Daily Reflections
May 14
IT’S OKAY TO BE ME
Time after time newcomers have tried to keep to themselves certain facts about their lives … they have turned to easier methods. .But they had not learned enough humility.
-ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 72-73
Humility sounds so much like humiliation, but it really is the ability to look at myself — and honestly accept what I find. I no longer need to be the “smartest” or “dumbest” or any other “est.” Finally, it is okay to be me. It is easier for me to accept myself if I share my whole life. If I cannot share in meetings, then I had better have a sponsor — someone with whom I can share those “certain facts” that could lead me back to a drunk, to death. I need to take all the Steps. I need the Fifth Step to learn true humility. Easier methods do not work.
Twenty-Four Hours A
Day
May 14
A.A. Thought for the Day
Having gotten over drinking, we have only just begun to enjoy the benefits of A.A. We find new friends, so that we are no longer lonely. We find new relationships with our families, so that we are happy at home. We find release from our troubles and worries through a new way of looking at things. We find an outlet for our energies in helping other people. Am I enjoying these benefits of A.A.?
Meditation of the Day
The kingdom of heaven is within you. God sees, as no one can see, what is within you. He sees you growing more and more like Himself. That is our reason for existence, to grow more and more like God, to develop more and more the spirit of God within you. You can often see in others those qualities and aspirations that you yourself possess. So also can God recognize His own spirit in you. Your motives and aspirations can only be understood by those who have attained the same spiritual level as you have.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may not expect complete understanding from others. I pray that I may only expect this from God, as I try to grow more like Him.
Walk in Dry Places
May 14
Making Laws For Ourselves
Attaining Freedom
Being human means that we’re subject to all the laws and limitations that apply to human beings. We should not, however, put more limitations on ourselves than might be required by our situation.
Recovering People should be able to do anything within their capabilities. It’s usually a mistake to think that our problem means forfeiture of opportunities. One person, for example, often told his friends that he could not return to his former profession in sales because “nobody want to hire an alcoholic salesman.”
But it is not written anywhere that firms will not gladly welcome a capable sales associate who is recovering. Many alcoholics do return to their former employment upon recovery. Our friend was simply making a law for himself by believing he was blocked from this field.
Let’s always remember that recovery is freedom, not bondage. And let’s see ourselves doing anything that’s reasonable and proper for others.
Having rejoined the human race, I’ll enthusiastically accept all the advantages and opportunities others have.
Keep It Simple
May 14
Make yourself an honest [person], and then you may be sure that there is one rascal less in the world.
-Thomas Carlyle
Honesty does not mean saying all we think or feel. Many of our thoughts and feelings are only with us for a minute. They are not always the truth. For example, saying to someone you love, “I hate you!” in the middle of an argument can destroy things.
Honesty means living by what is true to us. Then we choose when and how to say things to others.
Think of honesty as the air we breathe; it’s what keeps us alive, but it can get polluted and kill. It must be treated with respect and care.
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me know the power of honesty. Help me speak it with care and respect.
Action for the Day: Before I speak today I’ll ask myself: “Is this true? Am I speaking because this needs to be said?”
Birds sing after a storm, why shouldn’t we?
–Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (1890 – 1995)
“Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first
or last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory.”
–Betty Smith
There is more to life than increasing its speed.
–Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948)
When our faith is weak, God is still strong and present with us.
–Elaine S. Massey
Father Leo’s Daily
Meditation
May 14
SEX
“A little theory makes sex more interesting, more comprehensive and less scary. Too much is a put-down especially as you’re likely to get it out of perspective and become a spectator of your own performance.”
–Dr. Alex Comfort
We make too much of sex because we are afraid of it. We abuse God’s gift of sex by placing it out of context, removing it from the other things that make it meaningful, e.g., gentleness, trust, sensitivity, communication and commitment.
The performance becomes more important than the expression. The meaning gets lost in the event. God’s precious gift of sex is abused by the sex act itself and it then begins to feed on itself. Compulsive sex is only demonstrated loneliness!
Spirituality teaches me to see all things as part of God’s gift of “wholeness” and sex is an important part of this – but only a part.
God, in the awareness of my sexuality, may I discover a relationship with myself, others and You.
Daily Inspiration
May 14
Fill your time with that which is important to you and you will feel accomplished. Lord, help me to know my priorities and to be focused enough to avoid distraction.
When we have to justify our actions, it may be that our actions are not just. Lord, Your will is goodness. May I always have the strength and courage to choose Your way so that I can simplify my life and enjoy the peace of Your presence.
Elder’s Meditation
of the Day
May 14
“Prayer is the best answer to all of the trials that face us, because without prayer, even if we succeed in accomplishing some great goal in the eyes of men, we have failed in our sacred responsibilities, and thus we have failed in what is truly important.”
–Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
What are our sacred responsibilities? One is to be of maximum service to the Creator, and two is to serve the people. In a way, it’s like the Great Spirit is the employer and we are the employees. We live each day, do what we do, accomplish our goals, face our difficulties, overcome them all to the Glory of the Creator. We do these things to make Him proud! Even if we work for a company, agency or tribe, they are not really our employer; the Creator is our employer. Working for the Creator is better than working for a human being, because each night we can talk to the Creator and ask Him, “Well, how did I do today?”. He answers back each night, “I’m proud of you, my child; sleep well, and in the morning I’ll give you a new set of growing experiences.”.
Great Spirit, today, let me work for you. You will be my new boss.
Touchstones
Meditation For Men
May 14
Often the wisdom of the body clarifies the despair of the spirit.
—Marion Woodman
The unity of body and spirit becomes more real for us as we learn to listen to the messages our bodies give. Perhaps if we are frequently ill with a cold we are hiding from the fact that we are discouraged and in need of something for our spirit. We all face the problems at times of sleeplessness or backaches or allergies. These are not moral problems but problems that go with being human. When we are open to the spirit dimension, we look for the part that may express a message from our spiritual selves.
As we notice our physical selves today, we perhaps feel a tension in a muscle or a sensation somewhere that can speak to us about our deeper feelings. The message may not be clear at first. Spiritual messages are not quick answers, but if we listen to our questions a while, the answers may gradually become clear. Simply being open to the messages strengthens us for our tasks and deepens our spiritual self-awareness.
Today, I am learning to listen to the wisdom of my own body.
Daily TAO
May 14
RELAXATION
Relaxation
Is total peace.
When you relax completely, there is total silence. No thought enters the mind, no problems arise from the body, no memories grip the spirit. This overwhelming sense of tranquility is really all meditation is about. The neutral stillness of the mind renews the tired soul, and this is regeneration.
Even if you don’t follow a formal meditation program, it is good to sit quietly for a little while every day. This form of rest should be as regular as sleeping each day. If you can sit still and just relax completely, you are actually meditating. All the various forms of complicated techniques and visualization exist because people can’t bring themselves to this very simple state of relaxation. Their minds are constantly racing, their bodies are out of balance, and the worries of the day weigh heavily upon them. They cannot let go, so they need a formal routine to follow. But if you can simply sit down and empty yourself, you will experience a wonderful silence and a deep, satisfying sense of peace.