*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 9, 2016* *Tradition Twelve* /“Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.”/ Moved by the spirit of anonymity, we try to give up our natural desires as AA members both among fellow alcoholics and before the general public. . . We are sure that humility, as expressed by anonymity, is the greatest safeguard Alcoholics Anonymous can ever have. /- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,/ p, ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 8, 2016* *The Mirror* Today I reside among the living, no better, no worse than any of God’s other children. Today I look in the mirror when putting on my makeup and smile, rather than shy away from looking myself in the eye. Today I fit in my skin.  I am at peace with myself and the world around me. /- Alcoholics Anonymous,/ p, 318 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Smile, it's a free facelift. *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *A A* = **A**lways **A**wesome. Tha ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 7, 2016* *Freedom of Truth* Today, I am counting my blessings instead of my troubles. When I walked into the friendly atmosphere of my first AA meeting, I knew I was where I belonged. Here were the people who had thought and felt as I had. Here was the understanding I’d been searching for all my life. These people were my friends, and I felt their sincere interest in me. With these new and enlightening doors opening up to me, I was able to make the eventual ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 6, 2016* *Reaching Out* I must examine myself whenever I meet a newcomer to make sure that I am carrying the message with simplicity, humility and generosity. The one who still suffers from the terrible disease of alcoholism must find in me a friend who will allow him to get to know the AA way, because I had such a friend when I arrived in AA.  Today it is my turn to hold out my hand, with love. /- Daily Reflections,/ p, 357 *Thought to Ponder . . .* A ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 5, 2016* *Faith* When I was driven to my knees by alcohol, I was made ready to ask for the gift of faith. And all was changed. Never again, my pains and problems notwithstanding, would I experience my former desolation. I saw the universe to be lighted by God's love; I was alone no more. /- As Bill Sees It,/ p, 51 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Faith dares the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see. *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *F A I T H* = **F**ear **A**nd * ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 4, 2016 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Ask for Help** I believe that God found me, more than I found Him. . . I had gotten myself into a position where I had no other place to turn; I was at the point of almost complete despair. Then, and only then, did I honestly and simply ask God to help me. He came to me instantly, and I could feel His presence, even as I do this moment. /- Came To Believe . . .,/ p. 24 *Thought to Ponder . . .* I asked from the heart, and ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 3, 2016* *Instincts* We have learned that the satisfaction of instincts cannot be the sole end and aim of our lives. If we place instincts first, we have got the cart before the horse; we shall be pulled backward into disillusionment. But when we are willing to place spiritual growth first—then and only then do we have a real chance. /- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,/ p, 114 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Get it - Give it - Grow in it. *AA-related 'Alconym ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 2, 2016* *The Twelve Steps* I often say and shall always say that the Twelve Steps are one of the very great summaries and organic collections of spiritual truth known to history. They have an almost universal relevance (not a relevance for alcoholics alone). They will offer a way out for many a person who knows nothing personally of alcoholism. They will point up the way for those who have known it and lost it. Thank God for the Twelve Steps and for a man w ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *December 1, 2016* *Fellowship* Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends, — this is an experience you must not miss.  We know you will not want to miss it. /- Alcoholics Anonymous,/ p. 89 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Life will take on new meaning. *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *T L C* = **T**ears, **L**aughter, **C**aring. Thanks to ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 30, 2016 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Ask for Help** Finally beaten, I asked for God’s help.  His presence told me to believe. My obsession for alcohol was taken away and my paranoia has since been lifted. I am no longer afraid.  I know my life is healthy and sane. /- Daily Reflections,/ p. 46 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Simply asking for help seems to be a help in itself. *AA-related 'Alconym' . . . *H E L P** = **H**is **E**ver-**L**oving **P**res ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 29, 2016* *Love* To my mind, love is /giving/, not necessarily in material things, but in kindness, in ignoring faults, in thinking primarily in terms of the welfare and happiness of the beloved.  The more you give, the more you love. Maybe that’s why parents seem to love their children more than their children love their parents. /- The Best of the Grapevine/ [Vol. 2], pp. 196-197 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Love is a gift that must keep on giving to be ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 28, 2016* *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. . . . As the body can fail its purpose for lack of nourishment, so can the soul. /- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,/ p. 97 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Trying to pray is praying. *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *A S A P* = **A**lways * ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 27, 2016 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ *Becoming** I must look inside myself, to free myself. I must call upon God’s power to face the person I’ve feared the most, the true me, the person God created me to be. Unless I can or until I do, I will always be running, and never be truly free. /- Daily Reflections,/ p. 107 *Thought to Ponder . . .* Life will take on new meaning. *AA-related 'Alconym' . . . *H J F** = **H**appy, **J**oyous, **F**ree. ** **A Member S ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 26, 2016* *Giving Thanks* I try to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful heart cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one's heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion that we can ever know. /- As Bill Sees It,/ p. 37 *Thought to Ponder . . .* I have learned how a heart full of gratitude feels. *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *H O P E* = **H**eart **O**pen; **P**lease **E**nter. Thanks to all of you for ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 25, 2016* *A Touch of Serenity* I was learning that I had a disease and that I could do something about it. A great weight seemed to be lifting off my shoulders — and out of my life. I often took long walks in the woods.  It was December and snow had already fallen. One afternoon as I was walking in the woods, it suddenly came to me that I was more at peace with myself than I could recall ever having been. A first touch of serenity had come to me. I exp ...Continue Reading