DAILY PONDERABLES Together WE Trudge The Road OF Happy Destiny

Good resources for Quarantiners   https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting   (Including mobile apps)   https://www.aa-intergroup.org/index.php   https://www.aa-intergroup.org/directory.php   (Directory of online meetings)   https://www.recoverytapers.com/    www.aagrapevine.org/we-are-here-to-help **************************************************************** Daily Reflections NO ONE DENIED ME LOVE On the A.A. calendar it was Year Two. . . . A newcomer appeared at one of these groups. . . . He soon proved that his was a desperate case, and above all he wanted to get well. . . . [He said], "Since I am the victim of another addiction even worse stigmatized than alcoholism, you may not want me among you." TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 141-42 I came to you---a wife, a mother, woman who had walked out on her husband, children, family. I was a drunk, a pill head, a nothing. Yet no one denied me love, caring, a sense of belonging. Today, by God's grace and the love of a good sponsor and a home group, I can say that---through you in Alcoholics Anonymous---I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a woman. Sober. Free of pills. Responsible. Without a Higher Power I found in the Fellowship, my life would be meaningless. I am full of gratitude to be a member of good standing in Alcoholics Anonymous. From the book Daily Reflections © Copyright 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Twenty-Four Hours A Day A.A. Thought for the Day Since I've been in A.A., have I made a start toward being more unselfish? Do I no longer want my own way in everything? When things go wrong and I can't have what I want, do I no longer sulk? Am I trying not to waste money on myself? And does it make me happy to see my family and my home have enough attention from me? Am I trying not to be all "get" and no "give"? Meditation for the Day Each day is a day of progress, steady progress forward, if you make it so. You may not see it, but God does. God does not judge by outward appearance. He judges by the heart. Let Him see in your heart a simple desire always to do His will. Though you may feel that your work has been spoiled or tarnished, God sees it as an offering for Him. When climbing a steep hill, people are often more conscious of the weakness of their stumbling feet than of the view, the grandeur, or even of the upward progress. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may persevere in all good things. I pray that I may advance each day in spite of my stumbling feet. From the book Twenty-Four Hours a Day © Copyright 1975 by Hazelden Foundation

NA - Just for Today Insides and outsides Page 93 "Our real value is in being ourselves." Basic Text, p. 105 As we work the steps, we're bound to discover some basic truths about ourselves. The process of uncovering our secrets, exposing them, and searching our characters reveals our true nature. As we become acquainted with ourselves, we'll need to make a decision to be just who we are. We may want to take a look at what we present to our fellow addicts and the world and see if it matches up with what we've discovered inside. Do we pretend that nothing bothers us when, in truth, we're very sensitive? Do we cover our insecurities with obnoxious jokes, or do we share our fears with someone? Do we dress like a teenager when we're approaching forty and are basically conservative? We may want to take another look at those things which we thought "weren't us." Maybe we've avoided NA activities because we "don't like crowds." Or maybe we have a secret dream of changing careers but have put off taking action because our dream "wasn't really right" for us. As we attain a new understanding of ourselves, we'll want to adjust our behavior accordingly. We want to be genuine examples of who we are. Just for Today: I will check my outsides to make sure they match my insides. I will try to act on the growth I have experienced in recovery. From the book Just for Today © Copyright 1991-2013 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Thought for Today "Don't hurry, don't worry. You're only here for a short visit. So be sure to stop and smell the flowers." --Walter Hagen __________________ From page 222 of Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers: On his desk, Dr. Bob had a plaque defining humility: 'Perpetual quietness of heart. It is to have no trouble. It is never to be fretted or vexed, irritable or sore; to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised, it is to have a blessed home in myself where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace, as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and about is seeming trouble.'

Buddha/Zen Thoughts "In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves." ~Buddha

Native American "The old Lakota was wise. He knew that man's heart away from nature becomes hard; he knew the lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to a lack of respect for humans too. So he kept his youth close to its softening influence." --Luther Standing Bear, OGLALA SIOUX When we live in nature it's like constantly being in school. We are in an environment that is always teaching. We are constantly being reminded hat there are laws, Natural Laws, which are running the universe. Once we know these laws and we drift from them, we start to live our lives in a different way. Soon we become discontent, selfish and disrespectful. Then, we get in trouble. If our lives have become this way, it can be reversed by going back to nature to be among our teachers. Great Spirit, teach men, again, the Natural Laws.

Keep It Simple You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself. --- Ethel Barrymore There was a time when we wouldn't let anyone laugh at us---even ourselves. We had to much shame. We had to much pain. We took the world too seriously. If we laughed it was at others---not at ourselves. Over time , real honest laughter returns to us. Laughter is a way of accepting ourselves as human. To be human means we can make mistakes. It means we can lighten up. It also means growing up. And growing up means being happy with all of who we are---even parts of us that may seem odd or funny. If we can't laugh at ourselves, we shut ourselves off from the world. We shut ourselves off from the parts of us we need to accept. Am I willing to accept the fact that I'm human. Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, You made laughter. Help me us it to make my life easier. Help me accept all of me a funny mistake I've made. Action for the Day: Today, I'll share with someone close to me a funny mistake I've made.

Big Book Chapter 2 THERE IS A SOLUTION (pg 19 & top 20) None of us makes a sole vocation of this work, nor do we think its effectiveness would be increased if we did. We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations and affairs. All of us spend much of our spare time in the sort of effort which we are going to describe. A few are fortunate enough to be so situated that they can give nearly all their time to the work. If we keep on the way we are going there is little doubt that much good will result, but the surface of the problem would hardly be scratched. Those of us who live in large cities are overcome by the reflection that close by hundreds are dropping into oblivion every day. Many could recover if they had the opportunity we have enjoyed. How then shall we present that which has been so freely given us? We have concluded to publish an anonymous volume setting forth the problem as we see it. We shall bring to the task our combined experience and knowledge. This should suggest a useful program for anyone concerned with a drinking problem. Of necessity there will have to be discussion of matters medical, psychiatric, social, and religious. We are aware that these matters are from their very nature, controversial. Nothing would please us so much as to write a book which would contain no basis for contention or argument. We shall do our utmost to achieve that ideal. Most of us sense that real tolerance of other people's shortcomings and viewpoints and a respect for their opinions are attitudes which make us more useful to others. Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs. ********************** A New—But the Same—Addiction Grapevine (thanks Ronny H.)   He was a garden variety alcoholic, not a drug addict. Or so he thought   My AA journey began on April 15, 1989, and what a journey it's been. In those early years, only alcoholism could be discussed at AA meetings. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) was in its infancy and cross-addicted AAs had to "hide" their drug history. Since drugs were not a part of my story, it didn't seem to affect me at all. But, all that changed when, unexpectedly, I was faced with my own terrible drug addiction. It started when I had total hip replacement. The surgery itself went really well. Three days in the hospital, followed by rehab and home care. But through it all, the doctors, nurses and physical therapists kept insisting that my surgical pain must be controlled in order to insure a safe, speedy and complete recovery. Medications for pain should be taken, "before the pain begins." Or as they all said: "You can never catch up in pain relief." So, under the supervision of the doctors, I was given hydrocodone every 4-6 hours. How dangerous could that be? I'm a recovering alcoholic, not a drug addict. Besides, I never did drugs in my entire life and I was taking these pain pills as prescribed by a doctor. Since I have so much time sober, I should be able to handle it. Right? My wife even monitored the prescription bottle for me, and I only took them for three lousy weeks. Even though I made sure to stay close to my AA program, I still was not prepared for the steamroller which, was about to run me over. The day finally came that would change everything. It was decided that the time had come to stop taking those enticing little pills. It turned out to be the most terrifying week of my entire life. I never expected that "coming off" hydrocodone would be as horrific as it turned out to be. It was, far and away, much worse than anything I went through when I stopped drinking. I now fully understand the addiction to "dry goods.” In my mind, while all of this was going on, I was totally convinced that my symptoms were due to my hip surgery and had nothing to do with any drug withdrawal. As I reduced my daily number of hydrocodone pills, my anxiety and depression levels increased exponentially. I became fixated on the medication, looking forward to my next pill, and making sure I had enough to "hold me over" until I received the next dose. I even found myself checking my "stash" (sound familiar?) and crafting a plan in case the doctors wouldn't prescribe some more if I ran out. As each pain pill wore off (I was now taking one every 8 hours), I started getting the chills, shakes and trembling. This was followed by insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, and testiness. There was even spontaneous crying after I reduced the pills to only two each day. Only another hydrocodone temporarily alleviated the symptoms. Scariest of all was when I totally stopped taking them. I had thoughts of harming myself rather than going on! Where did that come from? Severe depression, which I never had before, was terrifying. It took me two full days to "cold-turkey" the hydrocodone, before everything returned to normal. My whole attitude about addiction has changed. In fact, I’ve realized three important things. 1. I've concluded that I am nothing more than an addict. My drug of choice just happens to be the "legal drug" of alcohol. 2. I always felt that I wasn't "as bad" as the cross-addicted drug addicts in AA. But after this experience, even though I never took drugs in my life, I realized that I am just as susceptible to drugs as to alcohol. 3. I am not "bulletproof." Long-term sobriety won't prevent other types of addictions to kick in. The lessons I learned will also change the way I interact with the medical profession. From now on, I will never assume that my doctors truly understand all the ramifications of treating alcoholics and drug addicts. It's up to me to teach them. And the next time I need analgesics for pain, I will clearly explain my alcoholic history and be under the care of a physician who is trained in alcoholism and drug addiction. I hope and pray that by sharing my experience others can avoid what I went through. -- Definitely Steve Nashville, Tenn.