Thoughts For The Day~*~Resentment^*^*^ June 18, 2012

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~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
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Resentment
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"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
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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, 2012

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~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
  /AA\
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Neighbors
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"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.' "
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 152-3
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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, 2012

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~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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(   \ (AA)/   )
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  /AA\
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Fun
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"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."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 417
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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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Thoughts For The Day~*~Foundation^*^*^ June 15, 2012

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~*~A.A. Thoughts For The D ay~*~
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Foundation
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"There is a direct linkage among self-examination,
meditation, and prayer. 
Taken separately, these practices can bring
much relief and benefit. 
But when they are logically related and interwoven,
the result is an unshakable foundation for life. 
Now and then we may be granted a glimpse of
that ultimate reality which is God's kingdom. 
And we will be comforted and assured
that our own destiny in that realm will be secure
for so long as we try, however falteringly,
to find and do the will of our own Creator."
1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 98
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Thought to Consider . . .

Prayer is asking a question. 
Meditation is listening for the answer.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
A S A P  =  Always Say A Prayer

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

Future

From "Heard at Meetings":

"'It is wise to pray for the future, but not to worry about it, because we can't live it until it becomes the present. The depth of our anxiety measures the distance we are from God.' - Sydney, Australia"

1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30^th printing 2004, pg. 26

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
MAKING A.A. YOUR HIGHER POWER

". . . You can . . . make A.A. itself your 'higher power.'  Here's a very large group of people who have solved their alcohol problem. . . . many members . . . have crossed the threshold just this way. . . . their faith broadened and deepened. . . . transformed, they came to believe in a Higher Power. . . "

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 27-28

No one was greater than I, at least in my eyes, when I was drinking.  Nevertheless, I couldn't smile at myself in the mirror, so I came to A.A. where, with others, I heard talk of a Higher Power.  I couldn't accept the concept of a Higher Power because I believed God was cruel and unloving.  In desperation I chose a table, a tree, then my A.A. group, as my Higher Power.  Time passed, my life improved, and I began to wonder about this Higher Power.  Gradually, with patience, humility and a lot of questions, I came to believe in God.  Now my relationship with my Higher Power gives me the strength to live a happy, sober life.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Fear No Evil

Though we of A.A. find ourselves living in a world characterized by
destructive fears as never before in history, we see great areas of faith,
and tremendous aspirations toward justice and brotherhood. Yet no prophet can presume to say whether the world outcome will be blazing destruction or the beginning, under God's intention, of the brightest era yet known to mankind.
I am sure we A.A.'s will comprehend this scene. In microcosm, we have
experienced this identical state of terrifying uncertainty, each in his own life. In no sense pridefully, we can say that we do not fear the world outcome, whichever course it may take. This is because we have been enabled to deeply feel and say, "We shall fear no evil--Thy will, not ours, be done."

GRAPEVINE, JANUARY 1962

*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"For the type of alcoholic who is able and willing get well, little
charity, in the ordinary sense of the word, is need or wanted. The men
who cry for money and shelter before conquering alcohol, are on the
wrong track."

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 97

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

In A.A. we have three things: fellowship, faith, and service.
Fellowship is wonderful, but its wonder lasts just so long.
Then some gossip, disillusionment, and boredom may come in.
Worry and fear come back at times and we find that fellowship
is not the whole story. Then we need faith. When we're alone,
with no- body to pat us on the back, we must turn to God for
help. Can I say "Thy will be done" - and mean it?

Meditation for the Day

There is beauty in a God-guided life. There is wonder in the
feeling of being led by God. Try to realize God's bounty and
goodness more and more. God is planning for you. Wonderful are His ways - they are beyond your knowledge. But God's leading will enter your consciousness more and more and bring you ever more peace and joy. Your life is being planned and blessed by God. You may count all material things as losses if they prevent your winning your way to the consciousness of od's guidance.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may earn the rewards of God's power and peace.
I pray that I may develop the feeling of being led by God.

Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012

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