Saturday, July 12, 2008

Thoughts For The Day~*~Belief ^*^*^ July 12, 2008

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

(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (
AA)/   )
(_   /
AA\ _)
  /
AA\
^*^*^*^*^

Belief
^*^*^
"D
espite contrary indications,
I had little doubt that a mighty purpose and rhythm
underlay all.
How could there be so much of precise and immutable law,
and no intelligence?
I simply had to believe in a
Spirit of the Universe,
who knew neither time nor limitation."
- Bill W.
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 10

^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to C
onsider . . .

F
aith is not belief without proof;
it's trust without reservation.






*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
A B C  =  Acceptance, Belief, Change

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

Spirituality
From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":

"The liberals were the largest contingent and they had no objection to the use of the word "God" throughout the [Big] book, but they were dead set against any other theological proposition. They would have nothing to do with doctrinal issues. Spirituality, yes. But religion, noâ€"positively no. Most of our members, they pointed out, believed in some sort of deity. But when it came to theology we could not possibly agree among ourselves, so how could we write a book that contained any such matter? There was no such thing as group opinion in these areas and there never could be. Alcoholics who had tried the missions were forever complaining about this very thing. The alcoholic’s unreasoning rebellion against the specifically religious approach had severely handicapped the missions. The liberals said they did not intend to be critical; they only wanted us to remember the hard facts. Those contentions could not be denied. It was true that we could not agree on a religious basis for our fellowship and that the straight religious approach had worked in relatively few cases."

2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 162-63 

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~^*~*~*~*~*
GIVING UP CENTER STAGE

For without some degree of humility, no alcoholic can stay sober at all. . .Without it, they cannot live to much useful purpose, or, in adversity, be able to summon the faith that can meet any emergency.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 70


Why do I balk at the word "humility"?  I am not humbling myself toward other people, but toward God, as I understand Him.  Humility means "to show submissive respect," and by being humble I realize I am not the center of the universe. When I was drinking, I was consumed by pride and self-centeredness. I felt the entire world revolved around me, that I was master of my destiny. Humility enables me to depend more on God to help me overcome obstacles, to help me with my own imperfections, so that I may grow spiritually. I must solve more difficult problems to increase my proficiency and, as I encounter life's stumbling blocks, I must learn to overcome them through God's help. Daily communion with God demonstrates my humility and provides me with the realization that an entity more powerful than I is willing to help me if I cease trying to play God myself.


Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*
~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
The Spiritual Alibi

Our first attempts at inventories are apt to prove very unrealistic. I used
to be a champ at unrealistic self-appraisal. On certain occasion, I wanted to
look at the part of my life which seemed good. Then I would greatly
exaggerate whatever virtues I supposed I had attained. Next I would
congratulate myself on the grand job I was doing in A.A.
Naturally this generated a terrible hankering for still more
accomplishments, and still more approval.
I was falling straight back into the pattern of my drinking days.
Here were the same old goals power, fame, and applause.
Besides, I had the best alibi known as the spiritual
objective made this utter nonsense seem perfectly right.


GRAPEVINE, JUNE 1961
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"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~

*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought For The Day

Today is ours. Let us live today as we believe God wants us to live.
Each day will have a new pattern which we cannot foresee.   But we
can  open each day with a quiet period in which we say a little prayer,
asking God to help us through the day.  Personal contact with God, as
we understand Him, will from day to day bring us nearer to an
understanding of His will for us.   At the close of the day, we offer Him
thanks for another day of sobriety.   A full, constructive day has been
lived and we are grateful.  Am I asking God each day for strength and
thanking Him each night?

Meditation For The Day


If you believe that God's grace has saved you, then you must believe that He
is meaning to save you yet more and keep you in the way that you should go.
Even human rescuers would not save you from drowning 
only to place you in other deep and dangerous waters.
Rather, they would place you on dry land, there to restore you.
God, who is your rescuer, would certainly do this and even more.
God will complete the task He sets out to do.   He will not
throw you overboard, if you are depending on Him.

Prayer For The Day

I pray that I may trust God to keep me in the way.  
I pray that I may rely on Him not to let me go



Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012





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Friday, July 11, 2008

Thoughts For The Day~*~Anger ^*^*^ July 11, 2008

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

(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (
AA)/   )
(_   /
AA
\ _)
  /
AA\

^*^*^*^*^

Anger
^*^*^
"I
t is a spiritual axiom that every time we are disturbed,
no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with us. 
If somebody hurts us and we are sore,
we are in the wrong also. 
But are there no exceptions to this rule? 
What about 'justifiable' anger? 
If somebody cheats us, aren't we entitled to be mad? 
Can't we be properly angry with self-righteous folk? 
For us in AA these are dangerous exceptions. 
We have found that justifiable anger
ought to be left to those better qualified to handle it."
1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 90
 
^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to C
onsider . . .

Anger is the hot wind that extinguishes the light of reason.



*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
A N G E R  =  Any No Good Energy Rising


*~*~*~*~*^Just For Todayy!^*~*~*~*~*

Gifts
From: "The Opening to the Spiritual World"

"This is the crux of the program and the crux of living: acceptance and action.

"The gift of understanding has allowed the simple messages from my parents, my teachers, and my church to take on new meaning and soundness. With the gift of serenity, I am ready and willing to accept what God permits to happen to me; with the gift of courage, to take action to change the things I can for the good of myself and others. The gift of wisdom has been given to me so that in personal relationships I may act intelligently and with love or, as it has also been expressed, with competence and compassion."

1973, AAWS, Inc., Came to Believe…, page 4

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
A TURNING POINT



A great turning point in our lives came when we sought for humility as something we really wanted, rather than as something we must have.       
                                
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75


Either the A.A. way of life becomes one of joy or I return to the darkness and despair of alcoholism. Joy comes to me when my attitude concerning God and humility turns to one of desire rather than of burden. The darkness in my life changes to radiant light when I arrive at the realization that being truthful and honest in dealing with my inventory results in my life being filled with serenity, freedom, and joy. Trust in my Higher Power deepens, and the flush of gratitude spreads through my being. I am convinced that being humble is being truthful and honest in dealing with myself and God. It is then that humility is something I "really want," rather than being "something I must have."

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*
~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Carrying the Message

The wonderful energy the Twelfth Step releases, by which it carries our
message to the next suffering alcoholic and finally translates the Twelve
Steps into action upon all our affairs, is the payoff, the magnificent
reality of A.A.
<<<>>>
Never talk down to an alcoholic from any moral or spiritual hilltop; simply
lay out the kit of spiritual tools for his inspection. Show him how they
worked with you. Offer him friendship and fellowship.

1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 109
2. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, P. 95

*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"Your job now is to be at the place where you may be of maximum
helpfulness to others, so never hesitate to go anywhere if you can
be helpful. You should not hesitate to visit the most sordid spot on
earth on such an errand. Keep on the firing line of life with these
motives and God will keep you unharmed."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 102~


*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought For The Day

       We in Alcoholics Anonymous do not try to chart the path for the
       human soul or try to lay out a blueprint of the working of faith, as
one might plan a charity drive.  We do tell the newcomer that we have
       renewed our faith in a Higher Power.  In the telling, our faith is
       further renewed.  We believe that faith is always close at hand,
       waiting for those who will listen to the heartbeat of the spirit.  We
       believe there is a force for good in the universe and that if we link
up with this force, we are carried onward to a new life.  Am I in this
stream of goodness?

       
Meditation for the Day


       God will protect you from the forces of evil, if you will rely on Him.
       You can face all things through the power of God which strengthens
       you.  Once God has set on you His stamp and seal of ownership, all His
       strength will serve and protect you.  Remember that you are a child of
       the Father.  Realize that the Father's help is always ready and
       available to all His children, so that they can face anything.  God
will do all that is necessary for your spiritual well-being, if you will
let Him live His way.

     
 Prayer for the Day

       I pray that I may rely on God as I go through this day. I pray that I
       may feel deeply secure, no matter what happens to me.


Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012





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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Thoughts For The Day~*~Inventory ^*^*^ July 10, 2008

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

(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (
AA)/   )
(_   /
AA\ _)
  /
AA\
^*^*^*^*^

Inventory
^*^*^
"A
few months after I made my original trip to Akron
I was feeling pretty cocky,
and I didn't think my wife was treating me with proper respect, now that I
was an outstanding citizen.  
So I set out to get drunk deliberately,
just to teach her what she was missing.  
A week later, I had to get an old friend from Akron
to spend two days sobering me up.  
That was my lesson,
that one could not take the moral inventory
and then file it away;
that the alcoholic has to continue to take inventory every day
if he expects to get well and stay well."
  
1976, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 293-4

^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to C
onsider . . .

In order to recover we have to uncover.






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





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

Practice It
from: "His Spiritual Quest"

"As Dr. Bob himself said, 'I don't think we can do anything very well in this world unless we practice it. And I don't believe we do A.A. too well unless we practice it…. We should practice…acquiring the spirit of service. We should attempt to acquire some faith, which isn't easily done, especially for the person who has always been very materialistic, following the standards of society today. But I think faith can be acquired; it can be acquired slowly; it has to be cultivated. That was not easy for me, and I assume that it is difficult for everyone else….'"

1980, AAWS, Inc., Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, page 307-308

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
TOWARD PEACE AND SERENITY

. . .when we have taken a square look at some of these defects, have discussed them with another, and have become willing to have them removed, our thinking about humility commences to have a wider meaning.          

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 74

When situations arise which destroy my serenity, pain often motivates me to ask God for clarity in seeing my part in the situation. Admitting my powerlessness, I humbly pray for acceptance. I try to see how my character defects contributed to the situation. Could I have been more patient?  Was I intolerant?  Did I insist on having my own way?  Was I afraid?  As my defects are revealed, I put self-reliance aside and humbly ask God to remove my shortcomings. The situation may not change, but as I practice exercising humility, I enjoy the peace and serenity which are the natural benefits of placing my reliance in a power greater than myself.
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*
~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
The Beginning of Humility

"There are few absolutes inherent in the Twelve Steps. Most Steps are open to interpretation, based on the experience and outlook of the individual.
"Consequently, the individual is free to start the /steps at whatever point
he can, or will. God, as we understand Him, may be defined as a Power
greater or the Higher Power. For thousands of members, the A.A. group
itself has been a Higher Power in the beginning. This acknowledgment is
easy to make if a newcomer knows that most of the members are sober and he isn't.
"His admission is the beginning of humility at least the newcomer is willing to disclaim that he himself is God. That's all the start he needs. If,
following this achievement, he will relax and practice as many of the Steps
as he can, he is sure too grow spiritually."

LETTER, 1966
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"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
*~*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*

A.A. Thought For The Day

      
We in Alcoholics Anonymous do not enter into theological discussions,
      but in carrying our message we attempt to explain the simple "how" of
      the spiritual life. How faith in a Higher Power can help you to
      overcome loneliness, fear, and anxiety. How it can help you get along
      with other people. How it can make it possible for you to rise above
      pain, sorrow, and despondency. How it can help you to overcome your
      desires for the things that destroy. Have I reached a simple, effective
      faith?

      
Meditation for the Day

     
 Expect miracles of change in people's lives. Do not be held back by
      unbelief. People can be changed and they are often ready and waiting
      to be changed. Never believe that human nature cannot be changed.
      We see changed people everyday. Do you have the faith to make
      those changes possible? Modern miracles happen every day in the
      lives of people. All miracles are in the realm of personalities. Human
      nature can be changed and is always being changed. But we must
      have enough faith so that we can be channels for God's strength into
      the lives of others.

     
 Prayer for the Day

      I pray that I may have the faith to expect miracles. I pray that I may
      be used by God to help change the lives of others.


Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012





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Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Thoughts For The Day~*~Attitude ^*^*^ July 9, 2008

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

(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (
AA)/   )
(_   /
AA\ _)
  /
AA\
^*^*^*^*^

Attitude
^*^*^
" 'T
hen I woke up.
I had to admit that AA showed results, prodigious results.
I saw that my attitude regarding these
had been anything but scientific.
It wasn't AA that had the closed mind, it was me.
The minute I stopped arguing,
I could begin to see and feel.
Right there, Step Two gently and very gradually
began to infiltrate my life.
I can't say upon what occasion,
or upon what day I came to believe
in a Power greater than myself,
but I certainly have that belief now.
To acquire it, I had only to stop fighting
and practice the rest of AA's program
as enthusiastically as I could.' "

1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 27
^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to C
onsider . . .

Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?


*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
A A  =  Altered Attitudes

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

My Solution
From: "AA Taught Him to Handle Sobriety"

"Bewilderment, fear, and resentment moved into my life. And yet my ability to lie outwardly and to kid myself inwardly grew with every drink I took. Indeed, I had to drink now to live, to cope with the demands of everyday existence. When I encountered disappointments or frustrations - as I did more and more frequently - my solution was to drink. I had always been oversensitive to criticism and was acutely so now. When I was criticized or reprimanded, the bottle was my refuge and comfort."

2001, AAWS, Inc., Alcoholics Anonymous, page 555


*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
 I AM AN INSTRUMENT

Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 70

The subject of humility is a difficult one. Humility is not thinking less of myself than I ought to; it is acknowledging that I do certain things well, it is accepting a compliment graciously.

God can only do for me what He can do through me. Humility is the result of knowing that God is the doer, not me. In the light of his awareness, how can I take pride in my accomplishments?  I am an instrument and any work I seem to be doing is being done by God through me. I ask God on a daily basis to remove my shortcomings, in order that I may more freely go about my A.A. business of  "love and service."

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*
~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
The A.A. Way in the Home*

Though an alcoholic does not respond, there is no reason why you should
neglect his family. You should continue to be friendly to them, explaining
concept of alcoholism and its treatment. If they accept this and also
apply our principles to their problems, there is a much better chance that
the head of the family will recover. And even though he continues to drink,
the family will find life more bearable.
<<<>>>
Unless a new member's family readily expresses a desire to live upon
spiritual principles, we think he ought not to urge them. They will change in
time. His better behavior will usually convince them far more than his words.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
1. P. 97
2. P. 83

*Today, the initiation of the A.A. way of life in the home is the central
purpose of the Al-Anon Family Groups, of which there are (as of 1980) about
16,000 throughout the world. These are composed of wives, husbands, and
relatives of alcoholics. In restoring families to the good life, Al-Anon's
success has been enormous.


*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote
^*~*~*~*~*
"Helping others is the foundation stone of your recovery. A kindly
act once in a while isn't enough. You have to act the Good Samaritan
every day, if need be."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 97~

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

Disillusionment and spiritual confusion mark our age. Many of us have cast
aside old ideas without acquiring new ones. Many men and women are creeping through life on their hands and knees, merely because they refuse to rely on any power but themselves. Many of them feel that they are being brave and independent, but actually they are only courting disaster. Anxiety and the inferiority complex have become the greatest of all modem plagues. In A.A. we have the answer to these &. Have I ceased to rely on myself only?

Meditation for the Day

Disillusionment and doubt spoil life. The doubting ones are the disillusioned ones. When you are in doubt, you are on the fence. You are not going anywhere. Doubt poisons all action. "Well, I don't know" -- so you don't do anything. You should meet life with a "Yes," an affirmative attitude. There is good in the world and we can follow that good. There is power available to help us to do the right thing; therefore we will accept that power. There are miracles of change in people's lives; therefore we will accept those miracles as evidence of God's power.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I will not be paralyzed by doubt. I pray that I may go along on the venture of faith.


Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012





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