May 12

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
The program teaches us that when we turn our will and our life over to a Higher Power, that Higher Power will guide our lives. But, I asked myself, how will I know what to do? What is my Higher Power's responsibility and what is mine? The insight came: turn it over. God will show me what to do and how to do it. In a meeting, during meditation, reading or in conversations, an answer or idea comes. Once God gives me direction, I need to take action.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I remember that when You guide my life it goes smoother than when I try to control it myself.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
God knows better than I do what is best for me.

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May 11

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
One of my worst habits has been that of finding fault and criticizing others for what they do or do not do. I have learned that habits are changed by replacing the bad with the good. I know now that when I look for something to praise and appreciate in someone, I do not have the inclination to criticize. Finding fault is replaced with understanding, tolerance, love, and patience. Just as I know God made me and loves me as I am, I must remember God feels the same about the other person. There is alway something good in every one. I need to recognize the good.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Remind me always to look for the spark of good in a person before I judge harshly.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I hate to be criticized; so do others.

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May 10

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
I often did things for others to make me feel good about myself, but the good feelings lasted only temporarily. What an exciting discovery to become aware my good feelings could never last from only "doing." Good feelings had to come to me from "being," as in being aware of what is really going on inside of me and accepting myself as I am, being responsible for myself, sharing my feelings with others and asking for what I need. Self-worth is actually a by-product of being honest. By following the guidance of my Higher Power, who often works through other people, I can take the risk of being myself and letting my actions be led.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Thank You, God, for this new understanding. If I forget and try to go back to get my self-worth from only doing, I trust You will give me a nudge to let me know I am headed down the wrong path.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Self-worth comes from being honest and responsible.

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May 9

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Since being in the program, I have often heard about acceptance. In the past I have assumed acceptance meant resigning myself to the fact there were many things I could not change or control: situations, people, and often even myself. Lately the word acceptance has taken on a new meaning. I have come to understand that acceptance also means taking the gifts my Higher Power offers. These gifts - serenity, courage, wisdom, and love - are freely given. My Higher Power puts these gifts before me every minute of my life. I need only accept them. Sometimes I am blind to them or refuse to believe they are really mine. I see strings attached when, in reality, I am being offered the gift of freedom. However, the gifts never stop being offered, even when I reject them. No matter what I do or do not do, these gifts are never withdrawn. Acceptance means we can take these gifts which have always been, and will always be, meant for us.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I accept all the gifts You so freely offer.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Acceptance is the gift of love I can give myself today and every day.

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May 8

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
If I think I am perfect, then I cannot make mistakes. I either have to deny the mistakes I do make or blame them on someone else (difficult if the other person refuses to accept blame). Because I must do a thing perfectly or not at all, I am afraid to try something new. I might make mistakes while learning, or I might make a fool of myself. I cannot be human if I insist on being perfect. Only humans can have fun by allowing themselves to appear foolish while making mistakes and learning from them.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I remember the fun I missed trying to be perfect, and the energy I wasted holding back or trying too hard. May I not take myself so seriously.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Only God is perfect. I am human; therefore, I will mistakes.

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May 7

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
This day will bring new challenges. I shall be faced with situations which I may label as positive or negative. Since being in the program, it is easier for me to handle the positive. In dealing with the negative, I need to act positively by reaching out to others through phone calls, meetings, and meditating. These are all things the program teaches me to do, and they work.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
When things puzzle me and do not render themselves to an easy solution, help me to turn them over to You for special handling.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
What my mind cannot fathom can always be delegated to my Higher Power for proper disposition.

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May 6

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Once upon a time I thought I was a victim. People and circumstances had me caught, and I was angry that no one came to rescue me. I know now that a power greater than myself can set me free any moment, if I am willing. If I am willing, God is able. People who I thought hated me, gossiped about me, ignored me, or scorned me had a hook in me. I let them control my feelings. I was surprised to discover I could remove that hook by including them in my prayers.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
I pray for gentleness, generosity, and gratitude.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I need never be a victim. God's power and my willingness make me a victor.

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May 5

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Although it is scary to risk being open and vulnerable, the person who is able to do so in a relationship has much to gain. The person who remains closed may feel in control, but this is only an illusion and can block the love needed for a meaningful existence. Each time we risk being open and vulnerable we allow someone to truly know us. We open ourselves to the experience of feeling loved. We also learn about our capacity to love.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I risk being open and gladly accept the gift of love.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
To be known is to be loved.

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May 4

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Sometimes it is difficult to say thank you. When the good life of EA becomes a habit, we express gratitude for the big miracles; but what about the little day-to-day "gifts from above"? One way which has worked for me is to buy a box of inexpensive and decorative thank-you notes, or make my own. Then I give myself a time limit, two weeks or a month, to use up every note. This makes me even more aware of how God gives me gifts through other people because I am looking for them.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
I ask you Your strength, guidance, and care. I thank You for everything which has been given to me today.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I will not be afraid to say thank you.

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May 3

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Some of the friends I have made in the program have become like members of a caring, nurturing family. When I can look across the room and see the sparkle in someone's eyes as they respond to me, I know without a doubt I am loved. The sense of belonging and being loved was something I always wanted desperately. I had felt like I was on the outside looking in. I was lonely even in a crowd. No longer do I have to feel alienation and loneliness, for I have come home. I have found a place where I can be me.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Help me never to take for granted the wonderful and healing gift of friendship.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
If I am feeling lonely, I can reach out to a brother or sister in the fellowship.

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May 2

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Spiritual awakenings are sometimes disguised as rude awakenings. Our expectations can become so overstated in our minds that we lose sight of the goal of our life - happiness. Receiving life as it comes is the wisdom of the Serenity Prayer. Unmet expectations often bring anger. If we find ourselves hurt repeal, it is time to look at our priorities and our expectations realistically. Then our rude awakening becomes a spiritual awakening.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I have the courage to look at my wants honestly and to change them if
necessary.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I will be grateful for rude awakenings.

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May 1

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
People need to be able to protect themselves without doing damage to others. I can learn to protect my sense of well-being without injuring someone else's. Whenever I have to say no, tell someone I do not like something they are doing, tell someone when I am hurting, and ask for, or allow, my own needs to be met, I need to do it without putting anyone else down. I need to deal with the issue, not the personality, and take responsibility for myself by not blaming others.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Help me to know that if I am honest, I need not become defensive.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
To be assertive.

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April 30

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
"Turning it over" to my Higher Power is an exercise in accepting my limitations and a way of facing reality. I am saying, "This is too big for me; I am too weak, and it overwhelms me." I am letting go of a struggle which, in most cases, I could not hope to win. I am acknowledging there are some things too complicated, too difficult, and perhaps even too abstract for me to deal with at this moment. Maybe later, when I am able to break a big problem into little bits and pieces, I will once again take up the challenge. But not now. Not while it is bigger than I am.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I learn to live a manageable life by tackling manageable problems, and turning the rest over. May I comfortably accept my limitations.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Today I will pick on problems my own size.

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April 29

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
My happiness does not depend on anyone but me. It is not given to me by others, nor can I earn it from others. Whether I am happy or not is the result of my own attitude toward myself and toward shared experiences. I place a terrific burden upon others if I make them responsible for my happiness. In expecting too much from others, I alienate them and become frustrated and angry with myself and them. This can give me the feeling of loneliness while in the midst of a crowd.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Help me to search inward sufficiently so I can be my own best friend.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
My happiness comes from a positive appreciation of myself.

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April 28

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
I used to see God responding to me with a clenched fist. Of course this vision created fear and guilt and made me want to hide. Day by day my vision of my Higher Power has changed. The hand is no longer clenched, but open very wide. The arms are a place where I can retreat for comfort and security. God always guides my footsteps, and, in the painful times when I stumble and fall, God will carry me until I can walk again.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Thank You, Creator, for the knowledge that You are with me, always guiding my path. When I am hurting, may I remember I can look to You for comfort.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
God did not change; only my vision of God changed.

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April 27

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
If it seems that on page after page of this book you are told to let go and let God, it is because it is a lesson we all seem to need to learn over and over again. It sounds so simple. Why is it so hard to do, and why do we continually need to be reminded? We need to be responsible for our lives, to do all that we can to solve our problems and deal with challenging situations, but we must remember that the responsibility is not ours alone. We may not know what our needs are, but our Higher Power does. We may think there is no way a certain situation can be resolved, but there is One who does know how it can be resolved.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I remember that letting go does not mean I do not have to make any effort.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Let God do the worrying.

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April 26

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
In the aftermath of inventorying my specific defects of character, I found that underlying them all was a profound conviction that I am fundamentally defective in my very being. I am programmed with these false instructions: "You are not good enough! And it is your fault. And you are responsible for being better. But no matter what you do, you are weak and wrong, and you are condemned!" But in my Fifth Step my Higher Power gave me permission to accept myself for being me.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
May I understand that I am not guilty of being no better than I am.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I am a part - not apart.

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April 24

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Today will be a great day. I believe it in my mind, my heart, and my bones. Only good things will happen to me and for me. It may rain, snow, or sleet, but so what? My inner sun will be shining. As I smile "good morning" at others, they will feel better and pass on the smile to someone else, thus creating a network of smiles. Though the circumstances of each individuals day may be different, there is one similarity for all of us. We have the choice to think positive thoughts. I choose today to believe that this day will be great. These thoughts are contagious and can work as rapidly as virus germs.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Help me to be a carrier of positive attitudes. May I always realize that happiness spreads happiness.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
No antibiotic can "cure" positive or happy thoughts and actions.

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April 22

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
When tense and confused, I need to realize I cannot force-feed thoughts, positive or negative, to my hurting emotions. It only serves to cause more anxiety and depression. I must be accepting of my thoughts and feelings - be able to admit being unable to change them all at once or on my own. They may not make sense at the time and may contradict what I believe. I need to accept them with gentleness and compassion.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Help me accept that I am hurting. Help me to be gentle with myself and to reach out.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
Part of growth is realizing that hurt people, hurt people. I will apply this to myself.

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April 12

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
When I clean a drawer, I do not just rearrange the mess inside. I dump out the contents, throw away the things which are no longer usable, and keep only that which is valuable. I need to "dump" myself out to my Higher Power, throw away attitudes and behavior that have been hindering my relationships, and keep only those ideas which build and strengthen me.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Grant me the courage to take an honest look at myself.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER
I trust that my Higher Power will help me know what to throw and what to keep.

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