AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 8, 2019 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Calamity With Serenity* 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) ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 7, 2019* *A Double-Edged Sword* The tyrant alcohol wielded a double-edged sword over us: first we were smitten by an insane urge that condemned us to go on drinking, and then by an allergy of the body that insured we would ultimately destroy ourselves in the process. Few indeed were those who, so assailed, had ever won through in singlehanded combat. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step One) p. 22 Thought to Ponder The solution is simple. The solutio ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 6, 2019* *Spiritual Growth First* We have learned that the satisfaction of instincts cannot be the sole end and aim of our lives. If we place instincts first, we have got the cart before the horse; we shall be pulled backward into disillusionment. But when we are willing to place spiritual growth first—then and only then do we have a real chance. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Twelve) p. 114 Thought to Ponder Growing old is inevitable, growing ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 5, 2019* *Watches Over Us* The moment we catch even a glimpse of God's will, the moment we begin to see truth, justice, and love as the real and eternal things in life, we are no longer deeply disturbed by all the seeming evidence to the contrary that surrounds us in purely human affairs. We know that God lovingly watches over us. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Eleven) p. 105 Thought to Ponder Reliance on God enables me to match calamity with s ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 4, 2019* *A Long Way* Sometimes we hear an alcoholic say that the only thing he needs to do is to keep sober. Certainly he must keep sober, for there will be no home if he doesn’t. But he is yet a long way from making good to the wife or parents whom for years he has so shockingly treated. - Alcoholics Anonymous (Into Action) p. 82 Thought to Ponder It is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and to make amends for them. AA-related 'Alconym' * ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 3, 2019* *Our Point of View* Is not our age characterized by the ease with which we discard old ideas for new, by the complete readiness with which we throw away the theory or gadget which does not work for something new which does? We had to ask ourselves why we shouldn’t apply to our human problems this same readiness to change our point of view. - Alcoholics Anonymous (We Agnostics) p. 52 Thought to Ponder Times change, alcoholism doesn't. AA-related 'A ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 2, 2019* *The Turning Point* Remember that we deal with alcohol—cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power—that One is God. May you find Him now! Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon. - Alcoholics Anonymous (How It Works) pp. 58 - 59 Thought to Ponder When we surrender to our Higher Power, the journey begins. AA-relate ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 1, 2019 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Our Own Mistakes* Putting out of our minds the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for our own mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened? Though a situation had not been entirely our fault, we tried to disregard the other person involved entirely. Where were we to blame? The inventory was ours, not the other man’s.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 67  Thought to P ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 30, 2019* *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 just one letter short of danger. AA-related 'Alconym' *C A L M*  =  *C*ause *A*nger *L*eft *M*e. 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) *November 29, 2019* *A Sufficient Substitute* We have shown how we got out from under. You say, "Yes, I’m willing. But am I to be consigned to a life where I shall be stupid, boring and glum, like some righteous people I see? I know I must get along without liquor, but how can I? Have you a sufficient substitute?" Yes, there is a substitute and it is vastly more than that. It is a fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. - Alcoholics Anonymous (A Vision For You) ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 28, 2019* *Genuine Gratitude* Learning daily to spot, admit, and correct these flaws is the essence of character-building and good living. An honest regret for harms done, a genuine gratitude for blessings received, and a willingness to try for better things tomorrow will be the permanent assets we shall seek. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 95 Thought to Ponder Gratitude is a tool, a form of perspective, reminding me to appreciate the ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 27, 2019* *Pride* Pride lures us into making demands upon ourselves or upon others which cannot be met without perverting or misusing our God-given instincts. When the satisfaction of our instincts for sex, security, and society becomes the sole object of our lives, then pride steps in to justify our excesses. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Four) p. 49 Thought to Ponder Swallowing my pride will not get me drunk. AA-related 'Alconym' *P R I D E ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 26, 2019* *Humble Admission* Every newcomer in Alcoholics Anonymous is told, and soon realizes for himself, that his humble admission of powerlessness over alcohol is his first step toward liberation from its paralyzing grip. So it is that we first see humility as a necessity. But this is the barest beginning. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Seven) pp. 72 - 73 Thought to Ponder The difference between pride and humility: Pride is who is right. Hu ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 25, 2019* *Thoughtful Reflection* Calm, thoughtful reflection upon personal relations can deepen our insight.  We can go far beyond those things which were superficially wrong with us, to see those flaws which were basic, flaws which sometimes were responsible for the whole pattern of our lives. Thoroughness, we have found, will pay—and pay handsomely. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Eight) p. 80 Thought to Ponder I need to u ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) November 24, 2019 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Over and Over* After they have succumbed to the desire again, as so many do, and the phenomenon of craving develops, they pass through the well-known stages of a spree, emerging remorseful, with a firm resolution not to drink again. This is repeated over and over, and unless this person can experience an entire psychic change there is very little hope of his recovery.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (The Doctor's Opinion) ...Continue Reading