~*~Step Eleven Group~*~: 12/29/19

Saturday, January 04, 2020

Thoughts For The Day~~Resentments ^^*^ January 5

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

^*^*^*^*^
(\ ~~ /)
( \(AA)/ )
(_ /AA\ _)
/ AA \
^*^*^*^*^
Resentments

Few people have been more victimized by resentments than have we alcoholics. It mattered little whether our resentments were justified or not. A burst of temper could spoil a day, and a well - nursed grudge could make us miserably ineffective. Nor were we ever skillful in separating justified from unjustified anger. As we saw it, our wrath was always justified. Anger, that occasional luxury of more balanced people, could keep us on an emotional jag indefinitely. These emotional "dry benders" often led straight to the bottle. Other kinds of disturbance - jealousy, envy, self-pity, or hurt pride - did the same thing.
c. 1952 AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 90

Thought to Consider . . .

Anger is the hot wind that extinguishes the light of reason.

*~*AACRONYMS*~*

C A L M
Can Anger Leave Me?

*~Just For Today~*

Essentials

From "'Let's Keep It Simple'":

"After years of sobriety I occasionally ask myself: 'Can it be this simple?' Then, at meetings, I see former cynics and skeptics who have walked the A.A. path out of hell by packaging their lives, without alcohol, into twenty-four hour segments, during which they practice a few principles to the best of their individual abilities. And then I know again that, while it isn't always easy, if I keep it simple, it works."

1990 AAWS, Inc.; Daily Reflections, pg. 30

*~Daily Reflections~*

TOTAL ACCEPTANCE

He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 152

Only an alcoholic can understand the exact meaning of a statement like this one. The double standard that held me captive as an active alcoholic also filled me with terror and confusion: "If I don't get a drink I'm going to die," competed with "If I continue drinking it's going to kill me." Both compulsive thoughts pushed me ever closer to the bottom. That bottom produced a total acceptance of my alcoholism - with no reservations whatsoever - and one that was absolutely essential for my recovery. It was a dilemma unlike anything I had ever faced, but as I found out later on, a necessary one if I was to succeed in this program.

*~As Bill Sees it~*

Maintenance and Growth

"It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while. But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal. For when harboring such feelings, we shut ourselves off from the sunlight of the spirit. The insanity of alcohol returns and we drink again. And with us, to drink is to die.

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, P. 66

*~Big Book Quote~*

"Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom."

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition
How It Works, pg. 62

*~Twenty Fours A Day~*

A.A. Thought for the Day

Have I turned to a Higher Power for help? Do I believe that each man or woman I see in A.A. is a demonstration of the power of God to change a human being from a drunkard into a sober, useful citizen? Do I believe that this Higher Power can keep me from drinking? Am I living one day at a time? Do I ask God to give me the power to stay sober for each twenty-four hours? Do I attend A.A. meetings regularly?

Meditation for the Day

I believe that God's presence brings peace and that peace, like a quiet-flowing river, will cleanse all irritants away. In these quiet times, God will teach me how to rest my nerves. I will not be afraid. I will learn how to relax. When I am relaxed, God's strength will flow into me. I will be at peace.

Prayer for the Day

I pray for that peace which passes all understanding. I pray for that peace which the world can neither give nor take away.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

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Friday, January 03, 2020

Thoughts For The Day~~Coping ^^*^ January 4

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

^*^*^*^*^
(\ ~~ /)
( \(AA)/ )
(_ /AA\ _)
/ AA \
^*^*^*^*
Coping

God willing, we members of A.A. may never again have to deal with drinking, but we have to deal with sobriety every day. How do we do it? By learning - through practicing the Twelve Steps and through sharing at meetings - how to cope with the problems that we looked to booze to solve, back in our drinking days . . . We learn how to level out the emotional swings that got us into trouble both when we were up and when we were down.
c. 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 558-559

Thought to Consider . . .

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

*~*AACRONYMS*~*

C A R D S
Call your sponsor

Ask for help from your Higher Power

Read the Big Book
Do the Twelve Steps
Stay active in your group

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

Duty
From "Reason or Conscience":

"When, in all humility, I try to pass our message on to other less fortunate alcoholics, I know that the plan of the Higher Power comes to us through the medium of people. To us alcoholics, this does not mean common or garden people, but special people, such as other alcoholics. And I am guided to include among the people from whom I might receive guidance, and to whom I must demonstrate the life of my conscience or Higher Power, those who married me, loved me, befriended me, and stuck by me, as others stuck by other alcoholics."
Bulawayo, Rhodesia [now Zimbabwe]
1973 AAWS, Inc.
Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 82

*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*

BEGIN WHERE YOU ARE

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, p. 19

It's usually pretty easy for me to be pleasant to the people in an A.A. setting. While I'm working to stay sober, I'm celebrating with my fellow A.A.'s our common release from the hell of drinking. It's often not so hard to spread glad tidings to my old and new friends in the program. At home or at work, though, it can be a different story. It is in situations arising in both of those areas that the little day-to-day frustrations are most evident, and where it can be tough to smile or reach out with a kind word or an attentive ear. It's outside of the A.A. rooms that I face the real test of the effectiveness of my walk through A.A.'s Twelve Steps.

*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*

Can We Choose?

"We must never be blinded by the futile philosophy that we are just the hapless victims of our inheritance, of our life experience, and of our surroundings - that these are the sole forces that make our decisions for us. This is not the road to freedom. We have to believe that we can really choose."
<<< >>>
"As active alcoholics, we lost our ability to choose whether we would drink. We were the victims of a compulsion which seemed to decree that we must go on with our own destruction. Yet we finally did make choices that brought about our recovery. We came to believe that alone we were powerless over alcohol. This was surely a choice, and a most difficult one. We came to believe that a Higher Power could restore us to sanity when we became willing to practice A.A.'s Twelve Steps. 'In short, we chose to 'become willing,' and no better choice did we ever make.'"
1. GRAPEVINE, NOVEMBER 1960
2. LETTER, 1966

*~*^Big Book Quote^*~*

"God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven't got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition
A Vision For You, pg. 164

*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*

A.A. Thought for the Day

Have I admitted I am an alcoholic? Have I swallowed my pride and admitted I was different from other drinkers? Have I accepted the fact that I must spend the rest of my life without liquor? Have I any more reservations, any idea in the back of my mind that some day I'll be able to drink safely? Am I absolutely honest with myself and with other people? Have I taken an inventory of myself and admitted the wrong I have done? Have I come clean with my friends? Have I tried to make it up to them for the way I have treated them?

Meditation For The Day

I will believe that fundamentally all is well. Good things will happen to me. I believe that God cares for me and will provide for me. I will not try to plan ahead. I know that the way will unfold, step by step. I will leave tomorrow's burden to God, because He is the great burden-bearer. He only expects me to carry my one-day's share.

Prayer For The Day

I pray that I may not try to carry the burden of the universe on my shoulders. I pray that I may be satisfied to do my share each day.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

You have 3 Options to Participate in Transitions Daily:

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The members of this group cannot be seen by other members or by non-members. You are completely 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. You will then receive one topic email daily.

2. Join the Transitions Daily Secret Facebook Group: send an email to TransitionsDaily@gmail.com with "Join Facebook Group" in the subject line. Make sure and either send from the email associated with your Facebook account or specify your Facebook email in the message. You will receive an invitation via email to join the secret Facebook group where all discussion takes place. Every day the topic email is also posted in the Secret Facebook group. It is suggested that you turn on your notifications to be reminded of new posts.

3. Subscribe to the Transitions Daily Podcast: We cannot sign you up for a podcast. Depending on your phone, you will need to pick a podcast provider. There are many free options. You will have to investigate yourself or ask a friend that listens to podcasts to explain the process.

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For the iPhone, most use iTunes. You should have a podcast icon on your phone. It is recommended searching "how to sign up for podcasts on an iPhone" in your favorite search engine or in iTunes for more information.

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Topics are posted Daily via Podcast, Email, and Facebook!

Thursday, January 02, 2020

Thoughts For The Day~~Joyous ^^*^ January 3

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

^*^*^*^*^
(\ ~~ /)
( \(AA)/ )
(_ /AA\ _)
/ AA \
^*^*^*^*^

Joyous

We have been speaking to you of serious, sometimes tragic things. We have been dealing with alcohol in its worst aspects. But we aren't a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy in our existence, they wouldn't want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life. We try not to indulge in cynicism over the state of the nations, nor do we carry the world's troubles on our shoulders.

c. 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 132

Thought to Consider . . .

Laughter is the sound of recovery

*~*AACRONYMS*~*

H J F
Happy, Joyous, Free

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

Prayer

From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":

"A news clipping whose content was to become famous was called to our attention by a New York member, newsman Jack. It was an obituary notice from a New York paper. Underneath a routine account of the one who had died there appeared these words: 'God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.' [Usually attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr]

Never had we seen so much A.A. in so few words. While Ruth and I were admiring the prayer, and wondering how to use it, friend Howard walked into the office. Confirming our own ideas, he exclaimed, 'We ought to print this on cards and drop one into every piece of mail that goes out of here. I'll pay for the first printing.' For several years afterward we followed his suggestion, and with amazing speed the Serenity Prayer came into general use and took its place alongside our two other favorites, the Lord's Prayer and the Prayer of St. Francis."

2001 AAWS, Inc.
Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 196

*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*

POWERLESS

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 21

It is no coincidence that the very first Step mentions powerlessness: An admission of personal powerlessness over alcohol is a cornerstone of the foundation of recovery. I've learned that I do not have the power and control I once thought I had. I am powerless over what people think about me. I am powerless over having just missed the bus. I am powerless over how other people work (or don't work) the Steps. But I've also learned I am not powerless over some things. I am not powerless over my attitudes. I am not powerless over negativity. I am not powerless over assuming responsibility for my own recovery. I have the power to exert a positive influence on myself, my loved ones, and the world in which I live.
Copyright 1990
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*

Pain and Progress

"Years ago I used to commiserate with all people who suffered. Now I commiserate only with those who suffer in ignorance, who do not understand the purpose and ultimate utility of pain."

<<< >>>

"Someone once remarked that pain is the touchstone of spiritual progress. How heartily we A.A.'s can agree with him, for we know that the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, and continued turmoil before serenity."

<<< >>>

"Believe more deeply. Hold your face up to the Light, even though for the moment you do not see."

1. LETTER, 1950
2. TWELVE AND TWELVE, pp. 93-94
3. LETTER, 1950

*~*^Big Book Quote^*~*

"Reminding ourselves that we have decided to go to any lengths to find a spiritual experience, we ask that we be given strength and direction to do the right thing, no matter what the personal consequences may be."

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition
Into Action, pg. 79

*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*

A.A. Thought for the Day

When I came into A.A., I learned what an alcoholic was and then I applied this knowledge to myself to see if I was an alcoholic. When I was convinced that I was an alcoholic, I admitted it openly. Since then, have I been learning to live accordingly? Have I read the book Alcoholics Anonymous? Have I applied the knowledge gained to myself? Have I admitted openly that I am an alcoholic? Am I ready to admit it at any time when I can be of help?

Meditation for the Day

I will be renewed. I will be remade. In this, I need God's help. His spirit shall flow through me and, in flowing through me, it shall sweep away all the bitter past. I will take heart. The way will open for me. Each day will unfold something good, as long as I am trying to live the way I believe God wants me to live.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be taught, just as a child would be taught. I pray that I may never question God's plans, but accept them gladly.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

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Topics are posted Daily via Podcast, Email, and Facebook!

Wednesday, January 01, 2020

Thoughts For The Day~~Faith ^^*^ January 2

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

^*^*^*^*^
(\ ~~ /)
( \(AA)/ )
(_ /AA\ _)
/ AA \
^*^*^*^*^
Faith

When I was driven to my knees by alcohol, I was made ready to ask for the gift of faith. And all was changed. Never again, my pains and problems notwithstanding, would I experience my former desolation. I saw the universe to be lighted by God's love; I was alone no more.

Bill W., Letter, 1966

c. 1967 AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 51

Thought to Consider . . .

Sorrow looks back, worry looks around and faith looks within.

*~*AACRONYMS*~*

F A I T H
Finding Answers In The Heart

*~Just For Today~*

Allergy
From "It Might Have Been Worse":

"The explanation that alcoholism was a disease of a two-fold nature, an allergy of the body and an obsession of the mind, cleared up a number of puzzling questions for me. The allergy we could do nothing about. Somehow our bodies had reached the point where we could no longer absorb alcohol in our systems. The why is not important; the fact is that one drink will set up a reaction in our system that requires more, that one drink is too much and a hundred drinks are not enough."
2001 AAWS Inc.
Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 355

*~Daily Reflections~*

FIRST, THE FOUNDATION

Is sobriety all that we can expect of a spiritual awakening? No, sobriety is only a bare beginning.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 8

Practicing the A.A. program is like building a house. First I had to pour a big, thick concrete slab on which to erect the house; that, to me, was the equivalent of stopping drinking. But it's pretty uncomfortable living on a concrete slab, unprotected and exposed to the heat, cold, wind and rain. So I built a room on the slab by starting to practice the program. The first room was rickety because I wasn't used to the work. But as time passed, as I practiced the program, I learned to build better rooms. The more I practiced, and the more I built, the more comfortable, and happy, was the home I now have to live in.
Copyright 1990
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*~As Bill Sees it~*

In God's Hands

"When we look back, we realize that the things which came to us when we put ourselves in God's hands were better than anything we could have planned."
<<< >>>
"My depression deepened unbearably, and finally it seemed to me as though I were at the very bottom of the pit. For the moment, the last vestige of my proud obstinacy was crushed. All at once I found myself crying out, 'If there is a God, let Him show Himself! I am ready to do anything, anything!' Suddenly the room lit up with a great white light. It seemed to me, in the mind's eye, that I was on a mountain and that a wind not of air but of spirit was blowing. And then it burst upon me that I was a free man. Slowly the ecstasy subsided. I lay on the bed, but now for a time I was in another world, a new world of consciousness. All about me and through me there was a wonderful feeling of Presence, and I thought to myself, 'So this is the God of the preachers!'"
1. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 100
2. A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 63

*~Big Book Quote~*

"Everybody knows that those in bad health, and those who seldom play, do not laugh much. So let each family play together or separately as much as their circumstances warrant. We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free."Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 132

*~Twenty Fours A Day~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

What makes A.A. work? The first thing is to have a revulsion against myself and my way of living. Then I must admit I was helpless, that alcohol had me licked and I couldn't do anything about it. The next thing is to honestly want to quit the old life. Then I must surrender my life to a Higher Power, put my drinking problem in His hands and leave it there. After these things are done, I should attend meetings regularly for fellowship and sharing. I should also try to help other alcoholics. Am I doing these things?

Meditation for the Day

You are so made that you can only carry the weight of twenty-four hours, no more. If you weigh yourself down with the years behind and the days ahead, your back breaks. God has promised to help with the burdens of the day only. If you are foolish enough to gather again that burden of the past and carry it, then indeed you cannot expect God to help you bear it. So forget that which lies behind you and breathe in the blessing of each new day.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may realize that, for good or bad, past days have ended. I pray that I may face each new day, the coming twenty-four hours, with hope and courage.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

You have 3 Options to Participate in Transitions Daily:

For iPhone

For Android

Regardless of what service you use, search for "Transitions Daily" and subscribe. We also list a number of recovery podcasts at the bottom of www.DailyAAEmails.com.

Topics are posted Daily via Podcast, Email, and Facebook!

~~Step Eleven Group~~

Saturday, January 04, 2020

Thoughts For The Day~~Resentments ^^*^ January 5

Friday, January 03, 2020

Thoughts For The Day~~Coping ^^*^ January 4

Thursday, January 02, 2020

Thoughts For The Day~~Joyous ^^*^ January 3

Wednesday, January 01, 2020

Thoughts For The Day~~Faith ^^*^ January 2

Followers

Blog Archive

Contributors

~*~Step Eleven Group~*~

Saturday, January 04, 2020

Thoughts For The Day~*~Resentments ^*^*^ January 5

Friday, January 03, 2020

Thoughts For The Day~*~Coping ^*^*^ January 4

Thursday, January 02, 2020

Thoughts For The Day~*~Joyous ^*^*^ January 3

Wednesday, January 01, 2020

Thoughts For The Day~*~Faith ^*^*^ January 2

Followers

Blog Archive

Contributors

~~Step Eleven Group~~

Thoughts For The Day~~Resentments ^^*^ January 5

Thoughts For The Day~~Coping ^^*^ January 4

Thoughts For The Day~~Joyous ^^*^ January 3

Thoughts For The Day~~Faith ^^*^ January 2