*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 21, 2018* *Spiritual Principles* "Quite as important was the discovery that spiritual principles would solve all my problems. I have since been brought into a way of living infinitely more satisfying and, I hope, more useful than the life I lived before. My old manner of life was by no means a bad one, but I would not exchange its best moments for the worst I have now. I would not go back to it even if I could."  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "M ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 20, 2018* *Recovery Begins* 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, "Foreword to Third Edition," p. xxii Thought to Ponder Every recovery from alcoholism began with one sober hour. AA-related 'Alconym' ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 19, 2018* *Tradition Twelve* And finally, we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the principle of anonymity has an immense spiritual significance. It reminds us that we are to place principles before personalities; that we are actually to practice a genuine humility. This to the end that our great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of Him who presides over us all.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "Appendix On ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 18, 2018* *Great Obsession* It is not surprising that our drinking careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could drink like other people. The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "More About Alcoholism," p. 30 T ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 17, 2018* *Solution* But the ex-problem drinker who has found this solution, who is properly armed with facts about himself, can generally win the entire confidence of another alcoholic in a few hours. Until such an understanding is reached, little or nothing can be accomplished.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "There Is A Solution" p. 18 Thought to Ponder Faith is our greatest gift; its sharing with others our greatest responsibility. AA-related 'A ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 16, 2018 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Facts* Actually we were fooling ourselves, for deep down in every man, woman, and child, is the fundamental idea of God. It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or other it is there. For faith in a Power greater than ourselves, and miraculous demonstrations of that power in human lives, are facts as old as man himself.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "We Agnostics," p. 55 ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 15, 2018* *Sponsoring* I spend a great deal of time passing on what I learned to others who want and need it badly. I do it for four reasons: 1. Sense of duty.   2. It is a pleasure. 3. Because in so doing I am paying my debt to the man who took time to pass it on to me. 4. Because every time I do it I take out a little more insurance for myself against a possible slip.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "Doctor Bob's Nightmare" pp. 180 - 181 ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 14, 2018* *Choice* When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn’t. What was our choice to be?  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "We Agnostics," p. 53 Thought to Ponder God seldom becomes a reality until God becomes a necessity. AA-related 'Alconym' *G I F T*  =  *G*od *I*s *F*o ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 13, 2018* *Our Review* When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid? Do we owe an apology? . . . . What could we have done better? . . . After making our review we ask God’s forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "Into Action," p. 86 Thought to Ponder I want the gift of an untroubled mind. AA-related 'Alconym' *T G I F*  = &n ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 12, 2018* *Good Reasons* In actual practice, we usually find a solitary self-appraisal insufficient. Many of us thought it necessary to go much further. We will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person when we see good reasons why we should do so. The best reason first: If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "Into Action," p. 72 Thought to Ponder I cannot mend if I bend the trut ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 11, 2018* *New Attitudes* If we really depended upon God, we couldn't very well play God to our fellows nor would we feel the urge wholly to rely on human protection and care. These were the new attitudes that finally brought many of us an inner strength and peace that could not be deeply shaken by the shortcomings of others or by any calamity not of our own making.  - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, "Step Twelve," p. 116 Thought to Ponder ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 10, 2018* *Attitudes and Actions* Why all this insistence that every A.A. must hit bottom first? The answer is that few people will sincerely try to practice the A.A. program unless they have hit bottom. For practicing A.A.'s remaining eleven Steps means the adoption of attitudes and actions that almost no alcoholic who is still drinking can dream of taking.  - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, "Step One," p. 24 Thought to Ponder Sobriety wi ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) December 9, 2018 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *New Power* More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute to life. As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "How It Works," p. 63 Thought to Ponder The power within me is far grea ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 8, 2018* *Thoroughly Followed* RARELY HAVE we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not, completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves.  - Alcoholics Anonymous, "How It Works," p. 58 Thought to Ponder Honesty is the absence of the intent to deceive. AA-related 'Alconym' *W I L ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 7, 2018* *Work* For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. If he did not work, he would surely drink again, and if he drank, he would surely die. Then faith would be dead indeed. With us it is just like that. - Alcoholics Anonymous, "Bill's Story," pp. 14 - 15 Thought to Ponder While it isn't always easy, if I keep it s ...Continue Reading