January 21st daily reflection

 Daily Reflections

January 21 SERVING MY BROTHER The member talks to the newcomer not in a spirit of power but in a spirit of humility and weakness. —ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS COMES OF AGE p. 279 As the days pass in A.A., I ask God to guide my thoughts and the words that I speak. In this labor of continuous participation in the Fellowship, I have numerous opportunities to speak. So I frequently ask God to help me watch over my thoughts and my words, that they may be the true and proper reflections of our program; to focus my aspirations once again to seek His guidance; to help me be truly kind and loving, helpful and healing, yet always filled with humility, and free from any trace of arrogance. Today I may very well have to deal with disagreeable attitudes or utterances—the typical stock-in-trade attitude of the still-suffering alcoholic. If this should happen, I will take a moment to center myself in God, so that I will be able to respond from a perspective of composure, strength and sensibility.

January 21st The reading is about having gid guide my thoughts and words in recovery. We will deal disagreeable attitudes, they are simply from sick and suffering peérs. This reading is right on time. But first what on my mind this morning is my sister, Denise. Today is her birthday. I miss her I love my monsters and we all miss her. In the spirit of today's reading I will find kind loving words for Joseph Khimani Natalie and my mom, Serena. We are still all reeling from loss. Denise was especially wonderful for birthdays. She was a natural host. Who loved to celebrate. I love my sister. I've been fortunate that I rarely encounter irritable attitudes from my fellow alcoholics. My fellowship is full of loving people with time and wonderful newcomers who are trying to get sober. It's easy to be encouraging to the newcomer. And easy to appreciate the wisdom from the old-timers. I especially appreciate their aggressive and explicit opinions about the No Matter What Club. They are free to share that despite loss, divorce, illness, job loss that for today no matter what- nothing can be helped by drinking. They are clear that we are pickles, no longer cucumbers. Alcohol no longer works and the best way to handle this is to connect, share what we are going through and talk about it so it doesn't fester. That life will happen. Life will always happen and these challenges are part of our journey. I admire their strength pride and love to rely on God and. The fellowship. Whatever we do DON'T PICK UP. Last Saturday at my early meeting was amazing. The speaker shared about freedom happiness and peace. I have trouble with these notion. But sometimes God gives you the perfect meeting that need. Each person in my small home group shared on what those things mean to them and illustrated how God was working through the program to show each thing. Peace for example is the way we wake up in the morning without the hangover and toxic feeling. That feeling when you wake up in the morning and don't have to wonder who is laying next to you. We now always remember what went on n the night before and don't have to call our friends and ask, what happened last night?" I identified with that peace! Others shared that uncomfortbility we all sit with vanishing after time! I look forward to that little freedom! And being happy with simple things. One woman shared how she enjoyed sitting with a cup of tea and binging a silly TV show. I'm going to by some tea to sip the next time I take time to read a book. It will enhance my happiness I feel when reading. As I listened to my peers share I began to get understanding of these foreign words. I shared my gratitude for the fact my sponsor had me reflecting on this very thing that morning in my reading and the beautiful shares in the room. I triumphantly exclaimed. That I would keep coming! That I learned so much. Afterwards folks actually came up to me and said they were moved by my little share. I didn't expect that. But it was very characteristic of my home group. They are insightful and honest wise and humble. My prayer for the day. God increase my humility and help me be mindful of conversing with the best things about the program in mind. Today will be a great day.