Daily Reflections - May 19 2016

GIVING WITHOUT STRINGS

And he well knows that his own life has been made richer, as an extra
dividend of giving to another without any demand for a return.

AS BILL SEES IT, p. 69

The concept of giving without strings was hard to understand when I
first came into the program. I was suspicious when others wanted to
help me. I thought, “What do they want in return?” But I soon
learned the joy of helping another alcoholic and I understood why they
were there for me in the beginning. My attitudes changed and I
wanted to help others. Sometimes I became anxious, as I wanted them
to know the joys of sobriety, that life can be beautiful. When my life
is full of a loving God of my understanding and I give that love to my
fellow alcoholic, I feel a special richness that is hard to explain.

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrec #Generosity #FrLeo

TODAY

“Real generosity towards the future consists in giving all to what is present.”

–Albert Camus

Much of the gratitude that I talk about needs to be centered in what I do
with today; I need to focus on the present, rather than procrastinate for
the future.

As a sick alcoholic I lived either in the guilt of yesterday or the fear of
tomorrow – missing the reality of the present. The present moment is all
that I have and through this “moment” I live and breathe and have my
existence!

My understanding of prayer is centered in the present moment because
any understanding of relationship and communication, especially with
God, must begin from where one is, rather than where one would like to
be. Spirituality is the reality of the moment.

Master, thank You for the life that is experienced in the moment.

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ELDER'S MEDITATION OF THE DAY #Sioux #Native #Elders

“We were taught generosity to the poor and reverence for the Great Mystery. Religion was the basis of all Indian training.”

~ Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa), SANTEE SIOUX 

Every Indian knows and has a feeling inside that, bottom line, our real purpose on earth is to be of service to our fellow man and to be of maximum service to the Great Spirit. The Creator designed the earth to be self-supporting — everything is interconnected and all things were created to be of service to each other. The Indian way is to pray about all things. Religion is not separate from any part of our lives. Everything is spiritual and we are to view all matters in this way. Family is spiritual, work is spiritual, helping others is spiritual, our bodies are spiritual, our talk is spiritual, our thoughts are spiritual. We need to practice seeing all things as spiritual.

Great Spirit, today let me help the needy and allow me the wisdom to have respect and reverence for Your teachings.

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Daily Reflections

GIVING FREELY


We will make every personal sacrifice necessary to insure the unity of Alcoholics Anonymous. We will do this because we have learned to love God and one another.

-A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 234

To be self-supporting through my own contributions was never a strong characteristic during my days as a practicing alcoholic. The giving of time or money always demanded a price tag. As a newcomer I was told “we have to give it away in order to keep it.” As I began to adopt the principals of Alcoholics Anonymous in my life, I soon found it was a privilege to give to the Fellowship as an expression of the gratitude felt in my heart. My love of God and of others became the motivating factor in my life, with no thought of return. I realize now that giving freely is God’s way of expressing Himself through me.

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Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrecovery

GENEROSITY

“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.”

— John (1:14)

There is a beautiful fairy tale about a land where everybody had an abundance of “warm fuzzies” that they exchanged with each other and shared with each other. Everything in this land was wonderful because all the people were generously giving and receiving “warm fuzzies”.

Then a rumor began that there was to be a shortage of “warm fuzzies,” and people began to hoard and selfishly protect their supply of “warm fuzzies.” At this point, “cold pricklies” were introduced into the land. Sadness, pain, tension and persecution developed in the land, and the growth of the “cold pricklies” kept people separated, fearful and alone.

The tragedy of this tale is that the rumor was not true! As long as people generously share their “warm fuzzies”, they will never disappear. The “warm fuzzies” only disappear when they are not shared. The more we give, the more we receive. Abundance rests in giving, never hoarding!

Master, may I always be generous with all that You have given me.

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FR. LEO'S DAILY MEDITATION #essentialsofrecovery

GENEROSITY

“Liberty is the one thing you cannot have unless you give it to others.”

~ William Allen White

Spirituality is rooted in a respect for self that demands an equal respect for others. I can expect to be treated with dignity if I afford dignity to others. In the one lies the key to the many.

For years, I lived a compulsive life that only made me self-centered and spoiled—and it didn’t work! I was unhappy, lonely, and resentful. In recovery, I have realized I need others and others need me. Together, we grow in the spirit of generous sharing.

Today I find that the more I give to others, the more I receive. Less is often more. In this sense, it is much easier to be good than bad, because goodness works!

Spirit of generosity, may I always reflect the gratitude that gives. 

© 2008 Leo Booth

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FR. LEO'S DAILY MEDITATION #essentialsofrecovery

GENEROSITY

“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.”

~ John 1:14 

There once was a land where everyone had abundant “warm fuzzies” they exchanged and shared. Every-thing was wonderful because all people gave and received generously. A rumor began that there was a shortage of warm fuzzies, and people began to selfishly protect their supply. Then “cold pricklies” were introduced. Sadness, persecution, and pain developed as the growth of cold pricklies kept people fearful and alone.

The tragedy is that the rumor was not true! As long as I generously share my warm fuzzies, they will never disappear. My gifts and talents only disappear when they are not shared. The more I give, the more I receive.

Creator, may I always be generous with all You have given me. 

© 2008 Leo Booth

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WALK IN DRY PLACES #essentialsofrec #Selfishness #Recovery

GIVING WISELY IS SAFE

Helping Others

Most of us recovering alcoholics admit that we were selfish people when we drank. Even when we bought drinks for others, we did so either to seek their approval or in the expectancy that they would return the favor.

Our need in sobriety is to become unselfish by giving freely and cheerfully of ourselves. This, too, has it pitfalls. Feeling guilty about past selfishness, we may go overboard in helping others do things that they need to do for themselves. This can only lead to failure and disillusionment. It is common to hear AA members complain about people who are not in recovery despite help extended to them in finding a job, a place to live, and other necessities.

But in giving, it is not always right to look for a quid pro quo—something in return—or even for the other person’s recovery and well-being. It’s best to let the giving itself be its own reward. If we feel good about what we have done, we probably are doing the right things. Later on, when additional and unexpected rewards come to us, we can accept them as bonuses.

I can make progress in overcoming selfishness and self-centeredness if I give selflessly to others and take an honest interest in their problems.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation

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WALK IN DRY PLACES #essentialsofrec #love #Humility #Generosity

THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD

Love and Goodwill

In a famous sermon, Henry Drummond described love as a spectrum with nine ingredients. Love is patience, kindness, and generosity; it is humility, courtesy, and unselfishness. Finally, it is also good temper, guilelessness, and sincerity. Drummond called love the “greatest thing in the world.”

Growth in sobriety includes improvement in all the nine ingredients that make up love. It has been fashionable in recent years to talk and sing about love as something the world needs, and we have an opportunity to practice love when we strengthen the qualities that make us loving people. And if we are uncomfortable with love as a word, we can call it goodwill.

If we are practicing the elements of love or goodwill, we won’t have to sing about it or tell people what we’re doing. They will see the change in our own lives and will be attracted by it. Love acts the part, and even people who cannot define love will respond to it. If love is present in our AA activities, it will cover a multitude of sins and will make up for many other shortcomings.

I’ll try to practice the nine ingredients that make up love. Around difficult people, I’ll remember that God’s love is always present with us.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation

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TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY #essentialsofrec #Giving #Generosity #Recovery

A.A. Thought for the Day

I shall be loyal in my attendance, generous in my giving, kind in my criticism, creative in my suggestions, loving in my attitudes. I shall give A.A. my interest, my enthusiasm, my devotion, and most of all, myself. The Lord’s Prayer has become part of my A.A. thoughts for each day: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not to temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Have I given myself?

Meditation for the Day

As we look back over the year just gone, it has been a good year to the extent that we have put good thoughts, good words, and good deeds into it. None of what we have thought, said, or done need be wasted. Both the good and the bad experiences can be profited by. In a sense, the past is not entirely gone. The result of it, for good or evil, is with us at the present moment. We can only learn by experience and none of our experience is completely wasted. We can humbly thank God for the good things of the year that has gone.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may carry good things into the year ahead. I pray that I may carry on with faith, with prayer, and with hope.

© 1954, 1975, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation

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FR.LEO'S DAILY MEDITATION #essentialsofrec #recovery #Generosity

GENEROSITY

“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.”

~ John 1:14 

There once was a land where everyone had abundant “warm fuzzies” they exchanged and shared. Every-thing was wonderful because all people gave and received generously. A rumor began that there was a shortage of warm fuzzies, and people began to selfishly protect their supply. Then “cold pricklies” were introduced. Sadness, persecution, and pain developed as the growth of cold pricklies kept people fearful and alone.

The tragedy is that the rumor was not true! As long as I generously share my warm fuzzies, they will never disappear. My gifts and talents only disappear when they are not shared. The more I give, the more I receive.

Creator, may I always be generous with all You have given me. 

© 2008 Leo Booth

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FR. LEO'S DAILY MEDIATATION #essentialsofrec #Recovery #Generosity #Liberty

16
December

GENEROSITY

“Liberty is the one thing you cannot have unless you give it to others.”

~ William Allen White

Spirituality is rooted in a respect for self that demands an equal respect for others. I can expect to be treated with dignity if I afford dignity to others. In the one lies the key to the many.

For years, I lived a compulsive life that only made me self-centered and spoiled—and it didn’t work! I was unhappy, lonely, and resentful. In recovery, I have realized I need others and others need me. Together, we grow in the spirit of generous sharing.

Today I find that the more I give to others, the more I receive. Less is often more. In this sense, it is much easier to be good than bad, because goodness works!

Spirit of generosity, may I always reflect the gratitude that gives. 

© 2008 Leo Booth

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Daily Zen #essentialsofrec #Recovery #Zen #Buddhism

14
July


“To receive everything, one must open one's hands and give.”

— Taisen Deshimaru

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Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrec #Recovery #AA

10
April

TODAY


“Real generosity towards the future consists in giving all to what is present.”

–Albert Camus

Much of the gratitude that I talk about needs to be centered in what I do with today; I need to focus on the present, rather than procrastinate for the future.

As a sick alcoholic I lived either in the guilt of yesterday or the fear of tomorrow – missing the reality of the present. The present moment is all that I have and through this “moment” I live and breathe and have my existence!

My understanding of prayer is centered in the present moment because any understanding of relationship and communication, especially with God, must begin from where one is, rather than where one would like to be. Spirituality is the reality of the moment.

Master, thank You for the life that is experienced in the moment.

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Just For Today #essentialsofrecovery.com #Recovery #Gratitude #NA

 30
January


Giving It Away


“We must give freely and gratefully that which has been freely and gratefully given to us.”
Basic Text p. 47

In recovery, we receive many gifts. Perhaps one of the greatest of these gifts is the spiritual awakening that begins when we stop using, growing stronger each day we apply the steps in our lives. The new spark of life within is a direct result of our new relationship with a Higher Power, a relationship initiated and developed by living the Twelve Steps. Slowly, as we pursue our program, the radiance of recovery dispels the darkness of our disease.

One of the ways we express our gratitude for the gifts of recovery is to help others find what we’ve found. We can do this in any number of ways: by sharing in meetings, making Twelfth Step calls, accepting a commitment to sponsorship, or volunteering for H&I or phoneline duty. The spiritual life given to us in recovery asks for expression, for ” we can only keep what we have by giving it away.”

Just for today: The gift of recovery grows when I share it. I will find someone with whom to share it.

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Today’s Gift #essentialsofrecovery.com #Generosity #recovery

  1
January

The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose.

—Hada Bejar

Nothing is more attractive than sharing with others. No trait will be admired as much as generosity. There is no surer way to gain the respect of friends and neighbors than to show by what we give that we care about others. We can give many things besides money, shelter, clothing, or food to those in need. We can give the rich person love and understanding that money can’t buy. We can sympathize with those who are troubled, even though they appear wealthier than ourselves. We can share experience, strength, and hope with those who are ill or unhappy. We can even share our suffering with others who suffer, and hold up a light for them on the road to recovery.

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Twenty-Four Hours A Day #essentialsofrecovery.com #Recovery #AA

 31
December 

A.A. Thought For The Day

I shall be loyal in my attendance, generous in my giving, kind in my criticism, creative in my suggestions, loving in my attitudes. I shall give A.A. my interest, my enthusiasm, my devotion, and most of all, myself. The Lord’s Prayer has become part of my A.A. thoughts for each day: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Have I given myself?

Meditation For The Day

As we look back over the year just gone, it has been a good year to the extent that we have put good thoughts, good words, and good deeds into it. None of what we have thought, said, or done need be wasted. Both the good and the bad experiences can be profited by. In a sense, the past is not entirely gone. The result of it, for good or evil, is with us at the present moment. We can only learn by experience and none of our experience is completely wasted. We can humbly thank God for the good things of the year that has gone.

Prayer For The Day

I pray that I may carry good things into the year ahead. I pray that I may carry on with faith, with prayer, and with hope.

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Today’s Gift #essentialsofrecovery.com #Recovery #Giving #Generosity

   20
December


“Give to the world all that you have, and the best will come back to you.”

—Mary Ainge De Vere
When we share something of our own with a friend, it gives both of us a special feeling. Generosity blesses the giver as much as the receiver. Sometimes we feel selfish, wanting to hoard all our treats or treasures. But when we secretly hide them away, we cheat even ourselves from enjoying them.

Giving love and friendship to others works in just the same way. When we express love and kindness to others, we feel more love toward ourselves. Though we may not understand just how it works, we can be certain it does. The more of anything we give away to others, the greater our own rewards will be.

How can I practice generosity today?