AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 21, 2021 Self-Centered Fear The chief activator of our defects has been self-centered fear—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. ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 20, 2021 Bluffing of Oneself "Maybe I can postpone dealing with some of my problems indefinitely." Of course, this won't do. Such a bluffing of oneself will have to go the way of many another pleasant rationalization. At the very least, we shall have to come to grips with some of our worst character defects and take action toward their removal as quickly as we can. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Six) p. 69 Thought to Ponder Rationalizing i ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 19, 2021 Never Enough For thousands of years we have been demanding more than our share of security, prestige, and romance. When we seemed to be succeeding, we drank to dream still greater dreams. When we were frustrated, even in part, we drank for oblivion. Never was there enough of what we thought we wanted. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Seven) p. 71 Thought to Ponder Happiness isn't getting all you want, it's wanting what you alre ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 18, 2021 Good Living For it is only by accepting and solving our problems that we can begin to get right with ourselves and with the world about us, and with Him who presides over us all. Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right action is the key to good living; therefore the joy of good living is the theme of A.A.'s Twelfth Step. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Twelve) p. 125 Thought to Ponder The Three A's .. Awareness, ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 17, 2021 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ Self-Restraint Our first objective will be the development of self-restraint. This carries a top priority rating. When we speak or act hastily or rashly, the ability to be fair-minded and tolerant evaporates on the spot. One unkind tirade or one willful snap judgment can ruin our relation with another person for a whole day, or maybe a whole year. Nothing pays off like restraint of tongue and pen. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Tradi ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 16, 2021 Kindliness and Love We ought to sit down with the family and frankly analyze the past as we now see it, being very careful not to criticize them. Their defects may be glaring, but the chances are that our own actions are partly responsible. So we clean house with the family, asking each morning in meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 83 Thought to Ponder The Thr ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 15, 2021 Persistent Effort We want to find exactly how, when, and where our natural desires have warped us. We wish to look squarely at the unhappiness this has caused others and ourselves. By discovering what our emotional deformities are, we can move toward their correction. Without a willing and persistent effort to do this, there can be little sobriety or contentment for us. Without a searching and fearless moral inventory, most of us have found that the fait ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 14, 2021 Thy Will Be Done We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day "Thy will be done." We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Act ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 13, 2021 Willing to Grow 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. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 60 Thought to Ponder Spiritual progress isn't what gets us sober, it's what keeps us sober. AA-related 'Alconym' G R O ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 12, 2021 Unreasonable Fears When a job still looked like a mere means of getting money rather than an opportunity for service, when the acquisition of money for financial independence looked more important than a right dependence upon God, we were still the victims of unreasonable fears. And these were fears which would make a serene and useful existence, at any financial level, quite impossible. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Twelve) p. 121 Thought ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 11, 2021 Exceptions Despite all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going to believe they are in that class. By every form of self-deception and experimentation, they will try to prove themselves exceptions to the rule, therefore nonalcoholic. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) p. 31 Thought to Ponder I am unique, just like everyone else. AA-related 'Alconym' D E N I A L  =   Don't Even Notice I Am Lying. Thanks to all of y ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 10, 2021 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ Powerlessness We perceive that only through utter defeat are we able to take our first steps toward liberation and strength. Our admissions of personal powerlessness finally turn out to be firm bedrock upon which happy and purposeful lives may be built. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step One) p. 21  Thought to Ponder The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.  AA-related 'Alcony ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 9, 2021 Emotional Stability When we developed still more, we discovered the best possible source of emotional stability to be God Himself. We found that dependence upon His perfect justice, forgiveness, and love was healthy, and that it would work where nothing else would. If we really depended upon God, we couldn’t very well play God to our fellows nor would we feel the urge wholly to rely on human protection and care. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 8, 2021 Abnormal Condition Cessation of drinking is but the first step away from a highly strained, abnormal condition. A doctor said to us, "Years of living with an alcoholic is almost sure to make any wife or child neurotic. The entire family is, to some extent, ill." Let families realize, as they start their journey, that all will not be fair weather. Each in his turn may be footsore and may straggle. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (The Family Afterward) p. ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 7, 2021 Spiritual Growth First We have learned that the satisfaction of instincts cannot be the sole end and aim of our lives. If we place instincts first, we have got the cart before the horse; we shall be pulled backward into disillusionment. But when we are willing to place spiritual growth first—then and only then do we have a real chance. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Twelve) p. 114 Thought to Ponder A spiritual awakening is our greatest gift. ...Continue Reading