Spiritual Tools

[MajestyJo]

ACTION
Start each day moving forward in life, doing what needs to be done to the best of your ability. Seek to be vigorous and strong., filled with vitality and energy and desire to do all things good and for nothing to stand in the way of your expression. We know that no one can do this for us - we must hoe our own row. Let lethargy, inaction and procrastination be things of the past. Arise, and act from the base of tremendous potential that is within us. Vigorously we cut through the difficulties, and claim what life has in store for us now. We see that when we do the thing we wish to do, we will have the power.

WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN said, "The way to develop confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you."

GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION
I am Divinely guided and protected at all times and nothing can hurt me or cause me to deviate from my true course. When we hold our beliefs steady in those thoughts we are truly guided into the best course for our lives and protected from error, negativity and harm.

The idea is that when we know that we are guided, we will be guided and when we know that we are protected we will be protected. It is good to stop briefly before starting each day to confirm that we indeed, are protected and guided. As we continue to look within to our inner direction we come to know who we are, and why we're here and where we are going. Our life has purpose and meaning and we are here to live, and we become determined to express ourselves freely and fully. We become free from all fear, we have a strong and vital faith which makes us whole. There is nothing we cannot do - nothing we cannot be - when we set our true course and follow it. Divine Mind tells us where to go and what to do and takes care of our every step along the way.

MARGARET DRABBLE wrote, "When nothing is sure, everything is possible."

REVITALIZED BY LOVE
Love shows us the way of life, and the law makes the way possible. We use the Law of Mind more perfectly when we enter into love, the invisible essence of life, and share it with one another. Love must be used for us to make use of the law, that is, we must be motivated by love, by a sincere despite to express unity, harmony and peace. As a true artist weds his or her self to the essence of beauty, imbibing its spirit that it may be transmitted to the canvas or awaken a living form from cold marble, so must we wed ourselves to the essence of love that we may imbibe its spirit and transmit it, giving loveliness to all events.

HOWARD THURMAN writes, "In contemplation of my days, I know that I am surrounded by the love of God."

REVERSING THE NEGATIVE
The simplest form of prayer treatment is to "reverse the thought."

This means that when a thought of lack comes to mind we should instantly mentally say, There is no lack in the kingdom of God and I am right there, right now! Anything we think, say or do three times establishes a habit groove in the nervous system. We are victims of our own bad habits, but we also are beneficiaries of our own good habits. We cannot function outside of natural laws and habit patterns, but we can definitely build new response patterns into our bodies, and our personality with our prayer life, which is our thoughts.

ROBERT HALL said, "Prayer serves as an edge and border to preserve the web of life from unraveling."

LETTING GO
There has never been a situation where harboring bias or hatred has assisted or elevated us. For example, worry, doubt, guilt and fear which are sentiments that are of no value in solving problems or expressing our own perfection. When we forgive others, we accept forgiveness for our own issues, those things we might view as mistakes or failures in our lives. We are then able to realize that forgiveness is also available to us. The greater our forgiveness, the greater amount we are able to accept. To forgive is a liberating, loving and humane approach to life. It allows us to continue with our spiritual growth and enables us to eliminate resistance to the upward cycle of our own Divine
expression.

SCIENCE OF MIND writings express, "The great lesson to learn here is that God never approaches and never condemns."

BEAUTY
One of the ways in which we connect with the Divine nature of the universe is to get in touch with that part of us that senses and appreciates beauty in all things. Beauty is to be found in nature as well as in our everyday surroundings. Our appreciation of the
splendor that encircle us reveals the wonder of nature and the universe allowing us to consciously become part of its perfection. Our awareness of this beauty reveals God's plan of creation. When we meditate upon any simple object - a rose, an apple or even an ordinary pencil - and become aware of all its nuances of color, form and line, we soon begin to realize that the observed becomes the observer. This is a wonderful exercise because the object of our attention appears to be mindful of itself and all that surrounds it. In this way by seeing the beauty in the things around us and appreciating it, we become that beauty.

RABBI NACHMAN says, "When a person is filled with God's love, all things become sacred, pleasurable, and loving."

[MajestyJo]

Look at the healing properties of color. Look at what the color of your clothes you grab to put on. Is there one color that you seem to reach for? Does your body need something and is it giving you a message as to what it needs.

Look at the food you eat, what do you have missing in your life?

Check out the color chart to see what you need for healing and change in your life. What don't you have? Today, I reached for a navy sweat shirt that I seldom wear.

Color can be comforting, calming, and I once heard you should never have a pink room, as it was aggravating to our system.

http://www.mariabowling.com/color.html

[MajestyJo]

As we travel the journey within, we make new discoveries, we find old reminders, and precious memories.

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Come join our journey to eliminate and let go of the negative, replace it with the positive, and reinforce and nurture the flame within each of us, so that we can walk in balance and acceptance of the Light and the Dark nature of ourselves.

The Spider is the guardian of the Within.

He helps us to weave our own fate and guides us through our choices and find our inner knowing.

You are never outside of God, whatever you do, but if you express yourself negatively, you may separate yourself from your awareness of God.

This was posted on another site and originated on one of my sites that has been deleted by Multiply.


http://www.divinepeace.com/yellow/Go...low_Pages.html

Received with thanks from my friend Carey

From Caressa's Spiritual Place
This is rather kewl! The link takes you to different feeling listed alphabetically and that in turn takes you to a Bible verse.

Anger

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...:2&version=NIV

Also on truth, what I said to my son was true, it was how I said it.

Ephesians 4:14-15
New International Version (NIV)

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

When you meditation using colour, when you close your eyes, the first one you see is red, then orange and yellow. Red is a sure sign of anger, especially if it is bright and doesn't change very quickly to the next colour until you get the White Light.

[MajestyJo]

Feed Your Chakras with Color



Inspired by Home Enlightenment, by Annie B. Bond
(Rodale Press, 2005).

Simple Solution

We have seven chakras--energy centers--in
our bodies that help to give us radiant
vitality and health when they are in balance.
But if one gets low or out of whack, we
can feel depressed, lethargic, or even
become ill.

One nurturing and effective way to feed
our chakras--to make sure they stay vibrant
and energized--is with color. All you
have to do to is look around at the natural
world, or use your imagination. It's easy
to do color therapy for the health of our
bodies, minds, and spirits. Here's how:

To feed your chakras, start with the Higher
Self, the 8th chakra located about 8 inches
above your head. Then go one by one down
the lower chakras as you are ready. Use
words (unspoken or aloud) to open one chakra
at a time, allowing it to drink in the color.
(You may find that, if your eyes lock onto a
particular color--like the bright yellow of
a spring tulip, for example--that this is a
sign that the chakra associated with that
color really needs it. When you've had enough
of the color, you may find that your concentration
dims--an indication that you can move on to
the next chakra.

White to the Higher Self (8th chakra): Look
at a white cloud or white stone (quartz is
perfect). Imagine complete purity, while
bringing your awareness to the place 8 inches
above your head where the Higher Self resides.

Violet or purple to the crown (7th chakra): Look
at a ripe plum, an amethyst, or a purple flower
(irises are perfect). If there is no natural
purple nearby, visualize light filtering down
through purple stained glass into your crown chakra.

Indigo or cobalt to the brow (6th chakra): A
night sky full of stars, or the sky just before
dawn, are good for this chakra, as are stones
such as lapis lazuli, sapphire, and azurite.
If you hold a stone and gaze at it, you will
also absorb the healing energies of the stone.
Eating blueberries is a great way to absorb
blue internally!

Sky blue to the throat (5th chakra): Imagine
your throat filling up with the blue of the
daylight sky. Helpful stones include aquamarine,
turquoise, Larimar, and blue tourmaline.

Leaf green to the heart (4th chakra): The budding
green leaves of early spring is perfect for this
chakra. In winter, look at a vibrant potted plant
or imagine the new green foliage. Or look at--and
then eat!--a Granny Smith apple!

Yellow to the solar plexus (3rd chakra): Imagine
the bright yellow sun in your solar plexus, energy
radiating out from its yellow center, clearing and
healing as it goes. Or look at yellow flowers--lilies
or tulips, for instance--or a banana. Helpful stones
include yellow tourmaline, celestite, kunzite, topaz,
and rhodonite.

Orange to the navel (2nd chakra): Imagine dried tree
sap or the honey-colored wood found on the inside of
tree bark--or petrified wood with dark orange. Pumpkins,
oranges, daylilies and poppies are good to gaze at,
and the stones orange calcite and carnelian are helpful.

Red to the base of the spine (1st chakra): A good red
found in nature is the dirt in the American Southwest,
or the red breast of a robin, or a tomato, or red apple.

Helpful Hints
Annie's wonderful new book is filled with more wisdom
for body, mind, and spirit. To order your copy, just
click on the link next to the photo.

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

I felt this to be useful information on Chakras.
Old memories and hurts reside in the solar plexus.

Love and Light, Dreamz

Thanks my friend for sharing. From one of my deleted sites and posted to another.

[MajestyJo]

We will have a new awareness and we will find peace.

Spiritual Awakening Quiz

http://www.in5d.com/spiritual-awakening-quiz.html

How many of these 51 spiritual awakening symptoms do YOU have?

by Annarita

1. Changing sleep patterns: restlessness, hot feet, waking up two or three times a night.
Feeling tired after you wake up and sleepy off and on during the day. There is something called the Triad Sleep Pattern that occurs for many: you sleep for about 2-3 hours, wake up, go back to sleep for another couple of hours, wake again, and go back to sleep again. For others, the sleep requirements have changed. You can get by on less sleep. Lately I have been experiencing huge waves of energy running into my body from the crown. It feels good, but it keeps me awake for a long time, then subsides. Advice: Get used to it. Make peace with it and don't worry about getting enough sleep (which often causes more insomnia). You will be able to make it through the day if you hold thoughts of getting just what you need. You can also request your Higher Self to give you a break now and then and give you a good, deep night's sleep. If you can't go back to sleep right away, use the waking moments to meditate, read poetry, write in your journal or look at the moon. Your body will adjust to the new pattern.

...and 50 more.

Posted this because I really needed to hear it.

[MajestyJo]

“There is a solution. Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation. But we saw that it really worked in others, and we had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet. We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence of which we had not even dreamed.”
Alcoholics Anonymous. Page 25.

What exactly is meant by the term 'spiritual tool kit' ?

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[MajestyJo]

DISCOURAGED

2 Corinthians 4:8-18
New International Version (NIV)

8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[a] Since we have that same spirit of[b] faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Footnotes:

2 Corinthians 4:13 Psalm 116:10 (see Septuagint)
2 Corinthians 4:13 Or Spirit-given
If it wasn't for my God, I am not sure I would be alive today. This site saved me during some very stressful times and saw me through many situations clean and sober.

Quote:
Philippians 4:7
New International Version (NIV)

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Found it odd, went looking for Bible verses on acceptance and there was none. I thought it was strange, but each have to accept our God, in order to recover.



Hebrews 13:15

New International Version (NIV)

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly

[MajestyJo]

Patience:

Hebrews 10:36
New International Version (NIV)
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.


For today:

Quote:
COURAGE:

Psalm 27:14
New International Version (NIV)
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

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Spirituality

When I am at peace with myself and my Higher Power, there's no greater force. No person, place, or situation has power over me. I will ask my Higher Power to grant me the strength I will need to be the best I can be today. I will take in my Higher Power until my whole being is filled with the strength I need to face what today has in store for me.

What have I allowed to have power over me lately? How can I better use the strength my Higher Power has to offer me today?

You are reading from the book:

Help for Helpers by Anonymous

What greater tool than knowing that I am empowered to do what I need to do in today, if I just put my day in my God's Care.

[MajestyJo]

There are other things posted on the site that are helpful in the spiritual section. So glad you made the decision to join our family.


90 TOOLS FOR SOBRIETY

1 ) Stay away from that first drink, taking the 1st step daily.
2 ) Attend AA regularly and get involved.
3 ) Progress is made ONE DAY AT A TIME.
4 ) Use the 24 Hour plan.
5 ) Turn your "dis-ease" to a sense of ease. Picture yourself as "recovered."
6 ) Do first things first.
7 ) Don't become too tired.
8 ) Eat at regular hours.
9 ) Use the telephone. (not just after the fact but during too.).
10) Be active - don't just sit around. Idle time will kill you.
11) Use the Serenity Prayer.
12) Change old routines and patterns.
13) Don't become too hungry.
14) Avoid loneliness.
15) Practice control of your anger.
16) Air your resentments.
17) Be willing to help whenever needed.
18) Be good to yourself, you deserve it.
19) Easy does it.
20) Get out of the "IF ONLY" trap.
21) Remind yourself HOW IT WAS. Your last drunk, the feelings etc. Picture better alternatives.
22) Be aware of your emotions. Reason about them.
23) Help another in his/her recovery, extend your hand, listen.
24) Try to turn your life and your will over to your Higher Power.
25) Avoid all mood-altering drugs, read labels on all medicines.
26) Turn loose of old ideas.
27) Avoid drinking situations/occasions.
28) Replace old drinking buddies with new AA buddies.
29) Read the Big Book.
30) Try not to be dependent on another (sick relationships). Be independent or inter-dependent.
31) Be grateful, and when you're not, make a GRATITUDE list.
32) Get off the "Pity Pot"...the only thing you'll get is a ring
around your bottom if you don't.
33) Seek knowledgeable help when troubled and or otherwise.
34) Face it! You are in control of your destiny.
35) Try the 12 and 12, not just 1 and 12 or 1, 12 and 13!
36) Let go and Let God.
37) Use the "God box." (Write down your worries and problems. Put them in the God box. Once you've done so, you can no longer think about them for that day. Use God's answers: yes, no, or wait, I have something better in store for you. Don't forget to say thanks.
38) Find courage to change through the example of others who have.
39) Don't try to test your will power. When in doubt, DON'T. (Or don't, yet.)
40) Live TODAY, not YESTERDAY, not TOMORROW - projection is planning
the results before anything even happens.
41) Avoid emotional involvements the first year - you end up putting
the other person first and lose sight of "your" program.
42) Remember, YOU ARE NOT YOUR DIS-EASE. So, take it easy on yourself.
43) Rejoice in the manageability of your new life.
44) Be humble--Humility is not in thinking of yourself more, but in
thinking more of yourself less often. Watch the ego.
45) Share your experience, strength and hope as much as possible and as creatively as possible.
46) Cherish your recovery.
47) Dump your garbage regularly - GIGO = Garbage In Garbage Out.
48) Get plenty of "restful" sleep.
49) Stay sober for you - not someone else - otherwise it won't work.
50) Practice rigorous honesty with yourself and others.
51) Progress is made ONE DAY AT A TIME, not 10 years in one day!
55) Make no major decisions the first year.
56) Get a sponsor and use him/her.
57) Know that no matter what your problems, someone's had them before.
Don't be afraid to share, as a problem shared is one 1/2 solved.
58) Strive for progress not perfection.
59) When in doubt ask questions. The only stupid question is the one
not asked.
60) Use prayer and meditation.
61) Maintain a balance: spiritual, physical, emotional and mental.
62) Don't use other substances as a maintenance program.
63) Learn to take spot check inventories.
64) Watch out for the RED FLAGS ... things that give excuses for poor
behavior and inevitable relapse.
65) Know that its okay to be human ... just don't drink over it.
66) Be kind to yourself; it's about time, don't you think?
67) Don't take yourself so seriously - take the dis-ease seriously!
68) Know that whatever it is that's causing pain - it shall pass.
69) Stay as far away from the DRY DRUNK SYNDROME as humanly possible.
70) Don't give away more than you can afford oo, your sobriety comes
first and must be the number 1 priority. Protect it at all costs.
71) Take down those bricks from the wall around you; you'll be able to
see the daylight better. Let people know who you are.
72) Get a home group and attend it regularly.
73) Know that the light at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming
train, but actually a ray of hope. Drop the negativity.
74) Know that you are not alone, that's why the "We" is in the steps.
75) Be willing to go to any lengths to stay and be sober.
76) Know that no matter how bleak and dark your past may be, your
future is clean, bright and clear if you don't drink today.
77) Stay out of your own way.
78) Don't be in a hurry--remember "TIME = Things I Must Earn".
79) Watch the EGO. "EGO = Ease God Out".
80) Protect your sobriety at all costs. Keep the light on you.
81) Learn to listen, not just hear. Be open-minded and nonjudgmental.
82) Know that if your insides match your outsides, everyone looks good.
83) If the rest of the world looks bad, check yourself out first.
84) Gratitude is in the attitude.
85) When all else fails ... punt! Up the number of meetings!!!
86) Remember FEAR = FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL!
87) If they knew better, they'd do better. Think about letting things go.
88) Handle what you can and leave the rest, don't overtax yourself.
You can only accomplish so much in a given 24 hours.
89) Honesty and consistency are key factors in recovery.
90) Let the little kid in you out - learn how to laugh from the gut.

-adapted from ideas by Bob

Today I am reminded that the tools are applicable to all areas of my life. This is a living program. The program shows me how to 'live' clean and sober without the use of drugs and alcohol.

Drugs are but a symptom of my disease, the problem is me. So when I take the drugs and alcohol away, all I have left is me. The program shows me how to live with myself.

[MajestyJo]

Each morning I get up and check to make sure I have all my tools in “My Recovery Toolbox”.. I never know whether I’ll need them to change my perspective, my actions or maybe even my attitude . One thing's for sure I know at some point in my day, I’ll be reaching for them…..

The Big Book and/or Basic Text

The 12- Steps and Traditions

The Slogans

The Prayers - the Serenity, Third Step, Seventh Step and Eleventh Step

My Sponsor

Recovery Friends (meetings and the phone)

The Art of Detachment

My hotline to God through Prayer

My Recovery Books & literature

My Online Message Boards and chat rooms

It was important to pick up my tools in good times and bad times to get in the practice of getting out of myself and asking for help.

The literature was a God given gift. Not just the Big Book/Basic Text and 12 & 12, but the daily meditation books. I like the ones with all the emotions listed at the back so I could look up all the reading pertaining to a feeling. It was hard for me to label them and give them a name because I had stuffed for so many years. I often just picked up a book (AA, NA, Al-Anon, Hazelden, the Bible, etc, said the Serenity Prayer, and then just opened the book and read what was in front of me. It works.

I always liked the saying, "God answers knee-mail." In today, I use that for heavy duty stuff because I don't do getting down on the knees very well. Before it was lack of surrender, in today it is old age.

There were many gifts along with the detachment. Setting boundaries, the ability to be honest, the principles behind the Steps and the Traditions.

12 Steps and the 12 Principles

1. We admitted we were powerless over the effects of addiction — that our lives had become unmanageable.

1. Honesty, acceptance and surrender.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

2. Hope, Trust

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

3. Faith, willingness

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

4. Courage.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs.

5. Integrity.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

6. Willingness, self-honesty

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

7. Humility.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

8. Justice and brotherly love.

9. Made direct amends to such people, wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

9. Self-discipline and good judgment.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

10. Perseverance and open mindedness.

11. 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.

11. Awareness.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other codependents, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

12. Love and service.


These very depending on who you are talking to. Many say the only principle for Step One is Honesty, but I am a firm believer in all three as listed here. It says we are to do Step One 100% and in order to do that, we need to find surrender and acceptance to go with the self-honesty.

Please add any additional tools that help you in your recovery.
Something I found on a friend's site that I posted from an old site of mine.