Tag Archives: Addiction recovery

Daily Reading March 22nd from Recovery Days by Chris B

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* March 22 *

Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly

Unknown God

When St Paul visited Athens in AD 51, he was shocked to see that they had a temple dedicated to an ‘Unknown God’. This led him to berate the Athenians for their ignorance in one of his most famous sermons. The Athenians are said to have laughed. AA and the other Twelve Step fellowships have an unknown God too – Higher Power. They do not seek to define its nature precisely; they are glad simply to recognise the power itself. Probably, the Athenians felt the same way. The AA preamble, read before every meeting, states that: AA neither endorses nor opposes any causes. There are no dogmas or compulsions, we are free to believe what we wish. Am I grateful for the non-directive simplicity of the Twelve Step fellowships?

We have found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek him. To us, the realm of spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe, to all men. (Bill W). Today I give thanks that I belong to a fellowship that does not exclude or forbid the beliefs of any person who seeks help.

Today I Will……………………………………………………

Daily Reading March 21st from Recovery Days by Chris B

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* March 21 *

Remember Mindfulness – breathe deeply

Truth

To thine own self be true. (Hamlet). Shakespeare’s famous words can sound like an easy ride to some but an impossibility to others. And how many addicted people can look themselves in the mirror after a heavy binge and think that they have followed that advice? Self-deception, dangerous living and over-indulgence to the point of near-terminal poisoning of the system are not what the Bard had in mind. When we look at our past behaviour in the sober light of recovery, the words of a different play spring to mind:

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. (Macbeth).

Can I recall the reality of my addicted past as a deterrent to ever repeating it?The past cannot be changed and dwelling on the past can have a negative effect on our wellbeing. Nevertheless, former misdeeds recalled in sobriety, can be a useful weapon against the threat of relapse. Today I will work to make the best use out of whatever resources I have within me.

Today I Will………..………………………………………….

Daily Reading by Chris March 20th Recovery Days

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Willingness to change

The essence of all growth is a willingness to change for the better and then an unremitting willingness to shoulder whatever responsibility this entails. (Bill W). Personal change always has two parts – the willingness and the action. But in between comes a third part – commitment. Commitment turns theory into practice. When we are motivated to do something, it is not always because we have a strong sense of commitment. Motivation can have a short life, but commitment lasts until the job is done. A bad hangover can motivate you to give up booze – until cravings appear. Am I fully committed to change?

Just as surrender has to be total and not just a ceasefire, so commitment has to be total and not just a dalliance. In recovery, surrender can be seen as letting others help us and commitment can be seen as letting us help ourselves. Neither will work unless done wholeheartedly. I ask God today for the honesty to commit myself fully to the process of change because half measures will not help me.

Today I Will……………………………………………………

Daily Readings by Chris B from Recovery Days

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* March 19 *

Remember Mindfulness – review expectations

Responsibility for change

Newcomers to Twelve Step fellowships are often advised to stop focusing on why they are addicted and instead think on what they can do about it. Discovering a reason for your addiction might seem like a way of resolving a problem easily, but in truth there may be no reason, except that you’re an addicted person. Seeking a reason may well be a device to avoid the pain of having to make some life-changing decisions. Far better to focus on positive action and take responsibility for change. Am I prepared to face the reality of my addiction and take responsibility for change?

When we embark upon a searching and fearless personal inventory at Step Four, it may help us to reflect that a life of total dedication to the truth is a reasonable aspiration for anyone. It is likely to result in true peace of mind, but it will not be easy. It does require continuous self-appraisal as recommended in Step Ten. Yet the feeling of relief when we have completed Steps Four and Five will be enormous. Today I ask for the strength to be fearless and thorough in taking personal inventory.

Today I Will…………………………..……………………….

Daily Readings by Chris B from Recovery Days

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* March 18 *

Remember Mindfulness – send positive thoughts

Response to challenge

Life is not easy. For a lot of people, it is just one challenge after another. Yet many seem to expect it to be smooth going and complain when it is not. Others try to avoid the challenges and seek the softer easier way, but life usually finds them out in the end. Some become addicted. We have all seen people who seem to stroll through life without difficulty as if possessed with magic powers. In fact, they are people who have a clear vision of the world and what they need to do about living in it with peace of mind. They have taken the necessary action. Simple in concept but hard to achieve without rigorous honesty, determination and high principles. Can I reject the softer, easier way?

People who truly live life well are always respected. They trigger in us a desire to be like them because we have a longing to live a good life and to do what is right. We may forget words, but we remember how people make us feel. That is why the power of example matters. Today I ask God that I may pursue with determination my desire to live my life in the very best way that I can.

Today I Will……………………………………………………

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February 7th

Connection
Real connection is a joining of hearts and minds as well as the physical contact of a handshake or a hug. So much of our modern world involves illusion – the face on TV, the social media friend, or the cheery avatar in Meta-land. Do not be fooled, the only real connections are traditional human contacts, warts and all. The Twelfth Step is all about connection but some of the earlier Steps deal with it too: Steps Five and Nine, for example. Do I fully understand that the only true connection comes from the sharing of heart, body, and mind in the real world?
St Paul said:
For now, we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then, fully – just as God knows me.
In other words, true connection only happens when we fully understand each other. And that goes not just for connection with other people, but with God as well. Today I ask God for the perseverance to make connections because without it, there cannot be love, kindness or true recovery.