*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

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy AA-Alive.net) June 24, 2018 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Daily Reprieve*We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all of our activities. “How can I best serve Thee—Thy will (not mine) be done.’’ - Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 85 Thought to PonderAA is not something we join; it's a way of life. AA-related 'Alconym'*A B C*  =  ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 23, 2018* *Defects*We who have escaped these extremes are apt to congratulate ourselves. Yet can we? After all, hasn't it been self-interest, pure and simple, that has enabled most of us to escape? Not much spiritual effort is involved in avoiding excesses which will bring us punishment anyway. But when we face up to the less violent aspects of these very same defects, then where do we stand? - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 66 Thought to PonderA " ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 22, 2018* *Pain*Someone who knew what he was talking about once remarked that pain was the touchstone of all spiritual progress. How heartily we A.A.'s can agree with him, for we know that the pains of drinking had to come before sobriety, and emotional turmoil before serenity. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pp. 93 - 94 Thought to PonderThe gritty pain of alcoholism is the traction of recovery. AA-related 'Alconym'*H O P E*  =  *H*old *O*n, *P* ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day*(courtesy AA-Alive.net) *June 21, 2018* *Ready*Under the lash of alcoholism, we are driven to A.A., and there we discover the fatal nature of our situation. Then, and only then, do we become as open-minded to conviction and as willing to listen as the dying can be. We stand ready to do anything which will lift the merciless obsession from us. - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 24 Thought to PonderToday, my brain has cleared with the grace of clarity. AA-related 'Alconym'*H O W   ...Continue Reading