blognonymous!

From Daily Reflections

November 3rd

There is a direct linkage among self - examination, meditation, and prayer. Taken separately, these practices can bring much relief and benefit. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 98

If I do my self - examination first, then surely, I’ll have enough humility to pray and meditate - because I’ll see and feel my need for them. Some wish to begin and end with prayer, leaving the self - examination and meditation to take place in between, whereas others start with meditation, listening for advice from God about their still hidden or unacknowledged defects. Still others engage in written and verbal work on their defects, ending with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. These three - self - examination, meditation and prayer - form a circle, without a beginning or an end. No matter where, or how, I start, I eventually arrive at my destination: a better life.

NOTHING GROWS IN THE DARK

We will want the good that is in us all, even in the worst of us, to flower and to grow.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 10

With the self-discipline and insight gained from practicing Step Ten, I begin to know the gratifications of sobriety — not as mere abstinence from alcohol, but as recovery in every
department of my life.

I renew hope, regenerate faith, and regain the dignity of self-respect. I discover the word
“and” in the phrase “and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.”
Reassured that I am no longer always wrong, I learn to accept myself as I am, with a new
sense of the miracles of sobriety and serenity.

The body is the ego’s projection.

Many of us are critical of our bodies. We perceive ourselves as too tall or too short, too fat or too thin. The list goes on. What we think, however, is what we get: our bodies reflect the message the ego dictates.

This can be confusing. But remember, we tend to focus on our imperfections, and the attention we give them strengthens them. So while we claim to want a better physique or a healthier body, we dwell on how our bodies disappoint us. In the process, we manifest those disappointments.

Stopping a particular thought pattern takes willingness. We need to change our perspective intentionally and radically and stop lecturing ourselves about how we should look. Aligning with the Holy Spirit rather than the ego diminishes the importance of how we look. The miracle is that how we look changes also.

My body is only as real as I make it today. I am free to think only love.

Today’s Meditation from:

Daily Meditations for Practicing the Course by Karen Casey. Get it Today!

At one point in my life, change was the bringer of doom. I hated change and uncertainty. If I was miserable, I fully expected and wanted to stay miserable. If I was elated, I never wanted that to change. Today, I’m more able to accept things as they are and embrace change.

Two days ago I was ready to fling myself off of the nearest bridge if Spring didn’t come soon. Today, I awoke to a snow and could only think how beautiful it was. Two days can make a big difference. In fact, I tell sponsees all the time (just as I was told by my sponsor) that if you wait a little bit the way you feel will change. Often, nothing changes but our own attitude.

Thank goodness. And, thanks to Mother Earth for the calm and serenity of winter

Today, I will embrace the world and my life as it is rather than how I think it should be.

I have always been a deeply musical person. I can’t put into words what the right song can do for my spirit. Yesterday, I was listening to Tori Amos‘ version of Circle Game by Joni Mitchell, and I as always I found myself focused and living in the moment. For anyone with a child, or anyone that’s been a child - I think that covers just about everyone - hopefully these lyrics will strike a resonant cord with you. Without further ado, here’s the meditation of the day.

Circle Game

Yesterday a child came out to wonder
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star
Then the child moved ten times round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like, when you’re older, must appease him
And promises of someday make his dreams

And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game.

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels turn to car wheels thru the town
And they tell him,
Take your time, it wont be long now
Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down

And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and dawn
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur
Coming true
There’ll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through.

And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return, we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

In meetings, we hear “Don’t care FOR, care ABOUT.” When we care for someone, we are letting that person be the focus of our lives. We take over the decisions and responsibilities for that person. We can bond with someone a lot better than with their needs. When we care about someone, we are concerned about their journey. We nurture, encourage, and support them on their way.

Many of us have to learn to give up playing the role of caretaker with people. We have been a one-person Humane Society, moving from place to place, picking up stray dogs and cats. We are told that caretaking is an improper response to our need to be accepted.

Whatever the reason we play the role, it is not helpful to continue in recovery. We need to let people care for their own needs. Everyone should have the opportunity to love themselves.

I’ve learned that caring FOR someone will probably cause the relationship to fail. Caring ABOUT them will allow the relationship and the person to succeed.

Today’s Meditation from:

Stepping Stones to Recovery for Men edited by Stephen Beal.

Love is not easy. Love costs. — Carl Sandburg

Sometimes we forget the difference between symbols and substance when Valentine’s Day rolls around. Spurred on by all the hearts, cupids, and lacy cards we see in the stores, we may unconsciously stake our self-esteem on whether or not we’re remembered with a box of chocolates or a pretty bouquet. Of course we want to be and have a sweetheart on this official feast day of love! Who wouldn’t?

But that does not mean that those of us who aren’t romantically involved are either unloved or unlovable. Romantic tokens are flattering and fun–but tokens aren’t love itself. Many of the valentine tokens being given today are inspired by a sense of obligation–because old Hubert or Billy or Sam knows what’s good for him! Some are even given to reduce guilt or to show off. Love itself costs a lot more than long-stemmed roses or even diamonds.

Real love is measured out in steadiness, commitment, and unselfishness over the long haul. It has to do with willingness and forgiveness and just plain fortitude. It means being consistently mindful of someone else’s welfare. If we are engaged in such relationships, we are fortunate indeed, whether or not we have someone on hand today to tell us how wonderful we are. It’s love itself that’s wonderful, not the tokens.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Today’s Meditation from:

Believing in Myself: Daily Meditations for Healing and Building Self-Esteem by Earnie Larsen and Carol Hegarty.

Happy Valentine’s Day Animations hosted at MUDTRAP.COM