500 Spiritual Tools by Anonymous https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools en-us 2022-04-16 17:26:33 UTC 2026-02-06 01:15:36 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f49e.png Did U Hear That? 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2146924324 At the beginning of each day, I spend my first 30 minutes in silence. During this time I listen for God's voice. Through, music and reading.
 ]]> 2022-04-18 12:45:41 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2146924324 Disolve Resentment 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2154924203 This is a variation of the daily "gratitude text" idea. A variation of the positive inventory list.

It's not a "gratitude text" per se, but every day I send my wife a "positivity text". Identifying something I like about her.

The text goes....
"Good morning, my love.
Things I like about ...." And it's a different positive each day.

This texts are primarily a "tool" for me, not her. They are designed to dissolve my resentments before they happen. Because my resentments separate me from God (and my love for my wife).

The texts help keep me spiritually connected.]]> 2022-04-23 23:30:54 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2154924203 Resentful? 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2154926413 This is the practise of physically writing down a list of positives of someone whom I'm really resentful and angry with.

The idea is that every time I run across this person I find something good about them, and, when I get home, write it on my list. In a notebook. Not everything at once, but one item at a time. Over months or years.

This is a great spiritual tool!
Trying to see others as God must see them.

Undercutting the spiritual "disconnection" of resentment and negativity.]]> 2022-04-23 23:38:17 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2154926413 Writing My Own Prayers 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2154929769 The "tool" of writing my own prayers.

This is one of the prayers I say each day:

"God, please help me to see all others today as you must see them, as if I'm seeing them through your eyes of love and compassion."

If I can see or perceive other people as my God perceives them, then I am more spiritually connected.

As Atticus Finch says in To Kill a Mockingbird, if you want to understand someone, try "walking a mile in their shoes". In a sense, that's what I'm trying achieve in this prayer. More "God connection".]]> 2022-04-23 23:50:13 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2154929769 Gratitude Texts 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2154934258 Gratitude seems to be the positive opposite of resentment. And I'm not spiritually connected when I'm in resentment, so anything that under-cuts this resentment is a spiritual tool for me.

The gratitude text idea is that my Sponsees send me a text of something they are grateful for each day. When I receive one from them, I'll send one back to them.

It gets me thinking more about positive stuff. It helps me become proficient in my Higher Power's language (which I believe is a language of gratitude).]]> 2022-04-24 00:08:09 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2154934258 Where Are You God! 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2155318869 Make it a practice to Find Evidence Every Day. Seek and you will find.
 
Consider things like: 

Did a "coincidental outcome' happen where a situation improved without my efforts?

Did song lyrics resonate deeply in my being?

Was a prayer answered?

Did I experiece a near miss where I  "coincidentally" avoided being hurt?

Unexplainable peace in the midst of chaos?
 
Front row parking. Don't forget to ask.

A daily devotional reading that was specifically tailored for me.

Perhaps a license plate, billboard sign,  or a random stranger provided some clarity or conformation on a request in prayer. 

What spoke to my Spirit?

This daily practice helps me to grow in trusting my God and to see how much I am loved and cared for each day. 
]]> 2022-04-24 14:50:49 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2155318869 Good Morning, God 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2156495092 I've gotten into the practise of saying this every morning in my first minute or so of consciousness.

I might be still lying in bed, or it might be when my feet first hit the floor.

It took a lot of repetition (years), but it's the first thing that comes into my head now. Automatically.
But it's not a repetition "by rote" kind of thing. I'm thinking it, not just mouthing the words.

Just a way to start the day off immediately with a little "shot" of "God connection". Gets me going on the right side of the bed, instead of getting up on "the wrong side of the bed". Which is what we say if discontented about something.]]> 2022-04-25 13:09:08 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2156495092 Substitution 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2160214530 What I mean by this is something I've done myself and suggested to Sponsees if they have an issue with the word "God".

To substitute another word for "God".

So, when they wake up in the morning they can say "Good Morning, Al-Anon!" Instead of "Good Morning, God!"

Al-Anon; now there's a "higher" power.

I've found this a good way to approach the spiritual connection if a person is trying to get there from the Agnostic or Atheist perspective. It's a great tool to help establish that connection.

Approaching "higher power", before approaching "Higher Power".
Small h, small p. No capitals.]]> 2022-04-27 11:44:01 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2160214530 Mirror 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2160229743 Mirror Talk to myself every morning.

I have a post-it note on my bathroom mirror that reads "Good Morning Steve,
there is nothing that can happen today that you and I can't handle together, 
love, God."

I look myself right in the eyes when I say this.
Verbalizing this out loud every day just seems to keep this sentiment/concept bumped up a little closer to the front of my mind. I'm a little more "connected" to God. If something threatens this connection during the day, the "echo" of my mirror talk seems to offer a layer of protection to the connection.

Great tool! Over time.]]> 2022-04-27 11:56:58 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2160229743 ABC 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2165745015 I'm going back to my daily "gratitude texts" for a bit.

I've done different forms or "types" of these texts. As a creative exercise, to keep it fun, keep them original, without repetition. Each particular form of gratitude seems to almost be its own sort of spiritual tool.

So my "tool" today is alphabet gratitude texts. I did an A to Z gratitude over 26 days. It made the process more fun, got me thinking about gratitude more deeply.

More challenging and exploratory.

The challenge, the fun, the exploration, the "Z for zebras" for example are all spiritual tools.
There you have it alphabet gratitude.

My first one was "A for A.M." (ie the morning, the 6 am crack of dawn feeling).]]> 2022-05-01 12:14:42 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2165745015 Program or Step Gratitude texts 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2165747422 This is another form of gratitude text I've used. Program, or "Step Gratitude".

It's a reminder of the impacts of the Steps upon me. Whatever else taking the actions of the Steps do, they impact us deeply. For me this impact has been all positive. This sort of specific gratitude text type I'm describing can "cement" my commitment of doing the actions of the Steps every day. At least in my experience.

Why/how is this a spiritual tool? Because the Steps have one purpose; to give us a spiritual awakening. That's it. According to Step 12.

The Steps, at least directly, don't allow me to overcome whatever my addictions are...to thinking, to a person or whatever.

That's my understanding of what I've read in the Big Book.

What helps me overcome my addictions or "isms" is my spiritual connection; the result of doing the Steps.
My text reminders of this process is a great spiritual tool.

For me, as soon as I stop doing the Steps, and start thinking/reading/talking about them only...I slip away from recovery and spiritual connection. Slowly, almost imperceptibly. Got to keep doing the "do's".

]]> 2022-05-01 12:20:56 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2165747422 Hug Yourself 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2165755547 The spiritual tool of hugging myself every day. I always do it after my prayer & meditation routine. And I say "good job, _________."

These first few "tools" in the "500" are the basic stuff.
This particular tool's intent is to be less held in thrall anymore by this "need to be loved" by those around me. Loved the way that I want to be loved. To be looking to others to do what I could and should be doing for myself. Acts of affection directed at myself.

This neediness undermines my spiritual connection I feel. But it can also direct me to the spiritual. I try to be careful to stay away from "absolutes".

Anyway, the hugs have an impact over time.

Treating myself as God would want me to is a spiritual tool.]]> 2022-05-01 12:40:08 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2165755547 More Mirror 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2165757823 Saying "I love you, _______" to myself in the mirror every day. 
More mirror-talk work.
Perceiving, and relating to myself as my God must do, with love and compassion. Trying to see myself with God's eyes is a great spiritual tool.

Every day of my life now, I hear those words.

Each one like a grain, every little bit helps.

That's what I do in recovery, work with grains of sand, not mountains. Trying to work with the constituent materials, making a life one thread at a time. "Non-magic bullets" only, no magic bullets.

A "grain" can be a spiritual tool.]]> 2022-05-01 12:45:40 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2165757823 Actions = Results 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2165760587 This "Al-Anon 500" list of spiritual tools is a "tool" in and of itself.

It's an inventory of all the spiritual tools I can think of. Ways to improve my spiritual contact, basically reminders of what I do already, or ideas of tools I could use in the future.

It's a daily Step 10 Journal project for me; "continuing to take inventory". All types of inventory, in all things, including spirituality tools. (I try to get creative with that journal since I'm writing stuff in there every day.)

It's also a Step 11 project; a "quest" for ways to improve my conscious contact with God, not just maintain what I already have.]]> 2022-05-01 12:50:43 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2165760587 Step 9 Gratitude 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2167481677 "Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others."   

To say I was dreading Step 9 was an understatement. But, having done it, this one may be my favourite Step.

These particular form of gratitude texts are a reminder that when I do the recovery actions I don't want to do, good things ensue.

They are a reminder that I am not qualified to be my own Higher Power, I simply do not know what's best for me. 

A reminder that the things that scare me, can and do advance me spiritually.
Reflecting and key-pad tapping on this is a tremendous spiritual tool!
Doing the actual Step is too.

This tool involves expressing my gratitude of peoples' unexpected responses to my amends which feel like gifts of grace directed my way.

Gratitude for experienced Member's wisdom and teaching on how to do a proper amends.
Etc.]]> 2022-05-02 23:04:57 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2167481677 Dad Gratitude Texts 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2170582851 This is another variation of the gratitude. Expressing gratitude for the person suffering from alcoholism. 
It seems like if I express it enough I become it.

One of the impacts of alcoholism on me was that I would see my alcoholic loved ones as "half empty". Instead of a "cup" that was half full.

There is a lot of good in the people who suffer this disease. And I think that's the way God sees us, as "half full".

My Dad was a good person, but he was sick. 
Anything that gets me focused on the goodness in others is a great spiritual tool. I think that's how my God wants me to relate.

When I talk about the different "types" of these gratitude texts.

I think of them as a set of different wrenches in my tool box. They're all wrenches, but they have slightly different specific jobs. 

When I used each of these types of texts I really went to town with them.
I think I had about 30 or so "Step 9 Gratitude Texts", about 40 "Dad Gratitude texts" by the time I moved on from them.]]> 2022-05-04 20:54:06 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2170582851 Speaker Tool 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2218110617 There are all sorts of Speaker tapes all over the inter-net from all sorts of 12-Step fellowships.
It's easy to just find one, start listening, close my eyes and focus on the message & experience of recovery that is being shared.
That's one of my forms of meditation technique. About every 2 weeks I'll meditate to a Speaker recording.
I'm doing that today as a matter of fact.
Great tool for free...all sorts of great stuff is available on my computer.]]> 2022-06-11 12:11:23 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2218110617 Meditation 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2218112321 The web-site fragrantheart.com
This is a web-site developed by Elizabeth Blakey. And there are many pre-recorded accompanied meditations available for free on there. Many to choose from.
  These meditations are on my "rotation", and every two weeks I listen and participate in one of these meditations by her.
  As said before, it's important for my own spiritual connection to mix up a diverse variation of different techniques so the meditation process doesn't become stale.]]> 2022-06-11 12:15:18 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2218112321 Ear Lobes 500spiritualtools https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2218211217 Rather than just "googling" random Speakers on-line, there is a great web-site that has all sorts of AA and Al-Anon Speaker recordings available for freely listen to.
msbrecording.com
Just check it out and you'll see what I mean.
All sorts of great stuff at our fingertips and ear lobes.
Great spiritual and recovery connection tool!
I have had the occasional issue with this one where the speaker recording may "stall". Not sure why.
Come to think of it, although frustrating, this is a connection tool too.
An opportunity to practise "let go and let God". Letting my will evaporate...]]> 2022-06-11 16:18:56 UTC https://padlet.com/500spiritualtools/500spiritualtools/wish/2218211217