Thoughts For The Day~*~Miracles ^*^*^ September 16, 2006

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Miracles
^*^*^
"How can they rise out of such misery, bad repute
and hopelessness?
The practical answer is that since these things
have happened among us,
they can happen with you.
Should you wish them above all else,
and be willing to make use of our experience,
we are sure they will come.
The age of miracles is still with us.
Our own recovery proves that!"
c. 1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 153
^*^*^*^*^

Thought to Consider . . . 

Don't give up before the miracle happens.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
H E A R T =  Healing, Enjoying, And Recovering, Together

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

From "Will A.A. work for the person who
has really 'hit bottom?'"

"The record shows that A.A. will work
for almost anyone who really wants to
stop drinking, no matter what the person's
economic or social background may be.
 
"The worth of a member in A.A. is not
judged on the basis of clothes worn,
the handling of language, or the size
(or existence) of the bank balance.  The
only thing that counts in A.A. is whether
or not the newcomer really wants to stop
drinking."

c. 1952, 44 Questions (A.A. Pamphlet P-2) - page 13

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
WE STAND - OR FALL - TOGETHER

.  .  . no society of men and women ever had a more urgent need for continuous effectiveness and permanent unity.  We alcoholics see that we must work together and hang together, else most of us will finally die alone.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 563

Just as the Twelve Steps of A.A. are written in a specific sequence for a reason, so it is with the Twelve Traditions.  The First Step and the First Tradition attempt to instill in me enough humility to allow me a chance at survival.  Together they are the basic foundation upon which the Steps and Traditions that follow are built.  It is a process of ego deflation which allows me to grow as an individual through the Steps, and as a contributing  member of a group through the Traditions.  Full acceptance of the first Tradition allows me to set aside personal ambitions, fears, and anger when they are in conflict with the common good, thus permitting me to work with others for our mutual survival.  Without Tradition One I stand little chance of maintaining the unity required to work with others effectively, and I also stand to lose the remaining Traditions, the Fellowship, and my life.

©Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.©
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Servant, Not Master

In A.A., we found that it did not matter too much what our material condition was, but it mattered greatly what our spiritual condition was. As we improved our spiritual outlook, money gradually became our servant and not our master. It became a means of exchanging love and service with those about us.

<<<>>>

One of A.A.'s Loners is an Australian sheepman who lives two thousand miles from the nearest town, where yearly he sells his wool. In order to be paid the best prices he has to get to town during a certain month. But when he heard that a big regional A.A. meeting was to be held at a later date when wool prices would have fallen, he gladly took a heavy financial loss in order to make his journey then. That's how much an A.A. meeting means to him.

1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 122 - 2. A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 31
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered
a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree,
and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This
is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from
alcoholism."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 17~
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

Today, let us begin a short study of the Twelve Suggested Steps of
A.A. These Twelve Suggested Steps seem to embody five principles.
The first step is the membership requirement step. The second,
third, and eleventh steps are the spiritual steps of the program.
The fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and tenth steps are the personal
inventory steps. The eighth and ninth steps are the restitution
steps. The twelfth step is the passing on of the program, or
helping others, step. So the five principles are membership
requirement, spiritual basis, personal inventory, restitution,
and helping others. Have I made all these steps a part of me?

Meditation for the Day

We seem to live not only in time but also in eternity. If we
abide with God and He abides with us, we may bring forth
spiritual fruit which will last for eternity. If we live with
God, our lives can flow as some calm river through the dry land
of earth. This can cause the trees and flowers of the spiritual
life-love and service-to spring forth and yield abundantly.
Spiritual work may be done for eternity, not just for now. Even
here on earth we can live as though our real lives were eternal.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may try to make my life like a cool river in a
thirsty land. I pray that I may give freely to all who ask my help.

©Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012©

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Thoughts For The Day~*~Fear ^*^*^ September 15, 2006

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^

Fear
^*^*^
"We of AA now find ourselves in a world characterized
by destructive fears as never before in history.
But in it we nevertheless see great areas of faith
and tremendous aspirations toward justice and brotherhood.
Yet no prophet can presume to say whether the world outcome
will be blazing destruction or the beginning,
under God's intention,
of the brightest era yet known to mankind. . .
We AA's can say that we do not fear the world outcome,
whichever course it may take.
This is because we have been enabled to deeply
feel and say,
'We shall fear no evil - Thy will, not ours, be done.' "
Bill W., January 1962
c. 1988AAGrapevine, The Language of the Heart, p. 268
^*^*^*^*^

Thought to Consider . . .

Let us always love the best in others -
and never fear their worst

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
F A I T H =  Fear Ain't In This House

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

Straightforward

From "A Prayer for All Seasons":

"The power of this [Serenity] prayer is overwhelming in that its simple beauty parallels the A.A. Fellowship. There are times when I get stuck reciting it, but if I examine the section which is troubling me, I find the answer to my problem. . . . By accepting life as it is, I gain serenity. By taking action, I gain courage and I thank God for the ability to distinguish between those situations I can work on, and those I must turn over. All that I have now is a gift from God: my life, my usefulness, my contentment, and this program. . . .

"Alcoholics Anonymous is the easier, softer way."

© 1990 AAWS, Inc.; Daily Reflections, pg. 221

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
A NEW LIFE

Yes, there is a substitute and it is vastly more than that. It is a
fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous . . . . Life will mean something
at last.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 152

Life is better without alcohol. A. A. and the presence of a Higher
Power keeps me sober, but the grace of God does even better; it
brings service into my life. Contact with the A. A. program teaches
me a new and greater understanding of what Alcoholics Anonymous is
and what it does, but most importantly, it helps to show me who I
am: an alcoholic who needs the constant experience of the
Alcoholics Anonymous program so that I may live a life given to
me by my Higher Power.

©Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.©
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Beneath the Surface

Some will object to many of the questions that should be answered in a moral inventory, because they think their own character defects have not been so glaring. To these, it can be suggested that a conscientious examination is likely to reveal the very defects the objectionable questions are concerned with.
Because our surface record hasn't looked too bad, we have frequently been abashed to find that this is so simply because we have buried these selfsame defects deep down in us under thick layers of self-justification. Those were the defects that finally ambushed us into alcoholism and misery.

TWELVE AND TWELVE, pp. 53-54
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"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~
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

"We all realize that we know only a little. God will constantly
disclose more to all of us. Ask Him in your morning meditations what
you can do today for the person who is still sick. The answers will
come, if your own house is in order. See to it that your relationship
with God is right and great events will come to pass for you and
countless others. Give freely of what you find in A.A. But obviously,
you cannot transmit something that you haven't got. So make a life
study of A.A." Am I always looking for ways of presenting the AA.
program?

Meditation for the Day

"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Confidence
means to have faith in something. We could not live without confidence
in others. When you have confidence in God's grace, you can face
whatever comes. When you have confidence in God's love, you can be
serene and at peace. You can rest in the faith that God will take
care of you. Try to rest in God's presence until His life-power flows
through you. Be still and in that stillness the still, small Voice
will come. It speaks in quietness to the human mind that is attuned
to its influence.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may find strength today in quietness. I pray that I may
be content today that God will take care of me.

©Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012©

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Thoughts For The Day~*~ ^*^*^*^*^ Comfort ^*^*^ September 14, 2006

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
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Comfort
^*^*^
"When I am feeling depressed,
I repeat to myself statements such as these:
'Pain is the touchstone of progress.' . . . 'Fear no evil.' . . .
'This, too, will pass.' . . .
'This experience can be turned to benefit.'
These fragments of prayer bring far more than comfort.
They keep me on the track of right acceptance;
they break up my compulsive themes of guilt,
depression, rebellion, and pride;
and sometimes they endow me with the courage
to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference."
Bill W., AAGrapevine, March 1962
c. 1967AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 110
^*^*^*^*^

Thought to Consider . . . 

God enters us through our wounds.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
H E L P =  Hope, Encouragement, Love, Patience.

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*
 

 Family

From "When A.A. Came of Age":

At the Convention "Family Group speakers asked and answered plenty of questions like these: 'Weren't we just as powerless over alcohol as the alcoholics themselves?' . . . 'Weren't we often filled with just as much bitterness and self-pity as the alcoholic had ever been?' . . . 'After the first tremendous relief and happiness which resulted when A.A. came along, hadn't we often slipped back into secret and deep hurt that A.A. had done the job and we hadn't?' . . . 'Not realizing that alcoholism is an illness, hadn't we taken sides with the kids against the drinking member? . . . No wonder, then, that when sobriety came, the emotional benders in our homes often went right on and sometimes got worse.' . . .

"'We thought A.A.'s Twelve Steps were wonderful for alcoholics, but didn't think we had to take them too seriously. After all, we had been doing our best. There was nothing wrong with us. . . .

"'But when the Family Groups were formed, these notions and attitudes began to change, and the change was mainly in us. The transformation really set in when we began to practice A.A.'s Twelve Steps in daily living, in all our affairs, and in the company of those who were able to understand our problems as no alcoholic partner could.'"

© 2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pgs. 33-34

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
PEACE OF MIND

Do we lay the matter before our sponsor or spiritual adviser,  earnestly asking God's help and guidance -- meanwhile resolving to do the right thing when it becomes clear, cost what it may?

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS pp.86-87

My belief in a Higher Power is an essential part of my work on Step Nine; forgiveness, timing, and right motives are the other ingredients.  My willingness to do the Step is a growing experience that opens the door for new and honest relationships with the people I have harmed.  My responsible action brings me closer to the spiritual principles of the program -- love and service.  Peace of mind, serenity, and a stronger faith are sure to follow.

©Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.©
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Key to Sobriety

The unique ability of each A.A. to identify himself with, and bring recovery to, the newcomer in no way depends upon his learning, his eloquence, or any special individual skills. The only thing that matters is that he is an alcoholic who has found a key to sobriety.

<<<>>>

In my first conversation with Dr. Bob, I bore down heavily on the medical hopelessness of his case, freely using Dr. Silkworth's words describing the alcoholic's dilemma, the "obsession plus allergy" theme. Though Bob was a doctor, this was news to him, bad news. And the fact that I was an alcoholic and knew what I was talking about from personal experience made the blow a shattering one. You see, our talk was a completely mutual thing. I had quit preaching. I knew that I needed this alcoholic as much as he needed me.

1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, pp. 150-151 - 2. A.A. COMES OF AGE, pp. 69-70
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"As each member of a resentful family begins to see his shortcomings
and admits them to the others, he lays a basis for helpful
discussion. These family talks will be constructive if they can be
carried on without heated argument, self-pity, self-justification or
resentful criticism."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 127~

*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

"How does A.A. grow? Some of us sell A.A. as we go about. Little clusters of twos and threes and five's keep springing up in different communities, through contact with the larger centers. Those of us who travel drop in at other groups as often as we can. This practice enables us to lend a hand to new groups which are springing up all over the land. New groups are being started each month. A.A. is even spreading outside the United States and is slowly becoming world-wide. Thus we grow." Am I doing all I can to spread A.A. wherever I go?

Meditation for the Day

"Lord, we believe. Help Thou our unbelief." This cry of the human heart is an expression of human frailty. It signifies the soul's sincere desire for progress. As a person feels the existence of God and His power, that person believes in Him more and more. At the same time, a person is more conscious of his falling short of absolute trust in God. The soul's progress is an increasing belief, then a cry for more faith, a plea to conquer all unbelief, all lack of trust. We can believe that that cry is heard by God and that prayer is answered in due time. And so our faith grows, little by little, day by day.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that with more power in my life will come more faith. I pray that I may come to trust God more each day.

 

©Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012©

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Thoughts For The Day~*~Trouble ^*^*^ September 13, 2006

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Trouble
^*^*^
"There was a time when we ignored trouble,
hoping it would go away.
Or, in fear and in depression, we ran from it,
but found it was still with us.
Often, full of unreason, bitterness, and blame,
we fought back.
These mistaken attitudes, powered by alcohol,
guaranteed our destruction, unless they were altered.
Then came AA.
Here we learned that trouble was really a fact of life
for everybody --
a fact that had to be understood and dealt with.
Surprisingly, we found that our troubles could,
under God's grace, be converted into
unimagined blessings."
Bill W., Letter, 1966
c. 1967AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 110
^*^*^*^*^

Thought to Consider . . .

Though adversity, we find strength.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
F A I T H =  Facing All In Trusting Him

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

Choose

From "The Man Who Mastered Fear":

"I went into Ralph's room one evening and told him the truth. . . . He might have handed me fifty dollars and said that I ought to pull myself together and make a new start. I have thanked God many times in the last sixteen years that that was just what he did not do.

"Instead, he got dressed, took me out, bought me three or four double shots, and put me to bed. The next day he turned me over to a couple who, although neither was an alcoholic, knew Dr. Bob and were willing to drive me to Akron where they would turn me over to his care. The only stipulation they made was this: I had to make the decision myself."

© 2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 249

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
REPAIRING THE DAMAGE

Good judgment, careful sense of timing, courage and prudence -
these are the qualities we shall need when we take Step Nine.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 83

To make amends can be viewed two ways: first, that of repairing
damage, for if I have damaged my neighbor's fence, I "make a mend,"
and that is a direct amend; the second way is by modifying my
behavior, for if my actions have harmed someone. I make a daily
effort to cause no further harm. I "mend my ways," and that is an
indirect amend. Which is the best approach? The only right approach,
provided that I am causing no further harm in so doing, is to do
both. If harm is done, then I simply "mend my ways." To take action
in this manner assures me of making honest amends.

©Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.©
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
A "Special" Experience?

I was the recipient of a tremendous mystic experience or "illumination," and
at first it was very natural for me to feel that this experience staked me
out as somebody very special.
But as I now look back upon this tremendous event, I can only feel very
grateful. It now seems clear that the only special features of my experience
were its suddenness and the overwhelming and immediate conviction that it
carried.
In all other respects, however, I am sure that my own experience was
essentially like that received by any A.A. member who has strenuously
practiced our recovery program. Surely, the grace he receives is also of God;
the only difference is that he becomes aware of his gift more gradually.

GRAPEVINE, JULY 1962

*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"If there be divorce or separation, there should be no undue haste
for the couple to get together. The man should be sure of his
recovery. The wife should fully understand his new way of life. If
their old relationship is to be resumed it must be on a better basis,
since the former did not work. This means a new attitude and spirit
all around. Sometimes it is to the best interests of all concerned
that a couple remain apart. Obviously, no rule can be laid down.
Let the alcoholic continue his program day by day. When the time for
living together has come, it will be apparent to both parties."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, Page 99~~
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

"No one is too discredited, nor has sunk too low, to be welcomed
cordially into A.A., if he or she means business. Social distinctions,
petty rivalries and jealousies are laughed out of countenance. Being
wrecked in the same vessel, being restored and united under one God,
with hearts and minds attuned to the welfare of others, the things
that matter so much to some people no longer signify much to us. In
A.A. we have true democracy and true brotherhood." Has A.A. taught
me to be truly democratic?

Meditation for the Day

When you call on God in prayer to help you overcome weakness, sorrow,
pain, discord, and conflict, God never fails in some way to answer
the appeal. When you are in need of strength for yourself or for the
help of some other person, call on God in prayer. The power you need
will come simply, naturally, and forcefully. Pray to God not only
when you need help, but also just to commune with Him. The spirit of
prayer can alter an atmosphere from one of discord to one of
reconciliation. It will raise the quality of thought and word and
bring order out of chaos.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may bring peace where there is discord. I pray that I
may bring conciliation where there is conflict.

©Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012©

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