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> From: NewParadigmFund@aol.com
> Date: January 21, 2011 11:05:26 AM EST
> To: perowan@gmail.com, skovaleski@hunton.com, tjd@larashullmay.com, cjtfarrell@gmail.com
> , dcduplessis@mlaworldwide.com, peter.judge@cox.net, icelandfish@msn.com
> , nick_yacoub@yahoo.com, azizasis@yahoo.com, gregtafe@yahoo.com, dshapiro@umw.edu
> , chriskennemer@gmail.com, jeff@motternmasonry.com
> Subject: Fwd: Today, Friday, January 21, 2011
>

> Subj: Today, Friday, January 21, 2011
>
> January 21: Am I changing from abnormal thinker to a normal
> thinker?
> This is January, the 1st month of the year;
> • The 1st Tradition: Our common welfare should come first; p
> ersonal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
> • The 1st Step: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol--
> that our lives had become unmanageable.
> • The 1st Promise: If we are painstaking about this phase [S
> teps 8 & 9] of our development, we will be amazed before we are half
> way through.
> __________________
>
>
> Thought for the Day
> To grasp the A.A. program, we have to think things out. Saint Paul
> said: “They are transformed by the renewing of their minds.” We
> have to learn to think straight. We have to change from alcoholic t
> hinking to sober thinking. We must build up a new way of looking at
> things. Before we came into A.A., we wanted an artificial life of
> excitement and everything that goes with drinking. That kind of a l
> ife looked normal to us then. But as we look back now, that life lo
> oks the exact opposite of normal. In fact, it looks most abnormal.
> We must reeducate our minds. Am I changing from abnormal thinker to
> a normal thinker?
>
> Meditation for the Day
> I will take the most crowded day without fear. I believe that God
> is with me and controlling all. I will let confidence be the motif
> running through all the crowded day. I will not get worried,
> because I know that God is my helper. Underneath are the
> everlasting arms. I will rest in them, even though the day be full
> of things crowding in upon me.
>
> Prayer for the Day
> I pray that I may be calm and let nothing upset me. I pray that I
> may not let material things control me and choke out spiritual things.
>
> Source: Twenty-Four Hours a Day, Richmond Walker, Copyright © 1975,
> Hazeldon Foundation, printed in the USA. Editor’s note: This book
> was compiled by Richmond Walker (1892–1965) of the Group at Daytona
> Beach, Florida.
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> The Joy of Equanimity
>
> Equanimity is of tremendous importance both in the practice and in
> everyday life. Generally we get either swept away by pleasant and
> enticing objects, or worked up into a great state of agitation when
> confronted by unpleasant, undesirable objects. This wild alternation
> of contraries is nearly universal among human beings. When we lack
> the ability to stay balanced and unfaltering, we are easily swept
> into extremes of craving or aversion.
>
> The [Buddhist] scriptures say that when the mind indulges in sensual
> objects, it becomes agitated. This is the usual state of affairs in
> the world, as we can observe. In their quest for happiness, people
> mistake excitement of the mind for real happiness. They never have
> the chance to experience greater joy that comes with peace and
> tranquility.
>
> - Sayadaw U Pandita, from "A Perfect Balance" (Winter, 2005)