Today's thought from Hazelden is:

The gifts we receive are meant to be shared.

Thanks to the progress I am making in recovery, I like to think I am more loving, more open, more spontaneous, more confident. I believe these gifts have come to me through my Higher Power, the Twelve Steps, and the friends who have helped me grow.

If I am to keep the gifts, I must share them. They are mine as long as I give them away. To do that I need to realize we're all working toward a similar goal: that of developing our potential and becoming who we are meant to be. We help each other toward this goal by sharing our experience, strength, and hope.

Close, warm, loving contacts with my family and friends are what feed my heart and spirit and fill the inner emptiness. When I am willing to share the gifts I have received, I always have enough, because what I give comes back to me.

I will take advantage of today's opportunities for caring and sharing, remembering that my recovery depends not on what I have but on what I give.
From: Inner Harvest


Giving. Isn't that what Christmas is all about? I've been shopping this morning. I finally got Mom and Barry's gifts bought. I did not spend as much on them this year as I did last year. I have Mary Jo, Vicki and Lisa's for our luncheon on Wednesday. I have Jennifer, Stephanie, Kim and Roosevelt's for Monday. I have my secret pal a large home made fruit basket. I have Kristopher, Korben, Samantha, and Taylor's ready. I have Linda's ready to be sent in the mail or for her to open. I feel like I've spent a ton of money. Christmas shouldn't be about spending money. I wish I'd stuck with my original idea of cooking treats for people. I just didn't have enough time.

I'm going to the movies with Mom and possibly my brother tonight. I've got supper with Marian on Tuesday and lunch with the girls on Wednesday. I feel like I'm treating myself to Christmas this way.

I paid on my truck and the cashier messed it up. I'll have to go back on Monday to correct her. I've bought a few groceries. Need to go back to the store. I'm okay for now. I've got bean soup in the crock pot. It should be done in time for supper. I'll make some cornbread to go with it.

I haven't paid rent or the other pressing bills yet. I'll catch them on Monday, too. Then I'll be pinching pennies a little bit. But that's okay. I feel blessed that I have as much as I do. I just need to make sure I have enough groceries, money to do laundry and maybe gas for the truck. Other than that, I'm right as rain.

I did clear up something with Mike. I don't bother him. Couldn't figure out I was any way. I rarely e-mail him and it's extremely rare that we cross each other's path. From now on when someone tells me something pertaining to someone else I'm going to the other person. It just keeps misunderstandings from occurring.

Ordinary Miracle

As sung by Sarah McLachlan


It’s not that unusual
When everything is beautiful
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

The sky knows when it’s time to snow,
Don’t need to teach a seed to grow,
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you every day
Open up and find a way
To give some of your own love.

Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a raindrop falls
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Birds are meant to have their flame
They always make it home on spring
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
‘Cause we are all a part of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle,
Do you want to see a miracle?

It seems so exceptional
The things just work out after all
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

The sun comes up and shines so bright
And disappears again at night
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

It’s just another ordinary miracle today.


I think miracles happen every day. In fact I think the miracle might be that we each see God in humanity.

Go see August Rush.