Saturday, June 18, 2011

Thoughts For The Day~*~Progress ^*^*^ ^*^*^ June 19, 2011

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

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Progress
^*^*^
"D
ay by day, we try to move a little
toward God's perfection.
So we need not be consumed by maudlin guilt
for failure to achieve His likeness and image by Thursday next.
Progress is our aim,
and His perfection is the beacon, light-years away,
that draws us on."

Bill W., Letter, 1966
1967AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 15

^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to C
onsider . . .

There is no progress without change.


*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
G O D  =  Good Orderly Direction

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Todday!^*~*~*~*~*
 
It keeps getting 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."
       
Living Sober, page 16
*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
"A.A.  REGENERATION"

Such is the paradox of A.A. regeneration: strength arising out of complete defeat and weakness, the loss of one's old life as a condition for finding a new one.

                                A.A.  COMES OF AGE, p. 46

A thousand beatings by John Barleycorn did not encourage me to admit defeat.  I believed it was my moral obligation to conquer my "enemy-friend."  At my first A.A. meeting I was blessed with a feeling that it was all right to admit defeat to a disease which had nothing to do with my "moral fiber."  I knew instinctively that I was in the presence of a great love when I entered the doors of A.A.  With no effort on my part, I became aware that to love myself was good and right, as God had intended.  My feelings set me free, where my thoughts had held me in bondage.  I am grateful.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*
~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~~*~*
Whose Will?

We have seen A.A.'s ask with much earnestness and faith for God's explicit guidance on matters ranging all the way from a shattering domestic or financial crisis to a minor personal fault, like tardiness. A man who tries to run his life rigidly by this kind of prayers, by this self-serving demand of God for replies, is a particularly disconcerting individual. To any questioning or criticism of his actions, he instantly proffers his reliance upon prayer for guidance in all matters great or small. He may have forgotten the possibility that his own wishful thinking and the human tendency to rationalize have distorted his so-called guidance. With the best of intentions, he tends to force his will into all sorts of situations and problems with the comfortable assurance that he is acting under God's specific direction.

TWELVE AND TWELVE, PP. 103-104
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much
more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our
respective homes, occupations and affairs."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 19~

 
Humility...

Humility... is a perpetual quietness of heart.  It is to have no trouble.  It is never to be fretted or vexed, irritable or sore; to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing against.  It is to have a blessed home in myself where I can go in, shut the door, and kneel to my Higher Power in secret.  Where I can be at peace, as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and about is seeming trouble.

--  Inscription on Dr. Bob's desk . . .


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

We have this choice every day of our lives. We can take the
path that leads to insanity and death. And remember, our
next drunk could be our last one. Or we can take the path
that leads to a reasonably happy and useful life. The choice
is ours each day of our lives. God grant that we take the
right path. Have I made my choice today?


Meditation for the Day

Your real work in life is to grow spiritually. To do this you
must follow the path of diligently seeking good. The hidden
spiritual wonders are revealed to those who diligently seek
this treasure. From one point to the next, you have to follow
the way of obedience to God's will until finally you reach
greater and greater spiritual heights. Work on the material
plane should be secondary to your real life's work. The
material things that you need most are those that help you
to attain the spiritual.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may keep growing spiritually. I pray that I
may make this my real life's work.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

Friday, June 17, 2011

Thoughts For The Day~*~Resentment^*^*^ June 18, 2011

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Resentment
^*^*^
"R
esentment is the 'number one' offender.
It destroys more alcoholics than anything else.
From it stem all forms of spiritual disease,
for we have been not only mentally and physically ill,
we have been spiritually sick.
When the spiritual malady is overcome,
we straighten out mentally and physically."

1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 64
^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to C
onsider . . .

W
e are prisoners of our own resentments.
Forgiveness unlocks the door and sets us free.



*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
F A I L U R E =
Fearful, Arrogant, Insecure, Lonely, Uncertain, Resentful, Empty.

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

Service and Support
From "The Joys of Service:"

"In Denver in 1975 at the International Convention, I heard many great things, but one that stands out is: 'The key to happiness is not to concentrate on yourself, but to lose yourself in others.'  I liked what Carl W. told our group when he ended his talk with these words for new people: 'Let us love you until you can learn to love yourselves.'"

1993, The Home Group: Heartbeat of AA, page 51
*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
A FELLOWSHIP OF FREEDOM

. . . if only men were granted absolute liberty, and were compelled to obey no one, they would then voluntarily associate themselves in the common interest


AS BILL SEES IT, p. 50

When I no longer live under the dictates of another or of alcohol, I live in a new freedom.  When I release the past and all the excess baggage I have carried for so very long, I come to know freedom.  I have been introduced into a life and a fellowship of freedom.  The Steps are a "recommended" way of finding a new life, there are no commands or dictates in A.A.  I am free to serve from desire rather than decree.  There is the understanding that I will benefit from the growth of other members and I take what I learn and bring it back to the group.  The "common welfare" finds room to grow in the society of personal freedom

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

Learning Never Ends

"My experience as an old-timer has to some degree paralleled your own and that of many others. We all find that the time comes when we are not allowed to manage and conduct the functional affairs of groups, areas, or, in my case, A.A. as a whole. In the end we can only be worth as much as our spiritual example has justified. To that extent, we become useful symbols--and that's just about it."
<<<>>>
"I have become a pupil of the A.A. movement rather than the teacher I once thought I was."

1. LETTER, 1964
2. LETTER, 1949 '

*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"...we tried to shape a sane and sound ideal for our future sex life.
We subjected each relation to this test - was it selfish or not? We
asked God to mold our ideals and help us to live up to them. We
remembered always that our sex powers were God-given and therefore
good, neither to be used lightly or selfishly nor to be despised and
loathed."

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 69

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

The A.A. way of living is not an easy one. But its an adventure
in living that is really worthwhile. And it's so much better
than our old drunken way of living that there's no comparison.
Our lives without A.A. would be worth nothing. With A.A., we
have a chance to live reasonably good lives. It's worth the
battle, no matter how tough the going is from day to day.
Isn't it worth the battle?

Meditation for the Day

The spiritual life has two parts. One is the life apart, the
life of prayer and quiet communion with God. You spend this
part of your life apart with God. Every day your mind can be
set in the right direction so that your thoughts will be of
the right kind. The other is the life impart - imparting to
others what you have learned from your own meditative experience.
The victories you have won over yourself through the help of God
can be shared with others. You can help them by imparting to
them some of the victory and security that you have gained in
your life apart.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may grow strong from my times apart with God.
I pray that I may pass on some of this strength to others.


Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Thoughts For The Day~*~Neighbors^*^*^*^*^ June 17, 2011

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Neighbors
^*^*^
"N
ear you, alcoholics are dying helplessly
like people on a sinking ship.
If you live in a large place, there are hundreds.
High and low, rich and poor,
these are future fellows of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Among them you will make lifelong friends.
You will be bound to them with new and wonderful ties,
for you will escape disaster together
and you will commence shoulder to shoulder
your common journey.
Then you will know what it means to give of yourself
that others may survive and rediscover life.
You will learn the full meaning of
'Love they neighbor as thyself.' "

1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 152-3
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Thought to C
onsider . . .

L
et us always love the best in others -
and never fear their worst.



*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
B O G G L E  =  Bad Or Good, God Loves Everyone


*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*
 

Rescued From Shipwreck
From "There Is a Solution:"

"We are people who normally would not mix.... We are  like the passengers of a great liner the moment after 
rescue from shipwreck when camaraderie, joyousness and  democracy pervade the vessel from steerage to Captain's table.  Unlike the feelings of the ship's passengers,  however, our joy in escape from disaster does not  subside as we go our individual ways....
"The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we 
have discovered a common solution."
    
Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd edition: 17

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
"DEEP DOWN WITHIN US"

We found the Great Reality deep down within us.  In the last analysis it is only there that He may be found . . . search diligently within yourself . . . With this attitude you cannot fail.  The consciousness of your belief is sure to come to you.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 55

It was out of the depths of loneliness, depression and despair that I sought the help of A.A.  As I recovered and began to face the emptiness and ruin of my life, I began to open myself to the possibility of the healing that recovery offers through the A.A. program.  By coming to meetings, staying sober, and taking the Steps, I had the opportunity to listen with increasing attentiveness to the depths of my soul.  Daily I waited, in hope and gratitude, for that sure belief and steadfast love I had longed for in my life.  In this process, I met my God, as I understand Him. 

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*
~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Accepting God's Gifts

"Though many theologians hold that sudden spiritual experience amount to a special distinction, if not a divine appointment of some sort, I question this view. Every human being, no matter what his attributes for good or evil, is a part of the divine spiritual economy. Therefore, each of us has his place, and I cannot see that God intends to exalt one over another. "So it is necessary for all of us to accept whatever positive gifts we receive with a deep humility, always bearing in mind that our negative attitudes were first necessary as a means of reducing us to such a state that we would be ready for a gift of the positive ones via the conversion experience. Your own alcoholism and the immense deflation that finally resulted are indeed the foundation upon which your spiritual experience rests."

LETTER, 1964
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"Though there is no way of proving it, we believe that early in our
drinking careers most of us could have stopped drinking. But the
difficulty is that few alcoholics have enough desire to stop while
there is yet time."

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 32

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

We in A.A. have the privilege of living two lives in one
lifetime. One life of drunkenness, failure, and defeat. Then,
through A.A., another life of sobriety, peace of mind, and
usefulness. We who have recovered our sobriety are modem
miracles. And were living on borrowed time. Some of us might
have been dead long ago. But we have been given another chance to live. Do I owe a debt of gratitude to A.A. that I can never repay as long as I live?

Meditation for the Day


Thinking about God in love and worship drives away evil. It is
the thought before that the hosts of evil flee. The thought of
a Power greater than yourself is the call for a life-line to
rescue you from temptation. The thought of God banishes
loneliness and dispels gloom. it summons help to conquer your
faults. Think of God as often as possible. Use the thought
prayerfully and purposefully. It win carry your thoughts away
from material things and toward the spiritual things that make
life worthwhile.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may think of God often. I pray that I may rest in
peace at the thought of His love and care.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Thoughts For The Day~*~Fun^*^*^ June 16, 2011

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Fun
^*^*^
"E
very day, I feel a little bit more useful,
more happy, and more free.
Life, including some ups and downs, is a lot of fun.
I am part of AA which is a way of life.
If I had not become an active alcoholic and joined AA,
I might never have found my own identity
or become a part of anything."

1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 417
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Thought to C
onsider . . .

Joy is in knowing there is an answer.



*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
F I N E  =  Free, Independent, New and Energetic


*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*
 

Living
From "Fear of Fear:"

    
"I can't afford resentments against
anyone, because they are the build-up of
another drunk.  I must live and let live."


 1976, Alcoholics Anonymous, page 325


*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
OPEN-MINDEDNESS

We have found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him.  To us, the realm of spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek.  It is open, we believe, to all men.

AS BILL SEES IT, p. 7

Open-mindedness to concepts of a Higher Power can open doors to the spirit.  Often I find the human spirit in various dogmas and faiths.  I can be spiritual in the sharing of myself.  The sharing of self joins me to the human race and brings me closer to God, as I understand Him.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*
~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Progress Rather than Perfection

On studying the Twelve Steps, many of us exclaimed, "What an order! I can't go through with it." Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints.  The point is that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.
<<<>>>
"We recovered alcoholics are not so much brothers in virtue as we are
brothers in our defects, and in our common strivings to overcome them."


1. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, P. 60
2. LETTER, 1946


*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Most of us have been unwilling to admit we were real alcoholics. No
person likes to think he is bodily and mentally different from his
fellows. Therefore, it is not surprising that our drinking careers
have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could
drink like other people. The idea that somehow, someday he will
control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every
abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing.
Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, Page 30~

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

But even faith is not the whole story. There must be service.
We must give this thing away if we want to keep it. The Dead
Sea has no outlet and it is stagnant and full of salt. The Sea
of Galilee is clear and clean and blue, as the Jordan River
carries it out to irrigate the desert. To be of service to
other people makes our lives worth living. Does service to
others give me a real purpose in life?

Meditation for the Day


Seek God early in the day, before He gets crowded out by life's
problems, difficulties, or pleasures. In that early quiet time
gain a calm, strong confidence in the goodness and purpose in
the universe. Do not seek God only when the world's struggles
prove too much and too many for you to bear or face alone.
Seek God early, when you can have a consciousness of God's
spirit in the world. People often only seek God when their
difficulties are too great to be surmounted in any other way,
forgetting that if they sought God's companionship before
they need it, many of their difficulties would never arise.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may not let God be crowded out by the hurly-burly
of life. I pray that I may seek God early and often.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012