Welcome to Bill's Place.
A collection of Friends In Recovery.
Featuring a weekly Step Study from various 12 Step Recovery literature.
With the occasional inspirational message or message pertaining to a broad spectrum of varied spiritual practices.
An open forum for discussion of the aforementioned Step Study and inspirational/spiritual practice messages.
"Dance like there's no one watching and love like you've never been hurt."
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BillsPlace/
NA Gratitude Two
It Works How & Why
STEP NINE
"We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others."
Because of the humility and selflessness so necessary in making our amends, we may be surprised at the way Step Nine enhances our self-esteem. One of the most paradoxical aspects of our recovery is that by thinking of ourselves less, we learn to love ourselves more. We may not have expected our spiritual journey to lead to a fresh appreciation of ourselves, but it does. Because of the love we extend to others, we realize our own value. We learn that what we contribute makes a difference, not just in NA but in the world at large.
As a result of working the Ninth Step, we are free to live in the present, able to enjoy each moment and experience gratitude for the gift of recovery. Memories of the past no longer hold us back, and new possibilities appear. We are free to go in directions we never considered before. We are free to dream and to pursue the fulfillment of our dreams. Our lives stretch out before us like a limitless horizon, We may stumble from time to time. but the Tenth Step gives us the opportunity to pick ourselves up and keep walking forward. Our Higher Power has given us an invitation to live, and we accept it with gratitude.
It Works How & Why
STEP TWELVE
"Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts and to practice these principles in all our affairs."
In a sense, Step Twelve encompasses all the steps. We must make use of what we've learned in the previous eleven as we carry the message and practice the principles of recovery in all our affairs. Individually and collectively, each step has contributed to the extraordinary transformation which we know as a spiritual awakening.
Many of us have wondered how this spiritual awakening comes about. Does it happen all at once, or does it occur slowly over a long period of time? While there may be great variations within our experience about this awakening of the spirit, we all agree that it results from working the steps.
Our awakening has been progressive, beginning with a spark of awareness in the First Step. Before we admitted the truth about our addiction, we knew only the darkness of denial. But when we surrendered, acknowledging that we couldn't arrest our addiction or hope for a better life on our own, a ray of light broke through the darkness, beginning our spiritual awakening.
It Works How & Why
Tradition Seven
"Every NA group ought to be fully self supporting, declining outside contributions.
The gratitude we speak of in regard to Tradition Seven is like the collective sense of direction the Second Tradition talks about; it is the gratitude of the NA group as a group. When NA members gather to share their recovery, they generate a sense of gratitude among themselves. They are grateful the group exists and want it to continue to be there for them and for the members yet to come. The gratitude of the group speaks, in part, through the group's collective commitment to support itself.
Just For Today
Daily Meditations for Recovering Addicts
January 10
Gratitude
"I'm very grateful to have come to believe."
IP No. 21, "The Loner"Just for today: I am grateful for my relationship with a Higher Power that cares for me.
January 30
Giving it away
"We must give freely and gratefully that which has been freely and gratefully given to us."
Basic Text p. 47Just for today: The gift of recovery grows when I share it. I will find someone with whom to share it.
February 21
Self-pity or recovery-it's our choice
"Self-pity is one of the most destructive of defects; it will drain us of all positive energy."
Basic Text, p.77Just for today: I will be grateful for the hope NA has given me. I will cultivate my recovery and stop cultivating self-pity.
May 3
Sharing our gratitude
"My gratitude speaks when I care and when I share with others the NA way."
Gratitude PrayerJust for today: My gratitude has a voice of its own; when it speaks, the heart understands. Today, I will share my gratitude with others, whether I can find the words or not.
August 7
The gratitude list
"We focus on anything that isn't going our way and ignore all the beauty in our lives."
Basic Text, p.77Just for today: I will write a list of things, both material and spiritual, for which I am grateful.
August 22
Contribution
"We recognize our spiritual growth when we are able to reach out and help others."
Basic Text p. 56All of us have had the gift of recovery shared with us by another recovering addict. For that, we are grateful. We express our gratitude by sharing freely with others what was given to us. The individual message we carry may help a newcomer only we can reach.
Just for today: My contribution makes a difference. I will offer a helping hand today.
August 31
Gratitude
"Hopeless living problems have become joyously changed. Our disease has been arrested, and now anything is possible."
Basic Text p.102Just for today: Recovery has given me freedom. I will greet the day with hope, grateful that anything is possible today.
November 24
Gratefully recovering
"We entertained the thought that staying clean was not paying off and the old thinking stirred up self-pity, resentment, and anger."
Basic Text p. 98When the world doesn't measure up to our expectations, it's often our expectations that need adjusting, not the world. We can start by comparing our lives today with the way they used to be, developing gratitude for our recovery. We can extend this exercise in gratitude by counting the good things in our lives, becoming thankful that the world does not conform to our expectations but exceeds them. And if we continue working the Twelve Steps, further cultivating gratitude and acceptance, what we can expect in the future is more growth, more happiness, and more peace of mind.
We've been given much in recovery; staying clean has paid off. Acceptance of our lives, just for today, frees us from our self-pity.
Just for today: I will accept my life, gratefully, just as it is.
"Gratefulness"
~Abraham Heschel~
To pray is to regain a sense of the mystery that animates all beings, the divine margin in all attainments.
Prayer is our humble answer to the inconceivable surprise of living.
It is all we can offer in return for the mystery by which we live.
Who is worthy to be present at the constant unfolding of time?
Amidst the meditation of mountains, the humility of flowers - wiser than all alphabets - clouds that die constantly for the sake of His glory, we are hating, hunting, hurting.
Suddenly we feel ashamed of our clashes and complaints in the face of the tacit glory in nature.
It is so embarrassing to live!
How strange we are in the world, and how presumptuous our doings!
Only one response can maintain us: gratefulness for witnessing the wonder, for the gift of our unearned right to serve, to adore, and to fulfill.
It is gratefulness which makes the soul great.
Bill and Kaylee's Gratitude Prayer
Than You, Father, for bread and meat. Thank You for the friends we meet. Thank You for our Moms and Dads. Thank You for the love we have. Thank You for our work, and play. Thank You for another day.
Bill's Nightly Gratitude Prayer
Thank You, dear God, for another day. For the chance to live in a decent way. To feel again the joy of living and the happiness that comes from giving. Thank You for friends who can understand and for the peace that flows from Your loving hand. Help me to wake to the morning sun with the prayer "Today, Thy will be done." For with Your help I will find the way. Thank you again, dear God, for NA.
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Just for today, you never have to use again.
Never Alone Never Again
(neveralone_neveragain)
Jimmy K.
---
Tell yourself:
JUST FOR TODAY my thoughts will be on my recovery, living and
enjoying life without the use of drugs.
JUST FOR TODAY I will have faith in someone in N.A. who believes
in me and wants to help me in my recovery.
JUST FOR TODAY I will have a program. I will try to follow it
to the best of my ability.
JUST FOR TODAY through N.A. I will try to get a better perspective
on my life.
JUST FOR TODAY I will be unafraid, my thoughts will be on my
new associations, people who are not using and who
have found a new way of life. So long as I follow that way, I
have nothing to fear.
Peace.
Bill
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