*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 3, 2019* *Daily Inventory* More experienced people, of course, in all times and places have practiced unsparing self-survey and criticism. For the wise have always known that no one can make much of his life until self-searching becomes a regular habit, until he is able to admit and accept what he finds, and until he patiently and persistently tries to correct what is wrong. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 88 Thought to Ponder I can’t fix ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 2, 2019* *Humility* As we have seen, self-searching is the means by which we bring new vision, action, and grace to bear upon the dark and negative side of our natures. It is a step in the development of that kind of humility that makes it possible for us to receive God's help. Yet it is only a step. We will want to go further. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Eleven) p. 98 Thought to Ponder From darkness comes light. AA-related 'Alconym' *S T E P ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 1, 2019* *Self-restraint* Nothing pays off like restraint of tongue and pen. We must avoid quick-tempered criticism and furious, power-driven argument. The same goes for sulking or silent scorn. These are emotional booby traps baited with pride and vengefulness. Our first job is to sidestep the traps. When we are tempted by the bait, we should train ourselves to step back and think. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 91 Thought to Ponder The ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *September 30, 2019* *Change* We thought "conditions" drove us to drink, and when we tried to correct these conditions and found that we couldn't to our entire satisfaction, our drinking went out of hand and we became alcoholics. It never occurred to us that we needed to change ourselves to meet conditions, whatever they were. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Four) p. 47 Thought to Ponder If you want to change who you are, change what you do. AA ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) September 29, 2019 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Step Nine - Amends* Under no condition do we criticize such a person or argue. Simply tell him that we will never get over drinking until we have done our utmost to straighten out the past. We are there to sweep off our side of the street, realizing that nothing worth while can be accomplished until we do so, never trying to tell him what he should do. His faults are not discussed. We stick to our own.  - Alcoholics Ano ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *September 28, 2019* *The Serenity Prayer* In 1941, a news clipping was called to our attention by a New York member. In an obituary notice from a local paper, there appeared these words: "God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Never had we seen so much A.A. in so few words. With amazing speed the Serenity Prayer came into general use. - As Bill Sees It, ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *September 27, 2019* *Spiritual Experience* 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 spir ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *September 26, 2019* *The Fifth Step* When 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 Clear v ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *September 25, 2019* *Sound Minds and Bodies* God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons. Most of them give freely of themselves, that their fellows may enjoy sound minds and bodies. Try to remember that though God has wrought miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or psychiatrist. Their services are often indispensable in tr ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *September 24, 2019* *Tradition Nine* A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Appendix One) p. 562 Thought to Ponder We are but trusted servants. AA-related 'Alconym' *A N O N Y M O U S*  =  *A*ctions, *N*ot *O*ur *N*ames *Y*ield *M*aintenance *O*f *U*nity & *S*ervice. Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *September 23, 2019* *Faith and Action* But he will be curious to learn why his own convictions have not worked and why yours seem to work so well. He may be an example of the truth that faith alone is insufficient. To be vital, faith must be accompanied by self sacrifice and unselfish, constructive action. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Working With Others) p. 93 Thought to Ponder Faith is mighty. Action with faith is mightier. AA-related 'Alconym' *H O W*  =  * ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *September 22, 2019* *Fear* Sometimes we think fear ought to be classed with stealing. It seems to cause more trouble. We reviewed our fears thoroughly. We put them on paper, even though we had no resentment in connection with them. We asked ourselves why we had them. Wasn’t it because self-reliance failed us? Self-reliance was good as far as it went, but it didn’t go far enough. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) pp. 67 - 68 Thought to Ponder Breathe in faith, br ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *September 21, 2019* *Belief* We needed to ask ourselves but one short question. "Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself?" As soon as a man can say that he does believe, or is willing to believe, we emphatically assure him that he is on his way. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (We Agnostics) p. 47 Thought to Ponder Spirituality is not based on logic, it is faith-driven. AA-related 'Alconym' *W I L L I N G*  ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *September 20, 2019* *Dealing With Sobriety* God willing, we members of A.A. may never again have to deal with drinking, but we have to deal with sobriety every day. How do we do it? By learning—through practicing the Twelve Steps and through sharing at meetings—how to cope with the problems that we looked to booze to solve, back in our drinking days. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (To Handle Sobriety) pp. 558 - 559 Thought to Ponder The Twelve Steps; a manuscript for r ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *September 19, 2019* *Pride and Guilt* In pride I could say, "Look at me, I am wonderful." In guilt I would moan, "I'm awful." Therefore guilt is really the reverse side of the coin of pride. Guilt aims at self-destruction and Pride aims at the destruction of others. This is why I see humility for today as that safe and secure stance midway between these violent emotional extremes.  - AA Grapevine, June 1961 (Humility for Today, Bill W) Though ...Continue Reading