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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> DR & 24 ~ The Forest & The Trees
Post Info TOPIC: DR & 24 ~ The Forest & The Trees
Sobrietyspell


MIP Old Timer

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DR & 24 ~ The Forest & The Trees
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5th May 2009DAILY REFLECTIONS ~ THE FOREST AND THE TREES

. . . . what comes to us alone may be garbled by our own
rationalization and wishful thinking. The benefit of talking
to another person is that we can get his direct comment and
counsel on our situation. . . . .
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 60

I cannot count the times when I have been angry and frustrated
and said to myself, "I can't see the forest for the trees!" I
finally realized that what I needed when I was in such pain was
someone who could guide me in separating the forest and the
trees; who could suggest a better path to follow; who could
assist me in putting out fires; and help me avoid the rocks and
pitfalls.

I ask God, when I'm in the forest, to give me the courage to
call upon a member of A.A.

***********************************************************

Twenty-Four Hours A Day

A.A. Thought For The Day

I had to show off and boast so that people would think I
amounted to something, when, of course, both they and I knew
that I really didn't amount to anything. I didn't fool anybody.
Although I've been sober for quite a while, the old habit of
building myself up is still with me. I still have a tendency to
think too well of myself and to pretend to be more than I really
am. Am I always in danger of becoming conceited just because
I'm sober?

Meditation For The Day

I cannot ascertain the spiritual with my intellect. I can only
do it by my own faith and spiritual faculties. I must think of
God more with my heart than with my head. I can breathe in God's
very spirit in the life around me. I can keep my eyes turned
toward the good things in the world. I am shut up in a box of
space and time, but I can open a window in that box by faith.
I can empty my mind of all the limitations of material things.
I can sense the Eternal.

Prayer For The Day

I pray that whatever is good I may have. I pray that I may
leave to God the choice of what good will come to me.

Hazelden

(Let it be a God or Higher Power of your own understanding)


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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
Sacrifice


Veteran Member

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Hello, I love the daily reflections, forest & the trees. It is funny I came on and picked your post because I have to talk to someone if I'm having trouble. It seems most of the time I can talk about something and I answer my own questions just by saying it out loud.  Talking to or with someone in A.A.  does wonders for me always and I know as long as that communication is out there for me to grab than I'm good to go.

Have a great day!



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Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!
Jane05


MIP Old Timer

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Sobrietyspell's post of today's Daily Reflections reminded me of something that started last Wednesday.

A program friend, who has somewhat used me as a sponsor, got a case of the butt with me and said some hurtful things, (after I responded to a request for a suggestion). I got angry, frustrated, and let her rent space for days. I kept playing the "next time she calls, I'll say... and I'll tell her..." game in my head. With each program friend I talked to I could feel the need to tell them what had happened, but something in me told me that wouldnt be right, in my heart I really didn't want to hurt her, but I did want to feel better.

I was making myself so sick and knew I needed to talk to my sponsor. But, I didn't want her to know how ugly I could be :mrgreen: and how I was thinking of dropping my friend as my friend. (Old behavior :sad: ) But alas, this started to affect others. My actions told others I was not in a good place. . Not to mention I wasn't being very helpful to them. It wasn't their fault, I needed to do something.

Thank God, my sponsor has been my sponsor for a while and reminded me, yesterday, that this was not the first time I'd been through this with my friend. She told me, basically, I could go there with her again, if I chose to. We talked about where my friend might be (thinking and feeling) and that I should be grateful for where I am. With my sponsor's help, I was able to let it go and prepared to set some boundaries at the same time.

God does talk to me through my sponsor, other AA members, non-alkies and of course in meetings. I just have to be in that place to hear it. And right now, today, most of the time I've got to be in some sort of pain to hear.  I'm praying for growth here.


Thanks for letting me share

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Quetzal


MIP Old Timer

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Feeling Good
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Make yourself feel good.

It's our job to first make ourselves feel better and then make ourselves feel good. Recovery is not only about stopping painful feelings; it is about creating a good life for ourselves.

We don't have to deny ourselves activities that help us feel good. Going to meetings, basking in the sun, exercising, taking a walk, or spending time with a friend are activities that may help us feel good. We each have our list. If we don't, we're now free to explore, experiment, and develop that list.

When we find a behavior or activity that produces a good feeling, put it on the list. Then, do it frequently.

Let's stop denying ourselves good feelings and start doing things that make us feel good.

Today, I will do one activity or behavior that I know will create a good feeling for me. If I'm uncertain about what I like, I will experiment with one behavior today.

From The Language of Letting Go

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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Sobrietyspell


MIP Old Timer

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RE: DR & 24 ~ The Forest & The Trees
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I need to talk with my Sponsor.. Either one or both.. It's been awhile & I think I'm missing their wise & sagely, program-orientated principles & experience. They're so loving to me & sometimes, just cuz I've got a program I think I can take the world on & maybe even nearly be perfect.. No so ;) I need them like I need my breath, my HP, all of you here & my meetings as well as my aspirations, my love & family. I need so much sometimes & I'm glad my Sponsors are always there like the human face of the divine in my life. I'm glad I can have their love no matter how far along I might be in recovery. I'm always a drink away from a drunk & this good old loving that helped me get well in the first place will always have a place for me in my life. How can I expect to be there for others if I don't let them be there for me.. ;) I'm glad I'm not alone.. In so many ways.. Thank you women for sharing with me too, Danielle x

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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
Sobrietyspell


MIP Old Timer

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I spoke to my Sponsor & boy did that make me feel Good! I feel wonderful now cuz I shared with her & had a good catch up & then went to a meeting where Carl shared on Step10 & I shared too. My new Sponsee moved in last week & has said she wants to keep us as friends with these living arrangements being a little close for comfort for sponsorship & that's a relief too. It did feel strange to have to have the two hats to deal with living with & working through the program together so this has simplified life. Of course, I'm still available & will help if she ever needs, also I'm glad to be a positive example & support for recovery in general anyway so she will get a new Sponsor & have the best of both worlds. God is at work & allowing it all to work out as it's meant to. Thanks for being here always for me too MIP. I love you, Danielle x

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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
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