Thoughts For The Day~*~Resentment ^*^*^ July 8, 2008

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Resentment
^*^*^
"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."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 66
^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to Consider . . .

We are prisoners of our own resentments.
Forgiveness unlocks the door and sets us free.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
F E A R  =  Frustration, Ego, Anxiety, Resentment

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

Humility at Work

Tradition Twelve: "Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities."

"As this tide offering top public approval swept in, we realized that it could do us incalculable good or great harm. Everything would depend upon how it was channeled. We simply couldn't afford to take the chance of letting self-appointed members present themselves as messiahs representing A.A. before the whole public. The promoter instinct in us might be our undoing. If even one publicly got drunk, or was lured into using A.A.'s name for his own purposes, the damage might be irreparable. At this altitude (press, radio, films, and television), anonymity - 100 percent anonymity - was the only possible answer. Here, principles would have to come before personalities, without exception. "These experiences taught us that anonymity is real humility at work. It is an all-pervading spiritual quality which today keynotes A.A. life everywhere."

1981, AAWS, Inc., Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 187

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
AN EVER-GROWING FREEDOM

The Seventh Step is where we make the change in our attitude which permits
us, with humility as our guide, to move out from ourselves toward others and
toward God.  

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 76

When I finally asked God to remove those things blocking me from Him and the sunlight of the Spirit, I embarked on a journey more glorious than I ever
imagined. I experienced a freedom from those characteristics that had me
wrapped up in myself.  Because of this humbling Step, I feel clean.

I am especially aware of this Step because I'm now able to be useful to God
and to my fellows.  I know that He has granted me strength to do His bidding
and has prepared me for anyone, and anything, that comes my way today. I am truly in His hands, and I give thanks for the joy that I can be useful today.

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

We agnostics liked A.A. all right, and were quick to say that it had done
miracles. But we recoiled from meditation and prayer as obstinately as the
scientist who refused to perform a certain experiment lest it prove his pet
theory wrong.
When we finally did experiment, and unexpected results followed, we felt
different; in fact, we knew different; and so we were sold on meditation and
prayer. And that, we have found, can happen to anybody who tries. It has been well said that "Almost the only scoffers at prayer are those who never tried it enough."

TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 97

*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"We are people who normally would not mix. But there exists among us
a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is
indescribably wonderful."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 17~

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

A.A. members will tell you that they can look back and clearly see that they
were out of control long before they finally admitted it. Every one of us has
gone through that stage when we wouldn't admit that we were alcoholics. It
takes a lot of punishment to convince us, but one thing is certain. We all
know from actual experience that when it comes to dishing out punishment,
John Barleycorn has no equal. Have I any reservations as to my status as an alcoholic?

Meditation for the Day

There is a force for good in the world and when you are cooperating with that force for good, good things happen to you. You have free-will, the choice to be on the side of right or on the side of wrong. This force for good we call God's will. God has a purpose for the world and He has a purpose for your life. He wants you to bring all your desires into oneness with His desires. He can only work through people. If you try to make God's will your will, you will be guided by Him. You will be in the stream of goodness, carried along by everything that is right. You will be on God's side.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may try to make God's will my will. I pray that I may keep in
the stream of goodness in the world.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

---

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Thoughts For The Day~*~Ready? ^*^*^ July 7, 2008

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Ready?
^*^*^
"We shall need to make a brand new venture
into open-mindedness.
We shall need to raise our eyes toward perfection,
and be ready to walk in that direction.
It will seldom matter how haltingly we walk.
The only question will be
'Are we ready?' "
Bill W.
1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 68
^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to Consider . . .

Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
F A I T H  =  Facing All In Trusting Him

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

Perspectives

From: "Preface"

"If you have a drinking problem, we hope that you may pause in reading one of the forty-two personal stories and think: 'Yes, that happened to me'; or, more important, 'Yes, I've felt like that' or most important, 'Yes, I believe this program can work for me too.'"

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

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
 . . . AND LETTING GO OF IT

. . . primarily fear that we would lose something we already possessed or would fail to get something we demanded. Living upon a basis of unsatisfied demands, we were in a state of continual disturbance and frustration. Therefore, no peace was to be had unless we could find a means of reducing these demands. The difference between a demand and a simple request is plain to anyone. 

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 76

Peace is possible for me only when I let go of expectations. When I'm trapped in thoughts about what I want and should be coming to me, I'm in a state of fear or anxious anticipation and this is not conducive to emotional sobriety. I must surrender over and over to the reality of my dependence on God, for then I find peace, gratitude and spiritual security.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
To Survive Trials

In our belief, any scheme of combating alcoholism which proposes wholly to shield the sick man from temptation is doomed to failure. If the alcoholic
tries to shield himself he may success for a time, but he usually winds up
with a bigger explosion than ever. We have tried these methods. These
attempts to do the impossible have always failed. Release from alcohol, and
not flight from it, is our answer.
<<<>>>
"Faith without works is dead." How appallingly true for the alcoholic! For if
an alcoholic fails to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and
self-sacrifice for others, he cannot survive the certain trials and low spots
ahead. If he does not work, he will surely drink again, and if he drinks, he
will surely die. Then faith will be dead indeed.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
1. P. 101
2. PP. 14-15
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Remember that we deal with alcohol, cunning, baffling, powerful!
Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all
power that One is God. May you find Him now!"

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, Page 58~


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

We had become hopelessly sick people, spiritually,
emotionally, and physically. The power that controlled
us was greater than ourselves---it was John Barleycorn.
Many drinkers have said: "I hadn't gone that far; I
hadn't lost my job on account of drink; I still had my
family; I managed to keep out of jail. True, I took too
much sometimes and I guess I managed to make quite an
ass of myself when I did, but I still thought I could
control my drinking. I didn't really believe that I was
an alcoholic." If I was one of these, have I fully
changed my mind?

Meditation for the Day

Painful as the present time may be, you will one day see
the reason for it. You will see that it was not only
testing, but also a preparation for the life-work that you
are to do. Have faith that your prayers and aspirations
will some day be answered. Answered in a way that perhaps
seems painful to you but is the only right way. Selfishness
and pride often make us want things that are not good for
us. They need to be burned out of our natures. We must be
rid of the blocks that are holding us back, before we can
expect our prayers to be answered.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be willing to go through a time of testing.
I pray that I may trust God for the outcome.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

---

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Thoughts For The Day~*~Restraint ^*^*^ July 6, 2008

  ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Restraint
^*^*^
"It is evident that the harmony, security, and
future effectiveness of AA will depend largely upon
our maintenance of a thoroughly nonagressive
and pacific attitude in all our public relations.
This is an exacting assignment,
because in our drinking days we were prone to anger,
hostility, rebellion and aggression.
And even though we are now sober,
the old patterns of behavior are to a degree still with us,
always threatening to explode on any good excuse.
But we know this,
and therefore I feel confident that in the conduct
of our public affairs we shall always find the grace
to exert an effective restraint."
Bill W.
1962AAWS, Twelve Concepts for World Service, p. 68
^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to Consider . . .

Nothing pays off like restraint of tongue and pen.  
1953AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p, 91

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

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

Prayer

From "'Ask God for Strength'":

"I went to the filthy bathroom and got down on my knees. 'God, teach me to pray,' I begged. I remained there a long time, and when I arose and left the room, I knew I never had to drink again. I came to believe, that day, that God would help me maintain my sobriety. Since then, I've come to believe that He will help me with any problem.  "Birmingham, Alabama, USA"

1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30^th printing 2004, pg. 36

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*~*
The chief activator of our defects has been self-centered fear.         

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 76

When I feel uncomfortable, irritated, or depressed, I look for fear. This "evil and corroding thread" is the root of my distress: Fear of failure; fear of others' opinions; fear of harm, and many other fears. I have found a Higher Power, who does not want me to live in fear and, as a result, the experience of A.A. in my life is freedom and joy. I am no longer willing to live with the multitude of character defects that characterized my life while I was drinking. Step Seven is my vehicle to freedom from these defects. I pray for help in identifying the fear underneath the defect, and then I ask God to relieve me of that fear. This method works for me without fail and is one of the great miracles of my life in Alcoholics Anonymous.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Talk or Action?

In making amends, it is seldom wise to approach an individual who still
smarts from our injustice to him, and announce that we have gone religious.
This might be called leading with the chin. Why lay ourselves open to being
branded fanatics or religious bores? If we do this, we may kill a future
opportunity to carry a beneficial message.
But the man who hears our amends is sue to be impressed with our sincere
desire to set right a wrong. He is going to be more interested in a
demonstration of good will than in talk of spiritual discoveries.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, P. 77
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"We are careful never to show intolerance or hatred of drinking as
an institution. Experience shows that such an attitude is not
helpful to anyone. Every new alcoholic looks for this spirit among
us and is immensely relieved when he finds we are not witch-burners.
A spirit of intolerance might repel alcoholics whose lives could
have been saved, had it not been for such stupidity."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 103~

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

We tried to study our alcoholic problem, wondering what
was the cause of our strange obsession. Many of us took
special treatments, hospitalization, even confinement in
institutions. In every case, the relief was only temporary.
We tried through crazy excuses to convince ourselves that
we knew why we drank, but we went on regardless. Finally
drinking had gone far beyond even a habit. We had become
alcoholics, men and women who had been destroying
themselves against their own will. Am I completely free
from my alcoholic obsession?

Meditation for the Day

"Ask and ye shall receive." Never let yourself think you
cannot do something useful or that you never will be able
to accomplish a useful task. The fact is that you can do
practically anything in the field of human relationships,
if you are willing to call on God's supply of strength. The
supply may not be immediately available, because you may
not be entirely ready to receive it. But it will surely come
when you are properly prepared for it. As you grow spiritually,
a feeling of being plentifully supplied by God's strength will
possess you and you will be able to accomplish many useful
things.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may claim God's supply of strength by my faith
in Him. I pray that it shall be given to me according to my faith.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

---

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Thoughts For The Day~*~Simplicity ^*^*^ July 5, 2008

 ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\    ~~  /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Simplicity
^*^*^
"A willingness to do whatever I was told to do
simplified the program for me.
Study the AA book - don't just read it.
They told me to go to meetings,
and I still do at every available opportunity,
whether I am at home or in some other city.
Attending meetings has never been a chore for me.
Nor have I attended them with a feeling
of just doing my duty.
Meetings are both relaxing and refreshing to me
after a hard day.
They said 'Get active," so I helped whenever I could,
and still do."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 381
^*^*^*^*^*

Thought to Consider . . .

The ankle-biters of everyday struggles will eat away at me
unless I go to meetings and share.

*~*~*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":

"It might be a long time before readers of the book in distant places and lands could be personally contacted. Therefore our literature would have to be as clear and comprehensive as possible. Our steps would have to be more explicit. There must not be a single loophole through which the rationalizing alcoholic could wiggle out.

"Finally I [Bill W.] started to write. I set out to draft more than six steps; how many more I did not know. I relaxed and asked for guidance. With a speed that was astonishing, considering my jangling emotions, I completed the first draft. It took perhaps half an hour. The words kept right on coming. When I reached a stopping point, I numbered the new steps. They added up to twelve."

2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 161

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*~*
A NEW DIRECTION

Our human resources, as marshalled by the will, were not sufficient; they
failed utterly. . . Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's
will into all our activities.   

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS,  p.45,85

I hear talk of the "weak-willed" alcoholic, but I am one of the
strongest-willed people on earth!  I now know that my incredible strength of
will is not enough to save my life.  My problem is not one of "weakness," but
rather of direction.  When I, without falsely diminishing myself, accept my
honest limitations and turn to God's guidance, my worst faults become my
greatest assets.  My strong will, rightly directed, keeps me working until
the promises of the program become my daily reality.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
"The Only Requirement. . ."

In Tradition Three, A.A. is really saying to every serious drinker, "You are
an A.A. member if you say so. You can declare yourself in; nobody can keep
you out. No matter how low you've gone, no matter how grave your emotional complications--even your crimes--we don't want to keep you out. We just want to be sure that you get the same chance for sobriety that we've had."
<<<>>>
We do not wish to deny anyone his chance to recover from alcoholism. We wish to be just as inclusive as we can. never exclusive.

1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 139
2. GRAPEVINE, AUGUST 1946
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"Those having religious affiliations will find here nothing
disturbing to their beliefs or ceremonies. There is no friction
among us over such matters."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, Page 28~


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

Until we came into A.A. most of us had tried desperately
to stop drinking. We were filled with the delusion that we
could drink like our friends. We tried time and again to
take it or leave it, but we could do neither. We always
lapsed into ceaseless, unhappy drinking. Families, friends,
and employers threw up their hands in hurt bewilderment,
in despair, and finally in disgust. We wanted to stop. We
realized that every reason for drinking was only a crazy
excuse. Have I given up every excuse for drinking.?

Meditation for the Day

Many things can upset you and you can easily get off the
track. But remember that God is near you all the time,
ready to help you if you call on Him. You cannot forever
stand against God's will for you, nor can you, forever
upset God's plan for your life, even though Gods plan may
be postponed by your willfulness and deliberate choice of
evil. A whole world of men and women cannot permanently
change God's laws nor His purpose for the universe. The sea
of life may took very rough to us, but we can believe that
our Captain steers the boat on a straight course.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may try to steer a straight course. I pray
that I may accept God's direction in my life's journey.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

---

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