*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 19, 2015* *Truth* *As I began to look more closely, I noticed serious flaws: I was an alcoholic; I was neurotic; I was brimful of serious character defects. But these were things that, in time and with help, could be dealt with. No longer did I have to run with nightmarish terror from an inner monster. I had seen the truth, and the truth had freed me to do less hiding and more seeking.* /- The Best of the Grapevine/ [Vol. 1], p. 134 *Thought to Ponder . . .* ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 19, 2015* *Truth* *As I began to look more closely, I noticed serious flaws: I was an alcoholic; I was neurotic; I was brimful of serious character defects. But these were things that, in time and with help, could be dealt with. No longer did I have to run with nightmarish terror from an inner monster. I had seen the truth, and the truth had freed me to do less hiding and more seeking.* /- The Best of the Grapevine/ [Vol. 1], p. 134 *Thought to Ponder . . .* ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 18, 2015 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ A Higher Power We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God.* /- Alcoholics Anonymous,/ p. 46 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *Reliance on God enables me to match calamity with serenity.* *AA-related 'Alconym' ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 17, 2015* *Habits* *Our drinking was connected with many habits -- big and little. Some of them were thinking habits, or things we felt inside ourselves.  Others were doing habits -- things we did, actions we took. In getting used to not drinking, we have found that we needed new habits to take place of those old ones. . . After we spent a few months practicing these new, sober habits or ways of acting and thinking, they become almost second nature to mo ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 16, 2015* *Surrender* *The principle that we shall find no enduring strength until we first admit complete defeat is the main taproot from which our whole Society has sprung.* /- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,/ pp. 21-22 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *We surrender to win.* *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *K I S S = **K**eep **I**t **S**imple; **S**urrender.* *Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength and hope in carrying the ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 15, 2015* *Philosophy* *For me, AA is a synthesis of all the philosophy I've ever read, all of the positive, good philosophy, all of it based on love. I have seen that there is only one law, the law of love, and there are only two sins; the first is to interfere with the growth of another human being, and the second is to interfere with one's own growth.* /- Experience, Strength and Hope,/ p. 431 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *When in doubt, be silent.  Gro ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 14, 2015 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ Perseverance As we persist, a brand-new kind of confidence is born, and the sense of relief at finally facing ourselves is indescribable.* /- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,/ p. 50 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *The Three "P's" -- Perseverance, Patience, Peace.* *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* **T R U S T** = **T**ry **R**elying **U**pon **S**teps and **T**raditions. ** *A Member Shares: I'm Bobbie Jo, and I am an ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 13, 2015* *Difficulties* *For pride, leading to self-justification, and always spurred by conscious or unconscious fears, is the basic breeder of most human difficulties, the chief block to true progress.* /- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,,/ pgs. 48, 49 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *Swallowing my pride will not get me drunk.* *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *P R I D E* = **P**ersonal **R**ecovery **I**nvolves **D**eflating **E**go. Thanks to ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 12, 2015* *Fear* *As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn.* /- Alcoholics Anonymous,/ p. 63 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *When I approach a wall of fear, it usually turns out to be merely a waterfall.* *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *F E A R* = **F**orgetting ** ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 11, 2015 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ Powerless I am as powerless over alcohol as I am to turn back the waves of the sea; no human force had the power to overcome my alcoholism. Now I am able to breathe the air of joy, happiness and wisdom.* /- Daily Reflections,/ p. 329 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *I am powerless, but not helpless.* *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* **G I F T S** = **G**etting **I**t **F**rom **T**he **S**teps ** *A Member Shares: I'm Eddie, an alc ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 9, 2015* *Hope and Dignity* *I stumbled through the doors of AA in disgrace, expecting nothing from life, and I have been given hope and dignity. Miraculously, the only way to keep the gifts of the program is to pass them on.* /- Daily Reflections,/ p. 62 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *In AA, we discover that it is impossible to give without receiving, or receive without giving.* *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *G I F T S = **G**etting **I**t **F**rom **T**he **S* ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 8, 2015* *A New Beginning* *I knew I had to have a new beginning, and this beginning had to be here.  I had to let go of the past and forget the future. As long as I held on to the past and grabbed at the future with the other hand, I had nothing to hold on to today with. So I had to begin here, now.* /- - Came To Believe . . .,/ p. 46 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *There are no endings ... only new beginnings.* *AA-related 'Alconym' . . .* *A B C = **A**c ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 7, 2015 ~ Scroll Down for Share ~ Surrender Because I find it hard to let go of the kind of worrisome thoughts and attitudes that cause me immense anguish, all I need to do during those times is allow God, as I understand Him, to release them for me, and then and there, I let go of the thoughts, memories and attitudes that are troubling me. * /- Daily Reflections / p. 320 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *When I struggle, I sink. When I let go, I float.* *AA-rela ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 6, 2015* *Powerlessness* *Who cares to admit complete defeat?  Practically no one, of course. Every natural instinct cries out against the idea of personal powerlessness.  It is truly awful to admit that, glass in hand, we have warped our minds into such an obsession for destructive drinking that only an act of Providence can remove it from us.* /- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,/ p. 21 *Thought to Ponder . . .* *Within our wonderful new world, ...Continue Reading

*AA Thought for the Day* (courtesy AA-Alive.net) *January 5, 2015* *Isolation* *Isolation sneaks up on us.  We can mask it with familiar props that are not in themselves bad. We can isolate ourselves in an attempt to clean up our apartments (and then not do the cleaning); we can isolate ourselves in churches or in sleep; we can use family, sweethearts, compulsive working, television. The list is long.  The only way to end it is the way you and I do: together. Reach out -- people can't read your mind.  ...Continue Reading