Thoughts For The Day~*~Four Horsemen ^*^*^*^*^ June 1, 2014

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~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Four Horsemen
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"The less people tolerated us,
the more we withdrew from society, from life itself. 
As we became subjects of King Alcohol,
shivering denizens of his mad realm,
the chilling vapor that is loneliness settled down. 
It thickened, ever becoming blacker. 
Some of us sought out sordid places,
hoping to find understanding companionship and approval. 
Momentarily we did - then would come oblivion
and the awful awakening
to face the hideous Four Horsemen -
Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration, Despair. 
Unhappy drinkers who read this page will understand!"
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 151
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Thought to Consider . . .

Alcohol gave me wings to fly,
and then it took away the sky.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*

A A  =  Absolute Abstinence

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

Conception

From "Back to the Fundamentals":

"The answer I was looking for was on page 12, in Ebby's words to Bill: '"Why don't you choose your own conception of God?"'

"'I've tried everything else,' I thought, 'and I've got no place else to go. I might just as well.' I sat down at my desk, got a pad of paper and a pencil, and asked myself, 'If you could pick the kind of God that you could believe in, what would He be like?' I bore in mind the facts that I was an alcoholic and that I had been a perfectionist all my life. The world was never perfect enough for me. Everything that I ever believed in, every ideal that I ever followed turned out to have feet of clay. Here was my chance. For the first time in my life, I could create something perfect. All right!

"I wrote across the page, 'God is the perfection I've been searching for all my life. He is too perfect to have human characteristics and faults.' That was the start.

"Then I wrote, 'God is the ultimate perfection. He is the perfect love, the perfect truth, the perfect goodness, the perfect understanding, tolerance, mercy, forgiveness. God is so perfect that no matter how evil, how unclean we may be, He'll forgive us if we ask, and grant us strength to overcome our shortcomings.'"

1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30^th printing 2004, pgs. 63-64

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
A CHANGED OUTLOOK

Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 84

When I was drinking, my attitude was totally selfish, totally self-centered; my pleasure and my comfort came first. 
Now that I am sober, self-seeking has started to slip away. 
My whole attitude toward life and other people is
changing.  For me, the first "A" in our name stands for attitude.  My
attitude is changed by the second "A" in our name, which stands for action. 
By working the Steps, attending meetings, and carrying the message,
I can be restored to sanity.  Action is the magic word!  With a positive, helpful attitude and regular A.A.  action, I can stay sober and help others to achieve sobriety.  My attitude now is that I am willing to go to any length to stay sober!

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

Deep down in every man, woman, and child is the fundamental idea of a God. It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or other it is there. For faith in a Power greater than ourselves, and miraculous demonstrations of that Power in human lives are facts as old as man himself.
<<<>>>
"Faith may often be given through inspired teaching or a convincing personal example of its fruits. It may sometimes be had through reason. For instance, many clergymen believe that St. Thomas Aquinas actually proved God's existence by sheer logic. But what can one do when all these channels fail? This was my own grievous dilemma.
"It was only when I came fully to believe I was powerless over alcohol, only when I appealed to a God who just might exist, that I experienced a spiritual awakening. This freedom-giving experience came first, and then faith followed afterward--a gift indeed!"

1. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, P. 55
2. LETTER, 1966
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Actually we were fooling ourselves, for deep down in every man,
woman, and child, is the fundamental idea of God. It may be obscured
by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form
or other it is there. For faith in a Power greater than ourselves, and
miraculous demonstrations of that power in human lives, are facts as
old as man himself."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 55~

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

Some things I do not miss since becoming dry: that overall awful feeling
physically, including the shakes, a splitting headache, pains in my arms and legs, bleary eyes, fluttering stomach, droopy shoulders, weak knees, a three-day beard, and a flushed complexion. Also, facing my loved one at breakfast. Also, composing the alibi and sticking to it. Also, trying to
shave or put on make-up with a shaky hand. Also, opening up my wallet to find it empty. I don't miss these things, do I?

Meditation for the Day

You were born with a spark of the Divine within you. It had been all but
smothered by the life you were living. That celestial fire has to be tended and fed so that it will grow eventually into a real desire to live the right way. By trying to do the will of God, you grow more and more in the new way of life. By thinking of God, praying to Him, and having communion with Him, you gradually grow more like Him. The way of your transformation from the material to the spiritual is the way of Divine Companionship.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may tend the spark of the Divine within me so that it will
grow. I pray that I may be gradually transformed from the old life to the new life.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

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Thoughts For The Day~*~Sponsorship ~*~May 31, 2014

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~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Sponsorship
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"Dr. Bob led me through all of these Steps.
At the moral inventory,
he brought up some of my bad personality traits
or character defects, such as selfishness,
conceit, jealousy, carelessness, intolerance,
ill-temper, sarcasm and resentments.
We went over these at great length and then
he finally asked me if I wanted these defects of character
taken away.
When I said yes, we both knelt at his desk and prayed . . .
If I live to be a hundred, this will always stand out in my mind.
I wish that every AA could have the benefit of this type
of sponsorship today."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 292
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Thought to Consider . . .

A recovering alcoholic without a sponsor
is much like a ship without a rudder.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
S P O N S O R =
Sober Person Offering Newcomer Support Of Recovery

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

 

Funding

From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":

"These New York drunks just do not believe it. Some take it as a joke, and the rest talk high and holy about mixing a spiritual enterprise with money and promotion. But if they really did think that the book would sell, they would buy the stock all right, and fast. So why don't we go up and see The Reader's Digest people and find out if they will print a piece about our fellowship and this book? If the Digest runs an article about us, we will sell those books by the carloads. Anybody can see this, even these tightwad drunks. So what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"Two days later at Pleasantville, New York, we sat in the office of Mr. Kenneth Payne, then managing editor of the Digest.  'When your book is ready next spring, let me know and I think we can put a feature writer to work. This should be a great story.'

"Henry and I reached for our hats and sped for New York. Now we had real ammunition. That very night we started a fresh canvass, and the former doubters began to sign up."

2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 158

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
READINESS TO SERVE OTHERS

. . . our Society has concluded that it has but one high mission -- to carry the A.A. message to those who don't know there's a way out.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 151

The "Light" to freedom shines bright on my fellow alcoholics as each one of us challenges the other to grow.   The "Steps" to self-improvement have small beginnings, but each Step builds the "ladder" out of the pit of despair to new hope.   Honesty becomes my "tool" to unfurl the "chains" which bound me.   A sponsor, who is a caring listener, can help me to truly hear the message guiding me to freedom.

I ask God for the courage to live in such a way that the Fellowship may be a testimony to His favor.   This mission frees me to share my gifts of wellness through a spirit of readiness to serve others.

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

The moment we ponder a twisted or broken relationship with another person, our emotions go on the defensive. To escape looking at the wrongs we have done another, we resentfully focus on the wrong he has done us. Triumphantly we seize upon his slightest misbehavior as the perfect excuse for minimizing or forgetting our own.
Right here we need to fetch ourselves up sharply. Let's remember that alcoholics are not the only ones bedeviled by sick emotions. In many
instances we are really dealing with fellow sufferers, people whose woes we have increased. If we are about to ask forgiveness for ourselves, why shouldn't we start out by forgiving them, one and all?

TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 78

*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"...we have ceased fighting anything or anyone even alcohol."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 84~

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

I shall not wait to be drafted for service to A.A. I Shall volunteer. I shall
be loyal in my attendance, generous in my giving, kind in my criticism, creative in my suggestions, loving in my attitudes. I shall give to A.A. my interest, my enthusiasm, my devotion, and most of all, myself Do I also accept this as my AA. credo?

Meditation for the Day

Prayer is of many kinds, but of whatever kind, prayer is the linking up of the soul and mind to God. So, if prayer is only a glance of faith, a look or a word of love, or just a feeling of confidence in the goodness and purpose in the universe, still the result of that prayer is added strength to meet all temptations and to overcome them. Even if no supplication is expressed, all the supply of strength that is necessary is secured, because the soul, being linked and united to God, receives from Him all spiritual help needed. The soul, when in its human body, still needs the things belonging to its heavenly habitation.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be taught how to pray. I pray that I may be linked through prayer to the mind and will of God.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

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Thoughts For The Day~*~Unity ^*^*^*^*^ May 30, 2014

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~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Unity
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" 'Practically never have I heard a heated religious, political,
or reform argument among AA members. 
So long as we don't argue these matters privately,
it's a cinch we never shall publicly.'
As by some deep instinct, we AA's have known
from the very beginning that we must never,
no matter what the provocation,
publicly take sides in any fight, even a worthy one. . .

. . . We do not enter into public controversy,
because we know that our Society will perish if it does.
We conceive the survival and spread
of Alcoholics Anonymous to be
something of far greater importance
than the weight we could collectively
throw back of any other cause."
1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pp. 176-77
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Thought to Consider . . .

Attitudes are contagious.
Is yours worth catching?

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
BUT
Being Unconvinced Totally

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

   

Messages

From "Mathematical Miracle":

"Finally, he found a basement bar on a quiet side street, practically deserted. He sat down on a bar stool and ordered a double bourbon on the rocks.

"Then the bartender stopped in his tracks, took a long, hard look at the customer, leaned over the bar, and said in a low tone, 'I was in Milwaukee about four months ago, and one night I attended an open meeting. You were on the speaking platform, and you gave one of the finest A.A. talks I ever heard.

"For a few minutes, the customer sat there probably in a state of shock. Then he picked his money off the bar with trembling hands and walked out, all desire for a drink drained out of him.  Chicago, Illinois, USA"

1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30^th printing 2004, pg. 74

*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*

OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE

The more A.A. sticks to its primary purpose, the greater will be its helpful influence everywhere.

A.A. COMES OF AGE, p.109

It is with gratitude that I reflect on the early days of our Fellowship and those wise and loving "foresteppers" who proclaimed that we should not be diverted from our primary purpose, that of carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
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~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
No Boundaries

Meditation is something which can always be further developed. It has no boundaries, of width or height or depth. Aided by such instruction and example as we can find, it is essentially an individual adventure, something which each one of us works out in his own way. But its object is always the same: to improve our conscious contact with God, with His grace, wisdom, and love.
And let's always remember that meditation is in reality intensely practical. One of its first fruits is emotional balance. With it we can broaden and deepen the channel between ourselves and God as we understand Him.

TWELVE AND TWELVE, PP. 101-102
*~*~*~*~*^ 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,  Working With Others, pg. 89
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

I am part of A.A., one among many, but I am one. I need the A.A. principles for the development of the buried life within me. A.A. may be human in its organization, but it is Divine in its purpose. The purpose is to point me toward God and a better life. Participating in the privilege of the movement, I shall share in the responsibilities, taking it upon myself to carry my fair share of the load, not grudgingly but joyfully. To the extent that I fail in my responsibilities, A.A. fails. To the extent that I succeed, A.A. succeeds.
Do I accept this as my AA. credo?

Meditation for the Day

"Praise the Lord." What does praising God mean? It means being grateful for all the wonderful things in the universe and for all the blessings in your life. So praise God by being grateful and humble. Praise of this kind has more power to vanquish evil than has mere resignation. The truly grateful and humble person, who is always praising God, is not tempted to do wrong. You will have a feeling of security because you know that fundamentally all is
well. So look up to God and praise Him.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be grateful for all my blessings. I pray that I may be
humble because I know that I do not deserve them.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

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Thoughts For The Day~*~Freedom^*^*^*^*^ May 29, 2014

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

"So far, upon the total problem of several million
actual and potential alcoholics in the world,
we have made only a scratch.
In all probability, we shall never be able to touch
more than a fair fraction of the alcohol problem
in all its ramifications.
Upon therapy for the alcoholic himself,
we surely have no monopoly.
Yet it is our great hope that all those
who have as yet found no answer
may begin to find one in the pages of this book
and will presently join us on
the highroad to a new freedom."

Foreword to Second Edition
Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. xx-xxi

Thought to Consider....

"Within our wonderful new world,
we have found freedom from our fatal obsession."

Bill W., Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, p. 139

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
SOBRIETY
Stay Off Booze Recovery Is Everything To You

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

Surrender

From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":

"In medicine, we have learned a great deal about the physical treatment of the alcoholic. We have learned about nutrition and the importance of a fully rounded diet, and vitamins and minerals.  But we do know that these things are necessary in the physical treatment and rehabilitation of the alcoholic. We know also that various kinds of drying out and other forms of therapy have failed. They are not enough by themselves. We need something more.

"We know also that religious exhortation has failed, as has exhortation from people who have no grasp of the problem, who oversimplify, people in whose view an alcoholic is a person who is perpetually thirsty with a fierce craving for alcohol, people who do not know that a great many alcoholics hate alcohol worse than poison when they are sober, because they know that it is poison.

"[A]s time went on I became less and less astonished as I saw the effectiveness of your work, as I saw a man of great talent, a close friend of mine, a man who was almost on the verge of genius. I saw alcohol make its insidious inroads upon his career, upon his relationships with his family and children, upon his standing in the community.

"I saw him on the verge of losing his job, and I saw him lose his job; and then I saw him surrender. I saw him throw up his hands and quit, saying, 'I can't do it by myself. I've got to have help.' And with the spiritual help of his clergyman and A.A., I have seen that man come back to a commanding position in his field, a man who is as sober today, as clear-eyed and bright, as any person in this audience." Dr. W. W. Bauer, 1955

2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pgs. 241-43

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
TRUE TOLERANCE

The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.  139

I first heard the short form of the Third Tradition in the Preamble.  When I came to A.A.  I could not accept myself, my alcoholism, or a Higher Power.  If there had been any physical, mental, moral, or religious requirements for membership, I would be dead today.  Bill W. said in his tape on the Traditions that the Third Tradition is a charter for individual freedom.  The most impressive thing to me was the feeling of acceptance from members who were practicing the Third Tradition by tolerating and accepting me.  I feel acceptance is love and love is God's will for us.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Guide to a Better Way

 Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation.  But we saw that it really worked in others, and had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it.

 When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet.
<<<>>>
Implicit throughout A.A.'s Traditions is the confession that our Fellowship has its sins. We admit that we have character defects as a society and that these defects threaten us continually. our Traditions are a guide to better ways of working and living, and they are to group survival and harmony what A.A.'s Twelve Steps are to each member's sobriety and peace of mind.

1. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, P. 25
2. A.A. COMES OF AGE, P. 96

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

"We are like men who have lost their legs; they never grow new ones.
Neither does there appear to be any kind of treatment which will
make alcoholics of our kind like other men. We have tried every
imaginable remedy. In some instances there has been brief recovery,
followed always by a still worse relapse. Physicians who are
familiar with alcoholism agree there is no such thing as making a
normal drinker out of an alcoholic. Science may one day accomplish
this, but it hasn't done so yet."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 30~

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

We who have learned to put our drink problem in God's hands
can help others to do so. We can be used as a connection
between an alcoholic's need and God's supply of strength. We
in Alcoholics Anonymous can be uniquely useful, just because
we have the misfortune or fortune to be alcoholics ourselves.
Do I want to be a uniquely useful person? Will I use my own
greatest defeat and failure and sickness as a weapon to help
others?

Meditation for the Day

I will try to help others. I will try not to let a day pass
without reaching out an arm of love to someone. Each day I
will try to do something to lift another human being out of
the sea of discouragement into which he or she has fallen. My
helping hand is needed to raise the helpless to courage, to
strength, to faith, to health. In my own gratitude, I will
turn and help other alcoholics with the burden that is
pressing too heavily upon them.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be used by God to lighten many burdens.
I pray that many souls may be helped through my efforts.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

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