AA Thoughts For Today - December

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AA Thought for the Day

December 7

Problems

We have been talking about problems because we are problem people
who have found a way up and out, and who wish to share our knowledge
of that way with all who can use it. For it is only by accepting and solving
our problems that we can begin to get right with ourselves and with the
world about us, and with Him who presides over us all.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Twelve) p. 125

Thought to Ponder . . .
We need to share our problems to find our solutions.

AA-related 'Alconym'
S T E P S = Solutions Through Each Powerful Step.

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

Serenity
"So, here I am, sober. Successful. Serene.
Just a few of the gifts of the program for surrendering,
suiting up, and showing up for life every day.
Good days and bad days, reality is a wild ride,
and I wouldn't miss it for the world.
I don't question how this program works.
I trust in my God, stay involved in AA service,
go to lots of meetings, work with others,
and practice the principles of the Steps
to the best of my willingness each day.
I don't know which of these keeps me sober,
and I'm not about to try to find out.
It's worked for quite a few days now,
so I think I'll try it again tomorrow."
c. 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous (Fourth Edition), p. 337

Thought to Consider . . .
Serenity isn't freedom from the storm;
it is peace within the storm.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
K I S S = Keep It Simple; Surrender

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

Normal
From "Ecstasy":
"I think now that this thoroughly unsuccessful Twelfth Step effort (I pray H. may be in A.A. somewhere by now) helped me. I've never since stopped being aware of the fact that as an alcoholic I had better not set my sights on being just like everybody else, just as ordinary, just as unleavened. As a matter of fact, I don't really know anything about being ordinary that is, nonalcoholic so I ought not to set up some phony idea in my mind about normal living."
1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 117

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

"Until I understood and accepted my status as a human being, my effort toward seeking God was in vain."
Spiritual Awakenings Vol. 1
Nanaimo, British Columbia, February 2003
"My Name Is Gary and I'm a Human Being,"

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

"We try not to indulge in cynicism over the state of the nations, nor
do we carry the world's troubles on our shoulders. When we see a man
sinking into the mire that is alcoholism, we give him first aid and
place what we have at his disposal."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 132

"In this book you read again and again that faith did for us what we
could not do for ourselves. We hope you are convinced now that God can
remove whatever self-will has blocked you off from Him. If you have
already made a decision, and an inventory of your grosser handicaps,
you have made a good beginning. That being so you have swallowed and
digested some big chunks of truth about yourself."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 70~

We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as Bill.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.17

Many less desperate alcoholics tried A.A., but did not succeed because they could not make the admission of hopelessness.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.23

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Too much of my life has been spent in dwelling upon the faults of others. This is a most subtle and perverse form of self-satisfaction, which permits us to remain comfortably unaware of our own defects. Too often we are heard to say, 'If it weren't for him (or her), how happy I'd be!'
Our very first problem is to accept our present circumstances as they are, ourselves as we are, and the people about us as they are. This is to adopt a realistic humility without which no genuine advance can even begin. Again and again, we shall need to return to that unflattering point of departure. This is an exercise in acceptance that we can profitably practice every day of our lives.
Provided we strenuously avoid turning these realistic surveys of the facts of life into unrealistic alibis for apathy or defeatism, they can be the sure foundation upon which increased emotional health and therefore spiritual progress can be built.

Prayer for the Day: Meeting Prayer No. 1 - Our Father, We come to you as a friend. You have said where two or more are gathered, there You will be in the midst. We believe You are here with us .We believe this is something You would have us do, and that it has Your blessing. We believe that You want us to be real partners with You in the business of living, accepting our full responsibility, and certain that the rewards will be freedom, growth and happiness. For this we are grateful. We ask You at all times to guide us. Help us daily to come closer to You and grant us new ways of living our gratitude.