*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 5, 2019* *Underlying Cause* Alcoholics especially should be able to see that instinct run wild in themselves is the underlying cause of their destructive drinking. We have drunk to drown feelings of fear, frustration, and depression. We have drunk to escape the guilt of passions, and then have drunk again to make more passions possible. We have drunk for vainglory—that we might the more enjoy foolish dreams of pomp and power. This perverse soul-sickness is not ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 4, 2019* *Freedom from Fear* When, with God’s help, we calmly accepted our lot, then we found we could live at peace with ourselves and show others who still suffered the same fears that they could get over them, too. We found that freedom from fear was more important than freedom from want.  - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, "Step Twelve," p. 122 Thought to Ponder Situations I fear are rarely as bad as the fear itself. AA-related 'Alconym ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 3, 2019* *Self-Will* The first requirement is that we be convinced that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success. On that basis we are almost always in collision with something or somebody, even though our motives are good.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "How It Works," p. 60 Thought to Ponder The smallest package in the world is an alcoholic all wrapped up in himself. AA-related 'Alconym' *H O W *  =   *H*onest, *O*pen-minde ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 2, 2019* *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.  - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, "Step Twelve" p. 116 Thought to Ponder The will of God will never take me where the grace of God will not protect me. AA-related 'A ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 1, 2019* *Key of Willingness* Once we have placed the key of willingness in the lock and have the door ever so slightly open, we find that we can always open it some more. Though self-will may slam it shut again, as it frequently does, it will always respond the moment we again pick up the key of willingness.  - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, "Step Three" p. 35 Thought to Ponder Take a walk with God. He will meet you at the Steps. AA-rela ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 31, 2018* *Fellowship of the Spirit* Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. May God bless you and keep you—until then.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "A Vision For You" p. 164 Thought to P ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 30, 2018 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *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 ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 29, 2018* *Belief* The minute I stopped arguing, I could begin to see and feel. Right there, Step Two gently and very gradually began to infiltrate my life. I can't say upon what occasion or upon what day I came to believe in a Power greater than myself, but I certainly have that belief now. To acquire it, I had only to stop fighting and practice the rest of A.A.'s program as enthusiastically as I could.  - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, "Step ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 28, 2018* *Twelfth Step Work* We sit in A.A. meetings and listen, not only to receive something ourselves, but to give the reassurance and support which our presence can bring. If our turn comes to speak at a meeting, we again try to carry A.A.'s message. Whether our audience is one or many, it is still Twelfth Step work.  - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, "Step Twelve" p. 110 Thought to Ponder Service is spirituality in action. AA-relate ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 27, 2018* *Fellowship* High and low, rich and poor, these are future fellows of Alcoholics Anonymous. Among them, you will make lifelong friends. You will be bound to them with new and wonderful ties, for you will escape disaster together and you will commence shoulder to shoulder your common journey. Then you will know what it means to give of yourself that others may survive and rediscover life. You will learn the full meaning of "Love thy neighbor as ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 26, 2018* *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 Anger is the wind that blows out the light of reason. 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 ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 25, 2018* *Peace on Earth* Most of us feel we need look no further for Utopia. We have it with us right here and now. Each day my friend’s simple talk in our kitchen multiplies itself in a widening circle of peace on earth and good will to men  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "Bill's Story," p. 16 Thought to Ponder The Three "P's" -- Perseverance, Patience, Peace. AA-related 'Alconym' *H O P E*  =  *H*ang *O*n! *P*eace *E*xists. ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 24, 2018* *Usefulness* Most of us sense that real tolerance of other people’s shortcomings and viewpoints and a respect for their opinions are attitudes which make us more useful to others. Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "There is a Solution," pp. 19 - 20 Thought to Ponder Love and tolerance of others is our code. AA-related 'Alc ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 23, 2018 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Freedom* If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "Into Action," pp. 83 - 84 Thought to Ponder AA is not something we join; it's a way of life ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 22, 2018* *Prayer* Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions, and our intuitions of vitally needed support. As the body can fail its purpose for lack of nourishment, so can the soul.  - Twelve Steps ...Continue Reading