Chipping Away at Defects of Character

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I pray to make healthy decision. I will turn things over and listen for the answers, instead of assuming I know best. I will ask for Good Orderly Direction and follow them to the best of my ability, so I don't make an a$$ out of me or you.

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I will not worry. I will let go and let God and trust in His Process.

"When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 53

When I surrender, I am empowered to do what I need to do today for my sobriety.

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I am willing to accept that I can't do what I want to do. I am also willing to accept that it is best for my sister if I stay home, not just because of MY cold, but because of HER heart condition. If I am meant to be, it will happen, so I will walk in faith and trust what will be, will be.

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I will pray for good health. I will try to the best of my ability to make healthy choices. I will look at the whole picture, not at what is good just for me, but for the whole of my family.

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I will give thanks. Not only for the gifts, but the fellowship with my family, not to forget the food (chicken, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, carrots, squash, corn, lemon and pumpkin pies, and zucchini bread pudding) that was delicious. My family doesn't like turkey, but that is okay, because I had me some the day before.

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I will stay in the moment and deal with things as they appear in my life. I live so much in the day, but it is much easier to get through a day when I live it moment by moment, dealing with life on life's terms.

Live and let live, means for ME to live my life and allow others to live theirs, even though their spiritual concepts are different than mine.

This helps me with my chronic pain and fatigue, which can mess up my day if I don't accept it. Things don't unfold as I would always like them, but I do have to accept them for what they are and be willing to dealing with things instead of shoulding all over the place. Sometimes things are my God's Will, but more often than not, it is my actions which causes me to be out of whack, like not laying my book down and going to bed when it is finished. I can justify a lot of things, but as the slogan says, "It always begins with me."

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I will pray for patience and tolerance. I want to get downtown, but with the weather like it is, the best I can do is go to the mall downstairs.

I don't really need to buy anything, I just want to get out of my four walls. My friend Barb and I are trying to patiently wait for a day that is good for both of us to go out to eat, either Chinese Food or Swish Chalet.

As they say, "Patience is a virtue, have it if you can." Another one of those things that my God and I are working on.

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I will be grateful. Grateful for family and friends. Grateful for my sobriety. Grateful that I haven't had the extreme pain for the last few months and have general good health. Grateful for this site, which has been a big part of my recovery.

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I will celebrate the first day of a new year. I didn't think I would live to reach 50. Didn't find recovery until I was 49. Here I am at 73, still clean and sober. I am going to celebrate by watching the Rose Bowl Parade.

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I will accept my disease of addiction and alcoholism (dis-ease), my disability, and my defects of character. I will turn them all over to the God of my understanding and ask for help in today. I love the Serenity Prayer, it is good to stop and say it, listen to the words, and trust the process.

Acceptance is the key, when I am defiant then I block myself from my God's Care and Good Orderly Direction and Divine Orderly Good.

[img]http://www.animated-gifs.eu/mammals-mice-2/0007.gif]/img]

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I will ask for clarification and the inner knowing I need in today. The Native American Medicine Wheel, begins in the east and my experience has been that it is shown by the colour yellow. The sun is rising, a new beginning (each day), and stands for clarity and illumination. I learned this in the Recovery House I went to in 1991. An Elder was brought in to show us the meaning of the medicine wheel and it had a big impact on my life.

http://www.nativewomenscentre.com/fi...gs_Booklet.pdf

[MajestyJo]

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/anima...olism-owl.html

In Jamie Sams' book Animal Medicine, the Owl is depicted as Deception, which is really an opposite of clarity and knowing. The Owl is often depicted as Wisdom.

I think of it as our inner knowing being aware that we are often deceiving ourselves, and as it says in the Serenity Prayer, and the wisdom to know the difference.

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I will surrender all that I have and ask for what I need so I can help and give to others.

I am reminded of a hymn we use to sing in church, "I surrender all."

http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-surrend...amy-grant.html

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I will remember that it is through my God's Grace that I am clean and sober in today. My name, JoAnne, means "God's Gracious Gift." He gifted me this program and I try to pass that gift on to others. Just for today, I will remember that I have to pass it on in order to keep it. I share because I care.

[MajestyJo]

Just for today, I will show love and caring to others, especial the "A" in my life. I will give that same love and care to myself. How can I have compassion for someone, if I can't find it for myself?