Thoughts For The Day~*~Change^*^*^ June 21

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

Change 
^*^*^ 
"Let us never fear needed change.  Certainly we have to discriminate between
changes for worse and changes for better.  But once a need becomes clearly apparent
in an individual, in a group, or in AA as a whole, it has long since been found out that we cannot stand still and look the other way.  The essence of all growth is a willingness to change for the better and then an unremitting willingness to shoulder whatever responsibility this entails." 
Bill W., Grapevine, July 1965
1967AAWS, As Bill Sees It,  p. 115 
^*^*^*^*^*
Thought to Consider . . . 

God used two people to create me; He used a whole Fellowship to change me. 

*~*AACRONYMS*~*

A C T I O N  =  Any Change Toward Improving One's Nature.

*~*^Just For Today!^*~*

Steps

From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":

"Though subject to considerable variation, it all boiled down into a pretty consistent procedure which comprised six steps. These were approximately as follows: 

1. "We admitted that we were licked, that we were powerless  over alcohol.

 

2.  "We made a moral inventory of our defects or sins.

 

3.   "We confessed or shared our shortcomings with another person in confidence.

 

4.   "We made restitution to all those we have harmed by our drinking.

 

5.  "We tried to help other alcoholics, with no thought of reward in money or prestige.

 
6.    We prayed to whatever God we thought there was for power to practice these precepts.

"This was the substance of what, by the fall of 1938, we were telling newcomers. Several of the Oxford Groups other ideas and attitudes had been definitely rejected, including any which could involve us in theological controversy."

 2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 160

*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*

FEAR AND FAITH 

The achievement of freedom from fear is a lifetime undertaking, one that can never be wholly completed.  When under heavy attack, acute illness, or in other conditions of serious insecurity, we shall all react to this emotion -- well or badly, as the case may be.  Only the self-deceived will claim perfect freedom from fear. 
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 263 

Fear has caused suffering when I could have had more faith.  There are times when fear suddenly tears me apart, just when I'm experiencing feelings of joy, happiness and a lightness of heart.  Faith and a feeling of self-worth toward a Higher Power -- helps me endure tragedy and ecstasy.  When I choose to give all of my fears over to my Higher Power, I will be free.
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*

This Matter of Honesty 

"Only God can fully know what absolute honesty is. Therefore, each of us has to conceive what this great ideal may be--to the best or our ability. "Fallible as we all are, and will be in this life, it would be  presumption to suppose that we could ever really achieve absolute honesty. The best we can do is to strive for a better quality of honesty.  "Sometimes we need to place love ahead of indiscriminate 'factual honesty.' We cannot, under the guise of 'perfect honesty,' cruelly and unnecessarily hurt others. Always one must ask, 'What is the best and most loving thing I can do?' " 
LETTER, 1966 

*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*

"Although financial recovery is on the way for many of us, we found we could not place money first. For us, material well-being always followed spiritual progress; it never preceded."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 127~

*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*

A.A. Thought for the Day 

Intelligent faith in that Power greater than ourselves can be counted on to stabilize our emotions. It has an incomparable capacity to help us look at life in balanced
perspective. We look up, around, and away from ourselves, and we see that nine out of ten things that at the moment upset us will shortly disappear. Problems solve themselves, criticism and unkindness vanish as though they had never been. Have I got the proper perspective toward life? 

Meditation for the Day

A truly spiritual man or woman would like to have a serene mind. The only way to keep calm in this troubled world is to have a serene mind. The calm and sane mind sees spiritual things as the true realities and material things as only temporary and fleeting. That sort of mind you can never obtain by reasoning, because your reasoning powers are limited by space and time. That kind of a mind you can never obtain by reading, because other minds are also limited in the same way.  You can only have that mind by an act of faith, by making the venture of belief. 

Prayer for the Day 

I pray that I may have a calm and sane mind. I pray that I may look up, around, and away from myself. 
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

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Thoughts For The Day~*~Egomania^*^*^ June 20

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Egomania 
^*^*^ 
"Our egomania digs two disastrous pitfalls.  Either we insist on dominating the people we know, or we depend upon them far too much.  If we lean too heavily on people, they will sooner or later fail us, for they are human, too, and cannot possibly meet our own incessant demands. . . We have not once sought to be one in a family, to be a friend among friends, to be a worker among workers, to be a useful member of society." 
1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 53 
^*^*^*^*^* 
Thought to Consider . . . 

It is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and to make amends for them.

*~*AACRONYMS*~*

E G O  =  Easing God Out 

*~*^Just For Today!^*~*

Staying stopped

From "A.A. Taught Him To Handle Sobriety:"

"Like most alcoholics I have known, I DID quit drinking at various times -- once for ten months on my own and during other interludes when I was hospitalized.  It's no great trick to stop drinking, the trick is to STAY stopped."
1976, Alcoholics Anonymous, page 554

*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*

RELEASE FROM FEAR

The problem of resolving fear has two aspects. We shall have to try for all the freedom from fear that is possible for us to attain. Then we shall need to find both the
courage and grace to deal constructively with whatever fears remain. 
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 61 

Most of my decisions were based on fear. Alcohol made life easier to face, but the time came when alcohol was no longer an alternative to fear. One of the greatest gifts
in A. A. for me has been the courage to take action, which I can do with God's help. After five years of sobriety I had to deal with a heavy dose of fear. God put the people
in my life to help me do that and, through my working the Twelve Steps, I am becoming the whole person I wish to be and, for that, I am deeply grateful. 
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*

Dividends and Mysteries

"The A.A. preoccupation with sobriety is sometimes misunderstood. To some, this single virtue appears to be the sole dividend of our Fellowship. We are thought to be dried-up drunks who otherwise have changed little, or not at all, for the better. Such a surmise widely misses the truth. We  know that permanent sobriety can be attained only by a most revolutionary change in the life and outlook of the individual--by a spiritual awakening that can banish the desire to drink."
<<<>>>
"You are asking yourself, as all of us must: 'Who am I?'...'Where am
I?'...'Whence do I go?' The process of enlightenment is usually slow. But, in the end, our seeking always brings a finding. These great mysteries are, after all, enshrined in completely simplicity. The willingness to grow is the essence of all spiritual development." 
1. LETTER, 1966
2. LETTER, 1955

*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*

"God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons. Most of them give freely of themselves, that their fellows may enjoy sound minds and bodies."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 133~

*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*

A.A. Thought for the Day 

You should be ready and willing to carry the A.A. message when called upon to do so. live for some purpose greater than yourself. Each day you will have something to work for.  You have received so much from this program that you should have a vision that gives your life a direction and a purpose that gives meaning to each new day. Let us not slide along through life. Let us have a purpose for each day and let us make that purpose for something greater than just ourselves. What is my purpose for today? 

Meditation for the Day 

To see God with eyes of faith is to cause God's power to manifest itself in the material world. God cannot do His work because of unbelief. In response to your belief, God
can work a miracle in your personality. All miracles happen in the realm of personality and all are caused by and based on belief in God's never - failing power. But God's power cannot manifest itself in personalities unless those personalities make His power available by their faith.  We can only see God with the eyes of faith, but this kind of seeing produces a great change in our way of living. 

Prayer for the Day 

I pray that I may see God with the eyes of faith. I pray that this seeing will produce a change in my personality.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012 

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

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Progress 
^*^*^ 
"Day 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 Consider . . . 

There is no progress without change.

*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*

G O D  =  Good Orderly Direction

*~*^Just For Today!^*~*
  

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 

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

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Resentment 
^*^*^ 
"Resentment 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 Consider . . . 

We 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

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

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
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Neighbors 
^*^*^ 
"Near 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.' " 
1976 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 152-3
^*^*^*^*^* 
Thought to Consider . . . 
Let 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 

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

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
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(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Fun
^*^*^
"Every 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."
1976 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 417
^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to Consider . . .

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 

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