Thoughts For The Day~*~Half Measures ^*^*^ July 31, 2011

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Half Measures
^*^*^
"Remember that we deal with alcohol -
cunning, baffling, powerful!
Without help, it is too much for us.
But there is One who has all power -
that One is God.
May you find him now.
Half measures availed us nothing.
We stood at the turning point.
We asked His protection and care
with complete abandon."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 58-9
^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to Consider . . .

Take a walk with God. 
He will meet you at the Steps.

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

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

Out of Self

From: "Trying the Twelve Steps" 

It may be that problem drinking is, indeed, as some psychological experts say, an ailment characterized especially by egocentricity. Not all alcoholics are egotistical, although many of us have learned to see that tendency in ourselves. Others of us felt inferior most of the time; we felt equal or superior to other people only when drinking. 

No matter which type we were, we realize now that we were excessively self-centered, chiefly concerned about our feelings, our problems, other people's reactions to us, and our own past and future. Therefore, trying to get into communication with and to help other people is a recovery measure for us, because it helps take us out of ourselves. Trying to heal ourselves by helping others works, even when it is an insincere gesture. Try it some time. 

1975, AAWS, Inc., Living Sober, page 84

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
A PRAYER FOR ALL SEASONS

God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change,  Courage to change the things we can, And wisdom to know the difference.               
                                
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 125

The power of this prayer is overwhelming in that its simple beauty parallels the A.A. Fellowship. There are times when I get stuck while reciting it, but if I examine the section which is troubling me, I find the answer to my problem. The first time this happened I was scared, but now I use it as a valuable tool.  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. The serenity enables me to continue walking forward.

Alcoholics Anonymous is the easier, softer way.

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

Your prospect's religious education and training may be far superior to
yours. In that case, he is going to wonder how you can add anything to what he already knows. But he will be curious to learn why his convictions have not worked and why yours seem to work so well. He may be an example of the truth that faith
alone is insufficient. To be vital, faith must be accompanied by
self-sacrifice and unselfish, constructive action.
Admit that he probably knows more about religion than you do, but remind him that, however deep his faith and knowledge, these qualities could not have served him very well, or he would not be asking your help.

<<<AA>>>

Dr. Bob did not need me for his spiritual instruction. He had already had more of that than I. What he did need, when we first met, was the deflation at depth and the understanding that only one drunk can give to another. What I needed was the humility of self-forgetfulness and the kinship with another human being of my own kind.

1. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 93 - 2. A.A. TODAY, p. 10
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"When you discover a prospect for Alcoholics Anonymous, find out all
you can about him. If he does not want to stop drinking, don't
waste time trying to persuade him. You may spoil a later opportunity."

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 90

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

This leaves only one day -- today. Anyone can fight the battles
of just one day. it is only when you and I add the burden of
those two awful eternity's, yesterday and tomorrow, that we
break down. It is not the experience of today that drives us
mad. It is the remorse or bitterness for something that
happened yesterday or the dread of what tomorrow may bring.
Let us therefore do our best to live but one day at a time.
Am I living one day at a time?

Meditation for the Day

Give God the gift of a thankful heart. Try to see causes of
thankfulness in your everyday life. When life seems hard and
troubles crowd, then look for some reasons for thankfulness.
There is nearly always something you can be thankful for.
The offering of thanksgiving is indeed a sweet incense going
up to God throughout a busy day. Seek diligently for something
to be glad and thankful about. You will acquire in time the
habit of being constantly grateful to God for all His blessings.
Each new day some new cause for joy and gratitude will spring
to your mind and you will thank God sincerely.

Prayer for the Day

I pray for a truly thankful heart. I pray that I may be
constantly reminded of causes for sincere gratitude.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

Thoughts For The Day~*~Daybreak ^*^*^ July 30, 2011

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Daybreak
^*^*^
"On awakening let us think about the
twenty-four hours ahead.
We consider our plans for the day.
Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking,
especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity,
dishonest or self-seeking motives.
Under these conditions we can employ our mental faculties
with assurance,
for after all God gave us brains to use.
Our thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane
when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 86
^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to Consider . . .

At first, I thought the "God thing" was a crutch.
Turns out to be stilts.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
A S A P =  Always Say A Prayer

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

Friendship and Respect

From: "Another Chance" 

Since I have been in A.A., I have more friends than I ever had in my life - friends who care about me and my welfare, friends who don't care that I am black and that I have been in prison. All they care about is that I am a human being and that I want to stay sober. Since I've been home, I have been able to gain the respect of my two sons again. 

2001, AAWS, Inc., Alcoholics Anonymous, page 534

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
GIVING BACK

        . . . he has struck something better than gold . . . He may not  see at once that he has barely scratched a limitless lode which will pay dividends only if he mines it for the rest of his life and insists on giving away the entire product. 

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 129

My part of the Seventh Tradition means so much more than just giving money to pay for the coffee. It means being accepted for myself by belonging to a group.  For the first time I can be responsible,  because I have a choice. I can learn the principles of working out problems in my daily life by getting involved in the "business" of A.A.  By being self-supporting, I can give back to A.A. what  A.A. gave to me!  Giving back to A.A. not only ensures my own sobriety, but allows me to buy insurance that A.A. will be here for my grandchildren.

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

We saw we needn't always be bludgeoned and beaten into humility. It could come quite as much from our voluntary reaching for it as it could from unremitting suffering.

<<<>>>

"We first reach for a little humility, knowing that we shall perish of
alcoholism if we do not. After a time, though we may still rebel somewhat, we commence to practice humility because this is the right thing to do. Then comes the day when, finally freed in large degree from rebellion, we practice humility because we deeply want it as a way of life."

1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 75 - 2. LETTER, 1966
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"...I humbly offered myself to God, as I then I understood Him, to do
with me as He would. I placed myself unreservedly under His care and
direction. I admitted for the first time that of myself I was
nothing; that without Him I was lost. I ruthlessly faced my sins and
became willing to have my new-found Friend take them away, root and
branch."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, pg. 13~

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

The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow, with
its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise,
and perhaps its poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond
our immediate control. Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in
splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise.
Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is as
yet unborn. Do I still worry too much about tomorrow?

Meditation for the Day

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen." Faith is not seeing, but believing.
Down through the ages, there have always been those who
obeyed the heavenly vision, not seeing but believing in
God. And their faith was rewarded. So shall it be to you.
Good things will happen to you. You cannot see God, but
you can see the results of faith in human lives, changing
them from defeat to victory. God's grace is available to
all who have faith-not seeing, but believing. With faith,
life can be victorious and happy.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may have faith enough to believe without seeing.
I pray that I may be content with the results of my faith.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

Thoughts For The Day~*~Courage ^*^*^ July 29, 2011

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
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(   \ (AA)/   )
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  /AA\
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Courage
^*^*^
"We never apologize to anyone
for depending upon our Creator.  
We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness.  
Paradoxically, it is the way of strength.  
The verdict of the ages is that faith means courage.  
All men of faith have courage.  
They trust their God.   We never apologize for God.  
Instead we let Him demonstrate, through us,
what He can do.  
We ask Him to remove our fear and direct
our attention to what He would have us be.  
At once, we commence to outgrow fear."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 68
^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to Consider . . .

The peaks and valleys of my life
have become gentle rolling hills.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
S O B E R  =  Son Of a Basket, Everything's Real

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

Spirit of Service

Tradition Nine: A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. 

A.A. has to function, but at the same time it must avoid those dangers of great wealth, prestige, and entrenched power which necessarily tempt other societies. Though Tradition Nine at first sight seems to deal with a purely practical matter, in its actual operation it discloses a society without organization, animated only by the spirit of service - a true fellowship. 

1981, AAWS, Inc., Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 175
*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
ANONYMOUS GIFTS OF KINDNESS

As active alcoholics we were always looking for a handout
in one way or another.

"THE TWELVE TRADITIONS ILLUSTRATED," p. 14

The challenge of the Seventh Tradition is a personal challenge, reminding me to share and give of myself.   Before sobriety the only thing I ever supported was my habit of drinking.   Now my efforts are a smile, a kind word, and kindness.

I saw that I had to start carrying my own weight and allow my new friends to walk with me because, through the practice of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, I've never had it so good.

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

Out of Bondage

At Step Three, many of us said to our Maker, as we understood Him: "God, I offer myself to Thee - to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy power, Thy love, and Thy way of life. May I do Thy will always!" We thought well before taking this Step, making sure we were ready. Then we could commence to abandon ourselves utterly to Him.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 63

We thought "conditions" drove us to drink, and when we tried to correct these conditions and found that we couldn't do so to our entire satisfaction, our drinking went out of hand and we became alcoholics. It never occurred to us that we needed to change ourselves to meet conditions, whatever they were.

12x12 p. 47
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to
Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give
freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the
Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you
trudge the Road of Happy Destiny."

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 164
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
AA Thought for the Day

There are two days in every week about which we should not
worry, two days that should be kept from fear and
apprehension. One of these days is yesterday, with its
mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and
pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All
the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We
cannot undo a single act we performed. We cannot erase a
single word we said. Yesterday is gone beyond recall. Do I
still worry about what happened yesterday?

Meditation for the Day

"God will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are
able, but with the temptation He will also find a way of
escape, that you may be able to bear it." If you have enough
faith and trust in God, He will give you all the strength you
need to face every temptation and to overcome it. Nothing
will prove too hard for you to bear. You can face any
situation. "Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world."
You can overcome any temptation with God's help. So fear
nothing.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may face every situation without fear. I pray
that nothing will prove too hard for me to bear.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

Thoughts For The Day~*~Trouble ^*^*^ July 28, 2011

~*~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 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.
Surprisingly, we found that our troubles could,
under God's grace,
be converted into unimaginable blessings."
Bill W., Letter, 1966
1967AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 110
^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to Consider . . .

The peaks and valleys of my life
have become gentle rolling hills.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
S O B E R  =  Son Of a Basket, Everything's Real

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

Why?

From: "There Is A Solution" 

Why does he behave like this? If hundreds of experiences have shown him that one drink means another debacle with all its attendant suffering and humiliation, why is it he takes that one drink? Why can't he stay on the water wagon? What has become of the common sense and will power that he still sometimes displays with respect to other matters?

Perhaps there never will be a full answer to these questions. Opinions vary considerably as to why the alcoholic reacts differently from normal people. We are not sure why, once a certain point is reached, little can be done for him. We cannot answer the riddle. 

2001, AAWS, Inc., Alcoholics Anonymous, page 22

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
THOSE WHO STILL SUFFER

Let us resist the proud assumption that since God has enabled
us to do well in one area we are destined to be a channel of
saving grace for everybody.

A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 232

A. A. groups exist to help alcoholics achieve sobriety. Large
or small, firmly established or brand-new, speaker,
discussion or study group has but one reason for being: to
carry the message to the still-suffering alcoholic. The group
exists so that the alcoholic can find a new way of life, a
life abundant in happiness, joy, and freedom. To recover,
most alcoholics need the support of a group of other
alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope.
Thus my sobriety, and our program's survival, depend on my
determination to put first things first

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~ *~*~*~*
Never the Same Again

It was discovered that when one alcoholic had planted in the mind of another the true nature of his malady, that person could never be the same again. Following every spree, he would say to himself, "Maybe those A.A.'s were right." After a few such experiences, often before the onset of extreme difficulties, he would return to us convinced.
<<<>>>
In the first years, those of us who sobered up in A.A. had been grim and
utterly hopeless cases. But then we began to have success with milder
alcoholics and even some potential alcoholics. Younger folks appeared. Lots of people turned up who still had jobs, homes, health, and even good social standing.
Of course, it was necessary for these newcomers to hit bottom emotionally. But they did not have to hit every possible bottom in order to admit that they were licked.

1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, pp. 23-24 - 2. A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 199
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Now we go out to our fellows and repair the damage done in the
past. We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out
of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves. If we
haven't the will to do this, we ask until it comes. Remember it was
agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over
alcohol."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg.76~

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

To continue the paraphrase of the psalm: "The judgments of
the Twelve Steps are true and righteous altogether. More to
be desired are they than whiskey, yea, than much fine whiskey,
sweeter also than wine. Moreover, by them are alcoholics
warned and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can
understand our alcoholism? Cleanse us from secret faults. Keep
us from presumptuous resentments. Let them not have dominion
over us. Then shall we be upright and free of the great
transgression." Am I resolved that liquor will never again
have dominion over me?

Meditation for the Day

God can be your shield. Then no problems of the world can harm
you. Between you and all scorn and indignity from others is your
trust in God, like a shining shield. Nothing can th en have the
power to spoil your inward peace. With this shield, you can
attain this inward peace quickly, in your surroundings as well
as in your heart. With this inward peace, you do not need to
resent the person who troubles you. Instead, you can overcome
the resentment in your own mind which may have been aroused by
that person.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may strive for inward peace. I pray that I may not
be seriously upset, no matter what happens around me.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012