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God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
and Wisdom to know the difference.
Thy will, not mine, be done.

October 4, 2005

         Daily Reflections

        A NECESSARY PRUNING

          . . . . we know that the pains of drinking had to come
          before sobriety, and emotional turmoil before serenity.
          TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 94

          I love spending time in my garden feeding and pruning my
          beautiful flowers. One day, as I was busily snipping away,
          a neighbor stopped by. She commented, "Oh! Your plants are
          so beautiful, it seems such a shame to cut them back." I
          replied, "I know how you feel, but the excess must be
          removed so they can grow stronger and healthier." Later I
          thought that perhaps my plants feel pain, but God and I
          know it's part of the plan and I've seen the results. I
          was quickly reminded of my precious A.A. program and how
          we all grow through pain. I ask God to prune me when it's
          time, so I can grow.

          ***********************************************************

         Twenty-Four Hours A Day

          A.A. Thought For The Day

          Am I critical of other members of A.A. or of new prospects?
          Do I ever say about other members: "I don't think they're
          sincere, I think they're bluffing, or I think they're taking
          a few drinks on the quiet?" Do I realize that my doubtful
          and skeptical attitude is hurting those members, if only in
          my attitude toward them, which they cannot help sensing? Do
          I say about new prospects: "They'll never make the program,"
          or do I say: "They'll only last a few months?" If I take
          this attitude, I am unconsciously hurting those
          prospects' chances. Is my attitude always constructive and
          never destructive?

          Meditation For The Day

          To be attracted toward God and a better life, you must be
          spirit-guided. There is wonderful illumination of thought
          given to those who are spirit-guided. To those who are
          material-guided, there is nothing in God or a finer life to
          appeal to them or to attract them. But to those who are
          spirit-guided there is strength and peace and calm to be
          found in communion with an Unseen Lord. To those who believe
          in this God they cannot see but whose power they can feel,
          life has a meaning and purpose. They are children of the
          Unseen Lord, and all human beings are their brothers and
          sisters.

          Prayer For The Day

          I pray that I may be spirit-guided.
          I pray that I may feel God's presence and power in my life.

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        As Bill Sees It            
        
         The "Slipper" Needs Understanding, p. 99

             "Slips can often be charged to rebellion; some of us are more rebellious
             than others.  Slips may be due to the illusion that one can be 'cured' of
             alcoholism.  Slips can also be charged to carelessness and
             complacency.  Many of us fail to ride out these periods sober.  Things
             go fine for two or three years--then the member is seen no more.  Some
             of us suffer extreme guilt because of vices or practices that we can't or
             won't let go of.  Too little self-forgiveness and too little prayer--well,
             this combination adds up to slips.

             "Then some of us are far more alcohol-damaged than others.  Still
             others encounter a series of calamities and cannot seem to find the
             spiritual resources to meet them.  There are those of us who are
             physically ill.  Others are subject to more or less continuous exhaustion,
             anxiety, and depression.  These conditions often play a part in
             slips--sometimes they are utterly controlling."

             Talk, 1960

        ***********************************************************

        Alcoholics Anonymous - Fourth Edition

Gratitude In Action

The story of Dave B., one of the founders of A.A. in Canada in 1944.

In my new enthusiasm, and having found an answer to my problem, I told Dorie, my wife, "You can quit your job now; I will take care of you.  From now on, you will take the place you deserve in this family."  However, she knew better.  She said, "No, Dave, I will keep my job for a year while you go save the drunks."  That is exactly what I set out to do."

pp. 196-197

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         Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions

Foreword

This starting expansion brought with it very severe growing pains.  Proof that alcoholics could recover had been made.  But it was by no means sure that such great numbers of yet erratic people could live and work together with harmony and good effect.

pp. 17-18

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        Yesterday is history, tomorrow, but a mystery...
          Today is a gift, that's why we call it the present.

          Like an ability or a muscle, hearing your inner wisdom is strengthened by doing it.
          --Robbie Gass

          "If the eyes are looked upon as the windows to the soul...
          then a smile must be the doorway the heart."
          --unknown

          "Listen or thy tongue will keep thee deaf."
          --American Indian Proverb

          When someone intentionally hurts me, I know, they are also hurting themselves, probably
          more. Let go, and love them anyway.
          --Shelley

          ***********************************************************

         Father Leo's Daily Meditation

          LIFE

                                             "I am not afraid of tomorrow,
                                            for I have seen yesterday and I
                                                    love today."
                                                 -- William Allen White

          Today I have confidence in my life and I am experiencing consistency in my behavior and
          attitude. In recovery, things follow a natural progression and life is more like a series of
          curves than sharp peaks. As an addict, my life was forever going up and down, ecstasy
          followed by gloom; the "best ever" followed by depression; always black and white --- no
          grays.

          Today I have some balance and consistency. Things are connected and grow in the
          process of change. Sudden happenings and quick changes scare me because they are
          symptomatic of yesterday's disease and are not consistent with the spiritual life I seek.
          Today I have the peace of knowing that tomorrow will be something like today --- and I
          am happy.

          Thank You for the spiritual gift of consistency.

          ***********************************************************

          Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.
          Psalm 106:1

          Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the                 morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
          Psalm 5:1-3

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          Daily Inspiration

When you lose your temper, you lose. Lord, help me to be patient with those around me, but most of all, help me be patient with myself.

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We only have so much time and so much energy in a day. To use it grumbling leaves less time for enjoyment and accomplishment. Lord, may I focus on looking for Your blessings in every part of my life.

Ask and you shall receive,
Seek and ye shall find,
Knock and it shall be opened unto you.
Matthew 7:7

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