Saturday, January 09, 2016

Thoughts For The Day~*~Courage ^*^*^ January 10

​​
*~A.AThoughtFor The Day~*
^*^*^*^*^
(\  ~~~  /)
(   \(AA)/  )
(_   /AA\ _)
/AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Courage

I looked around me at people who seemed happy and tried to analyze their happiness, and it seemed  to me that without exception these people had something or somebody they loved very much. I didn't  have the courage to love; I was not even sure I had the capacity. Fear of rejection and its ensuing pain were not to be risked . . . 
c. 1976 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous,  p. 546 
(does not appear in 4th Edition) 
^*^*^*^*^ 
Thought to Consider . . . 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers. 

*~*AACRONYMS*~*

A A  =  Altered Attitudes

*~*^Just For Today!^*~*

Cooperation
From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":

"Public relations was not only a big problem but a very delicate one. Any blunders that could arouse general prejudice might prolong the suffering of many and cost the lives of some. A carefully thought-out public relations policy had to be formed and put into operation. "Prime consideration was given to our relations with medicine and religion. Under no circumstances must we get into competition with either. If we appeared to be a new religious sect, we would certainly be in trouble. And if we moved into the medical field as such, there would be more trouble. So we began to emphasize the fact that A.A. was a way of life that conflicted with no one's religious belief. We let the doctors know how much we needed hospitalization, and we suggested to psychiatrists and drying-out places the advantage of cooperating with us."

2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 197

*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*

UNITED WE STAND 

We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics.  This is the first step in recovery.  The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed. 
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  30 

I came to Alcoholics Anonymous because I was no longer able to control my drinking.  It was either my wife's complaining about my drinking, or maybe the sheriff forced me to go to A.A. meetings, or perhaps I knew, deep down inside, that I couldn't drink like others, but I was unwilling to admit it because the alternative terrified me.  Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women united against a common, fatal disease.  Each one of our lives is linked to every other, much like the survivors on a life raft at sea.  If we all work together, we can get safely to shore.
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*~*^As BilSees It^*~*

Out of the Dark

Self-searching is the means by which we bring new vision, action, and grace to bear upon the dark and negative side of our natures. With it comes the development of that kind of humility that makes it possible for us to receive God's help. Yet it is only a stepWe will want to go further. We will want the good that is in us all, even in the worst of us, to flower and to grow. But first of all we shall want sunlight; nothing much can grow in the dark. Meditation is our step out into the sun.
<<<>>>
"A clear light seems to fall upon us all - when we open our eyes. Since our blindness is caused by our own defects, we must first deeply realize what they are. Constructive meditation is the first requirement for each new step in our spiritual growth."
1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 98 - 2. LETTER, 1946

*~*^Big Book Quote^*~*
"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."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 68~

*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*

A.A. Thought for the Day

When we were drinking, most of us were full of pride and selfishness. We believed we could handle our own affairs, even though we were making a mess of our lives. We were very stubborn and didn't like to take advice. We resented being told what to do. To us, humility looked like weakness. But when we came into A.A., we began to be humble. And we found out that humility gave us the power we needed to overcome drinking. Have I learned that there is power in humility? 

Meditation for the Day

I will come to God in faith and He will give me a new way of life. This new way of life will alter my whole existence, the words I speak, the influence I have. They will spring from the life within me. I see how important is the work of a person who has this new way of life. The words and the example of such a person can have a wide influence for good in the world. 

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may learn the principles of the good life. I pray that I may meditate upon them and work at them, because they are eternal.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

​You can now receive Transitions Daily 3 ways

1. Sign up at www.DailyAAEmails.com - To subscribe now send an email to TransitionsDaily@gmail.com with subscribe in the subject line.  Unless you specify a different email in the message, your return email address will be manually added to the closed Google Group TransitionsDaily. 2.  Join the Transitions Daily Private Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/transdaily/ 3.  Follow Transitions Daily on Twitter https://twitter.com/transdaily1
  
Devotions are posted Daily to both Facebook and Twitter.  
Remember on Facebook you are anonymous, on Twitter you are not!
​​


--
For more Information about this distribution go to www.DailyAAEmails.com.
 
The members of this group are anonymous with no sale or disclosure of membership to other members or the redistribution of emails of any kind. Once you have been added, you will receive a confirmation email. Please allow 24  48 hours for entry.
 
Feel free to share www.DailyAAEmails.com in meetings, with friends, sponsors, and especially your sponsees in recovery! You can also download the Transitions Daily Flyer by clicking on this link http://www.transitionsdaily.org/images/Transitions-Daily.pdf to use in your service work!
 
To Donate Go to: www.Transitionsdaily.org/Donate.htm
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TransitionsDaily" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to transitionsdaily+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/transitionsdaily.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/transitionsdaily/1452399304021-30813bc0-1a87dba8-eb14ddb7%40gmail.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Friday, January 08, 2016

Thoughts For The Day~*~Action ^*^*^ January 9

​​

~*~A.AThoughtFor The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\  ~~~  /)
(   \(AA)/  )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Action

"Then they outlined the spiritual answer and program of action which a hundred of them had followed successfully. Though I had been only a nominal churchman, their proposals were not, intellectually, hard to swallow. But the program of action, though entirely sensible, was pretty drastic. It meant I would have to throw several lifelong conceptions out of the window. That was not easy. But the moment I made up my mind to go through with the process, I had the curious feeling that my alcoholic condition was relieved, as in fact it proved to be."
c. 1976, 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous,  p. 42 
^*^*^*^*^
Thought to Consider . . . 

Willingness without action is fantasy.

*~*AACRONYMS*~*

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

​​
​​
​​
*
~JusFoToday~*

Solutions

From "The Housewife Who Drank at Home"

"I had problems. We all have them, and I thought a little brandy or a little wine now and then could certainly hurt no one. I don't believe, when I started, that I even had in mind the thought that I was drinking. I had to sleep. I had to clear my mind and free it from worry, and I had to relax. But from one or two drinks of an afternoon or evening, my intake mounted, and mounted fast. It wasn't long before I was drinking all day. I had to have that wine. The only incentive that I had, toward the end, for getting dressed in the morning was to get out and get 'supplies' to help me get my day started. But the only thing that got started was my drinking."

2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 296

*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*

AN ACT OF PROVIDENCE 

It is truly awful to admit that, glass in hand, we have warped our minds into such an obsession for destructive drinking that only an act of Providence can remove it from us. 
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p.  21 

My act of Providence, (a manifestation of divine care and direction), came as I experienced the total bankruptcy of active alcoholism -- everything meaningful in my life was gone.  I telephoned Alcoholics Anonymous and, from that instant, my life has never been the same.  When I reflect on that very special moment, I know that God was working in my life long before I was able to acknowledge and accept spiritual concepts.  The glass was put down through this one act of Providence and my journey into sobriety began.  My life continues to unfold with divine care and direction.  Step One, in which I admitted I was powerless over alcohol, that my life had become unmanageable, takes on more meaning for me -- one day at a time -- in the life-saving, life Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. 
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*~*^As BilSees It^*~*

Group and World-Wide Community

The moment Twelfth Step work forms a group, a discovery is made - that most individuals cannot recover unless there is a group. Realization dawns on each member that he is but a small part of a great whole; that no personal sacrifice is too great for preservation of the Fellowship. He learns that the clamor of desires and ambitions within him must be silenced whenever these could damage the group. It becomes plain that the group must survive or the individual will not.
<<<>>>
"The Lone member at sea, the A.A. at war in a far land - all these members know that they belong to A.A.'s world-wide community, that theirs is only a physical separation, that their fellows may be as near as the next port of call. Ever so importantly, they are certain that God's grace is just as much with them on the high seas or the lonely outpost as it is with them at home."
1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 130 - 2. LETTER, 1966

*~*^Big Book Quote^*~*

"It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for  trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a  daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 85~

*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*

A.A. Thought for the Day

When we were drinking, most of us had no real faith in anything. We may have said that we believed in God, but we didn't act as though we did. We never honestly asked God to help us and we never really accepted His help. To us, faith looked like helplessness. But when we came into A.A., we began to have faith in God. And we found out that faith gave us the strength we needed to overcome drinking. Have I learned that there is strength in faith? 

Meditation for the Day

I will have faith, no matter what may befall me. I will be patient, even in the midst of troubles. I will not fear the strain of life, because I believe that God knows just what I can bear. I will look to the future with confidence. I know that God will not ask me to bear anything that could overcome or destroy me. 

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may put this day in the hands of God. I pray for faith, so that nothing will upset me or weaken my determination to stay sober.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

You can now receive Transitions Daily 3 ways:

1. Sign up at www.DailyAAEmails.com - To subscribe now send an email to TransitionsDaily@gmail.com with subscribe in the subject line.  Unless you specify a different email in the message, your return email address will be manually added to the closed Google Group TransitionsDaily.
​  
2.  Join the Transitions Daily Private Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/transdaily/
​ 
3.  Follow Transitions Daily on Twitter https://twitter.com/transdaily1

Devotions are posted Daily to both Facebook and Twitter.  
​​
Remember on Facebook you are anonymous, on Twitter you are not!
This email has been sent from a virus-free computer protected by Avast.
www.avast.com

--
For more Information about this distribution go to www.DailyAAEmails.com.
 
The members of this group are anonymous with no sale or disclosure of membership to other members or the redistribution of emails of any kind. Once you have been added, you will receive a confirmation email. Please allow 24  48 hours for entry.
 
Feel free to share www.DailyAAEmails.com in meetings, with friends, sponsors, and especially your sponsees in recovery! You can also download the Transitions Daily Flyer by clicking on this link http://www.transitionsdaily.org/images/Transitions-Daily.pdf to use in your service work!
 
To Donate Go to: www.Transitionsdaily.org/Donate.htm
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TransitionsDaily" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to transitionsdaily+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/transitionsdaily.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/transitionsdaily/1452312903021-e72fa0a9-b2c63e76-5bcfb4ed%40gmail.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Thursday, January 07, 2016

Thoughts For The Day~*~Change ^*^*^ January 8

*~A.AThoughtFor The Day~*
^*^*^*^*^
(\  ~~~  /)
(   \(AA)/  )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Change

How many of us would presume to declare, "Well, I'm sober, and I'm happy. What more can I want, or do? I'm fine  the way I am." We know that the price of such  self-satisfaction is an inevitable backslide, punctuated at some point  by a very rude awakening. We have to grow or else deteriorate. For us, the status quo can  only be for today, never  for tomorrow. Change we must; we cannot stand still.
Bill W., April 1961

c. 1967 AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 25 
^*^*^*^*^
Thought to Consider . . . 


Backsliding begins when knee-bending stops. 


*~*AACRONYMS*~*

C H A N G E =   Can Help Attract New Gifts and Energy

*
~JusFoToday~*


When?
Step One: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol , that our lives had become unmanageable.

Alcoholics who still had their health, their families, their jobs, and even two cars in the garage, began to recognize their alcoholism.  They were spared that last ten or fifteen years of literal hell the rest of us had gone through. Since Step One requires an admission that our lives have become unmanageable, how could people such as these take this Step?  It was obviously necessary to raise the bottom the rest of us had hit to the point where it would hit them. By going back in our own drinking histories, we could show that years before we realized it we were out of control, that our drinking even then was no mere habit, that it was indeed the beginning of a fatal progression.

1952, AAWS, Inc.; Printed 2005; Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pg. 23


*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*

DO I HAVE A CHOICE? 

The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink.  Our so called willpower becomes practically nonexistent. 
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  24


My powerlessness over alcohol does not cease when I quit drinking. In sobriety I still have no choice -  I can't drink. The choice I do have is to pick up and use the "kit of spiritual tools" (Alcoholics Anonymous, p.  25).  When I do that, my Higher Power relieves me of my lack of choice -- and keeps me sober one more day. If I could choose not to pick up a drink today, where then would be my need for A.A. or a Higher Power?
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.


*~*^As BilSees It^*~*

A New Life

Is sobriety all that we are to expect of a spiritual awakening? No, sobriety is only a bare beginning; it is only the first gift of the first awakening. If more gifts are to be received, our awakening has to go on. As it does go on, we find that bit by bit we can discard the old life - the one that did not work - for a new life that can and does work under any conditions whatever. 
Regardless of worldly success or failure, regardless of pain or joy, regardless of sickness or health or even of death itself, a new life of endless possibilities can be lived if we are willing to continue our awakening, through the practice of A.A.'s Twelve Steps.
GRAPEVINE, DECEMBER 1957


*~*^Big Book Quote^*~*

"Yes, there is a substitute and it is vastly more than that. It is a 
fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. There you will  find release from care, boredom and worry. Your imagination will be fired. Life will mean something at last. The  most satisfactory years of your existence lie ahead."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 152~


*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*

A.A. Thought for the Day

Everyone who comes into A.A. knows from bitter experience that he or she can't drink. I know that drinking has been the cause of all my major troubles or has made them worse. Now that I have found a way out, I will hang onto A.A. with both hands. Saint Paul once said that nothing in the world, neither powers nor principalities, life nor death, could separate him from the love of God. Once I have given my drink problem to God, should anything in the world separate me from my sobriety? 

Meditation for the Day

I know that my new life will not be immune from difficulties, but I will have peace even in difficulties. I know that serenity is the result of faithful, trusting acceptance of God's will, even in the midst of difficulties. Saint Paul said: "Our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may welcome difficulties. I pray that they may test my strength and build my character.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

​You can now receive Transitions Daily 3 ways

1. Sign up at www.DailyAAEmails.com - To subscribe now send an email to TransitionsDaily@gmail.com with subscribe in the subject line.  Unless you specify a different email in the message, your return email address will be manually added to the closed Google Group TransitionsDaily. 2.  Join the Transitions Daily Private Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/transdaily/ 3.  Follow Transitions Daily on Twitter https://twitter.com/transdaily1
  
Devotions are posted Daily to both Facebook and Twitter.  
Remember on Facebook you are anonymous, on Twitter you are not!

--
For more Information about this distribution go to www.DailyAAEmails.com.
 
The members of this group are anonymous with no sale or disclosure of membership to other members or the redistribution of emails of any kind. Once you have been added, you will receive a confirmation email. Please allow 24  48 hours for entry.
 
Feel free to share www.DailyAAEmails.com in meetings, with friends, sponsors, and especially your sponsees in recovery! You can also download the Transitions Daily Flyer by clicking on this link http://www.transitionsdaily.org/images/Transitions-Daily.pdf to use in your service work!
 
To Donate Go to: www.Transitionsdaily.org/Donate.htm
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TransitionsDaily" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to transitionsdaily+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/transitionsdaily.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/transitionsdaily/1452226504298-41616f04-d37b3802-f03b3b8c%40gmail.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Wednesday, January 06, 2016

Thoughts For The Day~*~Sponsors ^*^*^ January 7

*~A.AThoughtFor The Day~*
^*^*^*^*^
(\  ~~~  /)
(   \(AA)/  )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Sponsors

Every sponsor is necessarily a leader. 
The stakes are huge. 
A human life, and usually the happiness of a whole  family, 
hangs in the balance. 
What the sponsor does and says, 
how well he estimates the reactions of his  prospects, 
how well he times and makes his presentation, 
how well he handles criticisms, 
and how well he leads  his prospect on 
by personal spiritual example... 
well, these attributes of leadership 
can make all the difference, 
often the difference between life and death. 
Thank God that Alcoholics Anonymous is blessed 
with so  much leadership in each and all of its great affairs!
Bill W., April 1959
c. 1988 AA Grapevine, The Language of the Heart,  p. 292 
^*^*^*^*^
Thought to Consider . . . 


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

​​
*
~
*AA
CRONYMS*~*

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

*~*^Just For Today!^*~*


Eternal
From "More About Alcoholism":

"Most of us have believed that if we remained sober for a long stretch, we could thereafter drink normally. But here is a man who at fifty-five years found he was just where he had left off at thirty. We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again: 'Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.'"

2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 33


*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*

AT THE TURNING POINT

Half measures availed us nothing.  We stood at the turning point.  We asked His protection and care with complete abandon. 
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.  59 


Every day I stand at turning points.  My thoughts and actions can propel me toward growth or turn me down the road to old habits and to booze.  Sometimes turning points are beginnings, as when I decide to start praising, instead of condemning someone.  Or when I begin to ask for help instead of going it alone.  At other times turning points are endings, such as when I see clearly the need to stop festering resentments or crippling self-seeking.  Many shortcomings tempt me daily; therefore, I also have daily opportunities to become aware of them.  In one form or another, many of my character defects appear daily: self-condemnation, anger, running away, being prideful, wanting to get even, or acting out of grandiosity. 

Attempting half measures to eliminate these defects merely paralyzes my efforts to change.  It is only when I ask God for help, with complete abandon, that I become willing -- and able -- to change. 
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.


*~*^As BilSees It^*~*

The Realm of the Spirit

In ancient times material progress was painfully slow. The spirit of modern scientific inquiry, research, and invention was almost unknown. 
In the realm of the material, men's minds were lettered  by superstition, tradition, and all sorts of fixed ideas. Some of the contemporaries of Columbus  thought a round earth preposterous. Others came near putting Galileo to death for his astronomical  heresies. 
Are not some of us just as biased and unreasonable about the realm of the spirit as were the  ancients about the realm of the material?
<<<>>>

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. 
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - 1. p. 51 - 2. p. 46 

*~*^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

When temptation comes, as it does sometimes to all of us, I will say to myself.- "No, my whole life depends on not taking that drink and nothing in the world can make me do it." Besides, I have promised that Higher Power that I wouldn't do it. I know that God doesn't want me to drink and I won't break my promise to, God. I've given up my right to drink and it's not my decision any longer. Have I made the choice once and for all, so that there's no going back on it? 

Meditation for the Day

In silence comes God's meaning to the heart. I cannot judge when it enters the heart. I can only judge by results. Gods word is spoken to the secret places of my heart and, in some hour of temptation, I find that word and realize its value for the first time. when I need it, I find it there. "Thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." 

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may see God's meaning in my life. I pray that I may gladly accept what God has to teach me.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012


You can now receive Transitions Daily 3 ways

1. Sign up at www.DailyAAEmails.com - To subscribe now send an email to TransitionsDaily@gmail.com with subscribe in the subject line.  Unless you specify a different email in the message, your return email address will be manually added to the closed Google Group TransitionsDaily.
  
2.  Join the Transitions Daily Private Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/transdaily/
 
3.  Follow Transitions Daily on Twitter https://twitter.com/transdaily1
 

Devotions are posted Daily to both Facebook and Twitter.
Remember on Facebook you are anonymous, on Twitter you are not!

--
For more Information about this distribution go to www.DailyAAEmails.com.
 
The members of this group are anonymous with no sale or disclosure of membership to other members or the redistribution of emails of any kind. Once you have been added, you will receive a confirmation email. Please allow 24  48 hours for entry.
 
Feel free to share www.DailyAAEmails.com in meetings, with friends, sponsors, and especially your sponsees in recovery! You can also download the Transitions Daily Flyer by clicking on this link http://www.transitionsdaily.org/images/Transitions-Daily.pdf to use in your service work!
 
To Donate Go to: www.Transitionsdaily.org/Donate.htm
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TransitionsDaily" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to transitionsdaily+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/transitionsdaily.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/transitionsdaily/1452140103160-b3b11dec-e9abcaa6-7abebb46%40gmail.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.