Thoughts For The Day~*~Solution ^*^*^ September 8, 2010

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Solution
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"The tremendous fact for every one of us
Is that we have discovered a common solution.  
We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree,
and upon which we can join in brotherly and
harmonious action."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 17

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Thought to Consider . . .

The solution is simple.
The solution is spiritual.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
S T E P S  =  Solutions To Every Problem in Sobriety

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

 

A Long Way

From: "Into Action" 

If we have no such complication, there is plenty we should do at home. Sometimes we hear an alcoholic say that the only thing he needs to do is to keep sober. Certainly he must keep sober, for there will be no home if he doesn't. But he is yet a long way from making good to the wife and parents whom for years he has so shockingly treated. Passing all understanding is the patience mothers and wives have had with alcoholics. Had this not been so, many of us would have no homes today, would perhaps be dead. 

2001, AAWS, Inc., Alcoholics Anonymous, page 82

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
"WE ASKED HIS PROTECTION"

We asked His protection and care with complete abandon.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 59

I could not manage life alone. I had tried that road and failed.
My "ultimate sin" dragged me down to the lowest level I have ever
reached and, unable even to function, I accepted the fact that I
desperately needed help. I stopped fighting and surrendered entirely
to God.
Only then did I start growing! God forgave me. A Higher Power had to
have saved me, because the doctors doubted that I would survive. I
have forgiven myself now and I enjoy a freedom I have never before
experienced. I've opened my heart and mind to Him. The more I learn,
the less I know -- a humbling fact -- but I sincerely want to keep
growing. I enjoy serenity, but only when I entrust my life totally
to God. As long as I am honest with myself and ask for His help, I
can maintain this rewarding existence.

Just for today, I strive to live His will for me -- soberly.
I thank God that today I can choose not to drink.
Today, life is beautiful!

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

"Don't be too discouraged about that slip. Practically always, we drunks
learn the hard way. "Your idea of moving on to somewhere else may be good, or it may not. Perhaps you have got into an emotional or economic jam that can't be well handled where you are. But maybe you are doing just what all of us have done, at one time or another: Maybe you are running away. Why don't you try to think that through again carefully?
"Are you really placing recovery first, or are you making it contingent upon other people, places, or circumstances? You may find it ever so much better to face the music right where you are now, and, with the help of the A.A. program, win through. Before you make a decision, weigh it in these terms."

LETTER, 1949
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

And We have ceased fighting anything or anyone - even alcohol. For by this time sanity has returned. We can now react sanely & normally,

- Big Book, p. 84  1967 by A.A. World Services, Inc.

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

Another of the mottoes of A.A. is "But for the Grace of God." Once we
have fully accepted the program we become humble about our achievement. We do not take too much credit for our sobriety. When we see another suffering alcoholic in the throes of alcoholism, we say to ourselves: "But for the grace of God, there go I." We do not forget the kind of people we were. We remember those we left behind us. And we are very grateful to the grace of God which has given us another chance. Am I truly grateful for the grace of God?

Meditation for the Day

A consciousness of God's presence as One who loves you makes all life
different. The consciousness of God's love promotes the opening of your
whole being to God. it brings wonderful relief from the cares and
worries of our daily lives. Relief brings peace and peace brings
contentment. Try to walk in God's love. You will have that peace which
passes all understanding and a contentment that no one can take from
you. Feel sure of God's unfailing love and care for you and for all
His children. There is freedom and serenity in those who walk in God's
love, held safe in His loving care.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may walk in God's love. I pray that, as I go, I may feel
the spring of God's power in my steps and the joy of His love in my heart.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

Thoughts For The Day~*~Honesty ^*^*^ September 7, 2010

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Honesty
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"I know the biggest word for me in AA is 'honesty.'
I don't believe this program would work for me
if I didn't get honest with myself about everything.
Honesty is the easiest word for me to understand
because it is the exact opposite
of what I've been doing all my life.
Therefore, it would be the hardest to work on.
But I will never be totally honest -
that would make me perfect,
and none of us can claim to be perfect.
Only God is."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 482
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Thought to Consider . . .

Honesty is the absence of the intent to deceive.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
C H A N G E =  Choosing Honesty Allows New Growth Every day

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

Endless
From "The Central Experience":

"I have become more and more aware of the infinite expansion of happiness which is accessible within. The Upanishad, part of the Hindu scriptures, concludes: 'From Joy all things are born; by Joy all things are sustained; to Joy all things return.' The more thoroughly I can surrender to this proposition, the more thoroughly I enjoy my life. Ultimately, my God as I understand Him is joy and the expansion of joy. - Toronto, Ontario"

1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30^th printing 2004, pg. 100

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
"OUR SIDE OF THE STREET"

We are there to sweep off our side of the street, realizing that
nothing worth while can be accomplished until we do so, never trying
to tell him what he should do. His faults are not discussed. We
stick to our own.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 77-78

I made amends to my dad after I quit drinking. My words fell on
deaf ears since I had blamed him for my troubles. Several months
later I made amends to my dad again. This time I wrote a letter
in which I did not blame him nor mention his faults. It worked,
and at last I understood! My side of the street is all that I'm
responsible for and--thanks to God and A.A. -- it's clean for
today.

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

Whenever I find myself under acute tensions, I lengthen my daily walks and slowly repeat our Serenity Prayer in rhythm to my steps and breathing. If I feel that my pain has in part been occasioned by others, I try to repeat, "God grant me the serenity to love their best, and never fear their worst." This benign healing process of repetition, sometimes necessary to persist with for days, has seldom failed to restore me to at least a workable emotional balance and perspective.

GRAPEVINE, MARCH 1962
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"'There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which
is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in
everlasting ignorance that principle is contempt prior to
investigation.'"

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Appendice II, Spiritual
Experience, pg. 568~
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

Another of the mottoes of A.A. is "Easy Does It." This means that
we just go along in A.A. doing the best we can and not getting steamed
up over problems that arise in A.A. or outside of it. We alcoholics
are emotional people and we have gone to excess in almost everything
we have done. We have not been moderate in many things. We have not
known how to relax. Faith in a Higher Power can help us to learn to
take it easy. We are not running the world. I am only one among many.
We are resolved to live normal, regular lives. From our A.A.
experience we learn that "easy does it." Have I Learned to take
it easy?

Meditation for the Day

"The eternal God is Thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting
arms." Sheltering arms express the loving protection of God's spirit.
Human beings, in their troubles and difficulties, need nothing so
much as a refuge, a place to relax where they can lay down their
burdens and get relief from cares. Say to yourself- "God is my refuge."
Say it until its truth sinks into your very soul. Say it until you
know it and are sure of it. Nothing can seriously upset you or make
you afraid, if God is truly your refuge.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may go each day to God as a refuge until fear goes and
peace and security come. I pray that I may feel deeply secure in the
Haven of His spirit.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

Thoughts For The Day~*~Belonging ^*^*^ September 6, 2010

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Belonging
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"Today, I'm counting my blessings instead of my troubles.
When I walked into the friendly atmosphere of my first
AA meeting, I knew I was where I belonged.
Here were people who had thought and felt as I had.
Here was the understanding I'd been searching for
all my life."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 355
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Thought to Consider . . . 

I stood in the sunlight at last.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
T H I N K =  The Happiness I Never Knew

*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~* 

Nickname

From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":

"We directed Mr. Blackwell [the printer] to do the job on the thickest paper in his shop. The original volume proved to be so bulky that it became known as the 'Big Book.' Of course the idea was to convince the alcoholic purchaser that he was indeed getting his money's worth!"

2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 170
*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*

REMOVING THREATS TO SOBRIETY

". . .except when to do so would injure them or others."                                       
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 59

Step Nine restores me to a feeling of belonging, not only to the human race but also to the everyday world.  First, the Step makes me leave the safety of A.A., so that I may deal with non-A.A. people "out there," on their terms, not mine.  It is a frightening but necessary action if I am to get back into life.  Second, Step Nine allows me to remove threats to my sobriety by healing past relationships.  Step Nine points the way to a more serene sobriety by letting me clear away the past wreckage, lest it bring me down.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
God's Gifts

We see that the sun never sets upon A.A.'s Fellowship; that more than three hundred and fifty-thousand of us have now recovered from our malady; that we have everywhere begun to transcend the formidable barriers of race, creed, and nationality. This assurance that so many of us have been able to meet our responsibilities for sobriety and for growth and effectiveness in the troubled world where we live, will surely fill us with the deepest joy and satisfaction.
But, as a people who have nearly always learned the hard way, we shall
certainly not congratulate ourselves. We shall perceive these assets to be God's gifts, which have been in part matched by an increasing willingness on our part to find and do His will for us.

GRAPEVINE, JULY 1965
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"We alcoholics are sensitive people. It takes some of us a long time
to outgrow that serious handicap."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 125~
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

Another of the mottoes of A.A. is "Live and Let Live." This, of
course, means tolerance of people who think differently than we do,
whether they are in A.A. or outside of A.A. We cannot afford the
luxury of being intolerant or critical of other people. We do not
try to impose our wills on those who differ from us. We are not
"holier than thou." We do not have all the answers. We are not better
than other good people. We live the best way we can and we allow
others to do likewise. Am I willing to live and let live?

Meditation for the Day

"And this is life eternal, that we may know Thee, the only true
God." Learning to know God as best you can draws the eternal life
nearer to you. Freed from some of the limitations of humanity, you
can grow in the things that are eternal. You can strive for what
is real and of eternal value. The more you try to live in the
consciousness of the unseen world, the gentler will be your passing
into it when the time comes for you to go. This life on earth should
be largely a preparation for the eternal life to come.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may live each day as though it were my last. I pray
that I may live my life as though it were everlasting.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

Thoughts For The Day~*~Sobriety ^*^*^ September 5, 2010

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

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Sobriety
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"God willing, we members of AA 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."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 560
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Thought to Consider . . .

Sobriety is a choice and a treasure.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
B E S T =  Been Enjoying Sobriety Today?

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*
 

Well Worth the Effort

From: "Having Fun Yet?" 

we aren't a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun 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.

Alcoholics Anonymous, page 132 

When my own house is in order, I find the different parts of my life are more manageable. Stripped from the guilt and remorse that cloaked my drinking years, I am free to assume my proper role in the universe, but this condition requires maintenance. I should stop and ask myself, Am I having fun yet? If I find answering that question difficult or painful, perhaps I'm taking myself too seriously - and finding it difficult to admit that I've strayed from my practice of working the program to keep my house in order. I think the pain I experience is one way my Higher Power has to get my attention, coaxing me to take stock of my performance. The slight time and effort it takes to work the program - a spot-check inventory, for example, or the making of amends, whatever is appropriate - are well worth the effort. 

1990, AAWS, Inc., Daily Reflections, page 31

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
EMOTIONAL BALANCE

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,. . . . .

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 83

When I survey my drinking days, I recall many people whom my life
touched casually, but whose days I troubled through my anger and
sarcasm. These people are untraceable, and direct amends to them
are not possible. The only amends I can make to those untraceable
individuals, the only "changes for the better" I can offer, are
indirect amends made to other people, whose paths briefly cross
mine. Courtesy and kindness, regularly practiced, help me to live
in emotional balance, at peace with myself.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
We Need Outside Help

It was evident that a solitary self-appraisal, and the admission of our
defects based upon that alone, wouldn't be nearly enough. We'd have to have outside help if we were surely to know and admit the truth about ourselves -- the help of God and of another human being.
Only by discussing ourselves, holding back nothing, only by being willing to take advice and accept direction could we set foot on the road to straight thinking, solid honesty, and genuine humility.

<<<>>>

If we are fooling ourselves, a competent adviser can see this quickly. And, as he skillfully guides us away from our fantasies, we are surprised to find that we have few of the usual urges to defend ourselves against unpleasant truths. In no other way can fear, pride, and ignorance be so readily melted. After a time, we realize that we are standing firm on a brand-new foundation for integrity, and we gratefully credit our sponsors, whose advice pointed the way.

1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 59 - 2. GRAPEVINE, AUGUST 1961
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"The alcoholic is like a tornado roaring his way through the lives of
others. Hearts are broken. Sweet relationships are dead.
Affections have been uprooted. Selfish and inconsiderate habits have
kept the home in turmoil. We feel a man is unthinking when he says
that sobriety is enough"

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 82~

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

One of the mottoes of A.A. is "First Things First." This means that
we should always keep in mind that alcohol is our number-one problem. We must never let any other problem, whether of family, business,
friends, or anything else, take precedence in our minds over our
alcoholic problem. As we go along in A.A., we learn to recognize the
things that may upset us emotionally. When we find ourselves getting
upset over something, we must realize that it's a luxury we
alcoholics can't afford. Anything that makes us forget our number-one
problem is dangerous to us. Am I keeping sobriety in first place in
my mind?

Meditation for the Day

Spiritual progress is the law of your being. Try to see around you
more and more of beauty and truth, knowledge and power. Today try to
be stronger, braver, more loving as a result of what you did yesterday.
This law of spiritual progress gives meaning and purpose to your life.
Always expect better things ahead. You can accomplish much good
through the strength of God's spirit in you. Never be too discouraged.
The world is sure to get better, in spite of setbacks of war, hate,
and greed. Be part of the cure of the world's ills, rather than part
of the disease.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may keep progressing in the better life. I pray that I
may be a part of the forces for good in the world.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012