AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)August 10, 2024  Revolutionary ChangeThey flatly declare that since they have come to believe in a Power greater than themselves, to take a certain attitude toward that Power, and to do certain simple things, there has been a revolutionary change in their way of living and thinking. In the face of collapse and despair, in the face of the total failure of their human resources, they found that a new power, peace, happiness, and sense of direction flowed into them.- Alcoho ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)August 9, 2024  Intelligence and WillpowerWe are certain that our intelligence, backed by willpower, can rightly control our inner lives and guarantee us success in the world we live in. This brave philosophy, wherein each man plays God, sounds good in the speaking, but it still has to meet the acid test: how well does it actually work? One good look in the mirror ought to be answer enough for any alcoholic.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Three) p. 37  T ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)August 8, 2024  Actual ExperienceHe gave me information about the subject of alcoholism which was undoubtedly helpful. Of far more importance was the fact that he was the first living human with whom I had ever talked, who knew what he was talking about in regard to alcoholism from actual experience. In other words, he talked my language. He knew all the answers, and certainly not because he had picked them up in his reading.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Doctor Bob's Nightmar ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)August 7, 2024  Not Dependent Upon PeopleLet no alcoholic say he cannot recover unless he has his family back. This just isn’t so. In some cases the wife will never come back for one reason or another. Remind the prospect that his recovery is not dependent upon people. It is dependent upon his relationship with God.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Working With Others) pp. 99 - 100  Thought to Ponder . . .Dependence on God is our chief source of strength.  AA-related 'A ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)August 6, 2024  Too Much TimeWe find it a waste of time to keep chasing a man who cannot or will not work with you. If you leave such a person alone, he may soon become convinced that he cannot recover by himself. To spend too much time on any one situation is to deny some other alcoholic an opportunity to live and be happy. One of our Fellowship failed entirely with his first half dozen prospects. He often says that if he had continued to work on them, he might have dep ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)August 5, 2024  The Elder StatesmanThe elder statesman is the one who sees the wisdom of the group’s decision, who holds no resentment over his reduced status, whose judgment, fortified by considerable experience, is sound, and who is willing to sit quietly on the sidelines patiently awaiting developments.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Tradition Two) p. 135  Thought to Ponder . . ."Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern."  AA ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)August 4, 2024  Intuitively KnowWe will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 84  Thought to Ponder . . .What is now proved was once only imagined. ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)August 3, 2024  Sobriety and SerenitySomeone 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 alcoholism had to come before sobriety, and emotional turmoil before serenity.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) pp. 93 - 94  Thought to Ponder . . .We're not living just to be sober; we are living to learn, to serve, and to love. &n ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)August 2, 2024  Around the WorldTaking advantage of technological advances, for example, A.A. members with computers can participate in meetings online, sharing with fellow alcoholics across the country or around the world. In any meeting, anywhere, A.A.'s share experience, strength, and hope with each other, in order to stay sober and help other alcoholics.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Foreward to the 4th Edition) p. xxiv  Thought to Ponder . . .Modem-to-modem or face-t ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)August 1, 2024  A Psychic ChangeOn the other hand—and strange as this may seem to those who do not understand—once a psychic change has occurred, the very same person who seemed doomed, who had so many problems he despaired of ever solving them, suddenly finds himself easily able to control his desire for alcohol, the only effort necessary being that required to follow a few simple rules.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (The Doctor's Opinion) p. xxix  Thought to Ponder . . . ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)July 31, 2024  Our MotivesIn most cases our motives won't be hard to see and understand. When prideful, angry, jealous, anxious, or fearful, we acted accordingly, and that was that. Here we need only recognize that we did act or think badly, try to visualize how we might have done better, and resolve with God's help to carry these lessons over into tomorrow, making, of course, any amends still neglected.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 94  Thought ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)July 30, 2024  No Monopoly On GodIf he is to find God, the desire must come from within. If he thinks he can do the job in some other way, or prefers some other spiritual approach, encourage him to follow his own conscience. We have no monopoly on God; we merely have an approach that worked with us.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Working With Others) p. 95  Thought to Ponder . . .To thine own self be true.  AA-related 'Alconym'A R T  =   Always Remain Teacha ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)July 29, 2024  No Effective Mental DefenseOnce more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in a few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) p. 43  Thought to Ponder . . .The ultimate defense against the first drink is a spiritual one.  AA-related 'Alconym'F R O G  =   Fu ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)July 28, 2024  Three Pertinent IdeasOur description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas: (a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives. (b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism. (c) That God could and would if He were sought.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 60  Thought to Ponder . . .If I can't and God can, am I willing to ask ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)July 27, 2024  A New EmployerWe had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute to life.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 63  Thought to Ponder . . .Life will take on new meaning.  AA-related 'Alconym'W I ...Continue Reading