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Daily Readings from Recovery Days December 19th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – sit comfortably


Envy

Envy is a pointless emotion. Philosopher Emmanuel Kant said: Envy is the tendency to view the success of others with distress even when it does not detract from one’s own. A lot of what upsets us about the behaviour of others is to do with the closeness that their lives relate to ours. A person we know, who is of perhaps the same age and background, but who is a lot more successful than us in some way – say financially, is likely to drive us mad with envy, whereas someone we hear about but whom we’ve never met, will probably affect us much less. Why? Because someone we are not close to is not seen as a rival. We just don’t like the thought of someone we know doing better than us. A preferable attitude is to study the success of others and learn from it. Can I view the success of others positively?


Envy can turn into resentment if not addressed. I must first ask myself if my feelings of envy are based on fact or simply assumptions. It may well be that, if I take the trouble to understand how another person achieved their perceived success, I might question whether it was worth the effort. Again, if I analyse their situation and decide that their success is admirable and beneficial, I may decide to use that person as a role model so as to enhance my own wellbeing. That is a much more positive approach. Today I ask to free myself from envy.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days December 18th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – Feel your muscles from top to toes


Ambition


Many addicted people are used to living with problems. They may not have handled them well in the past, but they are familiar territory. When we sober up and start making a success of things, we find this challenging. We crave success and material rewards because they soothe our fears and increase our self-esteem. Personal triumph is dangerous for our recovery because our ego may start telling us that we are strong enough to handle things on our own. Am I vigilant in checking my self-confidence by reminding myself that any success I have is because of guidance from my Higher Power?

True ambition is not what we thought it was. True ambition is the profound desire to live usefully and walk humbly under the grace of God. (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions). Most addicted people are creative, determined and good at solving problems. It is usually negative attitudes that have led them into trouble. An improved perspective is required for successful recovery. AA stands to ‘Altered Attitudes’. There is truth in that. Today I ask for honesty to identify where my attitudes need improvement.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days December 17th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly


Anonymity


Anonymity is not a device to stop the world from knowing our dread secrets. It has two main purposes; firstly, to protect and reassure newcomers that their words and actions will be treated completely confidentially. The social stigma surrounding addiction is considerable. Many addicted people feel shame, which stops them from opening up or even seeking help. Secondly, anonymity encourages us to treat our clean and sober status with humility. There is no place for personal glorification or other profit derived from publicising our recovery. Am I grateful for the concept of anonymity that the programme provides?

Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. (Tradition Twelve of Alcoholics Anonymous). It is likely that many of us are not anonymous as regards our family, friends and daily contacts. Indeed, there may be positive benefits from that. However, it is important we always remember the Twelve Step fellowships should not be used simply as a means for personal publicity and profit. Our only purpose in breaking anonymity should be in pursuit of greater understanding. Today I give thanks for the wisdom of those who worked to build the Twelve Step fellowships.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days December 10th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – send positive thoughts

Maranatha

Maranatha is an Aramaic word meaning ‘Come, Lord’ and is thus often used by Christians in the time of Advent – the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It is a way of expressing profound belief in God, primarily a Christian God but can equally be used when referring to any Higher Power. Advent for Christians is not just about waiting for Christmas Day and the birth of Christ, it is about making our spiritual selves ready for the event, so that we welcome God into our hearts. We should evaluate our attitudes and beliefs and work to remove selfishness and self-obsession. It is all part of the familiar task of ego-management that we need to perform routinely in our lives, if we are to achieve spiritual growth. How selfish am I and what will I do about it?

I was no longer the centre of my life and therefore I could see God in everything. (Venerable Bede). Humility and prayer are a good start to checking my spiritual wellbeing. In the past, I was forced to make myself the most important thing in my life, because my addiction made this necessary. How else would I get what I wanted? Now, if I have learned anything, it is that there are other things that are more important. My will and my ways have got me into trouble, and I have to find a better way – God’s way.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days December 8th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – breathe slowly


Powerlessness and unmanageability


The wonderful film star Judy Garland died alone in a London hotel of a barbiturates overdose, aged just forty-seven – thirty years after she appeared as little Dorothy in the film The Wizard of Oz. The day she died, they say there was a tornado in Kansas. There’s probably a tornado every day in Kansas somewhere, just as there’s always someone in the world dying from a drugs overdose. Many lives are less well-publicised as hers but equally tragic. Anyone who plays with alcohol or drugs is taking a huge risk. Crucially, if they find themselves losing control, they must address the problem honestly. Those of us in recovery must be ready to reach out to help anyone who may be struggling, at any stage in the progress of their addiction. We do not judge others, but we can show ourselves by our example. Do I recognise I have a responsibility to share my recovery by reaching out to others?

Desperate people do desperate things, but I have a responsibility to help my fellow humans before they become that desperate, if I possibly can. There is progression in every illness and addiction is no different. Its roots may lie in others or partly in us and the way we feel about ourselves. Today I pray that, through showing my self-respect, I may be able to help those in distress before they become desperate.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days December 1st by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – sit comfortably
Step Twelve
Step Twelve is about service and carrying the message.
This demonstrates the paradox at the heart of the
Twelve Steps – that you must give recovery away in
order to keep it. But doing so would be difficult if
one did not have gratitude. Genuine gratitude only
comes when we feel that something good has
happened. And like enthusiasm, when others see it,
they are inspired. The power of example is there
once again. An attitude of gratitude helps to keep
me being a giver instead of a taker. Do I have an
attitude of true gratitude today?
One major point about the Twelve Steps is that they
are all about taking personal responsibility for our
lives. We have to throw out the negativity that
enveloped us – the anger, blaming, victimhood,
selfishness and low self-esteem and replace it with
positive attitudes and actions. Gratitude,
determination, helping others, forgiveness and so on,
are much more comfortable to live with and so much
more inspiring for others to see. Today I ask to do
my best in everything that I attempt because that is
part of my mission in life.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days November 26th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – sit comfortably

Contemporary spirituality


Attitudes to spirituality in the twenty-first century are different from those of much earlier times when religious certainty in the Western world led to a consensus of a Christian God who would lead us to eventual salvation, even if not worldly happiness, if followed. We are all spiritual beings who continue to search for meaning in life and beyond, but today many of us take a more holistic approach to both belief and to practice. This leads us to spend more time on self-actualisation and meditation and less on religious dogma and ritual. In the programme of Twelve Step recovery, we are introduced to the concept of a Power greater than ourselves that will help us to combat the power of addiction. It is our choice how we perceive this Power, but we are advised to seek one because the alternative – that we rely just on ourselves – is likely to be a lot more problematic. Have I found a Higher Power to whom I can hand over my problems?

There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled.
There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled.
You feel it, don’t you?
You feel the separation from the beloved.
Invite him to fill you up, embrace the fire. (Rumi).
I give thanks today for the great gift of spirituality.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days November 21st by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – review expectations

Self-discovery

Self-discovery never throws up a final and permanent answer – our identity is an ongoing condition and what we are today will not be the same in every respect tomorrow. Addiction turns us into monsters, caricatures of our true selves, and we must face the monster before we can find our true personality. This is the first stage of our journey towards a new life of contentment. Unless we understand ourselves, we cannot make the changes that are needed. These changes must be deep and thorough, because our personality is not ‘skin deep’. In fact, like an onion, we have several layers or ‘skins’ ranging through us, from: behaviour, feelings and thoughts, attitudes, beliefs to the innermost, our core values. It is no good simply trying to change the surface (the behaviours) unless we change the rest. So, for example, stopping drinking (behaviour) won’t work unless you believe that it is the right thing to do (belief). Do I recognise the process of self-discovery?

Change would be a lot easier for most of us if we didn’t have so many preconceived ideas. Courage to change is as much about letting go of the familiar ways as about embracing the new. I must come out of my comfort zone and discard the familiar role of the victim who blames others. I will take responsibility for my life with guidance from my Higher Power.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days November 19th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – relax your body

Social Media Dangers

When Bill W and Dr Bob met in 1935, there were no mobile phones or laptops. Their meeting was arranged via telephone (landline of course) but that was where technology stopped. Today, separation from one’s mobile phone causes acute anxiety for many people. There is a name for it – ‘nomophobia’. We suffer from over-exposure. Our words and actions can be projected on platforms, to be seen and judged by millions, if we wish. Bill and Dr Bob would find it amazing, and I suspect, alarming. If they could be asked their main concern at the power of social media, I think they would both say the same: Ego. Am I remembering to check my ego when on social media?


Wanting to be admired is a basic instinct. Not wanting to be vilified is another. Social media amplifies exposure to both, sometimes causing extreme emotional upheaval. There can be negative consequences such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Writing in 1960, Bill W said: Nothing matters more to AA’s future welfare than the manner in which we use the colossus of modern communication. Used unselfishly and well, it can produce results surpassing our present imagination. Should we handle this great instrument badly, we shall be shattered by the ego manifestations of our own people. The future has now arrived. Today I ask God for help to manage my ego.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days November 18th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – Close eyes briefly

AA in Ireland


The first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous in Ireland was held on this day in 1946, in Dublin. It is thought to have been the first in Europe. Ireland of course has strong links with the United States, strengthened by large numbers of migrants over the centuries. Remarkably, twenty-three US Presidents claim Irish origin. AA came to England the following year. We are fortunate that AA was originated by people who acted in the best interests of the fellowship, rather than for personal gain. They were not saints, and some had very human faults. We are no different today. We must carry forward in the same spirit, the Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity and Service. Am I grateful for the founders of AA for the Three Legacies?


Turlough O’Carolan was a well-loved itinerant minstrel, born in Westmeath, Ireland in 1670. Blind from an early age, he travelled the country with his harp. Some of his beautiful music is still played today. The story goes that he was over-fond of alcohol and that this held him back from reaching his full potential. In the cultures of most great nations there are often similar stories of gifted people who tragically were held back or sent to an early grave by their addiction. Those of us in recovery should remind ourselves of the great gift that we have been given. Our responsibility is to carry the message. Today I remember this.