Recovery form alcoholism- God and prayer

Over the years I have heard many things about prayer- and opinions on how God answers payers. Recently I heard a summary that really made sense to me. It went something like this:

When we ask God for something he always answers in one of 3 ways:

Recovery from alcoholism- What do you think about this word?

Optimism

"hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something"

The other day a relative newcomer to recovery said something like this, "You know I'm really optimistic about the future". That statement really caught my attention. I smiled and said something like, "I don't hear that word spoken around here too often".  A few weeks later I was talking with someone about alcoholics tendencies toward negativity-and I recalled and reflected again about the attitude of optimism. 

Being optimistic, as the definition above describes,  does not come to me easily. I do get measures of it when I am working a full and solid program of recovery; and as a result spiritually fit and connected.

I am envious of people who seem to have this "glass half full nature" without much effort.

Thoughts?

Recovery from alcoholism- words of wisdom for all ages-Room 505

A while ago I attended a Sunday morning AA meeting in a school building where the breakout groups would go into individual classrooms to discuss the lead.

In the classroom posters that had been placed on the wall stated short “pearls of wisdom”. I found myself so intrigued by these simple and powerful statements, that I started writing them down in my 24 hour a day book. It struck me that these sayings were definitely suited for any ages.

Room 505

 "Its all about trying"

"Be somebody you would be proud to know"

Thus ends the "classroom wisdom lessons" I had to share. Hope you found them helpful.

Recovery from alcoholism- words of wisdom for all ages-Room 404

Room 404

A while ago I attended a Sunday morning AA meeting in a school building where the breakout groups would go into individual classrooms to discuss the lead.

In the classroom posters that had been placed on the wall stated short “pearls of wisdom”. I found myself so intrigued by these simple and powerful statements, that I started writing them down in my 24 hour a day book. It struck me that these sayings were definitely suited for any ages.

Room 404

"God is willing to guide you, but you must choose the direction."

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God"

"Don't make excuses; make improvements"

Recovery from alcoholism- words of wisdom for all ages-Room 303

Room 303

 Room 303


"Determine what is right, instead of who is right".

"No one is useless in the world who lightens the burdens of another."

"Who you are begins with what you do."

`

Recovery from alcoholism- words of wisdom for all ages-Room 202

Room 202

 



A while ago I attended a Sunday morning AA meeting in a school building where the breakout groups would go into individual classrooms to discuss the lead.

In the classroom posters that had been placed on the wall stated short “pearls of wisdom”. I found myself so intrigued by these simple and powerful statements, that I started writing them down in my 24 hour a day book. It struck me that these sayings were definitely suited for any ages.

Room 202

"Let the choices you make today,  be the choices you can live with tomorrow"

"If you want respect, be the first to show it"

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen"

Recovery from alcoholism- words of wisdom for all ages- Room 101

Room 101

A while ago I attended a Sunday morning AA meeting in a school building where the breakout groups would go into individual classrooms to discuss the lead.

In the classroom posters that had been placed on the wall stated short “pearls of wisdom”. I found myself so intrigued by these simple and powerful statements, that I started writing them down in my 24 hour a day book. It struck me that these sayings were definitely suited for any ages.

I will be posting these for a few sessions:

Room 101

1.      "What is popular is not always right…what is right is not always popular…"

2.        "People may doubt what you say, but they always believe what you do."

3.      "The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today."    

       

Recovery from alcoholism- "Be where you say you will be, do what you say you will do".

"Be where you say you will be, do what you say you will do".

The other day a long time sober friend of mine said this is the criteria in which his wife measures his level of  recovery.

I have been thinking about this often and it has helped me understand why I try to make it a point of making sure I can meet the commitments I make. 

I may (and usually do) tell people things like, "I need to check my calendar first, or "I need to give you a call back", etc. Once I say yes I make it a priority to do what I said Ill do. I write down the date and time on my notes and in my calendar. If an emergency comes up and I cant make it- I call immediately to let the person know.

Why all this focus on accountability and respect for others? Because in my drinking days I had little of any of this. I would say things like "no problem Ill be there."-and then not show up or call. "No problem I can do that for you"- and have no capability or resources to do it. Just a bunch of empty yes's.

I don't want to live like that any more.

How are you with making commitments and keeping them?