DAILY PONDERABLES Together WE Trudge The Road OF Happy Destiny

Daily Reflections LIVING IN THE NOW First, we try living in the now just in order to stay sober -- and it works. Once the idea has become a part of our thinking, we find that living life in 24 hour segments is an effective and satisfying way to handle many other matters as well. LIVING SOBER, p. 7 "One Day At A Time." To a newcomer this and other one-liners of A.A. may seem ridiculous. The passwords of the A.A. Fellowship can become lifelines in moments of stress. Each day can be like a rose unfurling according to the plan of a Power greater than myself. My program should be planted in the right location, just as it will need to be groomed, nourished, and protected from disease. My planting will require patience, and my realizing that some flowers will be more perfect than others. Each stage of the petals' unfolding can bring wonder and delight if I do not interfere or let my expectations override my acceptance -- and this brings serenity. From the book Daily Reflections © Copyright 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Twenty-Four Hours A Day A.A. Thought for the Day We finally came to the bottom. We did not have to be financially broke, although many of us were. But we were spiritually bankrupt. We had a soul-sickness, a revulsion against ourselves and against our way of living. Life had become impossible for us. We had to end it all or do something about it. Am I glad I did something about it? Meditation for the Day Faith is not seeing, but believing. I am in a box of space and time and cannot see spacelessness or eternity. But God is not within the shell of time and space. He is timeless and spaceless. He cannot be fully comprehended by our finite minds. But we must try to make a union between our purposes and the purposes of God. By trying to merge our minds with the mind of God, a oneness of purpose results. This oneness of purpose puts us in harmony with God and others. Evil comes from being in disharmony with God and good comes from being in harmony with Him. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may be in harmony with God. I pray that I may get into the stream of goodness in the universe. From the book Twenty-Four Hours a Day © Copyright 1975 by Hazelden Foundation

NA - Just for Today Old dreams needn't die Page 167 "Lost dreams awaken and new possibilities arise." Basic Text, p. 91 Most of us had dreams when we were young. Whether we dreamed of a dynamic career, a large and loving family, or travels abroad, our dreams died when our addiction took hold. Anything we ever wanted for ourselves was cast away in our pursuit of drugs. Our dreams didn't go beyond the next drug and the euphoria we hoped it would bring. Now in recovery, we find a reason to hope that our lost dreams could still come true. No matter how old we are, how much our addiction has taken from us, or how unlikely it may seem, our freedom from active addiction gives us the freedom to pursue our ambitions. We may discover that we're very talented at something, or find a hobby we love, or learn that continuing our education can bring remarkable rewards. We used to put most of our energy into spinning excuses and rationalizations for our failures. Today, we go forward and make use of the many opportunities life presents to us. We may be amazed at what we're capable of. With our foundation of recovery, success, fulfillment, and satisfaction are within our reach at last. Just for Today: Starting today, I'll do whatever I can to realize my dreams. From the book Just for Today © Copyright 1991-2013 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Thought for Today “When the pain behind me got stronger then the fear in front of me,  only then was I willing to do something.” "The Man I 'Was' Drank. The Man I Was 'Will' Drink again.

Buddha/Zen Thoughts The more you practice the three trainings of ethics, meditation, and wisdom, the more difficult it will become for you to act in a way that is contrary to an ethical, compassionate attitude. Ethics arise naturally out of contemplating the three trainings. Martine Batchelor, "Meditation for Life"

Native American "Every part of this soil is sacred in the estimation of my people. Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove, has been hallowed by some sad or happy event in days long vanished." --Chief Sealth, DUWAMISH Native people say the Earth is sacred. Some places on Earth will feel more sacred than others. You can often feel the sacredness of these places because of what has happened on them. If you do a ceremony on a certain place and return later, whatever happened before will still be there to help you. Even if someone you didn't know did something on the Earth and you come along later, the powers will be there to help you. This is why the Earth is sacred and these special places are sacred spots. My Creator, let the powers of the sacred places help the people today.

Keep It Simple Anyone can blame; it takes a specialist to praise.   --- Konstantin Stanislawski Are we blamers? We sure were blamers when we were using alcohol and other drugs. Then everything was someone's fault. Some of us did our blaming out loud. And some of us blamed others silently. It's harder to praise than to blame people. Faults stand out like street signs, but the good things about people may be harder to see. We can see the good in people when we slow down, watch, and listen. Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me pay attention to people around me. Help me praise them. Action for the Day: Today, I'll list three people who mean a lot to me. I'll write what I like about each of them. I'll talk to them and tell them what I wrote.

Big Book Chapter 7    Working With Others (pg 93 & top 94) When dealing with such a person, you had better use everyday language to describe spiritual principles. There is no use arousing any prejudice he may have against certain theological terms and conceptions about which he may already be confused. Don’t raise such issues, no matter what your own convictions are. Your prospect may belong to a religious denomination. His religious education and training may be far superior to yours. In that case he is going to wonder how you can add anything to what he already knows. But he well be curious to learn why his own convictions have not worked and why yours seem to work so well. He may be an example of the truth that faith alone is insufficient. To be vital, faith must be accompanied by self sacrifice and unselfish, constructive action. Let him see that you are not there to instruct him in religion. Admit that he probably knows more about it than you do, but call to his attention the fact that however deep his faith and knowledge, he could not have applied it or he would not drink, Perhaps your story will help him see where he has failed to practice the very precepts he knows so well. We represent no particular faith or denomination. We are dealing only with general principles common to most denominations. ************************************************************************        A JOURNEY WITH JOHN                     By Larry R. My name is not important, most folks just call me Pete I live at home with Mom and Dad, my life’s been pretty sweet They buy me real cool stuff to wear, a tablet and a phone But now and then, that’s not enough, I start to feel alone   At school I see a group of guys, they seem to have it made They’re into sports, they get the girls and never look afraid I try my best to be like them, they seem so self-assured But something always holds me back, I’m really insecure   I overheard them talk about a party that was planned There would be music, girls and booze, it really sounded grand I do not dance, don’t have a girl and never had a drink So, if I’m ever to ft in, it’s time I swim or sink   The party started on the beach, a clear and starry night I told myself the time is now, I’ve got to act just right Still, I had doubts, they’ll check me out and send me on my way Alone again, no comfort here, my sadness on display   When I was just about to leave, I met a guy named John He said he saw that I was down and told me to hang on I have the thing to cure your blues and make you feel alright Here, have a drink and loosen up, this will remove your fright   So, drink I did, and like John said, I started to feel loose More confident and self-assured, I liked what drink produced That feeling that I so long sought was now within my grasp I’m one of them, I told myself, I’ve made it in at last   The next day my head hurt awfully bad, but I said “that’s OK” To get me thru last night like that, a meager price to pay My new friend John was there for me, a friend I cannot lose I knew he’d be right by my side each time I got the blues   So, John and I became great buds, where I went John went too To parties, dances, football games, he stuck to me like glue As long as he was near to me, I felt safe and secure But other friends would caution me, beware of his allure   When I told John what these folks said, all he could do was laugh Beware of what, I am your friend, let’s have another draft I’m sure he’s right, I told myself, we’re just out for some fun Should trouble start we’d just part ways, but right now, I’m not done   Some years went by, we stayed in touch, then things began to change We still had fun, but there were times I acted very strange Another friends said slow it down, you’re drinking way too fast I yelled at him, pushed him aside, told him to kiss my ass   As more tome passed, the fun decreases, more trouble was the norm Buy John would say “it’s no big deal, it’s just a passing storm” Your other friends can’t understand, if they knew me, they would So just ignore them, we’re OK, we’re so misunderstood   Still, things got worse, I wrecked my car, and ended up in jail My old friend John had let me down, my life had come derailed When I get out, I’ll look him up and say we need to talk This has to stop, we can’t go on, it’s time he took a walk   When we met he asked why I’m mad at him and so irate Remember I’m the one that helped you back on that first date You needed me to finally gain the confidence you lacked So, don’t blame me for all your woes, it’s you that came off track   I said that’s it, we’re friends no more, can’t stand what I’ve become What started out as fun back then has left me feeling numb Then John said, “you’re not serious, I’ve heard this song before” And when I go it won’t be long before you’re at my door   There’s no way I’ll come back to you, I’ve finally had enough These last few years you took control, you really made life rough So, adios, go take a hike, we’ve nothing more to say You’ve screwed me up, because of you, a heavy price I’ve paid   But, in a week, I call him back, exactly like he said I hate myself for my weak will, he lives inside my head I can’t see any good way out, his pull I can’t defend I may as well throw up my hands, rush headlong to the end   When John had heard me say those things, a smile came to his face You’re just where I want you to be, alone and in disgrace And you are right, the time is near, our partnership complete So, drink your fill, it won’t be long, your terminal defeat   Before I go, I need to ask, was that always your plan To build me up then tear me down, you wicked, wicked man Of course it was, it’s been my game since the human race was born You’ve only known my name was John, my surname’s Barleycorn