[bluidkiti]

May 20

Wisdom for Today
In life there are heroes, and the program is no exception. We meet them at every meeting we attend. Every time someone introduces themselves at a meeting, we are looking into the eyes of a hero. Some may question this, but I believe it to be true. Heroes are people who act in the face of fear to help others. When a newcomer walks though the door for the first time, they are greeted by others in the program. Inside the newcomer trembles with fear. Yet these individuals stare fear in the face and reach out to offer a helping hand. Each of us learn to be heroes in the program. When we are willing to offer forgiveness to others even when it raises fear in us, we act as heroes. When we say yes to telling our story, even though the thought of speaking before a group terrifies us, we learn to be heroes.
When we carry the message to anyone who still suffers, we become heroes. In life when, someone rushes into a burning building to help someone inside, they are considered a hero. Yet after the event they do not go around bragging about what they had done. They speak humbly about the event. The same must be true for each of us. We do not brag about the twelve step call we just made. We do not look down on others because they did not go. We feel a sense of inner goodness in these acts of helping others, but we do not speak of this in an arrogant manner. Carrying the message is an act of heroism, but we do not claim superiority for doing this. We do this in humility and out of genuine concern for others. Am I willing to carry the message to others when given the opportunity to do so?
Meditations for the Heart
Responsibility is our goal in recovery. First, we take responsibility for working the steps and doing what is needed to stay clean and sober. Next we take responsibility to clean up our lives and repair the damage done in our active addiction. We become responsible for reaching out to others in the program to offer them what was so freely given to us. We continue to practice these responsibilities in all that we do. Through this responsibility we make gains in our lives - physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. We become better people through this process and are rewarded with seeing the promises of the program come true in our lives. These gifts come to us only through working the program, and responsibility is a big part of working this program. Am I working on personal responsibility?
Petitions to my Higher Power
God,
Each and every day I face choices and need to be responsible with what I choose to do. Grant me wisdom in making the choices I need to make today. Let me look for each opportunity to carry the message and to do this with humility. Give me the courage I will need in the face of any fear that might arise. Let me find the gifts that are so freely given by You along this pathway.
Amen