You
are reading from the book Today's Gift.
Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle
of anxiety or the handle of faith. --Henry Ward Beecher
Once there was a boy who always looked on the bright side and always
expected the best. He expected to like brussels sprouts before he had
ever tasted them, for instance, and to like his teacher on the first
day of school. Because he had such a sunny outlook on things, he was
rarely disappointed.
But the boy's father thought he wasn't realistic, so one Christmas he
decided to test him. On Christmas morning there were many presents, all
but one small one were for the boy's brother. The brother opened his
gifts with glee--a train set, a toy robot, a cowboy outfit, even his
own TV.
Through all this, the boy smiled expectantly, confident the contents of
his small box would equal the splendor of his brother's gifts. When it
was his turn he ripped the box open to find only a pile of hay and some
very smelly animal droppings.
To his father's astonishment, the boy clapped his hands with joy and
ran immediately to the backyard. "Yippee!" he cried. "There must be a
pony here somewhere!"
If I expect the best, just for today, what wondrous things might happen?
You are reading from the book Touchstones.
Often the wisdom of the body clarifies the despair of the spirit.
--Marion Woodman
The unity of body and spirit becomes more real for us as we learn to
listen to the messages our bodies give. Perhaps if we are frequently
ill with a cold we are hiding from the fact that we are discouraged and
in need of something for our spirit. We all face the problems at times
of sleeplessness or backaches or allergies. These are not moral
problems but problems that go with being human. When we are open to the
spirit dimension, we look for the part that may express a message from
our spiritual selves.
As we notice our physical selves today, we perhaps feel a tension in a
muscle or a sensation somewhere that can speak to us about our deeper
feelings. The message may not be clear at first. Spiritual messages are
not quick answers, but if we listen to our questions a while, the
answers may gradually become clear. Simply being open to the messages
strengthens us for our tasks and deepens our spiritual self-awareness.
Today, I am learning to listen to the wisdom of my own body.
You are reading from the book Each Day a New Beginning.
Miracles are instantaneous, they cannot be summoned, but come of
themselves, usually at unlikely moments and to those who least expect
them. --Katherine Anne Porter
Each of us has miraculously been summoned to the road to recovery. We
no doubt felt hopeless many times. We no doubt pleaded, aimlessly and
to no one in particular, for help. And then it came. Many of us
probably do not know just how. But we can look around at one another
and appreciate the miracle in our lives.
We still have days when the going is rough. Days when we feel twelve
years old, unable to handle the responsibility of our lives, in need of
a mother to nurture us and assure us that the pain will pass. We can
look to a sponsor on those days. We can look for someone else to help.
We can also reflect on how far we've come. Gratitude, in the midst of
distress, for all the gifts of recovery eases the pain, the fear, the
stress of the moment.
The miracles continue in my life. Every day offers me a miracle.
Thankfulness today will help me see the miracles at work in my life and
in the lives of other women on the road to recovery.
You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Honesty
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact
nature of our wrongs. --Step Five of Al-Anon
Talking openly and honestly to another person about ourselves, in an
attitude that reflects self responsibility, is critical to recovery.
Its important to admit what we have done wrong to others and to
ourselves. Verbalize our beliefs and our behaviors. Get our resentments
and fears out in the open.
That's how we release our pain. That's how we release old beliefs and
feelings. That's how we are set free. The more clear and specific we
can be with our Higher Power, ourselves, and another person, the more
quickly we will experience that freedom.
Step Five is an important part of the recovery process. For those of us
who have learned to keep secrets from others, and ourselves it is not
just a step - it is a leap toward becoming healthy.
Today I will remember that its okay to talk about the issues that
bother me. It is by sharing my issues that I will grow beyond them. I
will also remember that its okay to be selective about those in whom I
confide. I can trust my instincts and choose someone who will not use
my disclosures against me, and who will give me healthy feedback.
I have all the power I need today to say no to negative choices. The
personal choices I make today are positive and healthy. I take
responsibility for my life today. --Ruth Fishel