Just for Today

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

^*^*^*^*^

Satisfaction

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,
to see whole families reassembled,
to see the alcoholic outcast received back
into his community in full citizenship,
and above all to watch these people awaken
to the presence of a loving God in their lives --
these things are the substance of what we receive
as we carry AA's message to the next alcoholic.
c. 1952 AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,  p. 110
^*^*^*^*^
                                                                                                                                                               &a mp;n bsp;                                                                           
Thought to Consider . . .
I keep my sobriety by giving it away.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
C A R E =  Comforting And Reassuring Each other

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

 

Better

From "Getting active:"

 

"After our first month's sobriety, many of us
notice a distinct difference.  After three months,
our minds seem still clearer.  And during our
second year of recovery, the change is striking. 
More mental energy seems available to us than
ever before."

 

c. 1975, Living Sober, page 16

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT

         We are not cured of alcoholism.  What we really have is a daily
        reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  85        

The most common alcoholic fantasy seems to be: "If I just don't
        drink, everything will be all right." Once the fog cleared for me, I
        saw -- for the first time -- the mess my life had become.  I had family,
        work, financial and legal problems; I was hung up on old religious
        ideas; there were sides of my character to which I was inclined to stay blind because they easily could have convinced me that I was hopeless and pushed me toward escape again.  The Big Book guided me in
        resolving all of my problems.  But it didn't happen overnight -- and
        certainly not automatically -- with no effort on my part.  I need always to recognize God's mercy and blessings that shine through any problem
        I have to face.

©Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.©

*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
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.

<<<>>>

Faith is more than our greatest gift; its sharing with others is our greatest responsibility. May we of A.A. continually seek the wisdom and the willingness by which we may well fulfill that immense trust which the Giver of all perfect gifts has placed in our hands.

1. SERVICE MANUAL, p. 5 - 2. GRAPEVINE, APRIL 1961
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"How dark it is before the dawn! In reality that was the beginning of
my last debauch. I was soon to be catapulted into what I like to call
the fourth dimension of existence. I was to know happiness, peace,
and usefulness, in a way of life that is incredibly more wonderful as
time passes."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, Page 8~
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

When we were drinking, we were living an unnatural life physically and mentally. We were punishing our bodies by loading them with alcohol. We didn't eat enough and we ate the wrong things. We didn't get enough sleep or the right kind of rest. We were ruining ourselves physically. We had an alcoholic obsession and we couldn't imagine life without alcohol. We kept imagining all kinds of crazy things about ourselves and about other people. We were ruining ourselves mentally. Since I came into A.A., am I getting better physically and mentally?

Meditation for the Day

I believe that my life is being refined like gold in a crucible. Gold does not stay in the crucible, only until it is refined. I will never despair or be despondent. I now have friends who long for me to conquer. If I should err or fail, it would cause pain and disappointment to them. I will keep trying to live a better life.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may always call on God's strength, while the gold of my life is being refined. I pray that I may see it through, with God's help.

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

 

I am divinely restored to health of mind and body.

---

Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

Just for Today

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

^*^*^*^*^

Satisfaction

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,
to see whole families reassembled,
to see the alcoholic outcast received back
into his community in full citizenship,
and above all to watch these people awaken
to the presence of a loving God in their lives --
these things are the substance of what we receive
as we carry AA's message to the next alcoholic.
c. 1952 AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,  p. 110
^*^*^*^*^
                                                                                                                                                               &n bsp;                                                                           
Thought to Consider . . .
I keep my sobriety by giving it away.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
C A R E =  Comforting And Reassuring Each other

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

 

Better

From "Getting active:"

 

"After our first month's sobriety, many of us
notice a distinct difference.  After three months,
our minds seem still clearer.  And during our
second year of recovery, the change is striking. 
More mental energy seems available to us than
ever before."

 

c. 1975, Living Sober, page 16

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT

         We are not cured of alcoholism.  What we really have is a daily
        reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  85        

The most common alcoholic fantasy seems to be: "If I just don't
        drink, everything will be all right." Once the fog cleared for me, I
        saw -- for the first time -- the mess my life had become.  I had family,
        work, financial and legal problems; I was hung up on old religious
        ideas; there were sides of my character to which I was inclined to stay blind because they easily could have convinced me that I was hopeless and pushed me toward escape again.  The Big Book guided me in
        resolving all of my problems.  But it didn't happen overnight -- and
        certainly not automatically -- with no effort on my part.  I need always to recognize God's mercy and blessings that shine through any problem
        I have to face.

©Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.©

*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
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.

<<<>>>

Faith is more than our greatest gift; its sharing with others is our greatest responsibility. May we of A.A. continually seek the wisdom and the willingness by which we may well fulfill that immense trust which the Giver of all perfect gifts has placed in our hands.

1. SERVICE MANUAL, p. 5 - 2. GRAPEVINE, APRIL 1961
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"How dark it is before the dawn! In reality that was the beginning of
my last debauch. I was soon to be catapulted into what I like to call
the fourth dimension of existence. I was to know happiness, peace,
and usefulness, in a way of life that is incredibly more wonderful as
time passes."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, Page 8~
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

When we were drinking, we were living an unnatural life physically and mentally. We were punishing our bodies by loading them with alcohol. We didn't eat enough and we ate the wrong things. We didn't get enough sleep or the right kind of rest. We were ruining ourselves physically. We had an alcoholic obsession and we couldn't imagine life without alcohol. We kept imagining all kinds of crazy things about ourselves and about other people. We were ruining ourselves mentally. Since I came into A.A., am I getting better physically and mentally?

Meditation for the Day

I believe that my life is being refined like gold in a crucible. Gold does not stay in the crucible, only until it is refined. I will never despair or be despondent. I now have friends who long for me to conquer. If I should err or fail, it would cause pain and disappointment to them. I will keep trying to live a better life.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may always call on God's strength, while the gold of my life is being refined. I pray that I may see it through, with God's help.

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

 

One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.

---

It's here! Your new message!
Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar.

Just for Today

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

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
^*^*^*^*^
                                                                                                                                                                 &n bsp;                                                                         
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

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
ACCEPTING OUR PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES

        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.

AS BILL SEES IT, p.  44

        When I am having a difficult time accepting people, places or events, I turn to this passage and it relieves me of many an underlying fear regarding others, or situations life presents me.  The thought allows me to be human and not perfect, and to regain my peace of mind.

©Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.©
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Seeking Fool's Gold

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.

1.TWELVE AND TWELVE, pp. 48-49 - 2. GRAPEVINE, JUNE 1961
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
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~
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

The longer were in A.A., the more natural this way of life seems. Our old drinking lives were a very unnatural way of living. Our present sober lives are the most natural way we could possibly live. During the early years of our drinking, our lives weren't so different from the lives of a lot of other people. But as we gradually became problem drinkers, our lives became more and more unnatural. Do I realize now that the things I did were far from natural?

Meditation for the Day

I will say thank you to God for everything, even the seeming trials and worries. I will strive to be grateful and humble. My whole attitude toward the Higher Power will be one of gratitude. I will be glad for the things I have received. I will pass on what God reveals to me. I believe that more truths will flow in, as I go along in the new way of life.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be grateful for the things I have received and do not deserve. I pray that this gratitude will make me truly humble.

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

	Subscribe to TransitionsDaily
	Email:

Visit Us at -=| Transitions Daily |=-

One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.

---

Any questions? Get answers on any topic at Yahoo! Answers. Try it now.

Just for Today

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

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
^*^*^*^*^
                                                                                                                                                               &n bsp;                                                                           
Thought to Consider
Alcohol ... cunning, baffling, powerful!

. . .
*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
S O B E R =  Spirituality Over Booze Equals Recovery

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

Wealth

From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":

"Let us now talk about money and A.A.'s attitude towards it. Wealth had ruined many men and nations. So would it ruin us? Especially in America, money was the symbol of prestige and power and comfort. Money can do a lot of good, yet there is practically no evil which it cannot arouse. Would A.A.'s brand of spirituality mix with any money at all? Or, on the other hand, should we have a *lot* of money, the better to do good works? This was the age-old dilemma and the temptation that faced us. . . .

"After a while we awoke to the pleasant fact that A.A. as such was not going to require much money after all. When we got rid of our grandiose ideas about hospitals, research, rehabilitation, and education, not much of a bill was left to pay. Other enterprises needed large sums, but we did not. We could be spared that headache." (Written in 1959)

© 2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 110

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
THE 100% STEP

Only Step One, where we made the 100 percent admission we were powerless over alcohol, can be practiced with absolute perfection.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.  68

Long before I was able to obtain sobriety in A.A., I knew without a doubt that alcohol was killing me, yet even with this knowledge, I was unable to stop drinking.  So, when faced with Step One, I found it easy to admit that I lacked the power to not drink.  But was my life unmanageable?  Never!  Five months after coming into A.A., I was drinking again and wondered why.

Later on, back in A.A. and smarting from my wounds, I learned that Step One is the only Step that can be taken 100%.  And that the only way to take it 100% is to take 100% of the Step.  That was many twenty-four hours ago and I haven't had to take Step One again.

©Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.©
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Quantity or Quality

"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."

LETTER, 1958
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"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~
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

When we were drinking, most of us never thought of helping others. We liked to buy drinks for people, because that made us feel like big shots. But we only used others for our own pleasure. To really go out and try to help somebody who needed help never occurred to us. To us, helping others looked like a sucker's game. But when we came into A.A., we began to try to help others. And we found out that helping others made us happy and also helped us to stay sober Have I learned that there is happiness in helping others?

Meditation for the Day

I will pray only for strength and that God's will be done. I will use God's unlimited store of strength for my needs. I will seek God's will for me. I will strive for consciousness of God's presence, for He is the light of the world. I have become a pilgrim, who needs only marching orders and strength and guidance for this day.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may seek God's guidance day by day. I pray that I may strive to abide in God's presence.

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

	Subscribe to TransitionsDaily
	Email:

Visit Us at -=| Transitions Daily |=-

One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.

---

Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on Yahoo! Answers.