Thoughts For The Day~*~Fellowship ^*^*^*^*^ September 18, 2011

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (AA/   )
(    /AA\ )
   /AA\
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Fellowship
^*^*^*^*^
"Today, I'm counting my blessings instead of my troubles.
When I walked into the friendly atmosphere
of my first AA meeting, I knew I was where I belonged.
Here were people who had thought and felt as I had.
Here was the understanding I'd been searching for all my life.
These people were my friends,
and I felt their sincere interest in me.
With these new and enlightening doors opening up to me,
I was able to make the eventual decision to stop drinking,
a day at a time -- because I, too, was an alcoholic.
And with this came the only real freedom,
the freedom of truth."
c. 1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 355
^*^*^*^*^

Thought to Consider . . .

If you love someone, tell them now.  
Eternity is time enough for silence.

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

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

Camel Metaphor

From: "As Dr. Bob said" 

According to Ed, Dr. Bob would explain prayer by telling how the camels in a caravan would kneel down in the evening, and the men would unload their burdens. In the morning, they would kneel down again, and the men would put the burdens back on. It's the same with prayer, Dr. Bob said. We get on our knees to unload at night. And in the morning when we get on our knees again, God gives us just the load we are able to carry for that day. 

1980, AAWS, Inc., DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, page 229

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
LOVED BACK TO RECOVERY

Our whole treasured philosophy of self-sufficiency had to be cast aside. This had not been done with old-fashioned willpower; it was instead a matter of developing the willingness to accept these new facts of living.  We neither ran nor fought.  But accept we did.  And then we were free.
                       
BEST OF THE GRAPEVINE, Vol. 1, p. 198

I can be free of my old enslaving self.  After a while I recognize, and believe in, the good within myself.  I see that I have been loved back to recovery by my Higher Power, who envelops me.  My Higher Power becomes that source of love and strength that is performing a continuing miracle in me.  I am sober . . . and I am grateful.

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

My self-analysis has frequently been faulty. Sometimes I've failed to share my defects with the right people; at other times, I've confessed their defects, rather than my own; and at still other times, my confession of defects has been more in the nature of loud complaints about my circumstances and my problems.

<<<>>>

When A.A. suggests a fearless moral inventory, it must seem to every newcomer that more is being asked of him than he can do. Every time he tries to look within himself, Pride says, "You need not pass this way," and Fear says, "You dare not look!"
But pride and fear of this sort turn out to be bogeymen, nothing else. Once we have a complete willingness to take inventory, and exert ourselves to do the job thoroughly, a wonderful light falls upon this foggy scene. As we persist, a brand-new kind of confidence is born, and the sense of relief at finally facing ourselves is indescribable.

1. GRAPEVINE, JUNE 1958 - 2. TWELVE AND TWELVE, pp. 49-50
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them
help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up
about you, to have a host of friends‚ this is an experience you
must not miss."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 89~

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

Step One is, "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-that our
lives had become unmanageable." This step states the membership
requirement of A.A. We must admit that our lives are disturbed. We
must accept the fact that we are helpless before the power of alcohol.
We must admit that we are licked as far as drinking is concerned and
that we need help. We must be willing to accept the bitter fact that
we cannot drink like normal people. And we must make, as gracefully
as possible, a surrender to the inevitable fact that we must stop
drinking. Is it difficult for me to admit that I am different from
normal drinkers?

Meditation for the Day

"Show us the way, O' Lord, and let us walk in Thy paths." There seems
to be a right way to live and a wrong way You can make a practical
test. When you live the right way, things seem to work out well for
you. When you live the wrong way, things seem to work out badly for
you. You seem to take out of life about what you put into it. if you
disobey the laws of nature, the chances are that you will be
unhealthy. If you disobey the spiritual and moral laws, the chances
are that you will be unhappy. By following the laws of nature and
the spiritual laws of honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love, you
can expect to be reasonably healthy and happy.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may try to live the right way. I pray that I may follow
the path that leads to a better life.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

Thoughts For The Day~*~Restraint ^*^*^*^*^ September 17, 2011

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Restraint
^*^*^*^*^
"Our first objective will be the development of self-restraint.
This carries a top priority rating.
When we speak or act hastily or rashly,
the ability to be fair-minded and tolerant evaporates on the spot.
One unkind tirade or one willful snap judgment
can ruin or relation with another person for a whole day,
or maybe a whole year.
Nothing pays off like restraint of tongue and pen."
c. 1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 91
^*^*^*^*^

Thought to Consider . . .

The tongue must be heavy indeed,
because so few people can hold it.

*~*~*AARONYMS*~*~*
H A L T =  Honestly, Actively, Lovingly, Tolerant

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

Found the Door

From: "Twice-Gifted" 

My physical being has certainly undergone a transformation, but the major transformation has been spiritual. The hopelessness has been replaced by abundant hope and sincere faith. The people of Alcoholics Anonymous have provided a haven where, if I remain aware and keep my mind quiet long enough, my Higher Power leads me to amazing realizations. I find joy in my daily life, in being of service, in simply being. I have found rooms full of wonderful people, and for me each and every one of the Big Book's promises have come true. The things that I have learned from my own experience, from the Big Book, and from my friends in AA - patience, acceptance, honesty, humility, and true faith in a Power greater than myself - are the tools I use today to live my life, this precious life. 

Today my life is filled with miracles big and small, not one of which would ever have come to pass had I not found the door of Alcoholics Anonymous. 

2001, AAWS, Inc., Alcoholics Anonymous, page 475

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
FREEDOM FROM FEAR

When, with God's help, we calmly accepted our lot, then we found we could live at peace with ourselves and show others who still suffered the same fears that they could get over them, too. We  found that freedom from fear was more important than freedom from want.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 122

Material values ruled my life for many years during my active alcoholism.  I believed that all of my possessions would make me happy, yet I still felt bankrupt after I obtained them.  When I first came into A.A., I found out about a new way of living.  As a result of learning to trust others, I began to believe in a power greater than myself.  Having faith freed me from the bondage of self.  As material gains were replaced by the gifts of the spirit, my life became manageable.  I then chose to share my experiences with other alcoholics.

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

It is being constantly revealed, as mankind studies the material world, that its outward appearance is not inward reality at all. The prosaic steel girder is a mass of electrons whirling around each other at incredible speed, and these tiny bodies are governed by precise laws. Science tells us so. We have no reason to doubt it.
When, however, the perfectly logical assumption is suggested that, infinitely beyond the material world as we see it, there is an all powerful, guiding, creative Intelligence, our perverse streak comes to the surface and we set out to convince ourselves that this isn't so. Were our contention true, it would follow that life originated out of nothing, means nothing, and proceeds nowhere.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 48-49
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the
brainstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of normal
men, but for alcoholics these things are poison."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 66~
*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

Step One is, "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-that
our lives had become unmanageable." This step states the membership
requirement of A.A. We must admit that our lives are disturbed.
We must accept the fact that we are helpless before the power of
alcohol. We must admit that we are licked as far as drinking is
concerned and that we need help. We must be willing to accept the
bitter fact that we cannot drink like normal people. And we must
make, as gracefully as possible, a surrender to the inevitable
fact that we must stop drinking. Is it difficult for me to admit
that I am different from normal drinkers?

Meditation for the Day

"Show us the way, O' Lord, and let us walk in Thy paths." There
seems to be a right way to live and a wrong way You can make a
practical test. When you live the right way, things seem to work
out well for you. When you live the wrong way, things seem to
work out badly for you. You seem to take out of life about what
you put into it. if you disobey the laws of nature, the chances
are that you will be unhealthy. If you disobey the spiritual and
moral laws, the chances are that you will be unhappy. By
following the laws of nature and the spiritual laws of honesty,
purity, unselfishness, and love, you can expect to be reasonably
healthy and happy.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may try to live the right way. I pray that I may
follow the path that leads to a better life.

 

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

Thoughts For The Day~*~Miracles ^*^*^ September 16, 2011

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

Sole Authority

Tradition Two: For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.

Where does AA get its direction? Who runs it? This, too, is a puzzler for every friend and newcomer. When told that our Society has no president having authority to govern it, no treasurer who can compel the payment of any dues, no board of directors who can cast an erring member into outer darkness, when indeed no AA can give another a directive and enforce obedience, our friends gasp and exclaim, "This simply can't be. There must be an angle somewhere." These practical folk then read Tradition Two, and learn that the sole authority in AA is a loving God as He may express Himself in the group conscience. They dubiously ask an experienced AA member if this really works. The member, sane to all appearances, immediately answers, "Yes! It definitely does." The friends mutter that his looks vague, nebulous, pretty naive to them. Then they commence to watch us with speculative eyes, pick up a fragment of AA history, and soon have the solid facts

1981, AAWS, Inc., Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 132

*~*~*~*~*^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 ^*~*~*~*~*

"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^*~*~*~*
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