*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 13, 2020* *Forgiveness for All* We've repeatedly strained the patience of our best friends to a snapping point, and have brought out the very worst in those who didn't think much of us to begin with. In many instances we are really dealing with fellow sufferers, people whose woes we have increased. If we are now about to ask forgiveness for ourselves, why shouldn't we start out by forgiving them, one and all? - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Eight) p. ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) July 12, 2020 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Change* No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 84  Thought to Ponder Learn to change, change to learn.&nbs ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 11, 2020* *Come to Grips* Still goaded by sheer necessity, we reluctantly come to grips with those serious character flaws that made problem drinkers of us in the first place, flaws which must be dealt with to prevent a retreat into alcoholism once again. We will want to be rid of some of these defects, but in some instances this will appear to be an impossible job from which we recoil. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Seven) p. 73 Thought to Ponder I ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 10, 2020* *Twisted Relations* But it is from our twisted relations with family, friends, and society at large that many of us have suffered the most. We have been especially stupid and stubborn about them. The primary fact that we fail to recognize is our total inability to form a true partnership with another human being. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Four) p. 53 Thought to Ponder Ask yourself, "What would an adult do in this situation?" ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 9, 2020* *The Magnificent Reality* Now, what about the rest of the Twelfth Step? The wonderful energy it releases and the eager action by which it carries our message to the next suffering alcoholic and which finally translates the Twelve Steps into action upon all our affairs is the payoff, the magnificent reality, of Alcoholics Anonymous. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Twelve) p. 109 Thought to Ponder A spiritual awakening is our greatest gift. A ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 8, 2020* *No Defense* Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in a few cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense.  His defense must come from a Higher Power. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) p. 43 Thought to Ponder I can't, God can, I'll let Him. AA-related 'Alconym' *F R O G*  =  *F*ully *R*ely *O*n *G*od. Thanks to all of you for shari ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 7, 2020* *An Illness* An illness of this sort—and we have come to believe it an illness—involves those about us in a way no other human sickness can. If a person has cancer all are sorry for him and no one is angry or hurt. But not so with the alcoholic illness, for with it there goes annihilation of all the things worth while in life. It engulfs all whose lives touch the sufferer’s. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (There Is A Solution) p. 18 Thought to Ponder Right act ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 6, 2020* *Infinitely Grave* It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while. But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 66 Thought to Ponder Resentmen ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) July 5, 2020 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Design for Living* We, in our turn, sought the same escape with all the desperation of drowning men. What seemed at first a flimsy reed, has proved to be the loving and powerful hand of God. A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, "a design for living" that really works.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (There Is A Solution,) p. 28  Thought to Ponder I stood in the sunlight at last.  AA-related 'Alconym' ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 4, 2020* *A Long Talk* IWhen we decide who is to hear our story, we waste no time. We have a written inventory and we are prepared for a long talk. We explain to our partner what we are about to do and why we have to do it. He should realize that we are engaged upon a life-and-death errand. Most people approached in this way will be glad to help; they will be honored by our confidence. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 75 Thought to Ponder The gritty pain ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 3, 2020* *Humility* It was only by repeated humiliations that we were forced to learn something about humility. It was only at the end of a long road, marked by successive defeats and humiliations, and the final crushing of our self-sufficiency, that we began to feel humility as something more than a condition of groveling despair. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Seven) p. 72 Thought to Ponder Humility is born of the spirit, humiliation of the ego. ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 2, 2020* *It Really Worked* There is a solution. Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation. But we saw that it really worked in others, and we had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 1, 2020* *Obsession* When men and women pour so much alcohol into themselves that they destroy their lives, they commit a most unnatural act. Defying their instinctive desire for self-preservation, they seem bent upon self-destruction. They work against their own deepest instinct. As they are humbled by the terrific beating administered by alcohol, the grace of God can enter them and expel their obsession. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Six) p. 64 T ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 30, 2020* *Prayer and Meditation* Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn’t be shy on sharing about this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) pp. 85 - 86 Thought to Ponder Life is fragile, handle with prayer. AA-related 'Alconym' *P A U S E*  =  *P*ay *A*ttention, *U*se *S*tep *E*leven. Thanks to all of you for sharin ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 29, 2020* *Fellowship* Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends—this is an experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Working With Others) p. 89 Thought to Ponder Together we can do what we could ne ...Continue Reading