*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 24, 2019* *Happy, Joyous and Free* We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free. We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that for many of us. But it is clear that we made our own misery. God didn’t do it.   - Alcoholics Anonymous, (The Family Afterward) p. 133 Thought to Ponder Happiness and peace of mind are always here, open and free to anyone. AA-related 'Alconym' *F R E E*  =  ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 23, 2019* *Morning Meditation* If not members of religious bodies, we sometimes select and memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing. There are many helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be obtained from one’s priest, minister, or rabbi. Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 87 Thought to Ponder Prayer asks the question. Medita ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 22, 2019* *Alcoholics Anonymous* We are not an organization in the conventional sense of the word. There are no fees or dues whatsoever. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. We are not allied with any particular faith, sect or denomination, nor do we oppose anyone. We simply wish to be helpful to those who are afflicted.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Foreward to the First Edition,) pp. xiii - xiv Thought to Ponder The Twelve ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 21, 2019* *Anger* If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us. They maybe the dubious luxury of normal men, but for alcoholics these things are poison.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works,) p. 66 Thought to Ponder When anger rises, think of the consequences. AA-related 'Alconym' *C A L M*  =  *C*an *A*nger *L*eave *M*e? Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 20, 2019* *Step Eight* Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Having carefully surveyed this whole area of human relations, and having decided exactly what personality traits in us injured and disturbed others, we can now commence to ransack memory for the people to whom we have given offense. To put a finger on the nearby and most deeply damaged ones shouldn't be hard to do.  - Twelve Steps and Twelve Tradit ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) May 19, 2019 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Ceased Fighting* That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality - safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our experience. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition.  - Alcoholics ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 18, 2019* *Self-Deception* Despite all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going to believe they are in that class. By every form of self-deception and experimentation, they will try to prove themselves exceptions to the rule, therefore nonalcoholic.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) p. 31 Thought to Ponder I would rather go through life sober, believing I am an alcoholic; than go through life drunk, trying to convince myself that ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 17, 2019* *Reliance* When we saw others solve their problems by a simple reliance upon the Spirit of the Universe, we had to stop doubting the power of God. Our ideas did not work. But the God idea did.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (We Agnostics) p. 52 Thought to Ponder Reliance on God enables me to match calamity with serenity. AA-related 'Alconym' *F R O G*  =  *F*ully *R*ely *O*n *G*od. Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experi ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 16, 2019* *Meditation* Meditation is something which can always be further developed. It has no boundaries, either of width or height. Aided by such instruction and example as we can find, it is essentially an individual adventure, something which each one of us works out in his own way. But its object is always the same: to improve our conscious contact with God, with His grace, wisdom, and love.  - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Eleven) p. 101 T ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 15, 2019* *Action* The program of action, though entirely sensible, was pretty drastic. It meant I would have to throw several lifelong conceptions out of the window. That was not easy. But the moment I made up my mind to go through with the process, I had the curious feeling that my alcoholic condition was relieved, as in fact it proved to be.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) p. 42 Thought to Ponder What is now proved was once only imagined. ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 14, 2019* *Twisted Relations* But it is from our twisted relations with family, friends, and society at large that many of us have suffered the most. We have been especially stupid and stubborn about them. The primary fact that we fail to recognize is our total inability to form a true partnership with another human being.  - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Four) p. 53 Thought to Ponder Ask yourself, "What would an adult do in this situation?& ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 13, 2019* *Foundation of Willingness* Upon a foundation of complete willingness I might build what I saw in my friend. Would I have it? Of course I would! Thus was I convinced that God is concerned with us humans when we want Him enough. At long last I saw, I felt, I believed. Scales of pride and prejudice fell from my eyes. A new world came into view.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Bill's Story) p. 12 Thought to Ponder I came. I came to. I came to believe. AA-r ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) May 12, 2019 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Amends* 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. If our manner is calm, frank, and open, we will be gratified with the result.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) pp. 77 - 78  Thought to Ponder It is the highest form of self-respect to  adm ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 11, 2019* *Assets* 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 Is the life I'm living the life that wants to live in me? AA-related 'Alconym' *A A*&n ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *May 10, 2019* *Building of Character* If we ask, God will certainly forgive our derelictions. But in no case does He render us white as snow and keep us that way without our cooperation. That is something we are supposed to be willing to work toward ourselves. He asks only that we try as best we know how to make progress in the building of character.  - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Six) p. 65 Thought to Ponder Character is what I am; reputation is w ...Continue Reading