AA Thoughts For Today - September

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AA Thought for the Day

September 5

No Middle-of-the-Road 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.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, (There Is A Solution) p. 25

Thought to Ponder . . .
The solution is simple. The solution is spiritual.

AA-related 'Alconym'
K I S S = Keeping It Simple, Spiritually.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Sobriety
"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."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 560

Thought to Consider . . .
Sobriety is a choice and a treasure.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
B E S T = Been Enjoying Sobriety Today?

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Well Worth the Effort
From: "Having Fun Yet?"
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. We try not to indulge in cynicism over the state of the nations, nor do we carry the world's troubles on our shoulders.
Alcoholics Anonymous, page 132

When my own house is in order, I find the different parts of my life are more manageable. Stripped from the guilt and remorse that cloaked my drinking years, I am free to assume my proper role in the universe, but this condition requires maintenance. I should stop and ask myself, Am I having fun yet? If I find answering that question difficult or painful, perhaps I'm taking myself too seriously - and finding it difficult to admit that I've strayed from my practice of working the program to keep my house in order. I think the pain I experience is one way my Higher Power has to get my attention, coaxing me to take stock of my performance. The slight time and effort it takes to work the program - a spot-check inventory, for example, or the making of amends, whatever is appropriate - are well worth the effort.
1990, AAWS, Inc., Daily Reflections, page 31

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"My Higher Power works incognito, defying definition and requiring faith."
State College, Penn., April 1994
"Working Incognito"
Spiritual Awakenings

*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"The alcoholic is like a tornado roaring his way through the lives of
others. Hearts are broken. Sweet relationships are dead.
Affections have been uprooted. Selfish and inconsiderate habits have
kept the home in turmoil. We feel a man is unthinking when he says
that sobriety is enough"
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 82~

Both you and the new man must walk day by day in the path of
spiritual progress. If you persist, remarkable things will happen.
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 100~

"So we think cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness."
-Alcoholics Anonymous p. 132

"The joy of living is the theme of A.A.'s Twelfth Step, and action is its key word."
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 106

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

It was evident that a solitary self-appraisal, and the admission of our defects based upon that alone, wouldn't be nearly enough. We'd have to have outside help if we were surely to know and admit the truth about ourselves - the help of God and of another human being.
Only by discussing ourselves, holding back nothing, only by being willing to take advice and accept direction could we set foot on the road to straight thinking, solid honesty, and genuine humility.
If we are fooling ourselves, a competent adviser can see this quickly. And, as he skillfully guides us away from our fantasies, we are surprised to find that we have few of the usual urges to defend ourselves against unpleasant truths. In no other way can fear, pride, and ignorance be so readily melted. After a time, we realize that we are standing firm on a brand-new foundation for integrity, and we gratefully credit our sponsors, whose advice pointed the way.

Prayer for the Day: God, Thank You for giving me the strength, faith and courage I need. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to know you better, by showing me what has been blocking me from you. Father, please show me if I have omitted anything. Thy will, not mine, be done. Amen.