*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 12, 2015* *Experiments* *We recoiled from meditation and prayer as obstinately as the scientist who refused to perform a certain experiment lest it prove his pet theory wrong. Of course we finally did experiment, and when unexpected results followed, we felt different; in fact we /knew/ different; and so we were sold on meditation and prayer. And that, we have found, can happen to anybody who tries.* /Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,/ p. 97 *Thought to P ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 11, 2015 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ The Ninth Step Promise If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.* /- Alcoholics Anonymous,/ p. 83 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *It is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and to make amends for them. AA-related 'Alconym' . . . *H O W** = **H**onesty, **O**pen-mindedness, **W**illingness. ** *A Member Shares: I'm Peyton, an alcoholic.  &quo ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 10, 2015* *Where I Go, It Goes* *This magazine has literally been a constant companion with me. A requirement for any purse I carry -- and I like them small -- is that Grapevine must fit in. I've read many an issue during lunch at work, on planes, standing in lines, waiting for the doctor or dentist, at a boyfriend's place, answering nature's call, listening to irate people on the phone or sitting with sick, dying friends. . . I'm so grateful for those " ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 9, 2015* *Challenges* *Life is meant to be lived by facing the challenges it brings.  Otherwise, I'm not living, just existing. God didn't give me this gift of sobriety to sit in a rocking chair, imagining myself some wise old woman who has arrived somewhere.  There is no easier, softer way. . . The teaching I receive In AA about courage and love helps me to continue to grapple with the challenges of life as they are given to me, one day at a time. ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 8, 2015 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ Attitudes . . . unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitudes.* /- Alcoholics Anonymous,/ p. 417 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *New ideals and new attitudes bring a new life. AA-related 'Alconym' . . . *A A** = **A**ltered **A**ttitudes. ** *A Member Shares: Hi, I'm David, and ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 7, 2015* *Power* *I need power each day, because I get weary. But with AA as my structure and God as my source of strength, I can face life without taking a drink. The ocean and the sun and the trees and all the fantastic beauty that God has created have finally become very real to me. I crave and need the presence of nature. But I must also bear in mind that it is the spirit within me, which comes from God, that is going to be the healing force. I can turn ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 6, 2015* *Convincing Evidence* *My abuse of alcohol was the exterior manifestation of a disease much more complex and consuming than simple drunkenness, and similarly, my abstinence is the exterior manifestation of a wellness much more rewarding than simple sobriety. The most convincing evidence I have today that I'm an alcoholic is not how much or how long I drank, nor how drunk I got; the most convincing evidence I have is that Alcoholics Anonymous is work ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 5, 2015* *Prayer* *Pray.  Whether you believe it or not, pray to a higher power. If we were able to stay sober on our own power, we wouldn't be here tonight. It takes a power greater than ourselves, and prayer is how we contact that higher power. You can use a religious one or one of your own choosing. If the God word bothers you, pray to an anonymous higher power or even "to whom it may concern." In the morning, ask this Higher Power to keep ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 4, 2015 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ 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.* /- Alcoholics Anonymous,/ p. 85 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *The solution is simple.  The solution is spiritual. AA-related 'Alconym' . . . *O D A A T** = **O**ne **D**ay **A**t **A** **T**im ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 3, 2015* *Loneliness* *The simple act of getting in touch with AA that first time washed out in an instant the dark loneliness that had encompassed my life. When I fearfully crept into that old building that first day, I was greeted with a gentle invitation: "Come on in.  Let's talk it over." And everyone assured me I was not alone and /need never be alone again./* /- Alcoholics Anonymous,/ p. 17 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *An open heart is ne ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 2, 2015* *Fellowship* *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 . . .* *Together we can do what we could never do alone.* *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *H J F* = **H**appy, **J**oyous, * ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *November 1, 2015 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ Great News The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism.* /- Alcoholics Anonymous,/ p. 17 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *The solution is simple.  The solution is spiritual. AA-related 'Alcony ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 31, 2015* *Shortcomings* *I have shortcomings and defects of character.  I never have been and never can be perfect. As that realization became a part of me -- and it took time -- it brought me one of the greatest of the many blessings that have come to me from AA. I learned to accept myself as a fallible human being.  I do not have to strive for perfection. Mistakes are permissible.  I have the right to be wrong.  And what a comfort that ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 30, 2015* *Serenity* *That word "serenity" looked like an impossible goal when we first saw the prayer. In fact, if serenity meant apathy, bitter resignation, or stolid endurance, then we didn't even want to aim at it. But we found that serenity meant no such thing.  When it comes to us now, it is more as plain recognition -- a clear-eyed, realistic way of seeing the world, accompanied by inner peace and strength. Serenity is like a gyroscope t ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *October 29, 2015* *The 24-hour Plan* *Getting away from the pull of the first drink is like putting a space vehicle into flight. It takes a lot of thrust to overcome the pull of gravity and get the vehicle off the ground. But once it gets in orbit, all that's required is a small correction from time to time. That's how the 24-hour plan works -- a small daily checkup and correction to keep us away from the pull of that first drink. The 24-hour plan is a discipline who ...Continue Reading