AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) January 8, 2021 Countless Vain Attempts 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, (More About Alcoholism) p. 30 Thought ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) January 7, 2021 Self-pity "Self-pity is one of the most unhappy and consuming defects that we know. It is a bar to all spiritual progress and can cut off all effective communication with our fellows because of its inordinate demands for attention and sympathy. It is a maudlin form of martyrdom, which we can ill afford." - As Bill Sees It, p. 238 Thought to Ponder The smallest package in the world is an alcoholic all wrapped up in himself. AA-related 'Alconym' ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) January 6, 2021 Powerful Reason Leaving aside the drink question, they tell why living was so unsatisfactory. They show how the change came over them. When many hundreds of people are able to say that the consciousness of the Presence of God is today the most important fact of their lives, they present a powerful reason why one should have faith. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (We Agnostics) p. 51 Thought to Ponder No God, no peace — know God, know peace. AA-related 'Alconym' ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) January 5, 2021 Way of Strength We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our Creator. We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness. Paradoxically, it is the way of strength. The verdict of the ages is that faith means courage. All men of faith have courage. They trust their God. We never apologize for God. Instead we let Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 68 Thought to Ponder Spirituality is ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) January 4, 2021 Morning Meditation If not members of religious bodies, we sometimes select and memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing. There are many helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be obtained from one’s priest, minister, or rabbi. Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 87 Thought to Ponder Meditation is our step out into the sun. ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) January 3, 2021 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ Step Eleven Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 59  Thought to Ponder The Three "P's" -- Pause, Pray, Proceed.  AA-related 'Alconym' *A S A P*  =  Always Say A Prayer.  A Member Shares: My name is Tom, ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) January 2, 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) January 1, 2021 An Answer Upon therapy for the alcoholic himself, we surely have no monopoly. Yet it is our great hope that all those who have as yet found no answer may begin to find one in the pages of this book and will presently join us on the high road to a new freedom. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Foreward to Second Edition) p. xxi Thought to Ponder Within our wonderful new world, we have found freedom from our fatal obsession. AA-related 'Alconym' A A  =   ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 31, 2020 Spirit of Intolerance We are careful never to show intolerance or hatred of drinking as an institution. Experience shows that such an attitude is not helpful to anyone. Every new alcoholic looks for this spirit among us and is immensely relieved when he finds we are not witch-burners. A spirit of intolerance might repel alcoholics whose lives could have been saved, had it not been for such stupidity. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Working With Others) p. 103 ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 30, 2020 Spirit of the Universe We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to have a spiritual experience. The feeling that the drink problem has disappeared will often come strongly. We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 75 Thought to Ponder The ultimate defense against the first drink is a spiritual one. ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 29, 2020 Spiritual Experiences "Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual experiences. To me these occurrences are phenomena. They appear to be in the nature of huge emotional displacements and rearrangements. Ideas, emotions, and attitudes which were once the guiding forces of the lives of these men are suddenly cast to one side, and a completely new set of conceptions and motives begin to dominate them." - A ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 28, 2020 Worse, Never Better All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals—usually brief—were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period we get worse, never better. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) p. 30 Thought to Ponder When we ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 27, 2020 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ I Am Responsible . . . When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible. Declaration of 30th Anniversary A. A. International Convention, 1965  - As Bill Sees It, (I Am Responsible) No. 332  Thought to Ponder I may be the only "Big Book" another alcoholic has seen.  AA-related 'Alconym' *P R O G R A M*  =  People Relying ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 26, 2020 Quick Inventory The quick inventory is aimed at our daily ups and downs, especially those where people or new events throw us off balance and tempt us to make mistakes. In all these situations we need self-restraint, honest analysis of what is involved, a willingness to admit when the fault is ours, and an equal willingness to forgive when the fault is elsewhere. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 91 Thought to Ponder Nothing pays off ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 25, 2020 A Christmas Greeting Dear Friends: Gratitude is just about the finest attribute we can have, and how deeply we of AA realize this at Christmastime. We know that our very lives, our miraculous new chance to live, to learn, to grow and to serve, is the supreme gift of Grace which has come to us from Him who presides over us all. May we joyfully meditate upon these precious blessings as never before. -- Bill W. - AA Grapevine, The December 1963 magazine T ...Continue Reading