tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878523743901027212024-03-19T01:47:18.418-07:00Friend of Bill and BobDonna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.comBlogger1438125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-75418947115096074632023-02-03T08:52:00.000-08:002023-02-03T08:52:10.276-08:00Surrender<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RIb8Mo2P24xJIBXdkaPIJFm4ZJn1Qw_pkc557mBFrVBnRKUZIn_4W9PymCMqyBrRH_8nASqwB1c3PlOHz9nS3c_N-Gj_JealarV1q4vfkqBUPG09y6c5CNj4t7Xob_g2rzVWmfAJqQszpeLc78oJN54iq52WDjbcewXuoUF-6OHcTuvqcnAbaSdc1g/w391-h220/surrender.png" width="391"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><p></p><p style="color: #444444; font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">After we've made a surrender, the drinking problem is out of our hands and in the hands of God. The thing we have to do is to be sure that we never reach out and take the problem back into our own hands. Leave it in God's hands. Whenever I'm tempted to take a drink, I must say to myself: "I can't do that. I've made a bargain with God not to drink. I know God doesn't want me to drink and so I won't do it." At the same time, I say a little prayer to God for the strength needed to keep the bargain with Him. <em>Am I going to keep my bargain with God?</em></span></p><h1 style="color: #00587c; font-size: 24px !important; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">Meditation for the Day</span><br></h1><span><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;"></span></span><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2023/02/surrender.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-68030092188868525772023-01-31T10:51:00.004-08:002023-01-31T10:52:22.775-08:00Resentments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCkUP168uMmt5YWsk4RyoCNJ-d8Q1zzJWmNSHwt8G-wAv_Dbn5fDPrUxJ8vf52LX4BcFWrTK_KQS7pJDx6i7ia5gTMWv9jJcEbbB3tS8vJPqIFJ_eJScYC8HwQrt6luKcpTGsMdX5EFw7iBYCSDhES-db0JYmIOKSAQB5qDY6TTyNoL4FZvbZLVrHWQ/w320-h322/forgiveness.png" width="320" /></div><br /><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Resentments
keep us in the past, a past that can never be relived. Resentments keep
a stranglehold on our mind. They keep us from appreciating the beauty
of a moment. They stop us from hearing the loving voices of friends. We
forget that we have a mission to fulfill God's Divine plan for our life.</p>
<p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Fortunately,
we can shake this hold on us, and our freedom comes when we decide to
forgive whatever transgressions are made against us. This decision, with
some practice, can become second nature.</p>
<p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Clearly
the choice to resent no one is our opportunity to free our mind and
heart for the real activities God hopes we'll attend to. Our purpose in
this life goes unfulfilled when we're consumed by resentments. Now we
have a program of recovery to help us develop a forgiving heart and find
the peace and joy that are part of God's will for each of us.</p>
<p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i>Holding resentments against others hurts me. Forgiveness can make me glad I'm alive today.</i></p><p> </p>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-11630156059787393892022-12-21T11:45:00.000-08:002022-12-21T11:45:01.679-08:00Let me learn to really see <p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="225" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W64halz4KRb1dF_OxtNlv7tZ-kyPu2q9nhkDoH7UU5l3niNkcyKtnuI3yNsmySithCki73ihmqquJBSykNHpqXJlpvqo4PjH-esgx-xUYqt7ge5y0wPRvy1JMtaTjgNAW9vrHiBXBxp3_MbUwG-xYrb1JXsADokqyyC44xSX7PyTou2endl3W_lvjw/w314-h226/dark.jpg" width="314"><br><br></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">We
human beings seem to prefer to be in the light. Most of us rely on the
daylight to move around safely and do our work. In the light we feel
like we have more control. At night, when the world is dark, we feel
less in control. We do two things: we turn on the lights so we can
continue our daytime activity, or we go to sleep.</span><p></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">But
darkness has gifts for us—different gifts than we get from light.
Darkness changes how we see things. In the dark we see less, but we pay
better attention. As we let go of our fears and let our eyes adjust to
the dark, we find that we can see more than we first thought. <span></span></span></p><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/12/let-me-learn-to-really-see.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-63974798041804029852022-12-09T05:08:00.002-08:002022-12-09T05:08:20.058-08:00AA ‘Big Book’ – Quote<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="119" data-original-width="75" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-Rp5kCoKFGMUVG5rPrHyOkf_FOIylGqGYf7QZdqo7LVUemh1LGk2CTYlLZPJ2mQU555pRmHBjDMrRmjVxZn6RL88QOPlBMt4rDTuvY18ZDplaOny9FdJk_ohK33BFxWjQfRYrr4tkwSloj-YlfQwTD-9QKPaw1OR5un3_xVrS2US02dkUGaRhrH4qw/w134-h212/bigbook.jpg" width="134" /></div><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">Having persevered with the rest of the program, they wondered why they fell. We think the reason is that they never completed their housecleaning. They took inventory all right, but hung on to some of the worst items in stock. They only THOUGHT they had lost their egoism and fear; they only THOUGHT they had humbled themselves. But they had not learned enough of humility, fearlessness and honesty, in the sense we find it necessary, until they told someone else ALL their life story. – Pg. 73 – Into Action</span></span></div>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-54763202188874124532022-11-09T08:23:00.000-08:002022-11-09T08:23:13.603-08:00Rebellion<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="152" data-original-width="300" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwYW2hirTqpwWijKL0qoW5Ih_te-boWXzCtzOLwqLwtWcBjFrPKg8XjclYRrEg80yE7fmPzsTjoWubDpPEwJA9W_HrxXqRt2dUeqPqJ2xIuwSg1hvBNKoOQH_6uqH5yIBgbPnykiio381T6k2m0_t7xcytPKWvxCk0vZZEAeMRhFJRHHCZuseguIKQA/w413-h209/reb1.jpg" width="413"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;"></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">In recovery, we rebel against our disease because we have love for ourselves and for something greater that needs fighting for. Each day we fight for the freedom to stay close to our Higher Power, friends, and family.<br> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;"> It’s mainly a quiet battle. It’s fought daily. We fight and win by acting in a spiritual way. We fight and win every time we help a friend, go to a meeting, or read about how to improve our lives.<br></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;"><span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">We move slowly but always forward. Rushing will only tire us out. Our battle will go on for life. We are quiet fighters, but we’re strong, for we do not fight alone. And we know what waits for us if we lose.
<span></span></span></span></p><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/11/rebellion.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-89100003043850509562022-10-26T07:43:00.003-07:002022-10-26T07:43:45.530-07:00Forgiveness<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="285" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-TQp684HbJv6k2oZrYy3ROvMVF4kZc9NNNfsr1-YdoUDRsdtVAm2pm5KOqeO6b32tFBW3d5n58eFoM0A2y3Jdq3Kv3EdrcdNpzQt6DI2G0CXwOBUxkq_QJn0pfcO2svt60LDmdA8FC1XemVqnI9nnLvVGqRdr-GX53DvoEHTUetSMuWhVp6vlmMM0A/w401-h249/forgive.jpg" width="401"></div><br><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is no healing without forgiveness. I love the peace I feel with forgiveness.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444;">~Helen Casey</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
program is helping us understand that when we feel resentful or angry,
we are hindering our own recovery as well as our Higher Power’s plan for
us. We cannot receive God’s full message if we are trapped by our
hateful feelings.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why
would we want to continue our agitation toward someone else,
particularly when it means we can feel no peace? The answer lies in our
struggle to be “right” in every situation. Being right rather than
peaceful </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">remains too important to us.</span><span></span></span></p><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/10/forgiveness.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-67152695585149248542022-09-23T12:51:00.001-07:002022-09-23T12:51:23.775-07:00The Keys To The Kingdom<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGs0Cv-oTjSMt0ZRJM7qCkyziAlUMehk4QPIdVgBa6_ptiy-arwnp2lCuFrdposhNs5DAD174FVl6HjtCU1nePkH2HtZpGL6n4yn5Q2iajzowzC1h61tpvWqYEwmpvZWZq7VrbpsMUQ8zmTtb6vyYHIvFDBMPEV6iuXBWWL60ltIxK-JVmwPSF1xkbdw/s343/keys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="343" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGs0Cv-oTjSMt0ZRJM7qCkyziAlUMehk4QPIdVgBa6_ptiy-arwnp2lCuFrdposhNs5DAD174FVl6HjtCU1nePkH2HtZpGL6n4yn5Q2iajzowzC1h61tpvWqYEwmpvZWZq7VrbpsMUQ8zmTtb6vyYHIvFDBMPEV6iuXBWWL60ltIxK-JVmwPSF1xkbdw/s320/keys.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville;"><span style="font-size: medium;">AA ‘Big Book’ – Quote</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville;">A.A. is not a plan for recovery that can be finished and done with. It is a way of life, and the challenge contained in its principles is great enough to keep any human being striving for as long as he lives. We do not, cannot, out-grow this plan. As arrested alcoholics, we must have a program for living that allows for limitless expansion. Keeping one foot in front of the other is essential for maintaining our arrestment. Others may idle in a retrogressive groove without too much danger, but retrogression can spell death for us. However, this isn’t as rough as it sounds, as we do become grateful for the necessity that makes us toe the line, for we find that we are more than compensated for a consistent effort by countless dividends we receive. –<br /><br /> </span><i><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville;">Pg. 311 – 4th. Editon – The Keys To The Kingdom</span><br /></span><br /></i></span></span></div>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-63448474633773981122022-09-23T12:26:00.002-07:002022-09-23T12:33:05.912-07:00Prayers Through the Steps From The Big Book <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i> <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQuFi6TSr0FrB4tWaNUmifZZc8ag_fmY78bDKlOy7G1Nzg9VKmg0ifiIXWcsl2fqEHOrZ89XPVfIgaOUpS485vHxr93hye5khwSG2BMLldlW7RRSdK5KmYcTO3Ax7Jfo5aIhBe1hXmWSS_sI5wpwgVm6Mq9hjHNlI2K6pkwQt_Ukg_eLQQNQ33WNVpQ/s246/bigbook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="246" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQuFi6TSr0FrB4tWaNUmifZZc8ag_fmY78bDKlOy7G1Nzg9VKmg0ifiIXWcsl2fqEHOrZ89XPVfIgaOUpS485vHxr93hye5khwSG2BMLldlW7RRSdK5KmYcTO3Ax7Jfo5aIhBe1hXmWSS_sI5wpwgVm6Mq9hjHNlI2K6pkwQt_Ukg_eLQQNQ33WNVpQ/w284-h237/bigbook.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*Pg. 13</b> I was to sit quietly when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my problems as He would have me. Never was I to pray for myself, except as my requests bore on my usefulness to others.</span></span></div><div><br /><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span data-mce-style="line-height: normal;" style="line-height: normal;"><span data-mce-style="line-height: normal;" style="line-height: normal;">*The Set Aside Prayer:</span></span></b></span></span><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">pages 47 and 48</span></span></span></i></b>(This prayer comes from the Chapter to the Agnostic, primarily)</span></span></span></i></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Dear
God please help me to set aside everything I think I know
about [people. place or thing] so I may have an open mind and a new
experience. Please help me to see the truth about [people. place or thing]. AMEN." </span> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*</b></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pg. 53 </span></span></b>“GOD IS EVERYTHING OR HE IS NOTHING. GOD EITHER IS OR HE ISN’T. WHAT WAS OUR CHOICE TO BE?” </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*Pg. 59</b> We asked His protection and care with complete abandon.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*THIRD STEP</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 63</b> - God, I offer myself to Thee - to build with me and do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love and Thy Way of Life. May I do Thy will always!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*FOURTH STEP</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>PG 67</b> <u>RESENTMENT</u> - We asked God to help us show them the same tolerance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said to ourselves, “This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done”.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 68</b> <u>FEAR </u> - We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 69 </b><u>SEX</u> - We asked God to mold our ideals and help us live up to them.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 69</b> <u>SEX</u><i><b> </b></i>- In meditation, we ask God what we do about each specific matter.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 70 </b>- To sum up about <u>sex</u>: We pray for the right ideal, for guidance in each questionable situation, for sanity and for strength to do the right thing.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*FIFTH STEP</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 75</b> We thank God from the bottom of our heart that we know Him better.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 75</b> we ask if we have omitted anything,</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*SIXTH STEP</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 76</b> If we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask God to help us be willing.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*SEVENTH STEP</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 59</b> Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 76 </b> My Creator, I am now willing that You should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that You now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do Your bidding. Amen</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*EIGHTH STEP</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 76</b> If we haven’t the will to do this, we ask until it comes.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*NINETH STEP</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 79</b> <u>LEGAL MATTERS</u> - We ask that we be given strength and direction to do the right thing, no matter what the personal consequences might be.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 80</b> <u>OTHERS AFFECTED</u> - If we have obtained permission, have consulted with others, asked God to help... <br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 82</b><u> INFIDELITY</u> - Each might pray about it, having the other one’s happiness uppermost in mind.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 83 </b><u>FAMILY </u>- So we clean house with the family, asking each morning in meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*TENTH STEP</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 84</b> Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 85</b> Everyday is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all our activities. “How can I best serve Thee--Thy will (not mine) be done”.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*ELEVENTH STEP</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 59 </b> Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that our..<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 86</b> <u>NIGHT</u> After mediation on the day just completed, “We ask God’s forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken”.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 86<u> </u></b><u>MORNING</u> Before we begin our day, “we ask god to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives”.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 86</b> <u>MORNING</u> In thinking about our day, “Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision”.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 87</b> <u>MORNING</u> We usually conclude the period of mediation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We especially ask for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no requests for ourselves only We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped. We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 87 - 88 </b> <u>ALL DAY</u> As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. …humbly saying to ourselves many times each day “Thy will be done.”</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*TWELFTH STEP</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pg. 164 </b> Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come IF your own house is in order.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*</b></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*</b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> Pg. 102 </b></span></span></b></span></span>Your job now is to be at the place where you may be of maximum helpfulness to others,, so never hesitate to go anywhere if you can be helpful. You should not hesitate to visit the most sordid spot on earth on such an errand. Keep on the firing line of life with these motives and God will keep you unharmed. <br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzVIjz6I19Jb6IZUeV9MeYXZmJHLD8Jc_ManUjfVEmidR60erzjGcU1jNNvFsh5BlfDOhejOrjUVBMwwtJJ0gqM-hPoE5DN64QoKRWrLxEpK-TyVWGOAELuCvmgJloABP-pOSwmuj9ZTW3t2X1VPfayWxb2r0L2Ok4lG1BUueyl0mCFWdOX1F-cYh_w/s420/CarryTheMessage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="420" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzVIjz6I19Jb6IZUeV9MeYXZmJHLD8Jc_ManUjfVEmidR60erzjGcU1jNNvFsh5BlfDOhejOrjUVBMwwtJJ0gqM-hPoE5DN64QoKRWrLxEpK-TyVWGOAELuCvmgJloABP-pOSwmuj9ZTW3t2X1VPfayWxb2r0L2Ok4lG1BUueyl0mCFWdOX1F-cYh_w/s320/CarryTheMessage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-63759265418063275032022-09-08T07:26:00.000-07:002022-09-08T07:26:03.036-07:00Whenever you fall<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbKjGcH8L0D2QIzZwU5f0mV3R1kzjQ4y09U6q1_uVwtMdE03xItpwATjs9RIQg9VyO-nRYwsq16zxTk6Z-fbf60lddNXHfBZtwCD-l14F_AfU2GDcVS4ievXZ3JNq6Dxwk3ANbab4NFZD9-pB2nldiYO7O0YytIXmwoTUPbS1wJbrI48S5Lm-PrXUug/s600/fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="600" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbKjGcH8L0D2QIzZwU5f0mV3R1kzjQ4y09U6q1_uVwtMdE03xItpwATjs9RIQg9VyO-nRYwsq16zxTk6Z-fbf60lddNXHfBZtwCD-l14F_AfU2GDcVS4ievXZ3JNq6Dxwk3ANbab4NFZD9-pB2nldiYO7O0YytIXmwoTUPbS1wJbrI48S5Lm-PrXUug/s320/fall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">There was once a very active boy who fell and broke his leg. He could run again in the spring, the doctors said, but only if he stayed in bed for an entire month and kept his leg still. At first the boy fought the rule, but he found that the more he thought about things he couldn't do, the more tired and angry he felt.</span><p></p><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;">His parents put in a phone by his bed and friends called every day. He'd never much liked talking on the phone, but he felt better when they called. He wrote letters and got replies, and was surprised at what fun it was. Usually, he didn't have time to write letters.</p><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;">He learned to play chess and began to enjoy reading. His days were slower and quieter than he'd been used to, but he learned a month really isn't a very long time. When spring came, he was running again, a little more joyfully than before.</p><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;">When we can learn to accept our troubles, we find, like the boy, that they are just packages in which new growth and discoveries are wrapped.</p><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em>If something unexpected slows me down today, what joys might I find at the slower pace?</em></p>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-77008119739321572352022-09-07T09:54:00.001-07:002022-09-07T09:54:30.758-07:00A Spiritual Awakening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5Lf7Q0a5vH9-NjZAeQVlODICV6gKItHzRKfOXM9buuL-8inVVAIwbnAZ4WwIPHTuWrflRahx_SoTCZffCrdewTmN44nx8PC2p3xgedP0e4kyJjilTV3kaeG7KqewqBhlWYr0Nfn8GJx8ZNLplZjr_I0074v75lIt-MeMCXXVGLMXDyN1BUZf5_INEA/s225/spirit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="225" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5Lf7Q0a5vH9-NjZAeQVlODICV6gKItHzRKfOXM9buuL-8inVVAIwbnAZ4WwIPHTuWrflRahx_SoTCZffCrdewTmN44nx8PC2p3xgedP0e4kyJjilTV3kaeG7KqewqBhlWYr0Nfn8GJx8ZNLplZjr_I0074v75lIt-MeMCXXVGLMXDyN1BUZf5_INEA/w273-h260/spirit2.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When a man or a woman has a spiritual awakening, the most important</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">meaning of it is that he has now become able to do, feel, and believe that which he could not do before on his unaided strength and resources alone.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">He has been granted a gift which amounts to a new state of consciousness and being. <br />He has been set on a path which tells him he is really going somewhere that life is not a dead end, not something to be endured or mastered.</span></div></div>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-88848553674049372862022-08-30T08:03:00.003-07:002022-08-30T08:03:54.388-07:00Sandy Beach from Tampa FL. A Spiritual Malady<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/YPnrZ_q2jhY" frameborder="0"></iframe>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-86169723283655341362022-07-17T16:59:00.000-07:002022-07-17T16:59:10.955-07:00Prayer<p> <br></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="474" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmxaOhMo78RnLljgwELE27AZ_xuzUomNbKr4sJ-JKtg3q1FZu1ykg-gpATNjiw3gsZW9U-PCBE7r9jKRAxMxWwDdcmkn_c5VDligoWXiQSPD6jm3pvjYON4hpelfJj1OKW8dZRvtHAH4J_cInT-quh6ftAIkg_EBSMzjgASI-JkG0A-LiD7FfAG8Nrg/w445-h206/prayer.jpg" width="445"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Regardless of how we understand a Power greater than ourselves, prayer is an important part of our lives. Relating to a Higher Power leads us out of our egotism into a conscious relationship with powers far beyond ourselves.</span></span></p><p style="color: #444444; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">How do we pray? We can use words to state what’s on our mind. We can say them silently or out loud. We can quiet our mind and simply enter into the peace of God, opening our mind to receive </span><span style="font-size: 20px;"></span></span></p><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/07/prayer.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-20369997135275751212022-07-16T06:25:00.001-07:002022-07-16T06:25:17.225-07:00Joe & Charlie Big Book Study Part 1 of 15 - AA History<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TM1N4qYebCw/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/TM1N4qYebCw" frameborder="0"></iframe>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-49562391248746828552022-07-06T11:49:00.008-07:002022-07-06T12:00:55.924-07:00IDENTIFYING FEAR . . .<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #0000a0;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></span></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="337" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DE0Q_mFnMQiXYAU0-f4xeWoBWNJYSrRcEjlAuxeDV6uWGHB7bkmNDEBFKvYvNWveSz2DXhA649UrKqho8KwS3-KFlsGQd740axg9PBQ0y4lvdLo94V1JD8_2tDy3WbpARYeuyqWk4gNmIVFqIUg-MnRoSvSXhX_mQrYiJA9jxKBh-k_0G8hKlbwRgA/w433-h192/fear.jpg" width="433" /></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div><span style="color: #20124d;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span><p><span style="color: #20124d;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>The
chief activator of our defects has been self-centered fear.</span></span><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.
76</span><span font-size:="" style="background-color: white;" xx-small=""> </span><br /><br /><span><span style="font-size: medium;">When I feel
uncomfortable, irritated, or depressed, I look for fear. This "evil and
corroding thread" is the root of my distress: Fear of failure; fear of others'
opinions; fear of harm, and many other fears. I have found a Higher Power, who
does not want me to live in fear and, as a result, the experience of A.A. in my
life is freedom and joy. <br /> </span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #20124d;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;">I am no longer willing to live with the multitude of
character defects that characterized my life while I was drinking. Step Seven is
my vehicle to freedom from these defects. I pray for help in identifying the
fear underneath the defect, and then I ask God to relieve me of that fear. This
method works for me without fail and is one of the great miracles of my life in
Alcoholics Anonymous.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span> <br /></p>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-49504884512882982752022-07-03T10:37:00.002-07:002022-07-03T10:41:14.361-07:00A Gift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5RSyoSqerqRmilV_v6V4KVczh6SrJQ23YdOh1sRKZvJqWA3kqMc_65RD_3elMWAfnnkyjp2dKprImih-i4nU8Gjx2MKedctoHfU4uLGFayBgDBr4aXgnjioHf6Gv3Hnu2rQB_XccdJKSSov6g7Onny0faEWFV75J9PJXhDa9euGidGddxoD0LFSXig/s1600/gift.jpg" width="259"><br><br></div><h1 style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">My name is Elizabeth. I have a gift. It is called alcoholism.</span></h1><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">
</span><p style="color: #444444; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;"><span style="color: #444444;">~Elizabeth Farrell</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">
</span><p style="color: #444444; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">Many
of us didn’t feel alcoholism or addiction was a gift when we first got
into recovery. We felt shame or perhaps anger that we couldn’t drink or
use like other women. Alcohol or other drugs made us feel less
self-conscious and more courageous. Accepting that we couldn’t handle
these substances meant feeling the fear of many situations, perhaps for
the first time.</span></p><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">
</span><p style="color: #444444; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">But
most of us have come to appreciate the rewards of sobriety. When we
were using, our lack of consistent values caused us to stumble many
times. Now we have the Steps<span></span></span></p><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/07/a-gift.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-21883220844461130862022-06-28T12:36:00.000-07:002022-06-28T12:36:11.391-07:00God's hands<p><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b></span></p><p align="center"><b><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XwBNzocmkZayG_rdPn-KOGa-7Q4JO7ZqFM1OGxg7V_Z28zzmg6SVbH_U-jNyv15z5bNgWzGNJ6J6YV5yHMBR06p6-XKsll6ZFhiXpDz8OI9GhB3Y_gmgXyuk2AfZXtlTQ6t7g0iZIwGS45njUSWBUQ1lYeNlnOsXLnj9jqSQxM3KcEZg4AxsHZD58Q/s320/Gods-hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="320" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XwBNzocmkZayG_rdPn-KOGa-7Q4JO7ZqFM1OGxg7V_Z28zzmg6SVbH_U-jNyv15z5bNgWzGNJ6J6YV5yHMBR06p6-XKsll6ZFhiXpDz8OI9GhB3Y_gmgXyuk2AfZXtlTQ6t7g0iZIwGS45njUSWBUQ1lYeNlnOsXLnj9jqSQxM3KcEZg4AxsHZD58Q/s1600/Gods-hands.jpg" width="320"></a></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br><span style="font-size: medium;"><br>A.A. Thought for the Day</span></span></span></b><p></p><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><p align="center"><span style="font-size: medium;">You can prove to yourself that life is
basically and fundamentally an inner attitude. Just try to remember what
troubled you most a week ago. You probably will find it difficult to
remember. Why then should you unduly worry or fret over the problems that
arise today? Your attitude toward them can be changed by putting yourself
and your problems in God's hands and trusting Him to see that everything
will turn out all right, provided you are trying to do the right thing. Your
changed mental attitude toward your problems relieves you of their burden
and you can face them without fear. Has my mental attitude changed?</span></p></span><span style="font-size: small;"><p align="center"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Meditation for the
Day</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p></span><span style="font-size: small;"><p align="center"><span style="font-size: medium;">You
cannot see the future. It's a blessing that you cannot. You could not bear
to know all the future.<span></span></span></p></span></span><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/06/gods-hands.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-63037861769974797332022-06-22T12:22:00.004-07:002022-06-22T12:22:33.725-07:00 Honesty and Candor<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="365" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIbLiDw6DFaYVD1_ZWuxL-9Zi2rkNCcaabTd8TfrQN-Z3yCcDtev_VRccy54zIdIzswMxg3JtY5l8vC860mkNShA4HxKWSg5rgcFcLE9gG7cg3ruzdBZUI1g-ACSsY1AV4tsCSz_HP0EmppsJ24VjQNJswaJtxf16yNagW6bnvDEDLrAs5FPtIwNt-g/s320/honesty-condor.jpg" width="320"><br><br></span></div><p></p><h1 style="color: #00587c; font-family: Georgia,Times,"Times New Roman",serif ! important; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100% ! important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reflection for the Day</span></h1><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Somewhere
along the line, as we become more involved in the program, we reach a
sharp awareness of the growth value of honesty and candor. When this
happens, one of the first things we’re able to admit is that our past
behavior has been far from sane or even reasonable. As soon as we can
make this admission—without shame or embarrassment—we find still another
dimension of freedom. <em>In my gradual recovery, am I expectant that life will become ever richer and ever more serene?</em></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><h1 style="color: #00587c; font-family: Georgia,Times,"Times New Roman",serif ! important; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100% ! important;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I Pray<span></span></span></h1><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/06/honesty-and-candor.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-92130782746378399212022-06-20T12:44:00.004-07:002022-06-20T13:01:27.240-07:00Change<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="266" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPy8qrkivVd1JtMjGqhhzOXJSWCpjswEinSyRFrDjD6iHyBXv-jeSvwfswE6JfWKFGpH8lLUthAGedER4xeC8eRRBz7MGbSptiVGv1PQTzmK8eBX44nLxo2eFce12GSI-b6A616yw5RQ4odiZB72ADLOML4JVFxgAoebyXRbqcxMqlCJcYa5NUOjjMg/w321-h228/change.jpg" width="321"></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every one of us living a sober life has made a major change. It
wasn’t easy – and it won’t be the last change we’ll ever need to make.</span></span>
</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you are considering another change that will enhance your life, here are ways to embrace it:</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></span><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Be patient.</i> Change may make you uncomfortable. If the
change isn’t dangerous or harmful to you, your sobriety or other people,
try to wait out the discomfort.<br><br></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Eat the elephant bite by bite.</i> Switching hot sauce brands
can be done quickly, but changing habits or relationships requires more
work. Divide your goal into attainable steps that move you closer to the
change you seek.<br><br></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Appreciate your life.</i> Be grateful for what you have, even as you seek to make a change.</span><br></span><span></span></span></li></ul><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/06/change.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-42892040024554806012022-06-14T11:00:00.001-07:002022-06-14T11:00:50.698-07:00Effort<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfhJQLZHNHwBfdJhyjQF2SU7Zf9BMlBjfbim3wztXeqaBdxuSfkbokqKJFmjpvt5wVJyz42XTyeFTsgWT_DZZN6JX4AhvPNal5OT1_HZq9UPOOVAcJVDusuLZQMutcdVc62BMNIAC36IC4WpVsEBa-VgEGAvtb57-lN_CBClrrrgDF0QeIzbU4wKDgQ/s576/You.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="576" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfhJQLZHNHwBfdJhyjQF2SU7Zf9BMlBjfbim3wztXeqaBdxuSfkbokqKJFmjpvt5wVJyz42XTyeFTsgWT_DZZN6JX4AhvPNal5OT1_HZq9UPOOVAcJVDusuLZQMutcdVc62BMNIAC36IC4WpVsEBa-VgEGAvtb57-lN_CBClrrrgDF0QeIzbU4wKDgQ/w446-h205/You.jpg" width="446"></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br></span><p style="color: #444444; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">During
our addictive years, it was a common practice to work things backward.
We were known to eat our dessert before our main meal, to celebrate
before we won, to assume the outcome before the event.</span></p><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">
</span><p style="color: #444444; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Balsamiq Sans;">The
problem with this behavior is that it takes no account of reality.
Things move from beginning to end. The alphabet reads from A to Z. This
seems so simple, but it can be tricky for people who are used to taking
shortcuts. Our program is best utilized by starting with Step One</span><span></span></p><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/06/effort.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-34300380208974246382022-06-10T10:29:00.001-07:002022-06-10T10:29:07.057-07:00Boundary setting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="564" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasuXqenSbPN8fpCbFDbBYpYqNKxmzhWn_bVoVEJk90BbJvBYpVDsbXOtBBcYVDfigThXaNDmGt6D_NPme1GLg2qqbpXdRXCNXRSiqtz7k1mF_V5hl_uKYYlCquqf3B7QOEpIyhDvTGdhd2iLLL_ibUrTmuh_222TWV4cdcjXbhEZ98dASmqdVv1ogcQ/w453-h314/boundries.jpg" width="453"><br><br></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;">There is a positive aspect to boundary setting. We learn to listen to ourselves and identify what hurts us and what we don’t like. But we also learn to identify what feels good.</span></span></span></p><p style="color: #444444; line-height: 26px; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When we are willing to take some risks and begin actively doing so, we will enhance the quality of our life. What do we like? What feels good? What brings us pleasure? Whose company do we enjoy? What helps us to feel good in the morning? What’s a real treat in our life? What are the small, daily activities that make us feel nurtured and cared for?</span></span></p><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/06/boundary-setting.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-71931509464916514042022-06-08T08:26:00.005-07:002022-06-08T08:26:33.817-07:00Our fears<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="607" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Usywu1aydQghBcypZTXSu5UYe61km-aMbubbkdUiOBVYA4PNe54HU35nMQwpaIaJalARyz5DFH2IYQrLJ4xEJn-U79R8Q7zzTyHix0xRP9-bL_9r89HepIhgUejuA_kpHILdoznlgU3Nb0jJHY_r5JgScOUD4n72erGnakf0rrnPD1Sy5gBFqWUjdg/w365-h186/fear.jpg" width="365" /><br /><br /></div><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; padding-top: 0;">Our
fears lock us up if we let them. They can prevent us from tasting
adventure, from experiencing new wonders. We are often terrified of
unknowns and fret about what might happen if we try something new. We
worry if new people will like us—if we'll fit in.</p>
<p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; padding-top: 0;">It
is natural to be cautious about the unknown, and anything new is just
that. But we can keep our caution from becoming fear by taking action,
with the faith that we never encounter anything we can't handle in some
way.</p>
<p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; padding-top: 0;">Unknowns
are merely joys we haven't met. We hold the keys to our own cages and
can free ourselves when we use our courage and inner strength to
overcome our fears.</p>
<p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; padding-top: 0;"><em>What new joy can I discover beneath my fear today?</em></p><p> </p>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-9787617158472732822022-06-05T10:51:00.001-07:002022-06-05T10:56:49.724-07:00Serenity Prayer broke down..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="663" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXZwgg9ojxXLvn1RszPhsl5t-Q9fBMyuUoxtk79bOiZnYxTPZ_HtUmWwiCLHxkSNYLtolWoUlD82g_AgiUmfQtwF6NTu8VhWJ5bqLSsmZtXrb9pmVW5NZDUSAcG0id-bGJiYuJu6NJzXUvMKHSDe1fBiRcS6FmiTp3rrYsOE-9W4mePp_7ROwxpHILA/w423-h222/wisdom.jpg" width="423"><br><br></div><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; padding-top: 0;">God
grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change. Many
times—yesterday, last week, today, and even tomorrow—we'll come
face-to-face with a seemingly intolerable situation. The compulsion to
change the situation, to demand that another person change the
situation, is great. What a hard lesson it is to learn we can change
only ourselves! The hidden gift in this lesson is that as our activities
change, often the intolerable situations do, too.</p>
<p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; padding-top: 0;">Acceptance,
after a time, smooths all the ripples that discourage us. And it
softens us. It nurtures wisdom. It attracts joy and love from others.
Ironically, we often try to force changes that we think will "loosen"
love and lessen struggle. Acceptance can do what our willpower could
never accomplish.<span></span></p><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/06/serenity-prayer.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-72304369061987026972022-05-29T11:59:00.001-07:002022-06-05T10:51:40.170-07:00Prayer<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eVEui6677OwLRTtKVnpHSBbBUSAYpTO0R9gKdWxmiSAV_3n4Pdh4Td9oFcCGfvEE5Bo-4Cq8yudX58qGQyE1nBdUAjgmTPJ96qhJ64nE_ALYBZ2j-3OSe63NOP7xqJNXRx9Z-4nEVLeevC68kve5TYDzrzThH3FI1FauOvejWjM9-UYC1GQsmhyTvQ/w397-h209/prayers.png" width="397"><br><br></div><p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;">We
learn that prayer is only a wish away. When we wished for recovery more
than anything in the world, we found it. Thus our wishes became our
prayers. It was that simple.</p>
<p style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding-top: 0px;">We
discover in recovery that prayer is best when it is a conversation with
a Higher Power. It isn’t just a one-way speech where we tell God what
we expect to have happen.<span></span></p><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/05/prayer.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-28370523844313192522022-05-28T08:53:00.000-07:002022-05-28T08:53:12.947-07:00Priorities<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span>From "He Lived Only to Drink"</span></span></b></span></i><br /><br /></span></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I
was also able to realize that this bonfire of resentment and rage was
beckoning me to pick up a drink and plunge in to my death. Then I
realized that I had to separate my sobriety from everything else that
was going on in my life. No matter what happened or didn't happen, I
couldn't drink. In fact, none of these things that I was going through
had anything to do with my sobriety; the tides of life flow endlessly
for better or worse, both good and bad, and I cannot allow my
sobriety to become dependent on these ups and downs of living. Sobriety
must live a life of its own."</span></span></span></span><b><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></b></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span>2001 AAWS Inc. Fourth Edition<br />Alcoholics Anonymous, pgs. 450-451</span></span></b></span></i><b><br /></b></span>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287852374390102721.post-54593769149492528842022-05-26T08:51:00.004-07:002022-05-26T08:51:40.530-07:00TURNING NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE <div style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="365" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_i-_rxuCrFXLlSQIDEN05wMACZnhGBMWaNFW5-q3YYWBF4y4RCNuWOJNYcmS4B9RqkHTEE5xmfx5OshOgys5CDDLbTbu5Wx7nhhAlwZNNb5YGiOV3aWXOJvDVw8fYffLlD0-e5missOuLnQJlO73tHoiUtAwSRRtsTd2AEvjezYoxUJlBLOMmspHfqw/w372-h201/positive.jpg" width="372"><br><br></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Our
spiritual and emotional growth in A.A. does not depend so deeply upon
success as it does upon our failures and setbacks. If you will bear
this in mind, I think that your slip will have the effect of kicking you
upstairs, instead of down.<br><span style="font-size: small;">AS BILL SEES IT, p. 184</span> <br><br>In
keeping with the pain and adversity which our founders
encountered and overcame in establishing A.A., Bill W. sent us a clear
message: a relapse can provide a positive experience toward abstinence
and a lifetime of recovery. <span></span></span></span></span></p></div><a href="http://friendofbillandbob.blogspot.com/2022/05/turning-negative-to-positive.html#more">Read more »</a>Donna S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11713334566141957664noreply@blogger.com0