The crisis of our time . . . is a crisis not of the hands but of the hearts.
— Archibald MacLeishWe singlemindedly search for love, for belonging, for affirmation from others that will wipe out the torment of alienation that haunts our wakefulness and our dreams. “Does he truly care?” we wonder. “Did she try to call as she said?” Our fears, coupled with our loneliness, turn us inward and the seduction of isolation tightens its hold.Our hearts plead, sometimes silently, other times hysterically, for comfort. And paradoxically, another’s crisis can end our own. If we can hear the call from another’s heart today, our own hearts will discover the comfort we crave.If we look closely and with love toward the people so carefully placed in our midst, we’ll discover many hearts, like our own, searching for acceptance.Let’s relieve our haunting alienation and extend a hand in love to a lonely friend today.From the book:
Worthy of Love by Karen CaseyWorthy of Love by Karen Casey. © 1985 by Hazelden Foundation
Avoiding AA Chauvinism
Friendliness toward Others
The term “chauvinism” has often been applied to men who are prejudiced toward women. But “chauvinism” has broader meanings as well. It is a belief in the alleged superiority of one’s own nation or group. AA members can develop this peculiar chauvinism in supposing that there is some superiority in having survived alcoholism.
In the past, some of us have been particularly critical of non-alcoholics who choose to work in the alcoholism field. We may have relied on the axiom “it takes an alcoholic to understand an alcoholic” when in fact there are many people who have suffered from other problems and can understand our sufferings.
Perhaps one of the worst things about AA chauvinism is that it can offend people who could benefit from its principles and could become our allies in the work of helping alcoholics. While we have been highly successful in helping others, we still have not reached more than a small percentage of those who suffer. Additional breakthroughs are needed in the field of alcoholism, and the vital information might come from a non-alcoholic who empathizes with our suffering and wants to do something about it. Even AA has received some of its best ideas from non-alcoholics.
I will know today that membership in AA really means that I've found a rightful place in a larger fellowship; The Human Race. I’ll view the world as a friendly place.
FAITH
”Faith is not belief. Belief is passive. Faith is active.”
–Edith Hamilton
I always believed that God could relieve my suffering if He chose; however, I was overlooking the distinction of the required “partnership” between my choices and his strength. God is not a magician who, with artful finesse, will relieve me of the bondage of my free-will choices. He requires my attention — and then my ACTION — in order to work through and in my life.
One day at a time…
I am willing to test my faith by putting forth the required action(s) that will help me move toward my share of miracles that abound in this Program.
~ January K.
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To be able to invite pain to join in my experience and not have to control my life to avoid pain is such a freedom!
—Christina Baldwin
If we really stopped to think about it, we would be astounded to discover how much of our time is spent trying to avoid pain. We are afraid to say what we think or tell others our needs because we fear rejection. We are afraid to face the pain of our own anger. We are afraid of telling others who we are. When we are afraid of opening up to others for fear they will hurt us, we are not free, we are prisoners of our own fears.
Pain is a natural part of life, and we are gifted with the ability to feel it. Pain teaches us, makes us work harder sometimes, and it helps us appreciate pleasure.
When we accept pain, and stop exhausting ourselves trying to avoid it, we will be free to live life more fully and without so much worry.
How has my own fear limited my freedom?
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The expression of praise as thanksgiving, gratitude, and joy is among the most powerful forms of affirmation.
~ Catherine Ponder Praise inevitably has a multiple effect. It positively acknowledges another human being, enhancing his or her well-being, while making us feel good. This offering of love, which is the substance of praise, heals all who share in its circle.We can see the effects of affirmation in the women we admire. We can discern its absence too, particularly among those who struggle. How difficult is it to give small acknowledgments to those we care about? Making a habit of this heals our own inner wounds too.Affirming a friend or ourselves connects us to the spirit residing within. That bond fills in our empty spaces, making us whole and healed. Our security as women grows as we praise one another.I will freely offer my love in the form of praise to the wonderful friends on my path today.© 1994 by Hazelden Foundation
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5
December
PRAISE AND AFFIRMATIONRead Psalm 27.And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.This verse closes the first section with a burst of praise and thanksgiving and then moves into a form of supplication that is really affirmative. Praise and affirmation should be allied.Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.The Psalmist now prays for spiritual understanding and for peace of mind. The enemies, as always, are his own fears, and these fears take their rise in the fact that “false witnesses” rise up and confront him. And no one who has been through this experience will doubt the appropriateness of that telling phrase that our fears are things “such as breath out cruelty.” Verily, doubt and fear are the cruelest things that can come into the life of man.© 1931 by Emmet Fox
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