March 16

Rest is the guardian of health.

~Melba Colgrove

Now that we’re sober, we’re feeling better than we have in years. We’re busy too. We attend meetings and visit friends. We have work, school, families, and homes to keep up with.

It’s easy to forget to rest. We forget that our bodies and minds need time off. We need plenty of sleep each night. And we need a lazy weekend now and then to let our bodies recover from the go, go, go of daily life.
Prayer for the Day

Higher Power, help me listen to my body. Remind me to slow down and rest now and then.
Action for the Day

How much have I rested lately? Have I gotten enough sleep each night? What can I do in the next two days to rest my body, mind, and spirit?

Today's reading is from the book Keep it Simple: Daily Meditations for Twelve Step Beginnings and Renewal*

March 17

The reward of friendship is itself. The man who hopes for anything else does not understand what true friendship is.

~Saint Aelred of Rievaulx

The comfort of a true friend in a time of trouble, the strength we sense in being with someone who truly knows us, the affirmation of life that comes with enduring friendships—no other experience is like these. Recovery, once our addictive behaviors end, is mostly through relationships. In this program, we are developing a friendship with ourselves, with other men and women, and with our Higher Power.

True friendship happens when we lower our guard and let our feelings show. It happens when we listen without judgment. It accumulates over time in many little experiences with someone. There is friendship in returning to someone when we feel offended or hurt so the relationship can be repaired—and in returning to him when we have been the offender. Sometimes friendship means humility, or accepting our worthiness to be forgiven. The development and deepening of our friendships with other men, with women, and with ourselves sustains us in recovery.

Today, I will be true in my friendships.

Today's reading is from the book Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men*

March 18

Making amends

There is no benefit in trying to make amends until we are entirely willing to do it. We must be ready to make our amends without preconceived ideas about how the other party will receive them.

The success of the amends Steps does not depend on the acceptance of the other party but merely on our total willingness to admit where we were wrong. There is magic in working the amends Steps—magic we can never believe in until we work them.

Have I made all of my amends?

Higher Power, help me to be willing to ask forgiveness of you and to admit my mistakes to those I have wronged. Please remove my fear of doing so.

Today I will make amends to…

Today's reading is from the book Day by Day: Daily Meditations for Recovering Addicts*

March 19

Reflection for the Day

We must think deeply of all those sick persons still to find recovery. As they try to make their return to faith and to life, we want them to find everything about recovery that we have found, yet more, if that is possible. No care, no vigilance, no effort to preserve the program’s constant effectiveness and spiritual strength will ever be too great to hold us in full readiness for the day of their homecoming. How well do I respect the Traditions of the program?
Today I Pray

Higher Power, help me to carry out my part in making the group a lifeline for those who are still suffering from addictions, in maintaining the Steps and the Traditions that have made it work for me and for those who are still to come. May the program be a “homecoming” for those of us who share the disease of addiction. May we find common solutions to the common problems that are bred by disease.
Today I Will Remember

To do my part.

Today's reading is from the book A Day at a Time: Daily Reflections for Recovering People*

March 20

Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime.

~Martin Luther

Springtime is a perfect metaphor for renewed life, recovery, and resurrection. All around us we see the buds of leaves and flowers bursting forth in celebration. Just like nature, we, too, experience our personal springtime of renewal. Our personal anniversaries are worthy of celebration, whether it be one day, one month, or many years of recovery.

Some people are shy about celebrating their days and years of recovery. Maybe they feel unworthy, or they don’t want to draw attention to themselves. But the true spirit of celebration is humility. It’s not because we have worked so hard that we deserve it; it’s that we have been given the gift promised in the Twelve Steps. Because we submit to the grace of God, we celebrate the gift we have received.

Today, I see the symbols of renewed life within me and all around.

Today's reading is from the book Stepping Stones: More Daily Meditations for Men*

March 21

Captivity is Consciousness—So’s Liberty.

~Emily Dickinson

Opinions, reactions, criticisms, regrets—from morning till night, our thoughts spin the fabric of our day. We listen as if powerless as thoughts free or torment us, energize us or weigh us down. They may talk about shame, fear, and resentment—or pride, faith, and gratitude.

Instead of letting ourselves be controlled by the ceaseless voices in our heads, we remind ourselves of our options. We can sit in meditation, noticing the flow of thoughts and gently detaching from them. We can change our negative thinking, deliberately focusing on images of comfort, courage, and healing. We choose to give such positive thoughts our attention, letting them fill us with hope and serenity. We can receive help with releasing negative thoughts by talking with a trusted friend or sponsor or attending a recovery meeting.

Today, I am nourished and supported by positive thoughts. I choose my thoughts as I do my friends, staying with those I find uplifting.

Today's reading is from the book Glad Day: Daily Meditations for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender People*

March 22

Taking Care of Ourselves

We cannot simultaneously set a boundary and take care of another person’s feelings. It’s impossible; the two acts contradict.

What a tremendous asset to have compassion for others! How difficult that same quality can make it to set boundaries! It’s good to care about other people and their feelings; it’s essential to care about ourselves too. Sometimes, to take good care of ourselves, we need to make a choice.

Some of us live with a deeply ingrained message from our family, or from church, about never hurting other people’s feelings. We can replace that message with a new one, one that says it’s not okay to hurt ourselves. Sometimes, when we take care of ourselves, others will react with hurt feelings.

That’s okay. We will learn, grow, and benefit by the experience; they will too. The most powerful and positive impact we can have on other people is accomplished by taking responsibility for ourselves, and allowing others to be responsible for themselves.

Caring works. Caretaking doesn’t. We can learn to walk the line between the two.

Today, I will set the limits I need to set. I will let go of my need to take care of other people’s feelings and instead take care of my own. I will give myself permission to take care of myself, knowing it’s the best thing I can do for myself and others.

Today's reading is from the book The Language of Letting Go: Daily Meditations on Codependency*

March 23

In thy face I see the map of honor, truth, and loyalty.

~William Shakespeare

People choose their mates for many reasons—the irresistible twinkle in a young man’s eye, the graceful curve of a woman’s ankle, to escape from home, to have a home, financial support, convenience—you name it. But to stay alive, a relationship has to have something else, something more basic going for it. It has to have trust.

Bedrock trust means that we know the other person is in our corner, reliably there for us no matter what. It means that in significant ways, they are “present” to us. If they are not, no matter how much we think we need them or how desperately we want the relationship to work, no trust equals no satisfaction.

Until the other proves trustworthy (beyond promises and good intentions), something in us holds back. Some aspects of the relationship may well be terrific, but the lasting test is always, “Can I trust them?”

Today, I am proud of the ways in which others trust me.

Today's reading is from the book Days of Healing, Days of Joy: Daily Meditations for Adult Children*

March 24

The purpose of life is life.

~Karl Lagerfeld

Our active addiction took us away from a life connected to our Higher Power, family, friends, community, and spiritual principles. During our active addiction, our primary relationship was with alcohol or drugs. Addiction is an illness of mistaken relationship. We believed we could get emotional needs meet through a relationship with chemicals. We can’t.

Now, in recovery, we get back to living instead of dying. We work to heal the wounds our illness created within our families. We see trust being created. We no longer avoid police officers, for we are respectable citizens again. We regularly pray and meditate. We feel the presence of our Higher Power again in our life.
Prayer for the Day

Higher Power, you gave me life for a purpose. Help me live that purpose to its fullest. When I want to avoid life, place me back in the middle of it. When I feel like I can’t go on, give me strength.
Today's Action

Today I will do at least one task that I have been avoiding. I will remind myself that avoiding tasks takes more energy than doing them.

Today's reading is from the book God Grant Me: More Daily Meditations from the Authors of Keep It Simple*

March 25

Dealing with daily problems

For many of us, substances were an escape from the trials of the world. We deeply resented them and earnestly sought escape. Simply getting sober did not wipe away all our problems. Now, however, we have an opportunity to deal with them constructively.

If we do not take that first pill, drink, or fix, our problems can be solved, and stumbling blocks can become stepping stones to a better life.

Am I learning how to deal with daily problems?

Higher Power, I pray to accept my daily problems and for your help in dealing with them.

One thing I will do today to deal constructively with my problems is…

Today's reading is from the book Day by Day, Daily Meditations for Recovering Addicts

March 26

Facing Problems

If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.

~Anonymous

We are constantly aware that problems aren’t burdens suffered by us alone. Since the beginning of time, all humanity has had to cope with problems. We need to remember to identify with others and their problems, and not compare our problems to theirs to see who has the greater troubles. This will also eliminate self-pity during crises.

By accepting these difficulties, we can begin at once to seek advice from friends who have solved similar problems. By walking through problems without complaint instead of timidly trying to sneak around them, we will grow spiritually.

Problems won’t get rid of my character defects; problems expose them. By facing difficulties through the program, I will grow spiritually.

Today's reading is from the book Easy Does It: A Book of Daily Twelve Step Meditations*

March 27

The essence of prayer, even of a mystical experience, is the way we are altered to see everything from its life-filled dimension.

~Matthew Fox

Prayer can change us dramatically. It can open our eyes to the intricate beauty in the things and people in our life. Prayer can help us see the people we pray for—whether friend or adversary—with greater clarity and love. Our gratitude for friends is heightened; our resentment toward adversaries lessens. Barriers mysteriously disappear when we look upon our enemies prayerfully.

The Eleventh Step suggests that prayer may be as simple as asking for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out. We therefore seek God’s presence anywhere we are and in anyone we’re with. This is prayer as action, as a commitment to fully invest ourselves in life. When prayer is how we live our life, we are able to honor whatever life gives us by responding with acceptance and hope.

Today I will look upon the people and events in my life prayerfully, and be open to the riches I am afforded.

Today's reading is from the book In God's Care: Daily Meditations on Spirituality in Recovery*

March 28

There's a period of life where we swallow a knowledge of ourselves and it becomes either good or sour inside.

~Pearl Bailey

For too many of us, feelings of shame, even self-hatred, are paramount. No one of us has a fully untarnished past. Every man, every woman, even every child experiences regret over some action. We are not perfect. Perfection is not expected in the Divine plan. But we are expected to take our experiences and grow from them, to move beyond the shame for them, to celebrate what they have taught us.

Each day offers us a fresh start at assimilating all that we have been. What has gone before enriches who we are now, and through the many experiences we've survived, we have been prepared to help others, to smooth the way for another woman, perhaps, who is searching for a new direction.

We can let go of our shame and know instead that it sweetens the nuggets of the wisdom we can offer to others. We are alike. We are not without faults. Our trials help another to smoother sailing.

I will relish the joy at hand. I can share my wisdom. All painful pasts brighten someone's future, when openly shared.

Today's reading is from the book Each Day a New Beginning: Daily meditations for Women*

March 29

We can handle everything as it is, just for today.

We want to change so many aspects of our lives. We want drinkers to get sober, jobs to be more fulfilling, defects to disappear. And we want it all to happen today! Impatience complicates the flow of our lives. “We get what we need when we need it,” say the wiser ones among us. Little by little we are coming to believe that there is a timetable for how our lives unfold; it simply is God’s timetable, not ours.

What helps us accept this is believing that we can handle everything as it is, just for today. Surely one more day of a job we don’t like can be tolerated. Living with an active addict can be handled too if we keep our focus on today only. Some new, positive behavior such as regularly saying more than just a cursory hello to other people can be tried just for today. The results will astound us. The possibilities will excite us.

Living just for today will give us a fresh outlook on every day as it unfolds. Few things will overwhelm us when we keep our focus on today.

I look forward to every experience today, knowing that God is giving me what I need.

Today's reading is from the book A Life of My Own: Meditations on Hope and Acceptance*

March 30

AA Thought for the Day

Strength comes from honestly telling your own experiences with drinking. In religion, they call it confession. We call it witnessing or sharing. You give a personal witness, you share your past experiences, the troubles you got into, the hospitals, the jails, the break-up of your home, the money wasted, the debts, and all the foolish things you did when you were drinking. This personal witness lets out the things you had kept hidden, brings them out into the open, and you find release and strength. Am I receiving strength from my personal witnessing?
Meditation for the Day

We cannot fully understand the universe. The simple fact is that we cannot even define space or time. They are both boundless, in spite of all we can do to limit them. We live in a box of space and time, which we have manufactured by our own minds, and on that depends all our so-called knowledge of the universe. The simple fact is that we can never know all things, nor are we made to know them. Much of our lives must be taken on faith.
Prayer for the Day

I pray that my faith may be based on my own experience of the power of God in my life. I pray that I may know this one thing above all else in the universe.

Today's reading is from the book Twenty-Four Hours a Day: A Spiritual Resource with Practical Applications for Daily Life*