AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy aa-alive.net)

April 19, 2026
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Gossip
We find it better, when possible, to stick to our own stories. A
man may criticize or laugh at himself and it will affect others
favorably, but criticism or ridicule coming from another often
produces the contrary effect.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, (The Family Afterward) p. 125
 

Thought to Ponder
“Gossip needn’t be false to be evil – there’s a
lot of truth that shouldn’t be passed around.”
 

AA-related 'Alconym'
A A  =  Anonymity Always.
 

A Member Shares:
I'm Larry and I'm an alcoholic. I've often hear reference in AA to taking others inventory. I'm told that it's a no-no. But, on the other hand, I'm told to stick with the winners. Which seems to contradict the former. How do I know who the winners are without a bit of inventory taking? I don't put much stock in those types of things. Gossip, on the other hand, I do try to avoid. There are many I encounter in AA that I honestly don't care for. Some I even dislike. Think of them as harmful. But I do try to keep that to myself or at the least, someone I'm very close to and I trust (not many.) I absolutely do NOT believe in character assassination. That is an indicator of my own weaknesses and insecurities. The need to share negativity about others. But I never try to deny my thoughts. I still have negative thoughts about others and I believe I most likely always will. But by speaking about them I am making an attempt to influence others. And I do make an honest effort to not do that. I fail at times. AA hasn't promoted me to perfection just yet. But even if I dislike someone it doesn't give me any right to share that with others. They are free to make their own judgements. Or, if they have reached a level of perfection that most of us won't, they can just not judge others at all. I prefer to stay in reality. And my reality is that I just don't like some people for a wide variety of reasons. But dragging others or the group down with it won't change the person I dislike. It only exposes my own weakness.  

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