Just For Today - May 11 2026

Balancing The Scales

“A lot of our chief concerns and major difficulties come from our inexperience with living without drugs. Often when we ask an old timer what to do, we are amazed at the simplicity of the answer.”

Basic Text, pp. 41-42

Finding balance in recovery is quite a bit like sitting down with a set of scales and a pile of sand. The goal is to have an equal amount of sand on each side of the scales, achieving a balance of weight.

We do the same thing in recovery. We sit down with the foundation of our clean time and the Twelve Steps, then attempt to add employment, household responsibilities, friends, sponsees, relationships, meetings, and service in equal weights so that the scales balance. Our first try may throw our personal scales out of kilter. We may find that, because of our over-involvement in service, we have upset our employer or our family. But when we try to correct this problem by resigning from NA service altogether, the other side of the scales go out of balance.

We can ask for help from members who have stabilized their scales. These people are easy to recognize. They appear serene, composed, and self-assured. They’ll smile in recognition at our dilemma and share how they slowed down, added only a few grains of sand at a time to either side of the scales, and were rewarded with balance in recovery.

Just for today: I seek balance in my life. Today, I will ask others to share their experience in finding that balance.

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY - April 14 2026

A.A. Thought for the Day

A police captain once told about certain cases he had come across in his police work. The cause of the tragedy in each case was drunkenness. He told his audience about a man who got into an argument with his wife while he was drunk and beat her to death. Then he went out and drank some more. The police captain also told about a woman who got too near the edge of an old quarry hole when she was drunk and fell one hundred and fifty feet to her death. When I read or hear these stories, do I think about our motto: “But for the grace of God”?

Meditation for the Day

I must keep balance by keeping spiritual things at the center of my life. God will give me this poise and balance if I pray for it. This poise will give me power in dealing with the lives of others. This balance will manifest itself more and more in my own life. I should keep material things in their proper place and keep spiritual things at the center of my life. Then I will be at peace amid the distractions of everyday living.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may dwell with God at the center of my life. I pray that I may keep that inner peace at the center of my being.

© 1954, 1975, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation

Daily Reflections - 5th September 2025

EMOTIONAL BALANCE

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,. . . . . 

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 83

When I survey my drinking days, I recall many people whom my life touched casually, but whose days I troubled through my anger and sarcasm. These people are untraceable, and direct amends to them are not possible. The only amends I can make to those untraceable individuals, the only “changes for the better” I can offer, are indirect amends made to other people, whose paths briefly cross mine. Courtesy and kindness, regularly practiced, help me to live in emotional balance, at peace with myself.      

FR. LEO'S DAILY MEDITATION #essentialsofrecovery

BALANCE

“There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways save us from thinking.”

~ Alfred Korzybski 

In the past, I was not only compulsive and obsessive about things I believed in but also about things I did not believe in. I was extreme. All I did was exaggerated. I either raced through life at warp speed or I was in neutral. Balance was absent.

Today I am developing balance in my life through patience and tolerance. My extremism was a mask behind which I hid from life. I did not have to think, consider, or ponder; I simply reacted.

I know that to believe in everything is to believe in nothing, and to doubt everything is to not think. Life is a many-splendored thing, and it has a variety of options.

God of the many, help me discover You in the myriad thoughts life produces.

© 2008 Leo Booth 

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Daily Reflections #essentialsofrecovery

EMOTIONAL BALANCE

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,. . . . . 

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 83

When I survey my drinking days, I recall many people whom my life touched casually, but whose days I troubled through my anger and sarcasm. These people are untraceable, and direct amends to them are not possible. The only amends I can make to those untraceable individuals, the only “changes for the better” I can offer, are indirect amends made to other people, whose paths briefly cross mine. Courtesy and kindness, regularly practiced, help me to live in emotional balance, at peace with myself.     

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FR.LEO'S DAILY MEDITATION #essentialsofrec #Balance #FrLeo

BALANCE

“There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways save us from thinking.”

~ Alfred Korzybski ~

In the past, I was not only compulsive and obsessive about things I believed in but also about things I did not believe in. I was extreme. All I did was exaggerated. I either raced through life at warp speed or I was in neutral. Balance was absent.

Today I am developing balance in my life through patience and tolerance. My extremism was a mask behind which I hid from life. I did not have to think, consider, or ponder; I simply reacted.

I know that to believe in everything is to believe in nothing, and to doubt everything is to not think. Life is a many-splendored thing, and it has a variety of options.

God of the many, help me discover You in the myriad thoughts life produces.

© 2008 Leo Booth

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ELDER'S MEDITATION OF THE DAY #essentialsofrec #Lakota #Sacred #Native

“Balance is implicit in the Red Road. When you’re on the Red Road, you are in the center. Yet, you do not go to either extreme, and you allow both sides to exist. This is accomplished by continually postponing surrendering to temptation, whatever it may be. It is saying `later’ instead of `no.’”

~ Dr. A.C. Ross (Ehanamani), LAKOTA ~

The Sacred Path of life has a middle, a left side, and a right side. As human beings, we are designed to walk this middle path as much as we can. As we walk, we will stray to the left and to the right and come back to the middle. Straying to the left or right side is as sacred as being in the middle. Sometimes we call this straying our mistakes. We are designed by the Creator to walk to Sacred Path of life, and realize that our mistakes are the source of lessons. These lessons give us our wisdom. It is not wrong that we are tempted. What matters is what we do with the temptation.

Great Spirit, today, let me enjoy the Sacred Path of Life.

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KEEP IT SIMPLE #essentialsofrec #Balance #Recovery

To make the world a
friendly place
One must show it a
friendly face.
~ James Whitcomb Riley ~

We are beginning to learn that we get what we expect. Why? If we believe that people are out to get us, we’ll not treat them well. We will think it’s okay to “get them” before they “get us.” Then, they’ll be angry and want to get even. And on it goes.

It’s great when we can meet the world with a balance. We are now honest people. We can expect others to be fair with us. We get the faith, strength, and courage to do this because of our trust in our Higher Power.

Prayer for the Day Higher Power

I put my life in Your care. Use me to spread Your love to others.

Action for the Day Today

I’ll spread friendliness. I will greet people with a smile.

Copyright © 1988 by Hazelden Foundation

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Daily Reflections #essentialsofrecovery

EMOTIONAL BALANCE

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,. . . . . 

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 83

When I survey my drinking days, I recall many people whom my life touched casually, but whose days I troubled through my anger and sarcasm. These people are untraceable, and direct amends to them are not possible. The only amends I can make to those untraceable individuals, the only “changes for the better” I can offer, are indirect amends made to other people, whose paths briefly cross mine. Courtesy and kindness, regularly practised, help me to live in emotional balance, at peace with myself.    

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Daily Reflections #essentialsofrecovery

EMOTIONAL BALANCE

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,. . . . . 

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 83

When I survey my drinking days, I recall many people whom my life touched casually, but whose days I troubled through my anger and sarcasm. These people are untraceable, and direct amends to them are not possible. The only amends I can make to those untraceable individuals, the only “changes for the better” I can offer, are indirect amends made to other people, whose paths briefly cross mine. Courtesy and kindness, regularly practised, help me to live in emotional balance, at peace with myself.   

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One Day At A Time #essentialsofrecovery

Balance

“I’ve learned that you can’t have everything …
and do everything …at the same time.”

Oprah Winfrey

Learning about balance has been a struggle throughout my life; both as an addict and as a mother, friend, lover, sister… and woman. I’m not sure if it is my addiction that causes me to be over-zealous when it comes to giving too much to too many, or if my desire for love has manifested my addiction out of a need to feel full and satisfied. For me, finding that spot where a relationship is comfortable and not one-sided, where work is just ‘work’ and not all that nourishes my life… where school is an enhancement and not a crutch for hiding and isolating, is a hard place to for me to find. I see patterns within my life where I consistently struggle for harmony and balance. Why isn’t one of anything enough? No matter what it is that is in my life; relationships, work, eating, shopping, I have to work at managing balance so that things flow at the right pace, otherwise, my entire life is off kilter.

But today, I don’t need to struggle. I don’t need to overdo my relationships or my work. I can do just one thing and know that the rest will be there tomorrow. Today I have the gifts that have been given to me to manage my life.

One Day at a Time . . .

I pray that God will help me to manage and balance my life so that I can do a good job with all things, especially living.

~ Pamela 

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Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

Daily Reflections #essentialsofrecovery

EMOTIONAL BALANCE

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,. . . . . 

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 83

When I survey my drinking days, I recall many people whom my life touched casually, but whose days I troubled through my anger and sarcasm. These people are untraceable, and direct amends to them are not possible. The only amends I can make to those untraceable individuals, the only “changes for the better” I can offer, are indirect amends made to other people, whose paths briefly cross mine. Courtesy and kindness, regularly practised, help me to live in emotional balance, at peace with myself.   

Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

Daily Reflections #essentialsofrecovery

EMOTIONAL BALANCE

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,. . . . . 

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 83

When I survey my drinking days, I recall many people whom my life touched casually, but whose days I troubled through my anger and sarcasm. These people are untraceable, and direct amends to them are not possible. The only amends I can make to those untraceable individuals, the only “changes for the better” I can offer, are indirect amends made to other people, whose paths briefly cross mine. Courtesy and kindness, regularly practised, help me to live in emotional balance, at peace with myself.  

Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

Daily Reflections #essentialsofrecovery

EMOTIONAL BALANCE

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,. . . . . 

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 83

When I survey my drinking days, I recall many people whom my life touched casually, but whose days I troubled through my anger and sarcasm. These people are untraceable, and direct amends to them are not possible. The only amends I can make to those untraceable individuals, the only “changes for the better” I can offer, are indirect amends made to other people, whose paths briefly cross mine. Courtesy and kindness, regularly practised, help me to live in emotional balance, at peace with myself. 

Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

Daily Reflections #essentialsofrecovery

EMOTIONAL BALANCE

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,. . . . . 

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 83

When I survey my drinking days, I recall many people whom my life touched casually, but whose days I troubled through my anger and sarcasm. These people are untraceable, and direct amends to them are not possible. The only amends I can make to those untraceable individuals, the only “changes for the better” I can offer, are indirect amends made to other people, whose paths briefly cross mine. Courtesy and kindness, regularly practised, help me to live in emotional balance, at peace with myself.

Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

One Day At A Time

Balance

“I’ve learned that you can’t have everything … and do everything … at the same time.”
–Oprah Winfrey

Learning about balance has been a struggle throughout my life; both as an addict and as a mother, friend, lover, sister… and woman. I’m not sure if it is my addiction that causes me to be over-zealous when it comes to giving too much to too many, or if my desire for love has manifested my addiction out of a need to feel full and satisfied. For me, finding that spot where a relationship is comfortable and not one-sided, where work is just ‘work’ and not all that nourishes my life… where school is an enhancement and not a crutch for hiding and isolating, is a hard place to for me to find. I see patterns within my life where I consistently struggle for harmony and balance. Why isn’t one of anything enough? No matter what it is that is in my life; relationships, work, eating, shopping, I have to work at managing balance so that things flow at the right pace, otherwise, my entire life is off kilter.

But today, I don’t need to struggle. I don’t need to overdo my relationships or my work. I can do just one thing and know that the rest will be there tomorrow. Today I have the gifts that have been given to me to manage my life.

One Day at a Time …
I pray that God will help me to manage and balance my life so that I can do a good job with all things, especially living.

~ Pamela 

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Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrecovery

BALANCE

“A society that gives to one class all the opportunities for leisure, and to another class all the burdens of work, dooms both classes to spiritual sterility.”

— Lewis Mumford

Spirituality brings with it balance. In order to be relaxed, healthy and alive, I need both work and leisure. For me I need to remember it is okay to take a day off; to stay in and relax is not a waste; play time is creative time!

I was not only compulsive around alcohol and people but I was also obsessive about work. I was and am a work-aholic. I need to remember to H.A.L.T.: Don’t get too Hungry. Don’t get too Angry. Don’t get too Lonely. Don’t get too Tired.

Work for me can be a form of escape. In leisure I have the opportunity to meet with myself.

Go on enjoy yourself, with yourself!

You, who made me a laborer in the vineyard, also expected me to sit and enjoy it.

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Daily Reflections #essentialsofrecovery

EMOTIONAL BALANCE

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,. . . . . 

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 83

When I survey my drinking days, I recall many people whom my life touched casually, but whose days I troubled through my anger and sarcasm. These people are untraceable, and direct amends to them are not possible. The only amends I can make to those untraceable individuals, the only “changes for the better” I can offer, are indirect amends made to other people, whose paths briefly cross mine. Courtesy and kindness, regularly practised, help me to live in emotional balance, at peace with myself.

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Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrecovery

REALITY


Quote: “Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.”

–Elbert Hubbard

When I used to take life too seriously, I was always miserable. I missed so much. I placed a disproportionate amount of energy on my own importance. I am not saying that I am not important, but I must learn to live within the structures of this imperfect world.

For so long I made myself the “victim” of this world. Every airplane missed was seen as a personal abuse. I could not wait in a line without getting angry and developing a resentment to everybody around. Everybody was expected to revolve around my world and I felt the world owed me a living! The result: unhappiness.

I needed to change or remain unhappy. Today I am learning to change and I am working on patience.

Thank You for the spiritual gift of balance in my life.

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Fr. Leo's Daily Meditation #essentialsofrecovery

BALANCE

“A society that gives to one class all the opportunities for leisure, and to another class all the burdens of work, dooms both classes to spiritual sterility.”

~ Lewis Mumford 

Spirituality brings with it a new balance. To be relaxed, healthy, and alive, I need both work and leisure. I need to remember it is okay to take a day off. To sometimes stay in and relax is not a waste. Time for play is creative time!

I was not only compulsive around alcohol and people, but I was also obsessive about work. Perhaps I was a workaholic. I need to remember to HALT: Don’t get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.

Work for me can be a form of escape. In leisure, I have the opportunity to meet with myself. Today I am free to enjoy myself!

You who made me a laborer in the vineyard also expected me to sit and enjoy the fruit.

© 2008 Leo Booth

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