December 16

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The verb "resent" comes from the Latin, meaning "to feel again." When I resent someone, I recycle old anger, hurt, shame and humiliation. This is just like sticking a knife and twisting it. I toss and turn all night while the person I resent is home sleeping like a baby. The EA program shows me the way out of this futile and agonizing self-torture. Powerlessness was my dilemma; today I have the power, through God, to forgive those whom I have allowed to hurt me. I can release myself from these burning resentments.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I realize that the more I resent someone, the more I hurt myself.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
To pray for those I resent, even if it is hard to do at first.

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December 15

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Today I will accept my past. I will try to learn what I can from those experiences which cause me the most pain. I will be kind to myself, giving me credit for the things I have accomplished and not dwell on the things I have not done. With what I learn from my experiences and the will and strength of my Higher Power, I will try to make a better today and look forward to tomorrow.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Help me to accept and learn from my past so I can continue with me emotional and spiritual growth.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Painful experiences are not shameful, but rather a way I can better come to know myself.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 14

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Not only am I powerless over some of the things which make my life unmanageable, but also over some things which make it manageable. For example, I am unable to alter, even in the slightest, my self-worth. My value as a human being is determined and fixed by God who has made me a worthwhile person, and there is nothing I can do to change that. Nothing. However, my feelings about me and my worth do change from day to day, from moment to moment, because that is the way it is with feelings: they change. I am powerless over my emotions, including the emotions of self-esteem.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Help me to accept myself today as I am, even if my self-esteem is not as high as I would like it to be.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
My value comes from God, not from anything I do or fail to do.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 13

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The Second Step tells us we came to believe a power greater than ourselves could return us to sanity. In order to return to a place, one must have already been there. In each of us there is a place, perhaps even beyond our earliest memories, where we knew the perfect harmony of mind, body and spirit. Each of us is wonderfully made, designed to experience a vast range of emotions. Like high and low notes on a piano, like light and dark colors in a rainbow, it is the infinite range of possible variations which makes them beautiful and ever new. So, too, we need to experience all our emotions - high and low, light and dark. We then need to seek out in ourselves the place of harmony for each of them in our own unique range of self-expression. In EA that range is constantly widening, enabling us to "hear more music" and "see more colors" in our lives.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I accept every emotion gratefully. May I acknowledge it, bless it, and allow You to help me interpret it.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I am wonderfully made! As Shakespeare marveled, "What a piece of work is Man!" (Woman, too!)

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 12

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The program is like a seed or young plant in the ground. If I am upset, I can't even think straight. It is important for me to quiet down, to be receptive to what is being said to me. First things first! To earth - pliable, open, willing, and honest. Later on I have to weed out attitudes which can choke out sanity like anxiety and temper. For many, the promise of sanity is snatched away from time almost immediately by personalities taking over before principles have even had a chance to grow. Am I allowing the roots of my program to go down deep? Am I "feeding" my program with the spiritual nourishment provided by the steps and program literature?

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Help me to absorb the sunshine of the fellowship.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I will relax and watch my seeds grow.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 11

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
If I am powerless, my only reasonable course is to live and let live. I must learn, with God's help, to live my own life more fully and to let other people live their own. If I spend my time and effort learning to manage my own life, I will not have any time or energy left over to manage anyone else's. My reward is a feeling of freedom as my burden is lightened when I let go of what does not belong to me. I need not worry - God will take care of others.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I remember that my progress comes from detaching from the idea that I alone can control other people or solve their problems.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Mind my own business.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 10

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
My tears have always been a source of shame. When I was growing up I was told they were a sign of weakness, self-pity, and foolishness. Consequently, I grew up fighting and repressing them. In the past several years I have slowly learned to accept them as an emotional release, and most importantly, as source of healing. When a grain of sand invades an oyster shell, it causes irritation. Immediately the oyster secretes a liquid much like a tear. This liquid hardens and forms a globe protecting the oyster
from pain. The tear or liquid is called a pearl. So my tears, too, are a beautiful and wonderful function of healing.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Help me remember my tears are an expression of my inner feelings and they are okay.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
My tears are pearls.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 9

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
So much of my grief is brought about by my own unrealistic expectations. Before the program, I did not have guidelines or a Higher Power to help me find balance between unrealistic and realistic expectations. High expectations of myself result in high expectations of others. When I fail to meet my own expectations, I feel I have failed. When others fail to measure up, I am angry or hurt. Low expectations of myself are just as damaging and are reflected in my expectations of others as well. Both myself and others are weakened if my expectations are too low.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Help me to see that a well-balanced outlook on what I expect of others and of myself will do much to eliminate my struggles with living comfortably and having meaningful, healthy relationships.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I will strive for realistic expectations.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 8

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
As we grow, we experience our worth and it feels terrific. We gain feelings of self-esteem and are grateful. Another period of growth comes along and we feel insecure and inadequate once again. We question and doubt if we have ever gained any self-worth. It is imperative to recognize that personal growth, even after many years of growing, always produces feelings of instability. This instability can even border for moments of despair. Our willingness to embrace the struggle and to learn what we need to about ourselves will eventually produce an even greater realization of our worth.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I be reminded that as I grow, self-worth will fluctuate and each new growth experience will grant me a deeper level of self-acceptance.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I look forward to my next growth experience with hope.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 7

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
If the weather is unpleasant, I will try not to let it ruin my day. When it is foggy and gloomy I will look for beauty in the difference of the scenery when objects are indistinct. When it is rainy or snowy, I will be glad I can stay inside or let it challenge me to dress appropriately and be comfortable in it. When the roads are bad, I will try to perfect my driving skills or see how I can plan less traveled routes.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I look for positive things in whatever weather there is, accepting what I cannot change.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Look for the good, even in the weather.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 6

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
My defects of character cannot be removed by my willpower. I have spent the better part of my life trying to combat these shortcomings. I have grown frustrated and anxious in the process. Step Seven says, "You have done your work in Steps Four and Five; now let go and let God. Just humbly ask for your shortcomings to be removed." As the steps suggest, relax. I can now start to live a less anxious life. I can also start being more spontaneous and put my worries and emotional problems into the hands of the Higher Power.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May the faith I have obtained in the first steps of the program stay with me and help me to now complete Steps Six and Seven.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Today I will relax my mind and body and truly accept that my Higher Power will remove my shortcomings at the right time.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 5

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
In working the Fourth Step, I found one emotion constantly appearing - fear. Fear denied me the chance of enjoying my present surroundings and relationships. Fear led me to believe that upsetting experiences from my past would recur, so I had to try and control the future. Fear limited my thoughts and actions like a chain attached to my body, dragging me down with its weight. Fear, in effect, stood boldly between me and my goal of serenity and peace of mind. I am learning to replace fear as the controlling force of my life with faith in a loving Higher Power.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I let go of behavior and habits which I have clung to in order to handle fearful situations.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Faith is action.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 4

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
It is so much easier for me to forgive others than it is for me to forgive myself. I may have done something I believe is wrong, or failed to do something which should have been done, an for some reason, feel I cannot be forgiven. I need to remember my Higher Power will always forgive me and will give me the help I need to find the words and means to make amends to those I might have hurt, including myself.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
If I am carrying thoughts and feelings of guilt and self-recrimination, remind me of Your forgiving love.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Not to be so hard on myself.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 3

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
My life is occupied often with too much thinking and not enough feeling. This condition of constant thinking leaves me physically tense at the end of the day. Usually this keeps me restless in my sleep at night. This physical discomfort alone should prod me into working the Fourth Step. Before I can free myself to feel, I must be willing to look at yesterday's hurts and guilt's and put them on paper today. The unfulfilled needs of my infancy and the repressed pains of my childhood will slowly drain from me as I put to work the slogan, "Know thyself - be honest."

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
I seek the courage necessary to work Step Four.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Sustained healing takes place only when I work the Steps.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 2

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
How many blessings can I find to be thankful for today? It is easy to say, "Thank You, God, " for the big things in my life such as the recovery of a loved one's health, a new car, a job promotion, or the winning of a contest. But how about gratitude for the mundane or insignificant things such as grass, getting home safely, being able to read the comics, or watch a favorite TV show? Certainly there are people in my life to be thankful for other than my spouse or significant other. How about the pleasant bus driver, a delightful co-worker, or the charming paper boy? There are things in my home to be thankful for-things which make my life easier and more pleasant. Air conditioners, dishwashers, and Scotch tape come to mind. Practicing gratitude throughout the day makes me aware of how blessed my life truly is.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Help me to remember to be grateful for all things large or small.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Do not take my blessings for granted.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

December 1

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
In the EA program we are learning to live one day at a time. This can be confusing. Newcomers often say, "What about making plans? There are certain things which must be planned ahead." Of course there are life events that require planning. We say, "Make plans, but don't plan the results. Don't decide the outcome ahead of time. Put into action whatever is necessary to move the plan along and leave the results to your Higher Power.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I become willing to be flexible and remember that You are in control of life now.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I can make plans without rigidly trying to control the results.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today