Listening carefully

"Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out."

I am studying Step 11 with two friends in recovery. I read this passage this morning ...

If I do my self-examination first, then surely, I'll have enough humility to pray and meditate -- because I'll see and feel my need for them. Some wish to begin and end with prayer, leaving the self-examination and meditation to take place in between, whereas others start with meditation, listening for advice from God about their still hidden or unacknowledged defects. Still others engage in written and verbal work on their defects, ending with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. These three-- self-examination, meditation and prayer -- form a circle, without a beginning or an end. No matter where, or how, I start, I eventually arrive at my destination: a better life.
DAILY REFLECTIONS, page 316

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for good news from my Mom -- her diabetes is well under control lately

that Mom and I can have a good laugh together, even under less than desireable circumstances

for a really good Step 1 meeting yesterday and another good meeting about change and that today I get to go to 3 meetings

to be able to chat with friends in recovery at 4 o'clock in the morning (on the computer)

to own a car that has 104 total miles on it as I sit here and type

that I am most likely going to have a wonderful weekend - I hope you do too!

that the 2006 elections will be over in a few days

my name is dAAve and I approved this message.

The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose.
-Hadia Bejar