*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 7, 2019* *A Chronic Alcoholic* "I have never seen one single case recover, where that state of mind existed to the extent that it does in you."  Our friend felt as though the gates of hell had closed on him with a clang.  He said to the doctor, "Is there no exception?" "Yes," replied the doctor, "there is.    Exceptions to cases such as yours have been occurring&nbs ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 6, 2019* *Acquire Willingness* But now it appears that there are certain things which only the individual can do. All by himself, and in the light of his own circumstances, he needs to develop the quality of willingness. When he acquires willingness, he is the only one who can make the decision to exert himself. Trying to do this is an act of his own will. All of the Twelve Steps require sustained and personal exertion to conform to their principles and so, w ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 5, 2019* *The Truth* 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 If we want to quit drinking, we ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 4, 2019* *Consequences* The almost certain consequences that follow taking even a glass of beer do not crowd into the mind to deter us. If these thoughts occur, they are hazy and readily supplanted with the old threadbare idea that this time we shall handle ourselves like other people. There is a complete failure of the kind of defense that keeps one from putting his hand on a hot stove. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (There Is A Solution) p. 24 Thought to Ponder T ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 3, 2019* *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 ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 2, 2019* *Divine Help* "As to two of you men, whose stories I have heard, there is no doubt in my mind that you were 100% hopeless, apart from divine help. Had you offered yourselves as patients at this hospital, I would not have taken you, if I had been able to avoid it. People like you are too heartbreaking. Though not a religious person, I have profound respect for the spiritual approach in such cases as yours.  For most cases, there is virtually ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 1, 2019* *Strength and Direction* Although these reparations take innumerable forms, there are some general principles which we find guiding. Reminding ourselves that we have decided to go to any lengths to find a spiritual experience, we ask that we be given strength and direction to do the right thing, no matter what the personal consequences may be. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 79 Thought to Ponder The Three A's .. Awareness, Acceptance, Actio ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 31, 2019* *Worse, Never Better* All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals—usually brief—were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period we get worse, never better. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) p. 30 Thought to Ponder Alc ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 30, 2019* *Safe Guidance* The persistent use of meditation and prayer, we found, did open the channel so that where there had been a trickle, there now was a river which led to sure power and safe guidance from God as we were increasingly better able to understand Him. So, practicing these Steps, we had a spiritual awakening about which finally there was no question. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Twelve) p. 109 Thought to Ponder Praying is askin ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 29, 2019* *New Meaning* 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 Get it - Give it - Grow in it. ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 28, 2019* *Opportunity* Many could recover if they had the opportunity we have enjoyed. How then shall we present that which has been so freely given us? We have concluded to publish an anonymous volume setting forth the problem as we see it. We shall bring to the task our combined experience and knowledge. This should suggest a useful program for anyone concerned with a drinking problem. - Alcoholics Anonymous, (There Is A Solution) p. 19 Thought to Ponder W ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) October 27, 2019 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Hope* In spite of the great increase in the size and the span of this Fellowship, at its core it remains simple and personal. Each day, somewhere in the world, recovery begins when one alcoholic talks with another alcoholic, sharing experience, strength, and hope.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Foreward to Third Edition) p. xxii  Thought to Ponder Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 26, 2019* *Social Occasions* Go or stay away, whichever seems best. But be sure you are on solid spiritual ground before you start and that your motive in going is thoroughly good. Do not think of what you will get out of the occasion. Think of what you can bring to it. But if you are shaky, you had better work with another alcoholic instead! - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Working With Others) p. 102 Thought to Ponder Life didn't end when I got sober, it started. ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 25, 2019* *We Asked God* Though we did not like their symptoms and the way these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too. We asked God to help us show them the same tolerance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said to ourselves, "This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done." - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 67 Thought to Po ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 24, 2019* *Step Five* We'd have to have outside help if we were surely to know and admit the truth about ourselves—the help of God and another human being. Only by discussing ourselves, holding back nothing, only by being willing to take advice and accept direction could we set foot on the road to straight thinking, solid honesty, and genuine humility. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Five) p. 59 Thought to Ponder Is the life I'm living the life th ...Continue Reading