*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 1, 2016* *The Journey* You move either way from a drink or toward one.  People never stand still. Life is not arrival at a destination; life is to travel to many destinations. You must reach your potential in sobriety.  Enjoy the journey, bumpy roads and all. /- The Best of the Grapevine/ [Vol. 1], p. 85 *Thought to Ponder . . .* The joy is in the journey, so enjoy the ride. *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *A A* = **A**mazing **A**dventure. Thanks ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 31, 2016* *Expectations* I am not a victim of others, but rather a victim of my expectations, choices and dishonesty. When I expect others to be what I want them to be and not who they are, when they fail to meet my expectations, I am hurt. When my choices are based on self-centeredness, I find I am lonely and distrustful. I gain confidence in myself, however, when I practice honesty in all my affairs. /- Daily Reflections,/ p. 183 *Thought to Ponder . . .* ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 30, 2016 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ Ground Glass* The moral inventory is a cool examination of the damages that occurred to us during life and a sincere effort to look at them in a true perspective. This has the effect of taking the ground glass out of us, the emotional substance that still cuts and inhibits. /- As Bill Sees It,/ p. 140 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Trust God.  Clean house.  Help others. AA-related 'Alconym' . . . *A A* = **A**ccounta ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 29, 2016* *Self-restraint* This carries a top priority rating.  When we act hastily or rashly, the ability to be fair-minded and tolerant evaporates on the spot. One unkind tirade or one willful snap judgment can ruin our relation with another person for a whole day, or maybe a whole year. Nothing pays off like restraint of tongue and pen. /- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,/ p. 91 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Anger is the wind that blows out the light ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 28, 2016* *Forgiveness* When I forgive someone I guess what I really mean to say is that I admit I judge others. Forgiving and condemning are God's business, not mine. Only He has the mercy to judge and to accept at the same time. My job is to achieve enough humility to see myself in others and to accept both myself and others, by identifying. The willingness to make amends will grow from this act of love. /- The Best of the Grapevine/ [Vol. 2], p. 162 *Thou ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 27, 2016* *This Precious Gift* None of us can fathom the glories and the uncharted regions of the universe. But we /can/ live on earth and love one another. We can let in the beginnings of /concern, compassion, consideration,/ and watch ourselves grow. With the tools and guideposts of AA, we can learn a little of this precious gift —our gateway to human spirituality. /- Came To Believe . . .,/ p. 120 *Thought to Ponder . . .* The Three "C's" —Conce ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 26, 2016 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ A Decision* Practicing Step Three is like the opening of a door which to all appearances is closed and locked. All we need one key, and it is called willingness. Once unlocked by willingness, the door opens almost of itself. /- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,/ p. 34 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Maturity is the ability to make a decision and follow through. AA-related 'Alconym' . . . *H O W* = **H**onesty, **O**pen-minded ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 25, 2016* *“When We Were Wrong—“* We should attempt, in a spirit of humility and deep reflection, to see clearly where we were wrong. It helps to discuss these failures with other members, in order to crystalize our mistakes and prevent their recurrence. /- The Best of the Grapevine/ [Vol. 1], pp. 19-20 *Thought to Ponder . . .* It's not making a mistake that will kill me.  It's defending it that does the damage. *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *N O W* = ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 24, 2016* *Silent Revolution* Almost imperceptibly my whole life underwent a silent revolution. I lost many worries and gained confidence.  I found myself saying and thinking things that a short time ago I would have condemned as platitudes! A belief in the basic spirituality of life has grown and with it belief in a supreme and guiding power for good. /- Experience, Strength and Hope,/ p.107 *Thought to Ponder . . .* What are you coming to believe?&nbs ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 23, 2016 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ A Common Bond* We are people who normally would not mix. But there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful. . . . The feeling of having shared in a common peril is one element in the powerful cement which binds us. /- Alcoholics Anonymous,/ p. 17 *Thought to Ponder . . .* We need to share our problems to find our solutions. AA-related 'Alconym' . . . *E S H* = ** ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 22, 2016* *Listening* Under the lash of alcoholism, we are driven to AA, 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 Ponder . . .* Learn to listen; listen to learn. *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *A A* = * ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 21, 2016* *Belonging* I think I stopped maturing at fifteen when I started to get drunk with the older guys. I wanted to feel at peace with myself and comfortable with other people. I never found it in drinking. The belonging I always wanted I have found in AA and in sobriety. /- Alcoholics Anonymous,/ p. 485 *Thought to Ponder . . .* The sense of belonging is tremendously exciting. *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *Y A N A* = **Y**ou **A**re **N**ot **A**lone. ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 20, 2016* *Complacency* When I am feeling good and things are going well, I can become complacent. To put it simply, I become lazy and turn into the problem instead of the solution. I need to get into action, to take stock:  where am I and where am I going? A daily inventory will tell me what I must change to regain spiritual balance. /- Daily Reflections,/ p. 283 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Inventory-taking is not always done in red ink. *AA-related 'Al ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 19, 2016 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ Self-righteousness* This odd trait of mind and emotion, this perverse wish to hide a bad motive underneath a good one, permeates human affairs from top to bottom. This subtle and elusive kind of self-righteousness can underlie the smallest act or thought. Learning daily to spot, admit, and correct these flaws is the essence of character-building and good living. /- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,/ pp. 94-95 *Thought to ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 18, 2016* *Let Go* We thought we could find an easier, softer way.  But we could not. With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start. Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely. /- Alcoholics Anonymous,/ p. 58 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Get a grip on letting go. *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *K I S S* = **K**eep **I**t **S**imple; **S**urrende ...Continue Reading