*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

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 29, 2020* *Direct Contact* In Step Eleven we saw that if a Higher Power had restored us to sanity and had enabled us to live with some peace of mind in a sorely troubled world, then such a Higher Power was worth knowing better, by as direct contact as possible. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Twelve) pp. 108 - 109 Thought to Ponder Prayer asks the question. Meditation listens for the answer. AA-related 'Alconym' *P R A Y E R*  =  *P*raying ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 28, 2020* *Step Five* In actual practice, we usually find a solitary self-appraisal insufficient. Many of us thought it necessary to go much further. We will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person when we see good reasons why we should do so. The best reason first: If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 72 Thought to Ponder We need to share our problems to find our solutions. AA- ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 27, 2020* *Trust and Reliance* Perhaps there is a better way—we think so. For we are now on a different basis; the basis of trusting and relying upon God. We trust infinite God rather than our finite selves. We are in the world to play the role He assigns. Just to the extent that we do as we think He would have us, and humbly rely on Him, does He enable us to match calamity with serenity. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 68 Thought to Ponder Serenity isn ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 26, 2020* *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, ( ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 25, 2020* *Anger* If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of normal men, but for alcoholics these things are poison. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 66 Thought to Ponder Anger is but a mask for fear. AA-related 'Alconym' *A N G E R*  =  *A*ny *N*ew *G*rudge *E*ndangers *R*ecovery. Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength a ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) May 24, 2020 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *A Way of Life* A.A.'s Twelve Steps are a group of principles, spiritual in their nature, which, if practiced as a way of life, can expel the obsession to drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole.  - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Foreward) p. 15  Thought to Ponder AA is not something we join; it's a way of life.  AA-related 'Alconym' *A A*  =  *A*mazing *A*dventure.   ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 23, 2020* *True Tolerance* We begin to see that all people, including ourselves, are to some extent emotionally ill as well as frequently wrong, and then we approach true tolerance and see what real love for our fellows actually means. It will become more and more evident as we go forward that it is pointless to become angry, or to get hurt by people who, like us, are suffering from the pains of growing up. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 92 T ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 22, 2020* *Truth Demonstrated* We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again: "Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic." Commencing to drink after a period of sobriety, we are in a short time as bad as ever. If we are planning to stop drinking, there must be no reservation of any kind, nor any lurking notion that someday we will be immune to alcohol. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) p. 33 Thought to Ponder When we try to control our ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 21, 2020* *Defects and Humility* All of us saw, for example, that we lacked honesty and tolerance, that we were beset at times by attacks of self-pity or delusions of personal grandeur. But while this was a humiliating experience, it didn't necessarily mean that we had yet acquired much actual humility. Though now recognized, our defects were still there. Something had to be done about them. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Five) p. 58 Thought to Ponde ...Continue Reading