were so nice until
the 24th
evening; and then your friend came; he got so drunk, you sent him home
in a
rickshaw like he was half dead. My God! You don't have any shame;
singing
filthy limericks to the carol singers?"

"Ok, ok, what's for dinner?" I change the subject, thinking of my half
dead
friend. Lucky bloke; gets knocked out on little or nothing. But here I
am,
looking good to the world but, brain dead for the past seven days.
All this is many Christmases away now. I have moved half way around the
world from Perambur Madras India to Toronto Ontario. I have spent
seventeen
Christmas seasons without a drink.  Reminiscing this does not make me
miserable. When I do this, it's like using a rear view mirror and moving
forward. Not only do I get a view of things past; which is good
riddance;
but it also makes me vigilant of things that could creep up from
behind me.

For this, I thank the God of my understanding & AA.

Ronny H
Bellamy Group Toronto
ronnyh@...


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

Expectations are premeditated resentments.
M. Scott Peck

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

To find ways to love and care and support and encourage
is what love would ask us to do,
what the deepest part of ourselves asks our egos to find a way to do.
Through commitment our personality aligns with our soul.
As we guide our lives by this commitment,
we become new and our lives are transformed.
   Mary Manin Morrissey

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

God is closer to us than we are to ourselves, for God is the breath or
spirit that gives life to the billions of different bodies that make up
God's body.  But God is also the source, power, and goal of everything
that is, for the creation depends utterly upon God.
Sally McFague

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

Like a stone dropped into a lake,
our acts of kindness can create a ripple effect.
The long-term effects may be unknown to us,
but the ripples of one wave creating another and another,
to forever impact - that is a definite fact.
Make your ripples today.
Susan Fahncke

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

We all have forgiveness work to do.
If you're wondering if this is true, ask yourself,
"Am I breathing?"
If the answer is yes, the answer is yes.
Ask Spirit, "Who would you have me forgive today?"
Sometimes our hardest forgiveness work is with ourselves.
   Mary Manin Morrissey

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

ABC = Ashtrays Brooms Chairs

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

ACTION = Any Change Towards Improving Ones Nature

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

ADDICT = Anybody Doing Drugs In Compulsive Trouble

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

ANONYMOUS =
Actions Not Of Names Yield Maintenance Of Unity & Service


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Key Tag
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/keytagneedskeys.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is: Our friend Lori F. has a special request,
Her home group is putting together a collection of everyones favorite
recovery program quotes and sayings in a notebook. PLEASE
stop by or email below to share in this collective experience.
Hopefully WE will be able to put something together to share with
you online too :) PLEASE SHARE YOUR FAVORITE RECOVERY
SAYING, QUOTE OR SLOGAN

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 18
Today I welcome all my feelings.
Today I deserve to feel joy and love and gratitude
and warmth and affection, just to name a few.
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

Memorial

Days go by, gratefully,
where I'm not overwhelmed by your absence.
You're still here, in the back of my mind,
laughing, carrying on in your sweet fashion,
providing strength and protection
from life's threats and challenges.
Something happens, I see a funny commercial or picture,
or marvel at an afternoon full of color
and I think of calling, to share it with you,
and remember, phone lines don't reach heaven.
For a brief instant, a flood of grief washes over me.
I feel totally alone. But you rush in,
filling my heart with undying love and eternal peace,
reminding me you're even closer now,
for you live within every cell of my being,
you're warmth and memories are melded with mine.
We are, truly, one. I hug myself, our-self,
and wish only that you could hug me back.
I love you.

For all those absent from our table, but ever present
in our hearts, let us be grateful today.
For the peace and strength that comes from their memories,
let us give thanks. For the comfort that comes
from our loved ones still breathing,
let us draw closer to one another in passionate resolve
to make each day one of love, support and unity. I love you.

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

Beggars and Choosers
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=fuWouvAxy3yUAQAfdV\
4dSKFgpBY0Ptkkz02ViEjzhp0P8w0PMg

The ABC's Of a Fruitful Life
www.barefootsworld.net/abcsoflife.html

Toward a more spiritual service
N.A. Way Magazine 7/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway163-11.htm

The First Step
www.geocities.com/alaura1942/TheFirstStep.html

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 18                    The Message of Our Meetings

"The fact that we, each and every group, focus on carrying the
message provides consistency; addicts can count on us."
Basic Text pp.64-65

   Tales of our antics in active addiction may be funny. Stories of our
old bizarre reactions to life when using may be interesting. But they
tend to carry the mess more than the message. Philosophical
arguments on the nature of God are fascinating. Discussions of
current controversies have their place-however, it's not at an NA
meeting.

   Those times when we grow disgusted with meetings and find
ourselves complaining that "they don't know how to share" or "it was
another whining session" are probably indications that we need to
take a good, hard look at how we share.

   What we share about how we got into recovery and how we stayed
here through practicing the Twelve Steps is the real message of
recovery. That's what we are all looking for when we go to a meeting.
Our primary purpose is to carry the message to the still-suffering
addict, and what we share at meetings can either contribute
significantly to this effort or detract greatly. The choice, and the
responsibility, is ours.

Just for today: I will share my recovery at an NA meeting.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

   "Hold Your Face to the Light"

Believe more deeply. Hold your face up to the Light, even though for
the moment you do not see.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 3

One Sunday in October, during my morning meditation, I glanced out
the window at the ash tree in our front yard.  At once I was
overwhelmed by its magnificent, golden color!  As I stared in awe at
God's work of art, the leaves began to fall and, within  minutes, the
branches were bare.  Sadness came over me as I thought of the winter
months ahead, but just as I was reflecting on autumn's annual process,
God's message came through.  Like the trees, stripped of their leaves
in the fall, sprout new blossoms in the spring,  I had my compulsive,
selfish ways removed by God in order for me to blossom into a sober,
joyful member of A.A. Thank you, God, for the changing seasons and
for my ever-changing 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 /December 18th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Unless we have the key of faith to unlock the meaning of
life, we are lost.  We do not choose faith because it is one
way for us, but because it is the only way.  Many have failed
and will fail.  For we cannot live victoriously without faith;
we are at sea without a rudder or an anchor, drifting on
the sea of life.  Wayfarers without a home.  Our souls are
restless until they find rest in God.  Without faith, our
lives are a meaningless succession of unrelated happenings,
without rhyme or reason.  Have I come to rest in faith?

Meditation for the Day

This vast universe around us, including this wonderful
earth on which we live, was once perhaps only a thought
in the mind of God.  The nearer the astronomers and the
physicists get to the ultimate composition of all things,
the nearer the universe approaches a mathematical
formula, which is thought.  The universe may be the
thought of the Great Thinker.  We must try to think
God's thoughts after Him.  We must try to get guidance
from the Divine Mind as to what His intention is for the
world and what part we can have in carrying out that
intention.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may not worry over the limitations of my
human mind.  I pray that I may live as though my mind
were a reflection of the Divine Mind.
"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
DECEMBER 18

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

Staying Open to Our Feelings

Many of us have gotten so good at following the "don't feel" rule
that we can try to talk ourselves out of having feelings, even in
recovery.

"If I was really working a good program, I wouldn't feel angry."

"I don't get angry. I'm a Christian. I forgive and forget."

"I'm not angry. I'm affirming that I'm happy."

These are all statements, some of them quite clever, that
indicate  we're operating under the "don't feel" rule again.

Part of working a good program means acknowledging and
dealing with our feelings. We strive to accept and deal with our
anger so it doesn't harden into resentments. We don't use
recovery as an excuse to shut down our emotions.

Yes, we are striving for forgiveness, but we still want to feel,
listen to, and stay with our feelings until it is time to release
them appropriately. Our Higher Power created the emotional
part of ourselves. God is not telling us to not feel; it's our
dysfunctional systems.

We also need to be careful how we use affirmations; discounting
our emotions won't make feelings go away. If we're angry, it's
okay to have that feeling. That's part of how we get and stay
healthy.

Today, I will refuse to accept shame from others or myself for
feeling my feelings.

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


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

Couples and Money
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2007/December/vissell.htm

A Time Of Soul Searching
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/12/editorial.htm

‘Til Breath Do Us Part, By Alan Cohen
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2006/12/alan-cohen.htm

Energy Secrets: The Ultimate Well-Being Plan
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/December/feature5.html

Links to Mindfulness & Being Present
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_fourth.htm#mindfulness

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
www.lightmovie.com

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

The Complete Genius
Alan Cohen

Who you were before you learned self-defeating tricks, is still
very much available and eager to come forth and shine

While meandering through a bookstore, I discovered a wealth
of books for dummies and idiots. You have probably seen the
many volumes directed at stupid people, such as Computers
for Dummies and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dating. I even
saw The Complete Idiot's Guide to Out-of-Body Experiences!
There are hundreds of titles in each of these very popular
series, and the number is growing rapidly.

I was struck by how readily we identify ourselves as dummies
and idiots. Obviously we think we are stupid, and these books
will help. I wonder what would happen if I published a similar
series for geniuses, such as Golf for Sages or The Complete
Genius's Guide to Home Repair. I have a hunch they wouldn't
sell very well at all. Not because we are not geniuses.
Because we have been trained to regard ourselves as stupid.

When I was little, I sat on my front porch one morning and sang
several rousing verses of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." A few
days later I overheard my mother casually tell someone, "Alan
has a foghorn voice." That idea made an impression on me,
and I did not sing for many years. After all (at that age), your
mother knows everything, and if she said I couldn't sing, I couldn't
sing.

Perhaps you had a similar experience. Perhaps early in life
you adopted a thought about yourself that defined you as
small, ugly, incapable or unlovable. Most of us did. And
perhaps you went on to live as if that identity were true. And
perhaps, like many, you collected a pool of tears in your
heart and went through life hurting because you wished you
could be more.

You are more. The genius you were born as, still lives, and
can be reactivated at any moment. Genius is your reality and
the dark programming is your adopted personality. When
Abraham (through Esther Hicks) was challenged, "You can't
teach an old dog new tricks," Abraham answered, "You have
no idea what an old dog you are!" Who you were before you
learned self-defeating tricks, is still very much available and
eager to come forth and shine.

There is a story in the annals of education about an elementary
school teacher who arrived on the first day of school and perused
her class roster. Next to each child's name was the number of a
very high I.Q. "126, 135, 140," Miss Everett read aloud, eyebrows
raised. "Thank goodness I finally got a bright class!"

Miss Everett went on to stimulate the loftiest abilities in her
wiz-kids. She gave them challenging projects, took them on
field trips and offered them leeway to explore their work in
creative ways. At the end of the semester all the students
earned A's and B's. The day after report cards came out, the
principal called her into his office and asked, "Miss Everett,
what did you do with these kids?"

"What do you mean?" she asked innocently.

"You took some of the lowest-functioning students in the
school and turned them into geniuses!"

"I don't understand what you're talking about," the teacher
replied. "These kids were bright when I got them. Here, just
look at their I.Q.'s in my roll book."

The principal scanned her roster and replied, astonished,
"Miss Everett, these are their locker numbers!"

The people around us tend to become who we think they are,
so let us focus on the highest in everyone we meet. Renowned
success teacher Dale Carnegie, author of the most popular
self-help book of all time, How to Win Friends and Influence
People, began his career in an unexpected way. One night while
teaching an adult school English course, he ran out of lecture
material before the class time was up. So he invited several
students to each stand before the class and talk about him - or
herself -- an exercise utterly unheard of at that time. The results
were extraordinary! The speakers came to life in a way he had not
seen when they were studying English, and the class responded
energetically. Mr. Carnegie had happened upon the
transformational power of authentic self-expression, which
ultimately revolutionized (perhaps even created) the genre of
personal development. Later he wrote, "Give them a reputation
to live up to!"

The words "genius" and "genuine" are almost identical, and they
proceed from the same Latin root word. The key to genius is
genuineness. The more you are who you are, the more your
genius comes forth. On the other hand, the more you sell out
and try to be what you think you should be or live up to others'
expectations, the more you stifle your brilliance. Most great
scientists, inventors, musicians and artists, are somewhat
eccentric. They have the guts to be all of what they are, even
if the package doesn't fit the social mold. They just let all of
their talents rip, and in so doing they change the world for
the better.

Here's to your genuine genius.

I'll look for your book in the store.

Alan Cohen is the author of 15 popular inspirational books,
including the award-winning A Deep Breath of Life. To order
Alan's new acclaimed novel, My Father's Voice or request a
   free catalog of Alan's books, tapes, and seminars, call
1-800-462-3013. Join Alan on a mystic journey to Bali in
October, 2001! For info contact 455A Kukuna Road, Haiku,
HI 96708, 1-800-568-3079, email: acpubs@....
Check out Alan's web site at www.alancohen.com.

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

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

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

Resolving Conflict

. . . a genuine apology when it is deserved . . .

Some of us easily slip into a pattern of saying I'm sorry every
time our mate is offended or unhappy with our actions. We
want to please, or we hate conflict, so we choose the
appearance of peace and its good feelings rather than trying
to truly resolve and repair problems. Genuine repair starts with
regret and follows up with efforts to change our behavior or
attitude. If we just give empty apologies and do not back
up our words with actions, we put ourselves down and drain
the trust from our relationship.

A genuine apology is personal, clear, and specific. It
suggests a change in future behavior. The personal part
says I am sorry that I hurt you; the clear and specific parts
name exactly what action we regret; and then we say
how we will make repair. If we say, I'm sorry you feel bad,
we are expressing sympathy, but we are not apologizing for
our behavior, because there is no specific action that we
regret. Giving our partner a genuine apology when it is
deserved and backing it up with action is the best way to
inspire respect and trust.

Tell your partner a change you are making or striving to
make that comes out of an apology.

from the book: The More We Find In Each Other by Merle
Fossum and Mavis Fossum

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

How To Say No: The Basics
by Patti Brietman and Connie Hatch

    "I really don't want to spend Saturday night baby-sitting my
neighbor's three kids. But when she asked me, I didn't know
what to say. So I just said yes. I wish I'd had time to think of
an excuse."

    "Damn! I should have known Mike would hit me up for a loan.
Why did I ever tell him about getting that bonus check?"

    "In my family, there's some kind of event going on nearly
every weekend. Sometimes I just want to stay home and do
nothing. But that doesn't seem like a good enough reason.
Unless I have something else on the calendar, I feel
obligated to say yes."

We'll show you a few basic techniques that can help you say
no more easily and avoid regrets like these.

To build up your courage for those really difficult "no's," start
small. Practice saying no in non-threatening encounters where
there isn't much at stake. Tell your best friend you don't want to
go to her choice of restaurant, and suggest another. Tell your
husband you don't want to go to the hardware store with him.
Tell your son he can't have more dessert. The object is to hear
yourself saying no successfully. Little by little, stretch yourself
by saying no in more challenging circumstances.

As you begin to develop the healthy habit of saying no, you'll
find the process gets easier all the time. Most likely, you will
settle on a few different phrases that work for you and that
can be applied to the situations you face most often. The more
you use them, the more comfortable you'll become with them.
Over time, you will utter them with confidence and ease.

Basic Principles

First, saying no without guilt is much easier for all concerned
when it's done in the context of generosity. This means
being helpful and available to family, friends, co-workers,
and neighbors whenever you possibly can -- in other words,
when it won't cause significant stress or inconvenience and
when you can say yes without resentment. Just as important,
give yourself a little credit for being a generous person.
Recognizing the many things you do for others with a willing
spirit, you'll feel more confident and less guilty at times when
you really do want to say no to them.

The second basic principle of saying no: Less is more. The most
powerful and effective "no's" are the least complicated, but most
of us have a great deal of difficulty saying no politely and
leaving it at that. Whether we're telling the boss we can't work
late or telling a neighbor we can't walk his dog, we feel obliged
to justify our "no" with a detailed explanation -- often a fictitious
one. Yet elaborating is seldom necessary, and it leaves you on
shaky ground. The more specific information you supply, the
more likely the other person will be to:

    a) try to figure out a way to "solve the problem" so that you can
actually do the thing he wants you to do (which, of course, you
don't want to do),

    b) decide that your reason for saying no isn't good enough and
be miffed about it, or

    c) catch you in a lie (if you're lying).

On the other hand, when you make a statement like "I'm sorry, I
won't be able to" or "I'm afraid I'm busy that day," you sound clear
and decisive. If the other person insists on knowing why, the
burden of prying will be on him. When that happens, don't fall
into the trap of trying to come up with new, more creative excuses
to satisfy someone who can't take no for an answer. Instead,
repeat yourself as often as necessary. You can emphasize different
words, change the language around a bit, or offer some other
vague comment. "I'm busy that day" can also be expressed as
"I've got plans," "I have a previous engagement," "I've got an
appointment I can't break," or "I've had something on my
calendar for weeks." Hold your ground in the face of a rude,
nosy, or aggressive person. No one has the right to force you to
violate your own privacy.

This doesn't mean it's a mistake to tell people the reason you're
saying no. Especially when the relationship is a close one, it
doesn't feel natural to be too cryptic. But remember that by
keeping explanations to a minimum and repeating yourself as
often as necessary, you'll be in a stronger position.

Basic Techniques

Now let's look at the basic techniques every good naysayer
should have in her repertoire.

1. Buying Time
Acquire the habit of buying time before responding to requests. It
takes the pressure off when you can't figure out how to say no
diplomatically or simply need more time to decide. A few stock
"time-buying" responses will cover you in just about every situation.
For example:

* I need to check my calendar; I'll get back to you.
* Let me check with my husband (wife, partner) to see if we're
free that day.
* I've got to think about that; I'll let you know.
* I've got to take a look at my cash flow.
* I need to find out if I have to work first.

2. "The Policy"
We love to say no with the phrase "I have a policy". For example,
suppose a friend asks for a loan you don't want to extend. Utter
the phrase "Sorry, I have a policy about not lending money", and
your refusal immediately sounds less personal.

In all kinds of situations, invoking a policy adds weight and
seriousness when you need to say no. It implies that you've
given the matter considerable thought on a previous occasion
and learned from experience that what the person is requesting
is unwise. It can also convey that you've got a prior commitment
you can't break. When you turn down an invitation by saying,
"Sorry, I can't come -- it's our policy to have dinner together as a
family every Friday night", it lets the other person know that your
family ritual is carved in stone.

Of course, when searching for your response, it helps to have
a policy. Which brings us to an important point: Saying no
comfortably and without guilt requires you to really think about
what you stand for. Why are you saying no? As you learn to
eliminate unwanted obligations from your life, what are you
making room for? When you can identify and embrace your
priorities and focus on what you want more of -- for example,
time with the family, money for an important project or cause --
you feel more justified saying no in order to pursue those goals.

Excerpted from "How to Say No Without Feeling Guilty", Copyright
© 2000 by Patti Brietman and Connie Hatch. Excerpted by
permission of Broadway, a division of Random House, Inc. All
rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or
reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
www.randomhouse.com

About The Authors:
Patti Breitman is a literary agent and expert public speaker who has
appeared on numerous radio and television shows. She also teaches
classes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, where she lives.

Connie Hatch is a professional writer and president of Words to
Market, a creative services company. She lives in New York City.

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

God Is Our Helper

God is our maker our helper too
He loves us all and it is true
He wishes we all get well
To carry this message
An our story we tell
He gave us a program
Called recovery
Within our rooms
He helps us break free
He gives us teachers
Who show the way
He lets us live
Within today
Our sponsors lead us
As the steps we take
Slowly one at a time
This program we make
Our new way of living today
Is in recovery you see
If we take it easy along the way
Just reach out and take our hand
We will help you to work and understand
Always remember we did not get here over night
We must learn to surrender and give up the fight
Work the steps as they are laid out today
Easy does it and do it just for today
Turn to others along this path
Ask for forgiveness
You will avoid
Gods wrath
Be sure to make
Your amends one by one
Always remember we also have fun
Take the hand that is offered today
We will smile as we show
You our God given way
God bless you
One and all
Let us help you
Make your way
Also to avoid a fall
We love you more then words can say
Let us teach you to live just for today

Daniel M Corkery
12/8/2002
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer/

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

Life is speaking to us and encourages us to have compassion and
love in every kind of experience, because that's God's will for us.
God is compassion and love, no matter what.
So, as we open up to the experience of God's love,
we extend compassion to others, including those who challenge us.
When we see others in this light, we then can see it in ourselves.
We are forgiven as we forgive.
As we bring the light of understanding and compassion to someone else,
we move into the light of understanding and compassion ourselves.
Mary Manin Morrissey

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

When one door closes, God opens a window.
Anonymous

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

You don't love a woman because she is beautiful,
but she is beautiful because you love her.
   Anonymous

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

The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am,
then I can change.
Carl Rogers

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

At the deepest level, it's real love and care that people crave.
Give those things, and you'll receive them.
Through your caring deeds and actions,
you'll truly make your mark on the world.
Doc Childre and Howard Martin, The HeartMath Solution

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

ABC = Acceptance Belief Change

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

ADDICT = Angry Dishonest Deceitful Insane Careless Thinking

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

HELP = Hope Encouragement Love Patience

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

ACTION = Any Change Towards Improving Ones Nature


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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
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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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

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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http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Can't Stop Him
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/cantstophim.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is: Our friend Lori F. has a special request,
Her home group is putting together a collection of everyones favorite
recovery program quotes and sayings in a notebook. PLEASE
stop by or email below to share in this collective experience.
Hopefully WE will be able to put something together to share with
you online too :) PLEASE SHARE YOUR FAVORITE RECOVERY
SAYING, QUOTE OR SLOGAN

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 17
When I have done all the footwork I know to do
and things are still not working out,
I know today that it is time to meditate.
I have faith that my answer is still to come.
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

The Journey

T'was 7 years ago
the start of my second go
I came with my eyes and ears open

My comprehension had deepened
as my disease had weakened
what spirit I had left to know

Through the doors I bounced
hesitations renounced
ready to let go absolutely

I felt right at home
the strangers felt known
and I shared from the floor - truthfully

Ready and willing
it's was enjoyable and thrilling
to know I had made my way back

My future had changed
my life re-arranged
no longer so crazy - out of whack

The journey has taught me
the way my life can be
if only I give it a shot

The laughs and joys
enjoying the toys
and never yet losing the plot

Love and peace
such total treats
mine to enjoy from H.P

Just for asking for help
letting feelings be felt
total freedom for the spirit in me!

Love and best wishes
Helen M
Innisfail - Far North Queensland
AUSTRALIA :-)
helenrze.mcculloch@...

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

Am I A Good A.A. Member When....
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=yDOYDmA3mHjzy2j4H5\
8qcjJyMCslLFNfblneXIImKJl_uBxOIw

Learning My ABC's
www.barefootsworld.net/abcs.html

A brief history of “God” in Narcotics Anonymous
N.A. Way Magazine 7/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway163-10.htm

   Spenders Anonymous - About us...
   A 12-Step Fellowship
www.spenders.org/home.html

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

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

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 17                                          Service Motives

"Everything that occurs in the course of NA service must be
motivated by the desire to more successfully carry the
message of recovery to the addict who still suffers."
Basic Text p. xvi

   Our motives are often a surprise to us. In our early days of
recovery, they were almost always a surprise! We've learned
to check our motives through prayer, meditation, the steps,
and talking to our sponsor or other addicts. When we find
ourselves with an especially strong urge to do or have
something, it's particularly important to check our motives to
find out what we really want.

   In early recovery, many of us throw ourselves into service
with great fervor before we have started the regular practice
of motive-checking. It takes awhile before we become aware
of the real reasons for our zeal. We may want to impress
others, show off our talents, or be recognized and important.
Now, these desires may not be harmful in another setting,
expressed through another outlet. In NA service, however,
they can do serious damage.

   When we decide to serve NA, we make a decision to help
addicts find and maintain recovery. We have to carefully
check our motives in service, remembering that it's much
easier to frighten away using addicts than to convince them to
stay. When we show them game-playing, manipulation, or
pomposity, we present an unattractive picture of recovery;
However, the unselfish desire to serve others creates an
atmosphere that is attractive to the addict who still suffers.

Just for today: I will check my motives for the true spirit of service.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

Only Two Sins

. . .there are only two sins; the first is to interfere with  the growth
of another human being, and the second is to interfere with one's
own growth.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 542

Happiness is such an elusive state.  How often do my "prayers" for
others involve "hidden" prayers for my own agenda?  How often is my
search for happiness a boulder in the path of growth for  another,
or even myself?  Seeking growth through humility and acceptance
brings things that appear to be anything but good, wholesome and vital.
Yet in looking back, I can see that pain, struggles and setbacks have
all
contributed eventually to serenity through growth in the program.

I ask my Higher Power to help me not cause another's lack of growth
today - or my own.

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 December 17th

A.A. Thought for the Day

The way of faith is, of course, not confined to A.A. it
is for everybody who really wants to live.  But many
people can go through life without much of it.  Many
are doing so, to their own sorrow.  The world is full
of lack of faith.  Many people have lost confidence in
any meaning in the universe.  Many are wondering if it
has any meaning at all.  Many are at loose ends.  Life
has no goal for many.  They are strangers in the land.
They are not at home.  But for us in A.A., the way of
faith is the way of life.  We have proved by our past
lives that we could not live without it.
Do I think I could live happily without faith?

Meditation for the Day

"He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good,
and sends the rain on the just and the unjust."  God
does not interfere with the working of natural laws.
The laws of nature are unchangeable, otherwise we
could not depend on them.  As far as natural laws
are concerned, God makes no distinction between
good and bad people.  Sickness or death may strike
anywhere.  But spiritual laws are also made to be
obeyed.  Our choice of good or evil depends on
whether we go upward to true success and victory
in life or downward to loss and defeat.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may choose today the way of the spiritual
life.  I pray that I may live today with faith and hope
and love.

"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
DECEMBER 17

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

Nurturing Ourselves

Many of us have been so deprived of nurturing that we think it's
silly or self-indulgent. Nurturing is neither silly nor self-indulgent;
it's how we show love for ourselves. That's what we're striving for
in recovery - a loving relationship with ourselves that works, so
we can have loving relationships with others that work.

When we hurt, we ask ourselves what we need to help us feel
better. When we feel alone, we reach out to someone safe.
Without feeling that we are a burden, we allow that person to
be there for us.

We rest when we're tired; eat when we're hungry; have fun or
relax when our spirits need a lift. Nurturing means giving ourselves
gifts - a trip to the beauty salon or barbershop, a massage, a book,
a new jacket, or a new suit or dress. It means a long, hot bath to
forget about our problems and the world for a few moments when
that would feel good.

We learn to be gentle with ourselves and to open up to the
nurturing that others have to offer us.

As part of nurturing ourselves, we allow ourselves to give and
receive positive touch - touch that feels appropriate to us, touch
that is safe. We reject touch that doesn't feel good or safe and
is not positive.

We learn to give ourselves what we need in a gentle, loving,
compassionate way. We do this with the understanding it will
not make us lazy, spoiled, self centered, or narcissistic. Nurtured
people are effective in their work and in their relationships.

We will learn to feel loved by ourselves so much that we can
truly love others and let them love us.

Today, I will nurture myself. I will also be open to the nurturing
that I can give to others and receive from them.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Find Meaning This Season
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2007/December/Everyday%20Matters.html

Down Memory Lane
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2003/12/memory-lane.htm

The “Business” of Relationships
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2003/12/relationships.htm

The Magical Power of Acceptance
and Letting Go, or Let Go or Get Dragged
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/December/feature4.html

Links to Love Relationships
Links to Mindfulness & Being Present
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_fourth.htm#relationships

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
www.lightmovie.com

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

What to Ask For
Alan Cohen

"A man walks into a restaurant with a large ostrich and sits down
at a table to have breakfast. The man orders a stack of pancakes,
and the ostrich orders the same. The bill comes to $15.95. The
man reaches into his pocket and empties all his bills and change,
which equals exactly $15.95 plus a 15% tip.

The following week the man returns to the restaurant with the
ostrich and the same waitress comes to his table. This time he
orders bacon and eggs, and so does the ostrich. The bill comes
to $19.50. He reaches into his pocket and takes out exactly $19.50
plus a 15% tip.

A week later he comes in again with the ostrich. They both have
the same meal. The same waitress presents a check for $18.75.
The man empties his pockets and reveals exactly that amount
plus the appropriate tip.

By this time the waitress is quite curious. "I am astounded, sir,
that you take this ostrich to breakfast every week, and that you
always have the exact amount of money," she explains. "How
do you do that?"

"It's an amazing story," he answers. "Several years ago I was
cleaning my basement and I found an old bottle. When I opened
it, a genie emerged. He told me I could have two wishes. My first
wish was to always have enough money to buy anything I wanted.
Now, wherever I go, I simply reach into my pocket and the exact
amount of money is there. I buy all my meals this way; I have also
bought a car, house, and vacations - no matter how much anything
costs, I have the exact amount in my wallet or checkbook."

"That's astonishing!" replies the waitress. "And what was your
second wish?"

"To marry a chick with long legs."

This story teaches a profound truth: Be conscious of what you are
asking for. You can pray for something specific and get it. Or you
can pray for a quality of life, and get that. Praying for specifics is
risky, for you are dictating a form. Praying for essence guarantees
reward, for you are seeking an energy. Emerson noted that a wise
man in a storm prays not for the end of the storm, but for the end
of  fear.

I know a woman who intensely wanted a relationship. She found
a magazine photo of a handsome man and posted it on her
refrigerator as a sort of treasure map. Within a short time she met
a good-looking guy similar to the fellow in the photo and started
a relationship with him. After a while she discovered he was an
alcoholic, which ultimately ruined their relationship. Then she went
back and looked at her treasure map photo and saw that her dream
man had a drink in his hand. She would have done better to
focus on the kind of man she sought and the energy of the
relationship that matched her heart's desires.

Rather than dictating a specific object as your goal, designate a
quality of experience. Sure, you can pray or strive for a particular
mate, job, or house, and get it. But you may find something lacking
about it. You will find far more joy if you set your intention for the
essence of relationship, job, or home you desire, and how you
want to feel about it. If you had a relationship that was deeply
fulfilling, replete with joy and passion, would the specifics matter
that much? Get clear on where you want to go, and let God fill in t
he blanks about how to get there."

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

Enhance

Your life by letting go
of worry and regret
Smooth out the wrinkles of your days
by doing things you love
Take time to consider
yourself
amid the pullings and pushings
of duty, work, routine and obligations

Enhance your mind by Stopping
the rush of worrying, anxious thoughts
crowding the waking moment
Look inwards to the heart
Ask it this question:
"Is this the best I can do for myself at this moment?"
Listen to the answer
Give yourself a break
Let go of guilt (it's a useless thing)
Don't harbour any expectations

Make one commitment today
Enjoy this moment
and the next
to enhance
your heart, mind, body and soul
be your true self: calm, content, accepting
You have only one ~
Enhance it!

Love
Stella

© 2003 Stella Raymonde Savoie Johnson
stellaraymonde@...

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

Slow Down and Live

Many of us rush through our days as well as rush through our
meals. Often we let ourselves get so busy that we do not enjoy
what we are doing or what we are eating. We swallow life in
great gulps instead of savoring it moment by moment.

Hurry and busyness are forms of self-will. Deluded by an
exaggerated sense of our own importance, we deem it crucial
to perform all tasks and activities according to our personal
schedule. Impatient with traffic tie-ups, other people's
slowness, or unavoidable delays, we make ourselves tense
and miserable by our refusal to accept life as it comes.

Time spent each day in quiet meditation can give us glimpses
of God's timelessness. We see that our schedule is not that
important after all, when measured against eternity. As the
presence of God seeps into our consciousness, we relax into
the fullness and peace of each moment. Trusting our Higher
Power to order our lives, we can slow down and enjoy His gifts.

May I exchange hurry and busyness for Your peace.

from the book: Food for Thought by Elisabeth L.

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

My Tribute to Recovery

I open up my eyes and see
The gift of life was given free
No longer drowning in my tears
Released from the darkness of my fears
The choice was always up to me
I hold the key to how I feel
My immense passion for life is real
No longer lost in desperate void
No barren pain of spirit destroyed
Oh, what a lore to reveal
Each day a new page to unfold
Each night new memories to hold
No longer dreading each new sun
No shame from duties left undone
Life is like stories yet to be told
Trials will surely come I know
I'll be just fine if I learn to let go
No longer slamming my head against the wall
No feelings I must control or fall
Hardships will pass and I will grow
So, come walk this way if you might
Lay down your weapons, give up the fight
Serenity awaits you bountiful and free
Become the person you want to be
Don't go alone, together we'll be all right

By Rhonda N. Tampa, FL

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

Blessings Today

I choose blessings today
For in all things
I am happy
To say
God
Is
My maker
My only hope
He alone gives me
Today strength to cope
Each day is full of blessings
If I just look I will find
So many blessings
Will never bind
They will open
Doors for us
To walk through
Blessing for
Both me and you
Nothing will happen
As bad as our using days
I count my blessings
Within so many
A ways
It is an honor
To offer my hand
Inside recovery we
One and all understand
For God has helped me
To count my blessings and see
Even bad days help us to appreciate
When the good days come they are never to late
So count your blessings as you make your way
For if our mind is open we will see them today
Blessing are both good and bad for me
Today I am blessed just to be free
So let the hard times come
We shall endure
God will bless
Us for sure

Daniel M Corkery
12/13/2002
PAPACORK@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

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

For many of us, the holiday season can present a particular
challenge around having a feeling of connection to God in
the midst of great expectation around family relationships
that don't necessarily receive the same attention through the
year. Sometimes our historical relationships do not feel
supportive to us. But a light-filled moment comes when we
say, “No one else's opinion about me can determine my
worth. My value comes from being a daughter or son of God.”
If we have a strong partnership with God, we can see that criticism
does not need to diminish us in any way. We do the diminishment
by how we respond to it. Instead, when what looks like criticism
comes our way, we can pray about it, and then choose to see it
in the light of helpfulness.
Mary Manin Morrissey

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

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance,
chaos to order,
confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home,
a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.
Melody Beattie

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

Change is the end result of all true learning.
Change involves three things:
First, a dissatisfaction with self- a felt void or need;
second, a decision to change-to fill the void or need;
and third, a conscious dedication to the process of growth and change
- the willful act of making the change; Doing Something.
   Dr. Leo Buscaglia

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

Picture your body as a structure, with four rooms;
a physical, a mental, an emotional, and a spiritual room.
Do not live in just one room at a time,
but go into every room every day;
even if it is to only open a window and let in fresh air...

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

Love is the light that dissolves all walls
between souls, families and nations.
Paramahansa Yogananda

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

God put me on earth to accomplish a number of things;
right now I'm so far behind I will live forever.

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

FAITH = Fantastic Adventures In Trusting Him

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

SPONSOR = Sharing Person Offering Newcomer Support Of Recovery

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

SIT = Stay In Today


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Be My Sponsor
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/bemysponsor.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is: Our friend Lori F. has a special request,
Her home group is putting together a collection of everyones favorite
recovery program quotes and sayings in a notebook. PLEASE
stop by or email below to share in this collective experience.
Hopefully WE will be able to put something together to share with
you online too :) PLEASE SHARE YOUR FAVORITE RECOVERY
SAYING, QUOTE OR SLOGAN

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 16
Whatever I am thinking right now
is creating how I am feeling.
I turn to positive and loving thoughts
because I choose to feel good.
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

Not Even Legal

I wanted to be accepted
And known as very cool
I partied with the best of them
And acted like a fool

Just on the weekends
Sounded great to me
If only it was that easy
In N.A.  I would not be

My life was a mess
Nothing was going right
All I did was use more drugs
And get in many fights

I didn't have any faith
I thought there was no hope
But I knew there had to be more
Than just using dope

I came to the rooms of N.A.
At nineteen years of age
With a great deal of fear
Not to mention all the rage

I thought I was too young
Totally to hardcore
To be classified as an addict
And for drugs to work no more

I didn't relate to everything
There were some things I didn't do
But if I had stayed out longer
I'm sure I would have too

I found some other people
Young and staying clean
That had been where I'd been
And seen what I'd seen

Reservations I had
About turning twenty-one
Turned into anticipation
Of having clean ole‚ fun

I work very hard
On every step I do
I have a sponsor and a home-group
And do service work too

I have my whole life
To look forward to now
With the help of my Higher Power
And Sponsor to show me how

So when a newcomer comes in
And wants to stay off drugs
I can offer my experience
And a whole lot of hugs

I don't know what comes next
I live Just For Today
All I can do is stay clean
And not forget to pray

Hi, my name is Leah and I've been clean for 2 years, 10
months and 11 days. I wrote this poem when I was in my
first year about Youth in Recovery. I hope you like it.
jap_leah@...

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

Awakening On Your Path
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=B0G0yCM3mntyic3ejC\
TOl5ZVcz8d75O0VDQN1G.LCE1fMfa4QA

The Status of "Slippers"
www.barefootsworld.net/aastatus.html

Creative action
N.A. Way Magazine 7/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway163-9.htm

In Loving Service
www.bosewell.com/inlovingservice.htm

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 16                   Where There's Smoke...

"Complacency is the enemy of members with substantial clean time.
If we remain complacent for long, the recovery process ceases."
    Basic Text p. 80

   Recognizing complacency in our recovery is like seeing smoke in
a room. The "smoke" thickens when our meeting attendance drops,
contact with newcomers decreases, or relations with our sponsor
aren't maintained. With continued complacency; we won't be able to
see through the smoke to find our way out. Only our immediate
response will prevent an inferno.

   We must learn to recognize the smoke of complacency. In NA, we
have all the help We need to do that. We need to spend time with
other recovering addicts because they may detect our complacency
before we do. Newcomers will remind us of how painful active
addiction can be. Our sponsor will help us remain focused, and
recovery literature kept in easy reach can be used to extinguish
the small flare-ups that happen from time to time. Regular
participation in our recovery will surely enable us to see that wisp
of smoke long before it becomes a major inferno.

Just for today: I will participate in the full range of my recovery;
My commitment to NA is just as strong today as it was in the
beginning of my recovery.

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you are enjoying this daily recovery email,
Please pass on 12 Step Soul Food For The Spirit to your online friends,
"We can only keep what we have by giving it away."
If you have received this as a forward
and  would like to subscribe please email
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

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

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

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

Prayer of St. Frances Assisi

Lord, make me a channel for thy peace --
that where there is hatred, I may bring love --
that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness --
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony --
that where there is error, I may bring truth --
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith --
that where there is despair, I may bring hope --
that where there are shadows, I may bring light -
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord,
grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted -
to understand, than to be understood -
to love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.
Amen.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 99

No matter where I am in my spiritual growth, the St. Francis prayer
helps me improve my conscious contact with the God of my
understanding.  I think that one of the great advantages of my faith
in God is that I do not understand Him, or Her, or It.  It may be that
my relationship with my Higher Power is so fruitful that I do not have
to understand.  All that I am certain of is that if I work the Eleventh
Step regularly, as best I can, I will continue to improve my conscious
contact, I will know His will for me, and I will have the power to carry
it out.

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 / December 16th

A.A. Thought for the Day

The way of A.A. is the way of faith.  We don't get the
full benefit of the program until we surrender our lives
to some Power greater than ourselves and trust that
Power to give us the strength we need.  There is no
better way for us.  We can get sober without it.  We
can stay sober for some time without it.  But if we are
going to truly live, we must take the way of faith in God.
That is the path for us.  We must follow it.
Have I taken the way of faith?

Meditation for the Day

Life is not a search for happiness.  Happiness is a
by-product of living the right kind of a life, of doing
the right thing.  Do not search for happiness, search
for right living and happiness will be your reward.
Life is sometimes a march of duty during dull, dark
days.  But happiness will come again, as God's smile of
recognition of your faithfulness.  True happiness is
always the by-product of a life well lived.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may not seek happiness but seek to do
right.  I pray that I may not seek pleasure so much as
the things that bring true happiness.

"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
DECEMBER 16

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

Taking Care of Ourselves Emotionally

What does it mean to take care of myself emotionally? I
recognize when I'm feeling angry, and I accept that feeling
without shame or blame.

I recognize when I'm feeling hurt, and I accept those feelings
without attempting to punish the source of my pain. I
recognize and feel fear when that emotion presents itself.

I allow myself to feel happiness, joy, and love when those
emotions are available. Taking care of myself means I've
made a decision that it's okay to feel.

Taking care of my emotions means I allow myself to stay with
the feeling until it's time to release it and go on to the next one.

I recognize that sometimes my feelings can help point me
toward reality, but sometimes my feelings are deceptive. They
are important, but I do not have to let them control me. I can
feel, and think too.

I talk to people about my feelings when that's appropriate and
safe.

I reach out for help or guidance if I get stuck in a particular
emotion.

I'm open to the lessons my emotions may be trying to teach me.
After I feel, accept, and release the feeling, I ask myself what it
is I want or need to do to take care of myself.

Taking care of myself emotionally means I value, treasure,
explore, and cherish the emotional part of myself.

Today, I will take care of myself emotionally. I will be open to,
and accepting of, the emotional part of myself and other people.
I will strive for balance by combining emotions with reason, but I
will not allow intellect to push the emotional part of myself away.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Who To Spend The Holidays With...
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2007/December/Cohen.html

A Personal Letter…Heartfelt Gratitude
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2003/12/personal-letter.htm

Spelling
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/12/spelling.htm

Love, Ego and The Purpose Of Life
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/December/feature3.html

Links to Abundance and Prosperity
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_fourth.htm#abundance

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
www.lightmovie.com

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

Attracting People to You

In West Virginia folklore there is a story of a country doctor who
was called out to a holler late one night to assist a woman about
to give birth. By the time the doctor arrived at the farmhouse,
things had progressed to a point where the doctor asked the
husband to help him by holding a gas lantern up high in order
to illuminate the makeshift delivery room.

Before long, the courageous mother delivered a healthy baby
boy. As the father lowered the lantern, the doctor barked an
order to keep the lantern aloft: "We're not done yet." Shortly, a
second child appeared on the scene, a healthy baby girl. Shaken
by the unexpected arrival of twins, the father heard the doctor say
once again, "We can't stop now. It looks as if it's going to be
triplets." To which the stunned father, still holding the lantern
high, replied, "Do you think it's the light that's attracting them?"

Light has a quality of attraction. I recently left my office door open
late one afternoon in our mountain home and, at dusk, the light
from within attracted -- a hummingbird! (Coaxing a hummingbird
out of the house is a little like pushing a rope. Mostly, whatever
you do doesn't work.)

You, too, have a light that attracts...an inner light. Not visible to
the
naked eye, but apparent just the same. We speak of a "twinkle" in
the eye or a "flicker" of warmth in the heart. Some people shine
with a light of kindness. Others emit a light of hope. There are
those who glow with enthusiasm and still others who radiate love.

Almost all creatures are drawn to light, including humans. Do you
want to attract people to you? Positive and life-affirming inner
qualities can attract people like a warm fire on a cold night.
What will draw other people to you best cannot be purchased in
any department store. They will respond to that which radiates
from within.

You may not always see it, but your light is shining through. And
it's one of your most attractive qualities!

Steve Goodier,
www.lifesupportsystem.com

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

Breathing is not simply this process through which living beings
absorb and expel air. Breathing also allows us to inhale and
exhale light. Practice this exercise: inhale as you focus your
mind on attracting light and then exhale concentrating on
projecting this light onto your organs and your cells. Inhale
again, in the same way, and exhale. Very soon you will begin
to sense the beneficial effect of this exercise; you will feel relaxed,
at peace.

And once you have attracted light towards you, once you have
inhaled it, you can imagine you are exhaling it to bestow it upon
the entire world. This second exercise should of course only be
undertaken when you have practiced the first many times and
have replaced many of your dull and sickly particles with particles
of light. You must first feel that this work of transformation and
purification is beginning to bear fruit before you can begin to
give to others this light you have received within you. This
work with light is also symbolized by the Hebrew letter Aleph.
Aleph is the initiate who takes the celestial light, divine life, to
give it tohumankind.

Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov

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

There is an endless net of threads throughout the universe.

The horizontal threads are in space.

The vertical threads are in time.

At every crossing of the threads, there is an individual.

And every individual is a crystal bead.

And every crystal bead reflects not only the light from every
other crystal in the net, but also every other reflection
throughout the entire universe

The Rig Veda (Rig Veda version by Frank Joseph)

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

I found myself in a bottomless pit,

of sorrow and woe and despair.



When a ray of light revealed to me

the steps of a winding stair.



In vain I tried to reach those steps,

by myself it could not be done.



I cried for help and a voice replied,

"You are standing on Step Number One."



"Who's that?" I asked. "What do you want?"

"Can you tell me what to do?"



"Give me your hand," the voice answered,

and you'll be on Step Number Two."



I help up my hand. I decided that I

alone could not set myself free.



But I trusted that voice and it suddenly said,

"You are standing on Step Number Three."



I stop there and rest, and look at myself.

I don't think I can do anymore.



  From somewhere above the voice came again,

"You are standing on Step Number Four."



Wherever you are, you don't understand,

I don't deserve to be alive.



For I am a liar, a thief and a con.

The voice said, "You're on Step Number Five."



I'm not well, I'm not right. There's a lot wrong with me,

Is there anything you can fix?



The voice came again and so gently replied "You are standing on Step

Number Six."



All right then, I'll ask ~~ can you take these away?

Can you make me feel closer to Heaven?



"I love you," the voice said. "Your Heaven's in you,

and you're standing on Step Number Seven."



There's so many I've harmed, my family I've hurt--

all the pain and the grief and the hate.



"It's alright my child," the voice calmly said,

"You are now on Step Number Eight."



"You must tell them you're sorry. You must make things right.

And then in their eyes you will shine."



"I'll do it," I whispered. And then the voice calmly said,

"You're standing on Step Number Nine."



I must keep a close eye on my motives and self

'cause there's wrongs that I may do again.



"Look at you," the voice said, "at how far you've come!

You are now on Step Number Ten."



I pray and I ask for knowledge and strength. I want to keep my direct
line to Heaven.



The voice is so close ~~ it's as if it's right there,

saying "You're standing on Step Number Eleven."



And so here I stand, almost at the top.

Into all of my past I did delve.



Now I want to help others who are still in the pit.

And the voice said "This is Step Number Twelve." .... Anonymous

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

A little light in a dark room is still a great illumination.
Ernest Holmes

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

Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.
Maya Angelou

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

The light around someone who speaks truth, who consistently acts
with compassion for all, even in great difficulty, is visible to all
around them.
Jack Kornfield

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

We understand that by giving we receive.  We grasp that by
lighting others' candles, we do not lose our own light.  The
more candles one lights, the more enlightened the world
becomes.
John Bradshaw

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

A candle loses nothing by lighting another.
author unknown

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

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine
when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true
beauty is revealed, only if there is a light from within.
Elizabeth Kübler-Ross

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

Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another
human being.  Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who
have rekindled this light.
Albert Schweitzer (1875 - 1965)

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

Remember the powerful presence that you are.
Remember the powerful being that you are.
Remember the light that you are.
Aq'naton Ben-Ish

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

I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness,
the astonishing Light of your own Being."
Hafiz

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

As we see the beautiful holiday lights going up, we know that
having light-filled moments and having an experience of
connection to God is not something we only experience on holy
days.  Every day is holy. Light is not absent from the everyday
life we're living.  It is meant to be in the everyday life we're living,
in traffic and in the work we're doing and with our family of origin.
The light is always available to us if only we are available to It.
Mary Manin Morrissey


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Watcha Reading?
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/whatchareading.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is: Our friend Lori F. has a special request,
Her home group is putting together a collection of everyones favorite
recovery program quotes and sayings in a notebook. PLEASE
stop by or email below to share in this collective experience.
Hopefully WE will be able to put something together to share with
you online too :) PLEASE SHARE YOUR FAVORITE RECOVERY
SAYING, QUOTE OR SLOGAN

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 15
Today I am experiencing all of my life.
It is exciting to be alive in each 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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

To Whom It May Concern
By Brian Hazard

I felt the urge to correspond
But didn't know to who
So since you're always watching, God
I thought I'd write to you
I don't have flashy things to say
Or anything to preach
But sitting down and writing this
Helps keep me in your reach

I won't ask for serenity
Or food to fill my plate
I won't ask for surrender
As I have in sorry states

Instead I'll pray correctly
'Cause what I want makes me sick
So I'll ask you grant me something
But this time, God

You pick
:-)

September 14, 2000
written by ~ Brian H
quik_fix@...


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

Attitude Is Everything
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=aj4ckEA2ynm8zZxF57\
eLey8uQ81KsZTKOhUwMeiDs38Af9wrLA

That God-Awful Return of the Obsession!!
www.barefootsworld.net/obsession.html

Finding the Spirit in Spirituality
N.A. Way Magazine 7/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway163-8.htm

A Lesson in Life
www.geocities.com/alaura1942/ALessonInLife.html

Symptoms of Inner Peace
www.geocities.com/alaura1942/SymptomsOfInnerPeace.html

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 15                                           The Joy of Sharing

"There is a spiritual principle of giving away what we have been
given in Narcotics Anonymous in order to keep it. By helping
others to stay clean, we enjoy the benefit of the spiritual wealth
that we have found."  Basic Text p. 47

   Time and again in our recovery, others have freely shared with
us what was freely shared with them. Perhaps we were the
recipients of a Twelfth Step call. Maybe someone picked us up
and took us to our first meeting. It could be that someone bought
us dinner when we were new. All of us have been given time,
attention, and love by our fellow members. We may have asked
someone, "What can I do to repay you?" And the answer we
received was probably a suggestion that we do the same for a
newer member when we were able.

   As we maintain our clean time and recovery, we find ourselves
wanting to do for others the things that someone did for us, and
happy that we can. If we heard the message while in a hospital
or institution, we can join our local H & I subcommittee. Perhaps
we can volunteer on the NA help line. Or we can give of our time,
attention, and love to a newcomer we are trying to help.

   We've been given much in our recovery. One of the greatest of
these gifts is the privilege of sharing with others what's been
shared with us, with no expectation of reward. It's a joy to find we
have something that can be of use to others, and that joy is
multiplied when we share it. Today we can do so, freely and
gratefully.

Just for today: I have been given much in my recovery, and I am
deeply grateful for it. I will take joy in being able to share it with
others as freely as it was shared with me.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

Thy Will, Not Mine

. . . when making specific requests, it will be well to add to each one
of them this qualification. ". . . if it be Thy will. "
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 102

   I ask simply that throughout the day God place in me the best
understanding of His will that I can have for that day, and that I be
given the grace by which I may carry it out. As the day goes on, I can
pause when facing situations that must be met and decisions that
must be made, and renew the simple request: "Thy will, not mine,
be done."

   I must always keep in mind that in every situation I am responsible
for the effort and God is responsible for the outcome. I can "Let Go
and Let God" by humbly repeating: "Thy will, not mine, be done."
Patience and persistence in seeking His will for me will free me
from the pain of selfish expectations.

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 / December 15th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Service to others makes the world a good place.
Civilization would cease if all of us were always and
only for ourselves.  We alcoholics have a wonderful
opportunity to contribute to the well-being of the
world.  We have a common problem.  We find a
common answer.  We are uniquely equipped to help
others with the same problem.  What a wonderful
world it would be if we took our own greatest
problem and found the answer to it and spent the
rest of our lives helping others with the same
problem in our spare time.  Soon we would have
the right kind of a world.
Do I appreciate my unique opportunity to be of service?

Meditation for the Day

Today can be lived in the consciousness of God's
contact, upholding you in all good thoughts, words,
and deeds.  If sometimes there seems to be a
shadow on your life and you feel out of sorts,
remember that this is not the withdrawal of God's
presence, but only your own temporary unwillingness
to realize it.  The quiet gray days are the days for
doing what you must do, but know that the
consciousness of God's nearness will return and be
with you again, when the gray days are past.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may face the dull days with courage.
I pray that I may have faith that the bright days
will return.

"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
DECEMBER 15

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

Feelings

It's okay to have and feel our feelings - all of them.

Years into recovery, we may still be battling with ourselves
about this issue. Of all the prohibitions we've lived with, this
one is potentially the most damaging and the most long-lived.

Many of us needed to shut down the emotional part of
ourselves to survive certain situations. We shut down the part
of us that feels anger, sadness, fear, joy, and love. We may
have turned off our sexual or sensual feelings too. Many of us
lived in systems with people who refused to tolerate our
emotions. We were shamed or reprimanded for expressing
feelings, usually by people who were taught to repress their
own.

But times have changed. It is okay now for us to acknowledge
and accept our emotions. We don't need to allow our emotions
to control us; neither do we need to allow our emotions to
control us; neither do we need to rigidly repress our feelings.
Our emotional center is a valuable part of us. It's connected to
our physical well being, our thinking, and our spirituality.

Our feelings are also connected to that great gift, instinct. They
enable us to give and receive love.

We are neither weak nor deficient for indulging in our feelings.
It means we're becoming healthy and whole.

Today, I will allow myself to recognize and accept whatever
feelings pass through me. Without shame, I will tune in to the
emotional part 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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

SFTK
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2007/December/Opinion%20_Guy_Spiro.html

Dr. Maya Angelou, At Age 74
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/12/dr-m-a.htm

Secrets of the Lost Mode of Prayer
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/December/feature1.html

Links to Self Improvement – Body
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_fifth.htm#self

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv


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

An Affair to Remember

by Alan Cohen

"Every problem comes to you
with a gift in its hands."

-- Richard Bach

A third party has no power to break up a healthy relationship.
No one can come between you and your partner unless
something has already come between you and your partner.
A mate having an affair is not the cause of a breakup; it is a
symptom of a breakdown in the fabric of the primary
relationship. From the Big Love perspective, an affair is not a
cause for condemnation of self or other; it can be the most
valuable wakeup call of a lifetime.

The most important question to ask of a partner who has
strayed is: "What were you looking for that you were not
finding in your primary relationship?" There are two possible
answers: (1) What he wanted was available at home, but he
did not have the vision, willingness, or ability to see and claim
it. Perhaps he bumped up against a fear of intimacy, or he did
not have the communication skills or emotional depth to work
through the issues; or (2) the home relationship simply did not
have the substance for longevity, the partners were not (or are
no longer) well matched, or the relationship was in some way
toxic. The affair, then, was an unconscious statement that
something was not right with the primary relationship.

In either case, the affair coming to light is a blessing. If the love
at home was real, both partners now have the opportunity to go
deeper, tell more truth, heal the issues that were troubling them,
and create a partnership that transcends what both were settling
for. Like a broken bone, when a fractured relationship heals, it
grows stronger than it was before the break, strongest at the point
where it knit.

If there was not a lot of substance to the relationship in the first
place, or the partners grew irrevocably in different directions, it
is probably a blessing that one partner took the step to leave.
The affair set into motion a series of events that forced you to to
tell more truth and ultimately freed both of you to get on with your
lives. Granted, it would have been more gentle if the person who
strayed came forward with direct communication, but, as the
saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Our bodies
communicate what our words do not, and if your wife took her
body to another man's bed, she is making a statement that cannot
be denied.

The only thing worse than an affair that comes to light is an affair
that does not come to light. Yes, there was pain and upset in the
aftermath of the revelation, but consider the alternative: You
could have gone on for many years trudging through a half-
relationship, your issues buried and your hearts weeping, never
confronting the issues that were slowly killing you. Rejoice that
you can now take the next step toward going deeper with each
other, or moving apart. At least you have the truth on your side
now.

Don't waste a moment blaming the third party. Who he is, or how
she connected with you or your partner, and the details of the
drama are of little importance in the face of the gifts and lessons
available to you and your partner. Truth be told, it could have been
anyone. If you or your partner wanted to leave, there are millions
of people to run to, and if it wasn't Sally or John, it would have
been Sue or Bill. The name, face, and story are far less significant
than the who. And if there have been several or more outside
partners, it really doesn't matter, for in such a case you can see
quite clearly that the behavior was about the mate who strayed,
not the third parties.

Meanwhile, the third party has her own inner work to do. Why
she would choose to get involved with someone who is married
or in a relationship is something she needs to look at and come
to terms with. But one thing is clear: That is none of your
business. The less time and energy you spend analyzing,
judging, or punishing the partner who strayed or the third party,
the more time and energy you will have to make the experience
work on behalf of your own growth and the evolution of your
relationship. Attempting to blame a third party is a tactic of
distraction that takes the spotlight off of you and your partner.
Bring your introspection back home, for it is there that you will
find healing.

An individual who is satisfied in a relationship cannot be
seduced, nor will she seek diversions. There may be
momentary attractions, but if you and your partner have a
Big Love and the willingness to connect in depth, the
fulfillment both of you seek is present and available.
Commitment is not something you create by saying words;
it is an experience of the heart, and passing flirtations have
no power over Big Love.

There is a principle in organic gardening that is true of
relationships: Pests are less likely to attack plants that are
growing in healthy soil. You can administer all kinds of
pesticides or organic deterrents, but your best defense
against intruders is to nourish the soil from which the plant
derives its essential nutrients. Given a healthy foundation, plants
develop a natural immune system superior to external additives.

Translated into human relationship, the best way to ensure a
committed relationship is to keep feeding your partnership with
truth, love, and intimacy. These attributes are not ones that you
should expect to get from your partner (although you do): they
are investments you make in your relationship. The quickest
route to hell in a relationship is to expect your partner to fill
your emptiness, and the most direct way to heaven is to give
what you want to receive. You only receive what you give, and
you receive it in the giving.

So it comes to this: you can thank and bless the third party as
your teacher and awakener. Certainly this was not their intention,
but it is the gift you choose to make of him or her. The third party
pointed out aspects of yourself, your partner, and your relationship
that you may never have discovered, or at least not for a long, long
time. Bless and release the third party and get on with the business
of building the kind of relationship you truly desire. Use the affair
to create a Big Love with your partner that goes far beyond what
shaky love offered, or use the affair to deepen loving yourself or
create a more meaningful partnership with another at a later time.
Everything serves, and an affair is no exception.

Alan Cohen is the author of 15 popular inspirational books,
including the award-winning A Deep Breath of Life. To order
Alan's new novel My Father’s Voice or request a free catalog
of Alan's books, tapes, and seminars, call 1-800-462-3013 or
visit Alan's web site at www.alancohen.com. For info on
upcoming events, contact 455A Kukuna Road, Haiku, HI 96708,
(800) 568-3079, email: admin@...

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

God's Embroidery

When I was little, my mother used to sew a great deal. I would
sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was
doing. She informed me that she was embroidering. As from
the underside I watched her work within the boundaries of
the little  hoop that she held in her hand, I complained to her
that it sure looked messy from where I sat.  She'd smile at me,
look down and gently say, "Son, you go about your playing and
when I am finished with my embroidering, I will put you on my
knee and let you see it from my side." I would wonder why she
was using some dark threads along with the bright ones and
why they seemed so jumbled from my view.

A few minutes would pass and then I would hear Mother's voice
say, "Son come sit on my knee." This I did only to be surprised
and thrilled to see a beautiful flower or sunset. I could not
believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy. Then
mother would say to me. "My son, from underneath it did look
messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a
plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now
look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing."

Many times through the years, I have looked up to heaven and
said, "Father what are You doing?" He has answered, "I am em
broidering your life." I say, "But it looks like such a mess to me.
It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can't they
all be bright?" The God seems to tell me, "My child, you go
about your business of doing My business, and one day I will
bring you to Heaven and put you on my knee and you will see
the plan from My side."

author unknown

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

Lighthouses

beacons of hope and reassurance...
signposts to safety and warmth...
bright glow...
on the horizon of dark nights...
and turbulent seas...
restorers of faith, confidence and strength
dispellers of anguish, fear and despair
shining guides of the lost.

Did you realize
that just your kind smile
from the heart
transforms you into a lighthouse
and helps change the view of the many
to believe in a secure world
and in the goodness of man?

Did you know
it even touches the indifferent?

Christi Becker

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

"Think like that..."

"How would you feel if you had no fear?
Feel like that.

How would you behave toward other people
if you realized their powerlessness to hurt you?
Behave like that.

How would your react to so-called misfortune
if you saw its inability to bother you?
React like that.

How would you think toward yourself
if you knew you were really all right?
Think like that."

Vernon Howard

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

Resentments

I choose repeatedly to swell to anger and hurt,
I allow myself to mull it over,
And over
   And over
Though the act of pain is done, I am not finished with it.
IT IS MINE AND I KEEP IT.
But it is unhealthy,
It keeps me sick
   I push God away with it.
I must embrace Him,
I will choose to allow Him the hurt,
To give Him the pain,
I will allow the ultimate surgeon to open the wound,
For He will perform the healing.
He will always give me life anew.
   As He cleansed the lepers He will cleanse me.
He will make me new again,
I will accept His gift of comfort,
His peace!
   His Love,
    His serenity.
For I will become willing to give it all to Him,
To lock it away for His safe keeping,
Not allowing IT to invade my very being,
   For I am His,
    And today He is mine
IT no longer belongs to me,
For I have let it go,
So I may make the choice to GROW!!!

written by ~ Patti Kelli
pattikelli@...

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

Of all the creature of earth, only human beings can change their
patterns. Man alone is the architect of his destiny...
Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds,
can change the outer aspects of their lives.
William James

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

I once was annoyed with a rude store clerk until I discovered
that she'd recently experienced a personal tragedy.
That taught me that when we know people's stories,
we feel compassion instead of judgment.
And everybody has a story.
Mary Manin Morrissey

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

The wise student hears of the Tao and practices it diligently.
The average student hears of the Tao and gives it thought now and again.
The foolish student hears of the Tao and laughs aloud.
If there were no laughter, the Tao would not be what it is.
Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching

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

We set the sail;
God makes the wind.

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

Begin to weave
and God will Give you the thread.

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

When God says "no", it's because
He has something better in store for you.

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

The task ahead of us
is never as great as the Power behind us.

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

I'll do my dreaming with my eyes wide open,
and I'll do my looking back with my eyes closed.
Tony Arata

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

If you find a path with no obstacles,
it probably doesn't lead anywhere.
Unknown

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Low Carb
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/new2004/lowcarb.html

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

The weekly meeting topic is: Our friend Lori F. has a special request,
Her home group is putting together a collection of everyones favorite
recovery program quotes and sayings in a notebook. PLEASE
stop by or email below to share in this collective experience.
Hopefully WE will be able to put something together to share with
you online too :)

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 14
Today I can look back with love in my heart,
knowing that every moment,
every experience of my life has been necessary,
valuable and significant.
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

What if everyone right now stopped and listened to theirs hearts,
yes stopped and listened to their hearts beat?
Felt its rhythm? Felt its power?

We all have this power keeping us alive.
All living beings have this in common.

Try it. Right now.

Breathe peace into the area where your heart lives.

Breathe peace out into the world.

Breathe love into the area where your heart lives.

Now breathe love out into the world.

Now feel that space where your heart lives stretch a little bigger to
let
more love in.

Breathe in love to fill that space.

Breathe in love to fill your entire body.

Breathe out love to fill our world.
I am bringing more awareness to my breathe today,
knowing I can change how I feel with just one breath.
Today I choose to breathe in thoughts of love
and breathe it out into the world.

Namaste, Ruth
an excerpt from "Time For Peace"
spirithaven@...

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

As a Man Thinketh
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=om7PHZ82zSysKoPH6J\
wcF8ANa7tKVi_al6rjSufHyFUlgFrBqQ

The Elimination of the Ego-Self
www.barefootsworld.net/imemine.html

Seeking understanding
N.A. Way Magazine 7/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway163-7.htm

12 Step Tools
www.members.aol.com/_ht_a/sobertransitions/tools.html

The Gift
www.dennisjhopkins.com/Poems/Poem221.html

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 14                                   Addiction, drugs, and
recovery

"Addiction is a physical, mental, and spiritual disease that affects
every area of our lives."     Basic Text p. 20

   Before we started using, most of us had a stereotype, a mental
image of what addicts were supposed to look like. Some of us
pictured a junkie robbing convenience markets for drug money.
Others imagined a paranoid recluse peering at life from behind
perpetually drawn drapes and locked doors. As long as we didn't
fit any of the stereotypes, we thought, we couldn't be addicts.

   As our using progressed, we discarded those misconceptions
about addiction, only to come up with another: the idea that
addiction was about drugs. We may have thought addiction meant
a physical habit, believing any drug that didn't produce physical
habituation was not "addictive:' Or we thought the drugs we took
were causing all our problems. We thought that merely getting rid
of the drugs would restore sanity to our lives.

   One of the most important lessons we learn in Narcotics
Anonymous is that addiction is much more than the drugs we
used. Addiction is a part of us; it's an illness that involves every
area of our lives, with or without drugs. We can see its effects
on our thoughts, our feelings, and our behavior, even after we
stop using. Because of this, we need a solution that works to
repair every area of our lives: the Twelve Steps.

Just for today: Addiction is not a simple disease, but it has a simple
solution. Today, I will live in that solution: the Twelve Steps of
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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

I Was Slipping Fast

We A.A.'s are active folk enjoying the satisfactions of dealing with
the realities of life, . . . So it isn't surprising that we often tend
to
slight serious meditation and prayer as something not really
necessary.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 96

I had been slipping away from the program for some time, but it took a
death threat from a terminal disease to bring me back, and particularly
to the practice of the Eleventh Step of our blessed Fellowship.
Although I had fifteen years of sobriety and was still very active in
the
program, I knew that the quality of my sobriety had slipped badly.
Eighteen months later, a checkup revealed a malignant tumor and a
prognosis of certain death within six months.  Despair settled in when I
enrolled in a rehab program, after which I suffered two small strokes
which revealed two large brain tumors.  As I kept hitting new bottoms
I had to ask myself why this was happening to me.  God allowed me to
recognize my dishonesty and to become teachable again.  Miracles
began to happen.  But primarily I relearned the whole meaning of the
Eleventh Step.  My physical condition has improved dramatically, but
my illness is minor compared to what I almost lost completely.

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 / December 14th

A.A. Thought for the Day

The way of A.A. is the way of service.  Without that, it
would not work.  We have been "on the wagon" and hated
it.  We have taken the pledge and waited for the time to
be up with impatience.  We have tried in all manner of
ways to help ourselves.  But not until we begin to help
other people do we get full relief.  It is an axiom that
the A.A. program has to be given away in order to be
kept.  A river flows into the Dead Sea and stops.  A river
flows into a clear pool and flows out again.  We get and
then we give.  If we do not give, we do not keep.
Have I given up all ideas of holding A.A. for myself alone?

Meditation for the Day

Try to see the life of the spirit as a calm place, shut away
from the turmoil of the world.  Think of your spiritual home
as a place full of peace, serenity, and contentment.  Go to
this quiet, meditative place for the strength to carry you
through today's duties and problems.  Keep coming back
here for refreshment when you are weary of the hubbub
of the outside world.  From this quietness and communion
comes our strength.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may keep this resting place where I can
commune with God.  I pray that I may find refreshment
in meditation on the Eternal.

"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
DECEMBER 14

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

Clear Thinking

Strive for clear thinking. Many of us have had our thinking
clouded by denial. Some of us have even lost faith in ourselves
because we've spent a degree of time in denial. But losing faith
in our thinking isn't going to help us. What we need to lose faith
in is denial.

We didn't resort to denial - either of someone else's problem or
our own - because we were deficient. Denial, the shock
absorber for the soul, protects us until we are equipped to cope
with reality.

Clear thinking and recovery don't mean we will never resort to
denial. Denial is the first step toward acceptance, and for most
of our life, we will be striving to accept something.

Clear thinking means we don't allow ourselves to become
immersed in negativity or unrealistic expectations. We stay
connected to other recovering people. We go to our meetings,
where peace of mind and realistic support are available. We
work the Steps, pray, and meditate.

We keep our thinking on track by asking our Higher Power to
help us think clearly - not by expecting Him, or someone else,
to do our thinking for us.

Today, I will strive for balanced, clear thought in all areas of 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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Hidden Power Within You
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2007/December/feature6.html

The Great Art of Ending, By Alan Cohen
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/12/alan-cohen.htm

Choosing a Good Therapist
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/November/vissell.htm

Links to Self Improvement - Mind & Spirit
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_fifth.htm#self2

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Law of Responsibility

© Dan Millman
(Excerpted from Life You Were Born To Live)

      Once we establish the limits and boundaries of our responsibility,
      we can take full charge of that which is our duty and let go of
that
      which is not;  in doing so, we find more enjoyment supporting
      others, as we create more harmonious cooperative relationships.


      For peace of mind,
      we need to resign
      as general manager of the universe.
                  --Larry Eisenberg


"United we stand, divided we fall. Many hands make light work.
No one is smarter than all of us" The principle has been stated
many ways, but each statement expresses the same sentiment:
Working together, we can accomplish tasks that would be difficult
or impossible without cooperative effort-for example, building a
skyscraper or staging a play.

In every endeavor in which people work together at different
levels of responsibility, some people may have more visibility,
but they are supported by other people without whom their
efforts would be unproductive. What would the rock star do
without the sound technicians? Could the corporate president
or head of the board run a company without efficient secretaries?
When achievers rise in politics or industry, they are supported
by others who form the foundation of their enterprise.

Families, corporations, or empires rise or fall based upon the
quality and level of cooperation and responsibility within their
boundaries. At the individual level, our own effective functioning
as human beings depends in large part on our internal states of
cooperation.

Before we can help others, we have to help ourselves-to put
our internal house in order-and reconcile our conflicting
subpersonalities: those identities, beliefs, values, and ideas
that seem to oppose one another or sit on different sides of
the fence. We may even need to facilitate active cooperation
between the right and left hemispheres of our brain. Before we
can find harmony, we have to notice what is out of harmony-
the either/or, yes/no, I should/I shouldn't dichotomies that result
in confusion since every decision involves pros and cons. A
variety of approaches exist to harmonizing our "parts,' such
as subpersonality work, Voice Dialogue, Neurolinguistic
Programming, alchemical hypnotherapy, and other educational
methods that help integrate both hemispheres of the brain.

In our relationships with ourselves, with other people, and
with our own circumstances, we need to discover our point of
balance, define and delineate the limits and boundaries of
our appropriate level of responsibility, and recognize that our
values, needs, and priorities may rightfully be very different
from our parents' siblings' spouse's, or other people's.

Those of us who feel a strong drive to support, serve, and
assist others can, in our need to give, sometimes overcooperate
to an extent that debilitates both us and those we serve. In
extreme cases, this tendency to overhelp degenerates into
codependency, where we lose ourselves in obsessive focus
on other people's lives, pouring out without receiving in return.
Codependents assume responsibility for other people's lives
far beyond the normal duties of parents or friends or employees.
They base their value, self-worth, and even their identities on
their ability to help other people, always (rather than sometimes)
focusing on others' needs before their own, a form of playing
doormat or even slave.

The overcooperation that lies at the core of codependency
involves a distorted or exaggerated sense of responsibility,
leading us to try to "fix" others' mistakes rather than allowing
them to learn from the consequences of their own behaviors.

If we overcooperate with other people, they will rarely complain
about it. We rarely hear others say, "You're just too easygoing!"
However, we will soon discover that when the pendulum of
our psyche swings too much into overcooperation, eventually
it swings back the other way, into undercooperation. This shift
may take a few days, weeks, months, or even years, but sooner
or later, it happens.

In the case of undercooperation, we either go into complete
while withdrawing emotionally. Unless corrected, this can
lead to the death of a relationship.

Happily, relationships suffering from traumatic or chronic
cooperation issues can be saved or, in some cases, resurrected.
The "miracle" involves finding a new balance between giving
and receiving-establishing a mutually supportive relationship.
Open communication can lead to a more equal sharing of
responsibility, lifting the psychological burden from the
shoulders of those with codependent tendencies. The major
responsibility for establishing a new balance, however, rests
with those who have such tendencies.

Responsibility in itself seems a desirable attribute, but those
of us who feel overly responsible-who feel compelled to
overhelp-need to shift our attitude and actions and find our
balance point in order to achieve a state of true cooperation
and balanced responsibility.

The most powerful form of cooperation and support may
sometimes mean encouraging and empowering other people
to do things for themselves. The best assistance often
includes making the right demands.

The Law of Responsibility serves as an essential reminder
of the value and ultimate necessity of finding, respecting,
and working within our own comfort zone. While we're all
here to stretch our comfort zone, we're not here to ignore it.
This law reminds us to respect our intemal values and to find
our own point of balance.

Let's take the example of Rosalyn and Tanya, each mother
of two young children. Both Rosalyn and Tanya were formerly
advertising executives who commuted daily to work in San
Francisco. Rosalyn decided to stay home with her children,
putting her downtown career on hold; Tanya, on the other hand,
continued working downtown and found a good nanny to take
care of her children while she was at work. Rosalyn and Tanya
made different choices. The issue here is that neither woman
chose what she most deeply wanted to do; instead, each
chose what she felt she was "supposed to do"

Rosalyn felt frustrated at home, but she believed that she
had to remain with her children all day to be a "good mother"
Tanya hated leaving her children every day, but she wanted
to be a "modem woman" with "equal opportunities,' not "tied
to the home" the way she felt her own mother had been.

Both women were, in a sense, overcooperating with someone
else's values and ideas of what they "should" be or do rather
than listening to their own needs. Happily, each has now
found a balance that works well for her. Tanya has found a
way to work at home so that she can see her children more,
and Rosalyn is back in the office, working part-time and loving
it, and she better appreciates the time she has with her
children because her other needs are being met.

In applying the Law of Responsibility, we support others, but
we also accept support; we find a balance between the two.
We find the difference between what we think we "should" do
or be and what our heart really desires. We do what we can
feel good about inside; if we don't feel good inside, we state
our feelings and reach a compromise: "I'll do this much, but
you'll have to do the rest" That's the heart of responsibility and
the soul of cooperation.

The following exercises can help you achieve alignment with
the Law of Responsibility through direct experience and
application.

Experiencing Responsibility
Before finding a balanced sense of responsibility to self and
others and achieving true cooperation in the world, we need
to experience it within ourselves. This visualization exercise
works with the subconscious to harmonize conflicting parts.
With a little practice, it takes only a minute or two. It also
provides valuable practice in conflict resolution and can serve
as a template for working out balanced, mutually beneficial
agreements with others.

1. Imagine a safe and special place anywhere in the world
or the universe. It could be a granite plateau high in the
mountains, a hidden glen, or a quiet meadow-your own private
inner space. 2. Create the image of a table with two chairs, one
on each side.

3. Invite two opposing parts of yourself to reveal themselves,
one at a time, and to sit down, facing each other, across the
table. You might invite one part that represents your mind and
one part that represents your body, a part you like and a part
you dislike, a part from the past and a part from the future, or a
judging part and a forgiving part. Whenever you have mixed
feelings or feel torn in two directions, you can access two parts
to represent these feelings.

4. Ask each part what positive outcome or intention it has for
you. Even if one part seems negative, trust that every aspect
of your subconscious exists for a reason and is doing its best
to serve the whole.

5. As each part appears in your mind's eye, note what it looks
like, how it moves and sits down, and how it behaves. When
both are seated, note how they relate to each other.

6. Internally ask both parts to express themselves until they
find a place of cooperation, rapport, and communication so
that in the future they can work together.

7. When you feel complete, thank them, say farewell, and
leave them to enjoy their meeting.


Application of the Law of Responsibility

1. Either write or recite to yourself a short list of things you would
be willing to do if someone asked you and a short list of things
you would not be willing to do. Where do you draw the line and
why?

2. Write or recite to yourself a list of things that you feel
comfortable
doing and things that you don't feel comfortable doing for others
at home or work.

· How many of these tasks do you continue to do, and why?

· Do you do things for people, such as your children, spouse, or
relatives, and then complain?

· Do you feel responsible for other adults' mistakes or lives?

3. Consider briefly the areas of your life where you might be
feeling overly responsible and where you tend to overhelp or
else withdraw in resentment. If you feel exploited or unappreciated-
like a martyr or a doormat-what might you do in your life to find a
better balance?

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

When The Whole World Stinks

Do you remember the story of the sailor who
over-imbibed and fell asleep at his table? His
buddies smeared a bit of strong smelling cheese
dip on his mustache, which caused him to wake up
and look around. He sniffed and then walked
outside, sniffed again and came back in, walked
out and back in one more time and finally sat back
down in his seat. "It's no use," he said to his friend,
"the whole world stinks!"

     Ever felt that way? We have all experienced
bad days and horrible situations. We've felt
trapped, helpless and, at times, hopeless. We
may have even believed that the whole world
stinks.

But I like the tremendous way one woman has
learned to approach living. She grew up in
extreme poverty, but was privileged to be in a
Sunday School class taught by a young woman
named Alice Freeman Palmer, who was later to
become president of Wellesley College. One
Sunday, the teacher asked the children to find
something beautiful in their homes, and then tell
the other children about it the next week.

The following Sunday, when the little girl was
asked what she found that was beautiful at home,
she thought of her impoverished condition and
replied, "Nothing. There's nothing beautiful where
I live, except ... except the sunshine on our baby's
curls."

Years later, long after Mrs. Palmer's untimely
death, her husband was lecturing at a university
in the western United States. He was approached
by a distinguished looking woman who fondly recalled
that she had been a member of his wife's Sunday
School class. "I can remember that your wife once
asked us to find something beautiful in our homes,
and that I came back saying the only beautiful thing
I could find was the sunshine on my sister's curls.
But that assignment your wife made was the turning
point in my life. I began to look for something
beautiful wherever I was, and I've been doing it
ever since." That one suggestion turned her life around.

If you have been thinking your "whole world stinks,"
the daily habit of looking for something beautiful can
help you see the good that is in the world, and
transform your hope into enough positive energy
to build a life that counts.

Steve Goodier

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

A GIMMICK TO GET US OUT OF THE DUMPS
By Bill W.


(The following was written by Bill W., co-founder of
Alcoholics Anonymous for "The Road Back©", a bimonthly
publication by the Dublin, Ireland, group in June 1980, and
is reprinted there-from.)

I think we oldsters who have put the A.A. booze cure to such
severe tests, yet still find we lack emotional sobriety, are
probably the spearhead for the next major development in
AA - the development of something like real maturity and
balance (which is to say, humility) in our relations with ourselves,
with our fellows and with God. Those adolescent urges for top
approval, perfect security and the perfect romance, urges
quite appropriate to age 17, prove to be an impossible way of
life at 47 or 57.

Since AA began, I've taken immense wallops in all these
departments because of my failure to grow up, emotionally
and spiritually. How painful it is to keep insisting on the
impossible, and how painful to discover that we have the cart
before the horse. Then comes the final agony of seeing how
wrong we are, but still finding ourselves unable, seemingly, to
get off the merry-go-round.

Problem of Everyone. How to translate right intellectual
conviction into right emotional results and so into easy, happy,
active and good living - that's not only the neurotic's problem.
It's the problem of life itself for all who have got to the
point of willingness to hew to right principles. Even then, as
we hew away, peace and joy still elude us. That's the place so
many of us AA oldsters have come to. How shall the unconscious
- from which our fears, compulsions and phony aspirations still
stream - be brought into line with what we actually believe,
know and want? How to convince our dumb, raging and hidden
"Mr. Hyde" becomes the final task.

I've recently become to believe this can be done. I believe so
because I began to see many benighted ones, folks like you and
me, commencing to get results.

Last fall, depression, having no really rational cause at all, took
me to the cleaners. I began to be scared that I was in for
another five-year chronic spell. Considering the grief I've had
with depression, it wasn't a bright prospect.

I kept asking myself, "Why can't the twelve steps work to
release depression?" By the hour I stared at the St. Francis
prayer.. It's better to understand than to be understood. It's
better to love than be loved.. It's better to comfort than to be
comforted." Here was the formula. But why didn't it work?

Suddenly I realized what the matter was. My basic flaw had
always been dependence, absolute dependence, on people or
circumstances to supply me with prestige, security and romance.
Failing to get these, according to my still childish dreams and
specifications, I had fought for these things. And when defeat
came, so did depression. There wasn't a chance of making the
outgoing love of Francis a workable and joyous way of life until
these fatal and really absolute dependencies were cut away.

Because I had undergone a little spiritual development the
absolute quality of these frightful liabilities had never before
been so starkly revealed. Therefore, reinforced by what grace
I could secure in prayer, I found I must exert every ounce of
will and action to cut off these emotional dependencies upon
people, upon A.A. - indeed upon any set of circumstances whatever.
Then, only then, would I be free to love as Francis could.
Emotional or instinctual satisfactions, I saw, were really the
extra dividends of having love, offering love and expressing
love appropriate to each relation of life.

Must Offer Love To God. Plainly, I could not avail myself of
God's love until I was able to offer it back to Him by loving
others as He would have me. And I couldn't possibly do that
so long as I was victimized by my dependencies. For dependencies
meant demand; demand for possession and control of people
and conditions.

While the words "absolute dependency" may look like a gimmick,
they were the ones that triggered my release into my present
stability and quietness of mind which I am now trying to
consolidate by having love and offering love, regardless of
the return.

This is the primary healing circuit; our outgoing love of God's
creation and His people, by which we avail ourselves of His
love for us. But the real current can't flow until our
dependencies are broken at depth. Only then can we have a
glimmer of what adult love really is.

Spiritual calculus, you say? Not a bit of it. Watch any A.A. of
six months working on a new 12th step case. If the case says,
"the hell with you," the 12th stepper smiles and turns to another
case. He doesn't feel frustrated or rejected. If his case
responds and starts to give love and attention to other
alcoholics, but returns none to the sponsor, then the sponsor
is happy anyway. He still doesn't feel rejected.

And when his case turns out in later time to be his best friend
(or romance), then the sponsor is joyful. But his happiness and
joy were by-products, and no more. The real stabilizing thing
was having the offering of love to that strange drunk on the
doorstep. That was Francis at work, powerful and practical,
minus dependency and minus demand.

In my first six months of sobriety, I worked hard with many
alcoholics. Not one responded, but they kept me sober. It wasn't
a question of their giving me anything. Stability came out of
giving, not of receiving.

Thus I think it will work out with emotional sobriety. If we
examine every disturbance we have, great or small, we can
find at the root of it some sort of unhealthy dependency and
consequent demand. Let us hack away at these chains, begging
God's help. Then we shall be set free to love. We shall then be
able to 12th step ourselves and others into emotional sobriety.

I haven't offered you a single new idea - just a gimmick that
has started to unhook my several "hexes" at depth. My brain
no longer races compulsively in either elation, grandiosity or
depression. I have been given a quiet place in bright sunshine.

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

A Promise

I am more powerful than all the combined armies of the world.
I have destroyed more men than all the wars of the nations.
I have caused millions of accidents and wrecked more homes
than all the floods, tornadoes and hurricanes put together.
I am the world's slickest thief,
I steal billions of dollars each year.
I find my victims among the sick and poor alike,
the young, the strong and the weak.
I loom up to such proportions,
that I cast a shadow over a field of labor.
I am relentless, insidious and unpredictable.
I am everywhere, in the home, on the street,
in the factory, in the office, on the sand and in the air.
I bring sickness, poverty and even death.
I give nothing and take all.
I am your worst enemy.
I am alcohol.
I am patient and I am waiting.

Anonymous

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

What Better Time

What better day than today
To love the brothers and sisters
As we strive real hard to give it away
What better chance then right now
To find those who are suffering
And teach them the principals of
H. O. W.
What better way to touch others
Then by our truth
By our honesty
and
Our humility
As we share our experience
Strength and hope
Telling the dying how we cope
With reality
Telling them
How we now see
What better day then today
To love the new comers
With understanding
Compassion
Forgiveness
Prayer
Vision
Faith
What better day then today
To turn around
And give it away
When all they want
Is peace today
Those of us who
Suffered
Can say
This is how we do it
Just for today

Daniel M Corkery
11/5/2000
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

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

Grace

  From the kiss of dawn to the caress of night
let the kindness of your words,
the courage of your heart and
the strength of your spirit
bless the light of day.

© Copyright 1999
Terri McPherson
tmcphers@...
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
www.wisehearts.com/lfc.htm

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

Whatever I see without is a reflection of what
I have first seen within my own mind.
I always project into the world
the thoughts, feelings and attitudes
which preoccupy me. I see the world differently
by changing my mind about what I want to see.
Gerald Jampolsky

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

Choices are the hinges of destiny
Edwin Markham

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

Practice appreciating for the first fifteen minutes
you are awake every day.....
Appreciation first thing in the morning
-- is one of the most valuable efforts you can make to create
more heart coherence in your system
and release you from old attitudes that no longer serve you.
Doc Childre

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

I am part of all that I have met.
Ulysses, from Homer's 'Odyssey'

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

Do your best and then sleep in peace.
God is Awake.

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

God has a Purpose and Plan for me
that no one else can fulfill.

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

The Will of God will never take you to
where the Grace of God will not keep you.

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

We are responsible for the effort,
not the outcome.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Nobody understands ME
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/nobodyunderstands.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is: Our friend Lori F. has a special request,
Her home group is putting together a collection of everyones favorite
recovery program quotes and sayings in a notebook. PLEASE
stop by or email below to share in this collective experience.
Hopefully WE will be able to put something together to share with
you online too :)

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 13
Today I am willing to share all of me with another human being.
I am willing to trust that this process
will free me from the burdens of my past.
I am ready to let go.
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

An Addicts Child's Legacy

Please son don't be like me, don't fulfill my legacy.
I pray God, give my boy his own destiny, don't end up like me.
Looking for addicts on street corners, drugs for sale,
Just to be another dealer in jail.
Addictions the next step, no pride left, a body's' up for grabs,
So skinny, so sad, but true-,
Doesn't matter, she's a part of me too.
Please son don't be like me, God, I pray you let him be...
A happy guy, a "regular joe",
Not out trying to fill a space, so dark and unknown.
A man with faith in his heart and love in his eyes,
Never having to ask the regretful "whys".
And give him your grace as he makes lifes mistakes.
Please son, don't be like me,
I'm asking this in my new sobriety.
Please God, send this message for me,
Cause I'm writing this from a cell in jail and my boy's only three...
And by the way, God, thanks for setting me free!

Alicia Pettola #237608
steps2serenity@...

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

Anna Quindlen's Villanova Commencement Address
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=3UsyMXAxniyroQ0kXn\
07it1c0fs3YAe8UEBS34eZcC772NFqVQ

More On The Sober Dance of Life
www.barefootsworld.net/aasoberdance.html

Am I a human being having a spiritual experience
or a spiritual being having a human experience?
N.A. Way Magazine 7/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway163-6.htm

Taking A Trip
www.geocities.com/alaura1942/TakingATrip.html

Favorite Slogans
www.recoverygreetings.com/slogans.html

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 13                                        Membership

"There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to
stop using."   Basic Text p. 9

   We all know people who could benefit from Narcotics Anonymous.
Many people we encounter from all walks of life-our family members,
old friends, and co-workers-could really use a program of recovery
in their lives. Sadly, those who need us don't always find their way
to our rooms.

   NA is a program of attraction, not promotion. We are only members
when we say we are. We can bring our friends and loved ones to a
meeting if they are willing, but we cannot force them to embrace the
way of life that has given us freedom from active addiction.

   Membership in Narcotics Anonymous is a highly personal decision.
The choice to become a member is made in the heart of each
individual addict. In the long run, coerced meeting attendance
doesn't  keep too many addicts in our rooms. Only addicts who are
still suffering,  if given the opportunity, can decide if they are
powerless over their addiction. We can carry the message, but we
can't carry the addict.

Just for today: I am grateful for my decision to become a member of
Narcotics Anonymous.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

A Safety Net

Occasionally. . . We are seized with a rebellion so sickening that we
simply won't pray.  When these things happen we should not think
too ill of ourselves.  We should simply resume prayer as soon as we
can, doing what we know to be good for us.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 105

Sometimes I scream, stomp my feet, and turn my back on my
Higher  Power.  Then my disease tells me that I am a failure, and
that if I stay angry I'll surely get drunk.  In those moments of
self-will it's as if I've slipped over a cliff and am hanging by one
hand.  The above passage is my safety net, in that it urges me to
try some new behavior, such as being kind and patient with myself.
It assures me that my Higher Power will wait until I am willing
once again to risk letting go, to land in the net, and to pray.

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 / December 13

A.A. Thought for the Day

We come now to A.A. fellowship.  It is partly group
therapy.  It is partly spiritual fellowship.  But it is
even more.  It is based on a common illness, a common
failure, a common problem.  It goes deep down into our
personal lives and our personal needs.  It requires a
full opening up to each other of our inmost thoughts
and most secret problems.  All barriers between us
are swept aside.  They have to be.  Then we try to help
each other get well.  The A.A. fellowship is based on a
sincere desire to help each other get well.  The A.A.
fellowship is based on a sincere desire to help the
other person.  In A.A. we can be sure of sympathy,
understanding, and real help.  These things make the
A.A. fellowship the best that we know.
Do I fully appreciate the depth of the A.A. fellowship?

Meditation for the Day

The Higher Power can guide us to the right decisions if
we pray about them.  We can believe that many details
of our lives are planned by God and planned with a wealth
of forgiving love for the mistakes we have made.  We can
pray today to be shown the right way.  We can choose the
good, and when we choose it, we can feel that the whole
power of the universe is behind us.  We can achieve a real
harmony with God's purpose for our lives.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may choose aright today.  I pray that I may
be shown the right way to live today.

"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
DECEMBER 13

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

Giving

Don't be afraid of giving.

For a while, we may need to back off from giving as we learn to
discern the difference between healthy giving and caretaking,
which leave us feeling victimized and others feeling resentful.

This is a temporary spot.

To be healthy, to do our part in this spiritual way of life, to be
part of the endless cycle of the Universe, guided by our Creator,
we need to give and receive.

Both parts are important.

What is healthy giving?

This is a fine lined behavior each of us must seek to understand
for ourselves. It is giving that feels good and does not leave us
feeling victimized.

It is giving that holds the giver and the receiver in high esteem.

It is giving based on a desire to do it rather than from a sense
of guilt, pity, shame, or obligation.

It is giving with no strings attached. Or it is giving based on a
clean, direct contract.

Whether it is giving our time, efforts, energy, comfort, nurturing,
money, or ourselves, it is giving that we can afford.

Giving is part of the chain of giving and receiving. We can learn
to give in healthy ways; we can learn to give in love. We need
to keep an eye on our giving, to make sure it has not crossed the
line into care taking. But we need to learn to give in ways that
work for us and others.

Today, God, guide me in my giving. Help me give to others in
healthy ways. Help me give what feels right, what feels good,
what feels clean, and what I can afford.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dancing with the Beloved
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2007/December/feature5.html

Moving With the Flow
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/12/flow.htm

God Did Not Desert You, Alan Cohen
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/November/cohen.htm

Links to Creating a Soulful home
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_fifth.htm#home

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

Discover Silence
  From Precious Solitude by Ruth Fishel

   "Silence is a tool, a context for direct personal, intuitive
understanding Of how things are...Its great overriding value
is the support it provides for insight; its immediate evidence
is, it's a relief!"
Sylvia Boorstein

   From the moment we wake up in the morning until the moment
we fall asleep at night, our lives are almost always filled with
noise.  Our sleep is even filled with noise, although we aren't
aware of it.  There's a good chance that most of the sounds
we hear around us come from many of the following: refrigerator
motors, telephones, airplanes, radios, TVs, cars, trucks, doors
slamming, door bells, water running, computers, printers, faxes,
photocopy machines, dogs barking, children playing, answering
machines, alarms, microwave buzzers, air conditioners, videos
and so much more!  Depending on where you live there might be
babies crying, trains whistling, backhoes roaring, or even saws
whining.  We become so conditioned to a great deal of this noise
that we are barely aware of it.  When is the last time that you
were aware of your refrigerator's motor, for example?  It's
always on but we usually become aware only when it stops.
Only in the silence can we hear something missing.

   Some of us are more sensitive to noise than others.  I have a
hard time when a clock is ticking, no matter how lightly.  When I
am away from home and hear a clock at night, I have to hide it
under a cushion in order to fall asleep.   But whether we
consciously hear noise or not, it is there and we are far less
serene when it is within our hearing range.

   Take a machine noise break!  Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. write,
"Silence comes to heal the blows of sound."  It is wonderful just
to be quiet and  hear the birds or the waves, the barely audible
sound of a grasshopper, or the rustle of leaves being lifted by
the breeze.  Silence heals us from the wounds of which we are
barely aware.  Take a walk into the woods and listen to the
sounds of nature. Walk in a field of wild flowers or along the
shore. Climb up a mountain or into a valley. Listen to the corn
or palm leaves swaying.

   If you can't leave the house, turn off the telephone and put your
answering machine all the way down.  Turn off the refrigerator
for 10 minutes.  Don't turn on the TV, radio or computer. Remove
yourself from the sound of a ticking clock or any other repetitive
noise.  It can't do any harm and the silence will be amazingly
peaceful.

    Author Sylvia Boorstein calls silence the fence for wisdom.  I
love that image!  I can see myself climbing over a fence from a
place full of noise to a deliciously silent space where I
effortlessly tune in to creativity and wisdom.

   Mahatma Gandhi said that in the attitude of silence the soul
finds the path in a clearer light.  What is elusive and deceptive
resolves itself into crystal clearness.  He believed that our life
is a long and arduous quest after Truth.

   If it is not possible to find time for silence during the day, wait
for everyone to go to sleep, or wake up a few minutes before
everyone else.  Be with yourself in silence.  A few moments of
silence can start your day off with inner peace or end a hectic
day with serenity.

Today I will nurture my soul by taking at least ten minutes to
connect with the peace and tranquility of silence.

written by ~ Ruth Fishel
spirithaven@...
www.spirithaven.com

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

Who Packs Your Parachute?

Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss
what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please,
thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful
that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do
something nice for no reason.

Charles Plumb, a US Naval Academy graduate, was a jet
pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was
destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and
parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent
6 years in a communist prison. He survived the ordeal
and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a
restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, "You're
Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft
carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!"

"How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb.

"I packed your parachute," the man replied.

Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man grabbed
his hand and said, "I guess it worked!"

Plumb assured him, "It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked,
I wouldn't be here today."

Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man.
Plumb kept wondering what the man might have looked like
in a Navy uniform. He wondered how many times he might
have seen him and not even said good morning, how are you
or anything, because you see, he was a fighter pilot and the
man was just a sailor. Plumb thought of the many hours that
sailor had spent in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving
the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his
hands each time the fate of someone he did not know.

Now Plumb asks his audience, "Who is packing your parachute?"
Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it
through the day.

Plumb also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes
when his plane was shot down. As you go through your week,
month, and even New Year, recognize the people who have
packed your parachute and enabled you to get where you are
today!

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

Teach Me

Teach me, God, so that I might know
The way to change and the way to grow.
Give me the words to ask You how
To handle the here and live in the now.

Tempt me not with the valleys of death,
Give me freedom from fear in every breath.
And though mistakes I make in my daily life,
Deliver me from aiding strife.

Understand me, God, as I am now
And show me the furrows I need to plow.
To reach my goal as a ripening food,
So I might feed others all that is good.

Fill me with energy known as the Power,
Until I come to rest at the midnight hour.

from the book: Twelve Step Prayer Book - Second Edition

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

Big Book reading mistakes:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our loves
had become unmanageable.

2. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our wives
had become unmanageable.

3. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives
had become unmentionable.

4. Sought through prayer and medication...

5. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were
wrong probably admitted it.

6. What? An order?? I can't go through with it!!!

7. We will comprehend the word cemetery and we will know
peace.

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

Uptight Before Christmas

Uptight before Christmas, all through these rooms
alcoholics were stricken with holiday gloom.
They prayed, "Santa, please make us happy, joyous & free,
bring us candy and presents and serenity."
Greed filled their minds and envy their hearts
and someone said, "It's time for the meeting to start!"
"Does anyone have a topic for discussion tonight?"
Every face in the place turned wintery white!
They lost all self-seeking, self-pity and self-will
when down through the chimney came the ghost of St. Bill!
He chuckled and said as he sat himself down
"Call the White House and tell 'em there's a new Dubya in town."
Then he looked through a Big Book and said with a tear,
"Wow! No one rewrote this after all these years!
"Clean house, help your neighbor, be loving and kind,
"and don't take the first drink one day at a time.
""How could a message as simple as this
"be realized, analyzed and intellectually dismissed?
"There lies the reason this ghost has arrived:
to re-give a gift that has saved all your lives!"
Then he set up a big screen and a DVD
so every lost soul in the meeting could see.
He played a movie of drunks at their best and their worst,
what is and what was when blessed and cursed.

There were scenes of a housewife passed out at a bar,
a respectable businessman wrecking his car,
a fight in a kitchen, a fight in bed,
a fight at a reception between newlyweds.
An empty bottle, a desperate man
alone in a motel with a gun in his hands.
He puts down the gun and picks up the phone
and whimpers and blubbers, "Honey, let me come home."
She hangs up as she tells him, "Don't call here anymore."
He reaches for the phone book and falls to the floor.
Somehow that phone book seems to capture his gaze:
it's open to a number under the "A"'s.
Then all of the people in the movie converged
on the poor side of town in the basement of a church.
Driven together in a willing herd
to hear of hope and deliver the word.

The ghost of Bill W. turned off the TV
and said, "The first word of the first step is 'we'.
"I suggest you start there and see where you go.
"Be thorough and fearless, and please-take it slow!
"Let faith set the tone, let love make the mood
"and as for a topic...how about 'gratitude?
"Just don't drink, go to meetings and pray
"and be glad you're alive and sober today.
"Be a good woman, be a good man
"and be of service whenever you can.
"Be a good mother, be a good dad
"and try to be good to your kids when they're bad.
"Be a good husband, be a good wife...
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good life!"

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

Being on the tightrope is living; everything else is waiting.
Karl Wallenda

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

Peace is possible.
Each moment that one individual chooses peace inside,
the whole of humanity moves forward.
We each have the ability and responsibility
to become peacemakers in our daily lives.
John Morton

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

Courage isn't the absence of fear;
it's the dealing with it.
Randall

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

However far the stream flows, it never forgets its source.
Nigerian Proverb

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

Your miracles are an inside job.
Go there to create the magic that you seek in your life.
Wayne Dyer

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

No matter what is happening in your life,
know that God is Waiting for you with open Arms.

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

We can never really go where God is not,
and where He is, all is well.

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

I am God's Melody of life and
He Sings His Song through me.

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

God Promises a safe landing,
not a calm passage.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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 Quack
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/hookedonquack.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is: Our friend Lori F. has a special request,
Her home group is putting together a collection of everyones favorite
recovery program quotes and sayings in a notebook. PLEASE
stop by or email below to share in this collective experience.
Hopefully WE will be able to put something together to share with
you online too :)


This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 12
There is something special waiting for me to do with this day.
I know that when it is time
I will be inspired from a place deep within myself.
I trust that I will know what to do when the time is right.
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

I'm Free at Last

The many years I've wasted, yet,
Those times that I'll not soon forget,
The past is gone, I can't relive,
The knowledge that I must forgive.

With mile after mile of misery,
Regret, far as the eye can see,
A life so filled with tales af woe,
And sorrows man should never know.

Whichever way the wind would blow,
Would steal my heart and off I'd go.
The hurt I caused so many then,
I never cared if foe or friend.

It lives with me, this thing called, "past",
With all the things that never last,
This moment lives in time, you see,
It's more than just a memory.

My hope is just to linger still,
And live each moment as I will,
I'm free at last,  I found a way,
To just be happy, day by day!

Sharlett Hunt  12/11/04 ©
Sharlette863@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If anyone has any original recovery poetry that they
would like to share with us please copy and paste it into the body
of an email and send it to me, Thanks for your support and
contributions.
What I can't do alone, We do together.
In loving service, Scott ~  YOUnMEnHP@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Amazing
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=F3hGD5s2mnzx2PSUUN\
AKUNiRO7XRxfcaFqgfB56034Wlp7JaWA

On The Sober Dance of Life
www.barefootsworld.net/aadanceoflife.html

Terima kasih banyak banyak
Bahasa Melayu for“Thank you very, very much”
N.A. Way Magazine 7/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway163-5.htm

Quotations to Ponder in Our Recovery
www.geocities.com/alaura1942/QuotationsRecovery1.html

  From Your Higher Power
www.geocities.com/alaura1942/FromYourHigherPower.html

Love
www.geocities.com/alaura1942/Love.html

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 12                                             Fear of change

"By working the steps, we come to accept a Higher Power's will....
We lose our fear of the unknown. We are set free." Basic Text p. 16

   Life is a series of changes, both large and small. Although we may
know and accept this fact intellectually, chances are that our initial
emotional reaction to change is fear. For some reason, we assume
that each and every change is going to hurt, causing us to be
miserable.

   If we look back on the changes that have happened in our lives, we'll
find that most of them have been for the best. We were probably very
frightened at the prospect of life without drugs, yet it's the best
thing
that's ever happened to us. Perhaps we've lost a job that we thought
we'd die without, but later on we found greater challenge and
personal fulfillment in a new career. As we venture forth in our
recovery, we're likely to experience more changes. We will outgrow
old situations and become ready for new ones.

   With all sorts of changes taking place, it's only natural to grab
hold of
something, anything familiar and try to hold on. Solace can be found
in a Power greater than ourselves. The more we allow changes to
happen at the direction of our Higher Power, the more we'll trust that
those changes are for the best. Faith will replace fear, and we'll know
in our hearts that all will be well.

Just for today: When I am afraid of a change in my life, I will take
comfort from knowing that God's will for me is good.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

Overcoming Loneliness

Almost without exception, alcoholics are tortured by loneliness.
Even before our drinking got bad and people began to cut us off,
nearly all of us suffered the feeling that we didn't quite belong.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 90

The agonies and the void that I often felt inside occur less and
less frequently in my life today.  I have learned to cope with
solitude.  It is only when I am alone and calm that I am able to
communicate with God, for He cannot reach me when I am in
turmoil.  It is good to maintain contact with God at all times, but
it is absolutely essential that, when everything seems to go wrong,
I maintain that contact through prayer and meditation.

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 / December 12th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Clergymen speak of the spiritual fellowship of the church.
This is much closer to the A.A. way than mere group therapy.
Such a fellowship is based on a common belief in God and a
common effort to live a spiritual life.  We try to do this in
A.A.  We also try to get down to the real problems in each
others lives.  We try to open up to each other.  We have a
real desire to be of service to each other.  We try to go
deep down into the personal lives of our members.
Do I appreciate the deep personal fellowship of A.A.?

Meditation for the Day

Love and fear cannot dwell together.  By their very natures,
they cannot exist side by side. Fear is a very strong force.
And therefore a weak and vacillating love can soon be routed
by fear.  But a strong love, a love that trusts in God, is sure
eventually to conquer fear.  The only sure way to dispel fear
is to have the love of God more and more in your heart and soul.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that love will drive out the fear in my life.  I pray that
my fear will flee before the power of the love 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
DECEMBER 12

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

God's Will

Each day, ask God what God wants us to do today; then ask
God to help. A simple request, but so profound and far
reaching it can take us anywhere we need to go.

Listen: all that we want, all that we need, all the answers, all
the help, all the good, all the love, all the healing, all the
wisdom, all the fulfillment of desire is embodied in this simple
request. We need say no more than Thank You.

This Plan that has been made for us is not one of deprivation.
It is one of fullness, joy, and abundance. Walk into it.

See for yourself.

Today, I will ask God to show me what God wants me to do
for this day, and then ask for help to do that. I will trust that is
sufficient to take me into light and joy.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  From Your Soul’s Compass: What is Spiritual Guidance
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2007/December/feature4.html

I Trust
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/12/doreen-virtue.htm

Spiritual Technology
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/November/opinion.htm

Links to Love and Relationships
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_fifth.htm#relationships2

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

Being Aware of Our Gift
by Marilyn C. Barrick, Ph.D.

Each of us has the opportunity to accept and welcome the gift of
living fully in the present. When we awaken to the eternal here
and now, we feel alive, mobilized, our senses quickened. Each
moment fully experienced becomes an integral part of the
sculpting of our future. As we live today, we create our tomorrows.

Today we may choose to be happy, cheerful and kind, to do our
creative best at work, to relax in play. We may embrace life,
accept and learn from the good and the not-so-good moments,
appreciate and understand our family, friends and colleagues
and support and forgive one another when difficulties arise.

All of these choices represent a creative way of living the fullness
of our day. When we spend a day that way, we feel great when we
go to bed. We have done our part to create a happy, productive
tomorrow.

By contrast, if we spend the day grumbling, groaning, sad,
depressed, resentful, withdrawn, fearful or angry, we're not having
a very good today -- and we are definitely not creating a good
tomorrow.

Think about it. We are offered many choices. We choose how we
perceive and handle life's happenings. We choose how we want
to respond to each experience in our life. With every choice we
carve another aspect of our future.

Pain as an Essential Inner Teacher

We can actually reach a point where a sudden happening and
the accompanying loss or pain is not such a big deal. We accept that
pain is simply a part of life. We cut our finger, and it heals. We lose
friends and gain new ones. We smart from the hurt of someone's
unkind action and either work it out with that person or decide to let
it go. Wounds, losses, pain -- yes, they do hurt, but pain itself is a
part of the healing process.

Think of people who are born without pain receptors, who do not
feel pain. They often injure their bodies terribly. They can put their
hand on a hot stove and not feel it and come away with the tissue
totally burned. So pain is a teacher; pain is a warning; pain is a
signal. It's a type of inner radar that says, "Hey, there's something
happening you need to pay attention to."

As the Tibetan Master, Djwal Kul, once said, "Pain has no
dominion over you, but pain is an essential teacher.... Embrace her,
move through her, beyond her and find your manifest reality."'

When we are faced with pain, we may choose to explore it, to
understand it and to learn the soul lesson inherent in it. The secret
is keeping our heart open. Think of the avatars and the saints. They
kept their hearts open even when they suffered great pain. Jesus
and Gautama kept their hearts open. Padre Pio, Mahatma Gandhi
and Mother Teresa kept their hearts open. We may choose to walk
in their footsteps.

As we allow ourselves to realize we are wounded, to be aware of
the pain and go deeper and deeper to its source, we reach deep
into the well of our being to release old hurts, old poisons. That's
why we embrace pain. It's not because we love the fact that it hurts.
Nobody likes to hurt. But we choose to embrace pain because it's a
piercing, an opening of a wound that allows the hurtful poison to be
released. Then we can let it heal.

Think about that for a minute. Isn't it true that we tend to hold on to
what we have? Even if it's poisonous, at least it's familiar. So we
hold on to old wounds, old ideas, old grudges by thinking about
them, recreating them. Whether it is a person, a lifestyle, family,
friends or simply our way of doing things -- whatever we hold on
to gives us pain when it goes its way. When we release our
attachment, we feel surcease from the pain.

Being Awake

The Buddha as the Enlightened One taught nonattachment
because he understood this process. How did he get there?
Through communion with God and his determination to be
awake. The Buddha said we all need to be awake! We need
to be awake to greet the new day -- with new eyes, new
perspective, new hopes and dreams.

We deny ourselves this awakened state when we stay stuck
in our pain. Our awareness doesn't extend beyond the pain
and the fixed ideas we may have about what is causing it. Or
it may be that we try to hide from our feelings, from fully
experiencing the pain. When we do this, we feel upset, tense,
boxed in. Yet it is a box of our own making.

It's as if we are holding tightly to the past with our eyes firmly
shut to the present. Of course, with closed eyes, we can't see
the new day, the new opportunity, the possibility of a lesson
learned, a gain of new perspective. What to do? We may
choose to open our eyes, even as we open our hearts and turn
on the awareness of our five outer senses and our sixth sense
-- our intuition.

What is intuition anyway? It's that sense of inner knowing that
comes from being "awake." Buddha's state of awakeness is
not as far from our grasp as we might think. It is the awakening
of our soul to inner perceptions, inner truths, inner wisdom. You
have probably experienced this state many times in your life
without even realizing it. It's a part of our spiritual nature that we
sometimes take for granted. Life sure is a lot easier when we
allow our intuition to guide us.

Of course, this doesn't mean that difficult life situations are
always going to "come up roses." But every time we meditate,
pray, contemplate and take positive action, we learn and grow.
Our victories strengthen our faith, and defeats bring lessons
our souls need to learn.

Either way, when we choose to be awake, aware and grateful
in the present moment, we offer ourselves the best opportunity
for happiness today. In so doing, we create a better tomorrow.
And you know what? We may catch a glimpse of the angels
smiling.

Humor in the Ups and Downs of Life

Our sense of happiness also has to do with the way we choose
to look at misfortune. We may look only at the downside or we
may choose to discover an upside. The choice is up to us.

Do you remember the folktale of the old man whose only horse
disappeared? When his friends tried to console him, the old
man said, "How do you know this isn't a lucky omen?"

Sure enough, after several months, the lost horse came back
home accompanied by another excellent horse. Now he had
two fine steeds. When the old man's friends congratulated him
on his good luck, he replied, "How do you know that's not a
bad omen?"

Sure enough! One day the old man's son fell off the horse and
broke his leg severely. It left him crippled. When the old man's
friends called to tell him how sorry they were, he responded,
"How do you know this isn't a good omen?" As the story goes,
shortly after the man's son broke his leg, all the young men in
the land were ordered into the army to fight a war far away.
However, the old man's son, lame from his accident, was spared.

We could carry this story on and on. It illustrates the ups and
downs of life, which we may view as misfortune or opportunity,
depending on the way we look at them. Some times the seemingly
tragic or insolvable dilemma of today is only a prelude to a great
opportunity of tomorrow -- especially when we choose to look
at it that way.

When we accept the misfortunes of today as a potential blessing
for tomorrow, we put in motion positive energy that helps make
it happen. It's like noticing the silver lining of the clouds -- when
the clouds move on, we discover the sun has been shining
brightly all the time. In our inner world, we begin to move the
storm clouds along by focusing on loving, creative thoughts and
feelings.

Another way of nurturing a hopeful attitude in the present is to
keep your sense of humor alive and well. A good laugh relaxes
our body and mind even as it lifts our spirits. A sense of humor
about the slightly ridiculous aspects of life generates laughter,
and the joyful energy of laughter brings a brighter perspective.

When we stay in the here and now of the present, we find more
laughter and fewer tears. The problem for many of us is that we
bury the tears of yesterday and carry them into our tomorrows.
Instead, let's choose to cry when we are hurt, smile when we
are happy and welcome each new day with hope and humor.

Now you might be thinking, "I don't usually wake up feeling
hopeful and humorous. In fact, until I get my first cup of coffee,
it's better if I don't talk to anybody." Let's take a look at this: You
could moan and groan all day -- especially if you discover you
are out of coffee.

Or you could see the funny side of the drama: "Hmmm, here I
am basing my whole day on passing feelings and a cup of
coffee. That's pretty ridiculous!" Cartoonists are masters at
taking the minor mishaps of our lives and satirically showing
us the humor of our ways.

What does it take to cultivate a sense of humor about our
mishaps? Perspective. Adopting an attitude of positive
expectancy instead of gloom and negative pronouncements.

I remember a friend who had limited finances. When she was
in dire need, she would always say, "I'm expecting a check."
One time I asked her, "Who from?" She said, "I don't know, but
I'm expecting a check."

The delightful truth of this story is that this woman would
suddenly get checks out of nowhere. Money seemed to drop
from the skies in envelopes addressed to Ruth Farnam. It was
as if once she set her consciousness with positive expectation
and perfect faith, the universe complied.

Planting Seeds of Love and Hope

People have written and talked about this phenomenon as
having a "positive mental attitude. " I believe it is a natural
law of the universe that whatever we send out to life returns
to us. We know this from our interactions with people every
day. When our heart is full of love, everything seems to move
along harmoniously. When we put out negative vibes and
verbiage, we get it right back. We would do well to follow
Thumper's advice in the movie, Bambi. "If you can't say
somethin' nice, don't say nuthin' at all!"' The lesson here:
Whatever we send out, we get back. Karma is our teacher!

Each of us puts on many faces, sometimes all in the course
of a day. We take on different outlooks depending on our
circumstances, companions, thoughts and desires. As Piero
Ferucci puts it, "Life may appear to us at any time as a routine,
a dance, a race, an adventure, a nightmare, a riddle, a
merry-go-round, etc."'

In a word, we have the opportunity to see life as a cup
half-full or a cup half-empty. When we see our cup of life
half-empty and draining, we feel drained and empty. When
we see our cup of life half-full and filling, we feel energized
and overflowing. It is all a matter of the perspective we choose.
This article is excerpted from Sacred Psychology of Change,
2000, by Marilyn C. Barrick, Ph.D. Reprinted with permission
of the publisher, Summit University Press.
Tel. 1- 406-848-9500. ww.tsl.org

About the Author
Marilyn C. Barrick, Ph.D. , clinical psychologist and workshop
leader, specializes in inner-child work, relationship counseling,
dream analysis, Gestalt techniques, spiritual self-help exercises
and EMDR trauma release therapy. Dr. Barrick's popular book,
Sacred Psychology of Love was the first in her series on spiritual
psychology. Sacred Psychology of Change is the second book
in the series. (Dr. Barrick's other books.) For additional information,
Dr. Barrick invites you to visit her web site at
www.spiritualpsychology.com

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

Keys To Personal & Spiritual Growth

1. Attention - being disciplined and committed to make and take
the time to explore who we are.

2. Intention - being clear, positive, and purposeful in all that
we do.

3. Intuition - becoming more open, aware, impersonal, inclusive,
universal, and relaxed and playful.

4. Tension - recognizing and accepting the signs of transition.
Remember: if there is no tension, there is no growth.

5. Meditation - using this tool to progressively connect with our
senses, calm the mind, contemplate abstract qualities and then
use intuition to connect with the divine.

6. Action - acting through awareness, and not just reacting.
Having some disciplined routines. "Intuit and Do it."

7. Acceptance - learning to embrace everything with gratitude, as
all is divine. Resistance creates separation.

8. Mind Development - broadening our minds, strengthening our
will, developing more awareness and focus.

9. Taming our Emotions - becoming aware of and acknowledging
emotions, learning not to react to them, and exploring them for
insights.

10. Physical Responsibility - honoring our bodies and the natural
laws that govern our physical form.


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

A Work of Art

   Edward Fischer writes in Notre Dame Magazine (February,
1983), that a leper in Fiji followed the leading of his twisted
hands. He became an internationally known artist. "My
sickness I see as a gift of God leading me to my life's work,"
he said. "If it had not been for my sickness, none of these
things would have happened."

   As a young girl, Jessamyn West had tuberculosis. She was
so sick that she was sent away to die. During that time she
developed her skill as a writer and authored numerous
novels in her lifetime.

   That great author Flanner O'Connor suffered numerous
ailments -- lupus struck her at 25 and she walked only with
the aid of crutches for the final fourteen years of her life. She
noted, however, that this illness narrowed her activities in such
a way that she had time for the real work of her life, which was
writing.

   Some people succeed in spite of handicaps. Others succeed
because of them. The truth is... our problems help to make us
what we are. Those who suffer often learn the value of
compassion. Those who struggle often learn perseverance.
And those who fall down often teach others how to rise again. Our
troubles can shape us in ways a care-free existence cannot.

   A story is told of an Eastern village which, through the
centuries, was known for its exquisitely beautiful pottery.
Especially striking were its urns; high as tables, wide as
chairs, they were admired around the globe for their strong
form and delicate beauty.

   Legend has it that when each urn was apparently finished,
there was one final step. The artist broke it -- and then put it
back together with gold filigree.

   An ordinary urn was then transformed into a priceless work of
art. What seemed finished wasn't... until it was broken.

   So it is with people! Broken by hardships, disappointments and
tragedy, they can be either discarded or healed. But when
mended by a hand of infinite patience and love, the finished
product will be a work of exquisite beauty -- a life which could
only reach its completeness after it was broken.

   If you feel broken remember... you are a work of art! And you
may not actually be complete until the pieces are reassembled
and bonded with a golden filigree of love.

Copyright 1999 by Steve Goodier

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

Walk With Me

Walk with me by my side
Together we can walk the road
In me your deepest thoughts confide
Letting go of the fear lightens the load.

We can help each other on the spiritual path
Guiding the way as you will discover
Learning to live and maybe even to laugh
The person inside you will surely recover.

The road to freedom is through the fear
Through trials and pains you will grow
Reaching out for help God is always near
The way out of the darkness will begin to show .

Walk with me by my side
Together we can make the stand
Happiness awaits I must confide
Recovery works hand in hand.

Ellen Lucivero 1997
drmctcher@...

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

Slogans That A.A. Rejected

1)   I want patience NOW!
2)  Be optimistic, it pisses off pessimists!
3)  Do you see a problem with consuming something called "Good SHIT"?
4)  Life may sometimes suck but it beats the hell out of the
alternative.
5)  Do something DIFFERENT for a CHANGE!
6)  Slips don't just happen, so let's call them Jumps!
7)  Birds of a feather drink coffee and smoke cigarettes together!
8)  God is in you and me, so please stop getting him stoned!
9)  If you think a person is a jerk give them a break, you're really not
          that bad!
10)  He who refuses to learn shouldn't teach!
11)  Don't be so smug, a drug is a drug is a drug!
12)  Get High on Nature, EAT DIRT!
13)  Smiles are contagious, infect someone who doesn't deserve it.
14)  "Man, this coin can't even get me on the bus!"
15)  If I looked like you, I would have Drank too!
16)  Don't blame me, You enabled me!!
17)  You may be in recovery, but your still stupid.
18)  "And I thought I was bad!!"
19)  HUG  (Have Undisclosed Gun)
20)  A.A. "Alcoholics Anonymous?  I thought this was the Auto Club!"

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

Humble Thyself
Mary Manin Morrissey

"There's a story about a wealthy fellow who goes to a
Zen monastery seeking the secret to life.  But instead
of listening to the Master, the fellow does nothing but
speak of his accomplishments.

The Zen Master pours the man a cup of tea as he continues
his monologue. Suddenly, the man looks down, and sees his
teacup overflowing onto the saucer and down the table.
'What's wrong with you?' he bellows at the Zen Master.
'The tea is overflowing all over the place!'

The Zen Master responded: 'The secret of life is having
some emptiness so that the Universe can give you its gift.'

The man was so full of himself, that he had no room for God.
Have you created space for a miracle to occur? If our cup is
always full, what can be poured into it?"

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

Thought is the blossom;
language the bud;
action the fruit behind it.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

Few are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows,
the censure of the colleagues, the wrath of their society.
Moral courage is a rarer commodity
than bravery in battle or great intelligence.
Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those
who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change.
Each time a person stands up for an idea,
or acts to improve the lot of others,
or strikes out against injustice,
(s)he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope,
and crossing each other from a million different
centers of energy and daring,
those ripples build a current that can sweep down
the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
Robert F. Kennedy

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

DETACH =
Dont
Even
Think
About
Calling
Him/Her

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

Unless commitment is made,
there are only promises and hopes...
but no plans.
Peter Drucker

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

If just one person can be helped
we have done our job
in carrying the message to those who suffer.

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

Fear knocked.
Faith answered.
No one was there.

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

Fear knocked.
Faith answered.
No one was there.

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

What you have been given is God's Gift to you.
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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
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For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
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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://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

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]

Bill W.'s Sobriety Date December 11, 1934
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_W.

Drunk Simulator
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/drunksimulator.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is:
Why do you believe the newcomer is the most important person in the
rooms ?
How do you treat a newcomer ?
Were you scared when you were new ?

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 11
The world can not change overnight, nor can I.
Just one step at a time, one day at a time,
I'm exactly where I need to be
to get to exactly where I am going.
I trust this process 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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

12 Tips For Successful Meetings

1. Atmosphere: Offer unconditional support, love and
      acceptance; talk to newcomers.

2. Structure: Begin and end the meeting on time;
      adhere to traditional format.

3. Focus: Honestly and consistently share experience,
      strength and hope.

4. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions: Practice the
      Steps and Traditions; show commitment to the
      program.

5. Sponsors: Have them available and willing to help
      others.

6. Abstinent members: Show commitment to abstinence
      and physical recovery; qualify when sharing; show
      enthusiasm for program.

7. Program spoken here: Focus on program basics and
      solutions; practice principles before
      personalities; don't allow cross talk.

8. Literature: Use and display only Conference-
      approved literature.

9. Service: Show enthusiasm, encouragement and
      support.

10. Rotation of service: Have reliable,
      responsible and committed members in service
      positions; honor abstinence requirements; hold
      regular group conscience meetings.

11. Service above the group level: Promote
      participation at intergroup and other service body
      activities.

12. Fellowship: Come early and stay late; reach
      out to members between meetings; socialize with
      members outside the meeting.

Reprinted from Lifeline Magazine, March 2000


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

Heart-To-Heart
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=2xxPCqUxyy9NwlTG.8\
h3Zqjynp47bNVB3pVtu01HChwLLL93vw

Recovery without God
N.A. Way Magazine 7/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway163-4.htm

Recovery Word Search
www.recoverygreetings.com/newsletter/amazing.html

Children Are Worth Saving HOME PAGE
www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/7836/main.html

48 'Musts' in N.A., as found in the N.A. Basic Text
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=1087

103 "MUSTS" IN THE BIG BOOK
www.barefootsworld.net/aa103musts.html

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 11                          Misery is Optional

"No one is forcing us to give up our misery." Basic Text p. 29

   It's funny to remember how reluctant we once were to surrender to
recovery. We seemed to think we had wonderful, fulfilling lives as
using addicts and that giving up our drugs would be worse than
serving a life sentence at hard labor. In reality, the opposite was
true: Our lives were miserable, but we were afraid to trade that
familiar misery for the uncertainties of recovery.

It's possible to be miserable in recovery, too, though it's not
necessary. No one will force us to work the steps, go to meetings,
or work with a sponsor. There is no NA militia that will force us to
do the things that will free us from pain. But we do have a choice.
We've already chosen to give up the misery of active addiction for
the sanity of recovery. Now, if we're ready to exchange today's
misery for even greater peace, we have a means to do just that-if
we really want to.

Just for today: I don't have to be miserable unless I really want to be.
Today, I will trade in my misery for the benefits of 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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

A Daily Reprieve

What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the
maintenance of our spiritual condition.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 85

Maintaining my spiritual condition is like working out every day,
planning for the marathon, swimming laps, jogging.  It's staying in
good shape spiritually, and that requires prayer and meditation.
The single most important way for me to improve my conscious
contact with a Higher Power is to pray and meditate.  I am as
powerless over alcohol as I am to turn back the waves of the sea;
no human force had the power to overcome my alcoholism.  Now
I am able to breathe the air of joy, happiness and wisdom.  I have
the power to love and react to events around me with the eyes of
a faith in things that are not readily apparent.  My daily reprieve
means that, no matter how difficult or painful things appear today,
I can draw on the power of the program to stay liberated from my
cunning, baffling and powerful illness.

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 / December 11th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Doctors think of the A.A. fellowship as group therapy.
This is a very narrow conception of the depth of the
A.A. fellowship.  Looking at it purely as a means of
acquiring and holding sobriety, it is right as far as it
goes.  But it doesn't go far enough.  Group therapy is
directed toward the help that the individual receives
from it.  It is essentially selfish.  It is using the
companionship of other alcoholics only in order to stay
sober ourselves.  But this is only the beginning of real
A.A. fellowship.  Do I deeply feel the true AA. fellowship?

Meditation for the Day

Most of us have had to live through the dark part of our
lives, the time of failure, the nighttime of our lives, when
we were full of struggle and care, worry and remorse,
when we felt deeply the tragedy of life.  But with our
daily surrender to a Higher Power comes a peace and joy
that make all things new.  We can now take each day as a
joyous sunrise-gift from God to use for Him and for other
people.  The night of the past is gone, this day is ours,

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may take this day as a gift from God.  I pray
that I may thank God for this day and be glad in it.

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

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

Today's Thought
DECEMBER 11

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

Affirmations

One of our choices in recovery is choosing what we want to think -
using our mental energy positively.

Positive mental energy, positive thinking, does not mean we think
unrealistically or revert to denial. If we don't like something, we
respect our own opinion. If we spot a problem, we're honest about
it. if something isn't working out, we accept reality. But we don't
dwell on the negative parts of our experience.

Whatever we give energy to, we empower.

There is magic in empowering the good, because whatever we
empower grows bigger. One way to empower the good is through
affirmations: simple positive statements we make to ourselves:
I love myself... I'm good enough... My life is good...I'm glad I'm
alive today... What I want and need is coming to me... I can...

Our choice in recovery is not whether to use affirmations. We've
been affirming thoughts and beliefs since we were old enough to
speak. The choice in recovery is what we want to affirm.

Today, I will empower the good in myself, others, and life.
I'm willing to release, or let go of, negative thought patterns
and replace them with positive ones. I will choose what I want
to affirm, and I will make it good.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Life is Holy and Every Moment is Precious
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2007/December/feature1.html

Enjoy the Magic of Prosperity
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/12/keith-varnum.htm

The New Golden Rules, An Essential Guide to Spiritual Bliss
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/November/feature4.html

A Conversation Marianne Williamson
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2000/04/williamson.htm

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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


They're Playing Your Song

By Alan Cohen
author of "Living from the Heart."

When a woman in a certain African tribe knows she is pregnant,
she goes out into the wilderness with a few friends and together
they pray and meditate until they hear the song of the child.
They recognize that every soul has its own vibration that
expresses its unique flavor and purpose. When the women
attune to the song, they sing it out loud. Then they return
to the tribe and teach it to everyone else.

When the child is born, the community gathers and sings the
child's song to him or her. Later, when the child enters
education, the village gathers and chants the child's song.
When the child passes through the initiation to adulthood,
the people again come together and sing. At the time of
marriage, the person hears his or her song.

Finally, when the soul is about to pass from this world, the
family and friends gather at the person's bed, just as they
did at their birth, and they sing the person to the next life.

When I have shared this story in my lectures, a fair amount
of people in the audience come to tears. There is something
inside each of us that knows we have a song, and we wish
those we love would recognize it and
support us to sing it.

In some of my seminars I ask people to verbalize to a partner
the one phrase they wish their parents had said to them as a
child. Then the partner lovingly whispers it in their ear. This
exercise goes very deep, and many significant insights start
to click. How we all long to be loved, acknowledged, and
accepted for who we are!

In the African tribe there is one other occasion upon which
the villagers sing to the child. If at any time during his or her
life, the person commits a crime or aberrant social act, the
individual is called to the center of the village and the people
in the community form a circle around them. Then they
sing their song to them.

The tribe recognizes that the correction for antisocial behavior
is not punishment; it is love and the remembrance of identity.
When you recognize your own song, you have no desire or need
to do anything that would hurt another.

A friend is someone who knows your song and sings it to you
when you have forgotten it. Those who love you are not fooled
by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about
yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your
wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel
guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.

One summer when I was a teenager I went to visit my cousin
and her family in Wilmington, Delaware. One afternoon she
took me to the community pool, where I met a man who
changed my life. Mr. Simmons talked to me for about ten
minutes. It wasn't what he said that affected me so deeply;
it was how he listened to me. He asked me questions about
my life, my feelings, and my interests.

The unusual thing about Mr. Simmons was that he paid
attention to my answers. Although I had family, friends,
and teachers, this man was the only person in my world who
seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say and valued
me for who I was.

After our brief conversation I never saw him again. I probably
never will. I'm sure he had no idea that he gave me the gift
of a lifetime. Maybe he was one of those angels who show up
for a brief mission on earth, to give someone faith, confidence,
and hope when they most need it.

If you do not give your song a voice, you will feel lost, alone,
and confused. If you express it, you will come to life. I have
also done a workshop exercise in which everyone in the room
is given a piece of paper with the name of a simple song on it,
such as "Mary Had a Little Lamb" or "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little
Star." In the whole group there are perhaps eight different
songs, and a half-dozen people have the same song named
on their paper.

Each person is then asked to mill around the room while they
whistle or hum their song. When they find someone else
playing the same song, they stay together until they find
everyone who is singing that song. Thus they create small
groups that serve as touchstones for the duration of
the program. Life is very much like this exercise. We attract
people on a similar wavelength so we can support each other
to sing aloud. Sometimes we attract people who challenge us
by telling us that we cannot or should not sing our song in
public. Yet these people help us too, for they stimulate us
to find greater courage to sing it.

You may not have grown up in an African tribe that sings
your song to you at crucial life transitions, but life is always
reminding you when you are in tune with yourself and when
you are not. When you feel good, what you are doing matches
your song, and when you feel awful, it doesn't. In the end,
we shall all recognize our song and sing it well. You may feel
a little warbly at the moment, but so have all the great
singers. Just keep singing and you'll find your way home.

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

Do you want a miracle in your life? The first condition
of any miracle is a state of emptiness, a place of receptivity.
We're not just rehashing and rehearsing what's been.
We're not struggling with the what-is.  We're pausing.
We're getting quiet and opening up.  We're creating a sense
of spaciousness for a deeper awareness and connection,
altering the daily habit of our lives.  We create that space of
receptivity through prayer.

Mary Manin Morrissey

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

Countdown to Recovery

10. Alcoholics, all in a line.  One got to thinking --
      Then there were Nine.

9. Alcoholics, one said, "Wait!  A near beer can't hurt!"
    Then there were eight.

8. Alcoholics, lookin' up to heaven.  One cut out meetings --
    Then  there were seven.

7. Alcoholics, doing service for kicks.  One started grumbling --
    Then there were six.

6. Alcoholics, glad to be alive.  'Til one smoked pot --
    Then there were five.

5. Alcoholics, greeters at the door.  One played the Big Shot --
    Then there were four.

4. Alcoholics, for fun and for free.  One's case was "different" --
    Then there were three.

3. Alcoholics, knowing what to do.  One rewrote the Big Book --
    Then there were two.

2. Alcoholics, having some fun.  One started lying --
    Then there was one.

1. Alcoholic, talking to HP.  "If only one is sober --
    I'm glad that it's me!"

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

Paint Brush

I keep my paint brush with me
Wherever I may go,
In case I need to cover up
So the real me doesn't show.
I'm so afraid to show you me,
Afraid of what you'll do - that
You might laugh or say mean things.
I'm afraid I might lose you.

I'd like to remove all my paint coats
To show you the real, true me,
But I want you to try and understand,
I need you to accept what you see.
So if you'll be patient and close your eyes,
I'll strip off all my coats real slow.
Please understand how much it hurts
To let the real me show.

Now my coats are all stripped off.
I feel naked, bare and cold,
And if you still love me with all that you see,
You are my friend, pure as gold.
I need to save my paint brush, though,
And hold it in my hand,
I want to keep it handy
In case someone doesn't understand.
So please protect me, my dear friend
And thanks for loving me true,
But please let me keep my paint brush with me
Until I love me, too.

By Davd, Wizard of Oz

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

Paint brush in hand, I am floating.
The smell of oil paints, mineral spirits and gesso
is amazing to me in this place.
The sound of wind chimes. Singing to myself.
The colors... Yellow, red, blue...
They create my life, my rainbow of experiences,
All painted on canvas, my life immortalized in oils,
in ink, in pencil, on paper...
But nothing, nothing at all, carved in stone.

© Meia Mohamed
November 9th, 2005
Age - 15

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

Look past the body, past the personality, past the behavior,
into the window of one another's souls.
There we make a connection.
The God in me recognizes and honors the God in you.
Mary Manin Morrissey

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

The miracle is not to walk on water,
but to walk with love on earth -
as if your feet are kissing the ground.

We must remember
that our presence
alone is a miracle.

We must learn to say
'Yes' to the miracles of life.

Thich Nhat Hanh

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

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
Mother Teresa

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

Responsibility: Your Response to God's Ability.

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

Just accept, don't expect

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

If you aren't happy today, what are you waiting for?

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

He who cannot forgive others destroys the bridge
over which he himself must pass.
George Herbert

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

A student asked Soen Nakagawa during a meditation retreat,
"I am very discouraged. What should I do?"
Soen replied, "Encourage others."
Excerpted from Essential Zen

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

People travel to wonder at the
height of the mountains,
at the huge waves of the seas,
at the long course of the rivers,
at the vast compass of the ocean,
at the circular motion of the stars,
and yet they pass by themselves
without wondering.
St. Augustine


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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
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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

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
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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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

3 a.m. Phonecall
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/3amphonecall.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is:
Why do you believe the newcomer is the most important person in the
rooms ?
How do you treat a newcomer ?
Were you scared when you were new ?

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 10
Today I trust the positive and loving people
to whom I am attracted.
Today I am free to share from my heart,
knowing that what I say will be treated with love and respect.
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

I believe that deep within every human being lies the true essence
of our being, a spark of life and love, a pure spark of energy that
gives us all our sameness. Each experience thereafter establishes
our uniqueness.

Each moment and experience of life after birth either kindles or
covers this spark. But no matter what we experience even if we can
no longer feel this spark, no matter how many layers and layers of
negative
experiences have covered and buried our spark of life, it can never be
completely extinguished.

  From THE JOURNEY WITHIN: A Spiritual Path to Recovery by Ruth Fishel
www.spirithaven.com
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

After A While
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=LzJu3MAxny9K1Uh3Ru\
hbMfUczcvIWIaQgjqf7kWymKNoXVmh_g

The AA Principles and Virtues
www.barefootsworld.net/aaprinciples.html

Through prayer and meditation
N.A. Way Magazine 7/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway163-1.htm

Go to your Soul
www.wisehearts2.com/gts.htm

Heal Your Hurts
http://www.wisehearts2.com/HH.htm

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 10                                           Winners

"I started to imitate some of the things the winners were doing.
I got caught up in NA. I felt good...."      Basic Text p. 223

   We often hear it said in meetings that we should "stick with the
winners:' Who are the winners in Narcotics Anonymous? Winners are
easily identified. They work an active program of recovery, living in
the
solution and staying out of the problem. Winners are always ready to
reach their hands out to the newcomer. They have sponsors and work
with those sponsors. Winners stay clean, just for today.

   Winners are recovering addicts who keep a positive frame of mind.
They may be going through troubled times, but they still attend meetings
and share openly about it. Winners know in their hearts that, with the
help of a Higher Power, nothing will come along that is too much to
handle.

   Winners strive for unity in their service efforts. Winners practice
putting "principles before personalities:' Winners remember the
principle of anonymity, doing the principled action no matter who is
involved. Winners keep a sense of humor. Winners have the ability to
laugh at themselves. And when winners laugh, they laugh with you,
not at you.

   Who are the winners in Narcotics Anonymous? Any one of us can be
considered a winner. All of us exhibit some of the traits of the winner;
sometimes we come very close to the ideal, sometimes we don't. If we
are clean today and working our program to the best of our ability, we
are winners!

Just for today: I will strive to fulfill my ideals. I will be a winner.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

Vital Sustenance

Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer would
no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine.
And for the same reason.  When we refuse air, light or food, the
body suffers.  And when we turn away from meditation and prayer,
we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions, and our intuitions
of vitally needed support.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS p. 97

   Step Eleven doesn't have to overwhelm me.  Conscious contact
with God can be as simple, and as profound, as conscious contact
with another human being.  I can smile.  I can listen.  I can forgive.
Every encounter with another is an opportunity for prayer, for
acknowledging God's presence within me.

   Today I can bring myself a little closer to my Higher Power.  The
more I choose to seek the beauty of God's work in other people,
the more certain of His presence I will become.

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 / December 10th

A.A. Thought for the Day

Our drinking fellowship was a substitute one, for
lack of something better.  At the time, we did not
realize what real fellowship could be.  Drinking
fellowship has a fatal fault.  It is not based on a
firm foundation.  Most of it is on the surface.  It
is based mostly on the desire to use your companions
for your own pleasure, and using others is a false
foundation.  Drinking fellowship has been praised
in song and story.  The "cup that cheers" has become
famous as a means of companionship.  But we realize
that the higher centers of our brains are dulled by
alcohol and such fellowship cannot be on the highest
plane.  It is at best only a substitute.
Do I see my drinking fellowship in its proper light?

Meditation for the Day

Set for yourself the task of growing daily more and
more into the consciousness of a Higher Power.  We
must keep trying to improve our conscious contact with
God.  This is done by prayer, quiet times, and communion.
Often all you need to do is sit silent before God and let
Him speak to you through your thought.  Try to think
God's thoughts after Him.  When the guidance comes,
you must not hesitate, but go out and follow that guidance
in your daily work, doing what you believe to be the right
thing.

Prayer for the Day I pray that I may be still and know
that God is with me.  I pray that I may open my mind to
the leading of the Divine Mind.

"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
DECEMBER 10

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

Empowerment

You can think. You can make good decisions. You can make choices that
are
right for you.

Yes, we all make mistakes from time to time. But we are not mistakes.

We can make a new decision that takes new information into account.

We can change our mind from time to time. That's our right too.

We don't have to be intellectuals to make good choices. In recovery,
we have
a gift and a goal available to each of us. The gift is called wisdom.

Other people can think too. And that means we no longer have to feel
responsible for other people's decisions.

That also means we are responsible for our choices.

We can reach out to others for feedback. We can ask for information.
We can
take opinions into account. But it is our task to make our own
decisions. It
is our pleasure and right to have our own opinions.

We are each free to embrace and enjoy the treasure of our own mind,
intellect, and wisdom.

Today, I will treasure the gift of my mind. I will do my own thinking,
make
my own choices, and value my opinions. I will be open to what others
think,
but I will take responsibility for myself. I will ask for and trust
that the
Divine Wisdom is guiding 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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Being Thankful
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/11/being-thankful.htm

Are You Tired of Hearing About Exercise?
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/12/exercise.htm

18 Principles of a Spiritual Life
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/November/feature3.html

Links for Wellness
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_health.htm#wellness

Links for Learning and Growth
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_learning.htm

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

Healing Through Love

by Marilyn Innerfeld

The magnificence and perfection of each of us simply is. We
do not have to become monks in order to lead spiritual, healthy
lives. We do not have to be vegetarians, or wear flowing robes,
or sit in meditation for hours each day. There is no spiritual
"path," because everything is spiritual and all choices are
equal. We can work and be parents, husbands, wives, daughters,
sons, brothers and sisters, honoring Self and others in each
moment. No one is greater than another, for we are all the
same. We are here because we chose to experience Self as
God. And we all are God.

What we should always honor is our responsibility to Self. We
can choose to experience each day in peace, in order to
communicate with the silence within. We can choose to honor
the physical and never harbor it any ill will. We can choose to
perceive ourSelves as perfect, just as we can choose to see
perfection in all things and all people.

Imagine how wonderful it would be if we could visit medical
professionals and, rather than asking, "What is wrong?" they
would ask instead, "What is your experience?" This simple
dialogue would enable us to maintain personal power, rather
than diminish our role as a partner and healer. It would also
remove judgment, for illness is not "wrong"; it is simply a
creation through choice. As we embrace responsibility for
Self, we learn to make choices in selfLove.

When we love ourSelves, we cannot fool ourSelves into
believing we are what we are not. Many people perceive
their realities so differently from their truth. When asked,
many clients tell me that they drink so much water each day,
and yet, when pushed to count the number, some barely
get to four glasses per day. Many people purchase nutritional
supplements and forget to take them; many eat unhealthful
foods, thinking they are fooling someone outside of themSelves;
and many are in denial of their emotional make-up, refusing
to see their reactions to others as the truth of who they are.

As we acknowledge that we are God, we then embrace
responsibility for each moment of our lives. We have always
created our lives, but when we understand and accept our
power, we begin to choose to live in joy...and love.

Health and well-being are experienced through choice. We
should never take a moment of our lives for granted; nor
should we take anything for granted, for that matter. We can
always choose to make the time to honor the people in our
lives, as well as the environment we have chosen. Most
importantly, we should honor the magnificence of Self.

If you are suffering from any ailment in this moment, know
in your heart that it exists as your Teacher. You are the
Student. You can choose to learn from your creation of
illness by looking into your heart. Discern your choices of
selfLove prior to this moment. Accept the responsibility
for this perfect creation. Acknowledge your experience as
it is. Honor yourSelf from this moment forth, on all levels of
mind, body and spirit. Choose to live fully and powerfully.
And celebrate being you!

When experiencing love, you recognize the perfection of
Self and the perfection of All. We can all choose to learn to
release judgment of everyone and everything around us.
Why is it that, when we look upon a tree with damaged
branches, we accept the tree as it is with its perceived
imperfection, yet, in many instances, when we look upon
another person we judge as imperfect, we turn away? As you
come into the acceptance of your own perfection, you cannot
help but see perfection in all things.

Self-empowerment offers you all the tools you need to create
wellness in your body. There is no one outside yourSelf who
can heal you, although many can help you release the
physical symptoms of your creation. It is important to
recognize that, as creator of your illness, you are equally the
healer of your illness. The root cause should be addressed,
and it is important to face your choices of self-diminishment
and to release them once and for all, in order to move into the
rest of your life in harmony and balance.

Stop looking outside yourSelf for answers. You have all the
answers within your heart. We each, as human Beings who
have chosen this physical existence, are here with great
purpose. Choose to accept yourSelf unconditionally, and then
embrace the choices necessary to change your life and the
experience of selfLove. Illness is nothing more than an
experience of life and living. You have the power to change the
choices which brought forth this experience and live in total joy
and love.

Learn to flow in joy each moment. Release judgment of Self
and others. Appreciate the small wonders of your life. Share
good thoughts and release all other thoughts. Honor your body
and your soul. Choose activities which bring you joy. Accept and
embrace your power and use it purposefully and honorably.
Share your love, and love yourSelf. And as this way of choosing
to live each moment of your day becomes a pattern for your life,
know that you will not only heal yourSelf, but you will heal all
others...through love.

Marilyn Innerfeld is co-founder of The Worldwide Center located
in Evergreen, Colorado. She is a medical intuitive, a certified
hypnotherapist, and a long-time member of the International
Association of Counselors and Therapists. Marilyn has studied
nutritional therapies as well as Chinese medicine. She has a
mastery of past-life regression in her work as a hypnotherapist,
but is currently focused on total wellness through the elimination
of present-life issues and blocks. Marilyn has healed from cancer
and uses her personal experience to assist her in her work. Visit
the Center's website at www.ExpandedLiving.net

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

Where Is God?

He was just a little boy, on a weeks first day. He was wandering
home from Sunday school and dawdling on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass, he found a caterpillar. He
found a fluffy milkweed pod and blew out all the "filler."

A birds nest in a tree overhead, so wisely placed on high. Was
just another wonder that caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his zig zag course and hailed him from the
lawn; asked him where he'd been that day and what was going on.

"I've been to Bible school" he said and turned a piece of sod.  He
picked up a wiggly worm replying, 'I've learned a lot of God"..

"M'm very fine way" the neighbor said,"for a boy to spend his time."
"If you tell me where God is, I'll give you a brand new dime."

Quick as a flash the answer came.  Nor were his accents faint.
"I'll give you a dollar, mister, if you can tell me where God ain't."

Author Unknown


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

This too shall pass
Learn To Embrace Change
by Jim Donovan

   The only constant is change. If there's one thing we can count
on in our life it is that whatever is going on now, will change.
We live in an ever-changing universe. Everything in our world,
including our very bodies is changing. The cells in your body
are totally replaced every seven years. The seasons change
as do governments, businesses, cultures, the sun, moon, stars,
and, of course, us. Unfortunately, it is our nature to resist change
of any kind. I don't know about you, but I find this a bit strange.
We are trying to resist change in an ever-changing universe.
Unsuccessfully, I might add. The fear of change and fear of the
unknown is so strong in some people that they will remain in
abusive  relationships, unhealthy environments, dead end
jobs and many other self-destructive situations, rather than
face the unknown.

   If you want to have a successful, happy and productive life,
you must learn to accept, even welcome or embrace change.
I know it can be difficult. We become comfortable with the status
quo, going along on our path feeling fine and all of a sudden
wham!  something happens to upset our apple cart. It can
be something as serious as the loss of a loved one or a job or
home. It may be a minor upset like rain on your vacation or a
broken date. Whatever the situation, change or circumstance
we must learn to handle it or we may be immobilized by it.

   The best way I know of to deal with challenging situations is
to ask better questions. Ask questions like what good about this?
Or, how can I best cope with this situation? Or, how can I make
the best of this? I remember once being fired from my job at a
TV production company. When the boss told me I was no longer
need, I thanked them. You should have seen the look on his face.
He expected me to be angry and was stunned at my response.
I viewed my losing the job as the opportunity I was waiting for.
He gave me the push I needed to start my own business and
I've never looked back. Of course, it may be prudent to seek
outside help, especially in serious situations. Don't be afraid
to reach out for help. Our society has a support system for almost
any challenge you may be facing. If all else fails, in a changing
situation, remember the wisdom of the quote above: This to shall
pass.

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

A Quest

I started on a journey
Not so long ago;
I’m not sure where I’m going--
Only my Higher Power knows.

The way this travel takes me,
I am not really sure--
I put my faith and trust in God;
I know he keeps me pure.

The coming days are filled with tests,
The answers are unclear--
My trust in God will keep me strong
On this rough and bumpy road.

To help me keep my focus
And not take on too big a load

This journey that I’m on
This way for a better life
Is the only way for me to go
For a happier, saner life.

I started on a journey
Not so long ago
I’m not sure where I’m going
But when I get there
You’ll be the first to know.

On this day I can accept myself
My journey’s just begun.

By Joe H.,
Marshall, MI
kgilbert@...

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

Lord of the light, Spirit of the Universe, Master of my Soul.

Thank you for loving me, nurturing me, guiding me,
restoring this vessel whole.

Thanks for the life, the love, and the gifts,
you bestow on this pilgrims despair.

Thank you for caring and carrying my burdens
and teaching my heart how to care.

Thanks for your patient, enlightening conscience,
that self will no longer denies.

Thank you for honesty, sincerity, uprightness,
and desire to walk in the light.

Thanks for accepting me, when I was unacceptable,
and loving me when I could not love.

Thank you for gratitude, a spiritually awakened attitude,
and the twelve steps inspired from above.

Guy B.
11/24/00
gfboggs@...

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

True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess.
   Louis Nizer

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

Peace is possible.
Each moment that one individual chooses peace inside,
the whole of humanity moves forward.
We each have the ability and responsibility
to become peacemakers in our daily lives.
John Morton

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

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to
doesn't mean they don't love you the best way they know how.
Unknown

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

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood,
but of respect and joy in each other's life.
Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.
Richard Bach

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

If we believe in the rebirth of our civilization...
then clearly this renaissance must begin
in the chambers of our own hearts...
We cannot wait for society to change,
or for our institutions to be renewed.
We, as individuals, must assume responsibility
for our own personal transformation.
Georg Feuerstein

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

Keep your recovery first,
to make it last.

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

This is a selfless program,
not a selfish program.

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

There are no victims,
only volunteers.

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

Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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
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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://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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

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]

Mission Impossible
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/missionimpossible.shtml

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

The weekly meeting topic is:
Why do you believe the newcomer is the most important person in the
rooms ?
How do you treat a newcomer ?
Were you scared when you were new ?

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 9
I have the right to have my needs met.
In order to have them met,
I am expressing them to the people who can help me 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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

God's Hands

God laid down his hand that day
And directed a car crash
She slowly opens up her eyes
And is granted with her life
Her life begins anew that day
With people standing by
To guide her through recovery steps
To find a different way.
The baby steps she started with
She slowly makes her change
With situations that baffled her
A Higher Power gained
One day at a time
Let go let God
More will be revealed
The slogans all have meaning now
That makes her life so real
She learns to live, to love once more
  From a painful knowledge gained
It's growth that came from deep within
A growth from all her pain
She lives her life sober now
One day at a time
And sees the beauty from within
She loves herself again
caring Sharing Growing strong
Given strength where she was blind
A tiny seed was planted firm
And slowly does unwind.......
To show us beautiful woman inside!
Someone special, someone caring, someone lovable someone kind...

Dianna Harrison-Jones
ex_123@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Treat
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=6lTlVB0xn3rdS_rT74\
tOJ_29cPklvrN0_8gZLucM.LF_MkhNaw

Ancient Wisdom - A Starting Point
www.barefootsworld.net/ancientwisdom.html

On the spiritual path
N.A. Way Magazine 7/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway163-1.htm

Dr. Bob: A Tribute
www.silkworth.net/grapevine/drbob_tribute.html>

Click here RIGHT NOW
www.positivepause.com/index.html

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
December 9                                              Listening

"This ability to listen is a gift and grows as we grow spiritually life
takes on a new meaning when we open ourselves to this gift."
   Basic Text p. 102

    Have you ever watched two small children carry on a conversation?
One will be talking about purple dragons while the other carries on
about the discomfort caused by having sand in one's shoes. We
sometimes encounter the same communication problems as we learn
to listen to others. We may struggle through meetings, trying
desperately to hear the person sharing while our minds are busy
planning what we will say when it's our turn to speak. In conversation,
we may suddenly realize that our answers have nothing to do with
the questions we're being asked. They are, instead, speeches
prepared while in the grip of our self-obsession.

    Learning how to listen-really listen-is a difficult task, but one
that's
not beyond our reach. We might begin by acknowledging in our replies
what our conversational partner is saying. We might ask if there is
anything we can do to help when someone expresses a problem.
With a little practice, we can find greater freedom from self-obsession
and closer contact with the people in our lives.

Just for today: I will quiet my own thoughts and listen to what someone
else is saying.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

Intuition and Inspiration

. . . we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We
relax and take it easy. We don't struggle.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 86

I invest my time in what I truly love.  Step Eleven is a discipline that
allows me and my Higher Power to be together, reminding me that, with
God's help, intuition and inspiration are possible.  Practice of the
Step
brings on self-love.  In a consistent attempt to improve my conscious
contact with a Higher Power, I am subtly reminded of my unhealthy
past, with its patterns of grandiose thinking and false feelings of
omnipotence.  When I ask for the power to carry out God's will for me,
I am made aware of my powerlessness.  Humility and a healthy self-
love are compatible, a direct result of working Step Eleven.

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 / December 9th

A.A. Thought for the Day

The way of A.A. is the way of fellowship.  We have
read a good deal about fellowship and yet it is such
an important part of the A.A. program that it seems
we cannot think too much about it.  Human beings
were not meant to live alone.  A hermit's life is not
a normal or natural one.  We all need to be by
ourselves at times, but we cannot really live without
the companionship of others.  Our natures demand it.
Our lives depend largely upon it.  The fellowship of
A.A. seems to us to be the best in the world.
Do I fully appreciate what the fellowship of A.A.
means to me?

Meditation for the Day

We are all seeking something, but many do not know
what they want in life.  They are seeking something
because they are restless and dissatisfied, without
realizing that faith in God can give an objective and
a purpose to their lives.  Many of us are at least
subconsciously seeking for a Power greater than
ourselves because that would give a meaning to our
existence.  If you have found that Higher Power, you
can be the means of leading others aright, by showing
them that their search for a meaning to life will end
when they find faith and trust in God as the answer.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that my soul will lose its restlessness by finding
rest in God.  I pray that I may find peace of mind in the
thought of God and His purpose for my 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
DECEMBER 09

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

Asking for Help

It's okay to ask for help.

One of the most absurd things we do to ourselves is not asking
for the help we need from a friend, a family member, our Higher
Power, or the appropriate resource.

We don't have to struggle through feelings and problems alone.
We can ask for help from our Higher Power and for support and
encouragement from our friends.

Whether what we need is information, encouragement, a hand,
a word, a hug, someone who will listen, or a ride, we can ask.
We can ask people for what we need from them. We can ask
God for what we need from God.

It is self-defeating to not ask for the help we need. It keeps us
stuck. If we ask long and hard enough, if we direct our request
to the right source, we'll get the help we need.

There is a difference between asking someone to rescue us and
asking someone in a direct manner for the help we need from
him or her. We can be straightforward and let others choose
whether to help us or not. If the answer is no, we can deal with
that.

It is self-defeating to hint, whine, manipulate, or coerce help out
of people. It is annoying to go to people as a victim and expect
them to rescue us. It is healthy to ask for help when help is what
we need.

"My problem is shame," said one woman. "I wanted to ask for help
in dealing with it, but I was to ashamed. Isn't that crazy?"

We who are eager to help others can learn to allow ourselves to
receive help. We can learn to make clean contracts about asking
for and receiving the help we want and need.

Today, I will ask for help if I need it - from people and my Higher
Power. I will not be a victim, helplessly waiting to be rescued. I
will make my request for help specific, to the point, and I will leave
room for the person to choose whether or not to help me. I will not
be a martyr any longer by refusing to get the help I deserve in life -
the help that makes life simpler. God, help me let go of my need to
do everything alone. Help me use the vast Universe of resources
available to 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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ginger Health
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/11/ginger.htm

Letters of Wisdom and Affirmations, Louise Hay
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2006/December/hay.htm

The Standard American Diet
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2005/12/standard-diet.htm

Setting our Priorities
To be sure of where you are, check with the map of your heart.
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2001/March/vissell.htm

Soulful Insight
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_health.htm#insight

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

Creativity Brings Hope

by Matthew Fox
Where does our hope lie? Where shall we ground ourselves for
continuing on and changing our ways radically? Can we be
confident that creativity is the key to our survival and sustainability
as a species?

Creativity is who we are, creativity can redeem and save our
species. I agree with Dr. Clarissa Pinkola EstTs that "all women
and men are born gifted." All we need to do is release this creativity,
get out of its way, as M. C. Richards used to say. EstTs also
believes that "a woman's creative ability is her most valuable asset."
I believe that is true of men as well -- it is the most valuable asset
of our species.

What are we waiting for? Let us remove the obstacles, let go of the
guilt, and get moving. We have nothing to lose but our pessimism
and cynicism, for, as Otto Rank warned us, "pessimism comes with
the repression of creativity." Creativity is not in short supply. There
is an abundance of it, plenty to go around. It has always been this
way. From the original fireball to the birth of the atoms, galaxies,
supernovas, stars, sun, planets, earth and her marvelous creatures.
We humans are latecomers to the creative universe, but we are
powerfully endowed with creativity.

Some of my hope comes from the realization, growing daily, of
how perilous our situation is on this planet. As more and more
people get out of denial and the addictions denial puts us in and
come to realize the danger that our unsustainable species is in,
there will be action and there will be grounds for hope. This sounds
paradoxical, and it is: Our very despair is a cause of hope, for
despair often results in breakdown, and breakdown results in
breakthrough. Our systems are breaking down today -- all of
them. And we feel it. All our professions, all our religions, all
our politics and economic and educational establishments
need reinventing. They all lack feminine energy, wisdom energy.
They lack cosmology and creativity.

This gives hope -- that the Divine can and will return in a more
balanced form to our species. It will return through a coming
alive of our love of life and a response to the pain so
omnipresent on our planet. This response will precipitate an
outbreak of creativity. If we can use justice and compassion as
contours to contain and to critique the use of creativity, then
what we give birth to will serve other generations and other
species instead of destroy them. Then the Spirit will be at work
once again, creating and re-creating, co-working with humankind.

Creativity is a Choice

Let us not deceive ourselves or live in a silly illusion about our
creativity. Creativity is a choice. (In theological terms, it is grace
and works operating together. It is an option to live a life with
grace.) Creativity is not a particular gift given to certain people
only. It is a personal choice and a cultural choice. An individual
choice and a family, professional, and societal choice, and at
this time in our history it is a species choice. We choose whether
to let creativity flow or not -- in our educational systems, our
media, our politics, our economics, our religions, our very psyches.
In theological terms, it is a matter of letting the Spirit in, the
Christ
in, the Buddha nature in.

I believe Sri Aurobindo had this in mind when he predicted a
"coming dawn" for the resurrection of poetry itself -- provided we
tap into a "larger cosmic vision" that would and could release
the "Divine possibilities" of our species. Perhaps Hildegard of
Bingen, the twelfth-century abbess, mystic, scientist, and artist,
put it best when she said:

God has gifted creation with everything that is necessary. . . .
Humankind, full of all creative possibilities, is God's work.
Humankind is called to co-create. . . .
God gave to humankind the talent to create with all the world.

Just as the person shall never end, until into dust
they are transformed and resurrected,
just so, their works are always visible.
The good deeds shall glorify, the bad deeds shall shame.

It is true that we are a species that can say "NO" to our potential.
We can choose not to develop our creativity and that of our
children; we can choose to turn our creativity over to others and
to institutions that appear more imposing than ourselves. Yes,
we can use our creativity for demonic purposes -- even to deny
our powers of creation is to serve demonic powers that will willingly
fill the gap. Yes, we can resist evolution -- even our own. And our
bad deeds will shame. And our species will end, bringing down
much beauty with it.

But I do believe, and I am sure the reader believes, that humankind
can opt instead for the "good deeds that glorify". We must. The
Spirit of Creativity is expecting us to do so. Creation is waiting
for our response.

This article is excerpted from Creativity, ?2002, by Matthew Fox.
Reprinted with permission of the publisher, Jeremy P. Tarcher /
Putnam, a member of Penguin Putnam Inc. www.penguinputnam.com

About the Author
Matthew Fox has devoted his career to unleashing the
suppressed mystical and life-affirming traditions within
Christianity and other faiths. His theology of Creation
Spirituality the belief that we are born in "original blessing"-
earned him the headline making censure of the Vatican, who
officially "silenced" Fox in 1989 and precipitated his dismissal
by the Dominican Order in 1995. Now an Episcopal priest,
Fox is the author of more than twenty books. He lives in
California.

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

What We Share...

When we share laughter, there's twice the fun;
When we share success, we've surpassed what we've done.
When we share problems, there's half the pain;
When we share tears, a rainbow follows rain.
When we share dreams, they become more real;
When we share secrets, it's our hearts we reveal.
If we share a smile, that's when our love shows;
If we share a hug, that's when our love grows.
If we share with someone on whom we depend,
that person is always family or friend.
And what draws us closer and makes us all care,
Is not what we have, but the things we share

Unknown

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

Be Ready
Virjinja

When neediness is abandoned,
along with filling other's expectations...
something quite amazing opens up.
Enter now into spiritual growth and expansion,
the place to fill your empty cup.

Never does this happen via invitation,
but rather by Divine appointment...
the opportunity has always been available,
only waiting on your decision to join in.

The new era you choose to enter
is defined by notable enhancements...
the inability to create havoc and distress ~
with driving desires for the higher attributes,
not for the less.

An amazing aura projects from within,
drawing close like moths to flame...
kindred spirits with kindred goals,
moving in unison in these higher roles.

Being ready for life like this...
creates a domino effect, leading only to bliss.
Attaining with each other the place of higher accord...
occurs naturally when communing with the Lord.

Be ready by having a change of heart.
Only be willing ~ this is the way for you to start.

Virginia Santoro
Copyright ©  2002  ~  All Rights Reserved
MorningMusings@...
www.myspace.com/morningmusings
www.hometown.aol.com/morningmusings

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

No Time For Sadness

I was feelin so sad, my computer was broke,
Drinking way too much coffee, trying not to chain smoke,
When a call from my friend, so happy and gay
Told me of a picnic that's happening today.
I said, "I'm not going," tried every excuse.
She just wouldn't let me, so what was the use?
I reluctantly got dressed, got into my clothes,
And that's how it works, as everyone knows.
There's days that I'm down, and can't reason why.
These feelings may come, I may start to cry.
The friends that I have make blues fade away.
There's no time for sadness in my life today!

Sharlett Hunt  2002
Sharlette863@...

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

In Pure Love

God does not live high above
He dwells in us
In pure love
Love not centered
By lust or greed
Like many flowers
  From one seed
God sits with us
Around our table
He speaks through us
As He makes us able
To help our brothers and sisters
Along this new way
He speaks through us
When we say
In pure love
God does not live above
To live and to love our fellow man
To have a heart to understand
God will break the chains of addiction
He will fill us with a conviction
For the new comers
Who sit at our tables
Listen to what we say
God will bless your new way
God does not live high above
He dwells with us
In pure love
We have a burden
For those still suffering
As we offer our heart and hand
In pure love
To understand
We have been where your at
You no longer have to be alone
Make our program
Your new home
Cause we give it
In pure love

Daniel M Corkery
11/2/2000
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

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

Notes from the Universe...

Simply imagine happiness, Sweet Angels, your own happiness -
feel the smile stretching across your face,
notice the lightness in your step,
and hear the sparkle in your voice -
and all things, material and spiritual, will soon fall into place.
The Universe

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

When we cannot bear to be alone,
it means we do not properly value the only companion
we will have from birth to death - ourselves.
Eda LeShan

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

...our life crises tell us that we need to break free of beliefs
that no longer serve our personal development.
These points at which we must choose to change
or to stagnate are our greatest challenges.
Every new crossroads means we enter into a new cycle of change
- whether it be adopting a new health regimen or a new spiritual
practice.
And change inevitably means letting go of familiar people and places
and moving on to another stage of life.
Caroline Myss, PH.D., Anatomy of the Spirit

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

Realize that now, in this moment of time, you are creating.
You are creating your next moment based on
what you are feeling and thinking.
That is what's real.
We can let go of the unconscious belief that being anxious about the
past
or the future will somehow protect us
and instead reprogram our cells with new ways of responding.
Doc Childre

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

Faith is not trying to believe something regardless of the evidence.
Faith is daring to do something regardless of the consequences.
Sherwood Eddy

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

What you are afraid to do is a clear indicator
of the next thing you need to do.

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

Learn to Let Go.
That is the key to happiness.
Buddha

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

Worry is like a rocking chair --
it gives you something to do
but it doesn't get you anywhere.

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

For my shortcomings, I delegate;
for my strengths, I congratulate.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

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

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

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

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

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

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

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

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

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

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

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

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

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

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

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

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

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

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

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

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

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

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

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

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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
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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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Hugs
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/new2004/hugs.html

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

The weekly meeting topic is:
Why do you believe the newcomer is the most important person in the
rooms ?
How do you treat a newcomer ?
Were you scared when you were new ?

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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

December 8
It feels so good to accept myself just as I am today.
All my thoughts and actions and emotions
are right where they belong.
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

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

Solitary Child

Solitary Child, why is it you cry?
My mother has left me without saying why.
I sit in the darkness so no one can see,
Cause maybe they all just forgot about me.

The feelings that came from inside of me then,
Are with me forever, though I was just ten.
Loneliness, rejection, now how can this be?
When I know the first age I felt this was three.

I became an old lady before I was four,
That night when my grandfather came through the door.
He took away my innocence and left me so cold,
No wonder it seems that I always was old.

Throughout my whole lifetime, there was such abuse,
When beat down so low, I said, What is the use?
Nobody to love me, no family to care,
I looked for a friend and no one was there.

Not happy, not sad, just empty inside,
Then I met Jim Beam and we went for a ride.
Booze made me happy, it made me a clown,
My kids, who are grown now, don't want me around.

This child that is born with the stars in its eyes,
Deserves to be loved and be held when it cries.
Then maybe they won't become adults like me,
Who still cry in the night, and still pray to be free.

Sharlett Hunt    11/25/03
Sharlette863@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Don't Use*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If anyone has any original recovery poetry that they
would like to share with us please copy and paste it into the body
of an email and send it to me, Thanks for your support and
contributions.
What I can't do alone, We do together.
In loving service, Scott ~  YOUnMEnHP@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*No Matter What*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Tale of Two Students
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=G.WeaRw2mnuPyb5sjo\
Vg7AmQelpgrGyETDRnN43QcDz.3Tx4aA

Resentments
www.barefootsworld.net/wolveswithin.html

Home Group  Cartoon
N.A. Way Magazine 4/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway162-15.htm

Teen Savers
www.teensavers.com

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

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

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

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

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

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

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

Just For Today
December 8                                             Calling a
defect a defect

"When we see how our defects exist in our lives and accept them,
we can let go of them and get on with our new life."
Basic Text p. 33-34

    Sometimes our readiness to have our character defects removed
depends on what we call them. If misnaming our defects makes
them seem less "defective;' we may be unable to see the damage
they cause. And if they seem to be causing no harm, why would
we ever ask our Higher Power to remove them from our lives?

    Take "people pleasing;' for example. Doesn't really sound all
that bad, does it? It just means we're nice to people, right? Not
quite. To put it bluntly, it means we're dishonest and manipulative.
We lie about our feelings, our beliefs, and our needs, trying to
soothe others into compliance with our wishes.

    Or perhaps we think we're "easygoing" But does "easygoing"
mean we ignore our housework, avoid confrontations, and stay
put in a comfortable rut? Then a better name for it would be
"laziness;' or "procrastination;' or "fear"

    Many of us have trouble identifying our character defects. If
this is the case for us, we can talk with our sponsor or our NA
friends. We clearly and honestly describe our behavior to them
and ask for their help in identifying our defects. As time passes,
we'll become progressively better able to identify our own
character defects, calling them by their true names.

Just for today: I will call my defects by their true names. If I have
trouble doing this, I will ask my sponsor for help.

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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Get Involved In Service*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you are enjoying this daily recovery email,
Please pass on 12 Step Soul Food For The Spirit to your online friends,
"We can only keep what we have by giving it away."
If you have received this as a forward
and  would like to subscribe please email
me at YOUnMEnHP@...
Thanks, In loving service, Scott :)

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

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

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

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

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

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

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

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

Looking Outward

We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to
make no requests for ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves,
however, if others will be helped.  We are careful never to pray
for our own selfish ends.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 87

As an active alcoholic, I allowed selfishness to run rampant in
my life.  I was so attached to my drinking and other selfish habits
that people and moral principles came second.  Now, when I pray for
the good of others rather than my "own selfish ends," I practice a
discipline in letting go of selfish attachments, caring for my fellows
and preparing for the day when I will be required to let go of all
earthly attachments.

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 / December 8th

A.A. Thought for the Day

The length of time of our sobriety is not as important
as its quality.  A person who has been in A.A. for a
number of years may not be in as good mental condition
as a person who has only been in a few months.  It is a
great satisfaction to have been an A.A. member for a
long time and we often mention it.  It may sometimes
help the newer members, because they may say to
themselves, "If they can do it, I can do it."  And yet
the older members must realize that as long as they live,
they are only one drink away from a drunk.
What is the quality of my sobriety?

Meditation for the Day

"And greater works than this shall ye do."  We can do
greater works when we have more experience of the
new way of life.  We can have all the power we need
from the Unseen God.  We can have His grace, His spirit,
to make us effective as we go along each day.  Opportunities
for a better world are all around us.  Greater works can we
do.  But we do not work alone.  The power of God is behind
all good works.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may find a rightful place in the world.  I pray
that my work may be made more effective by the grace 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
DECEMBER 08

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

Valuing Our Needs

When we don't ask for what we want and need, we discount
ourselves. We deserve better.

Maybe others taught us it wasn't polite or appropriate to speak
up for ourselves. The truth is, if we don't, our unmet wants and
needs may ultimately come back to haunt our relationships.
We may end up feeling angry or resentful, or we may begin to
punish someone else for not guessing what we need. We may
end the relationship because it doesn't meet our needs.

Intimacy and closeness are only possible in a relationship when
both people can say what they want and need. Sustained
intimacy demands this.

Sometimes, we may even have to demand what we want. That's
called setting a boundary. We do this not to control another person,
but to gain control of our life.

Our attitude toward our needs is important too. We must value them
and take them seriously if we expect others to take us seriously.
When we begin to place value and importance on our needs we'll
see a remarkable change. Our wants and needs will begin to get
met.

Today, I will respect the wants and needs of others and myself. I
will tell others, my Higher Power, and myself what I want and need.
I will listen to what they want and need too.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Let’s Appreciate Ourselves
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/11/appreciate-ourselves.htm

2007: Just OK? Or Fabulous!
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2006/December/Everyday%20Matters.html

Three Men
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2005/12/three-men.htm

The Ego Strikes Back
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2001/March/cohen.htm

General Links for the Soul
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories.htm#general

Links to Family, Parenting & Community
www.soulfulliving.com/linkcategories_fourth.htm#family

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

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

Trusting What You Feel

by Julie Tallard Johnson

I am going to share with you a secret. A family secret. It's one
of those secrets no one has to tell you to keep ? you just know
not to speak about it. I am beginning with a family secret (you
may have one like it) because often where there are secrets,
there are treasures to be found. For me, the treasure was my
intuition. There's a good chance that much of your intuitive
power lies hidden inside you, like a treasure waiting to be
discovered.

I knew this secret for a long time, but I didn't fully understand
what I knew until my early twenties. When I was seven years
old I began to have this sense, this feeling, that someone was
missing in our family. Every time we gathered for our occasional
family dinner or for a holiday I would be very aware of this
missing presence. I would look around me at the dinner
table, asking myself, Who is missing? and Where is this
feeling coming from? Years later, when I began to keep a
journal, I would write these experiences down. Even though
this perception was persistent, I never spoke about it to anyone.

Where in our culture are we taught how to respond to such
feelings? Not in most schools, churches, or homes. However,
there was a time when people were taught to value, trust, and
develop these feelings. There was a time ? and I believe it is
returning ? when young people entering their teens were
given special instruction to develop their intuitive and spiritual
powers. They were taught to understand their bodies not only
as muscle, blood, and bone, but also as energy and containers
of the spirit. They learned how to use their own intuitive
experiences to reveal the truth about themselves and their world.
Understanding these mystical truths was an essential part of the
journey to adulthood in ancient cultures.

This ability to access inner wisdom is still valued and practiced
in some areas of the world. As Arnold Mindell, author of The
Shaman's Body, explains, intuitive wisdom relies on being
deeply attuned to the body.

      "Indigenous healers have taught that the quality of life depends
upon body sensations that are linked to dreams and the
environment, to what I call the 'shaman's body.' According to
medicine people living in native settings around the world, and
to mystical traditions, the shaman's dreaming body, when
accessed, is a source of health, personal growth, good
relationships, and a sense of community."

What Mindell refers to as the shaman's body I will call the
energy body. To understand the language of the energy body ?
your intuition ? is to find great strength, wisdom, and freedom.

When I was a teenager, I had no such understanding ? but
my energy body was constantly sending me signals just the
same. I began to notice that I was often aware of things that
were hidden under the surface of my everyday interactions
with other people. I had a strong sense of what others were
feeling; I felt as though I was seeing into other people's secret
worlds and glimpsing their hidden treasures. I seemed to know
a lot more about what was going on around me than people
were telling me. I often had psychic dreams ? dreams that gave
me more insight into what was happening in my life. And
perhaps the most perplexing signal, the sensation that
someone was missing from our family, only increased as the
years went by.

At age twenty-five, I had an opportunity to test the validity of
this particular feeling. My father was visiting me, and it felt like
the right time to share my secret. I began by telling my father
what I understood at the time about intuition (I had by that time
investigated this topic in a variety of ways). I told him of the
many intuitive markers in my life, when my feeling sense ?
my wisdom body ? had alerted me to the truth about
something. And finally I described my intuitive experiences
during family time.

He listened and I could sense his heart open to me. He sat
very still with his full attention on me as I spoke. Then I asked
him the question that had troubled me since childhood: Did
he have any other children? His answer was open and kind.
I could see that in this moment he, too, needed to speak his
truth. He told me that, yes, he had another daughter. She was
born when I was seven years old.

I felt such love as the truth in my heart was finally validated
by my father. He gave me the greatest gifts a father can give ?
his truths and his recognition. A weight I carried in my heart
and body lifted, and a great peace entered and filled me. We
sat and ate together, but nothing at that meal tasted as sweet
and wonderful as my father's honesty.

So much came together for me then. This validation of my
intuition opened a door within me that has remained wide
open ever since. The truth really does set one free. Now I
was free to fully trust my intuitive self. I knew that there would
always be truth to be discovered if I had the wisdom and
courage to listen for it. Now I was free to decide what it
meant to me to have a half sister. Later in my life, I would
go in search of her.

The gift of intuition didn't come without its problems. Being
intuitive often meant experiencing an overload of psychic
energy from my surroundings, which sometimes made life
more painful and difficult. Nothing in my formal education or
spiritual practice taught me how to use and control my
intuition. As a teenager, it helped me a great deal to begin
a meditation practice and to consult the I Ching. I also found
it useful to write down my dreams and reflect on their meaning.
I kept a journal of my psychic as well as my more mundane
life experiences.

Yet, this was not enough. These practices did not speak
directly enough to my intuitive feelings and experiences.
They didn't advise me about how to use my own energy
body, or how to respond to the energy of other people, or
how to recognize intuitive wisdom. Books on intuitive
development, such as Caroline Myss's Anatomy of the
Spirit, didn't come out for another fifteen years.

I was already in my mid-thirties when my spiritual adviser
and psychologist told me about a local psychic and healer
who taught a yearlong psychic development class. At the
age of thirty-five, I attended this class and finally got the
instruction I needed. A void in my life was being filled. I came
to understand so much about myself, my feelings, and my
intuitive body ? my wisdom body. I felt so strongly that the
material in the class should be shared with more people
that I began to teach the class myself, and to this day I
continue to teach it.

These are subjects of great importance not typically taught
to young people. Many of the teenagers I come in contact
with are troubled by social anxiety and feeling overly sensitive.
Some speak about feeling some kind of "instinct," but they
doubt themselves too much to act on it. Many talk about
getting "signs" but are not sure how to interpret them. All of
these concerns can be alleviated dramatically by
understanding and developing your intuition.

EVERY ONE OF US HAS INTUITION

To some degree, you and every other person on earth has this
spiritual perception, this skill. For me it was very intense; for
others it is quite subtle. It doesn't matter if it is strong or faint ?
what matters is that you learn how to listen to it.

Some Basics about Intuition

It doesn't benefit anyone for you to be less than you are. To not
use your intuition is to be less than you are. To not know and
live by your own truths is being less than you are. To ignore
your energy body is being less than you are. To be everything
that you are, and were meant to be, you need to begin by
understanding some basic truths about everyone's intuitive
powers.

      Truth One: Intuition is an ability that we are all given at birth.

      Truth Two: You have a right to develop and use your intuitive
	 /psychic ability, particularly at this pivotal time in your life.

      Truth Three: Your intuition is your direct connection to spirit
	 (God, Higher Power, the Creator, Goddess, Buddha, the
	 Tao, etc.).

      Truth Four: Your intuition is part of the creative energy that
	 flows through us all and through everything.

      Truth Five: Your intuition increases as your understanding
	 and love for yourself and others increases.

      Truth Six: Emotional intensity is part of your intuitive nature.

      Truth Seven: Your intuitive/psychic journey is meant to make
	 you feel powerful and good about yourself.

      Truth Eight: When you use your intuition, it benefits everyone.

      Truth Nine: Some people are more easily able to use their
	 intuition, just as some are more able with music, but
	 everyone can develop his or her intuition.

      Truth Ten: Intuitive wisdom and intuitive/psychic development
	 are not New Age"; they are very "Old Age," respected and
	 taught in ancient cultures in many forms.

In our culture, it can be difficult to access and trust our intuition.
Shakti Gawain, author of Developing Your Intuition, offers this
explanation:

      "One of the reasons that many of us do not learn to trust and
follow our intuition is that we are taught from an early age to try
to accommodate those around us, to follow certain rules of
behavior, to suppress our spontaneous impulses, and to do
what is expected of us."

Sound true to you? In school we are constantly reminded to
accommodate teachers and authority, to follow the rules, and
to suppress our intense emotions ? in essence, to do exactly
what is expected of us. While these guidelines have an
obvious purpose and are in some measure necessary for us
all when we are in school, the fact is that they do hinder our
intuitive abilities. When we habitually look outside ourselves
for direction, we don't get to exercise an important life skill:
that of listening for ? and acting on ? our own inner wisdom.

We all need the help and guidance of others. But never
should you follow the advice of others when it means to
ignore your own inner guidance. There are times when
teachers are wrong. Sometimes a friend's advice is misguided.
Clergymen and others in positions of trust or authority can abuse
their power. We need to listen to our inner guidance while we
consider the advice and direction of others. When our inner
voice says "No" or "Think about it first," we must listen to it, and
find out what it is trying to tell us. As you develop the intuition
that is inside of you and learn to think more for yourself, you
can go out into the world more aware, confident, and strong.

A Quiz: How Intuitive Are You?

This quiz uses a scoring system to give you a general idea of
where you fall right now within a range of intuitive awareness.

There are twenty-three statements below for you to read and
respond to. On a separate sheet of paper, write the numbers
1 through 23 in a vertical column. Read each statement. Then,
next to the number on your paper that corresponds to that
statement, write the word that best describes how often you
experience what the statement says. Choose one of these
words for your answer: often, sometimes, or rarely.

     1. I am aware of others' feelings.
     2. I experience social anxiety.
     3. I sense things before they happen.
     4. I remember my dreams.
     5. I have recurring dreams.
     6. I am afraid of some of my feelings.
     7. I experience a lot of coincidences.
     8. I have gut feelings about decisions.
     9. Friends seem to come to me a lot for advice.
    10. I know my dreams mean something.
    11. I have been told that I am too sensitive, that I overreact.
    12. I have deja vu experiences.
    13. I believe I am intuitive.
    14. I believe or sense that a greater power watches over me
	 and helps me.
    15. I am scared of what I know.
    16. I have sensed things were going to happen before they did.
    17. I have high self-esteem.
    18. I can speak up for myself to my peers.
    19. I can speak up for myself to adults.
    20. I know how to ask for advice.
    21. I have a strong sense of purpose; I know what I am going
	 to do with my life.
    22. I use drugs and/or food to avoid my thoughts and feelings.
    23. I know when someone is not telling the truth.

Now use the following list to assign points to each of your answers.
Determine your score by adding up all the points. Give yourself:

      1 point for each time you wrote "rarely"
      2 points for each time you wrote "sometimes"
      3 points for each time you wrote "often"

If you scored 23 to 35:

You aren't often aware of or tuned in to your intuition. You may
sense some inner voice inside of you but you're not sure how to
access it. Possibly you don't feel very good about yourself or
trust the way you do feel, but this will improve quickly as you
practice the exercises in this book. The first step for you will be
to start uncovering your hidden intuition and making it more
available to you. Soon you will begin noticing a stronger
awareness of yourself and your surroundings. You will find
that you trust your intuitive self more often and feel more
energized and positive. Keeping a journal while you read
this book will be very helpful.

If you scored 36 to 58:

You are often in touch with your intuitive sense, although you
may not fully understand what it all means. Some people may
experience you as oversensitive but friends are likely to come
to you for advice because you often have good insight into
their problems. You may experience some social anxiety due
to your very real sensitivity to the energy around you. You may
not always trust or understand your abilities. You may oscillate
between times when you have very good feelings about
yourself (high self-esteem) and times when you bottom out
and your self-esteem is very low.

You will quickly benefit from this book because you will find
the guidance contained here makes you feel safer, more
balanced, and more confident in your intuitive abilities.

If you scored 59 to 69:

You are very aware that you have psychic abilities although
you have not received instruction on how to skillfully use them.
Your self-esteem is fairly high most of the time and you are
ready for and excited about using the guidance in this book.
Your confidence and skills will build quickly as you work
through the activities in the ensuing chapters.

Before we go any further, I would like to be clear about what
I mean when I use the word psychic. Psychic comes from the
Greek word psyche, which is translated as "the soul." It is
defined as "sensitive to nonphysical or supernatural forces."
So, to be psychic means to be able to hear the language of
the soul, to understand the language of energy. It is not
about fortune telling, although having a sense of what the
future holds may be a skill of a gifted psychic. Our psychic
abilities enable us to tap into the wisdom and power of our
souls and energy bodies, and to open up to the spiritual world.

Keeping A Psychic Journal

You may want to keep a special psychic journal. Use your
journal to document and reflect on your psychic experiences,
your dreams, and your intuitive insights.

If you want the truth,
I'll tell you the truth:
Listen to the secret sound,
which is inside you.

-- Rumi, SUFI POET
Opening the Door: A Beginning Meditation

Use this exercise to open the door to communication with your
body, and its energy. It is adapted from a variety of yoga
practices, which assist you in awakening the vital energy that
is in you.

      Lie comfortably on your back on the floor, on a yoga mat or
rug, with pillows under your neck and knees. Place your hands
loosely at your sides or on top of your belly. For a few moments
simply lie still, breathing and relaxing while at the same time
staying in tune with your body. Instead of daydreaming, notice
the sensations of your body . . . the rhythm of your breathing,
the touch of clothes against your skin, the images that appear
in your mind's eye . . . relax, breathe, and remain present, just
lying on the floor, relaxed yet present. Notice the different parts
of your body and, without judgment, bring your awareness to
them. Begin with your legs, relaxing them even more, letting them
rest from their constant exertion. Now bring your awareness to
your waist and lower torso, perhaps noticing the breath and how
it makes the belly rise and fall . . . Notice the arms relaxed at your
sides; allow them to sink into the floor. Relax even more . . . yet
maintain a presence in the body. Bring your awareness to your
entire torso and then up to your chest. Notice your spine and
relax it into the floor . . . continue to breathe and relax. Notice
your shoulders and neck, inviting them too to relax as you bring
your awareness to them ... Allow your head to rest heavily on
the pillow, breathing and relaxing in awareness of your body . . .

After a few minutes of this relaxed presence in your body, take
a moment to notice what it feels like to be alert and relaxed at
the same time . . . without judgment (no right and wrong), just
notice. Rest as long as you like in this state of awareness. Then
take a couple of deep breaths and sit up. You may want to take
a moment to write what you experienced in your journal.

This article was excerpted from Teen Psychic, ?2003, by
Julie Tallard Johnson.

Reprinted with permission of the publisher, Bindu Books, a
division of Inner Traditions Intl. http://www.innertraditions.com

JULIE. TALLARD JOHNSON is the author of The Thundering
Years and I Ching for Teens. She is a psychotherapist and mentor
of teens and young adults. She lives in Spring Green, Wisconsin.

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

Heaven and Hell
      A man and his dog were walking along a road.  The man was
enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that
he was dead.  He remembered dying, and that the dog had
been dead for years.  He wondered where the road was leading
them.  After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall
along one side of the road.  It looked like fine marble. At the
top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the
sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent
gate in the arch that looked like mother of pearl, and the
street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.  He and the
dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man
at a desk to one side.  When he was close enough, he called out,
"Excuse me, where are we?"

     "This is heaven, sir," the man answered.

    "Wow!  Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

    "Of course, sir.  Come right in, and I'll have some ice water
brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

    "Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the
traveler asked.

     "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

     The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road
and continued the way he had been going.

    After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came
to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had
never been closed.  There was no fence.  As he approached the gate,
he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

     "Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"

    "Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there"  The man pointed to a place
that couldn't be seen from outside the gate.  "Come on in."

     "How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.

      "There should be a bowl by the pump."

     They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old
fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.  The traveler filled the
bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.
When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man
who was standing by the tree waiting for them.

     "What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

     "This is heaven," was the answer.

     "Well, that's confusing," the traveler said.  "The man down the
road said that was heaven, too."

     "Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates?
Nope. That's hell."

    "Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

    "No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that
they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind."

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

Frail Old Angel

Last night I had a dream.
It had a tale to tell.
I dreamed I saw an angel...
Poor thing, he wasn't feeling well.

His body bruised and battered.
His wings were ripped and torn.
This angel could hardly walk...
He looked so tired and worn.

I walked right up to him to ask -
"Angel? How can this be?"
He turned around and paused a bit.
Then spoke these words to me.

"I'm your Guardian Angel.
A great task as you can see.
You've run amok most all your life.
Look what you've done to me."

"These bruises are from shielding you
In times both dire and ill.
Those alcoholic bouts and drugs you've used...
I've often paid the bill."

"You see my wings are ripped and torn.
How often they have flown you from evils unaware.
Each mark has it's own story
Of deadly wounds destroyed."

"You made me wish more than once
That I was unemployed.
If only you could make it
Standing on your own."

"Oh, don't you fret or worry.
But please try to remember...
I'm getting old and frail."

I could not believe all I had heard.
Let alone, how much he cared.
I wept upon his shoulder.
Then left him in dispair.

The next day I sat and pondered.
Should I really try?
And in the distance I thought I heard...

A frail old angel cry.

Author Unknown]

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

Interior Art

I am the sculptor of my own interior
I may borrow materials
And techniques from others
But in the end, as at the beginning
I form myself from the raw depths at my disposal:
The origins of who I am, my own clean colours.
I mold them together, trim off the excess
Intuit what fits, discard the rest
An ongoing process
An artwork in progress
A  daily delight
In originality.

With love
Stella
© 2002 Stella Raymonde Savoie-Johnson
stellaraymonde@...

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

Be A Butterfly
Virjinja

Change is oh, so good
When it's born of God
Rebirth means new life
Be a butterfly
Shed the old cocoon
Crawl about no more
Time to soar on high
Be a butterfly
Leave the past behind
Step into the Light
Be blessed ~ come alive
You’re God’s butterfly.

©2006 ~ Virginia Santoro ~ All Rights  Reserved
MorningMusings@...
www.myspace.com/morningmusings
www.hometown.aol.com/morningmusings

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

Some people have a belief that every tree,when it burns,
gives back the colors that went into its making-
they see in the flaming logs the red of many sunsets,
the purple of early dawn,
the silver of moonrise
and the sparkle of the stars.
So it is with us: what we have accepted into our hearts
and made a permanent part of ourselves
is given back in times of trial...
Fulton J. Sheen

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

Even the thought of giving,
the thought of blessing or a simple prayer
has the power to affect others.
Deepak Chopra

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

There is a distance between believing the Truth
and embodying that Truth.
We may know that we are children of God with divine capacities,
but until we act on that belief, it remains a foggy awareness.
Using spiritual practices moves us from believing in God
to becoming aware of the reality of God moving in and through us.
Mary Manin Morrissey

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

To cure jealousy is to see it for what it is,
a dissatisfaction with self.
Joan Didion

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

You are all you will ever have for certain.
June Havoc

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

Be not afraid of going slowly;
be afraid only of standing still.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What is right for one soul may not be right for another.
It may mean standing on your own and
doing something strange in the eyes of others.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Truly loving means letting go
of unrealistic expectations.
It means full acceptance...
even celebration of another's personhood.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Life might be able to be understood backwards,
but it must be lived forwards.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
http://www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.naranon.com

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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
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and write unsubscribe in the subject line
or go to the website and unsubscribe

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By the grace of God and through your efforts of passing on this
email, we are reaching many recovering people in different areas of
the world. If you are receiving this, from a country outside of the
USA please send me an email and tell me where you are receiving this.
So far we reaching over 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

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]

A recovering alcoholic is shipwrecked miles out to sea. He winds up on
an uncharted, deserted island and has to make the best of it.
Five years  later, he finally spots a ship out on the horizon and
stokes up
his bonfire  to get its attention.

The captain of the ship, another recovering  alcoholic, sees the fire
and immediately changes course towards the  island.  Meanwhile,
he grabs his binoculars and studies the situation.  He sees a
guy waving and running frantically up and down the beach, beard
hanging down to his knees, and he also spots three small structures
at the edge of the trees. The castaway is rescued, taken below, and is
given  a meal and some time to rest, and is sent up to see the captain.

"So, are you glad to be rescued?"

"Oh, yeah, you bet. I've been praying for  years for somebody to come
along."

"How long were you on the  island?"

"Five looooong years! !"

"All by yourself?"

"Yes.  All alone for five long years."

"Well," observes the captain, "It looks like you didn't do too badly for
yourself. I saw three huts on the island.  Did you build them?"

"Oh, yes!" the Castaway responds proudly. "I built  them with my own two
hands! See the one on the right? That was my house, my home. That's
where I lived!  And the one on the left, that's my home group!"

"Your home group? You're by yourself for five years and you built
yourself
a home group! That's fantastic! What a strong statement of faith and
dedication
to your program! I'm proud of you! What a testimony of experience,
strength
and hope!
But what about the hut in the middle?"

"Oh," the Castaway frowns, "That's my old home group;
I didn't like the way they ran things."


Love and Hugs!!
Dyanne
deve880886@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 December the 12th month, PLEASE share
on the 12th step If you haven’t done the 12th step with your
sponsor Please share on Service, Selflessness and Commitment.....

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

December  7
Today I know that I can get through anything
that happens in this day with the help of my Higher Power.
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Recovery

Recovery is Stopping
The running-around, the escaping
The crazy thoughts by healing the Brain
The mood swings by healing the Body
Sitting more with the Self
than with everyone else

A nourishing Diet
A spiritual Connection
A loose handle on others' pains and passions
A closer look at yours

Listening to Wisdom coming from wise mouths
Hearing your Inner Child
When it fears to cry out
For all the times you did not listen

Finding a Recovery Buddy
To discuss, cry, share, learn from
Drain away the Old Anger
Feel again the Old but New-everyday Pain
What is it saying?

'Let go. I have taught you the lessons
It's time to heal and to know
Time to begin a new life
Where do you want to go?'

Make it happen! Get motivated!
If you can't then find out why
Get the resources. Look out there
then come back home to yourself
That's where it begins
That's where it ends

Love
Stella

© 2003 Stella Raymonde Savoie Johnson
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Simple Recipe For Love (from the angels)
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=uE_AUis2yihFb6AwQp\
XSZq7GXWndOUx2LxPQcxP7rRIc8Cjxjw

Getting "It"
www.barefootsworld.net/it.html

Editorial reply To “Symposium: NA Comes of Age”
N.A. Way Magazine 4/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway162-13-b.htm

How One AA Wife Lives the 12 Steps
By Lois W., Bill W.’s wife
www.silkworth.net/aahistory/lois_12steps.html

An Interview With Dr. Paul
www.silkworth.net/grapevine/drpaul1995.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.myspace.com/bluesbuddha
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
December 7                                Surviving Our Emotions

"We use the tools available to us and develop the ability to
survive our emotions."   Basic Text p. 30

   "Survive my emotions?" some of us say. "You've got to be kidding!"
When we were using, we never gave ourselves the chance to learn
how to survive them. You don't survive your feelings, we thought-you
drug them. The problem was, that cure" for our unsurvivable emotions
was killing us. That's when we came to Narcotics Anonymous, started
working the Twelve Steps and, as a result, began to mature
emotionally.

   Many of us found emotional relief right from the start. We were tired
of pretending that our addiction and our lives were under control; it
actually felt good to finally admit they weren't. After sharing our
inventory with our sponsor, we began to feel like we didn't have to
deny who we were or what we felt in order to be accepted. When
we'd finished making our amends, we knew we didn't have to suffer
with guilt; we could own up to it and it wouldn't kill us. The more we
worked the NA program, the better we felt about living life as it came
to us.

   The program works today as well as it ever did. By taking stock of our
day, getting honest about our part in it, and surrendering to reality,
we
can survive the feelings life throws our way. By using the tools
available to us, we've developed the ability to survive our emotions.

Just for today: I will not deny my feelings. I will practice honesty
and surrender to life as it is. I will use the tools of this program
to survive my emotions.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
http://www.gatewayrehab.org/December.html

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Morning Thoughts

Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the
man who is still sick.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 164

For many years I pondered over God's will for me, believing that
perhaps a great destiny had been ordained for my life.  After all,
having been born into a specific faith, hadn't I been told early that
I was "chosen"?   It finally occurred to me, as I considered the
above passage, that God's will for me was simply that I practice
Step Twelve on a daily basis.  Furthermore, I realized I should do
this to the best of my ability.  I soon learned that the practice aids
me in keeping my life in the context of the day at hand.

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 / December 7th

A.A. Thought for the Day

When people come back to A.A. after having a slip,
the temptation is strong to say nothing about it.  No
other A.A. member should force them to declare
themselves.  It is entirely up to them.  If they are
well grounded in A.A., they will realize that it's up
to them to speak up at the next meeting and tell
about their slip.  There is no possible evasion of this
duty, if they are thoroughly honest and really desirous
of living the A.A. way again.  When they have done it,
their old confidence returns.  They are home again.
Their slip should not be mentioned again by others.
They are again a good member of A.A.  Am I tolerant
of other people's mistakes?

Meditation for the Day

It is in the union of a soul with God that strength, new life,
and spiritual power come.  Bread sustains the body but we
cannot live by bread alone.  To try to do the will of God is
the meat and support of true living.  We feed on that
spiritual food.  Soul starvation comes from failing to do so.
The world talks about bodies that are undernourished.
What of the souls that are undernourished?  Strength and
peace come from partaking of spiritual food.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may not try to live by bread alone.  I pray
that my spirit may live by trying to do the will of God as
I understand it.

"Twenty-Four Hours A Day" is a © Copyrighted book of
Hazelden Foundation.  No portion of this publication may
be reproduced in any manner without the written
permission of Hazelden.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
DECEMBER 07

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

When the Time is Right

There are times when we simply do not know what to do, or
where to go, next. Sometimes these periods are brief,
sometimes lingering.

We can get through these times. We can rely on our program
and the disciplines of recovery. We can cope by using our faith,
other people, and our resources.

Accept uncertainty. We do not always have to know what to do
or where to go next. We do not always have clear direction.
Refusing to accept the inaction and limbo makes things worse.

It is okay to temporarily be without direction. Say, "I don't know,"
and be comfortable with that. We do not have to try to force
wisdom, knowledge, or clarity when there is none.

While waiting for direction, we do not have to put our life on hold.
Let go of anxiety and enjoy life. Relax. Do something fun. Enjoy
the love and beauty in your life. Accomplish small tasks. They may
have nothing to do with solving the problem, or finding direction,
but this is what we can do in the interim.

Clarity will come. The next step will present itself. Indecision,
inactivity, and lack of direction will not last forever.

Today, I will accept my circumstances even if I lack direction
and insight. I will remember to do things that make myself and
others feel good during those times. I will trust that clarity will
come of its own accord.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Self-Improvement Sabotage
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/11/self-improvement.htm

Nice or Really Loving?
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2006/December/vissell.htm

Who I Am DOES Make A Difference
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2005/12/make-a%20difference.htm

Courageous Love
When someone's in a negative mood,
it takes courage to reach out with love
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2001/April/vissell.htm

Heart For Children
www.inspiringthots.net/movie/heart4children.php

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Understanding Our Emotions

By Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D.

Of all our natural human experiences, our emotions are the
most misunderstood.   Almost every day, I work with people
who aren't in touch with their feelings.  They don't understand
their emotions. They try to get control of their feelings, or
understand them, or heal them, or reconnect with them.  They
sometimes expend great effort to experience them and express
them in ways that are at least harmless.

It is a common belief that if one becomes fully aware of one's
feelings, that somehow the quality of their lives will become
better. This belief is often created and perpetuated by
psychotherapists of all types and persuasions.  Frankly, I think
that such a belief is not only inaccurate, but also rather useless.

Consider some of the alternative views of feelings and emotions.

Emotions (or feelings) are natural and regular physiological
changes within our bodies, to which we attach labels such as
"fear" or "anger" or "guilt" or "joy" or whatever.

Feelings are never "rational" or "reasonable."  They are only
bodily changes which are sufficiently dramatic enough to be
noticed.  They are not "good" or "bad." They are never "right" or
"wrong." They simply occur.  They just are.

The "purpose" of emotions is to provide each of us with energy.
Feelings have no other purpose or meaning other than to signal
us that we want or need something, and at the same time,
provide us with the energy to pursue the fulfillment of that need.

If we are not aware of feelings, it is usually because we aren't
paying attention, or they are such small changes, we don't notice
them.  Many of us spend a great deal of time not feeling anything,
because our bodies are in balance or the ongoing changes are
so subtle, we aren't aware of them.

Nobody else can know or experience your feelings.  You are the
only one who can know when you are hungry, sexual, needy,
happy, disgusted, delighted, angry or frightened.  Nobody else
is an expert on your feelings.  Only you are.

Many feelings need not be acted upon or even expressed.
Sometimes it is OK just to acknowledge that you are
experiencing  feelings without doing anything with the energy
they generate. Feelings are never dangerous.  Feelings may
signal us that some dangerous event is happening in our
bodies, but all by themselves, emotions are always neutral
or beneficial phenomena.  They just happen within us, and
like the weather, are not under our control.

We do exercise choices about what we do, or how we use
our emotional energy.  The behavior we choose as a way
of expressing our emotions may or may not be beneficial to
us or anyone else.

Feelings never need to be "fixed."  In fact, feelings are never
"broken."  Attempting to fix them is pointless, if not down right
self-destructive.  Nothing has to be done about emotions,
except perhaps to enjoy their variety, intensity and richness
they offer. Without emotions, our lives would be colorless and
empty.

Feelings are not designed to hinder or paralyze us from action.
They are for motivating us and energizing us to live, breathe,
move and experience life.  They are needed to help us do what
we need to do, not provide us with a handy excuse for not doing
something, e.g. "I don't fly in an airplane because I'm anxious."
At best, use your anxious energy to motivate you to buy an \
airline ticket and get on the plane.

In a healthy person, "feeling good" is not a priority.  Experiencing
one's life fully, with all the emotions we human's have, is the top
priority.  Feeling happy is of equal value as feeling say...angry.
When we use our emotional energy skillfully and powerfully to
create the kind of quality of life we desire...that is the best way to
understand and develop a passionate, active lifestyle.  And our
emotions empower us to do precisely that.

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sioux Indian Story

"My grandfather took me to the fish pond on the farm
when I was about seven, and he told me to throw a
stone into the water. He told me to watch the circles
created by the stone. Then he asked me to think of
myself as that stone person.

"You may create lots of splashes in your life but the
waves that come from those splashes will disturb the
peace of all your fellow creatures," he said.

"Remember that you are responsible for what you put
in your circle and that circle will also touch many other
circles. You will need to live in a way that allows the
good that comes from your circle to send the peace of
that goodness to others. The splash that comes from
anger or jealousy will send those feelings to other circles.
You are responsible for both."

That was the first time I realized each person creates
the inner peace or discord that flows out into the world.
We cannot create world peace if we are riddled with
inner conflict, hatred, doubt, or anger. We radiate the
feelings and thoughts that we hold inside, whether we
speak them or not. Whatever is splashing around inside
of us is spilling out into the world, creating beauty or
discord with all other circles of life.

Unknown

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Nature of Life

Compassion for a crying child comes from the depth of our own
childhood where once, so long ago, we cried.

How profound, those feelings of shared sorrow, loss, fear, anger
and confusion, that move us to give of ourselves when
understanding is our only motivation.

  From the poverty of tears we learn the richness of laughter.

  From the scarcity of love we learn the abundance of loving.

  From the darkest clouds we learn to bask in the warmth
of the brightest days.

  From the destitution of spirit we learn to polish the diamonds in
our souls.

May the love in your soul, embrace your heart and fill your mind
with the knowledge that where you are today, no matter how sad
the emotion or how difficult the situation, is where you need to be.

Copyright © 1999
Terri McPherson
tmcphers@...
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
www.wisehearts.com/lfc.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Such Deep Despair

It wasn't very long ago,
I felt such deep despair and woe.
I prayed to a God I thought I knew,
Who hated me for the things I'd do.
In tears I prayed, just let me die,
For life had seemed to pass me by.
All I ever did was fail.
God let me die, send me to hell.
I didn't want another drink,
To smoke a joint or even think,
And then, some Power unknown to me
Picked me up and helped me see.
That I'm not bad, I'm only sick.
There was a way, that I could pick.
To take one day, and try to live,
A life of truth, that He would give.
He put me in a room of friends,
Who shared how life, on truth depends.
They told me that if I'd admit,
I'm powerless, my pain would quit.
My eyes were opened, as there spoke,
Of how they too, had spirits broke.
They shared how they had landed there.
With broken hearts, and deep despair.
They asked me to keep coming back,
and let them show the love I lacked.
Then suddenly I realized,
that these were angels in disguise.
Keep coming back, they said to me.
We'll show you love, then you will see.
There's One with power, who will manage your life.
He'll ease the pain of inward strife.
They said a way of life we'll show,
Take it easy and just let go.
They took me by the hand and said,
This is the Way, That we were lead.
Now I thank God with every breath,
He didn't fulfill my request for death.
I thank Him for His blessed Grace,
For I have finally found my place.
To be in rooms, both far and wide.
To ever more, with God abide.

ODAAT
Written by: Rebecca B.
rbowlin14@...
©2002

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Be Quiet Spirit

Be quiet spirit it's time to rest
In life today you've given your best
Gave your hand to the new man
Done your best at home to understand
Applied the steps  through out your day
Now it's time for me to pray
Be quiet spirit it's time to rest
All day long you have been blessed
If God grants us another day
We shall go out and give it away
Let us pray and go to sleep
We gave it away so we could keep
In His grace all through this day
So now my spirit I will say
Be quiet it's time to rest

Daniel M Corkery
11/2/2000
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When we avoid the legitimate suffering that results
from dealing with problems, we also avoid the growth
that problems demand from us.
Scott Peck

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You must change in order to survive.
Pearl Bailey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.
Maya Angelou

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Each day comes bearing its own gifts.  Untie the ribbons.
Ruth Ann Schabaker

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It takes as much courage to have tried and failed
as it does to have tried and succeeded.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Freedom is not free.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

With freedom comes responsibility.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

To whom much is given,
much is required.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You can't think your way into right living...
you have to live your way into right 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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
http://www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.naranon.com

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Forest
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/new2004/forest.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 December the 12th month, PLEASE share
on the 12th step If you haven’t done the 12th step with your
sponsor Please share on Service, Selflessness and Commitment.....

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

December 6
I feel lighter and better about myself when I don't procrastinate.
Today I am discovering the freedom of
completing at last one thing that I don't put off.
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Low in the High

This is my truth today
To which I can no longer deny
I have proven time and again
There is no life in getting high

I was given the choice
A different path I would have picked
But the path I chose was one of pain
I stand before you today an addict

I never would have thought
One could hold so much shame
But I truly never intended
To become what I became

The child once joyful
Found the path of misery
One hit, one fix, one pill, one drink
Will take away your need for glee

It keeps you in its grip
Inside are all your tears
But they never see the light
They are silenced by your fears

Your thoughts are all quieted
Your thinking is not level
You will sell all that you have
And then your soul to the devil

To never feel again
Inside your soul lies bleeding
You have to go to lengths
For the love that you are needing

It takes over your heart
It takes over your head
It takes over your being
And then it leaves you dead

written by ~ KAREN H
KSAK@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 The World
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=TIcFG8UxkH6MaloOBm\
uWlqPpa7zNq8BTPUG_rCqaQ7.29pnS7w

The PRESCRIPTION
www.barefootsworld.net/prescription.html

To “What types of addiction does NA treat, anyway?”
N.A. Way Magazine 4/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway162-13.htm

Inner Bonding, Grace Through Growth
www.innerbonding.com/index.lasso

The Complete Serenity Prayer
www.thecompleteserenityprayer.com/presentation.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.myspace.com/bluesbuddha
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
December 6                               Romance and Recovery

"Relationships can be a terribly painful area."  Basic Text p. 78

   Love is like an elixir for some of us. The excitement of a new
lover, the intrigue of exploring intimacy, the sense of release
we get from allowing ourselves to become vulnerable-these
are all powerful emotions. But we can't forget that we have
only a daily reprieve from our addiction. Holding onto this
daily reprieve must be the top priority in any recovering
addict's life.

   We can become too involved in our relationship. We can
neglect old friends and our sponsor in the process. Then,
when things get difficult, we often feel that we can no longer
reach out to those who helped us prior to our romantic
involvement. This belief can lay the groundwork for a relapse.
By consistently working our program and attending meetings,
we ensure that we have a network of recovery, even when
we're deep in a romance.

   Our desire to be romantically involved is natural. But we
mustn't forget that, without our program, even the healthiest
relationship will not guard us against the strength of our addiction.

Just for today: In my desire for romance, I will not ignore 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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
http://www.gatewayrehab.org/December.html

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Self-Acceptance

We know that God lovingly watches over us.  We know that when we
turn to Him, all will be well with us, here and hereafter.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 105

   I pray for the willingness to remember that I am a child of God, a
divine soul in human form, and that my most basic and urgent life-task
is to accept, know, love and nurture myself.  As I accept myself, I am
accepting God's will.  As I know and love myself, I am knowing and
loving God.  As I nurture myself I am acting on God's guidance.

   I pray for the willingness to let go of my arrogant self-criticism,
and to praise God by humbly accepting and caring 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 / December 6th

A.A. Thought for the Day

People who have had a slip are ashamed of themselves
--- sometimes so ashamed that they fear to go back to
A.A.  They develop the old inferiority complex and tell
themselves that they are no good, that they have let
down their friends in A.A., that they are hopeless, and
that they can never make it.  This state of mind is perhaps
worse than it was originally.  They have probably been
somewhat weakened by their slip.  But their A.A. training
cannot ever be entirely lost.  They always know they can
go back if they want to.  They know there is still God's
help for them if they will again ask for it.
Do I believe that I can never entirely lose what I have
learned in A.A.?

Meditation for the Day

Nobody entirely escapes temptation.  You must expect it
and be ready for it when it comes.  None of us is entirely
safe.  You must try to keep your defenses up by daily
thought and prayer.  That is why we have these daily
meditations.  You must be able to recognize temptation
when it comes.  The first step toward conquering temptation
always is to see it clearly as temptation and not to harbor
it in your mind.  Dissociate yourself from it, put it out of
your mind as soon as it appears.  Do not think of excuses
for yielding to it.  Turn at once to the Higher Power for help.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be prepared for whatever temptation may
come to me.  I pray that I may see it clearly and avoid it with
the help 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
DECEMBER 06

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Letting Go of Shame

Many of us were victimized, sometimes more than once. We
may have been physically abused, sexually abused, or
exploited by the addictions of another.

Understand that if another person has abused us, it is not
cause for us to feel shame. The guilt for the act of abuse
belongs to the perpetrator, not the victim.

Even if in recovery we fall prey to being victimized, that is
not cause for shame.

The goal of recovery is learning self-care, learning to free
ourselves from victimization, and not to blame ourselves
for past experiences. The goal is to arm ourselves so we
do not continue to be victimized due to the shame and
unresolved feelings from the original victimization.

We each have our own work, our issues, and our recovery
tasks. One of those tasks is to stop pointing our finger at the
perpetrator, because it distracts us. Although we hold each
person responsible and accountable for his or her behavior,
we learn compassion for the perpetrator. We understand
that many forces have come into play in that person's life.
At the same time, we do not hold on to shame.

We learn to understand the role we played in our victimization,
how we fell into that role and did not rescue ourselves. But
that is information to arm us so that it need not happen again.

Let go of victim shame. We have issues and tasks, but our
issue is not to feel guilty and wrong because we have been
victimized.

Today, I will set myself free from any victim shame I may be
harboring or hanging on to.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written
permission of the publisher.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*You Are A Miracle*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Telling It Like It Is
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/11/telling-like-it-is.htm

Why Do We Need God?
http://www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2006/December/Opinion%20_Guy_Spiro.\
html

The Rose
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2005/12/rose.htm

Animals and Spirituality
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2001/April/cyberweave.htm

Assume The Visionary Position , By Alan Cohen
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/11/alan-cohen.htm

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

Inspirational movie, about 3 minutes long
http://www.lightmovie.com/

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lessons, Lessons, Lessons!
by Roddy White

Greetings. Lessons, lessons, lessons! What on Earth are we
here for? You guessed it lessons. Lessons are the meaning of
Life. Now, I know some of you, myself included, feel that
lessons must be painful to be appreciated or remembered.
Contrary to popular belief, not all lessons have to be painful.
Some can even be fun. It's all in the 'moral to the story'.
Life gives us wonderful examples to follow ... allow me to
illustrate.

Learning From Animals

I work on an organic farm which has some truly remarkable
animals. These animals are my friends and are treated with
the same respect I would treat a fellow human. In return for
my caring, these creatures have afforded me the opportunity
to learn some marvelous lessons.

Lesson 1: "Unselfishness. "A gallant red rooster taught me
the meaning of unselfish chivalry. I watched this gorgeous
bird scratch up a grub from the ground. Instead of gobbling
it up as I expected, he called a hungry hen over and allowed
her to eat the grub from between his feet. I was under the
illusion that only lactating mothers did this for their young ...
red roosters can be just as unselfish. Why can't we all take
a page from this rooster's book? That was my lesson for the
day and it was delightful and memorable.

I have learned other lessons from God's creatures. A tiny,
green tree-frog taught me the importance of tenderness. I
rescued it and he or she sat upon my finger resting there,
grateful to me for the tender mercy I had shown it. I coaxed
it to hop, but it would not leave the sanctuary of my hand. In
that instant, I became humbled by the helplessness of that
little creature and all creatures at the mercy of mankind.

Animals, you see, can be our teachers. We need only
recognize their wonderful ability to live in the now absolute
and their total and complete innocence and trust they place
in the source or God as you call it. They know instinctively
what is. We, on the other hand, must learn it ... or is it 'unlearn
it"? Maybe that is one of our grandest lessons: to get back to
that divine state of simply "knowing" as animals do, what
really matters. To rid ourselves of all the competitive fear-based
garbage we've been led to believe as Truth. To realize that
Heaven or Hell can be right now!

Grow Up

What exactly do I mean by grow up? Simply this. To put aside
all our petty, foolish nonsense such as materialism, greed,
power-crazing, hatred and self-pride and live much as our
animal teachers. The American Indians did it, before we
came along. They didn't even know what "Green Paper" was.
They didn't need it. Only civilized man needs it. Where has it
taken us? When you stray from the teachings of nature into
the dark world of materialism you pay a price. That price is
Chaos. You mess up the natural order of things. You pollute.
You destroy. You create waste. That has been the unfortunate,
painful lesson of the past two thousand years of civilization.
We, as civilized human beings have all been a party to it.

It would take something of other worldly proportions to open
our eyes, and then it may be too late. "Yeah, yeah, I hear you;
as long as I got mine." We were saying that as we slaughtered
the last buffalo. That ME MODE attitude will surely lend to our
undoing. Is it really that impossible to change? Not if the will
is there. If the will to change is there, then anything is possible.

This planet could become a haven and a Heaven. You
wouldn't have to die and go to some "better place" - this
would be a "Better Place!" There would be very little pain
and suffering for all creatures. All would live in Peace and
Prosperity. There would be food plentiful. The time spent on
making war and making money would be spent on making
peace and food. There would be pure water to drink and
clean air to breathe. The "old technology" that was used for
materialism would be replaced with the New Age Technology
of peace, health and prosperity without greed, pollution, or war.

The Rooster Lesson

These fine, gallant red roosters have already learned what
we haven't in the past two millennia ... to get along with each
other. It is a fallacy that roosters fight all the time... by breeding
them in captivity for this purpose, man has perpetuated this
myth.

In reality, these birds not only get along with each other but
serve as "Group Teachers" for the young. I watch in awe and
amazement as an older established rooster will pair off with a
young group of male birds and bond with them, teaching them
everything he knows. Even when they reach adulthood, there
is no petty bickering, no personality clashes and no ego trips.
They all share the same food, they all share the same life. The
only real competition with them is with Nature; and Nature, or
God, is "their" teacher.

Maybe someday we can all live like we once did before fear
got hold of us. Before the Greed Demons got us ... before we
fell from grace - the 'grace of innocence', the grace of a Big
Red Rooster.

Reminds me of words to a song I heard when I was growing
up: 'Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand ... maybe I'll be there
to share the land.' I hope we all will.

Roddy White works on an organic farm and is totally dedicated
to the positive transformation of this planet. Roddy can be
reached at: P.O. Box 1235, Thonotosassa, FL, 33592.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Play Your Cards

"How do you like the hand you've been dealt?
Are you able to play it with savvy and stealth?

Are you careful and crafty, as you work with your cards?
Or do you curse them and think you won't get very far?

More royalty would be the best thing for me.
What am I supposed to do with these deuces and threes?

  From what I have seen when I've sat at the table...
Every hand is a winner, every player is able.

Take the cards you've been dealt, no matter what they look like...
Work them out of a bust, with strategy and insight.

Never curse the hand that you hold, for it rightly assures...
That you're still in the game, play your best, make your move."

by Virginia Santoro © 1999
MorningMusings@...
www.myspace.com/morningmusings
www.hometown.aol.com/morningmusings

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

LIVING A PASSIONATE LIFE

By Lynn A. Robinson, M.Ed.

"When people go to work, they shouldn't have to leave their hearts
at home." -- Betty Bender

I've always envied those people who knew exactly what they
wanted to be when they grew up.  There were kids in my high
school class who knew they were destined to have careers as
veterinarians, accountants, nurses or lawyers.  I think those
folks are rare. Most of us struggle with this question throughout
our lives.  We try to come up with a specific occupation that will
satisfy all our needs at all stages of our life.

But what's not so rare, is knowing what we're drawn to.  It's
almost as if there were a blueprint somewhere deep in our
souls that lays out the best plan for our unfolding. It might be
an interest that causes us to read any and all books on a
certain topic.  It could be a hobby we do in our spare time.
Our calling might present itself as an issue we feel passionately
about.  As surprising as it may seem, most of us have a pretty
good sense of our passion when we're children.  We've just
forgotten it and gone ahead and done things that are practical,
logical and rational with our lives.  It's as if, like the Bender
quote above states, "We've left our hearts at home."

I've often joked that I wish we were born with a little instruction
guide that, if followed, would lead to a successful life.  It took
me many years to understand that, in fact, intuition was the
guide I was seeking.  And instead of "written" instructions,
God was providing me with wise directions by way of a still,
quiet inner voice.

God has a plan for your life.  That plan is rarely shown to you
all at once.  It takes patience, trust and faith to allow the
often-miraculous details to unfold.  It's not unlike putting a
giant jigsaw puzzle together.  You may have fragments that
are clear, but until the final pieces are put into place you can't
see the larger picture.

It's time to put the pieces together.  You were born with natural
talents, skills and interests.  Your life has been about
discovering them and using them for a larger purpose to enrich,
inspire and help others.  There is a saying from Buddha, "Your
work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give
yourself to it."  That said, how can you discover your work?

Following are some questions to get you started.  You might
want to grab your journal and carve out a few hours over the
next several weeks or months to really tune into your intuition
and allow it to guide you.  There are no wrong answers.  Some
of the questions will call to you more than others.  Respond to
those first.  Like the puzzle analogy above, don't try to figure out
the larger picture for now.  It will become clear as you use these
questions as a starting point.  As you write, pay attention to any
messages of "quiet excitement," peace, calm or confidence.
These are ways that your intuition has of communicating
something of importance.

+  What did I love to do as a child?

+  What do I like to read about or study in my free time?

+  At the end of my life what will I be most proud of having
accomplished?

+  What am I doing when times seems to be flying by?

+  What would I be doing if I didn't have to work for money?

+  What quality do I possess that people most often comment on?

+  What skill(s) do I possess that people most often comment on?

+  What wrong would I most like to right in the world?

+  What would I do if I knew I'd succeed?

+  If I had the perfect job or career, what would an ideal day,
week and month look like?

+  When I tune in to my inner guidance what does it tell me I
should do?

+  How could I make a living doing what I love?

+  What was I doing the last time I had fun?

+  What's missing in my life and what could I do to supply the
missing piece?

The Universe is a great teacher.  People who have a sense of
purpose and who follow their passion are rewarded with joy and
energy and are fueled by inspiration.  It's as if they are dancing
with life and the Universe rewards the dancers with abundance
in all forms. It's time to put on your dancing shoes, have fun and
kick up your heels!  Dancing lessons anyone?

Copyright © 2005, all rights reserved. Permission is granted to
reproduce, copy or distribute this article as long as this
copyright notice and full information about contacting the author
is attached.

The author of this article is Lynn A. Robinson, M.Ed. Lynn is
one of the nation's leading experts on the topic of intuition.
Her most recent books include "Real Prosperity:  Using the
Power of Intuition to Create Financial and Spiritual Abundance"
(Andrews McMeel 2004), "Compass of the Soul: 52 Ways
Intuition Can Guide You to the Life of Your Dreams"
(Andrews McMeel, 2003) and "Divine Intuition: Your Guide
to Creating a Life You Love" (DK Books, 2001).

Lynn is a popular and widely recognized author and motivational
speaker as well as a columnist for http://www.ThirdAge.com. Her
free monthly "Intuition Newsletter" is available at her Web site,
http://www.LynnRobinson.com.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

WHAT IF . . . by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

    WHAT IF it doesn't matter what you do but how you do whatever
you do?

    HOW WOULD this change what you choose to do with your life?

    WHAT IF you could be more fully present and open-hearted
working as a cashier in the corner store - able to really see and
be with the people who come into the store- than you are when
you are striving to do what you hope or think will make a more
important contribution to the world and the lives of those you
love?

    HOW WOULD this change how you want to spend your
precious time on this earth?

    WHAT IF your contribution to the world and the fulfillment of
your own happiness is not dependent upon discovering a better
method of prayer or technique of meditation, not dependent
upon reading the right book or attending the right seminar,
but upon really seeing and deeply appreciating yourself and
the world as they are right now?

    HOW WOULD this affect your search for spiritual development?

    WHAT IF there is no need to change, no need to try and
transform yourself into someone who is more compassionate,
more present, more loving or wise?

    HOW WOULD this affect all the places in your life where you
are endlessly trying to be better?

    WHAT IF the task is simply to unfold, to become who you
already are in your essential nature- gentle, compassionate and
capable of living fully and passionately present?

    HOW WOULD this effect how you feel when you wake up in
the morning?

    WHAT IF who you essentially are right now is all that you are
ever going to be?

    HOW WOULD this effect how you feel about your future?

    WHAT IF the essence of who you are and always have been
is enough?

    HOW WOULD this effect how you see and feel about your
past?

    WHAT IF the question is not why am I so infrequently the
person I really want to be, but why do I so infrequently want to
be the person I really am?

    HOW WOULD this change what you think you have to learn?

    WHAT IF becoming who and what we truly are happens not
through striving and trying but by recognizing and receiving
the people and places and practices that offer us the warmth
of encouragement we need to unfold?

    HOW WOULD this shape your choices about how to spend
today?

by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ups and Downs

It is when I am down in the valley
Looking up to the mountain
That simple things in life
Seem overwhelming
That's when I pray
For each valley
Has a lesson for me
To learn and grow through
With each down there is an up
If I stick to the fight when I'm hit
I may get the victors cup
God helps me to try today
Valleys help me grow
They never last forever
I will soon know
I will be on top again
I never stay down for long
Recovery has taught me a new song
If I remain open and willing I'll see
My God is near watching me
I have people to share
My feelings with
I am not alone anymore
I hardly question what for
Life is always full of lessons
Each day has its own share
My job is to endure and show others
I love them and this man
Is one who will care
We are all blessed
To live in recovery today
The biggest blessing
Is to give it away

Daniel M Corkery
12/5/2002
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You can start finding your own divine love when you start loving others.
But that doesn't count until you can love yourself.
John-Roger

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You see the glass half empty, or you can see it half full."
You can focus on what's wrong in your life,
or you can focus on what's right.
But whatever you focus on, you're going to get more of.
Creation is an extension of thought.
Think lack, and you get lack.
Think abundance, and you get more.
Marianne Williamson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God is ready the moment you are.
Emmet Fox

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The beginning of love is
to let those we love be perfectly themselves
and not to twist them to fit our own image.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We don't receive wisdom;
we must discover it for ourselves after a journey
that no one can take for us or spare us.
Proust

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Change is what happens when the pain of holding on
becomes greater than the fear of Letting Go.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Let us not look back in anger,
nor forward in fear,
but around us in awareness.
James Thurber


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
Wayne Dyer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Joy is what happens when we allow ourselves to recognize
how good things really are.
Marianne Williamson


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
http://www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.naranon.com

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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
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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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Ego Deflation
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/new2004/egodeflation.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 December the 12th month, PLEASE share
on the 12th step If you haven’t done the 12th step with your
sponsor Please share on Service, Selflessness and Commitment.....

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

December 5
Today is full of miracles!
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Breaking My Chains

Breaking my chains     Stop the cycle!
Within these walls, planning big things.
Get released, life wasn't easy like I dreamed.
Damn! So I'm back again. Where is my future?
I just left there, now what to do here?
Living on the "Inside" is killing my desire.
I'm confused, feelin on fire, reality is razor wire.
I confess, feelin lighter.
Spared for what? Saved again, question is, what's my new plan?
Break my chains can't do time again!
My son visits, man this ain't livin.
He's hurten, he's scared, at only 3 years.
Love, it's so hard for us to care.
He cries "Mommy come home!" I can't, all alone my heart quietly dies.
Break my chains before I go insane!
Within myself, within these walls, just realized I didn't have it.
I fight for my life, my addictions screams, "You can't leave me!"
A mother, a sister, a daughter I have inside.
A junkie, a thief, a liar, why won't she die?
Stop, but how? I'm changin now.
Life a never ending game of twister, I'll loose.
Lovin myself enough to choose, can't use.
Anonymous friends, the only way insanity will end.
Breaking my chains
Forever this time, not just again!

Alicia Pettola #237608
Written while incarcerated at York CI.
Recovery now is my only hope.
steps2serenity@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Love
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=m5qXqQMxzn_8hXMRG2\
uU3iyUiicwap.hRlFIa5HSh_R7gXjEIA

Alcoholics Anonymous Is Not A Self-Help Program
www.barefootsworld.net/aanotselfhelp.html

Convention controversy
N.A. Way Magazine 4/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway162-10.htm

Paths To Sanctuary Gardens
www.angelsink.com/path.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.myspace.com/bluesbuddha
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
December 5                        Those Who Want To Recover

"We have seen the program work for any addict who honestly
and sincerely wants to stop [using drugs]"    Basic Text p. 10

   How do we know when someone honestly and sincerely wants
to stop using drugs? The truth is that we don't know! Because
we cannot read minds or know another's motives and desires,
we simply have to hope for the best. We may talk to a newcomer
at a meeting and think we'll never see them again, only to find
them several years later doing well in their recovery. We may be
tempted to give up on someone who keeps relapsing or doesn't
get clean right away, but we must not. No matter how unwilling
someone may seem, a simple fact remains-the addict is at a
meeting. We may never know the results of our Twelfth Step
work; it is not up to us to gauge the willingness of a newcomer.
The message we carry is a part of us. We carry it everywhere
and share it freely, leaving the results to a Power greater than
ourselves.

Just for today: I will share my recovery with any addict, anywhere,
anytime, and under any circumstances. I will leave the results to
my Higher Power.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
http://www.gatewayrehab.org/December.html

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A SENSE OF BELONGING

Perhaps one of the greatest rewards of meditation and prayer is
the sense of belonging that comes to us.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 105

That's what it is - belonging!  After a session of meditation I knew
that the feeling I was experiencing was a sense of belonging because
I was so relaxed.  I felt quieter inside, more willing to discard little
irritations.  I appreciated my sense of humor.  What I also experience
in my daily practice is the sheer pleasure of belonging to the creative
flow of God's world.  How propitious for us that prayer and meditation
are written right into our A.A. way of life.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Be A Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty-Four Hours A Day by Hazelden/ December 5th

A.A. Thought for the Day

In spite of all we have learned in A.A., our old way of
thinking comes back on us, sometimes with overwhelming
force, and occasionally some of us have slips.  We forget
or refuse to call on the Higher Power for help.  We seem
to deliberately make our minds a blank so far as A.A.
training goes, and we take a drink.  We eventually get
drunk.  We are temporarily right back where we started
from.  Those who have had slips say unanimously that they
were no fun.  They say A.A. had taken all the pleasure out
of drinking.  They knew they were doing the wrong thing.
The old mental conflict was back in full force.  They were
disgusted with themselves.  Am I convinced that I can
never get anything more out of drinking?

Meditation for the Day

Give something to those who are having trouble, to those
whose thoughts are confused, something of your sympathy,
your prayers, your time, your love, your thought, your self.
Then give of your own confidence, as you have had it given
to you by the grace of God.  Give of yourself and of your
loving sympathy.  Give your best to those who need it and
will accept it.  Give according to need, never according to
deserts.  Remember that the giving of advice can never
take the place of giving of yourself.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that as I have received, so may I give.  I pray that
I may have the right answer for those who are confused.

"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
DECEMBER 05

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Difficult People

Few things can make us feel crazier than expecting something
from someone who has nothing to give. Few things can frustrate
us more than trying to make a person someone he or she isn't;
we feel crazy when we try to pretend that person is someone
he or she is not. We may have spent years negotiating with
reality concerning particular people from our past and our present.
We may have spent years trying to get someone to love us in a
certain way, when that person cannot or will not.

It is time to let it go. It is time to let him or her go. That
doesn't mean we can't love that person anymore. It means
that we will feel the immense relief that comes when we stop
denying reality and begin accepting. We release that person to
be who he or she actually is. We stop trying to make that person
   be someone he or she is not. We deal with our feelings and walk
away from the destructive system.

We learn to love and care differently in a way that takes reality
into account.

We enter into a relationship with that person on new terms -
taking our needs and ourselves into account. If a person is
addicted to alcohol, other drugs, misery, or other people, we
let go of his or her addiction; we take our hands off it. We give
his or her life back. And we, in the process, are given our life and
freedom in return.

We stop letting what we are not getting from that person control
us. We take responsibility for our life. We go ahead with the
process of loving and taking care of ourselves.

We decide how we want to interact with that person, taking reality
and our own best interests into account. We get angry, we feel hurt,
but we land in a place of forgiveness. We set him or her free, and
we become set free from bondage.

This is the heart of detaching in love.

Today, I will work at detaching in love from troublesome people
in my life. I will strive to accept reality in my relationships. I
will give myself permission to take care of myself in my relationships,
with emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual freedom for both
people as my goal.

©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 Significance of Rings
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/11/rings.htm

I Still Believe in Angels
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2006/December/feature5.html

The Valley of Understanding
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2001/April/feature2.htm

Reality Check , by Alan Cohen
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/09/alan-cohen.htm

Memory And Menopause
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2005/12/memory-menopause.htm

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Here & Now:
The Perfect Teacher
by Pema Chödrön

          We can meet our match with a poodle
          or with a raging guard dog,
          but the interesting question is — what happens next?

Pema Chödrön

Generally speaking, we regard discomfort in any form as bad
news. But for practitioners or spiritual warriors — people who
have a certain hunger to know what is true — feelings like
disappointment, embarrassment, irritation, resentment, anger,
jealousy, and fear, instead of being bad news, are actually very
clear moments that teach us where it is that we're holding back.
They teach us to perk up and lean in, when we feel we'd rather
collapse and back away. They're like messengers that show us,
with terrifying clarity, exactly where we're stuck. This very moment
is the perfect teacher, and, lucky for us, it's with us wherever we
are.

Those events and people in our lives who trigger our unresolved
issues could be regarded as good news. We don't have to go
hunting for anything. We don't need to try to create situations
in which we reach our limit. They occur all by themselves, with
clockwork regularity.

Each day, we're given many opportunities to open up or shut down.
The most precious opportunity presents itself when we come to the
place where we think we can't handle whatever is happening. It's
too much. It's gone too far. We feel bad about ourselves. There's
no way we can manipulate the situation to make ourselves come
out looking good. No matter how hard we try, it just won't work.
Basically, life has just nailed us.

It's as if you just looked at yourself in the mirror, and you saw a
gorilla. The mirror's there; it's showing "you", and what you see
looks bad. You try to angle the mirror so you will look a little
better, but no matter what you do, you still look like a gorilla.
That's being nailed by life, the place where you have no choice
except to embrace what's happening or push it away.

Most of us do not take these situations as teachings. We
automatically hate them. We run like crazy. We use all kinds
of ways to escape — all addictions stem from this moment
when we meet our edge and we just can't stand it. We feel we
have to soften it, pad it with something, and we become
addicted to whatever it is that seems to ease the pain. In fact,
the rampant materialism that we see in the world stems from
this moment. There are so many ways that have been dreamt
up to entertain us away from the moment, soften its hard edge,
deaden it, so we don't have to feel the full impact of the pain
that arises when we cannot manipulate the situation to make
us come out looking fine.

Meditation is an invitation to notice when we reach our limit,
and to not get carried away by hope and fear. Through
meditation, we're able to see clearly what's going on with our
thoughts and emotions, and we can also let them go. What's
encouraging about meditation is that even if we shut down,
we can no longer shut down in ignorance. We see very clearly
that we're closing off. That in itself begins to illuminate the
darkness of ignorance. We're able to see how we run and hide,
and keep ourselves busy, so that we never have to let our hearts
be penetrated. And we're also able to see how we could open
and relax.

Basically, disappointment, embarrassment, and all these places
where we just cannot feel good, are a sort of death. We've just
lost our ground completely; we are unable to hold it together
and feel that we're on top of things. Rather than realizing that
it takes death for there to be birth, we just fight against the fear
of death.

Reaching our limit is not some kind of punishment. It's actually
a sign of health that, when we meet the place where we are
about to die, we feel fear and trembling. A further sign of health
is that we don't become undone by fear and trembling, but we
take it as a message that it's time to stop struggling and look
directly at what's threatening us. Things like disappointment
and anxiety are messengers telling us that we're about to go
into unknown territory.

Our bedroom closet can be unknown territory for some of us.
For others, it's going into outer space. What evokes hope and
fear for me is different from what brings it up for you. My aunt
reaches her limit when I move a lamp in her living room. My
friend completely loses it when she has to move to a new
apartment. My neighbor is afraid of heights. It doesn't really
matter what causes us to reach our limit. The point is that
sooner or later it happens to all of us.

The first time I met Trungpa Rinpoche was with a class of
fourth graders who asked him a lot of questions about growing
up in Tibet and about escaping from the Chinese Communists
into India. One boy asked him if he was ever afraid. Rinpoche
answered that his teacher had encouraged him to go to places
like graveyards that scared him and to experiment with
approaching things he didn't like. Then he told a story about
traveling with his attendants to a monastery he'd never seen
before. As they neared the gates, he saw a large guard dog
with huge teeth and red eyes. It was growling ferociously and
struggling to get free from the chain that held it. The dog seemed
desperate to attack them. As Rinpoche got closer, he could see
its bluish tongue and spittle spraying from its mouth. They walked
past the dog, keeping their distance, and entered the gate.
Suddenly the chain broke and the dog rushed at them. The
attendants screamed and froze in terror. Rinpoche turned and ran
as fast as he could — straight at the dog. The dog was so
surprised that he put his tail between his legs and ran away.

We can meet our match with a poodle or with a raging guard dog,
but the interesting question is — what happens next?

The spiritual journey involves going beyond hope and fear,
stepping into unknown territory, continually moving forward. The
most important aspect of being on the spiritual path may be to just
keep moving. Usually, when we reach our limit, we feel exactly
like Rinpoche's attendants and freeze in terror. Our bodies freeze
and so do our minds.

How do we work with our minds when we meet our match?
Rather than indulge or reject our experience, we can somehow
let the energy of the emotion, the quality of what we're feeling,
pierce us to the heart. This is easier said than done, but it's a
noble way to live. It's definitely the path of compassion —
the path of cultivating human bravery and kindheartedness.

In the teachings of Buddhism, we hear about egolessness. It
sounds difficult to grasp: what are they talking about, anyway?
When the teachings are about neurosis, however, we feel right
at home. That's something we really understand. But egolessness?
When we reach our limit, if we aspire to know that place fully —
which is to say that we aspire to neither indulge nor repress —
a hardness in us will dissolve. We will be softened by the sheer
force of whatever energy arises — the energy of anger, the
energy of disappointment, the energy of fear. When it's not
solidified in one direction or another, that very energy pierces
us to the heart, and it opens us. This is the discovery of
egolessness. It's when all our usual schemes fall apart. Reaching
our limit is like finding a doorway to sanity and the unconditional
goodness of humanity, rather than meeting an obstacle or a
punishment.

The safest and most nurturing place to begin working this way
is during formal meditation. On the cushion, we begin to get the
hang of not indulging or repressing, and of what it feels like to
let the energy just be there. That is why it's so good to meditate
every single day and continue to make friends with our hopes
and fears again and again. This sows the seeds that enable
us to be more awake in the midst of everyday chaos. It's a
gradual awakening, and it's cumulative, but that's actually
what happens. We don't sit in meditation to become good
meditators. We sit in meditation so that we'll be more awake
in our lives.

The first thing that happens in meditation is that we start to see
what's happening. Even though we still run away, and we still
indulge, we see what we're doing clearly. One would think that
our seeing it clearly would immediately make it just disappear,
but it doesn't. So for quite a long time, we just see it clearly.
To the degree that we're willing to see our indulging and our
repressing clearly, they begin to wear themselves out. Wearing
out is not exactly the same as going away. Instead, a wider,
more generous, more enlightened perspective arises.

How we stay in the middle, between indulging and repressing,
is by acknowledging whatever arises without judgment, letting
the thoughts simply dissolve, and then going back to the
openness of this very moment. That's what we're actually doing
in meditation. Up come all these thoughts, but rather than squelch
them or obsess with them, we acknowledge them and let them go.
Then we come back to just being here. As Sogyal Rinpoche
puts it, we simply "bring our mind back home".

After a while, that's how we relate with hope and fear in our daily
lives. Out of nowhere, we stop struggling and relax. We stop talking
to ourselves and come back to the freshness of the present moment.

This is something that evolves gradually, patiently, over time.
How long does this process take? I would say it takes the rest
of our lives. Basically, we're continually opening further, learning
more, connecting further with the depths of human suffering and
human wisdom, coming to know both those elements thoroughly
   and completely, and becoming more loving and compassionate
people. And the teachings continue. There's always more to
learn. We're not just complacent old fogies who've given up and
aren't challenged by anything anymore. At the most surprising
times, we still meet those ferocious dogs.

We might think, as we become more open, that it's going to take
bigger catastrophes for us to reach our limit. The interesting thing
is that, as we open more and more, it's the big ones that immediately
wake us up and the little things that catch us off guard. However,
no matter what the size, color, or shape is, the point is still to lean
toward the discomfort of life and see it clearly rather than to protect
ourselves from it.

In practicing meditation, we're not trying to live up to some kind
of ideal — quite the opposite. We're just being with our experience,
whatever it is. If our experience is that sometimes we have some
kind of perspective, and sometimes we have none, then that's our
experience. If sometimes we can approach what scares us, and
sometimes we absolutely can't, then that's our experience. "This
very moment is the perfect teacher, and it's always with us" is really
a most profound instruction. Just seeing what's going on — that's
the teaching right there. We can be with what's happening and not
dissociate. Awakeness is found in our pleasure and our pain, our
confusion and our wisdom, available in each moment of our weird,
unfathomable, ordinary everyday lives.

"When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times"
by Pema Chödrön.

Pema Chödrön is an American Buddhist nun and one of the
foremost students of Chögyam Trungpa, the renowned meditation
master. She is the resident teacher at Gampo Abbey, Cape Breton,
Nova Scotia, the first Tibetan monastery in North America established
for Westerners. She is also the author of "The Wisdom of No Escape"
and "Start Where You Are". This article was excerpted with
permission from her book "When Things Fall Apart", ©1997.
Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, In., Boston.
www.shambhala.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Through me let there be
a warm smile and a caring heart.
Through me let there be
a willingness to listen
and a readiness to understand.
Through me let there be
dependability, steadfastness
trust and loyalty.
Through me let there be
compassion forgiveness,
mercy and love.
Through me let there be
every quality I find
Oh Lord, in thee.

Roy Lessin

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tough Love

There is a love that we must show
This love sometimes is tough
It's letting go of loved ones
who haven't had enough.
It hurts so bad to see them go
down roads of great destruction
but if we don't, we're sure to be
Their way to growths obstruction
God help us stay out of your way
and live each day to show
That there is a solution
By simply letting go.

written by: Rebecca B.
rbowlin14@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

So when you are listening to somebody,
Completely, attentively, then you are
Listening not only to the words, but also
To the feeling of what is being conveyed,
To the whole of it, not part of it.
            -- J. Krishnamurti

Most of us are better talkers than listeners. When someone is
talking we often aren't listening; we're thinking of what we're
going to say in reply. Or maybe we have nothing to say in
reply, but we just aren't interested in what is being said. Our
eyes glaze over. It is the highest compliment to give someone
our full attention. So it is with God.

We give God our deepest respect by listening attentively. And
when we still our mind and truly listen, we are apt to get
surprising results. We may not hear a thing. But if we devote
ample time to God, in silence, we become open to a more peaceful,
productive day. And we may see something on a billboard,
or pick up something in the lyrics of a song. That supplies an
unexpected solution for a problem. Then we'll know we've heard.

Today I will take time to give God my full attention.

from the book: In God's Care by Karen Casey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Start Of Recovery

At the start of my recovery
My life was full of discovery
It was not easy
Make no mistake
In the beginning
It's all take and take
Working the steps
One by one
One day at a time
In the beginning was not fun
Then we arrive at making amends
We are blessed in life
Now we have many new friends
That's when we really start to live
We turn to the new comers
Give and give
We share our experience
Strength and hope
We then can teach
Newcomers how we cope
What a blessing we all can see
When we turn and help others to live free
This gives us strength
In our own walk
We do so much more
Then just talk the talk
We are blessed
We are happy, joyous and free
As we watch God work
And set others free
For God is the one
Who sets drunks right
We just share every
Morning, noon and night
How God has helped us
With our fight
This new life
We have been given
Is a great chance
To be living

Daniel M Corkery
11/3/2000
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The principles you live by create the world you live in;
if you change the principles you live by,
you will change your world.
Blaine Lee

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You create your thoughts.
Your thoughts create your intentions.
Your intentions create your reality.
Dr. Wayne Dyer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What we see depends mainly on what we look for.
   John Lubbock

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If I have seen farther than others,
it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants.
Isaac Newton

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The brook would lose its song
   if we removed the rocks.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The ultimate lesson all of us have is unconditional love,
which includes not only others but ourselves as well.
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Saying Hello to the unknown takes faith.
Saying Goodbye to the familiar takes courage.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Now it is time for us to focus on what happens next.
The more we delve into how we got where we are,
the more we stay where we were.
The more we analyze what is not working, the more things do not work.
And the more we consider how we would like it to be,
the more things become as we would have them.
The choice is ours.
Alan Cohen

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We come equipped with everything we need to experience a
powerful life full of joy, incredible passion, and profound peace.
The difficult part is giving ourselves permission to live it.
Deborah Rosado Shaw


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
http://www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.naranon.com

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Drunks Edition
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/new2004/drunksedition.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 December the 12th month, PLEASE share
on the 12th step If you haven’t done the 12th step with your
sponsor Please share on Service, Selflessness and Commitment.....

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

December 4
I am getting to know myself today.
I accept who I am 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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Remembering

In a corner all cuddled
Small, fragile, tears puddle
Innocence cost
Many years lost
Tough exterior
So inferior
Many masks worn, many roles played
Inside feeling all decayed
A lost cry
Always High
   Wanting to die
Had enough
Not so tough
Beaten and broken
Hearing words spoken
Six steps upward
Four steps downward
Still two ahead
I’m not dead
No longer numb
The feelings have come
Naked and exposed
A process disclosed
Within a raging storm
So difficult to conform
This too will pass
Hope it will…fast
Peace and tranquility will flow
Just hang on for the rainbow!

Kelly
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Happy Cat
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=Ors.jpw2znQtrU617y\
MzLsjbuc0XzC9iG4cwktR667mYN48zdQ

The Missing Piece: The Spiritual Malady
www.barefootsworld.net/aaspiritualmalady.html

Island meetings, NA conventions …and fellowship development?
N.A. Way Magazine 4/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway162-9.htm

Different
www.recoverygreetings.com/puzzles/flp002.html

The Only Way Up PUZZLE
www.recoverygreetings.com/puzzles/flp003.html

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.myspace.com/bluesbuddha
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
December 4                                     God's Will, Not Ours

"We know that if we pray for God's will we will receive what is
best for us, regardless of what we think."     Basic Text p. 44

   By the time we came to NA, our inner voices had become
unreliable and self-destructive. Addiction had warped our
desires, our interests, our sense of what was best for ourselves.
That's why it's been so important in recovery to develop our belief
in a Power greater than ourselves, something that could provide
saner, more reliable guidance than our own. We've begun
learning how to rely on this Power's care and to trust the
inner direction it provides us.

   As with all learning processes, it takes practice to "pray only for
knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out." The
selfish, ego-driven attitudes we developed in our addiction are not
cast off overnight. Those attitudes may affect the way we pray. We
may even find ourselves praying something like, "Relieve me of this
character defect so I can look good:

   The more straightforward we are about our own ideas and desires,
the easier it will be to distinguish between our own will and our
Higher Power's will. "Just for your information, God;' we might pray,
"here's what I want in this situation. Nonetheless, I ask that your
will,
not mine, be done." Once we do this, we are prepared to recognize
and accept our Higher Power's guidance.

Just for today: Higher Power, I've learned to trust your guidance,
yet I still have my own ideas about how I want to live my life.
Let me share those ideas with you, and then let me clearly
understand your will for me. In the end, let your will, not mine,
be done.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
http://www.gatewayrehab.org/December.html

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Stepping Into The Sunlight

But first of all we shall want sunlight; nothing much can grow in the
dark.  Meditation is our step out into the sun.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 10

        Sometimes I think I don't have time for prayer and meditation,
forgetting that I always found the time to drink.  It is possible to
make time for anything I want to do if I want it badly enough.  When
I start the routine of prayer and meditation, it's a good idea to plan
to devote a small amount of time to it.  I read a page from our
Fellowship's books in the morning, and say "Thank You, God," when
I go to bed at night.  As prayer becomes a habit, I will increase the
time spent on it, without even noticing the foray it makes into my
busy day.  If I have trouble praying, I just repeat the Lord's Prayer
because it really covers everything. Then I think of what I can be
grateful for and say a word of thanks.

        I don't need to shut myself in a closet to pray. It can be done
even in a room full of people.  I just remove myself mentally for an
instant.  As the practice of prayer continues, I will find I don't need
words, for God can, and does, hear my thoughts through silence.

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 / December 4th

A.A. Thought for the Day

If we allow an alcoholic thought to lodge in our minds
for any length of time, we are in danger of having a slip.
Therefore we must dispel such thoughts at once, by
refusing their admittance and by immediately putting
constructive thoughts in their place.  Remember that
alcohol is poison to you.  Remember that it is impossible
for you to drink normally.  Remember that one drink will
lead to others and you will eventually be drunk.  Remember
what happened to you in the past as a result of your drinking.
Think of every reason you have learned in A.A. for not taking
that drink.  Fill your mind with constructive thoughts.
Am I keeping my thoughts constructive?

Meditation for the Day

Always seek to set aside the valuations of the world that
seem wrong and try to judge only by those valuations that
seem right to you.  Do not seek the praise and notice of the
world.  Be one of those who, though sometimes scoffed at,
have a serenity and peace of mind that the scoffers never
know.  Be one of that band who feel the Divine Principle in
the universe, though He be often rejected because He
cannot be seen.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may not heed too much the judgment of the
world.  I pray that I may test things by what seems right to
me.

"Twenty-Four Hours A Day" is a © Copyrighted book of
Hazelden Foundation.  No portion of this publication may
be reproduced in any manner without the written
permission of Hazelden.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Work The Steps*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today's Thought
DECEMBER 04

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Letting Go

"How much do we need to let go of?" a friend asked one day.

"I'm not certain," I replied, "but maybe everything."

Letting go is a spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical process,
a sometimes mysterious metaphysical process of releasing to
God and the Universe that which we are clinging to so tightly.

We let go of our grasp on people, outcomes, ideas, feelings,
wants, needs, desires - everything. We let go of trying to
control our progress in recovery. Yes, it's important to
acknowledge and accept what we want and what we want to
happen. But it's equally important to follow through by letting
go.

Letting go is the action part of faith. It is a behavior that gives
God and the Universe permission to send us what we're meant
to have.

Letting go means we acknowledge that hanging on so tightly
isn't helping to solve the problem, change the person, or get
the outcome we desire. It isn't helping us. In fact, we learn that
hanging on often blocks us from getting what we want and need.

Who are we to say that things aren't happening exactly as they
need to happen?

There is magic in letting go. Sometimes we get what we want
soon after we let go. Sometimes it takes longer. Sometimes the
specific outcome we desire doesn't happen. Something better
does.

Letting go sets us free and connects us to our Source.

Letting go creates the optimum environment for the best
possible outcomes and solutions.

Today, I will relax. I will let go of that which is upsetting me the
most. I will trust that by letting go, I have started the wheels in
motion for things to work out in the best possible way.

©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 Signs of the Times
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/11/signs-times.htm

Healing Families, Curing Ourselves Part 2
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2006/December/feature4.html

Don’t Miss The Special Moments
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2005/12/special-moments.htm

The True Perfectionist , Alan Cohen
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2001/May/cohen.htm

Worth It , by Alan Cohen
www.inlightimes.com/2004/08/alan-cohen.htm

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Building a Foundation
by Lucia Capacchione


The first few days of a baby's life can bring a deeply spiritual
opening between parent and child. The sheer mystery of
birth and the vulnerability of this tiny being you hold in your
arms are truly awe-inspiring. Many mothers and fathers have
told me that they had no way to predict the powerful emotions
that poured forth during those first days of parenting. Tears of
joy, moments of awed silence, feelings of being honored but
also humbled by the huge task that lay ahead -- all following
in rapid succession. In some cultures, the time immediately
following birth is sacred and protected for both mother and
child. Relieved of other tasks and allowed to simply be a
mother, she devotes herself to nothing but her newborn.

   In our hectic society, the dramatic transition of birth calls
for rest and recovery for parents and child alike. There are
many adjustments to make -- lifestyle, schedule, sleep
patterns, and so forth -- and there is much to do. This is when
your support system will be invaluable, helping with meals,
errands, household chores, and more.

For the baby, the first days of life are about getting to know
a foreign world of lights and sights, people and moving
objects, new sounds and textures. Your baby's sense of
touch is one of her chief ways of gathering information,
especially about people. She is highly sensitive to the
quality of human interaction communicated through cradling,
holding, massage, and other gentle and reassuring touch.
Research shows that babies deprived of physical contact
become listless and ill, and in extreme cases, may even die.
Babies who are handled carelessly or abrasively are also
affected and may become chronically fussy or withdrawn.
Loving physical contact counts for a great deal with babies.

Your baby can see at close range, can follow moving objects,
and especially enjoys looking at faces. He can hear (as he did
in utero), and recognizes your voice. His sense of smell allows
him to detect the scent of your body. His taste buds are well
developed, and he can distinguish differences in tastes. All
of this means that your baby comes ready to relate to you.
And indeed, the first few weeks of parenting are a time for
creating the foundation of your relationship with your child.

There are some general stages of infant and child development
that you will learn about simply from observing and interacting
with your child. Gathering information from books, videos, and
classes can help you understand these stages of growth.
However, there is nothing quite like direct observation. As
you cultivate awareness of this unique being who has been
entrusted to your care, a special bond will begin forming. You
will be establishing a kind of rapport that is characteristic of
the parent-child relationship. As you become sensitive to the
unique cries, grunts, smiles, sighs, laughs, body language,
and facial expressions of your baby, a personality will become
evident to you. As in any relationship, this takes time and is built
upon shared experience.

Although it may seem as if you are doing all the giving (especially
when the baby is very small), what you are receiving from your
child is an opportunity that cannot be measured. You are being
given a chance to really learn what it means to love and cherish
and nurture another human being. What you do for your child, you
are also doing for yourself. What you do to your child, you also do
to yourself. Good parenting is all about the golden rule.

Accepting your baby as she is, rather than wanting her to be
something else, will help the relationship get off to a good start.
Whether you have acquired a lot of information about infant
behavior or not, it is your willingness to get to know your baby
and her unique ways of being that will be most important.

Accepting yourself as you are, rather than trying to be something
else, will help you accept your child. Being totally honest with
yourself about how you feel, what you need, and how to get your
needs met will go a long way toward enabling you to meet your
child's needs with generosity of spirit.

Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D., A.T.R., R.E.A.T. is a world renowned
art therapist, best-selling author, and trainer in Expressive Arts
Therapy and Visioning®. She is a mother, grandmother, art
therapist, corporate consultant, and the bestselling author of twelve
books, including Recovery of Your Inner Child, The Creative Journal,
and The Power of Your Other Hand. Visit her website at
www.luciac.com.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Embracing the New
Meditation by Orin and DaBen

I pay attention to all the energy
about me right now.
I feel the surface I am sitting or lying on.
I hear the sounds around me.
I feel my body.
I relax my body as I
bring my awareness to it.

I center my awareness
in the present moment,
the source of my power.
My mind is clear and alert.
My emotions are flowing and serene.

I focus upon my breath.
It moves through my body
bringing me life and energy.
I follow the flow of my breath.
I bring my breath all the way
down to my feet.

I feel new energy and aliveness
touching every part of my body
with every breath I take.

I picture my spine supple and flexible.
My spine reflects my open and
flexible attitude.

I am open to new people coming into my life.
I invite new ideas into my mind.
I am willing to experience more joy
and love than I ever imagined possible.
I picture the future being positive
and wonderful.

I ask now for anything that is not
for my higher good
to release itself from me.

I ask now for anything that
represents my higher good
to come to me now.

I embrace the new.
I release the old easily
when it is no longer part
of my path and purpose.

I am willing to see the world in new ways.
I look at many different viewpoints
and remain open to new perspectives.

I open to the wonder of the world
like a child.
I see the world through new eyes
every time I look at it.
I always see something beautiful.

I trust that the world is safe
and that it is always working
FOR me and WITH me.

I release all my limits
and embrace the new.

I know that every day I am becoming
a more beautiful and perfect light.

About The Authors
This meditation was "given" by Orin and DaBen, both timeless
beings of love and light, channeled by by Sanaya Roman and
Duane Packer. For a free subscription to their newsletter which
includes messages from Orin and DaBen, write to: LuminEssence,
P.O. Box 1310, Medford, OR 97501. Phone: 541-770-6700.
Visit their website at www.orindaben.com This meditation is
reprinted from their website with permission.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My Declaration of Self-Esteem

     The following was written in answer to a 15-year-old
girl's question, "How can I prepare myself for a fulfilling
life?"

     I am me.

     In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me.
There are people who have some parts like me but no one adds
up exactly like me. Therefore, everything that comes out of
me is authentically mine because I alone choose it.

     I own everything about me - my body, including
everything it does; my mind, including all my thoughts and
ideas; my eyes, including the images of all they behold; my
feelings, whatever they might be - anger, joy, frustration,
love, disappointment, excitement; my mouth and all the words
that come out of it - polite, sweet and rough, correct or
incorrect; my voice, loud and soft; all my actions, whether
they be to others or myself.

     I own my fantasies, my dreams, my hopes, my fears.

     I own all my triumphs and successes, all my failures
and mistakes.

     Because I own all of me, I can become intimately
acquainted with me in all my parts. I can love me and be
friendly with me in all my parts. I can then make it
possible for all of me to work in my best interests.

     I know there are aspects about myself that puzzle me,
and other aspects that I do not know. But as long as I am
friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously and
hopefully look for the solutions to the puzzles and for ways
to find out more about me.

     However I look and sound, whatever I say and do, and
whatever I think and feel at a given moment in time is me.
This is authentic and represents where I am at that moment
in time.

     When I review later how I looked and sounded, what I
said and did, and how I thought and felt, some parts may
turn out to be unfitting. I can discard that which is
unfitting and keep that which proved fitting, and invent
something new for that which I discarded.

     I can see, hear, feel, think, say and do. I have the
tools to survive, to be close to others, to be productive,
to make sense and order out of the world of people and
things outside of me.

     I own me and therefore I can engineer me.

     I am me and I am okay.

By Virginia Satir from Chicken Soup for the Soul
Copyright 1993 by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They

It doesn't matter how long
You've been in the hold
Happiness comes from inside
Not from the drugs they sold

They did what they could
To keep my soul in pain
They tried to keep me sick
To live my life in shame

They did not think
That I would ever rise
But my star will shine
In the darkest of skies

They try to take away
They try to steal my desire
But they will not stop me
Nor steal my fire

They claim that they care
They claim they are my friend
But they are not to be found
When I hit my bitter end

No matter how they tried
To keep my back against the wall
I just kept coming back
Not a stumble, not a fall

You need someone To help carry the rod
You needn't loo around
just look to God

Someday I'll be on top
And they'll know I was right
The only way for me to win
Never quit nor give up the fight

written by ~ KAREN H
KSAK@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sharing

Share, why can't I share the awful life I had?
The misery and pain I caused, It cannot be so bad.
It hurts to even think about the awful life I led,
A world consumed with alcohol, complete despair and dread.
My children, who I hurt the most, my gifts from God, I say,
And they were left to face the world, the day I went away.
My dad would sit and cry at night, so scared that I would die.
My family hung their heads in shame, for they did not know why.
I spent a lot of time in jail, that should have made me see.
I was doing harm to others, while completely hurting me.
The pattern of my life was set, all I did was drink.
Though thoughts ran rampant in my head, I couldn't really think.
Then, one day, it came to me, like lighting from the sky.
I didn't have to drink at all, I didn't have to die.
An honorable judge who sent me to the program of AA,
Helped me get my spirit back, showed me a better way.
My spirit's filled with joy today, I'm thrilled from head to toe,
I've changed in, oh, so many ways, I'm learning how to grow.
The beauty that I see today is so hard to ignore.
The grace of God has given me a life that I adore!

copywrite@2002
Sharlett Hunt
Sharlette863@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Lord will drench you with His showers,
but He will dry you with His sun.
Czech Proverb

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In each of us are places where we have never gone.
Only by pressing the limits do you ever find them.
Dr. Joyce Brothers

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God has made many doors
opening into the truth which he
opens to all who knock upon
them with hands of faith.
Kahlil Gibran

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sign on my wall reads:
"Good morning, This is your Higher Power speaking.
I will not be needing your help today."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We win half the battle when we make up our minds
to take the world as we find it,
including the thorns.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It is not the YETS we have to worry about...
it's the AGAINS.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Do the math....Count your blessings.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Make Your Blessings Count


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
http://www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.naranon.com

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Dogma
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/new2004/dogma.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 December the 12th month, PLEASE share
on the 12th step If you haven’t done the 12th step with your
sponsor Please share on Service, Selflessness and Commitment.....

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

December 3
I am beginning to trust myself today.
There is  a place deep within me that tells me that
I am okay and guides me along my path in recovery
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Looking Inward

Broken dreams, broken heart
Sitting alone thinking where to start

So many times trying to stand on her own
Her wings all tattered from places she’s flown

Telling herself she’s afraid to believe
That there still is a life and future to retrieve

So many times she’s tried only to fail
Again and again she tells the same tale

Seeking only people she thinks will understand
Never believing she could be giving others a helping hand

She finally gets up and tries to recall
Have I ever really stood up to stand straight and tall

She thinks because of what she did in her past
She could never move forward and have it last

Is it possible to really recover?
Can she do it alone and not lean on another

Finally she knows that for as long as she may live
It’s only herself that she has to forgive

written by Donna's Mom in MA
donnamz812@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Farewell Letter
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=G2Q4IOc2y384hrYAP1\
EezAOx.pDUPZzXyIWUi4Evl4YcXnXm5g

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.myspace.com/bluesbuddha
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
December 3                            Vision Without Limits

"Perhaps for the first time, we see a vision of our new life."
   Basic Text p. 34

   In our addiction, our vision of ourselves was very limited. Each
day, we went through the same routine: getting, using, and finding
ways and means to get more. And that's all we could reasonably
expect for the duration of our lives. Our potential was limited.

   Today, our prospects are changed. Recovery has given us a new
vision of ourselves and our lives. We are no longer trapped in the
endlessly gray routine of addiction. We are free to stretch ourselves
in new ways, trying out new ideas and new activities. In doing so,
we come to see ourselves in a new way. Our potential is limited
only by the strength of the Higher Power that cares for us-and that
strength has no limits.

   In recovery, life and everything in it appears open to us. Guided
by our spiritual principles, driven by the power given us by the
God of our understanding, our horizons are limitless.

Just for today: I will open my eyes to the possibilities before me.
My potential is as limitless and as powerful as the God of my
understanding.Today, I will act on that potential.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
http://www.gatewayrehab.org/December.html

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AN INDIVIDUAL ADVENTURE

Meditation is something which can always be further developed.  It
has no boundaries, either of width or height.  Aided by such instruction
and example as we can find, it is essentially an individual adventure,
something which each one of us works out in his own way.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 101

   My spiritual growth is with God as I understand Him.  With Him I find
my true inner self.  Daily meditation and prayer strengthen and renew
my source of well-being.  I receive then the openness to accept all that
He has to offer.  With God I have the reassurance that my journey will
be as He wants for me, and for that I am grateful to have God in my
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 / December 3rd

A.A. Thought for the Day

There is some alcoholic thought, conscious or unconscious,
that comes before every slip.  As long as we live, we must
be on the lookout for such thoughts and guard against them.
In fact, our A.A. training is mostly to prepare us, to make
us ready to recognize such thoughts at once and to reject
them at once.  The slip comes when we allow such thoughts
to remain in our minds, even before we actually go through
the motions of lifting the glass to our lips.  The A.A.
program is largely one of mental training.
How well is my mind prepared?

Meditation for the Day

Fret not your mind with puzzles that you cannot solve.  The
solutions may never be shown to you until you have left this
life.  The loss of dear ones, the inequality of life, the
deformed and the maimed, and many other puzzling things
may not be known to you until you reach the life beyond.
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear
them now."  Only step by step, stage by stage, can you
proceed in your journey into greater knowledge and
understanding.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be content that things that I now see
darkly will some day be made clear.  I pray that I may
have faith that someday I will see face to face.

"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
DECEMBER 03

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Developing Healthy Tolerance

Many of us are skilled at denying and discounting what hurts
us. We may endure a particular situation, telling ourselves
repeatedly it's not that bad; we shouldn't be so demanding;
it'll change any day; we should be able to live with it; it
doesn't annoy us; the other person didn't really mean it; it
doesn't hurt; maybe it's just us.

We may fight and argue with ourselves about the reality and
validity of our pain - our right to feel it and do something about
it.

Often we will tolerate too much or so much that we become
furious and refuse to tolerate any more.

We can learn to develop healthy tolerance.

We do that by setting healthy boundaries and trusting ourselves
to own our power with people. We can lessen our pain and
suffering by validating and paying attention to ourselves. We can
work at shortening the time between identifying a need to set a
boundary, and taking clear, direct action.

We aren't crazy. Some behaviors really do bug us. Some
behaviors really are inappropriate, annoying, hurtful, or
abusive.

We don't have to feel guilty about taking care of ourselves once
we identify a boundary that needs to be set. Look at the
experience as an experiment in owning our power, in
establishing new, healthy boundaries and limits for ourselves.

We don't have to feel guilty or apologize or explain ourselves
after we've set a boundary. We can learn to accept the
awkwardness and discomfort of setting boundaries with people.
We can establish our rights to have these limits. We can give
the other person room to have and explore his or her feelings;
we can give ourselves room to have our feelings - as we struggle
to own our power and create good, working relationships.

Once we can trust our ability to take care of ourselves, we will
develop healthy reasonable tolerance of others.

God, help me begin striving for healthy boundaries and healthy
tolerance for others and 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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Give A Smile — Get A Smile
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/11/smiles.htm

Healing Families, Curing Ourselves
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2006/December/feature3.html

Financial Alchemy... Change Your Relationship With Money
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2005/12/financial-alchemy.htm

Ten Steps To Contacting Your Higher Self
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2001/May/feature2.htm

Reality Check , by Alan Cohen
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/09/alan-cohen.htm

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Responding to Criticism Without Being Defensive
by Sharon Ellison.

In an actual war, to be attacked means to have our survival
threatened. Thus, we might chose between surrender,
withdrawal, or counterattack. When we feel attacked (criticized
or judged) by others in conversation, we often move into that
same kind of survival mentality and automatically defend
ourselves. But conversation is different than war. When we
defend against criticism, we give more power to the criticism
and the person dishing it out than is warranted.

beh1 While we might need to set some limits if someone is
verbally abusive, I think we often ward off criticism far too
soon, discarding anything that is valid, as well as what is
invalid. The person's words may hurt, but they will hurt less,
I think, if we ask questions, decide which pieces we agree
with (if any) and which ones we don't agree with. We can just
think about it, we don't have to fight it as if we were being
attacked with a lethal weapon. I watch people's self-esteem
increase simply from becoming less defensive in the face of
criticism and judgement. Besides, we may find a priceless
gem in with some junk.

      The War Model: When someone attacks, you surrender,
withdraw, or counterattack

      The Non-Defensive Model: Ask questions, decide what you
think, and then respond!

The remainder of this article will demonstrate how to respond
non-defensively to criticism by giving examples for parents,
couples, and professionals. While the examples are specific
to a certain type of relationship, the information is valuable in
any relationship. For example, dealing with harsh tones or
"pay-backs" can happen with children or adults, at home or at
work.

Parents: Are You Letting Your Child Speak Harshly to You?
Or Putting Up With Criticism Because of Guilt?

As parents, we often love our children so much and
simultaneously feel inadequate to meet all their needs. They
sense this and can learn early how to make us feel guilty as
a way to get what they want. I hear so many children, starting
at a young age, speaking in harsh critical tones to their parents.
Ginny may simply say "You know I hate peas!" Sam might
shout "You never want to let me do anything with my friends!"
The judgment might be more deeply critical of your choices,
such as, "You made dad leave! You should tell him you're
sorry so he'll come back."

When we respond to our child or teen or even our adult child's
criticism, if guilt has a hold on us, we may "take it," and even
apologize, or try to explain ourselves so he or she understands
why we behaved in a certain way. If we are over our own edges,
we may lash back.

What I think we can do instead is to separate the tone of the
judgment from the content of what is being said. We can say
to Ginny, "If you don't want peas, I still want you to tell me
gently." Or, "If you speak to me harshly, then I'm not going
to answer. If you speak respectfully, I'll talk to you about this."

Then, if that child, teen or adult offspring does talk without
harsh judgment, we can, if it is appropriate, offer to discuss
the situation. In this way, we can not only refuse to cave in to
undue criticism, we can model for our children how to
(a) talk about what they need and feel without being judgemental,
and
(b) respond with a blend of firmness and openness even when
someone speaks harshly to us or them

Couples: Avoid the "Pay-Back"
When One of You "Gets Critical"

When we are in intimate relationships, we often have a "ledger
of offenses" that we have accumulated with each other. And
what I do that offends you often prompts the reaction in you
that offends me. So when you criticize me, your partner, it reminds
me of what you do that "makes" me react that way. And so the
counterattack game begins. "Well, I wouldn't have to react this
way if you didn't always . . ." Or, "Look at you criticizing me for
having a double standard. Haven't you ever looked in a mirror?!"

Instead, if we listen to the feedback, however judgmental it
sounds, and figure out whether we think it applies to us or
not, then we don't have to retaliate immediately and intensify
the conflict. Later, during the same conversation, or perhaps
even at another time, we can ask the other person (if we are
sincerely curious and not point-proving) "Do you think your
sarcasm (for example) contributed in any way to how I reacted?"
Or, "Do you think you ever (for example) have double standards -
or do you think you don't?" We can bring up related issues, if we
create a transition period and deal first with the one our partner
brought up.

To remain non-defensive, we must separate how we take
accountability ourselves from whether or not the other person
chooses to do so at any given moment. When we need to prove
our partner is as "bad as we are" or worse, we are neck-deep in
the muck of power struggle. In non-defensive communication, we
address the issue the other person has brought up trusting that
we can bring up our own issue later. Doing so can give both
partners a "hearing aid."

Professionals: Drop The Game of Passing the Blame
and Enhance Others' Respect

In professional relationships how we get our own work done is
often dependent on how well other people do their jobs. So,
frequently, when we receive criticism it is easy to "pass the buck"
and justify why we had difficulty with our part based on how
others contributed to that difficulty.

Instead of starting out by shifting blame or making excuses,
even if we think the problem was caused by a co-worker,
we can ask questions, such as, "What would you suggest I
do differently next time?" or, "Were you aware that I had to
get the materials from Jane before I could finish the project?"
Or, "If she doesn't have her part of the project to me on time,
how would you suggest I deal with it?"

If the feedback is about your own performance and not related
to what anyone else has or hasn't done, you can just start by
asking for more information. You can ask for additional details
about how the supervisor or co-worker sees your attitude and
behavior. Then, if there are points where you disagree, you can
still use questions, such as, "If you think I shouldn't have criticized
the quality of George's work on the project, are you saying I should
just accept however he does it?" Or, "Are you saying I should just
accept how he did it, or do you think it was how I said it?" Or, "Do
you think there is any way I can let him know when I think the
quality needs improvement?" At some point you may wish to
disagree with part or all of what the person is saying. However,
if your initial response to criticism is to gather more information, I
think you will gain professional respect. Also, if the other person
is off-base, your questions may prompt her or him to re-think the
criticism

Building Wisdom and Gaining Respect

For most of us, responding to criticism without defending our selves
has meant being "defenseless," caving in, losing face, feeling bad
about ourselves. On the other hand, responding defensively has
meant being harsh, closed, shutting others out. This is a no-win
choice. We look bad and undermine our own self esteem either
way. If we can learn to respond to criticism with true non-defensive
openness and clarity, asking questions, stating our position, and
setting limits when needed, we can build our own wisdom and
garner the respect of both the children and adults in our lives.

Sharon Ellison, M.S. is an award winning speaker and international
consultant. She has written a number of helpful articles for individuals
seeking information on relationships, psychology, parenting and
mental health. She is a founder of Ellison Communication Consultants,
of Oakland, California, and an award-winning speaker and internationally
recognized consultant. Visit her website at www.pndc.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Join In

       "Here we are again.  The holiday season is already in full
swing. You've heard it before.  You've said it before.  Each
year, it seems the holidays come upon us so suddenly, and
start earlier and earlier. Why do we feel this way?  Why do so
many walk around with a heavy heart at this time of the year?
Are we concerned about having enough time to "prepare?"
As we are bombarded by television advertisements and the
stores' holiday displays, are we wondering if we'll have
enough money to buy all the gifts we expect ourselves to buy?
Are we feeling a deep sadness as we realize the festivities of
the holidays are all around us, and we feel alone because
we're not in a special relationship, or loved ones have passed
on, or something else is "missing?"  In this whirlwind of activity
and emotion, can we stop ourselves just long enough to
understand that all of these misgivings have NOTHING AT ALL
to do with these days?  They are nothing more than the false
illusions of a very distorted image of what this special time
has come to mean - so far from what it meant long ago and far
away.

   These holidays are all about the love that we all are and that
we all have been so wonderfully blessed with.  All of the
commercial aspects of the season and the unrealistic expectations
we've imposed upon ourselves have obscured our view of the
beauty and the wonder of what we're a part of in this time.  Ponder
your incredible good fortune in every opportunity to express your
loving nature, and be joyful at the realization of honoring the
celebration of Love that these holidays, these holy days, represent ~
this is what it's all about.

   Stop thinking of what's missing or lacking in your life.  Because
the reality is that nothing is missing or lacking.  Your preconceived
ideas about what your life "should" look like keep you from
appreciating and enjoying what bounty your life holds right now.
The bounty is YOU.  It's not what you have or wish to have.  Take
that bounty and share it with all who would be open to receive you.
Delight in giving yourself.  Be fully present - that's the best present
you have to give.  As a matter of fact, it's priceless.  There is no
store or catalog out there that can duplicate the gift that is you.

   And, too, turn away from your sadness long enough to accept the
blessings that are laid out before you, be they family, friends,
surroundings, yes - even gifts (big and small) - whatever life brings,
and truly revel in the love and joy of the season.  Open the door.
Step inside. Sit at the banquet table and partake of all that is set
out before you. The holidays are here, and you're a very special
invited guest.

Virginia Santoro ©1999
MorningMusings@...
www.myspace.com/morningmusings
www.hometown.aol.com/morningmusings

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two Brothers

     Two brothers worked together on the family farm. One
was married and had a large family. The other was single. At
the day's end, the brothers shared everything equally,
produce and profit.

     Then one day the single brother said to himself, "It's
not right that we should share equally the produce and the
profit. I'm alone and my needs are simple." So each night he
took a sack of grain from his bin and crept across the field
between their houses, dumping it into his brother's bin.

     Meanwhile, the married brother said to himself, "It's
not right that we should share the produce and the profit
equally. After all, I'm married and I have my wife and my
children to look after me in years to come. My brother has
no one, and no one to take care of his future." So each
night he took a sack of grain and dumped it into his single
brother's bin.

     Both men were puzzled for years because their supply of
grain never dwindled. Then one dark night the two brothers
bumped into each other. Slowly it dawned on them what was
happening. They dropped their sacks and embraced one
another.

By Source Unknown From Brian Cavanaugh's
More Sower's Seeds from Condensed Chicken Soup for the Soul
Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Patty Hansen

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

On Children

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not
even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

Kahil Gibran

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Fade to Black

As I fade away from the ones I love:
Every day --- each minute, I fade away less thought of, less missed.
Too far away for anyone to make the trip. --- To see who?
Not me, I'm faded away!
Like the sunset at dusk I am the end of a forgotten day.
As I fade away, I shout and scream.
I fight against my own decay.
Disappeared ---
I am forgotten, scars and blame, guilt and shame.
As I look in the mirror nothing looks back.
My own memory has faded to black.

Alicia Pettola #237608
Written while incarcerated at York CI. Recovery now is my only hope.
steps2serenity@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Freedom Sings

God let His light shine on me
He loved me enough to set me free
I've tried for so many years
To get rid of my many fears
Fears of people, places and things
My soul now of freedom sings
I was a drunk that stumbled about
I wanted freedom but could never get out
Jails, institutions and death awaited on me
I was so blind I could not see
First I learned to listen
Then listened to learn
It was for freedom
That my spirit did yearn
I gave to God my whole soul
With AA and God
I was finally whole
I was not blessed at the start
For I had a very lustful old heart
It took years for this old man
To finally get to the point
Where he could understand
I was very sick and thick
I just wanted to remain hip slick
I always felt
I was so cool
My God knows
I was such a fool
Then one day my God let
His light shine on me
Now after years
I could finally see
All I really wanted to be
Was me

Daniel M Corkery
11/3/2000
DMCDREAMER@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

New Thought spirituality offers principles around which we can
build our lives and practices that make those ideas a living reality.
As we attentively practice living our lives by these principles,
we experience a greater connection with God each day
as a comforting companion, a guiding light and ever-present power.
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts
to finding peace of mind and happiness inside.
No matter what's going on outside of us,
there's always something we could be grateful for.
Barry Neil Kaufman

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Truth is that which grows in the hearts of men.
Turn within and let those guiding forces
of thine inner self be thy guide.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Forget your old ideas.
Forget the lies they told you.
Forget them all, and you will begin to remember.
Marianne Williamson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly,
but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey,
or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.
Gloria Gaither

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We must each paint our rainbows from the colors we are given.
Joan Walsh Anglund

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.
It's the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you could be anyone in the world,
You should want to be yourself,
There is no one else cut out to do the job ! ! !


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
http://www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.naranon.com

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Created in 1997 , "12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit" is intended to give
readers , inspiring and thoughtful messages. To help fulfill our primary
purpose which is to carry the message to the alcoholic/addict
who still suffers. A spiritual adventure, a journey inwards this
has a vision of opening and touching, each and everyone,
with the Loving Power and Presence of the Spirit within."
We invite you to share the writings by forwarding today's
message to others. Share "12 Step Soul Food for the Spirit"
with friends and loved ones: Please keep passing this along to
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12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit does not endorse any of the
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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@...

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 13,000 recovering people in 66 countries
including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados,
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Even if your country is listed
please email me, and let me know where you are from
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
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For the weekly topic meeting please visit me at:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dating in Recovery
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/new2004/dating.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 December the 12th month, PLEASE share
on the 12th step If you haven’t done the 12th step with your
sponsor Please share on Service, Selflessness and Commitment.....

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

December 2
No matter what is going on in my life today,
I can always find something for which to be grateful.
When I stop and think about this and make a gratitude list,
there is no room for depression or self pity.
There is so much to be grateful for 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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Please Listen
By Dr. Neil Chadwick

When I ask you to listen to me and you start giving me
advice, you have not done what I asked.

When I ask you to listen to me and you begin to tell me
why I shouldn't feel that way, you are trampling on my
feelings.

When I ask you to listen to me and you feel you have to
do something to solve my problem, you have failed me,
strange as that may seem.

Listen! All I ask is that you listen. Don't talk or do -
just hear me. Advice is cheap; 20 cents will get you
both Dear Abby and Billy Graham in the same newspaper.

And I can do for myself; I am not helpless. Maybe
discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.

When you do something for me that I can and need to do
for myself, you contribute to my fear and inadequacy.

But when you accept as a simple fact that I feel what I
feel, no matter how irrational, then I can stop trying
to convince you and get about this business of
understanding what's behind this irrational feeling.

And when that's clear, the answers are obvious and I
don't need advice. Irrational feelings make sense when
we understand what's behind them.

Perhaps that's why prayer works - because God seldom
speaks in an audible voice, and He doesn't force His
way.

God listens and lets you work it out with His caring
assistance.

So please listen, and just hear me. And if you want to
talk, wait a minute for your turn - and I will listen
to you.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Definition of Unconditional Love
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=7y0dO4Qxy3SfHjt770\
x.ZUnBYmfQj06iHuu1HN0crdDw915aWg

The Right Spiritual Path
www.barefootsworld.net/aafullcontact.html

Time To Learn
www.storybin.com/sponsor/sponsor100.shtml

A Happy Cat
www.storybin.com/sponsor/sponsor101.shtml

A call for better communication
N.A. Way Magazine 4/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway162-7.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.myspace.com/bluesbuddha
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
December 2                               Recovery: Our First Priority

"We have to keep our recovery first and our priorities in order"
    Basic Text p. 79

   Before coming to NA, we used many excuses to justify our use
of drugs: "He yelled at me" "She said this." "My partner left." "I got
fired." We used these same excuses for not seeking help for our
drug problem. We had to realize that these things kept happening
because we kept using drugs. Only when we made recovery our
first priority did these situations begin to change.

   We may be subject to the same tendency today, using excuses
for not attending meetings and being of service. Our current
excuses may be of a different nature: "I can't leave my kids."
"My vacation wore me out." "I have to finish this project so I can
impress my boss." But still, if we don't make recovery our first
priority, chances are that we won't have to worry about these
excuses anymore. Kids, vacations, and jobs probably won't be
in our lives if we relapse.

   Our recovery must come first. Job or no job, relationship or no
relationship, we have to attend meetings, work the steps, call our
sponsor, and be of service to God and others. These simple actions
are what make it possible for us to have vacations, families, and
bosses to worry about. Recovery is the foundation of our lives,
making everything else possible.

Just for today: I will keep my priorities in order. Number One on
the list is 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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
http://www.gatewayrehab.org/December.html

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

LET GO AND LET GOD

. . . praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to
carry
that out.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 96

When I "Let Go and Let God," I think more clearly and wisely. Without
having to think about it, I quickly let go of things that cause me
immediate pain and discomfort.  Because I find it hard to let go of the
kind of worrisome thoughts and attitudes that cause me immense
anguish, all I need do during those times is allow God, as I understand
Him, to release them for me, and then and there, I let go of the
thoughts, memories and attitudes that are troubling me.

   When I receive help from God, as I understand Him, I can live my life
one day at a time and handle whatever challenges that come my way.
Only then can I live a life of victory over alcohol, in comfortable
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 / December 2nd

A.A. Thought for the Day

The thoughts that come before having a slip seem to
be partly subconscious.  And yet it is likely that at least
part of these thoughts get into our consciousness.  An
idle thought connected with drinking casually pops into
our mind.  That is the crucial moment.  Will I harbor that
thought even for one minute or will I banish it from my
mind at once?  If I let it stay, it may develop into a
daydream.  I may begin to see a cool glass of beer or a
Manhattan cocktail in my mind's eye.  If I allow the
daydream to stay in my mind, it may lead to a decision,
however unconscious, to take a drink.  Then I am headed
for a slip.  Do I let myself daydream?

Meditation for the Day

Many of us have a sort of vision of the kind of person God
wants us to be.  We must be true to that vision, whatever
it is, and we must try to live up to it, by living the way we
believe we should live.  We can all believe that God has a
vision of what He wants us to be like.  In all people there
is a good person whom God sees in us, the person we could
be and that God would like us to be.  But many a person
fails to fulfill that promise and God's disappointments
must be many.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may strive to be the kind of a person that God
would have me be.  I pray that I may try to fulfill God's
vision of what I could be.

"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
DECEMBER 02, 2005

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Putting Our Life on Hold

We cannot afford to put our needs on hold, waiting for another
person to fulfill us, make our life better, or come around and
be who and what we want that person to be. That will create
resentment, hostility, an unhealthy dependency, and a mess
to deal with later on.

If we have decided we want a particular relationship or want to
wait about making a decision in a particular relationship, then
we must go on with our own life in the interim.

That can be hard. It can feel natural to put our life on hold. That
is when we get caught up in the codependent beliefs: That
person can make me happy... I need that particular person to
do a particular thing in order to be happy....

That's a circumstance that can hook our low self-esteem, our
self-doubt, and our tendency to neglect ourselves.

We can get into this situation in a number of ways. We can do
this waiting for a letter, waiting for a job, waiting for a person,
waiting for an event.

We do not have to put our life on hold. There will be
repercussions from doing this. Go on with your life. Take life a
day at a time.

What is something I could be doing now to take care of myself,
make myself feel better, get my needs met in an appropriate,
healthy way?

How can I own my power to take care of myself, despite what
the other person is or isn't doing?

What will happen if I break the system and begin taking care
of myself?

Sometimes, we get the answer we want immediately.
Sometimes, we wait for a while. Sometimes, things don't work
out exactly the way we hoped. But they always work out for
good, and often better than we expected.

And in the meantime, we have manifested love for ourselves
by living our own life and taking the control away from others.
That always comes back to us tenfold, because when we
actually manifest love for ourselves, we give our Higher Power,
other people, and the Universe permission to send us the love
we want and need. Stopping living our life to make a thing
happen doesn't work. All it does is make us miserable,
because we have stopped living our life.

Today, I will force myself, if necessary, to live my own life. I will
act in my own best interest, in a way that reflects self-love. If
I have given power or control of my life to someone other than
myself, and someone besides a Power greater than myself, I
will take it back. I will begin acting in my own best interests,
even if it feels awkward to do that.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Living with REAL Spirit…
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/11/real-spirit.htm

The U.S. Department of Peace Campaign and the Spiritual Path
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2006/December/feature2.html

Manifesting… Redefining The Boundaries
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2005/12/manifesting.htm

ANNUAL SELF-NURTURING
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2001/June/vissell.htm

What Is Love? , Alan Cohen
www.expressionsofsoul.com/article-Alan-WhatIslove.htm

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Numb And Number
by Alan Cohen

I have a confession to make. I went to see the movie, Dumb
and Dumber. Even more astounding, I liked it. Even beyond
belief: I found at least two metaphysical lessons (which
proves that God must be everywhere). There is a scene in
which Jim Carrey declares his love to the woman of his dreams.
On the heels of his revelation he asks her, "What are my chances
with you -- one in ten?" She thinks for a moment and answers,
"More like one in a million." Garrey becomes very serious
and begins to breathe deeply. The woman steps back in fear
that he may hurt her. Instead, a huge grin spreads over his
face as he gleefully spouts, "Wow! I have a chance!"
Sometimes, dumb is smarter.

Our purpose is not to go out
and hustle up our good,
but to accept the blessings
being showered upon us now.

And sometimes it is not. In a later scene, Carrey and his
sidekick,  Jeff Daniels (It's hard to tell who is actually dumber)
are stranded along the side of a desert road, when a busload
of bikini-clad beauties pulls over.

Three awesome babes descend and ask the duo where they
can find two guys to travel with the bus for a few months and
spread oil on the ladies before their suntan lotion
demonstrations. Dumb (or was it dumber?) tells the ladies,
"There's a town three miles down the road that way." The babes,
disappointed that these guys didn't take the hint, chug off, leaving
our anti-heroes in a cloud of dust. Carrey turns to his buddy
and says, "You know, Harry, some guys have all the luck. I
hope and pray that one day the same good fortune might come
to us."

Set No Limits

Sometimes the opportunity we have been waiting for is trying to
crawl into our lap. If, however, we have a preconceived notion
about how it should be, or if our attention is elsewhere, or if we
are in fear, we may not recognize it. Sometimes our good is
rushing to us from all angles, and we do not know it. Our
purpose is not to go out and hustle up our good, but to accept
the blessings being showered upon us now.

Arthur Boem was an Australian developer who dreamed of
constructing a great pipeline to carry water from a mountain
reservoir to the dry Perth desert. For years, Arthur planned
the project, negotiated funding, and engaged in a long and
arduous construction project. Finally the day came when the
valves were to be opened to the current flow that would
change the life of Perth forever. Boem and his associates
stood at the end of the pipeline to enjoy the momentous
beginning of the stream. But there was no water. The
pipeline was a failure, Boem reasoned. Embarrassed and
frustrated, Boem went into despair and the next day someone
found him dead at his own hand. His sense of failure was so
great that he could not go on living.

But that is not the end of the story. The next day someone
noticed a few drops of water at the mouth of the pipeline.
And the next day, more. Within a short time the water was
gushing in great abundance. The pipeline, you see, was
actually a success; it just took longer for the water to come
through the channel than Boem expected. Sadly, he was
not there to see his achievement flourish.

Often we may pray or work toward a dream without
apparent results. The key word here is apparent. Sometimes
it takes a while for our dreams to be delivered, often with
good reason. We must trust that Spirit has a timing that
supersedes our own idea of how and when things should
happen.

Personal Lessons Abound

When I was writing The Healing of the Planet Earth, I set a
deadline for when the book was to be finished. (The word
deadline is aptly chosen; often it is the noose that strangles
our spirit.) As the time approached, I worked more and more
feverishly with diminishing returns. The quality of the material
was weakened and I became ill. On the day I had chosen
for the book's completion, I was in bed with the flu; I had
run my batteries down, and the universe forced me to stop
trying to buck the tide of life.

Fortunately, I got the message and surrendered.. I gave up
my idea of how and when it should happen, and allowed God
to take over the project. I continued to work on the book at a
more relaxed pace, and soon the quality of material returned
to a high and rewarding standard. Eventually the book came
out, and I understood why it had to wait. During the time I
continued to write it, I grew so much that my next stage of
consciousness was imbued in the pages. If I had forced the
book to come out in my time schedule, there would have
been no improvement over my last rendering; it would have
just been the same material in a different form -- and what is
the use of doing the same thing again? I would rather do
nothing until I could do it better.

Because we are created in the image and likeness of God, we
cannot be dumb; but because we have free will, we can be
numb. Kabir said, "I laugh when I hear that the fish in the water
is thirsty." At this moment we are literally swimming in a sea
of blessings; let us not miss them. Let us say yes to love.

Alan Cohen, M.A., is the author of 20 bestselling inspirational
books and CD's, including the best-selling The Dragon Doesn't
Live Here Anymore and the award-winning A Deep Breath of
Life. He is a contributing writer for the New York Times
bestselling series Chicken Soup for the Soul. Alan's syndicated
column, From The Heart, appears in new thought magazines
internationally. Visit his website at www.alancohen.com.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Learn The Way

Welcome to the program of recovery
Welcome to the world of discovery
This is the path
We used to break free
This is the path
We used to clearly see
Come sit for awhile and listen
We'll show you
What you've been missing
Welcome and here have  a seat
In here we do not compete
Just stop using
What ever you've been abusing
For today
We can do anything
This way
First we learn to listen
Then before long
We listen to learn
We will love you
An help you to stay
Until you learn
To give it away
Turn to the God
Of your understanding
He will be the one
Who will be handing
You the keys to break free
This program is
For you and me
Learn to do it just for today
Before to long
You to will say
It is great to be free
By Gods grace today
I can be me

Daniel M Corkery
DMCDREAMER@...
7/10/2001
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I Had a Friend

I Had a friend
A beautiful friend
She fed me when I was hungry
She clothed me when I had nothing
She gave of herself
I gave her my heart

A disease attacked my friend
Ravaged her soul
Stolen her Spirit
Took away her heart
It could have destroyed her body
Taken her from this earth

I told her she was sick
Now she is angry
I know she is hurt
I cannot repair what the disease destroyed
Only she can do that
I hurts to loose her

I had another friend
She too saw her disease
She gave me much too
I had her for awhile
Now she too is angry
I fear I have lost her too

She is gone into anger
I never meant to hurt her
It wasn't the middle I meant to put her
I asked as someone who still cares
Who still loves that which has been lost
To her I am sorry

I couldn't watch my friend hurt
I shared with her my fears
I wanted her to get help
I couldn't watch my friend die
I cannot fix her pain
For her I pray each day

For my other friend too
I will pray for her each day
I am sorry she feels hurt
I cannot make that go away
For myself too I should pray
That a little more each day
I will find the hope
That my friends so freely gave before
That a loving Father God
Will guide us on our way

Portia Nelson
"I walk down a different street"
pattikelli@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Appreciative words are the most powerful force for good on earth!
George W. Crane

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When life seems just a dreary grind;
and things seem fated to annoy;
say something nice to someone else and
watch the world light up with joy.
Unknown

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Love is not neutral.
It takes a stand.
It is a commitment to the attainment of the conditions of peace
for everyone involved in a situation.
Marianne Williamson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Psychologists tell us that every one of us
thinks an average of between
65,000 and 70,000 thoughts a day and 90 to 95%
of those thoughts are repetitive.
They're the same thoughts we've always thought
and they become the patterns of our thinking.
Thought patterns create the experiences of our lives.
Listen to your thoughts today.
Are they negative, self-limiting, self-diminishing?
Or are they radiant with joy and life and creativity?
We can change our thinking,
and we can change the pattern of our lives.
Herein lies the secret to authentic power.
   Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Put as much energy into Letting Go
as you have in trying to control.
You'll get much better results.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Awareness, Acceptance, Action

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hope is the thing with feathers...
that perches in the soul...
and sings the tune without words...
and never stops, at all.
Emily Dickinson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Instead of pointing a finger,
we should hold out our hand.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If it is going to help me stay clean,
Then I am sharing about it ! ! !
It is NOT an outside issue,
It is an INSIDE JOB !

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My love is unconditional,
My emotions are not.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Feelings aren't facts,
But it's a fact that I feel.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
http://www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.naranon.com

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me and write subscribe in the subject line.

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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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Blessed are we who can laugh at ourselves
For we shall never cease to be amused.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 December the 12th month, PLEASE share
on the 12th step If you haven’t done the 12th step with your
sponsor Please share on Service, Selflessness and Commitment.....

(((Family))) a BIG hug to you ALL
I am guilty and have not posted on the weekly topic
in a LONG time, I am grateful for those who have
contributed and helped lift my spirits by carrying the message.
Sometimes I carry the message,
Sometimes the message carrys me.
I think it is VERY important for me to share on this topic
the 12th step, Service, Selflessness and Commitment
at this point in time, before the holidays.
They told me if I had the step in my life and I wasn't sharing on it,
Then I was STEALING, and if you steal you lose.
We can only keep what we have by giving it away.
  From where I came from,
96 lbs., homeless, penniless, hopeless, worthless
compared to where I am today, by the Grace of God
It is a MIRACLE,
Spiritual awakenings were many along the way

When the people in the Rooms of NA remembered my name at
my second meeting That was a spiritual awakening!

When people in the meeting asked me for my phone # and called
me even though I didn't call you.
That was a spiritual awakening!

When you nominated me to have a commitment at a group
That was a spiritual awakening!

When someone asked me to read How it Works at their birthday
celebration, That was a spiritual awakening!

When I had a little over 90 days clean and it was the end of the
day and I didn't think about using that whole day
That was a spiritual awakening!

There were many spiritual awakenings along the way
The 12th step talks about Having had a spiritual awakening
as a result of the steps.
When I came in the rooms, I thought so badly about myself,
that I thought that this program would work for you but it wouldn't
work for me.
The spiritual awakening that I had as a result of the steps
was that this program worked for me.
When I say I am an addict named Scott
I am letting you know I WAS a loser, who kept on trying
and YOU people believed in me and wanted to help me in my
recovery.

The second part of this step talks about that we "TRIED" to carry
this message to addicts and practice these principles in all of
our affairs. In steps 10, 11, and 12 the 3 most important words
from those steps are...
10- CONTINUED  , 11- IMPROVE  , 12- TRIED
This shows us, that it is about PROGRESS not perfection
and that this is a process not an event.

There are many ways that I can carry "THE" message
not my message, "THE message"

What is "THE message",
"THE message" is......
That an addict
ANY addict
Can Stop using
lose the desire to use
and find a new way to live.


I can carry "THE message" by being in a meeting and listening.

I can carry "THE message" by being in a meeting
and sharing that I want to use.
How is that carrying the message?
Because I am WILLING not to use (by sharing)
more than I want to use!!!!

I can carry "THE message" by making myself AVAILABLE to
someone in need, a newcomer or an oldtimer

I can carry "THE message" by LISTENING to someone,
so many times we ask people "How are you?"
and we don't even stick around and listen for the answer
we just keep walking.

I can carry "THE message" by ALWAYS saying YES when the
fellowship asks something from me.

I can carry "THE message" by GIVING people rides to and from
meetings

I can carry "THE message" by being AVAILABLE for the
meeting after the meeting

I can carry "THE message" by being involved in SERVICE.
As many different people are in the rooms of our 12 step fellowships
Just that many ways, are there to be involved in service,
The most important thing is that we as individuals
find an area that we are comfortable with and participate.
(Homegroup service, Coffee, secretary, chairperson, treasurer, greeter,
or being there for the newcomer and calling them each day to let someone
know that YOU care!!! Area or District service, Hospitals and
Institutions,Public Information, Events and Activities, Conventions
Committees, Literature Review and Outreach are just a few other ways
to get involved)

The other part of this step talks about that we "TRIED"
to practice these principles in all of our affairs.
Its real easy to work the program on a good day.
Its real easy to be grateful when ya got a pocketful of money.
But how are you are working it when things get tough.
Once again, this is a program of progress,
and sometimes in order to make progress, we regress.
We take one step forward and 2 steps back,
But with the love of the people, that God puts in our lives
who encourage us to take the next step, and He puts the path beneath
our feet. We make it through, and then learn to be there for the next
guy.
It was told to me if you cant practice these principles in ALL of your
affairs, then you have too many affairs!!!!

I am hoping that others in this group will jump in and share their GIFTS
with the 12th step or the alternative topics.
This is the SEASON and the GIFT is in the GIVING!!!!!

If nobody told you that they love you today,
I do,
BUT also check who you are hanging out with!!!!

Keep Stepping
AND Stay in the Light,
In loving service,
Scott H. from N.Y. ~ cleandate 10/27/88
YOUnMEnHP@...

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

December  1
I am okay about me today and that is terrific.
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Outside Issue

in a fancy ballroom celebrating world AIDS day
there were only two recovered addicts with HIV
the others never made it, and jumped again to a needle
including the one who disclosed his status on the telly
money in his pocket, he threw his 3 months clean

in the fancy ballroom eight religious leaders led the prayers
together for the souls of those who died of AIDS
I tried to remember when did they ever lead prayers
together for all the addicts who overdosed and died
all asked for forgiveness of those who strayed from the path

but how wrong could kids stray from the path?
they never knew the way in the first place,
they jumped into that first drag and needle for the love of their
friends and oh, didn't we forget to tell them about life of drugs
and oh, we forgot to tell them about HIV and HCV

psst ... it's an outside issue, some addicts whisper
how can it be an outside issue, another shot back
bob and bill just never had to work with HIV nor HCV
how can a spiritual program not talk of life and death
and this outside issue is insane to begin with ....

that no addicts seeking recovery need to die
still, is life and death is an outside issue?
God forgive us for we do not see
we do not hear, we do not do
we do not care ... only wanting to want to care

when the Monk led the prayers, one
positive addict wrote to my cellphone,
what do we do now to get the others clean if
they can't talk about that ourside issue,
after all 'we' are all positive

when the priest led the prayer, another
positive addict wrote he lost his wife last night
could it be that she was also positive?
now the pretty 20 months old baby won't sleep
she kept calling her now rigid mother

recovering life ...
how and what do we recover ?
shards of the glass of life strewn
in chaos within the darkness without dawn
darkness without days that go straight into sun sets

candles burn into the night
melting with tears and finally died
however brief the candles were lit
let us celebrate life for this one night
and our spirits roam touching the love God

live and let live
love and be loved
in the drama of life and living
the Spirit touches the Love of God
that does not hate and does judge

December 1, 2002
World AIDS Day, Indonesia
written by Dania for YOUnMEnHP

www.joinred.com/news.asp
www.worldaidsday.org/default.asp
www.unaids.org/en/default.asp

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 AIDS Epidemic
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=wKxag2Axn3jvV9AnTw\
tEhC57efmp_c0DexTnUxsCvRnQ6ngjwQ

Spirituality Is A Simple Way Of Living
www.barefootsworld.net/aaspiritualway.html

Gratitude Master Key
www.gogratitude.com/masterkey/

Something for everyone Members from around the
world converge on San Jose for WCNA-27
N.A. Way Magazine 4/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway162-6.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.myspace.com/bluesbuddha
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
December 1                                      Life's rewards

"We begin to pray only for God's will for us. That way, we get
only what we are capable of handling."   Basic Text p. 47

   Imagine what might happen if God gave us everything we
wanted.  A fabulous new car, straight A's, a triple salary raise-
all ours without effort, just for the asking.

   Now imagine the problems that come along with unearned
riches, new luxury cars, and unmerited scholastic recognition.
What would we do with a huge salary raise that had been
granted for no reason? How would we handle our new
financial responsibilities? And how would we live up to that
raise? Could we ever make it appear that we deserve such pay
when we know we don't?

   What about that fantastic new car? Most come with expensive
insurance premiums and hefty maintenance costs. Are we
prepared to care for what we've asked for?

   Academic honors? Could we perform like A students after
we'd been given high marks we hadn't earned? What would
we do if we were exposed as frauds?

   When we talk to God, we need to remember that we live in the
real world. We earn rewards and learn to handle them as we
do. Confining our prayers to requests for knowledge of God's
will, the power to carry it out, and the ability to live with the
consequences will ensure that we get no more than we can
handle.

Just for today: I will pray only for knowledge of God's will and the
power to carry that out in the real world.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
http://www.gatewayrehab.org/December.html

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Going With The Flow

Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious
contact with God as we understood Him. .
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 96

The first words I speak when arising in the morning are, "I arise,
O God, to do Thy will." This is the shortest prayer I know and it is
deeply ingrained in me. Prayer doesn't change God's attitude toward
me; it changes my attitude toward God. As distinguished from
prayer, meditation is a quiet time, without words. To be centered is
to be physically relaxed, emotionally calm, mentally focused and
spiritually aware. One way to keep the channel open and to improve
my conscious contact with God is to maintain a grateful attitude.
On the days when I am grateful, good things seem to happen in my
life. The instant I start cursing things in my life, however, the flow
of good stops. God did not interrupt the flow; my own negativity did.

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 / December 1st

A.A. Thought for the Day

The thoughts that come before having a slip are
often largely subconscious.  It is a question whether
or not our subconscious minds ever become entirely
free from alcoholic thoughts as long as we live.  For
instance, some of us dream about being drunk when
we are asleep, even after several years of sobriety
\in A.A.  During the period of our drinking days, our
subconscious minds have been thoroughly conditioned
by our alcoholic way of thinking and it is doubtful if
they ever become entirely free of such thoughts during
our lifetime.  But when our conscious minds are fully
conditioned against drinking, we can stay sober and our
subconscious minds do not often bother us.  Am I still
conditioning my conscious mind?

Meditation for the Day

Having sympathy and compassion for all who are in
temptation, a condition that we are sometimes in, we
have a responsibility toward them.  Sympathy always
includes responsibility.  Pity is useless because it does
not have a remedy for the need.  But wherever our
sympathy goes, our responsibility goes too.  When we
are moved with compassion, we should go to the one in
need and bind up his wounds as best we can.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may have sympathy for those in temptation.
I pray that I may have compassion for others' trials.

"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
DECEMBER 01

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Letting People Be There for Us

Sometimes, we need nurturing. Sometimes, we need people to
support us.

Many of us have been deprived of support and nurturing for
so long we may not realize it's something we want and need.
Many of us have learned to block our stop ourselves from
getting what we want and need.

We may not reach out to have our needs met. We may be in
relationships with people who cannot or will not be available
to meet our needs. Or we may be in relationships with people
who would be happy to respond to a direct request from us.

We may have to give up something to do this. We may have
to let go of our martyr or victim role. If we ask for what we
want and need, and get those needs met, we will not be able
to punish people, or push them away later on, for disappointing
us.

We may have to let go of our fears enough to experience the
intimacy that will occur when we allow someone to love and
support us. We may even have to learn, one day at a time,
how to be happy and content.

Learn to let others be there for us.

Today, I will be open to identifying what I need from people,
and I will ask for what I want directly. I will let others be there
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dialing In Dates
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2007/11/alan-cohen.htm

Then What Will You Do?
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2005/12/alan-cohen.htm

Who I Am DOES Make A Difference
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2005/12/make-a%20difference.htm

You Already Know, Alan Cohen
www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2001/June/cohen.htm

A Public Proposal , By Alan Cohen
www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/07/alan-cohen.htm

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Recovery Process for inner child healing - through the fear

"It is not about getting "there" - not about destination.  It is about
learning and growing on our journey - it is about making enough
progress to have the capacity to enjoy "here" as much of the time
as possible.  Balance is a shifting, changing, constantly
fluctuating dance that we are learning to relax into - it cannot be
forced, it cannot be restricted by some arbitrary and rigid beliefs
about right and wrong.  It is about each of us following our own
path, our own Truth, in learning to align with the Truth that is Love."

"Because our ego was programmed to react to life from fear,
negativity, scarcity, and lack (again due to emotional trauma
we experienced, and the messages and role modeling of the
adults around us) the disease focuses on and magnifies fear -
and then it scrambles around trying to find something to cover
up and repress the very fear it is generating.  The disease
blows the fear way out of proportion and then leads us to
addictive and/or compulsive behavior as a way of stuffing
the fear.

This is the essence of the dysfunction.  We live our life reacting
to fear, and shame, that the disease empowers and then
"helps" us avoid by causing us to focus on something outside
of ourselves as the cause and/or the cure for the core place
within us where we feel empty - where we feel unlovable and
unworthy."

"I had to learn to accept, and honor, my fears and my resistance -
in order to stop fighting the growth process so much.  Then I
could start to align myself with the growth process and make
my experience of life easier and more enjoyable.  Then I could
start to understand that faith is not the absence of fear - faith is
having the courage to face my fears and walk through them
so that I can reach the next level of growth."

Emotional Balance - through the fear
By Robert Burney
http://www.joy2meu.com/Fear.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Permission to Cry

Alone in the wheel of light at the dining room table,
surrounded by an otherwise darkened house, I sat
in tears.

Finally, I’d succeeded in getting both kids to bed.
A relatively new single parent, I had to be both
Mommy and Daddy to my two little children. I got
them both washed, accompanied by shrieks of delight,
crazy running around, laughing and throwing things.
More or less calmed down, they lay in their beds as
I gave each the prescribed five minutes of back rubs.
Then I took up my guitar and began the nighttime ritual
of folk songs, ending with "All the Pretty Little Horses,"
both kids’ favorite. I sang it over and over, gradually
reducing the tempo and the volume until they seemed
fully engaged in sleep.

A recently divorced man with full custody of his
children, I was determined to give them as normal and
stable a home life as possible. I put on a happy face
for them. I kept their activities as close to how they
had always been as I could. This nightly ritual was just
as it had always been with the exception that their
mother was now missing. There, I had done it again;
another night successfully concluded.

I had risen slowly, gingerly, trying to avoid making
even the least sound which might start them up again,
asking for more songs and more stories. I tiptoed out
of their room, closed the door part way, and went
downstairs.

Sitting at the dining room table, I slumped in my
chair, aware that this was the first time since I
came home from work that I’d been able to just sit
down. I had cooked and served and encouraged two
little ones to eat. I had done the dishes while
responding to their many requests for attention. I
helped my oldest with her second grade homework and
appreciated my youngest’s drawings and oohed over his
elaborate construction of Lego blocks. The bath,
the stories, the backrubs, the singing and now, at
long last, a brief moment for myself. The silence
was a relief, for the moment.

Then it all crowded in on me: the fatigue, the weight
of the responsibility, the worry about bills I wasn’t
sure I could pay that month. The endless details of
running a house. Only a short time before, I’d been
married and had a partner to share these chores,
these bills, these worries.

And loneliness. I felt as though I were at the bottom
of a great sea of loneliness. It all came together and
I was at once lost, overwhelmed. Unexpected,
convulsive sobs overtook me. I sat there,
silently sobbing.

Just then, a pair of little arms went around my
middle and a little face peered up at me. I looked
down into my five-year-old son’s sympathetic face.

I was embarrassed to be seen crying by my son.
"I’m sorry, Ethan, I didn’t know you were still
awake. " I don’t know why it is, but so many people
apologize when they cry and I was no exception.
"I didn’t mean to cry. I’m sorry. I’m just a
little sad tonight."

"It’s okay, Daddy. It’s okay to cry, you’re
just a person."

I can’t express how happy he made me, this little
boy, who in the wisdom of innocence, gave me permission
to cry. He seemed to be saying that I didn’t have to
always be strong, that it was occasionally possible to
allow myself to feel weak and let out my feelings.

He crept into my lap and we hugged and talked for a
while, and I took him back up to his bed and tucked
him in. Somehow, it was possible for me to get to sleep
that night, too. Thank you, my son.

By Hanoch McCarty from A 4th Course of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Copyright 1997 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Hanoch
McCarty & Meladee McCarty

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Living the N.A. Way

Come in, Sit down
Unburden your heart
You'll laugh, you'll cry
You'll make a clean start.

Just listen and learn
  From those with advice,
Maybe something you hear
Might just save your life.

For what they have learned
They are willing to share
Their openness & Honesty
Are the badges they wear.

With hope for the future,
And Just for Today,
I've found a new life
Living the NA Way.

written by ~ Jean O.   10/18/02
Renabrat81194@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

For it is not physical solitude that
actually separates one from others,
not physical isolation, but spiritual isolation.
It is not the desert island nor the stony wilderness
that cuts you from the people you love.
It is the wilderness in the mind,
the desert wastes in the heart through which
one wanders lost and a stranger.

When one is a stranger to oneself then one is
estranged from others too.  If one is out of touch
with oneself, then one cannot touch others.

Only when one is connected to one's own core
is one connected to others, I am beginning to discover.
And, for me, the core, the inner spring, can best
be refound through solitude.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Gifts From the Sea
1955

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lost Time

Smoke a joint, drink a beer
Try this next, we call it crack
Oh my God, that stuff was great
I tried it once and never looked back

I thought I could handle it
All my life I was tough
But my life got out of hand
More and more was never enough

My addiction enslaved me
Wrapped me up in its chain
I had nowhere to turn
All I had was the pain

I couldn't get out
I didn't have a choice
I had nothing left
Only the sound of the devil's voice

How did it happen
I was always so strong
The only words I knew
Were words to the devils song

He knew he owned me
He had me in his hold
I never had to struggle
For to him my soul was sold

I was lifted into heaven
And spent my life in hell
He had it all worked out
He played me so well

I could never break free
I knew I should have ran
But I gave myself to him
And he became my man

I made it out alive
Did what I had to do
I had to get out
Gave the devil his due

I put the pipe down
Forged a new path alone
Now live a clean life
Beyond the forbidden zone

I found my way out
I found my way free
Not using today
A new life to see

I don't have to go back
Now I live another way
I'm living drug free
Just for today

I do not talk of fiction
What I speak of is true
For if it happened to me
It can happen to you

KAREN H
KSAK@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God Set Me Free

God let His light shine on me
He loved me enough to set me free
I've tried for so many  years
To over come my fears
Fear of people, places and things
In freedom my soul now sings
I was a drunk that stumbled about
I wanted freedom but could not get out
Jails, institutions and death waited for me
I was blind I could not see
First I learned to listen
Then listened to learn
I gave my God my soul
With AA and Him I'm finally whole
I was not blessed at the start
For I still had a lustful heart
It took years for this old man
To finally give up and understand
I was very sick and thick
I felt I needed to stay hip slick
I always felt I was so cool
My God knows I was a fool
Then one day God let His light shine on me
After years I could finally see
All I really wanted to be
Was me

Daniel M Corkery
10/30/2000
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

He who loses money, loses much;
He who loses a friend, loses much more;
He who loses faith, loses all.
Eleanor Roosevelt

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*When We Hug We Pray*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Always teach by example.
John-Roger
(From: Walking with the Lord)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meister Eckhardt said, "If there was only one prayer you could give,
one prayer, it should be 'Thank you, God.'"
Gratitude is more than good manners;
it is the means by which we exercise our heart,
giving thanks for what we formerly took for granted.
We can say, "Thank you, God, for helping a kid learn to read,"
or "Thank you for being there.
Even when everything seems to go wrong in my life,
I can still feel your Presence."
Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

An error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.
Orlando A. Battista

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The task ahead of us is never as great
as the Power within us.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

No one can choose your mountain or tell you when to climb.
It's yours alone to challenge, at your own pace and time.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Life's precious moments don't have value,
unless they are shared.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The goal of recovery is balance,
but sometimes we get there by going to extremes.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
http://www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.naranon.com

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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

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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Contact
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/new2004/contact.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
Have you finish working the 12 steps  ?
What did you work on next ?
Do you believe youve got a handle on the spiritual
principles behind the steps ?

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

November 30
Today I know my journey to
peace and serenity begins with me.
Today I have the faith and trust
to seek my answers from within.
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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Praying Hands

Back in the fifteenth century,
in a tiny village near Nuremberg,
lived a family with eighteen children.

Eighteen! In order merely to keep food
on the table for this mob,
the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession,
worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade
and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood.

Despite their seemingly hopeless condition,
two of Albrecht Durer the Elder's children had a dream.
They both wanted to pursue their talent for art,
but they knew full well that their father
would never be financially able to send
either of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy.

After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed,
the two boys finally worked out a pact.
They would toss a coin.
The loser would go down into the nearby mines and,
with his earnings, support his brother
while he attended the academy.
Then, when that brother who won the toss
completed his studies, in four years,
he would support the other brother at the academy,
either with sales of his artwork or,
if necessary, also by laboring in the mines.

They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church.
Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg.

Albert went down into the dangerous mines and,
for the next four years, financed his brother,
whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation.
Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils
were far better than those of most of his professors,
and by the time he graduated,
he was beginning to earn considerable fees
for his commissioned works.

When the young artist returned to his village,
the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn
to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant homecoming.
After a long and memorable meal,
punctuated with music and laughter,
Albrecht rose from his honored position
at the head of the table to drink a toast
to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice
that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition.

His closing words were, "And now, Albert,
blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn.
Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream,
and I will take care of you."

All heads turned in eager expectation
to the far end of the table where Albert sat,
tears streaming down his pale face,
shaking his lowered head from side to side
while he sobbed and repeated, over and over,
"No ...no ...no ...no."

Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks.
He glanced down the long table at the faces he loved,
and then, holding his hands close to his right cheek,
he said softly, "No, brother.
I cannot go to Nuremberg.
It is too late for me.

Look ... look what four years in the mines
have done to my hands!
The bones in every finger have been smashed
at least once, and lately I have been suffering
from arthritis so badly in my right hand
that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast,
much less make delicate lines on parchment
or canvas with a pen or a brush.
No, brother ... for me it is too late."

More than 450 years have passed.
By now, Albrecht Durer's hundreds of masterful portraits,
pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors,
charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings
hang in every great museum in the world,
but the odds are great that you,
like most people, are familiar with only one
of Albrecht Durer's works.

More than merely being familiar with it,
you very well may have a reproduction
hanging in your home or office.

One day, to pay homage to Albert
for all that he had sacrificed,
Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew
his brother's abused hands with palms together
and thin fingers stretched skyward.

He called his powerful drawing simply "Hands,"
but the entire world almost immediately
opened their hearts to his great masterpiece
and renamed his tribute of love

"The Praying Hands."

The next time you see a copy
of that touching creation,
take a second look. Let it be your reminder,
if you still need one,
that no one - no one - - ever makes it alone!

~Source Unknown~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Creed To Live By
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=bXzJ6kIxynh84ZNOlB\
cqby21NKaP2quceRAdIU2OkoUJY0a8hg

Why Alcoholics Anonymous Is Spiritual ?
www.barefootsworld.net/aaspiritual.html

Starting Points
www.thegreatillusion.com/start.html

Fountain of Youth
www.thegreatillusion.com/fountain.html

Cause & Effect
www.thegreatillusion.com/cause&effect.html

NA in South Africa: A diamond in the rough
N.A. Way Magazine 4/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway162-5.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.myspace.com/bluesbuddha
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
November 30                                 Sharing The Real Me

"Sharing with others keeps us from feeling isolated and alone."
    Basic Text p. 81

   Intimacy is the sharing of our innermost thoughts and feelings with
another human being. Many of us long for the warmth and
companionship intimacy brings, but those things don't come without
effort. In our addiction, we learned to guard ourselves from others lest
they threaten our using. In recovery, we learn how to trust others.
Intimacy requires us to lower our defenses. To feel the closeness
intimacy brings, we must allow others to get close to us-the real us.

   If we are to share our innermost selves with others, we must first
have an idea of what those innermost selves are truly like. We regularly
examine our lives to find out who we really are, what we really want,
and how we really feel. Then, based on our regular inventories of
ourselves, we must be as completely and consistently honest with our
friends as we can be.

   Intimacy is a part of life, and therefore a part of living clean-and
intimacy, like everything in recovery, has its price. The painstaking
self-scrutiny intimacy calls for can be hard work. And the total honesty
of intimacy often brings its own complications. But the freedom from
isolation and loneliness that intimacy brings is well worth the effort.

Just for today: I seek the freedom from isolation and loneliness that
intimacy brings. Today, I will get to know "the real me" by taking a
personal inventory, and I will practice being completely honest with
another person.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
http://www.gatewayrehab.org/November.html

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Avoiding Controversy

All history affords us the spectacle of striving nations and groups
finally torn asunder because they were designed for, or tempted
into, controversy.  Others fell apart because of sheer
self-righteousness while trying to enforce upon the rest of
mankind some millennium of their own specification.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 176

As an A.A. member and sponsor, I know I can cause real damage if
I yield to temptation and give opinions and advice on another's
medical, marital, or religious problems.  I am not a doctor, counselor,
or lawyer.  I cannot tell anyone how he or she should live; however,
I can share how I came through similar situations without drinking,
and how A.A.'s Steps and Traditions help me in dealing with my 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 / November 30th

A.A. Thought for the Day

We have slips in A.A. It has been said these are not
slips but premeditated drunks, because we have to
think about taking a drink before we actually take one.
The thought always comes before the act.  It is
suggested that people should always get in touch with
an A.A. before taking that first drink.  The failure to
do so, makes it probable that they had decided to take
the drink anyway.  And yet the thoughts that come before
taking a drink are often largely subconscious.  People
usually don't know consciously what made them do it.
Therefore, the common practice is to call these things
slips.  Am I on guard against wrong thinking?

Meditation for the Day

"The eternal God is thy refuge."  He is a sanctuary, a
refuge from the cares of life.  You can get away from the
misunderstanding of others by retiring into your own place
of meditation.  But from yourself, from your sense of
failure, your weakness, your shortcomings, whither can
you flee?  Only to the eternal God, your refuge, until the
immensity of His spirit envelops your spirit and it loses
its smallness and weakness and comes into harmony again
with His.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may lose my limitations in the immensity of
God's love.  I pray that my spirit may be in harmony with
His spirit.

"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
NOVEMBER 30

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Detachment

One day, my son brought a gerbil home to live with us. We put it
in a cage. Some time later, the gerbil escaped. For the next six
months, the animal ran frightened and wild through the house.
So did we - chasing it.

"There it is. Get it!" we'd scream, each time someone spotted the
gerbil. I, or my son, would throw down whatever we were working
on, race across the house, and lunge at the animal hoping to
catch it.

I worried about it, even when we didn't see it. "This isn't right,"
I'd think. "I can't have a gerbil running loose in the house.
We've got to catch it. We've got to do something."

A small animal, the size of a mouse had the entire household in
a tizzy.

One day, while sitting in the living room, I watched the animal
scurry across the hallway. In frenzy, I started to lunge at it,
as I usually did, then I stopped myself.

No, I said, I'm all done. If that animal wants to live in the nooks
and crannies of this house, I'm going to let it. I'm done worrying
about it. I'm done chasing it. It's an irregular circumstance, but
that's just the way it's going to have to be.

I let the gerbil run past without reacting. I felt slightly
uncomfortable with my new reaction - not reacting - but I stuck
to it anyway.

I got more comfortable with my new reaction - not reacting. Before
long, I became downright peaceful with the situation. I had
stopped fighting the gerbil. One afternoon, only weeks after I
started practicing my new attitude, the gerbil ran by me, as it had
so many times, and I barely glanced at it. The animal stopped in its
tracks, turned around, and looked at me. I started to lunge at it. It
started to run away. I relaxed.

"Fine," I said. "Do what you want." And I meant it.

One hour later, the gerbil came and stood by me, and waited. I
gently picked it up and placed it in its cage, where it has lived
happily ever since. The moral of the story? Don't lunge at the
gerbil. He's already frightened, and chasing him just scares him
more and makes us crazy.

Detachment works.

Today, I will be comfortable with my new reaction - not reacting.
I will feel at peace.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God's Wings
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2001/11/gods-wings.htm

Additional Commandments To Live By
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2001/11/additional-commandments.htm

Accepting Your Inner Monster
http://www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/October/vissell.htm

Take What You Have and Make What You Want , By Alan Cohen
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/06/alan-cohen.htm

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Dance

I have sent you my invitation,
The note inscribed on the palm of my hand by the fire of living.
Don't jump up and shout, "Yes,this is what I want!  Let's do it!"
Just stand up quietly and dance with me.

Show me how you follow your deepest desires,
Spiraling down into the ache within the ache,
And I will show you how I reach inward and open outward
To feel the kiss of the Mystery, sweet lips on my own, every day.

Don't tell me you want to hold the whole world in your heart.
Show me how you turn away from making another wrong without
Abandoning yourself when you are hurt and afraid of being unloved.

Tell me a story of who you are,
And see who I am in the stories I am living.
And together we will remember that each of us always has a choice.

Don't tell me how wonderful things will be someday.
Show me you can risk being completely at peace,
truly okay with the way things are right now in this moment,
And again in the next and the next and the next.

I have heard enough warrior stories of heroic daring.
Tell me how you crumble when you hit the wall,
The place you cannot go beyond by the strength of your  own will.
What carries you to the other side of that wall,
To the fragile beauty of your own humanness?

And after we have shown each other how we have set and kept the
Clear, healthy boundaries that help us live side by side with each
other,
Let us risk remembering that  we never stop silently loving
Those we once loved out loud.

Take me to the places on the earth that teach you how to dance,
The places where you can risk letting the world break your heart,
And I will take you to the places where the earth beneath my feet
And the stars overhead make my heart whole again and again.

Show me how you take care of business
Without letting business determine who you are.
When the children are fed but still the voices within and around us
Shout that soul's desires have too high a price,
Let us remind each other that it is never about the money.

Show me how you offer to your people and the world
The stories and the songs you want our children's children to remember,
And I will show you how I struggle,
Not to change the world, but to love it.

Sit beside me in long moments of shared solitude,
Knowing both our  absolute  aloneness  and our undeniable belonging.
Dance with me in the silence and in the sound of small daily words,
Holding neither against me at the end of the day.

And when the sound of all the declarations of our sincerest
Intentions has died away on the wind,
Dance with me in the infinite pause before the next great inhale
Of the breath that is breathing us all into being,
Not filling the emptiness from the outside or from within.

Don't say,"Yes!"
Just  take my hand and dance with me.

Oriah Mountain Dreamer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Reflections

The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.
What you see in others, shows you yourself.
See the best in others, and you will be your best.
Give to others, and you give to yourself.
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful.
Admire creativity, and you will be creative.
Love, and you will be loved.
Seek to understand, and you will be understood.
Listen, and your voice will be heard.
Teach, and you will learn.
Show your best face to the mirror, and you'll be happy with the face
looking back at you.

Author Unknown

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

WHEN?

When did you last lie on your back to read the clouds floating
in a sea of blue or watch a little beetle crawl up a blade of grass?

When did you last splash happily through puddles or talk to
buttercups?

When did you last kiss your smiling image in the mirror or hold a
cool frog in your hands?

When did you last just sit, and watch the world go by in wonder
believing in the magic of it all?

You see, the playful child in you knows all the doors to peace
of mind and innate bliss.

cb


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

God does not ask your ability,
Or your inability.
He asks only your availability.

Mary Kay Ash

Reasons for gratitude are easy to find. If we're breathing, we can
think of
people hooked up to oxygen tanks. If our skin is smooth, we can remember
people suffering in burn units. If we ran into a store for a minute to
buy a
gallon of milk today, we can remember the long lines people in other
cultures endure for the same errand.

And we exist! That alone is miraculous! Some have survived chronic,
often
fatal diseases. For many of us, life is better because we've found a new
appreciation for life, a new depth and peace, a new calmness. And we can
continue to grow each beautiful day that is given to us. Today babies
across
the world are being born, bringing millions of hopeful and exciting
possibilities into our world.

Now, we're ready to take our place in the sun as one of the world's new
hopeful possibilities. We live and breathe and feel and think, and we
are
watched over by a Higher Power who loves us and has a plan for our
lives.

Today let me look for the good in my world and be thankful.

from the book: Body, Mind, and Spirit by Anonymous

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

With Gods Help

All my faith comes from above
The ability to help
The ability to love
I only follow my heart
After I think it out
My God keeps His hand upon me
I thank Him daily for now I see
I was like a shooting star with no destination
Blazing a trail since my creation
Then several years ago
AA change my fate
I gave up anger and hate
Replaced resentment with forgiveness
For my fellow man
Today I really can understand
NO one is perfect no ones a saint
We come together on recovery's path
No man is an island
No man stands alone
We are all apart of a family
The earth is our home
Never to be lonely
Never to roam
I smile at all who cross my pathway
God has given me love and happiness today
Like the trees that shed there leaves in the fall
Only to grow them back and bless us all
Each man has a beauty deep inside
If he only would come out
  From where he hides
Share his experience, strength and hope
Help teach the others how to cope
God gives us the ability when we surrender

Daniel M Corkery
10/26/2000
DMCDREAMER1@...
DMCDREAMER's Page of Poetry
www.geocities.com/dmcdreamer/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There is only one corner of the universe
you can be certain of improving
and that's your own self.
Aldous Huxley

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A smile is the light in your window that tells
others that there is a caring, sharing person inside.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

How can God work in all these unseen realms at the same time,
being fully available to each of us?
We simply cannot get our minds around this mystery,
and the truth is, we're not meant to know.
Who would want a God so easily understood?
When we embrace, instead of dissecting mystical experiences,
we become more in tune with this infinite, loving Presence we call God.
   Mary Manin Morrissey

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that
deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy
of our touch. Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity,
wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the
human spirit.
e. e. cummings

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If the only tool you have is a hammer,
you tend to see every problem as a nail.
Abraham Maslow

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow.
It empties today of its strength.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What lies behind us and what lies before us
are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Forgiveness is the fragrance that the flower
leaves on the heel of the one that crushed it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Serenity isn't freedom from the storm;
it's peace within the storm.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
http://www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.naranon.com

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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

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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

Congratulations Charlie B. on your 20 Year Clean
drballzini@...
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
Send him an email, double click on the email address  :)
drballzini@...
or send him a card
http://www.recoverygreetings.com/greetings/index.php

Condition
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/new2004/condition.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
Have you finish working the 12 steps  ?
What did you work on next ?
Do you believe youve got a handle on the spiritual
principles behind the steps ?

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

November 29
I am very grateful for the gift of this day.
It is mine to do exactly what I choose
and I choose to use it for good 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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Joy

A cooling breeze;
A leaf fluttering to the ground;
The early morning sound of silence.

I am awakened by it.
I am surrounded by it.
I am comforted by it.

It's another day,
But not just another day.
It is THIS day.

Finally, not to be feared,
Finally, to be welcomed.

Not that the night was long,
But that this day, this day of hope
Was so long in coming.

The wind teases my hair,
Leaves brush against my feet,
Playfully, along their journey into this day.

Motion. Sound. Awareness. Promise.
God's love, expressed in nature's beauty.

It's time now; time to begin.
I've waited so long; but I am ready,
At last, to seek, find and accept.

Joy.

written by Jeff Bingham
jbingham1@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Child's Voice
http://profiles.yahoo.com/blog/KOUVXSDBHBKOTXDBYWF7UA43UA?eid=Kr6FU5sxyS7yQYVrCx\
tn.fVEEh05xTt8WhkxVKeaaDDvGqggYA

On Religion and Spirituality
www.barefootsworld.net/aareligionspirituality.html

Narcotic Anonymous INTERNATIONAL Literature
www.na.org/ips/

Relationship Guide Index
www.relationshipweb.com/odat/odatind.htm

Growing and changing
N.A. Way Magazine 4/1999
www.na.org/naway/en/naway162-4.htm

My Blog YOUnMEnHP Scott's Daily Blog
http://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp

Tommy D. GREAT MUSIC (one of my sponsees)
http://www.myspace.com/bluesbuddha
http://www.bluesbuddha.com/home.html

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
November 29                               Our Higher Power's Care

"We believe that our Higher Power will take care of us."
Basic Text p. 55

   Our program is based on the idea that the application of simple
principles can produce profound effects in our lives. One such
principle is that, if we ask, our Higher Power will care for us.
Because this principle is so basic, we may tend to ignore it. Unless
we learn to consciously apply this spiritual truth, we may miss out
on something as essential to our recovery as breathing is to life
itself.

   What happens when we find ourselves stressed or panicked? If
we have consistently sought to improve our relationship with our
Higher Power, we'll have no problem. Rather than acting rashly,
we will stop for a moment and briefly remind ourselves of particular
instances in the past when our Higher Power has shown its care
for us. This will assure us that our Higher Power is still in charge
of our lives. Then, we will seek guidance and power for the situation
at hand and proceed calmly, confident that our lives are in God's
hands.

   "Our program is a set of principles;' our White Booklet tells us. The
more consistently we seek to improve our conscious appreciation
of these principles, the more readily we will be able to apply them.

Just for today: I will seek to improve my conscious contact with the
Higher Power that cares for me. When the need arises, I know I
will be able to trust in that care.

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
http://www.gatewayrehab.org/November.html

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Live and Let Live

Never since it began has Alcoholics Anonymous been divided by
a major controversial issue. Nor has our Fellowship ever publicly
taken sides on any question in an embattled world. This, however,
has been no earned virtue. It could almost be said that we were born
with it. . . .  "So long as we don't argue these matters privately,
it's a
cinch we never shall publicly. "
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 176

   Do I remember that I have a right to my opinion but that others don't
have to share it?  That's the spirit of "Live and Let Live."  The
Serenity
Prayer reminds me, with God's help, to "Accept the things I cannot
change."  Am I still trying to change others?  When it comes to
"Courage to change the things I can," do I remember that my opinions
are mine, and yours are yours?  Am I still afraid to be me?  When it
comes to "Wisdom to know the difference," do I remember that my
opinions come from my experience? If I have a know-it-all attitude,
aren't I being deliberately controversial?

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 / November 29th

A.A. Thought for the Day

The A.A. way is the way of sobriety, and yet there
are slips.  Why do these slips occur?  Why don't we
all accept A.A. and stay sober from then on?  There
are many reasons, but it has been proved without
exception that once we have become alcoholics we
can never drink successfully again.  This has never
been disproved by any case we know of.  Many alcoholics
have tried drinking after a period of sobriety from a
few days to a few years and no one that we know of has
been successful in becoming a normal drinker.  Could I
be the only exception to this rule?

Meditation for the Day

"We are gathered together in Thy name."  First, we are
gathered together, bound by a common loyalty to God and
to each other.  Then, when this condition has been fulfilled,
God is present with us.  Then, when God is there and one
with us, we voice a common prayer.  Then it follows that our
prayer will be answered according to God's will.  Then, when
our prayer is answered, we are bound together in a lasting
fellowship of the spirit.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be loyal to God and to others.  I pray that
my life today may be lived close to His and to theirs.

"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
NOVEMBER 29

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Step Twelve

The Twelfth Step says that having had a spiritual awakening, we
try to carry this message to others. Our message is one of hope,
love, comfort, health - a better way of life, one that works.

How do we carry it? Not by rescuing. Not by controlling. Not by
obsessing. Not by becoming evangelists for the recovery cause.

We carry the message in many small, subtle, but powerful ways.
We do our own recovery work and become a living demonstration
of hope, self-love, comfort, and health. These quiet behaviors
can be a powerful message.

Inviting (not ordering or demanding) someone to go to a meeting
is a powerful way to carry the message.

Going to our meetings and sharing how recovery works for us is a
powerful way to carry the message.

Being who we are and allowing our Higher Power to guide our
actions are powerful ways to carry the message. Often, we
find ourselves carrying the message more effectively than we
do when we set out to reform, convince, or coerce someone into
recovery.

Caretaking and controlling are not ways to carry the message.
All those behaviors carry is codependency.

Still, the most powerful form of helping others comes down to
helping ourselves. When we do our own work and are honest
and open about it, we impact others more than by our most
well intentioned "helping" gesture. We cannot change others,
but when we change ourselves, we may end up changing the
world.

Today, I will strive to carry the message in ways that work. I will
let go of my need to "help" people. Instead, I will concentrate on
helping and changing myself. If an opportunity comes up to
share my recovery with someone, I will do so quietly. God, help
me show others comfort, empowerment, and hope. I can be a
channel to help others when I am ready. I do not have to force
this; it will happen naturally.

©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 Woman & The Stone
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2001/11/woman-stone.htm

F.R.O.G.
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2001/11/FROG.htm

That's So Fake
http://www.lightworks.com/MonthlyAspectarian/2005/October/cohen.htm

Alan Cohen’s Secrets
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2004/05/alan-cohen.htm

Inspirational Spiritual Flash Movies
http://www.inspiringthots.net/m-all.htm

At The Heart Of Peace
http://www.heartmath.com/peace/

We Are The Same
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=431

Remember The Child Within
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=258

Finding Joy
http://www.findingjoymovie.com/

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

Native American 10 Commandments
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3ZEvOfD1w

The Secret
http://www.thesecret.tv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep It Simple*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Inner Self Signs When You Need Them
Alan Cohen

While driving home one day, I noticed that someone had posted
some cardboard signs along the roadside, leading guests to a
party on my street. I live out in the country where there are no
city blocks, with many curving roads and irregular intersections.

I saw that the person who had posted the signs, placed them at
the crucial intersections. At every important choice point, there
was a sign. I drove for long stretches past numerous smaller
intersections, where there were no posters. Then, when I again
reached a crucial intersection, there was another clear marker.

It occurred to me that this is how Spirit gives us guidance we get
signs when we need them. Whenever you arrive at a critical
choice point, information shows up to help you decide. If you are
not getting a sign, you are probably not at a crucial intersection.
That's the time to just keep going and enjoy the ride. When you
are ready to know, you will. If you don't know, it is not time yet.
In the meantime, just breathe, trust, and find the blessing where
you are.

If you are seeking direction, pray for guidance. Then let the
universe deliver your answer in the right way, place, and time.
If, upon completing your prayer, you do not hear a voice boom
from heaven, shout your name, and bellow, "This is what you
must do!" don't freak out. Give the Great Spirit a chance to
deliver your message when you most need it. It will come.

Guidance often arrives in uncanny and synchronistic ways. I
met a fellow who prayed for a sign to help him decide whether
or not to accept a promotion that would require him to relocate
his home and family to a distant city. Then one night he came
home late and saw a "For Sale" sign on his lawn. Since his wife
was already sleeping, he did not want to wake her. The next
morning he asked her about the sign. "What sign?" she asked
him. "The one on the lawn," he told her. The two walked outside,
and no sign was to be found. The fellow deduced that he had
indeed been given a sign. He took the job, and the move
ultimately turned out to be a success for everyone.

A man at a seminar told me he prayed for direction one morning,
and then that afternoon as he walked out of a restaurant, the
wind blew a piece of paper against his knees. He picked it up
and discovered it was a flyer for my seminar that evening. He
attended, and subsequently his life changed.

Another friend decided he wanted to become independently
wealthy and retire at a young age. He prayed for help with this
project. The next morning when he went out to jog, as he
turned a corner he saw a book someone had left on top of
a trashcan: Your Money or Your Life. He took the book, read
it, and found the wisdom he needed. Now he is well on his
way to riches and early retirement.

If you act anxiously to hasten your answer, you inhibit your
ability to receive guidance, and delay its arrival. In such a
situation your wisest move is to step back from frenetic activity
and return to peace. I once needed to find a particular
document to resolve a financial snafu. I searched for it
nervously, and only grew more confused and frustrated.
Finally I realized I was getting nowhere and decided to sit
down and meditate to clear my mind. I let go of trying to locate
the paper, and relaxed. Toward the end of my meditation, an
image popped into my mind, showing me a certain folder
toward the rear of a file cabinet. I looked in the folder and
there was the document.

I use a very successful method to receive guidance. I call it "The
Truth Smoke-Out." Whenever I am not sure what to do, I say to
the universe,  "Just show me what I am to do here. I am willing
to do whatever is in the best interest of everyone involved. Give
me a clue, and I will follow." Then I release the situation. I give
up any preconceived notion about how this is supposed to turn
out, and when I am supposed to know. Sometimes the answer
comes instantly, and sometimes it takes a while. But it always
comes.

In the Greek version of the Bible, the first translation from the
original Aramaic, two different words are used for our word
"time." One is chronos, which is equivalent to our
understanding of time in seconds, ‘minutes, and hours. The
other word is kairos, which can best be translated as "in God's
time" or "at the right time" or "when the time is ripe." In our
culture we are used to living in chronos. But there is an
entirely more important element of time, which is timing. That's
kairos. Practice living in kairos, and answers arrive at the
perfect time. God is at least as smart as the person who put
the signs up for the party.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*One Day At A Time*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Paradoxes in Life

1. What you resist persists.

   Exactly what you are trying to avoid, is exactly what you are
attracting to yourself. You know that things you don't want to
happen, they happen just because you put so much energy
into trying not to let them happen.

2. Your complaint about others is really a fear you have about
yourself.

   When you are always putting someone, or some group, down,
it means there is something that person or group represents
about yourself that you can't accept. Fear of being stupid, ugly,
devalued by society, ostracized, worthless, self-centered,
penniless, etc.

3. Opposites attract.

   The more I learn about how men and women are wired
differently, the more amazed I am that any of us ever get together
and stay together happily. It really is a miracle how that works!

4. The core belief that you're not good enough.

   We ALL walk around thinking some version of "I'm not good
enough, I don't matter, I'm worthless, I'm bad, I'm unlovable."
How can all of us be unacceptable? Ha! The joke is on us!

5. Out with the old, in with the new.

   To allow something new into your life, you need to let
something go. Often we are holding onto the old (relationships,
jobs, etc.) until the new shows up ... but more often it isn't until
you simply let go of the old that the new has space to come
into your life.

6. Look inside for what you seek outside.

   Whatever you are seeking outside yourself, you are certain
never to find. If you are seeking love, approval, security, or
validation from external circumstances, such as educational
degrees, intimate partners, social status, and all the "trappings"
of the good life, you are likely to end up empty. Only when you
learn to give these things to yourself first can you experience
them consistently since they are under your control. You can
give yourself love at any moment, but how many of us do?

7. AND

   We are seemingly opposing forces in the same entity. We are
both male and female energy, light and dark, happy and sad,
angry and peaceful. We embody all these things, yet we often
try to be only one or the other. We are both ends of the
spectrum and the in between. I took on a word of the year--
AND. Every time there seems to be a black and white choice
in my life, I say the word AND, then look for how to create
integration.

8. The Answer.

   We are all searching for the answer. I believe this is just
part of being human and having these highly intelligent minds.
But answers are relative. Relative to the context, the people
involved, the timing, the decade, etc. Watch out for the trap:
even if you say you aren't searching for the answer, that is
your answer...not to search. Get it? You can't escape.

9. What you repress, comes out anyway.

   Our society supports an unemotional human existence. We
are taught that being emotional is weak, and that logic and
rationality rule. However, emotions are one part of our 4-part
beings: spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional. And all four
parts provide intelligence. Cutting off or repressing any one
part, cuts off additional information and intelligence for you.
When you repress your emotions, they don't just go away, no
matter how much you wish or believe that. They get stuck
inside you energetically and can make you ill, keep you from
achieving success in other areas of your life, and/or burst out
in extreme ways. You can only bury emotions for so long, they
always get out somehow. And often in destructive ways for you
and those you love around you. Don't kid yourself. Learn to feel
and express your emotions, regardless of what society or your
peer group says.

10. The Attraction Principle

   Intention + Surrender = Attraction. The more you can be
intentional about what you want AND surrender the outcome,
the more attractive you become, and the more likely you are to
receive what you want.

Author Unknown (Honorably Thanked)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*First Things First*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Discovery of Recovery

Chasing the man, trying to score,
Just one more fix, then no more.
So many years, hiding the pain,
Staying high, just to maintain.
Thought I had my life under control,
What I had was a very empty soul.
Angel of darkness stayed by my side,
Couldn’t see the light for foolish pride.
My spirit is dead, this must end,
Where to start, so I can begin.
Surrendering, I made a great discovery,
A new way of life they called Recovery.
A journey beyond my wildest hope,
No more, will I ever need to use dope.
God leads me the way just for today,
And all I ever had to do was Pray.
Narcotics Anonymous has become my home,
They give me Love I’ve never known.
I am so blessed for this second chance to see,
The freedom of life meant to be.

written by ~ Stella Marie Kendall

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Easy Does It*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nothing Can Stop Me Now

"Nothing, no not a thing, not ANY thing...
can stop me now.
I'm running wild.
I'm loose.
I'm free.
There are no chains binding me.
No, nothing can stop me now.

I held myself back.
I let myself be...
A limited, frightened, unsure me.
But I woke up, and now I see...
Nothing can ever stop me ~ no how.

I reach for the top.
I stand up tall.
Now I can see clear over the wall.
Nothing, no nothing, can ever stop me...
but me!

Do you challenge my words?
Do you think I'm absurd?
Just go ahead and try...
No, you  and no on else could ever stop me.

I'm fine.  I'm blessed.
I pass every test.
With God, all things are possible...
And so, with praise I beat my chest.
Nothing, no way, can stop me now."


Virginia Santoro © 2000
MorningMusings@...
www.myspace.com/morningmusings
www.hometown.aol.com/morningmusings

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Live And Let Live*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Enhance

Your life by letting go
of worry and regret
Smooth out the wrinkles of your days
by doing things you love
Take time to consider
yourself
amid the pullings and pushings
of duty, work, routine and obligations

Enhance your mind by Stopping
the rush of worrying, anxious thoughts
crowding the waking moment
Look inwards to the heart
Ask it this question:
“Is this the best I can do for myself at this moment?”
Listen to the answer
Give yourself a break
Let go of guilt (it’s a useless thing)
Don’t harbour any expectations

Make one commitment today
Enjoy this moment
and the next
to enhance
your heart, mind, body and soul
be your true self: calm, content, accepting
You have only one ~
Enhance it!


Love
Stella © 2003 Stella Raymonde Savoie Johnson
stellaraymonde@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep The Focus On You*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The best thing to spend on your children is your time.
Louise Hart

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Let God and Let Go*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It's an actual fact that if you've been moping in unhappiness,
you  can choose to be joyous instead and,
by effort, lift yourself into joy.
If you tend to be fearful,
you can overcome that misery by choosing to have courage.
Even in darkest grief you have a choice.

The whole trend and quality of anyone's life is determined
in the long run by the choices that are made.
Norman Vincent Peale (1898 - 1993)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Remember that happiness is a way of travel,
not a destination.
Roy Goodman

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I think the one lesson I have learned is
that there is no substitute for paying attention.
Diane Sawyer

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Come To Believe*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Do I believe that I can give out one kind of behavior
and yet receive another?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Look For The Beauty*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It doesn't hurt to cry.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Today Is A Gift*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you think life's lessons are hard...
try addiction.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Keep Stepping*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Seven days with no meetings
Makes one weak.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Stay In The Light*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you don't keep coming,
Your gonna keep 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
http://www.AdultChildren.org

Al-Anon/Alateen
http://www.al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.dhh12s.com/

Artists Recovering through the Twelve Steps
http://www.artsanonymous.org

Clutterer’s Anonymous
http://www.clutterersanonymous.net

Cocaine Anonymous World Services
http://www.ca.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous Home Page
http://www.codependents.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous
http://www.crystalmeth.org

Criminal and Gangs Anonymous
http://www.angelfire.com/id/CGAnonymous

Debtors Anonymous: A Twelve Step Fellowship for…
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org

Depressed Anonymous
http://www.depressedanon.com

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step program
http://www.draonline.org

Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

Emotions Anonymous
http://www.emotionsanonymous.org

Families Anonymous
http://www.familiesanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous Official Home Page
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org

Hepatitis C Anonymous
http://www.hcvanonymous.com

HIV Anonymous
http://www.hivanonymous.com

The Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Methadone Anonymous
http://www.afirmfwc.org/methanon.htm

Narcotics Anonymous Official  Homepage
http://www.na.org

Earth Group N.A. online meetings
http://www.earthgroupna.org

Nar-Anon is a family support group
http://www.naranon.com

Nicotine Anonymous (WWW Home Page) NA Home Page
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Overeaters Anonymous
http://www.oa.org

Parents Anonymous
http://www.parentsanonymous.org/paIndex1.htm

Rape Survivors Anonymous
http://www.rsaws.org

Recovering Couples Anonymous
http://www.recovering-couples.org

Sexaholics Anonymous
http://www.sa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous
http://www.saa-recovery.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
http://www.slaafws.org/

Shoplifters Anonymous
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.org

Spenders Anonymous
http://www.spenders.org/home.html

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous
http://www.siawso.org

Workaholics Anonymous
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*@¿@*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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."

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@...

Anyone can subscribe to this free daily  e-zine by sending an
Email message to me 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 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 13,000 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
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://profiles.yahoo.com/younmenhp
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=806068075

For the daily recovery email please visit me at:
http://groups.google.tt/group/12-Step-Soul-Food-for-the-Spirit?hl=en
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/12StepSoulFoodForTheSpirit/
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29828726115

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]

V.I.P.
http://www.recoverycartoons.com/html/new2004/vip.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*LAUGHTER Is HEALING*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekly meeting topic is:
Have you finish working the 12 steps  ?
What did you work on next ?
Do you believe youve got a handle on the spiritual
principles behind the steps ?

This is a DIFFERENT Yahoo Club you MUST join this club in order to
participate otherwise your emails will bounce

to share please visit
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit/
or email
twelvestepsoulfood4thespirit@yahoogroups.com

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

November 28
Today I know that I am nothing alone.
I am willing to let go of any struggle that
keeps me on a path of doing things my way.
I know that all I have to do is ask for help
and it is there 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
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm
for inspirational messages email
spirithaven@...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just for Today*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Come in, Sit down

Come in, Sit down
Unburden your heart
You'll laugh, you'll cry
You'll make a clean start.

Just listen and learn
  From those with advice,
Maybe something you hear
Might just save your life.

For what they have learned
They are willing to share
Their openness & Honesty
Are the badges they wear.

With hope for the future,
And Just for Today,
I've found a new life
Living the NA Way.

Jean O.   10/18/02

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*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 Past
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FQWlRA0odLMC0svu1ovT3Tc-?cq=1&p=1301

Moral Inventory Checklist
www.barefootsworld.net/aamoralinventory.html

Trust
www.recoverycartoons.com/html/new2004/trust.html

Kahlil Gibran on Giving
www.katsandogz.com/ongiving.html

Kahlil Gibran On Love
www.katsandogz.com/onlove.html

N.A. Way- Home Group
www.na.org/naway/en/oct05/en-naway0510-sect7.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

Recovery Gifts, Bracelets, T-Shirts, Mugs and other GREAT gifts
http://www.serenityquest.org/60.html

CHECK out Ruth Fishel's new book
Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World
http://www.peaceinourhearts.net/

Spiritual Greeting Cards, Bookmarks & Spirit Stones
http://www.spirithaven.com/greeting_cards.htm

Ruth Fishel Books and Tapes
http://www.spirithaven.com/booksandtapes.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Make A Meeting*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just For Today
November 28                                          Being Ourselves

"To be truly humble is to accept and honestly try to be ourselves."
    Basic Text p. 35

   Humility is a puzzling concept. We know a lot about humiliation, but
humility is a new idea. It sounds suspiciously like groveling, bowing,
and
scraping. But that's not what humility is at all. True humility is,
simply, acceptance of who we are.

   By the time we reach a step that uses the word "humbly;' we have
already started to put this principle into practice. The Fourth Step
gives us an opportunity to examine who we really are, and the Fifth
Step helps us accept that knowledge.

   The practice of humility involves accepting our true nature, honestly
being ourselves. We don't have to grovel or abase ourselves, nor must
we try to appear smarter, wealthier, or happier than we really are.
Humility simply means we drop all pretense and live as honestly as we
can.

Just for today: I will allow knowledge of my true nature to guide my
actions. Today, I will face the world as myself. pg. 346

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
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_food

Each Day a New Beginning (Women) Meditation
http://www.hazelden.org/web/go/thought_eachday

Touchtones (Men) Meditation
http://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/index.php

Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought of the Day
http://www.gatewayrehab.org/November.html

Daily Zen
http://www.dailyzen.com/

Grapevine Story Today
http://www.aagrapevine.org/da/storyoday.php

Daily Motivator
http://www.greatday.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Use Your Sponsor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Global Sharing

The only thing that matters is that he is an alcoholic who has found a
key to sobriety. These legacies of suffering and of recovery are easily
passed among alcoholics, one to the other. This is our gift from God,
and its bestowal upon others like us is the one aim that today animates
A.A.'s all around the globe.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 151

The strength of Alcoholics Anonymous lies in the desire of each
member and of each group around the world to share with other
alcoholics their suffering and the steps taken to gain, and maintain,
recovery.  By keeping a conscious contact with my Higher Power,
I make sure that I always nurture my desire to help other alcoholics,
thus insuring the continuity of the wonderful fraternity of Alcoholics
Anonymous.

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 / November 28th

A.A. Thought for the Day

The A.A. way is the way of sobriety.  A.A. is known
everywhere as a method that has been successful
with alcoholics.  Doctors, psychiatrists, and the
clergy have had some success.  Some men and women
have gotten sober all by themselves.  We believe that
A.A. is the most successful and happiest way to sobriety.
And yet A.A. is, of course, not wholly successful.  Some
are unable to achieve sobriety and some slip back into
alcoholism after they have had some measure of sobriety.
Am I deeply grateful to have found A.A.?

Meditation for the Day

Gratitude to God is the theme of Thanksgiving Day.
The pilgrims gathered to give thanks to God for their
harvest which was pitifully small.  When we look around
at all the things we have today, how can we help being
grateful to God?  Our families, our homes, our friends,
our A.A. fellowship: all these things are free gifts of
God to us.  "But for the grace of God," we would not
have them.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be very grateful today.  I pray that
I may not forget where I might be but for the grace 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
NOVEMBER 28, 2005

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Melody Beattie ©

Back to the Steps

Go back to the Steps. Go back to a Step

When we don't know what to do next, when we feel confused,
upset, distraught, at the end of our rope, overwhelmed, full of
self will, rage, or despair, go back to the Steps.

No matter what situation we are facing, working a Step will help.
Focus on one, trust your instincts, and work it.

What does it mean to work a Step? Think about it. Meditate on it.
Instead of focusing on the confusion, the problems, or the
situation causing our despair or rage, focus on the Step.

Think about how that Step might apply. Hold on to it. Hang on
as tightly as we hang on to our confusion or the problem.

The Steps are a solution. They work. We can trust them to work.

We can trust where the Steps will lead us.

When we don't know what step to take next, take one of the
Twelve.

Today, I will concentrate on using the Twelve Steps to solve
problems and keep me in balance and harmony. I will work a
Step to the best of my ability. I will learn to trust the Steps, and
rely on them instead of on my protective, codependent
behaviors.

©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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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