Reflections for Every Day - May

[yukonm]

May 16

Mazie Says:

When I was drinking I did not care about anyone or anything. Now I help everyone that I can. It sure beats laying on the railroad tracks telling the conductor he was on the wrong track. Now I know I am on the right track. God Bless AA and your support.

[yukonm]

May 17

Beth J. Says:

In my hectic day to day life, I must constantly stop and remind myself where my priorities lie. Remember that this program may not be your whole life, but it allows you to enjoy a life that is whole. I'm so grateful for this program and to know that my first priority today is to stay sober.

[yukonm]

May 18

Seabreeze Says:

'The Suffering Alcoholic' can look strong, and have many good days in the fellowship, but we can only get our daily reprieve from our madness if we believe the people who have been before us with all our hearts. I am sure any meeting good or difficult will make you better after the meeting than before. Thanks for helping me to have more good days than bad since I came into the fellowship.

[yukonm]

May 19

James Says:

People ask me, "What is so great about sobriety?" I tell them, "Getting up in the morning." Why? Because when I get up in the morning, I'm not hung over or worried about what I might have done the night before. We hear the expression, "Beyond my wildest dreams." Well, I don't have things beyond my wildest dreams. However, I get what I get, and I'm happy with what I got.

[yukonm]

May 20

Penny Says:

For various reasons I have not been able to attend Al-Anon meetings for the last two months or so. It shows. Even my 16 year old is trying to force me out the door and telling me to get to a meeting. It seems that my changed attitude does affect those around me. I will attend the very next meeting in my area and start the healing process again.

[yukonm]

May 21

Patricia T. Says:

Alcoholism is powerful. I had a car accident and physically died twice. Somehow they brought me back, but I lost 10 years of memory, forgot I was divorced after 21 years of marriage, forgot both of my parents had died and I attended their funerals, forgot I smoked cigarettes, but I sure didn't forget I wanted ANOTHER drink. The insanity is overwhelming. I am approaching my four-year sobriety date, one day at a time.

[yukonm]

May 22

Darin G. Says:

I have the unique opportunity to answer the question "what would I do different if I had it to do all over again?" In sobriety I AM doing it all over again. Re-defining my career, my education, my goals, likes, dislikes, interests, motivations, personality, friends and friendships. Fourteen years late, thousands of dollars short, I finally get it. Life is a festival, nothing of value comes at a lesser price.

[yukonm]

May 23

Michael B. Says:

I've been three years sober now to think about all the meaningful missed opportunities I blew for the opportunity to get loaded. But, I somehow managed to keep my employ of 30 years and a super-wife who, lived through that war and refused to give up on me. No "thank you" could be big enough for all that. Growing old is mandatory, thank heavens the growing up element waited for silly me.

[yukonm]

May 24

Debra G. Says:

After spending the last eight months away from the alcoholic in my life, I still struggle in moments of loneliness to remain strong and confident that I am making better choices, no matter how difficult they feel. I love my Just For Today goals, they remind me what small steps can do to achieve larger goals in daily life. I can now live most days not beating myself up if I don't achieve everything that has to be done.

[yukonm]

May 25

Jessie Z. Says:

I often get caught up thinking about the past or the future - things I have no control over. When I allow myself to do this, I waste this moment that my Higher Power has allowed me to have right now. When I let myself live in the current moment I can enjoy life in a way that I never imagined possible.

[yukonm]

May 26

Gail U. Says:

It seems that the longer I hang around here and don't use, the more I am aware of my character defects. Today, I am at the point where I can no longer manipulate the people in my life for my own selfishness. I am feeling and behaving like a grown-up. I am a grateful recovering addict. This program has provided me the tools to have a life worth living.

[yukonm]

May 27

Denise S. Says:

Recovery to me is a process. I honestly try to the best of my ability to live in the moment. I always remember this when I'm driving in my car. The rear view mirror is my past. I mean I see it and I know it's there, but it order to grow and move forward I need to look straight in front at the windshield and continue to move forward, one day at a time.

[yukonm]

May 28

Betty Ann Says:

As I have continually heard in meetings, feelings are not facts they change. How I feel on a particular day about an issue is subject to change, so I must always remember that it's okay to feel my feelings and yet I don't have to act on each and every one. When I journal these feelings I own them, and then they no longer affect my thinking and own me.

[yukonm]

May 29

Edie Says:

Yes indeed, I was brain washed in AA! Thank goodness! My "self talk" was not helpful. It gives new meaning to the phrase "Change your mind, change your life." Life goes on but I've learned new ways to look at it. I've found a comfort range so I can live with myself sober.

[MajestyJo]

Ron C. Says:

What a gift to have a clear mind. I am so grateful to the 12 Steps that keep me thinking clearly. They keep me not only free from the foggy chemical thinking of alcoholism, but they also keep me free from foggy emotional turmoil and bring me a moment-by-moment conscious clarity. What a gift to have a clear mind.

Note:

The "Thoughts of the Day" are from members of various 12 step programs. Some are A.A., some Al-Anon, and some Adult Children of Alcoholics. Take what you need and leave the rest!

A NA member shared with me:

Take what you what you need, and take what you don't need and put it on a shelf. You just might find someone who needs it and you can pass it on.

I use to say, "I have a lot of stuff on my shelf, because I don't like dusting." I found that out, because as I grew in recovery, some of those things on the shelf, I had to go back and pick them up for myself.