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AA Thoughts For Today - January
AA Thought for the Day
January 1 Sobriety Every Day God willing, we members of A.A. may never again have to deal with drinking, but we have to deal with sobriety every day. How do we do it? By learning—through practicing the Twelve Steps and through sharing at meetings—how to cope with the problems that we looked to booze to solve, back in our drinking days. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (To Handle Sobriety) p. 559 Thought to Ponder Sobriety is not a destination, but an everlasting journey. AA-related 'Alconym' A A = Action Always. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Promises We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. Self-seeking will slip away. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us -- sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them. c. 1976, 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 83-4 Thought to Consider . . . It works -- it really does. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* G R A C E = Gently Releasing All Conscious Expectations. *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Seed Step One: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol--- that our lives had become unmanageable. "It was then discovered that when one alcoholic had planted in the mind of another the true nature of his malady, that person could never be the same again. Following every spree, he would say to himself, 'Maybe those A.A.'s were right. . . .' After a few such experiences, often years before the onset of extreme difficulties, he would return to us convinced. He had hit bottom as truly as any of us. John Barleycorn himself had become our best advocate." 1952, AAWS, Inc.; Printed 2005; Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pgs. 23-24 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "The first thing my sponsor told me was, 'I don't have time to help you stay sick ... but if you want to get better I'd be glad to help." Temple, TX, October 1990 "The Man I've Always Wanted to Be," Emotional Sobriety ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "We have three little mottoes which are apropos. Here they are: First Things First Live and Let Live Easy Does It." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 135~ "Remember that we deal with alcohol, cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power that One is God. May you find Him now!" ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, Page 58~ In Step Eleven we saw that if a Higher Power had restored us to sanity and had enabled us to live with some peace of mind in a sorely troubled world, then such a Higher Power was worth knowing better, by as direct contact as possible. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.109 Misc. AA Literature - Quote It has often been said of A.A. that we are interested only in alcoholism. This is not true. We have to get over drinking in order to stay alive. But anyone who knows the alcoholic personality by firsthand contact knows that no true alky ever stops drinking permanently without undergoing a profound personality change. We thought conditions drove us to drink, and when we tried to correct these conditions and found that we couldn't do so to our entire satisfaction, our drinking went out of hand and we became alcoholics. It never occurred to us that we needed to change ourselves to meet conditions, whatever they were. Prayer for the Day: God, I offer myself to Thee To build with me & to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy love & Thy way of life. May I do Thy will always. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 2 Prayer and Meditation Of course we finally did experiment, and when unexpected results followed, we felt different; in fact we knew different; and so we were sold on meditation and prayer. And that, we have found, can happen to anybody who tries. It has been well said that "almost the only scoffers at prayer are those who never tried it enough." - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Eleven) p. 97 Thought to Ponder Today I pray over the things that I used to drink over. AA-related 'Alconym' A S A P = Always Say A Prayer. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Faith When I was driven to my knees by alcohol, I was made ready to ask for the gift of faith. And all was changed. Never again, my pains and problems notwithstanding, would I experience my former desolation. I saw the universe to be lighted by God's love; I was alone no more. Bill W., Letter, 1966 c. 1967AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 51 Thought to Consider . . . Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* F A I T H = Finding Answers In The Heart. *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Allergy From "It Might Have Been Worse": "The explanation that alcoholism was a disease of a two-fold nature, an allergy of the body and an obsession of the mind, cleared up a number of puzzling questions for me. The allergy we could do nothing about. Somehow our bodies had reached the point where we could no longer absorb alcohol in our systems. The why is not important; the fact is that one drink will set up a reaction in our system that requires more, that one drink is too much and a hundred drinks are not enough." 2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 355 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "Let it never be said that the spiritual way is a cowardly or escapist approach to life. On the contrary, it requires maximum diligence and persistence to seek divine guidance when all the evidence of our eyes and ears tries to tell us that life is largely physical, intellectual and emotional." Jackson, Mississippi, November 1964 "Let Go and Let God," AA Grapevine ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "Everybody knows that those in bad health, and those who seldom play, do not laugh much. So let each family play together or separately as much as their circumstances warrant. We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 132~ "For a brief moment, I had needed and wanted God. There had been a humble willingness to have Him with me -- and He came. ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, Page 12~ I must quickly assure you that A.A.'s tread innumerable paths in their quest for faith. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.27 Misc. AA Literature - Quote When we look back, we realize that the things which came to us when we put ourselves in God's hands were better than anything we could have planned. My depression deepened unbearably, and finally it seemed to me as though I were at the very bottom of the pit. For the moment, the last vestige of my proud obstinacy was crushed. All at once I found myself crying out, 'If there is a God, let Him show Himself! I am ready to do anything, anything!' Suddenly the room lit up with a great white light. It seemed to me, in the mind's eye, that I was on a mountain and that a wind not of air but of spirit was blowing. And then it burst upon me that I was a free man. Slowly the ecstasy subsided. I lay on the bed, but now for a time I was in another world, a new world of consciousness. All about me and through me there was a wonderful feeling of Presence , and I thought to myself, 'So this is the God of the preachers!' Prayer for the Day: For Today - O God: Give me strength to live another day; Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties; Let me not lose faith in other people; Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness; Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them; Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity; Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things; Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth; Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness; and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls; in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 3 Self-Destruction When men and women pour so much alcohol into themselves that they destroy their lives, they commit a most unnatural act. Defying their instinctive desire for self-preservation, they seem bent upon self-destruction. They work against their own deepest instinct. As they are humbled by the terrific beating administered by alcohol, the grace of God can enter them and expel their obsession. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Six) p. 64 Thought to Ponder God enters us through our wounds. AA-related 'Alconym' L E T G O = Leave Everything To God, Okay? ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Joyous We have been speaking to you of serious, sometimes tragic things. We have been dealing with alcohol in its worst aspects. But we aren't a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy in our existence, they wouldn't want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life. We try not to indulge in cynicism over the state of the nations, nor do we carry the world's troubles on our shoulders. c. 1976, 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 132 Thought to Consider . . . Laughter is the sound of recovery. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* H J F = Happy, Joyous, Free *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Prayer From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous": "A news clipping whose content was to become famous was called to our attention by a New York member, newsman Jack. It was an obituary notice from a New York paper. Underneath a routine account of the one who had died there appeared these words: 'God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.' [Usually attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr] "Never had we seen so much A.A. in so few words. While Ruth and I were admiring the prayer, and wondering how to use it, friend Howard walked into the office. Confirming our own ideas, he exclaimed, 'We ought to print this on cards and drop one into every piece of mail that goes out of here. I'll pay for the first printing.' For several years afterward we followed his suggestion, and with amazing speed the Serenity Prayer came into general use and took its place alongside our two other favorites, the Lord's Prayer and the Prayer of St. Francis." 2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 196 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "Worrying about a situation won't change it. I do all that I can and then give the rest to God." Wallkill, N.Y., March 2007 "Step Three: From Sight to Insight," Emotional Sobriety II ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "Reminding ourselves that we have decided to go to any lengths to find a spiritual experience, we ask that we be given strength and direction to do the right thing, no matter what the personal consequences may be." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 79~ "...we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, Page 25~ An honest regret for harms done, a genuine gratitude for blessings received, and a willingness to try for better things tomorrow will be the permanent assets we shall seek. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.95 Misc. AA Literature - Quote Years ago I used to commiserate with all people who suffered. Now I commiserate only with those who suffer in ignorance, who do not understand the purpose and ultimate utility of pain.' Someone once remarked that pain is the touchstone of spiritual progress. How heartily we A.A.'s can agree with him, for we know that the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, and continued turmoil before serenity. 'Believe more deeply. Hold your face up to the Light, even though the moment you do not see. Prayer for the Day: Fill our minds with Wisdom, our hearts with thanksgiving, and our lips with praise. In all things, may we ever be grateful for our redemption and quick to share the Good News; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 4 It Really Worked There is a solution. Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation. But we saw that it really worked in others, and we had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (There Is A Solution) p. 25 Thought to Ponder We need to uncover to recover. AA-related 'Alconym' F A I T H = Facing An Inner Truth Heals. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Coping God willing, we members of AA may never again have to deal with drinking, but we have to deal with sobriety every day. How do we do it? By learning -- through practicing the Twelve Steps and through sharing at meetings -- how to cope with the problems that we looked to booze to solve, back in our drinking days. . . We learn how to level out the emotional swings that got us into trouble both when we were up and when we were down. c. 1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 160 c. 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 558-9 Thought to Consider . . . The peaks and valleys of my life have become gentle rolling hills. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* C A R D S = Call your sponsor, Ask for help from your Higher Power, Read the Big Book, Do the Twelve Steps, Stay active in your group. *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Duty From "Reason or Conscience": "When, in all humility, I try to pass our message on to other less fortunate alcoholics, I know that the plan of the Higher Power comes to us through the medium of people. To us alcoholics, this does not mean common or garden people, but special people, such as other alcoholics. And I am guided to include among the people from whom I might receive guidance, and to whom I must demonstrate the life of my conscience or Higher Power, those who married me, loved me, befriended me, and stuck by me, as others stuck by other alcoholics. Bulawayo, Rhodesia [now Zimbabwe]" 1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 82 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "As I trudge the Road of Happy Destiny, AA holds my left hand, God holds my right, and I have no hands left to pick up a drink." Albuquerque, N.M., January 2002 "Can She Bake a Cherry Pie?" AA Grapevine ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven't got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 164~ And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation -- some fact of my life -- unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes. Alcoholics Anonymous page 417 Even when we have tried hard and failed, we may chalk that up as one of the greatest credits of all. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.93 Misc. AA Literature - Quote 'We must never be blinded by the futile philosophy that we are just the hapless victims of our inheritance, of our life experience, and of our surroundings - that these are the sole forces that make our decisions for us. This is not the road to freedom. We have to believe that we can really choose. 'As active alcoholics, we lost our ability to choose whether we would drink. We were the victims of a compulsion which seemed to decree that we must go on with our own destruction. 'Yet we finally did make choices that brought about our recovery. We came to believe that alone we were powerless over alcohol. This was surely a choice, and a most difficult one. We came to believe that a Higher Power could restore us to sanity when we became willing to practice A.A.'s Twelve Steps. In short, we chose to become willing, and no better choice did we ever make. Prayer for the Day: God of Promise, you have fulfilled the prophets' words and taught us to long for your coming again: stir in us a desire to build your kingdom in our time; God of Hope, you sent your son, Jesus Christ, into a world of fear to bring glad tidings of your love: turn our hearts from fear to hope and inspire us to share the Good News; God of Light, creation sang Christ's glory at his birth: kindle in us the light of your love, that we might be bearers of your truth and life in our land; In a world of chaos, may we find time and silence to hear your still, small voice. Bless us with your presence. Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 5 Futility and Unhappiness It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while. But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 66 Thought to Ponder We are prisoners of our own resentments. AA-related 'Alconym' F E A R = Frantic Efforts at Avoiding Responsibilities. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Insecurity The achievement of freedom from fear is a lifetime undertaking, one that can never be wholly completed. When under heavy attack, acute illness, or in other conditions of serious insecurity, we shall all react, well or badly, as the case may be. Only the vainglorious claim perfect freedom from fear, though their very grandiosity is really rooted in the fears they have temporarily forgotten. Bill W., January 1962 c. 1988 AA Grapevine, The Language of the Heart, p. 265 Thought to Consider . . . Once we clear a hurdle, it doesn't seem so high. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* T R U S T = Try Relying Upon Steps and Traditions *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Action From "The Shared Gift:" "A.A. is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. We must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven't been given the truth may die." c. 1967, As Bill Sees It, page 13 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "Beaten into complete defeat by alcohol, confronted by the living proof of release, and surrounded by those who can speak to us from the heart, we have finally surrendered. And then, paradoxically, we have found ourselves in a new dimension, the real world of spirit and of faith. Enough willingness, enough open-mindedness -- and there it is!" AA Co-Founder, Bill W., June 1960 The Language of the Heart ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "If we are planning to stop drinking, there must be no reservation of any kind, nor any lurking notion that someday we will be immune to alcohol." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 33~ "We represent no particular faith or denomination. We are dealing only with general principles common to most denominations." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, Page 93~ Having so considered our day, not omitting to take due note of things well done, and having searched our hearts with neither fear nor favor, we can truly thank God for the blessings we have received and sleep in good conscience. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.95 Misc. AA Literature - Quote Acceptance and faith are capable of producing 100 per cent sobriety. In fact, they usually do; and they must, else we could have no life at all. But the moment we carry these attitudes into our emotional problems, we find that only relative results are possible. Nobody can, for example, become completely free from fear, anger, and pride. Hence, in this life we shall attain nothing like perfect humility and love. So we shall have to settle, respecting most of our problems, for a very gradual progress, punctuated sometimes by very heavy setbacks. Our oldtime attitude of 'all or nothing' will have to be abandoned. GRAPEVINE, MARCH 1962 Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ for your blessing on this meeting of those who are here to overcome their life-controlling problems such as alcoholism, addictions, and other dependencies. We ask that your wisdom and guidance show us your will for our lives, your way to victory, and how we may glorify you in all that we do here. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 6 No Respecter How can a person with a fine family, an attractive home, an excellent position, and high standing in an important city become an alcoholic? As I later found out through Alcoholics Anonymous, alcohol is no respecter of economic status, social and business standing, or intelligence. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (It Might Have Been Worse) p. 348 Thought to Ponder I would rather go through life sober, believing I am an alcoholic, than go through life drunk, trying to convince myself that I am not. AA-related 'Alconym' A B C = Accept, Begin, Continue. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Insecurity The achievement of freedom from fear is a lifetime undertaking, one that can never be wholly completed. When under heavy attack, acute illness, or in other conditions of serious insecurity, we shall all react, well or badly, as the case may be. Only the vainglorious claim perfect freedom from fear, though their very grandiosity is really rooted in the fears they have temporarily forgotten. Bill W., January 1962 c. 1988 AA Grapevine, The Language of the Heart, p. 265 Thought to Consider . . . Once we clear a hurdle, it doesn't seem so high. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* T R U S T = Try Relying Upon Steps and Traditions *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Action From "The Shared Gift:" "A.A. is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. We must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven't been given the truth may die." c. 1967, As Bill Sees It, page 13 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "Beaten into complete defeat by alcohol, confronted by the living proof of release, and surrounded by those who can speak to us from the heart, we have finally surrendered. And then, paradoxically, we have found ourselves in a new dimension, the real world of spirit and of faith. Enough willingness, enough open-mindedness -- and there it is!" AA Co-Founder, Bill W., June 1960 The Language of the Heart ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "If we are planning to stop drinking, there must be no reservation of any kind, nor any lurking notion that someday we will be immune to alcohol." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 33~ "We represent no particular faith or denomination. We are dealing only with general principles common to most denominations." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, Page 93~ Having so considered our day, not omitting to take due note of things well done, and having searched our hearts with neither fear nor favor, we can truly thank God for the blessings we have received and sleep in good conscience. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.95 Misc. AA Literature - Quote Acceptance and faith are capable of producing 100 per cent sobriety. In fact, they usually do; and they must, else we could have no life at all. But the moment we carry these attitudes into our emotional problems, we find that only relative results are possible. Nobody can, for example, become completely free from fear, anger, and pride. Hence, in this life we shall attain nothing like perfect humility and love. So we shall have to settle, respecting most of our problems, for a very gradual progress, punctuated sometimes by very heavy setbacks. Our oldtime attitude of 'all or nothing' will have to be abandoned. GRAPEVINE, MARCH 1962 Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ for your blessing on this meeting of those who are here to overcome their life-controlling problems such as alcoholism, addictions, and other dependencies. We ask that your wisdom and guidance show us your will for our lives, your way to victory, and how we may glorify you in all that we do here. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 7 Our Mistakes Putting out of our minds the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for our own mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened? Though a situation had not been entirely our fault, we tried to disregard the other person involved entirely. Where were we to blame? The inventory was ours, not the other man’s. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 67 Thought to Ponder The first step in overcoming mistakes is to admit them. AA-related 'Alconym' A A = Accountable Actions. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Sponsors Every sponsor is necessarily a leader. The stakes are huge. A human life, and usually the happiness of a whole family, hangs in the balance. What the sponsor does and says, how well he estimates the reactions of his prospects, how well he times and makes his presentation, how well he handles criticisms, and how well he leads his prospect on by personal spiritual example ... well, these attributes of leadership can make all the difference, often the difference between life and death. Thank God that Alcoholics Anonymous is blessed with so much leadership in each and all of its great affairs! Bill W., April 1959 c. 1988 AA Grapevine, The Language of the Heart, p. 292 Thought to Consider . . . A recovering alcoholic without a sponsor is much like a ship without a rudder. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* S P O N S O R = Sober Person Offering Newcomer Support Of Recovery *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Eternal From "More About Alcoholism": "Most of us have believed that if we remained sober for a long stretch, we could thereafter drink normally. But here is a man who at fifty-five years found he was just where he had left off at thirty. We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again: 'Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.'" 2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 33 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "Each of us must conform reasonably well to AA's Steps and Traditions, or else we shall go mad or die of alcoholism." AA Co-Founder, Bill W., October 1947 "Traditions Stressed in Memphis Talk The Language of the Heart ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "When you discover a prospect for Alcoholics Anonymous, find out all you can about him. If he does not want to stop drinking, don't waste time trying to persuade him. You may spoil a later opportunity." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 90 "Faith without works is dead." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, Page 76~ We sit in A.A. meetings and listen, not only to receive something ourselves, but to give the reassurance and support which our presence can bring. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.110 Misc. AA Literature - Quote In ancient times material progress was painfully slow. The spirit of modern scientific inquiry, research, and invention was almost unknown. In the realm of the material, men's minds were lettered by superstition, tradition, and all sorts of fixed ideas. Some of the contemporaries of Columbus thought a round earth preposterous. Others came near putting Galileo to death for his astronomical heresies. Are not some of us just as biased and unreasonable about the realm of the spirit as were the ancients about the realm of the material? We have found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. To us, the realm of spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe, to all men. Prayer for the Day: The Heart Of A Child - Grant me, O God, the heart of a child, pure and transparent as a spring; a simple heart, which never harbours sorrows; a heart glorious in self-giving, tender in compassion; a heart faithful and generous, which will never forget any good or bear a grudge for any evil. Make me a heart gentle and humble, loving without asking any return, large-hearted and undauntable, which no ingratitude can sour and no indifference can weary; a heart born to help others, usefulness never measured. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 8 Great Obsession The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death. We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) p. 30 Thought to Ponder When we try to control our drinking, we have already lost control. AA-related 'Alconym' I S M = I Sabotage Myself ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Change How many of us would presume to declare, "Well, I'm sober, and I'm happy. What more can I want, or do? I'm fine the way I am." We know that the price of such self-satisfaction is an inevitable backslide, punctuated at some point by a very rude awakening. We have to grow or else deteriorate. For us, the status quo can only be for today, never for tomorrow. Change we must; we cannot stand still. Bill W., April 1961 c. 1967 AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 25 Thought to Consider . . . Backsliding begins when knee-bending stops. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* C H A N G E = Can Help Attract New Gifts and Energy *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* When? Step One: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol , that our lives had become unmanageable. "Alcoholics who still had their health, their families, their jobs began to recognize their alcoholism. They were spared that last ten or fifteen years of literal hell the rest of us had gone through. Since Step One requires an admission that our lives have become unmanageable, how could people such as these take this Step? "It was obviously necessary to raise the bottom the rest of us had hit to the point where it would hit them. By going back in our own drinking histories, we could show that years before we realized it we were out of control, that our drinking even then was no mere habit, that it was indeed the beginning of a fatal progression." 1952, AAWS, Inc.; Printed 2005; Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pg. 23 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "If it were not for the 'we' of AA, there would be no 'I'." New York, NY., November 1969 "Tradition One" Best of the Grapevine, Volume 1 ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "Yes, there is a substitute and it is vastly more than that. It is a fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. There you will find release from care, boredom and worry. Your imagination will be fired. Life will mean something at last. The most satisfactory years of your existence lie ahead." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 152~ "The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, Page 30~ Well, meditation is like that, too; it helps to envision our spiritual objective before we try to move toward it. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.100 Misc. AA Literature - Quote Is sobriety all that we are to expect of a spiritual awakening? No, sobriety is only a bare beginning; it is only the first gift of the first awakening. If more gifts are to be received, our awakening has to go on. As it does go on, we find that bit by bit we can discard the old life - the one that did not work - for a new life that can and does work under any conditions whatever. Regardless of worldly success or failure, regardless of pain or joy, regardless of sickness or health or even of death itself, a new life of endless possibilities can be lived if we are willing to continue our awakening, through the practice of A.A.'s Twelve Steps. Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, I give you may hands to do Your work; I give You my feet to go Your way; I give You my eyes to see as You see; I give You my tongue to speak Your words; I give You my mind that You may think in me; I give You my spirit that You may pray in me. Above all, I give You my heart that You may love in me – love the Father and love all humankind. I give You my whole self, Lord, that You may grow in me, so that it is You who lives, works and prays in me. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 9 A Revolutionary Change They flatly declare that since they have come to believe in a Power greater than themselves, to take a certain attitude toward that Power, and to do certain simple things, there has been a revolutionary change in their way of living and thinking. In the face of collapse and despair, in the face of the total failure of their human resources, they found that a new power, peace, happiness, and sense of direction flowed into them. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (We Agnostics) p. 50 Thought to Ponder If you want to stay protected, you have to be connected. AA-related 'Alconym' F R O G = Fully Rely On God. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Action "Then they outlined the spiritual answer and program of action which a hundred of them had followed successfully. Though I had been only a nominal churchman, their proposals were not, intellectually, hard to swallow. But the program of action, though entirely sensible, was pretty drastic. It meant I would have to throw several lifelong conceptions out of the window. That was not easy. But the moment I made up my mind to go through with the process, I had the curious feeling that my alcoholic condition was relieved, as in fact it proved to be." c. 1976, 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 42 Thought to Consider . . . Willingness without action is fantasy. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* A C T I O N = Any Change Toward Improving One's Nature *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Solutions From "The Housewife Who Drank at Home": "I had problems. We all have them, and I thought a little brandy or a little wine now and then could certainly hurt no one. I don't believe, when I started, that I even had in mind the thought that I was drinking. I had to sleep. I had to clear my mind and free it from worry, and I had to relax. But from one or two drinks of an afternoon or evening, my intake mounted, and mounted fast. It wasn't long before I was drinking all day. I had to have that wine. The only incentive that I had, toward the end, for getting dressed in the morning was to get out and get 'supplies' to help me get my day started. But the only thing that got started was my drinking." 2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 296 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "By revealing our secrets and thereby ridding ourselves of guilt we can actually change our thinking and by altering our thinking we can change ourselves. What we will be tomorrow is determined by what we think today." Brentwood, N.Y., May 1991 "What We Will Be Tomorrow" AA Grapevine ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 85~ "We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe, to all men." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, Page 46~ If our tempers are consistently bad, we arouse anger in others. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.80 Misc. AA Literature - Quote The moment Twelfth Step work forms a group, a discovery is made - that most individuals cannot recover unless there is a group. Realization dawns on each member that he is but a small part of a great whole; that no personal sacrifice is too great for preservation of the Fellowship. He learns that the clamor of desires and ambitions within him must be silenced whenever these could damage the group. It becomes plain that the group must survive or the individual will not. 'The Lone member at sea, the A.A. at war in a far land - all these members know that they belong to A.A.'s world-wide community, that theirs is only a physical separation, that their fellows may be as near as the next port of call. Ever so importantly, they are certain that God's grace is just as much with them on the high seas or the lonely outpost as it is with them at home. Prayer for the Day: Father God, there are so many decisions to make and I don’t seem to know what is the best for now or for the future. You said if we lack wisdom, all we need to do ask you. I really need you to pour wisdom into my mind today. Thank you! |
AA Thought for the Day
January 10 Resentments We saw that these resentments must be mastered, but how? We could not wish them away any more than alcohol. This was our course: We realized that the people who wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick. Though we did not like their symptoms and the way these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) pp. 66 - 67 Thought to Ponder Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die. AA-related 'Alconym' A A = Attitude Adjustment. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Courage I looked around me at people who seemed happy and tried to analyze their happiness, and it seemed to me that without exception these people had something or somebody they loved very much. I didn't have the courage to love; I was not even sure I had the capacity. Fear of rejection and its ensuing pain were not to be risked . . . c. 1976 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 546 (does not appear in 4th Edition) Thought to Consider . . . Courage is fear that has said its prayers. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* A A = Altered Attitudes *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Cooperation From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous": "Public relations was not only a big problem but a very delicate one. Any blunders that could arouse general prejudice might prolong the suffering of many and cost the lives of some. A carefully thought-out public relations policy had to be formed and put into operation. "Prime consideration was given to our relations with medicine and religion. Under no circumstances must we get into competition with either. If we appeared to be a new religious sect, we would certainly be in trouble. And if we moved into the medical field as such, there would be more trouble. So we began to emphasize the fact that A.A. was a way of life that conflicted with no one's religious belief. We let the doctors know how much we needed hospitalization, and we suggested to psychiatrists and drying-out places the advantage of cooperating with us." 2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 197 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "The AA message does not carry itself; somebody must carry it." Jackson, Miss., November 1964 "Let Go and Let God," AA Grapevine ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our Creator. We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness. Paradoxically, it is the way of strength. The verdict of the ages is that faith means courage. All men of faith have courage. They trust their God. We never apologize for God. Instead we let Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do. We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be. At once, we commence to outgrow fear." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 68~ "We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, Page 75~ The answer, now seen in Tradition Three, was simplicity itself. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.141 Misc. AA Literature - Quote Self-searching is the means by which we bring new vision, action, and grace to bear upon the dark and negative side of our natures. With it comes the development of that kind of humility that makes it possible for us to receive God's help. Yet it is only a step. We will want to go further. We will want the good that is in us all, even in the worst of us, to flower and to grow. But first of all we shall want sunlight; nothing much can grow in the dark. Meditation is our step out into the sun. 'A clear light seems to fall upon us all - when we open our eyes. Since our blindness is caused by our own defects, we must first deeply realize what they are. Constructive meditation is the first requirement for each new step in our spiritual growth.' Prayer for the Day: Lord, make my life A window for Your light To shine through and a mirror to reflect Your love To all I meet. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 11 Self-Knowledge But the actual or potential alcoholic, with hardly an exception, will be absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self-knowledge. This is a point we wish to emphasize and re-emphasize, to smash home upon our alcoholic readers as it has been revealed to us out of bitter experience. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) p. 39 Thought to Ponder Pride in my intelligence blinded me to how much I did not know. AA-related 'Alconym' N E W = Nothing Else Worked. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Defense The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in a few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power. c. 1976, 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 43 Thought to Consider Alcohol ... cunning, baffling, powerful! *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* S O B E R = Spirituality Over Booze Equals Recovery *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Faith From "The Belief Will Come": "I remained dry for a number of years, and then, as you may already have guessed, I drank again. It was inevitable. I had accepted only those parts of the program that fitted into my life without effort on my part. I was still the self-centered egotist I had always been, still full of all my old hatreds, selfishness, and disbelief just as lacking in maturity as I had been when I first arrived at A.A. "This time, when I came to in the hospital, I had absolutely no hope. After all, you had told me that A.A. was the last hope for the alcoholic, and I had failed there was nothing else. At this very point, my sister chose to send me a clipping from a Sunday-school paper. No letter, just the clipping: 'Pray with disbelief; but pray with sincerity; and the belief will come.'" 1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 47 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "The most important thing AA has given me is the chance to get to know someone I never knew -- myself." Calgary, Alberta, December 1994 "Getting to Know You -- I Mean Me" AA Grapevine ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "'There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance "that principle is contempt prior to investigation.'" ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Appendice II, Spiritual Experience, pg. 568~ "If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, Page 83~ Most of us begin making certain kinds of direct amends from the day we join Alcoholics Anonymous. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.83 Misc. AA Literature - Quote About this slip business - I would not be too discouraged. I think you are suffering a great deal from a needless guilt. For some reason or other, the Lord has laid out tougher paths for some of us, and I guess you are treading one of them. God is not asking us to be successful. He is only asking us to try to be. That, you surely are doing, and have been doing. So I would not stay away from A.A. through any feeling of discouragement or shame. It's just the place you should be. Why don't you try just as a member? You don't have to carry the whole A.A. on your back, you know! 'It is not always the quantity of good things that you do, it is also the quality that counts. 'Above all, take it one day at a time.' Prayer for the Day: For health and strength and daily food, We praise your name, O God. Amen |
AA Thought for the Day
January 12 Faith Means Courage We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our Creator. We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness. Paradoxically, it is the way of strength. The verdict of the ages is that faith means courage. All men of faith have courage. They trust their God. We never apologize for God. Instead we let Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 68 Thought to Ponder Fear is not an admission of weakness; fear is an opportunity for courage. AA-related 'Alconym' F A I T H = Found Always In Trusting Him. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Reprieve It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all our activities. "How can I best serve Thee -- Thy will (not mine) be done." These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will. c. 1976, 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 85 Thought to Consider . . . The alcoholic is in no greater peril than when he takes sobriety for granted. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* S W A T = Surrender, Willingness, Acceptance, Trust. *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Caring From "Serving My Brother": "I frequently ask God to help me watch over my thoughts and words, that they may be the true and proper reflections of our program; to focus my aspirations once again to seek His guidance; to help me be truly kind and loving, helpful and healing, yet always filled with humility, and free from any trace of arrogance." 1990 AAWS, Inc.; Daily Reflections, pg. 29 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "Sometimes when I think I am having a bad day, I am really learning a hard lesson, cheap. And sometimes, when I think I am having a good day, I am really in trouble and just haven't recognized it yet. I'm really no judge at all of what kind of day I'm having." Brentwood, Tenn., April 1991 "Good Days and Bad Days" AA Grapevine ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* Though we work out our solution on the spiritual as well as an altruistic plane, we favor hospitalization for the alcoholic who is very jittery or befogged. More often than not, it is imperative that a man's brain be cleared before he is approached, as he has then a better chance of understanding and accepting what we have to offer." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Doctor's Opinion, pg. xxvi~ "When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, Page 64~ To a surprising extent, A.A. has offset the damage to family life brought about by years of alcoholism. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.117 Misc. AA Literature - Quote Pride is the basic breeder of most human difficulties, the chief block to true progress. Pride lures us into making demands upon ourselves or upon others which cannot be met without perverting or misusing our God-given instincts. When the satisfaction of our instincts for sex, security, and a place in society becomes the primary object of our lives, then pride steps in to justify our excesses. I may attain 'humility for today' only to the extent that I am able to avoid the bog of guilt and rebellion on one hand and, on the other hand, that fair but deceiving land which is strewn with the fool's-gold coins of pride. This is how I can find and stay on the highroad to humility, which lies between these extremes. Therefore, a constant inventory which can reveal when I am off the road is always in order. Prayer for the Day: Jesus, shine through me and be so in me that every person I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 13 Liberation and Strength No other kind of bankruptcy is like this one. Alcohol, now become the rapacious creditor, bleeds us of all self-sufficiency and all will to resist its demands. Once this stark fact is accepted, our bankruptcy as going human concerns is complete. But upon entering AA we soon take quite another view of this absolute humiliation. We perceive that only through utter defeat are we able to take our first steps toward liberation and strength. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step One) p. 21 Thought to Ponder Avoidance is not the key; surrender opens the door. AA-related 'Alconym' S T E P S = Solutions Through Each Powerful Step. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Unity In many self-governing countries we are now seeing the inroads of ignorance, apathy, and power-seeking upon democratic systems. Their spiritual resources of right purpose and collective intelligence are waning. Consequently, many a land has become so helpless that the only answer is dictatorship. Happily for us, there seems little prospect of such a calamity in AA. The life of each individual and of each group is built around our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. We very well know that the penalty for extensive disobedience to these principles is death for the individual and dissolution for the group. An even greater force for AA's unity is in the compelling love that we have for our fellow members and for the principles upon which our lives today are founded. Bill W. c. 1962 AAWS, Twelve Concepts for World Service, 26th printing, p. 8 Thought to Consider . . . Only those who see the invisible can accomplish the impossible. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* P R O G R A M = People Relying On God Relay A Message *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Quitting From "More about Alcoholism": "Though there is no way of proving it, we believe that early in our drinking careers most of us could have stopped drinking. But the difficulty is that few alcoholics have enough desire to stop while there is yet time." 2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 33 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "The other day, I sent an AA friend on a job interview. He went to the wrong address and he lost the man's name. In another office, he stated his purpose, was offered a job, and came back with one better than the job I sent him to look for." Wayne, Pa., June 1984 "The Mysterious Ways of the Higher Power" AA Grapevine ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "When ready, we say something like this: 'My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen.' We have then completed Step Seven." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 76~ "...with us, to drink is to die." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 66~ Where humility had formerly stood for a forced feeding on humble pie, it now begins to mean the nourishing ingredient which can give us serenity. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.74 Misc. AA Literature - Quote The temptation is to become rather possessive of newcomers. Perhaps we try to give them advice about their affairs which we aren't really competent to give or ought not give at all. Then we are hurt and confused when the advice is rejected, or when it is accepted and brings still greater confusion. 'You can't make a horse drink water if he still prefers beer or is too crazy to know what he does want. Set a pail of water beside him, tell him how good it is and why, and leave him alone. 'If people really want to get drunk, there is, so far as I know, no way of stopping this - so leave them alone and let them get drunk. But don't exclude them from the water pail, either.' Prayer for the Day: Dear Heavenly Father, Please help me to control my attitude and to respond to others with love and kindness. I pray that my attitude reflects your character always. In Jesus name, AMEN! |
AA Thought for the Day
January 14 Daily Ups and Downs The quick inventory is aimed at our daily ups and downs, especially those where people or new events throw us off balance and tempt us to make mistakes. In all these situations we need self-restraint, honest analysis of what is involved, a willingness to admit when the fault is ours, and an equal willingness to forgive when the fault is elsewhere. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 91 Thought to Ponder Nothing pays off like restraint of tongue and pen. AA-related 'Alconym' C A L M = Cause Anger Left Me. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Unity In many self-governing countries we are now seeing the inroads of ignorance, apathy, and power-seeking upon democratic systems. Their spiritual resources of right purpose and collective intelligence are waning. Consequently, many a land has become so helpless that the only answer is dictatorship. Happily for us, there seems little prospect of such a calamity in AA. The life of each individual and of each group is built around our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. We very well know that the penalty for extensive disobedience to these principles is death for the individual and dissolution for the group. An even greater force for AA's unity is in the compelling love that we have for our fellow members and for the principles upon which our lives today are founded. Bill W. c. 1962 AAWS, Twelve Concepts for World Service, 26th printing, p. 8 Thought to Consider . . . Only those who see the invisible can accomplish the impossible. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* P R O G R A M = People Relying On God Relay A Message *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Quitting From "More about Alcoholism": "Though there is no way of proving it, we believe that early in our drinking careers most of us could have stopped drinking. But the difficulty is that few alcoholics have enough desire to stop while there is yet time." 2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 33 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "The other day, I sent an AA friend on a job interview. He went to the wrong address and he lost the man's name. In another office, he stated his purpose, was offered a job, and came back with one better than the job I sent him to look for." Wayne, Pa., June 1984 "The Mysterious Ways of the Higher Power" AA Grapevine ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "When ready, we say something like this: 'My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen.' We have then completed Step Seven." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 76~ "...with us, to drink is to die." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 66~ Where humility had formerly stood for a forced feeding on humble pie, it now begins to mean the nourishing ingredient which can give us serenity. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.74 Misc. AA Literature - Quote The temptation is to become rather possessive of newcomers. Perhaps we try to give them advice about their affairs which we aren't really competent to give or ought not give at all. Then we are hurt and confused when the advice is rejected, or when it is accepted and brings still greater confusion. 'You can't make a horse drink water if he still prefers beer or is too crazy to know what he does want. Set a pail of water beside him, tell him how good it is and why, and leave him alone. 'If people really want to get drunk, there is, so far as I know, no way of stopping this - so leave them alone and let them get drunk. But don't exclude them from the water pail, either.' Prayer for the Day: Dear Heavenly Father, Please help me to control my attitude and to respond to others with love and kindness. I pray that my attitude reflects your character always. In Jesus name, AMEN! |
AA Thought for the Day
January 15 Amends Above all, we should try to be absolutely sure that we are not delaying because we are afraid. For the readiness to take the full consequences of our past acts, and to take responsibility for the well-being of others at the same time, is the very spirit of Step Nine. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Nine) p. 87 Thought to Ponder It is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and to make amends for them. AA-related 'Alconym' F E A R = Face Everything And Recover. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Fear The achievement of freedom from fear is a lifetime undertaking, one that can never be wholly completed. When under heavy attack, acute illness, or in other conditions of serious insecurity, we shall all react to this emotion -- well or badly, as the case may be. Only the self-deceived will claim perfect freedom from fear. Bill W., Grapevine, January 1962 c. 1967 AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 263 Thought to Consider . . . Courage is the willingness to accept fear and act anyway. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* F E A R = Face Everything And Recover *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Paradox Step One: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol , that our lives had become unmanageable. "We had approached A.A. expecting to be taught self-confidence. Then we had been told that so far as alcohol is concerned, self-confidence was no good whatever; in fact, it was a total liability. Our sponsors declared that we were the victims of a mental obsession so subtly powerful that no amount of human willpower could break it. There was, they said, no such thing as the personal conquest of this compulsion by the unaided will. The tyrant alcohol wielded a double-edged sword over us: first we were smitten by an insane urge that condemned us to go on drinking, and then by an allergy of the body that insured we would ultimately destroy ourselves in the process. Few indeed were those who, so assailed, had ever won through in single-handed combat." 1952, AAWS, Inc.; Printed 2005; Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pg. 22 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "We are called to unity, not uniformity." Oak Harbor, Wash., January 1984 "The Harmony of Service" AA Grapevine ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "Some day we hope that Alcoholics Anonymous will help the public to a better realization of the gravity of the alcoholic problem, but we shall be of little use if our attitude is one of bitterness or hostility. Drinkers will not stand for it. After all, our problems were of our own making. Bottles were only a symbol. Besides, we have stopped fighting anybody or anything. We have to!" ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 103~ "Once we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are delighted. We can look the world in the eye. We can be alone at perfect peace and ease. Our fears fall from us. We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to have a spiritual experience." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 75 "And they have increasingly found a peace of mind which can stand firm in the face of difficult circumstances." -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 104 (Step Eleven) Misc. AA Literature - Quote Many people will have no truck at all with absolute spiritual values. Perfectionists, they say, are either full of conceit because they fancy they have reached some impossible goal, or else they are swamped in self-condemnation because they have not done so. Yet I think that we should not hold this view. It is not the fault of great ideals that they are sometimes misused and so become shallow excuses for guilt, rebellion, and pride. On the contrary, we cannot grow very much unless we constantly try to envision what the eternal spiritual values are. 'Day by day, we try to move a little toward God's perfection. So we need not be consumed by maudlin guilt for failure to achieve His likeness and image by Thursday next. Progress is our aim, and His perfection is the beacon, light-years away, that draws us on.' Prayer for the Day: Prayer to Grow Closer to God - Dear Lord, I am trying to do better and better each day; I am trying to walk with you and do your will, but sometimes it seems like I am slipping backwards no matter how hard I try. And I get confused sometimes; even if I want to do the right thing, I don't always know what it is. So this is my prayer, heavenly Lord, for your help in straightening out my mind and straightening out my life. Lead me, Lord, and let your Holy Spirit guide me. Even if the correction is painful, help me to keep my mind open to your truth. Let me do your will in my every action, and know your will, that I might do it. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 16 Prayer In A.A. we have found that the actual good results of prayer are beyond question. They are matters of knowledge and experience. All those who have persisted have found strength not ordinarily their own. They have found wisdom beyond their usual capability. And they have increasingly found a peace of mind which can stand firm in the face of difficult circumstances. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Eleven) p. 104 Thought to Ponder Today I pray over the things that I used to drink over. AA-related 'Alconym' A S A P = Always Say A Prayer. ~*~A.A Thoughts For The Day~*~ Reminder We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day "Thy will be done." We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves. 1976, 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 87-8 Thought to Consider . . . It works -- it really does *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* F I T = Faith, Intuition, Trust. *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* How From "Physician, Heal Thyself!": "What is this power that A.A. possesses? This curative power? I don't know what it is. I suppose the doctor might say, This is psychosomatic medicine. I suppose the psychiatrist might say, This is benevolent interpersonal relations. I suppose others would say, "This is group psychotherapy." "To me it is God." 2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 308 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "Sponsorship is a bridge to trusting the human race, the very race we once resigned from. In learning to trust, we are strengthening our sobriety." Grand Island, Neb., February 1984 "A Means to a Beginning," One On One: AA Sponsorship in Action ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "A body badly burned by alcohol does not often recover overnight nor do twisted thinking and depression vanish in a twinkling. We are convinced that a spiritual mode of living is a most powerful health restorative." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, Page 133~ "Neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing or trying on our own power. We had to have God's help." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 62 "At these critical moments, if we remind ourselves that "it is better to comfort than to be comforted, to understand than to be understood, to love than to be loved," we will be following the intent of Step Eleven." -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 103 (Step Eleven) Misc. AA Literature - Quote Most people feel more secure on the twenty-four-hour basis than they do in the resolution that they will never drink again. Most of them have broken too many resolutions. It's really a matter of personal choice; every A.A. has the privilege of interpreting the program as he likes 'Personally, 1 take the attitude that I intend never to drink again. This is somewhat different from saying, 'I will never drink again.' The latter attitude sometimes gets people in trouble because it is undertaking on a personal basis to do what we alcoholics never could do. It is too much an act of will and leaves too little room for the idea that God will release us from the drink obsession provided we follow the A.A. program. Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, help me to value my thoughts, words, and deeds. If at the close of the day, there may be one who has been wounded by my injustice, may I be willing to make quick atonement. May I avoid the ways and words that hurt; and not only wish rightly and work rightly, but speak to enrich others with tenderness. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 17 Essential Requirements Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements. Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Bill's Story) pp. 13 - 14 Thought to Ponder While it isn't always easy, if I keep it simple, it works. AA-related 'Alconym' W O R K = What Our Recovery Knows. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Coping God willing, we members of AA may never again have to deal with drinking, but we have to deal with sobriety every day. How do we do it? By learning -- through practicing the Twelve Steps and through sharing at meetings -- how to cope with the problems that we looked to booze to solve, back in our drinking days. . . We learn how to level out the emotional swings that got us into trouble both when we were up and when we were down. c. 1976 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 560 c. 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 558 Thought to Consider . . . The ankle-biters of everyday struggles will eat away at me unless I go to meetings and share. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* H E A R T = Healing, Enjoying, And Recovering, Together *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Others From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous": "We also had to determine how best to co-operate with the press, radio, motion pictures, and more recently television; how to deal with employers who wanted special help; what would be the right attitude toward the field of alcohol education, research, and rehabilitation, private and public. "Finding answers to these public relations puzzlers has been a long process. After much trial and error, sometimes punctuated by painful mistakes, the attitudes and practices that would work best for us emerged. The basic ones can be seen today in the A.A. Traditions: 100 per cent [sic] anonymity at the public level; no use of the A.A. name for the benefit of other causes, however worthy; no endorsements or alliances; the carrying of the message as the single purpose for Alcoholics Anonymous; no professionalism; public relations by the principle of attraction rather than promotion these were some of the hard-learned lessons." 2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pgs. 197-98 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "When things go well, we must never fall into the error of believing that no great ill can befall us. Nor should we accuse ourselves of 'negative thinking' when we insist on facing the destructive forces in and around us, both realistically and effectively. Vigilance will always be the price of survival." AA Co-Founder, Bill W., November 1960 "Freedom Under God: The Choice Is Ours," The Language of the Heart ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "Everybody knows that those in bad health, and those who seldom play, do not laugh much. So let each family play together or separately as much as their circumstances warrant. We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 132~ We realized that the people who wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick. - Pg 66, Alcoholics Anonymous We shall look for progress, not for perfection. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 91 Misc. AA Literature - Quote The perverse wish to hide a bad motive underneath a good one permeates human affairs from top to bottom. This subtle and elusive kind of self-righteousness can underlie the smallest act or thought. Learning daily to spot, admit, and correct these flaws is the essence of character-building and good living. The deception of others is nearly always rooted in the deception of ourselves. Somehow, being alone with God doesn't seem as embarrassing as facing up to another person. Until we actually sit down and talk aloud about what we have so long hidden, our willingness to clean house is still largely theoretical. When we are honest with another person, it confirms that we have been honest with ourselves and with God. Prayer for the Day: I've Found A Reason - Dear God, as long as my life was preoccupied with my own problems, my own unwillingness and dark moods, I was critical, insensitive, rigid, and defiant. But when I honestly faced my defects and failures and the worst was known and surrendered to You, the whole nature of living changed. I am no longer the emotional center of all things and no longer take everything as personal to myself. Ive found a reason for all the suffering through which I have passed. It is to be used in understanding and helping others. Out of the darkness comes light. |
January 18
AA Thought for the Day January 18 Root of Our Troubles Selfishness—self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes they hurt us, seemingly without provocation, but we invariably find that at some time in the past we have made decisions based on self which later placed us in a position to be hurt. So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 62 Thought to Ponder The smallest package in the world is an alcoholic all wrapped up in himself. AA-related 'Alconym' W I S D O M = When Into Self, Discover Our Motives. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Housecleaning If we skip this vital step [Step Five], we may not overcome drinking. Time after time newcomers have tried to keep to themselves certain facts about their lives. Trying to avoid this humbling experience, they have turned to easier methods. Almost invariably they got drunk. Having persevered with the rest of the program, they wondered why they fell. We think the reason is that they never completed their housecleaning. c. 1976, 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 72-3 Thought to Consider . . . There's no elevator, you have to take the Steps. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* N U T S = Not Using The Steps. *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Roles From "Something Was Wrong": "I had been so elated by that wonderful experience on the road at night that I wanted to stay up in a cloud with God. But this was not to be. It was my place to be down among the suffering alcoholics, not up in a cloud. As long as I keep my feet on the ground, among the suffering, God will come down and remain always with me. -- Glasgow, Scotland" 1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 75 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "Life is travel -- enjoy the journey, bumpy roads and all." New York, N.Y., May 1977 "You and I Need Each Other" AA Grapevine ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "'There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance, that principle is contempt prior to investigation.'" ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Appendice II, Spiritual Experience, pg. 568~ "Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power? Well, that's exactly what this book is about." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 45 Having opened our channel as best we can, we try to ask for those right things of which we and others are in the greatest need. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 102 Misc. AA Literature - Quote Dr. Bob was my constant companion and partner in the great A.A. adventure. As the physician and great human being that he was, he chose work with others as his prime A.A. vocation and achieved a record which, in quantity and in quality, none will ever surpass. Assisted by the incomparable Sister Ignatia at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, he - without charge - medically treated and spiritually infused five thousand sufferers. 'In all the stress and strain of A.A.'s pioneering time, no hard word ever passed between us. For this, I can thankfully say that the credit was all his.' I took my leave of Dr. Bob, knowing that he was to undergo a serious operation. The old, broad smile was on his face as he said almost jokingly, 'Remember, Bill, let's not louse this thing up. Let's keep it simple!' I turned away, unable to say a word. That was the last time I ever saw him. Prayer for the Day: We Need Only Obey - Dear God, I realize the whole course of things goes to teach me faith. I need only obey. There is guidance for me, and by listening I shall hear the right word. I will place myself in the middle of the stream of power and wisdom that flows from You; I will place myself in the center of that flood. And then I may know the truth, the right, and the contentment. (Ralph Waldo Emerson) |
AA Thought for the Day
January 19 A New Life We, in our turn, sought the same escape with all the desperation of drowning men. What seemed at first a flimsy reed, has proved to be the loving and powerful hand of God. A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, "a design for living" that really works. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (There Is A Solution) p. 28 Thought to Ponder The Twelve Steps — a manuscript for rational living. AA-related 'Alconym' A A = Alcoholic's Answer. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Choice The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink. Our so-called will power becomes practically nonexistent. We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are without defense against the first drink. c. 1976, 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 24 Thought to Consider . . . Just for today, I choose not to drink. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* A A = Absolute Abstinence *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Diverse From "What We Need Each Other": For years, whenever I reflected on Tradition Three ('The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking'), I thought it valuable only to newcomers. It was their guarantee that no one could bar them from A.A. Today I feel enduring gratitude for the spiritual development the Tradition has brought me. Charlotte, the atheist, showed me higher standards of ethics and honor; Clay, of another race, taught me patience; Winslow, who is gay, led me by example into true compassion; Young Megan says that seeing me at meetings, sober thirty years, keeps her coming back. Tradition Three insured that we would get what we need each other." 1990 AAWS, Inc.; Daily Reflections, pg. 33 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "I am responsible for reporting for duty and making the effort to overcome adversity, and in so doing to overcome myself." Van Nuys,Calif., November 1966 "Responsibility Is the Name of the Game," AA Grapevine ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be? Pg. 53 - We Agnostics "It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 66 I explained what a wonderful Fellowship we had, how well we understood each other. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 152 Misc. AA Literature - Quote Disagreeable or unexpected problems are not the only ones that call for self-control. We must be quite as careful when we begin to achieve some measure of importance and material success. For no people have ever loved personal triumphs more than we have loved them; we drank of success as of a wine which could never fail to make us-feel elated. Blinded by prideful self-confidence, we were apt to play the big shot. Now that we're in A.A. and sober, winning back the esteem of our friends and business associates, we find that we still need to exercise special vigilance. As an insurance against the dangers of big-shot-ism, we can often check ourselves by remembering that we are today sober only by the grace of God and that any success we may be having is far more His success than ours. Prayer for the Day: Accepting Every Task - Dear God, Help me find the strength to be effective and accept responsibility. I am asking YOU for the strength I need each day. You have proven in countless lives that for very day I live, YOU will give me that necessary power. I must face every challenge that comes to me during the day sure that YOU will give me the strength to face it. I pray that I may accept every task as a challenge. I know I can't wholly fail if you are with me. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 20 Convinced From this doctor, the broker had learned the grave nature of alcoholism. Though he could not accept all the tenets of the Oxford Groups, he was convinced of the need for moral inventory, confession of personality defects, restitution to those harmed, helpfulness to others, and the necessity of belief in and dependence upon God. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Foreword To The Second Edition) p. xvi Thought to Ponder AA is not something we join; it's a way of life. AA-related 'Alconym' G I F T S = Getting It From The Steps. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Communication From the beginning, communication in AA has been no ordinary transmission of helpful ideas and attitudes. Because of our kinship in suffering, and because our common means of deliverance are effective for ourselves only when constantly carried to others, our channels of contact have always been charged with the language of the heart. c. 1967 AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 195 Thought to Consider . . . Listening feeds the spirit. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* C A R E = Comforting And Reassuring Each other *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Obedience Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity. "Every newcomer, every friend who looks at A.A. for the first time is greatly puzzled. They see liberty verging on license, yet they recognize at once that A.A. has an irresistible strength of purpose and action....The A.A. member has to conform to the principles of recovery. His life depends upon obedience to spiritual principles." 1981, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pages 129-30 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "The language of AA is the language of self-discovery, of speculation, of wonder. It has a dual reality: While it describes experience, it also creates experience, and allows each member to grow in the search for personal meaning." Thornbury, Ontario, August 1984 "The Language of AA" AA Grapevine ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic. If that be the case, you may be suffering from an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 44~ "We think it no concern of ours what religious bodies our members identify themselves with as individuals. This should be an entirely personal affair which each one decides for himself in the light of past associations, or his present choice." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 28 Misc. AA Literature - Quote God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.' We treasure our 'Serenity Prayer' because it brings a new light to us that can dissipate our oldtime and nearly fatal habit of fooling ourselves. In the radiance of this prayer we see that defeat, rightly accepted, need be no disaster. We now know that we do not have to run away, nor ought we again try to overcome adversity by still another bulldozing power drive that can only push up obstacles before us faster than they can be taken down. Prayer for the Day: I've Found A Reason - Dear God, As long as my life was preoccupied with my own problems, my own unwillingness and dark moods, I was critical, insensitive, rigid, and defiant. But when I honestly faced my defects and failures and the worst was known and surrendered to You, the whole nature of living changed. I am no longer the emotional center of all things and no longer take everything as personal to myself. I've found a reason for all the suffering through which I have passed. It is to be used in understanding and helping others. Out of the darkness comes light. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 21 Making Good Sometimes we hear an alcoholic say that the only thing he needs to do is to keep sober. Certainly he must keep sober, for there will be no home if he doesn’t. But he is yet a long way from making good to the wife or parents whom for years he has so shockingly treated. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 82 Thought to Ponder Without change I am just a non-drinking drunk. AA-related 'Alconym' A C T I O N = Any Change To Improve Our Nature. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Illusion No person likes to think he is bodily and mentally different from his fellows. Therefore, it is not surprising that our drinking careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could drink like other people. The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death. c. 1976, 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 30 Thought to Consider . . . . The two most dangerous words in a recovering alcoholic's vocabulary are, "I'm different." *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* A A = Absolute Abstinence *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Experience From "More about Alcoholism": "To us it is not far-fetched, for this kind of thinking has been characteristic of every single one of us. There was always the curious mental phenomenon that parallel with our sound reasoning there inevitably ran some insanely trivial excuse for taking the first drink. Our sound reasoning failed to hold us in check. The insane idea won out. Next day we would ask ourselves, in all earnestness and sincerity, how it could have happened." 2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 37 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "We shall always have to deal with the fearful forces which are released when the human ego runs amok -- the same forces that are shattering the world of our time. Deliver us from temptation must therefore continue to be a prime ingredient of our every attitude, practice, and prayer." AA Co-Founder, Bill W., November 1960 "Freedom Under God: The Choice Is Ours," The Language of the Heart3 ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "'My old manner of life was by no means a bad one, but I would not exchange its best moments for the worst I have now. I would not go back to it even if I could.'" ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 43~ "Our liquor was but a symptom." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 64~\ The actual experience of meditation and prayer across the centuries is, of course, immense. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 98 Misc. AA Literature - Quote Each of us in turn - that is, the member who gets the most out of the program - spends a very large amount of time on Twelfth Step work in the early years. That was my case, and perhaps I should not have stayed sober with less work. 'However, sooner or later most of us are presented with other obligations - to family, friends, and country. As you will remember, the Twelfth Step also refers to 'practicing these principles in all our affairs.' Therefore, I think your choice of whether to take a particular Twelfth Step job is to be found in your own conscience. No one else can tell you for certain what you ought to do at a particular time. 'I just know that you are expected, at some point, to do more than carry the message of A.A. to other alcoholics. In A.A. we aim not only for sobriety - we try again to become citizens of the world that we rejected, and of the world that once rejected us. This is the ultimate demonstration toward which Twelfth Step work is the first but not the final step. Prayer for the Day: Lord, inspire me to live in such a way that I always give of my best and be welcoming and generous towards others. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 22 Continue to Watch Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 84 Thought to Ponder The 3 A’s -- Awareness, Acceptance, Action. AA-related 'Alconym' S O B R I E T Y = Staying Off Booze Recovery Is Everything To You. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Vigilance Deliver us from temptation must continue to be a prime ingredient of our every attitude, practice, and prayer. When things go well, we must never fall into the error of believing that no great ill can possibly befall us. Nor should we accuse ourselves of "negative thinking" when we insist on facing the destructive forces in and around us, both realistically and effectively. Vigilance will always be the price of survival. Bill W., November 1960 c. 1988 AAGrapevine, The Language of the Heart, pp. 316-17 Thought to Consider . . . Adversity introduces us to ourselves *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* P E A C E = Providing Experienced Attitude Changes Every day. *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Bottoms Step Two: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. "Why all this insistence that every A.A. must hit bottom first? The answer is that few people will sincerely try to practice the A.A. program unless they have hit bottom. For practicing A.A.'s remaining eleven Steps means the adoption of attitudes and actions that almost no alcoholic who is still drinking can dream of taking. Who wishes to be rigorously honest and tolerant? Who wants to confess his faults to another and make restitution for harm done? Who cares anything about a Higher Power, let alone meditation and prayer?" 1952, AAWS, Inc.; Printed 2005; Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pg. 24 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "By helping to insure the sobriety of others to come, we insure our own sobriety today." Rochester, N.Y., October 1987 "The Rise and Fall of a Home Group," The Home Group: Heartbeat of AA ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "Another principle we observe carefully is that we do not relate intimate experiences of another person unless we are sure he would approve. We find it better, when possible, to stick to our own stories. A man may criticize or laugh at himself and it will affect others favorably, but criticism or ridicule coming from another often produces the contrary effect." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 125 "We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again: 'Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.' Commencing to drink after a period of sobriety, we are in a short time as bad as ever." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 33 Where other people were concerned, we had to drop the word 'blame' from our speech and thought. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 47 Misc. AA Literature - Quote The chief activator of our defects has been self-centered fear - primarily fear that we would lose something we already possessed or would fail to get something we demanded. Living upon a basis of unsatisfied demands, we were in a state of continual disturbance and frustration. Therefore, no peace was to be had unless we could find a means of reducing these demands. For all its usual destructiveness, we have found that fear can be the starting point for better things. Fear can be a steppingstone to prudence and to a decent respect for others. It can point the path to justice, as well as to hate. And the more we have of respect and justice, the more we shall begin to find the love which can suffer much, and yet be freely given. So fear need not always be destructive, because the lessons of its consequences can lead us to positive values. Prayer for the Day: God our Father, you call each of us by name, and you treasure each of us individually as though no one else exists. Inspire us to respect and value each person who comes into our lives this day. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 23 Step Two "Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." "Sanity" is defined as "soundness of mind." Yet no alcoholic, soberly analyzing his destructive behavior, whether the destruction fell on the dining-room furniture or his own moral fiber, can claim "soundness of mind" for himself. Therefore, Step Two is the rallying point for all of us. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Two) p. 33 Thought to Ponder Today, my brain has cleared with the grace of clarity. AA-related 'Alconym' D E N I A L = Don't Even Notice It's A Lie. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Vigilance Deliver us from temptation must continue to be a prime ingredient of our every attitude, practice, and prayer. When things go well, we must never fall into the error of believing that no great ill can possibly befall us. Nor should we accuse ourselves of "negative thinking" when we insist on facing the destructive forces in and around us, both realistically and effectively. Vigilance will always be the price of survival. Bill W., November 1960 c. 1988 AAGrapevine, The Language of the Heart, pp. 316-17 Thought to Consider . . . Adversity introduces us to ourselves *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* P E A C E = Providing Experienced Attitude Changes Every day. *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Bottoms Step Two: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. "Why all this insistence that every A.A. must hit bottom first? The answer is that few people will sincerely try to practice the A.A. program unless they have hit bottom. For practicing A.A.'s remaining eleven Steps means the adoption of attitudes and actions that almost no alcoholic who is still drinking can dream of taking. Who wishes to be rigorously honest and tolerant? Who wants to confess his faults to another and make restitution for harm done? Who cares anything about a Higher Power, let alone meditation and prayer?" 1952, AAWS, Inc.; Printed 2005; Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pg. 24 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "By helping to insure the sobriety of others to come, we insure our own sobriety today." Rochester, N.Y., October 1987 "The Rise and Fall of a Home Group," The Home Group: Heartbeat of AA ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "Another principle we observe carefully is that we do not relate intimate experiences of another person unless we are sure he would approve. We find it better, when possible, to stick to our own stories. A man may criticize or laugh at himself and it will affect others favorably, but criticism or ridicule coming from another often produces the contrary effect." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 125 "We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again: 'Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.' Commencing to drink after a period of sobriety, we are in a short time as bad as ever." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 33 Where other people were concerned, we had to drop the word 'blame' from our speech and thought. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 47 Misc. AA Literature - Quote The chief activator of our defects has been self-centered fear - primarily fear that we would lose something we already possessed or would fail to get something we demanded. Living upon a basis of unsatisfied demands, we were in a state of continual disturbance and frustration. Therefore, no peace was to be had unless we could find a means of reducing these demands. For all its usual destructiveness, we have found that fear can be the starting point for better things. Fear can be a steppingstone to prudence and to a decent respect for others. It can point the path to justice, as well as to hate. And the more we have of respect and justice, the more we shall begin to find the love which can suffer much, and yet be freely given. So fear need not always be destructive, because the lessons of its consequences can lead us to positive values. Prayer for the Day: God our Father, you call each of us by name, and you treasure each of us individually as though no one else exists. Inspire us to respect and value each person who comes into our lives this day. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 24 Tradition One Our A.A. experience has taught us that: Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of us will surely die. Hence our common welfare comes first. But individual welfare follows close afterward. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition) p. 563 Thought to Ponder There is no strength without unity. AA-related 'Alconym' A A's - R - U S = Alcoholics Anonymous Recovery Unity Service. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Belief Here are thousands of men and women, worldly indeed. They flatly declare that since they have come to believe in a Power greater than themselves, to take a certain attitude toward that Power, and to do certain simple things, there has been a revolutionary change in their way of living and thinking. In the face of collapse and despair, in the face of the total failure of their human resources, they found that a new power, peace, happiness, and sense of direction flowed into them. c. 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 50 Thought to Consider . . . Newcomers are the lifeblood of the program. But our old-timers are the arteries. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* P R O G R A M = People Relying On God Relay A Message *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Visibility From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous": "The 1941-1945 period brought still other developments. Our downtown Vesey Street office was moved to 415 Lexington Avenue, just opposite Grand Central [train] Station. We made this move because the need for serving the many A.A. travelers through New York had become urgent. Our new location near Grand Central brought us into contact with visitors who, for the first time, began to see Alcoholics Anonymous as a vision for the whole world." 2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pgs. 198-99 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "I try to accept reality instead of trying to control it. When I make that adjustment, the struggle ends." El Granada, Calif., March 2003 "How an Atheist Works the Steps," Beginners' Book: Getting and Staying Sober in AA ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "Yes, there is a substitute and it is vastly more than that. It is a fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. There you will find release from care, boredom and worry. Your imagination will be fired. Life will mean something at last. The most satisfactory years of your existence lie ahead. Thus we find the fellowship, and so will you." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 152~ "In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 86 Then fear, in turn, generates more character defects. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 49 Misc. AA Literature - Quote In the beginning, it was four whole years before A.A. brought permanent sobriety to even one alcoholic woman. Like the 'high bottoms,' the women said they were different; A.A. couldn't be for them. But as the communication was perfected, mostly by the women themselves, the picture changed. This process of identification and transmission has gone on and on. The Skid-Rower said he was different. Even more loudly, the socialite (or Park Avenue stumblebum) said the same - so did the artists and the professional people, the rich, the poor, the religious, the agnostic, the Indians and the Eskimos, the veterans, and the prisoners. But nowadays all of these, and legions more, soberly talk about how very much alike all of us alcoholics are when we admit that the chips are finally down. Prayer for the Day: Thank you, God, for all you have given me, for all you have taken from me, and for what you have left to me. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 25 This Physical Factor It did not satisfy us to be told that we could not control our drinking just because we were maladjusted to life, that we were in full flight from reality, or were outright mental defectives. These things were true to some extent, in fact, to a considerable extent with some of us. But we are sure that our bodies were sickened as well. In our belief, any picture of the alcoholic which leaves out this physical factor is incomplete. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (The Doctor's Opinion) p. xxvi Thought to Ponder A well-defined problem leads us to the solution. AA-related 'Alconym' A R T = Always Remain Teachable. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Family Matters Now and then the family will be plagued by specters from the past, for the drinking career of almost every alcoholic has been marked by escapades, funny, humiliating, shameful or tragic. The first impulse will be to bury these skeletons in a dark closet and padlock the door. The family may be possessed by the idea that future happiness can be based only upon forgetfulness of the past. We think that such a view is self-centered and in direct conflict with the new way of living. c. 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 123-4 Thought to Consider . . . The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* RACING = Real Alcoholics Centered Inward Needing God *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Acceptance From "'No Man Is an Island'": "I needed to look no further than the Twelve Steps and the powerful wording of our Serenity Prayer, 'to accept the things we cannot change.' With the tools and guideposts of Alcoholics Anonymous, we can learn a little of this precious gift our gateway to human spirituality. " New York, New York, USA" 1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 120 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "Genuine peace will always be a chief ingredient of AA's freedom. But let none suppose that we shrink from major conflict only because we are afraid. Nowadays we believe we keep the peace because we love each other." AA Co-Founder, Bill W., November 1960 "Freedom Under God: The Choice Is Ours," The Language of the Heart ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "For the type of alcoholic who is able and willing get well, little charity, in the ordinary sense of the word, is need or wanted. The men who cry for money and shelter before conquering alcohol, are on the wrong track." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 97 "...we aren't a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn't want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life." Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 132 The Seventh Step is where we make the change in our attitude which permits us, with humility as our guide, to move out from ourselves toward others and toward God. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 76 Misc. AA Literature - Quote In the first days of A.A., I wasn't much bothered about the areas of life in which I was standing still. There was always the alibi: 'After all,' I said to myself, 'I'm far too busy with much more important matters.' That was my near perfect prescription for comfort and complacency. How many of us would presume to declare, ' Well, I'm sober and I'm happy. What more can I want, or do? I'm fine the way I am. ' We know that the price of such self-satisfaction is an inevitable backslide, punctuated at some point by a very rude awakening. We have to grow or else deteriorate. For us, the status quo can only be for today, never for tomorrow. Change we must; we cannot stand still. Prayer for the Day: Father, I thank you for giving me the grace to believe in you and your Word even in the midst of the storms of life, providing a place of rest for me. In the midst of seemingly impossible demands, deadlines and tasks at hand, my heart is steadfast, fixed trusting in you. Your strength and boldness are released to me as I confidently rest in your promises. In your presence I am refreshed, restored and renewed in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 26 New Treasure Joy at our release from a lifetime of frustration knew no bounds. Father feels he has struck something better than gold. For a time he may try to hug the new treasure to himself. He may not see at once that he has barely scratched a limitless lode which will pay dividends only if he mines it for the rest of his life and insists on giving away the entire product. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (The Family Afterward) pp. 128 - 129 Thought to Ponder In AA, we discover that it is impossible to give without receiving, or receive without giving. AA-related 'Alconym' H E A L = Helping Every Alcoholic Live. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Prayer "In AA we have found that the actual good results of prayer are beyond question. They are matters of knowledge and experience. All those who have persisted have found strength not ordinarily their own. They have found wisdom beyond their usual capability. And they have increasingly found a peace of mind which can stand firm in the face of difficult circumstances." Bill W., Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 104 As Bill Sees It, p. 127 Thought to Consider . . . Trying to pray is praying. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* PUSH Pray Until Something Happens *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Bottom >From "Total Acceptance": "The double standard that held me captive as an active alcoholic also filled me with terror and confusion: 'If I don't get a drink I'm going to die,' competed with 'If I continue drinking it's going to kill me.' Both compulsive thoughts pushed me ever closer to the bottom. That bottom produced a total acceptance of my alcoholism with no reservations whatsoever and one that was absolutely essential for my recovery. It was a dilemma unlike anything I had ever faced, but as I found out later on, a necessary one if I was to succeed in this program." 1990 AAWS, Inc.; Daily Reflections, pg. 13 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "Perhaps for some, 'How It Work' has become a tired, overworked bit of dogma, an opportunity to daydream. But not for this alcoholic. I get more out of those words with each passing day. The words don't change, but I do." Paradise, Calif.,October 2003 "How It Work' Works for Me," Beginners' Book: Getting and Staying Sober in AA ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventure before and after make clear three pertinent ideas: (a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives. (b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism. (c) That God could and would if He were sought." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, Page 60~ "Those of us who have spent much time in the world of spiritual make- believe have eventually seen the childishness of it. This dream world has been replaced by a great sense of purpose, accompanied by a growing consciousness of the power of God in our lives. We have come to believe He would like us to keep our heads in the clouds with Him, but that our feet ought to be firmly planted on earth. That is where our fellow travelers are, and that is where our work must be done. These are the realities for us. We have found nothing incompatible between a powerful spiritual experience and a life of sane and happy usefulness." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 130~ We perceive that only through utter defeat are we able to take our first steps toward liberation and strength. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 21 Misc. AA Literature - Quote The more we become willing to depend upon a Higher Power, the more independent we actually are. Therefore, dependence as A.A. practices it is really a means of gaining true independence of the spirit. At the level of everyday living, it is startling to discover how dependent we really are, and how unconscious of that dependence. Every modern house has electric wiring carrying power and light to its interior. By accepting with delight our dependence upon this marvel of science, we find ourselves personally more independent, more comfortable and secure. Power flows just where it is needed. Silently and surely, electricity, that strange energy so few people understand, meets our simplest daily needs. Though we readily accept this principle of healthy dependence in many of our temporal affairs, we often fiercely resist the identical principle when asked to apply it as a means of growth in the life of the spirit. Clearly, we shall never know freedom under God until we try to seek His will for us. The choice is ours. Prayer for the Day: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord. Let your Holy Spirit guide me in my prayer and in thought, and grant me the grace to listen and hear your Word. Soften my heart, that I may be directed by your truth, and not the devices of my body and mind. In the name of Christ I ask this, Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 27 Decide for Himself If he is sincerely interested and wants to see you again, ask him to read this book in the interval. After doing that, he must decide for himself whether he wants to go on. He should not be pushed or prodded by you, his wife, or his friends. If he is to find God, the desire must come from within. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Working With Others) p. 95 Thought to Ponder Expectations are premeditated resentments. AA-related 'Alconym' D E T A C H = Don't Even Think About Changing Him/Her. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Ghosts AA experience has taught us we cannot live alone with our pressing problems and the character defects which cause or aggravate them. If we have swept the searchlight of Step Four back and forth over our careers, and it has revealed in stark relief those experiences we'd rather not remember, if we have come to know how wrong thinking and action have hurt us and others, then the need to quit living by ourselves with those tormenting ghosts of yesterday gets more urgent than ever. We have to talk to somebody about them. c. 1952 AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 55 Thought to Consider . . . Trust God. Clean house. Help others. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* Y A N A = You Are Not Alone *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Unity Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity. "Most individuals cannot recover unless there IS a group. Realization dawns that he is but a small part of a great whole; that no personal sacrifice is too great for preservation of the Fellowship. He learns that the clamor of desires and ambitions within him must be silenced whenever these could damage the group. It becomes plain that the group must survive or the individual will not." 1981, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 130 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "I didn't need to learn how to meditate before meditating. It turned out to be one of those learn-as-you-go things -- just as learning how to stay sober is part of staying sober a day at a time." Anonymous, November 1991 "Trusting the Silence," Beginners' Book: Getting and Staying Sober in AA ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "We alcoholics are sensitive people. It takes some of us a long time to outgrow that serious handicap." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 125~ "Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, pg. 14~ Nothing short of continuous action upon these as a way of life can bring the much-desired result. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 40 Misc. AA Literature - Quote We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. We of A.A. obey spiritual principles, at first because we must, then because we ought to, and ultimately because we love the kind of life such obedience brings. Great suffering and great love are A.A.'s disciplinarians; we need no others. Prayer for the Day: Lord, we ask you to inspire us to encourage others by what we say and do today. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 28 A Vital Part Outline the program of action, explaining how you made a self-appraisal, how you straightened out your past and why you are now endeavoring to be helpful to him. It is important for him to realize that your attempt to pass this on to him plays a vital part in your own recovery. Actually, he may be helping you more than you are helping him. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Working With Others) p. 94 Thought to Ponder We must give it away to keep it. AA-related 'Alconym' P R O G R A M = People Relying On God Relaying A Message. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Thankfulness I try to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful heart cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one's heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion that we can ever know. Bill W., AAGrapevine, March 1962 c. 1967 AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 37 Thought to Consider . . . The peaks and valleys of my life have become gentle rolling hills. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* G I F T S = Getting It From The Steps *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Puzzle From "More about Alcoholism": "The actual or potential alcoholic, with hardly an exception, will be absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self -knowledge. This is a point we wish to emphasize and re-emphasize, to smash home upon our alcoholic readers as it has been revealed to us out of bitter experience." 2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 39 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "Nothing improves if you drink." El Granada, Calif., March 2003 "How an Atheist Works the Steps," Beginners' Book: Getting and Staying Sober in AA ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "The minute we put our work on a service plane, the alcoholic commences to rely upon our assistance rather than upon God. He clamors for this or that, claiming he cannot master alcohol until his material needs are cared for. Nonsense. Some of us have taken very hard knocks to learn this truth: Job or no job wife or no wife we simply do not stop drinking so long as we place dependence upon other people ahead of dependence on God." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 98~ "Resentment is the "number one" offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 64~ He thought it better to give comfort than to receive it; better to understand than to be understood; better to forgive than to be forgiven. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 101 Misc. AA Literature - Quote Few of us are any longer afraid of what any newcomer can do to our A.A. reputation or effectiveness. Those who slip, those who panhandle, those who scandalize, those with mental twists, those who rebel at the program, those who trade on the A.A. reputation - all such persons seldom harm an A.A. group for long. Some of these have become our most respected and best loved. Some have remained to try our patience, sober nevertheless. Others have drifted away. We have begun to regard the troublesome ones not as menaces, but rather as our teachers. They oblige us to cultivate patience, tolerance, and humility. We finally see that they are only people sicker than the rest of us, that we who condemn them are the Pharisees whose false righteousness does our group the deeper spiritual damage. Prayer for the Day: Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas - Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 29 Entirely Ready So Step Six—"Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character"—is A.A.'s way of stating the best possible attitude one can take in order to make a beginning on this lifetime job. This does not mean that we expect all our character defects to be lifted out of us as the drive to drink was. A few of them may be, but with most of them we shall have to be content with patient improvement. The key words "entirely ready" underline the fact that we want to aim at the very best we know or can learn. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Six) p. 65 Thought to Ponder We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection. AA-related 'Alconym' A C T = Action Changes Things. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Solution If you are as seriously alcoholic as we were, we believe there is no middle-of-the-road solution. We were in a position where life was becoming impossible, and if we had passed into the region from which there is no return through human aid, we had but two alternatives: One was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could; and the other, to accept spiritual help. c. 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 25 Thought to Consider . . . The solution is simple. The solution is spiritual. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* S T E P S = Solutions To Every Problem in Sobriety. *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Ready Step One: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol -- that our lives had become unmanageable. "Under the lash of alcoholism, we are driven to A.A., and there we discover the fatal nature of our situation. Then, and only then, do we become as open-minded to conviction and as willing to listen as the dying can be. We stand ready to do anything which will lift the merciless obsessions from us." 1952, AAWS, Inc.; Printed 2005; Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pg. 24 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "Up to now AA seems to have taken the right turning at each new crossroad. This could scarcely have been our doing alone. Our Fellowship has afforded a convincing proof of that wise old adage which declares that 'man's extremity is God's opportunity." AA Co-Founder, Bill W., November 1961 "Again at the Crossroads" The Language of the Heart ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "Suppose we fall short of the chosen ideal and stumble? Does this mean we are going to get drunk. Some people tell us so. But this is only a half-truth. It depends on us and on our motives." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, Page 70~ "We never apologize to anyone for depending on our creator. We laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 68 In it, each member becomes an active guardian of our Fellowship. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 183 Misc. AA Literature - Quote Gratitude should go forward, rather than backward. 'In other words, if you carry the message to still others, you will be making the best possible repayment for the help given to you.' No satisfaction has been deeper and no joy greater than in a Twelfth Step job well done. To watch the eyes of men and women open with wonder as they move from darkness into light, to see their lives quickly fill with new purpose and meaning, and above all to watch them awaken to the presence of a loving God in their lives - these things are the substance of what we receive as we carry A.A.'s message. Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, we come to You to pray. We pray You will help us to prepare and begin our day. We may have had a tough yesterday. We may have had a bad night. We may have things to do today we aren’t looking forward to. However, we come to You first today to pray to give us the right attitude, the right mindset and to show us what to do to give You the glory in all we do today. We also pray You will give us strength to resist temptation in all we do. In Jesus’ name. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 30 Rigorous Honesty Who wishes to be rigorously honest and tolerant? Who wants to confess his faults to another and make restitution for harm done? . . . No, the average alcoholic, self-centered in the extreme, doesn't care for this prospect—unless he has to do these things in order to stay alive himself. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step One) p. 24 Thought to Ponder Honesty is the absence of the intent to deceive. AA-related 'Alconym' C H A N G E D = Choosing Honesty Allows New Growth Each Day. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Good Living Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right action is the key to good living; therefore the joy of good living is the theme of AA's Twelfth Step. With each passing day of our lives, may every one of us sense more deeply the inner meaning of AA's simple prayer: God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, Courage to change the things we can, And wisdom to know the difference. c. 1952 AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 125 Thought to Consider . . . . The joy is in the journey. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* T H I N K = The Happiness I Never Knew *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Growth >From "The Keys of the Kingdom": "Letting go of everything at once was both painful and terrifying. I could never have accomplished this alone. It took the help, understanding, and wonderful companionship that was given so freely to me by my ex-alkie friend this and the program of recovery embodied in the Twelve Steps. In learning to practice these steps in my daily living, I began to acquire faith and a philosophy to live by. Whole new vistas were opened up for me, new avenues of experience to be explored, and life began to take on color and interest. In time, I found myself looking forward to each new day with pleasurable anticipation." 2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 275 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~* "I am finally learning really to live one day at a time and to appreciate and be alert to the beautiful, marvel-filled, albeit sometimes infuriating world around me." Saratoga, Calif.,August 1985 "Beyond the Generation Gap," The Home Group: Heartbeat of AA ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "We cannot be helpful to all people, but at least God will show us how to take a kindly and tolerant view of each and every one." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 67~ The next question they asked was ,"You can quit twenty-four hours , can't you?" I said , "Sure , yes , anybody can do that , for twenty-four hours ." They said , "That's what we're talking about . Just twenty-four hours at a time ." That sure did take a load off of my mind . Every time I'd start thinking about drinking , I would think of the long , dry years ahead without having a drink; but this idea of twenty-four hours , that it was up to me from then , was a lot of help . Alcoholics Anonymous , Page 188 Then fear, in turn, generates more character defects. -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 49 Misc. AA Literature - Quote Sometimes, we become depressed. I ought to know; I have been a champion dry-bender case myself. While the surface causes were a part of the picture - trigger-events that precipitated depression - the underlying causes, I am satisfied, ran much deeper. 'Intellectually, I could accept my situation. Emotionally, I could not. 'To these problems, there are certainly no pat answers. But part of the answer surely lies in the constant effort to practice all of A.A.'s Twelve Steps. Prayer for the Day: Father, by the grace you have given me, I trust you and your promises. You said that you would never leave me nor forsake me. You are always with me, in every personal and business situation. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who is my Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Teacher and Guide. Though fear arises, I will not be dismayed because you uphold me with your victorious right hand in Jesus’ name. You are my Helper. Amen. |
AA Thought for the Day
January 31 Only You Can Decide Consider your drinking carefully in the light of what you may learn from these pages. Determine, for yourself, whether or not alcohol has truly become a problem for you. And remember that you will always be most welcome to join the thousands of men and women in A.A. who have put their drinking problems behind them and now lead "normal" lives of constructive, day-by-day sobriety. - This Is A.A. An introduction to the A.A. Recovery Program, (© 2017 AAWS) Thought to Ponder Willingness, honesty and open mindedness are the essentials of recovery. AA-related 'Alconym' F E A R = Few Ever Arrive Rejoicing. ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ Surrender On the face of it, surrendering certainly does not seem like winning. But it is in AA Only after we have come to the end of our rope, hit a stone wall in some aspect of our lives beyond which we can go no further; only when we hit "bottom" in despair and surrender, can we accomplish sobriety which we could never accomplish before. We must, and we do, surrender in order to win. c. 1955 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, 2nd Edition, pp. 341-2 Thought to Consider . . . Life didn't end when I got sober -- it started. *~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* S W A T = Surrender, Willingness, Acceptance, Trust *~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~* Stages From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous": "In the first years, those of us who sobered up in A.A. had been grim and utterly hopeless cases, almost without exception. But now younger folks began to appear. Lots of people turned up who still had jobs and homes and health and even good social standing. These in their turn were able to persuade others like themselves of the need for A.A. Of course it was necessary for these types of newcomers to hit bottom emotionally. But we found they did not have to hit every possible bottom there was in order to admit that they were licked. When one of these mild cases arrived at the conviction that he already had the principal symptoms of alcoholism that was usually enough. He 'hit bottom' then and there and so was spared years of anguish." 2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 199 *~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quotes ^*~*~*~*~* "We well know that our defects, as people and as a Society, have been and still are very great. And we hope that we shall never cease to rededicate ourselves to their correction." AA Co-Founder, Bill W., March 1960 "After Twenty-Five Years" The Language of the Heart ~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~* "We will seldom be interested in liquor. If tempted, we recoil from it as from a hot flame. We react sanely and normally, and we will find that this has happened automatically. We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes!" ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 84~ "Now we try to put spiritual principles to work in every department of our lives. When we do that, we find it solves our problems too; the ensuing lack of fear, worry and hurt feelings is a wonderful thing." ~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, To Wives, pg. 116~ When, and how, and in just what instances did my selfish pursuit of the sex relation damage other people and me? -Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 50 Misc. AA Literature - Quote In God's economy, nothing is wasted. Through failure, we learn a lesson in humility which is probably needed, painful though it is.' We did not always come closer to wisdom by reason of our virtues; our better understanding is often rooted in the pains of our former follies. Because this has been the essence of our individual experience, it is also the essence of our experience as a fellowship. Prayer for the Day: Lord, show me how to live today with genuine concern for others. In expressing my care, may I show people that they are valued, loved and appreciated for who they are. Amen. |
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