What You Need to Know About Nov. 22, 2019 – Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Nov. 22, 2019 Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day
If you are in recovery from addiction, you may have heard of a book called Twenty-Four Hours a Day. This book is a collection of daily meditations, thoughts, and prayers that can help you stay sober and live a better life. In this article, we will explore what this book is, how it came to be, how it can benefit you, and how to use it effectively.
Nov. 22, 2019 – Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day
The History of the Book
The book was first published in 1954 by Hazelden, a leading provider of addiction treatment services. The author was an anonymous member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), who went by the initials R.H.J. He was inspired by his own experience of recovery and his desire to share his wisdom with others. He wrote the book over a period of several years, using various sources of spiritual literature as references. He also consulted with other AA members and leaders to ensure that his writings were consistent with the principles of the program.
The book was an instant success and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. It has been translated into more than 30 languages and has helped countless people in their recovery journey. It is one of the most popular and widely used books in the recovery community.
The Format of the Book
The book is divided into three main sections: a daily meditation, a thought for the day, and a prayer for the day. Each section corresponds to a specific date of the year, so you can easily follow along with the calendar. The book also has an index that allows you to look up topics or keywords that interest you.
The Daily Meditation
The daily meditation is a short passage that offers insight and inspiration on various aspects of recovery. It covers topics such as honesty, humility, gratitude, faith, service, forgiveness, acceptance, courage, serenity, and more. The daily meditation helps you focus your mind on positive and constructive thoughts that can enhance your well-being.
The Thought for the Day
The thought for the day is a brief statement that summarizes or reinforces the main idea of the daily meditation. It gives you something to ponder or remember throughout your day. The thought for the day helps you apply what you learned from the daily meditation to your everyday life.
The Prayer for the Day
The prayer for the day is a simple invocation that expresses your gratitude, hope, and surrender to a higher power of your understanding. It can be a traditional prayer from a religious tradition or a personal prayer that you create yourself. The prayer for the day helps you connect with your spiritual source and ask for guidance and strength.
The Benefits of the Book
The book has many benefits for people in recovery and anyone who wants to improve their quality of life. Here are some of the benefits that you can experience by reading the book regularly:
The Spiritual Aspect
The book helps you develop a spiritual dimension in your life that can support your recovery. It helps you realize that you are not alone and that there is a higher power that cares for you and wants you to succeed. It helps you find meaning and purpose in your existence and appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world. It helps you cultivate a sense of awe and gratitude for the gift of life.
The Practical Aspect
The book helps you deal with the practical challenges and decisions that you face in your daily life. It helps you adopt healthy habits and routines that can keep you on track with your recovery goals. It helps you avoid triggers and temptations that can lead you to relapse. It helps you cope with stress, anxiety, anger, fear, guilt, shame, and other negative emotions that can undermine your recovery. It helps you make wise choices that can benefit yourself and others.
The Emotional Aspect
The book helps you improve your emotional well-being and happiness. It helps you develop a positive attitude and outlook on life that can boost your self-esteem and confidence. It helps you overcome self-doubt, self-criticism, self-pity, and self-sabotage that can hold you back from reaching your potential. It helps you foster positive relationships with yourself and others that can enrich your life.
How to Use the Book
The book is designed to be easy and flexible to use. You can read it at any time and place that suits you best. You can read it in any order or sequence that appeals to you. You can read it alone or with others who share your interest in recovery. Here are some tips and suggestions for making the most of the book:
When to Read It
Many people like to read the book first thing in the morning, as a way to start their day on a positive note. Others prefer to read it at night, as a way to end their day on a peaceful note. Some like to read it during their lunch break, as a way to recharge their energy and motivation. Some like to read it whenever they feel stressed, bored, lonely, or tempted, as a way to cope and stay sober.
There is no right or wrong time to read the book. The important thing is to find a time that works for you and stick to it as much as possible. Reading the book regularly can help you establish a routine and a habit that can benefit your recovery.
How to Read It
There is no right or wrong way to read the book. The important thing is to read it with an open mind and an open heart. Reading the book attentively can help you absorb the message and the meaning of each section. Reading the book reflectively can help you relate the message and the meaning to your own experience and situation. Reading the book critically can help you evaluate the message and the meaning for yourself and decide what works for you.
You can also use some tools and techniques to enhance your reading experience. For example, you can use a journal or a notebook to write down your thoughts, feelings, questions, insights, or actions that arise from reading the book. You can use a highlighter or a marker to mark or underline the parts that resonate with you or challenge you. You can use a bookmark or a sticker to mark or flag the parts that you want to revisit or remember.
Who to Read It With
Reading the book alone can be beneficial, but reading it with others can be even more beneficial. Reading the book with others who share your interest in recovery can help you create a sense of community and support. Reading the book with others who have different perspectives or experiences can help you broaden your horizons and learn from each other.
Conclusion
Twenty-Four Hours a Day is a book that can help you in your recovery from addiction and in your personal growth. It offers you daily meditations, thoughts, and prayers that can inspire you, guide you, and support you. It can help you develop a spiritual, practical, and emotional dimension in your life that can enhance your well-being and happiness. It can help you deal with the challenges and opportunities that you face in your daily life. It can help you stay sober and live a better life.
If you are interested in reading this book, you can find it online or in your local bookstore. You can also download a free app that gives you access to the book on your smartphone or tablet. You can also visit the Hazelden website to learn more about the book and other resources for recovery.
We hope that this article has given you some useful information and motivation to try this book. We invite you to read it regularly and see how it can benefit you. We wish you all the best in your recovery journey and in your life.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the book Twenty-Four Hours a Day:
Q: Do I have to be an alcoholic or an addict to read this book?
A: No, you don't have to be an alcoholic or an addict to read this book. The book is suitable for anyone who wants to improve their quality of life and their relationship with themselves, others, and a higher power. The book is based on the principles of AA, but it is not exclusive or dogmatic. You can read it regardless of your background, beliefs, or situation.
Q: Do I have to read the book in order or can I skip around?
A: You can read the book in any order or sequence that appeals to you. You can follow the calendar dates or you can choose a random page. You can read one section or all three sections. You can read the whole book or just parts of it. The book is designed to be flexible and adaptable to your preferences and needs.
Q: How long does it take to read the book?
A: It depends on how much time and attention you want to devote to reading the book. You can read it as fast or as slow as you want. You can read it in one sitting or over several days, weeks, months, or years. You can read it once or multiple times. The book is not meant to be rushed or finished, but rather enjoyed and savored.
Q: What if I don't agree with something in the book?
A: That's okay. You don't have to agree with everything in the book. The book is not meant to be a source of authority or truth, but rather a source of inspiration and suggestion. You are free to take what works for you and leave what doesn't. You are free to interpret and apply the book's teachings in your own way and according to your own experience.
Q: What if I have questions or comments about the book?
A: That's great. You are welcome to share your questions or comments about the book with others who have read it or want to read it. You can join or start a conversation online or offline with other readers of the book. You can also contact Hazelden directly through their website or phone number if you have any feedback or inquiries about the book. 71b2f0854b