AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)
May 22, 2016
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Willingness
If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it
-- then you are ready to take certain steps.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 58
Thought to Ponder . . .
Life will take on new meaning.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O W = Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.
A Member Shares:
I’m Bill, an alcoholic. When I was Twelfth-Stepped I heard, and was guided through, the first 3 Steps, but for various reasons it was 10 days later when I went to my first meeting. When I walked through the parking lot, I knew most of the cars there. Unemployable as a pilot, I was working in a gas station and wondered what they'd all think when they saw me. They grinned, and said, "Hiya Bill, we been waiting for you" or "We've saved a seat for you Bill.” I looked around at real smiles from inside, saw bright clear eyes and laughter. I had no idea what being sober meant. I was 10 days dry, and vibrating like a banjo string. Folks gave me half-cups of coffee. But I knew I wanted what I was seeing and hearing. If they had said they stood on their heads in the NE corner of the room every day at noon and drank a Pepsi, I sure would've done it. My sponsor said, "We will continue the Steps as soon as you can read 2 paragraphs and tell me what they say.” And off we went. I didn't know I could have whined and said this is too hard, or can't I wait? I believed folks with 5 months could do it, but 5 years? Twenty years was beyond belief. But they kept telling me this is what we did. So with God’s help and my sponsor’s guidance I did the first nine Steps in short order. Wow! It really did work. Things changed so abruptly in such magnitude in my life that I wasn't sure it was really me. I went back to flying, doing production test / pre-delivery on L-1011's for Lockheed. I never looked back. Somewhere in those first 10 days, I promised myself I'd never drink again, and yes, I'd do whatever that took. I never thought I'd laugh or have any fun but I sure as hell wasn't going to drink. I had no idea what being sober meant. Dr. Paul [see BB, p. 407] was at my first meeting, and that blew my idea of never laughing or having fun right out the window. I would hope you find in sobriety what I have. Thank you.
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(All shares are reproduced with the kind permission of the person sharing)
Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength and hope in carrying the AA message.
Blessings in sobriety to all,
In love and service,
joanna b
dailythought@aa-alive.org
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