In the face of an obstacle which is impossible to overcome, stubbornness is stupid. —Simone de Beauvoir— Sudden obstacles, barriers in the way of our progress, doors that unexpectedly close, may confuse, frustrate, even depress us. The knowledge that we seldom understand just what is best for us, comes slowly. And we generally fight it, even after we’ve begun to understand. Fortunately, the better path will keep drawing us to it. We may wonder why a door seems to have closed. Our paths are confounded only when our steps have gone astray. Doors do not close unless a new direction is called for. We must learn to trust that no obstacle is without its purpose, however baffling it may seem. The program can help us understand the unexpected. We perhaps need to focus on the first three Steps when an obstacle has surfaced. We may need to accept our powerlessness, believe there is a higher power in control, and look to it for guidance. We may also need to remind ourselves that fighting an obstacle, pushing against a closed door, will only heighten our frustration. Acceptance of what is will open our minds and our hearts to the better road to travel at this time. The obstacles confronting me invite me to grow, to move beyond my present self. They offer me chances to be the woman I always dreamed of being. I will be courageous. I am not alone.
Our Folded Hands
Women helping Women. Reaching out to the Sister who still suffers. Helping each other through the Good times and the Difficult times. To get to the SOBER way of life, One Day at a Time.
Daily Readings And Meditations
New Beginnings
Reflections
ANGER: A “DUBIOUS LUXURY” If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of the normal men, but for alcoholics these things are poison. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 66 “Dubious luxury.” How often have I remembered those words. It’s not just anger that’s best left to nonalcoholics; I built a list including justifiable resentment, self-pity, judgmentalism, self-righteousness, false pride and false humility. I’m always surprised to read the actual quote. So well have the principles of the program been drummed into me that I keep thinking all of these defects are listed too. Thank God I can’t afford them–or I surely would indulge in them.
Promise
I am ashamed of these tears. And yet at the extreme of my misfortune I am ashamed not to shed them. — Euripides— Shame is a little whip we carry with us. We can shame ourselves easily; the little whip stings. We often use it to punish feelings, because they evoke the helpless children we were. So we learn to suppress our feelings of fear, or rage or desire. We would rather not feel at all than feel the sting of shame. Why should we punish our feelings? Everyone feels much the same things. Why should our humanity shame us? Perhaps somewhere we acquire the notion that it is wrong to be human; that an inhuman perfection is the only proper public image. Love can heal the pain of shame. Self-love and self-acceptance can make us strong enough to discard the whip. We’re more lovable when we acknowledge our humanity and let go of our shame. We’re also better able to love others. Shame shuts us up; Love opens us to joy. I’m grateful for my feelings; there close to my capacity for love.
Keep It Simple
No human creature can give order to love. —George Sand— If we are trying to get others to love us, all we’re really doing is trying to be in control. Trying to control others can be a powerful drug. Remember, we can’t control others. We can’t make others love us. Our Higher Power has control, not us. So, what do we need to do? Turn things over to our Higher Power and just be ourselves. Sure, it can scare us to just be ourselves. The truth is, not everyone will love us. But if we’re honest about who we are, others will respect us. We’ll like ourselves better. And we’ll have a better chance of loving others and being loved. Prayer for the Day: I pray to have my need for control lifted from me. I pray to be rid of self-will. Action for the Day: Today, I’ll list five ways my self-will—my need to control—has gotten me in trouble.
Thought For The Day
In A.A. we have insurance. Our faith in God is a kind of insurance against the terrible things that might happen to us if we ever drink again. By putting our drink problem in the hands of God, we’ve taken out a sort of insurance policy, which insures us against the ravages of drink, as our homes are insured against destruction by fire. Am I paying my A.A. insurance premiums regularly? Meditation For The Day I must try to love all humanity. Love comes from thinking of every man or woman as your brother or sister, because they are children of God. This way of thinking makes me care enough about them to really want to help them. I must put this kind of love into action by serving others. Love means no severe judging, no resentments, no malicious gossip, and no destructive criticism. It means patience, understanding, compassion, and helpfulness. Prayer For The Day I pray that I may realize that God loves me, since He is the Father of us all. I pray that I in turn may have love for all of His children.
My Thoughts For The Day
💝Hello Precious Lady, and Good morning to You this Wonderful day❗ …🙋💐Let us not forget HOW far we have come, The PROGRESS We have Made…😭💙😇 and to Remind Ourselves that it’s the JOURNEY not necessarily the DESTINATION that COUNTS❗…🏍🚤🚀…For whatever Our situation, Or Circumstances may be…We always have a steady companion to help and Guide us if we are ready to listen…👂😇🙏…Our Program teaches us, that if we have an open mind, and ask with a receptive heart, The answers will come, as we Begin to get our own houses in Order…💖🏘✨ ….We just have to have an OPEN MIND to hear them, And WE cannot be receptive if WE are too BUSY TO Hear❗❗👂🚗🗣😱…So We can Do Somethings For OURSELVES and OUR PROGRAMS TODAY…🙋📖get to a meeting… spend some quality time with our HIGHER POWER, Talk with another who is in NEED …🎇🗣👨👩👧👦☎…Have a Fantastic Day… I LOVE YOU BUNCHES❗💜😘😍😄👌👍💃🤳👩❤️💋👩👼🌈🦄🌞🌹☕💋💋💋💄