*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 13, 2020* *Self-Will* So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. We must, or it kills us! God makes that possible. And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 62 Thought to Ponder ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 12, 2020* *Stand Together* Therefore, Step Two is the rallying point for all of us. Whether agnostic, atheist, or former believer, we can stand together on this Step. True humility and an open mind can lead us to faith, and every A.A. meeting is an assurance that God will restore us to sanity if we rightly relate ourselves to Him. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Two) p. 33 Thought to Ponder Let go and let God. AA-related 'Alconym' *F A I T H*  ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 11, 2020* *Gratitude* Such is the paradox of AA regeneration: strength arising out of complete defeat and weakness, the loss of one's old life as a condition for finding a new one. But we of AA do not have to understand this paradox, we have only to be grateful for it. - Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, p. 46 Thought to Ponder I have learned how a heart full of gratitude feels. AA-related 'Alconym' *A A*  =  *A*mazing *A*dventure. Thanks to all of ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 10, 2020* *Ghosts of Yesterday* If we have swept the searchlight of Step Four back and forth over our careers, and it has revealed in stark relief those experiences we'd rather not remember, if we have come to know how wrong thinking and action have hurt us and others, then the need to quit living by ourselves with those tormenting ghosts of yesterday gets more urgent than ever. We have to talk to somebody about them. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step F ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 9, 2020* *Stormy Emotions* Anger, that occasional luxury of more balanced people, could keep us on an emotional jag indefinitely. These emotional "dry benders" often led straight to the bottle. Other kinds of disturbances—jealousy, envy, self-pity, or hurt pride—did the same thing. A spot-check inventory taken in the midst of such disturbances can be of very great help in quieting stormy emotions. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 90 ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 8, 2020* *King Alcohol* As we became subjects of King Alcohol, shivering denizens of his mad realm, the chilling vapor that is loneliness settled down. It thickened, ever becoming blacker. Some of us sought out sordid places, hoping to find understanding companionship and approval. Momentarily we did—then would come oblivion and the awful awakening to face the hideous Four Horsemen—Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration, Despair. Unhappy drinkers who read this page wi ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) June 7, 2020 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *The Delusion* We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed. We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers control.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) p. 30  Thought ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 6, 2020* *Ready* Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now. 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, (How It Works) p. 58 Thought to Ponder Sobriety without action is fantasy. AA-related 'Alconym' *S T E P S*  =  *S*olutions *T*hrough *E*ach *P*owerful *S*tep. Thanks to all of yo ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 5, 2020* *Willing to Listen* Under the lash of alcoholism, we are driven to A.A., and there we discover the fatal nature of our situation. Then, and only then, do we become as open-minded to conviction and as willing to listen as the dying can be. We stand ready to do anything which will lift the merciless obsession from us. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step One) p. 24 Thought to Ponder Learn to listen; listen to learn. AA-related 'Alconym' *H O P E*& ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 4, 2020* *Blessings* Having so considered our day, not omitting to take due note of things well done, and having searched our hearts with neither fear nor favor, we can truly thank God for the blessings we have received and sleep in good conscience. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 95 Thought to Ponder Gratitude is a most effective painkiller for the alcoholic. AA-related 'Alconym' *B E S T*  =  *B*een *E*njoying *S*obriety *T*oday? ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 3, 2020* *Step Seven - Humility* The whole emphasis of Step Seven is on humility.  It is really saying to us that we now ought to be willing to try humility in seeking the removal of our other shortcomings just as we did when we admitted that we were powerless over alcohol, and came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Seven) p. 76 Thought to Ponder Humilit ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 2, 2020* *One Symptom* All these, and many others, have one symptom in common: they cannot start drinking without developing the phenomenon of craving. This phenomenon, as we have suggested, may be the manifestation of an allergy which differentiates these people, and sets them apart as a distinct entity. It has never been, by any treatment with which we are familiar, permanently eradicated.  The only relief we have to suggest is entire abstinence. ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 1, 2020* *Prayer* In A.A. we have found that the actual good results of prayer are beyond question. They are matters of knowledge and experience. All those who have persisted have found strength not ordinarily their own. They have found wisdom beyond their usual capability. And they have increasingly found a peace of mind which can stand firm in the face of difficult circumstances. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Eleven) p. 104 Thought to Ponder Toda ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) May 31, 2020 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Old Ideas* At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier, softer way. But we could not. With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start. Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 58  Thought to Ponder In order to recover we have to uncover.  A ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 30, 2020* *Continuous Action* More sobriety brought about by the admission of alcoholism and by attendance at a few meetings is very good indeed, but it is bound to be a far cry from permanent sobriety and a contented, useful life. That is just where the remaining Steps of the A.A. program come in. Nothing short of continuous action upon these as a way of life can bring the much-desired result. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Three) pp. 39 - 40 Though ...Continue Reading