*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 9, 2018* *Transformed*Our eyes begin to open to the immense values which have come straight out of painful ego-puncturing. Until now, our lives have been largely devoted to running from pain and problems. We fled from them as from a plague. We never wanted to deal with the fact of suffering. Escape via the bottle was always our solution. Character-building through suffering might be all right for saints, but it certainly didn't appeal to us. Then, in A.A., we looked ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy AA-Alive.net) July 8, 2018 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Carry This Message*The unique ability of each A.A. to identify himself with, and bring recovery to, the newcomer in no way depends upon his learning, eloquence, or on any special individual skills. The only thing that matters is that he is an alcoholic who has found a key to sobriety. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pp. 150 - 151 Thought to PonderIn AA we don't carry the alcoholic; we carry the message. AA-related 'Alconym' ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 7, 2018* *Permanent 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, p. 95 Thought to PonderGratitude is a tool, a form of perspective, reminding me to appreciate the simple things. AA-re ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 6, 2018* *Spiritual Infancy*He will perceive that his spiritual growth is lopsided, that for an average man like himself, a spiritual life which does not include his family obligations may not be so perfect after all. If the family will appreciate that dad’s current behavior is but a phase of his development, all will be well. In the midst of an understanding and sympathetic family, these vagaries of dad’s spiritual infancy will quickly disappear. - Alcoholics ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 5, 2018* *Failed*All went well for a time, but he failed to enlarge his spiritual life. To his consternation, he found himself drunk half a dozen times in rapid succession. On each of these occasions we worked with him, reviewing carefully what had happened. He agreed he was a real alcoholic and in a serious condition. - Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 35 Thought to PonderThe ultimate defense against the first drink is a spiritual one. AA-related 'Alconym'*I S M* &nbs ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 4, 2018* *True Freedom*To get completely away from our aversion to the idea of being humble, to gain a vision of humility as the avenue to true freedom of the human spirit, to be willing to work for humility as something to be desired for itself, takes most of us a long, long time. A whole lifetime geared to self-centeredness cannot be set in reverse all at once. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 73 Thought to PonderHumility begins with 'please' and 'tha ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 3, 2018* *A Fair Hearing*Instead, we looked at the human defects of these people, and sometimes used their shortcomings as a basis of wholesale condemnation. We talked of intolerance, while we were intolerant ourselves. We missed the reality and the beauty of the forest because we were diverted by the ugliness of some of its trees. We never gave the spiritual side of life a fair hearing. - Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 50 Thought to PonderSpirituality is not based o ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *July 2, 2018* Tradition Ten“Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.” We conceive the survival and spread of Alcoholics Anonymous to be something of far greater importance than the weight we could collectively throw back of any other cause. Since recovery from alcoholism is life itself to us, it is imperative that we preserve in full strength our means of survival. - Twelve Steps and Twe ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy AA-Alive.net) July 1, 2018 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *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, p. 133 Thought to PonderHappiness and peace of mind are always here, open and free to anyone. AA-related 'Alconym'*F R E E*  =  *F*ortunately, ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 30, 2018* *Family*We ought to sit down with the family and frankly analyze the past as we now see it, being very careful not to criticize them. Their defects may be glaring, but the chances are that our own actions are partly responsible. So we clean house with the family, asking each morning in meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love. - Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 83 Thought to PonderRight actions for the future are ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 29, 2018* *Fearless Admission*So far as alcoholics are concerned, A.A. would go even further. Most of us would declare that without a fearless admission of our defects to another human being we could not stay sober. It seems plain that the grace of God will not enter to expel our destructive obsessions until we are willing to try this. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pp. 56 - 57 Thought to PonderA fear faced is a fear erased. AA-related 'Alconym'*F E A R* ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 28, 2018* *Rationalizing*We alcoholics are the biggest rationalizers in the world. Fortified with the excuse that we are doing great things for A.A., we can, through broken anonymity, resume our old and disastrous pursuit of personal power and prestige, public honors, and money -- the same implacable urges that, when frustrated, once caused us to drink. - As Bill Sees It, p. 160 Thought to PonderThe difference between pride and humility: Pride is who is right. ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 27, 2018* *Your Belief*We can only clear the ground a bit. If our testimony helps sweep away prejudice, enables you to think honestly, encourages you to search diligently within yourself, then, if you wish, you can join us on the Broad Highway. With this attitude you cannot fail. The consciousness of your belief is sure to come to you. - Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 55 Thought to PonderKeep an open mind. AA-related 'Alconym'*H O W*  =  *H*onesty, *O*pen-m ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 26, 2018* *Miracles*It may seem incredible that these men are to become happy, respected, and useful once more. How can they rise out of such misery, bad repute and hopelessness? The practical answer is that since these things have happened among us, they can happen with you. Should you wish them above all else, and be willing to make use of our experience, we are sure they will come. The age of miracles is still with us. Our own recovery proves that! - Alcohol ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 25, 2018* *A 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, p. 152 Thought to PonderSobriety is the adv ...Continue Reading