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Daily Reading from Recovery Days July 5th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly

Help to change

Honesty, openness and willingness to change are three essentials of successful recovery. Openness is important because it allows us to accept new ideas. These can take many forms but one of the most surprising for some people is the idea of a Higher Power. Yet, anyone looking back at our past and the change that has happened since, might conclude that they see something pretty miraculous. How do people who have been written off as hopelessly addicted manage to turn their lives around? Since we were unable to help ourselves at that time, some other powerful force must have appeared.

A miracle is an extraordinary event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws. Life itself is one – nobody has been able to explain scientifically how it first happened. I am not being asked to believe in a specific source of power in the universe. I am simply asked to open my mind to the idea that there is a power of some kind that is greater than me and which helps me if asked. I can feel that power in the experience, strength and support of other people. May it always be there for us all, so that what I see darkly, I will see face to face one day.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days July 4th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – relax your whole body gradually

Enjoy the simple things in life

Happiness and good self-esteem are legitimate goals in life and recovery gives us a second chance. In that sense, we are truly fortunate. Life may be difficult, but recovery should most certainly be enjoyable, otherwise – what is the point? Our goal should be to become ‘Better than Well’. If we keep things simple and just try to do the right thing, we will reach our goal in the end. Poet William Blake wrote about the simple things of creation and the need to know right from wrong:

To see a World in a Grain of Sand And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,

Hold Infinity in the Palm of your Hand And Eternity in an Hour

William Blake.

There is a choice in life between the material and the spiritual – between wealth, pride and status on the one hand and honesty, love and service on the other. Which will be the dominant principle in my life? It is difficult to try to achieve both. Wealth and status are not necessarily evil, but I need to choose whatever brings peace of mind and happiness.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days July 3rd by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly

Step Seven

Step Seven is about humility and also about reinforcing our commitment to change. I have committed to moving forward in life without these old behaviours is the basic message behind this important Step. If you can realistically appreciate your place in the world and your unique personality, then you are accepting life on life’s terms. You have no cause to be vain or arrogant but equally no cause to be ashamed. Can I take my place in the world without false pride or humility?

Step Seven is effectively saying that we are ready for new business and new ideas. We have asked for help in removing our shortcomings and now we need to fill the void left by that clean-out. In other words, opportunity beckons. Some of us may want to do service, some renew marriage vows, some perhaps will discover new strengths th a t they were unaware existed. It is a time for excitement and creativity. Today I ask God that I may make the best use possible of the talents that I have and the opportunities that appear.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days July 2nd by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – breathe slowly

Working the Steps

We live in two worlds – the finite and describable world of objects and people that we can see, touch and hear, and the world of ideas that is basically indescribable; we use the first to describe the second. So, if we say something like: I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul, we are using finite images – ‘master’ and ‘captain’ to describe an attitude – that of taking personal responsibility for our lives. The Twelve Steps are another example. We are using the finite image of a flight of steps to describe a programme of recovery because ‘steps’ illustrate progress. On this day in 2000 the 20 millionth copy of Alcoholics Anonymous was presented to Al-Anon. Am I ready to progress through the Steps?

If we keep ourselves mentally and emotionally in good shape, we are more likely to have peace of mind. If we do our best to live according to proper moral and spiritual principles by putting value on honesty, humility, unselfishness, and love then we are likely to find contentment. The Twelve Steps are a good guide to our spiritual and moral wellbeing.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days July 1st by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – sit comfortably

Twelve Steps
The Twelve Steps are a programme of recovery from addiction that involves admitting defeat, self- improvement with help from a power greater than ourselves, making amends, and establishing healthy habits. They are summarised as:

  • Giving up – Steps 1 to 3
  • Cleaning up – Steps 4 to 7
  • Making up – Steps 8 to 9
  • Keeping up – Steps 10 to 12.
    The hallmarks of this programme are abstinence, lifelong adherence to its principles and relapse prevention. People who thoroughly follow this path rarely fail. Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves of the basic components of this simple programme. Do I fully understand the basic ideas and the actions I need to take?
    AA is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. We must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven’t been given the truth may die. Bill W, AA’s Legacy of Service.
    Today I reflect on these words.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days June 30th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – review

Better than well

This month we have explored humility, not wanting, listening and keeping it simple. We have looked at how mindfulness can help us bring balance and calm into our days. The process of spiritual growth is gradually happening within us. You could say the same thing about learning to enjoy life. Perhaps the two are linked. We will not achieve this ‘better than well’ state without ensuring that our attitudes, aims and choices are right. Do I understand that the goal of ‘better than well’ is not a passive state but something to be worked for?

Every day that I try my best to follow the programme of recovery, I am learning new habits. Perhaps I can already feel the difference. Each time that I help another person, be true to my word and assert myself appropriately, I increase my self-respect. If I can tell myself each night that I did my best, then I will feel peace of mind and will thank my Higher Power for guiding me. I ask God today to continue guiding me along the route of spiritual progress.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days June 29th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – relax your whole body gradually

Steps Six and Seven

Judge each day by the seeds you plant, not by the harvest that you reap. We long for quick results that confirm our success and validate our self-image. Sometimes it doesn’t work like that. Maturity is about doing things that require the long view. It is a sign of immaturity to look for instant gratification – that’s how we used to be. Letting go of our childish ways is a part of growing up in recovery.

When I became a man, I put away childish things. St Paul, Corinthians.

Steps Six and Seven are about letting go. I must now be ready to let go of my character defects and the shame and guilt that go with them. This is not as easy as it sounds, unless I have help. Today I ask God for guidance in letting go of my past.

St Paul makes letting go sound easy but some of us struggle with impatience. We perceive all our tomorrows as an unbearable eternity. Much better to be patient. Can I take things a day at a time?

Daily Reading from Recovery Days June 28th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – enjoy the moment

Al-Anon

We who are in recovery have managed with the help of a Higher Power, to rise phoenix-like from the bonfire of our addictive vanities. But how should our loved ones deal with this strange but vaguely familiar creature that has re-entered their lives? People in early recovery are often touchy and emotionally fragile. The best thing that family members can do for this ‘phoenix’ is to stay detached but supportive while they themselves go to Al-Anon. Do I appreciate the power of Al-Anon?

If instead of a triumphant hero, our phoenix turns out to be a wobbly, ambivalent and slightly lame duck, that does not necessarily mean disaster. The first bab steps are often faltering. Family members are advised to remember the ‘Three C’s’ – I did not cause this; I cannot cure this, and I cannot control this. Sometimes loved ones are so desperate for the person’s success that they find themselves managing their recovery for them. But success will only come when the addicted person takes action. Today I give thanks for the fellowship of Al-Anon.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days June 27th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – send positive thoughts

Spiritual growth

Growth involves change. Twelve Step programmes are basically a re-training of our hearts and minds to new ideas. If we don’t grow, we are not living life to our full potential. Growth demands that we come out of our comfort zone. It may mean forsaking some familiar but negative patterns of thought and behaviour that we have become used to, but which now are no longer fit for purpose: unsuitable friends, inappropriate opinions and attitudes, and maladaptive coping strategies.

Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

Instead of fear of the new, my real fear should be of not making changes. Am I ready to make the changes I need, in order to grow spiritually?

My spiritual journey will be rewarding if I seek the guidance of my Higher Power. Only my pride or dishonesty will stop me from making progress. Today I ask that I continue to receive guidance on my spiritual journey.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days June 26th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly

Mindfulness

Are you listening? When you’ve read this, close your eyes. Listen to the sound of your breathing, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Listen for your heart beating. Try moving other parts of your body. Can you hear tiny sounds of skin on skin, perhaps a joint gently creaking? Listen and identify if you can, the sounds around you. Buildings make sounds too. A door that shuts, a heating system that sighs. Footsteps pass outside, a dog barks, a distant car door opens. Our senses tell us so much. Take a minute to listen and relax. There is a reason for everything. Everything has its place and its purpose. Do I accept my place in the world today?

The simple sense of living is joy enough. Happiness starts with peace of mind.

Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. St Francis of Assisi.

Today I will practice mindfulness and give myself the opportunity to relax and think about my place in creation while I wait to do God’s will.