CLASSIC FOCUS

DAYS OF HEALING, DAYS OF JOY

Revisiting an ACOA classic book of Daily Affirmations

 Days of Healing, Days of Joy: Daily Meditation for Adult Children RecoveryWorld favorite. a must-have for any ACOA 12 Stepper. Part of the Hazelden Meditation Series, here are daily meditations written especially for adult children of alcoholics. By Earnie Larsen & Carol Larson Hegarty (Hazelden)

ACOA's (Adult Children of Alcoholics) benefit from the 12 step program as much as alcoholics. Most, although not drinkers themselves, have the same characteristics and suffer the same roadblocks that alcoholics will come up against on the road towards Serenity and Self-Esteem.

Having attended ACOA meetings all of the country, I can say, first hand, that I find these meetings to be more intense and to have more FOCUS on the SELF than the average AA meeting.

Earnie Larsen and his sister, Carol Larsen Hegarty, first introduced "Days of Healing, Days of Joy" in 1987. It was an instant hit among the 12 Steppers attending ACOA meetings. Each page of this book has a gem to focus on for the day and not one page is wasted. Many "affirmation books" are loaded with "filler pages" and "same old song" sayings. Not this one. Pick up the book and you will find that today's affirmation is meaningful and to the point. The QUOTES at the top of each page are understandable  and the daily sharing is as helpful as a good sponsor.

Let me point out the convenient SIZE of this book. I'm not talking about the amount of pages, because you already know there is one for every day. I'm referring to the actual SIZE; 4" x 6". Maybe not useful at first glance, but placed in the breast pocket of a jacket, or in a purse, this book is a handy pocket sponsor! I carried this book daily in the breast pocket of my jacket each day to work. Sometimes it was comforting to turn to a dog-eared page and read a reminder that seemed as good as a call to a friend on the phone list.

Right now I'm going to just flip to any page and whatever page that is, I'll share it with you.

FLIP!

April 9th. . . okay. M

Interesting!  The next portion of the page offers a sharing, similar to hearing an "old-timer" at a meeting; "Many of us struggle with fears of not being normal, of not being like other ling

I don't know about you, but at this point I am relating to this. At the end of this 'sharing' we are told; "For us, 'What's healthy?' is a better question than 'What's normal?'"

Wow! Perspective! And that's what this book is all about. Changing our perspective. Focusing on ONE thing instead of EVERYTHING.  A good affirmation book will offer us a choice opportunity to FOCUS on something healthy for the day. I will look at a page and think to myself, "Self, it doesn't matter what is going on around me. It doesn't matter what I THINK needs to be fixed. I will focus on THIS today, and ONLY this. Everything else will just have to wait." My Recovery is that important.

At the bottom of each page we are offered the bulls-eye to focus on; "Today, I will not worry l

Perfect! Just like every page in this book.

Although this book is geared towards ACOA's, I have found that the affirmations are helpful to anyone in any 12 step program. No matter what program you are in, you will find these quotes, sharing, and affirmations useful and perfect for the "One Day at a Time" life style.

Next Time we'll flip through a classic A.A. book, go back in time and have a visit with Mr. Bill. and Mr. Bob.

-CHARLIE D.

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