AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)June 6, 2023A Good BeginningIn this book you read again and again that faith did for us what we could not do for ourselves. We hope you are convinced now that God can remove whatever self-will has blocked you off from Him. If you have already made a decision, and an inventory of your grosser handicaps, you have made a good beginning.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) pp. 70 - 71Thought to Ponder . . .If I have the courage to begin, I have the courage to succeed.AA-related ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)June 5, 2023ReputationMore than most people, the alcoholic leads a double life. He is very much the actor. To the outer world he presents his stage character. This is the one he likes his fellows to see. He wants to enjoy a certain reputation, but knows in his heart he doesn't deserve it.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 73Thought to Ponder . . .Character is what I am; reputation is what people think I am.AA-related 'Alconym'F E A R  =   Fighting Ego Against ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy AA-Alive.net)June 4, 2023~ Scroll Down for Share ~Step TenLearning daily to spot, admit, and correct these flaws is the essence of character-building and good living. An honest regret for harms done, a genuine gratitude for blessings received, and a willingness to try for better things tomorrow will be the permanent assets we shall seek.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) pp. 94 - 95Thought to PonderLearning is the very essence of humility. The two walk hand in hand.AA-relate ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)June 3, 2023Inability to StopTo be gravely affected, one does not necessarily have to drink a long time nor take the quantities some of us have. This is particularly true of women. Potential female alcoholics often turn into the real thing and are gone beyond recall in a few years. Certain drinkers, who would be greatly insulted if called alcoholics, are astonished at their inability to stop.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 33Thought to Ponder . . ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)June 2, 2023Harms to OthersWe might next ask ourselves what we mean when we say that we have "harmed" other people. What kinds of "harm" do people do one another, anyway? To define the word "harm" in a practical way, we might call it the result of instincts in collision, which cause physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual damage to people.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Eight) p. 80Thought to Ponder . . .It is the highest form of se ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)June 1, 2023Passing It OnI spend a great deal of time passing on what I learned to others who want and need it badly. I do it for four reasons: 1. Sense of duty. 2. It is a pleasure. 3. Because in so doing I am paying my debt to the man who took time to pass it on to me. 4. Because every time I do it I take out a little more insurance for myself against a possible slip.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Doctor Bob's Nightmare) pp. 180 - 181Thought to Ponder . . .Only in giving do we re ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)May 31, 2023A SymptomThough our decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us. Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and conditions. Therefore, we started upon a personal inventory. This was Step Four.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 64Thought to Ponder . . .I came for my drinking, and staye ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)May 30, 2023ForgivenessWe've repeatedly strained the patience of our best friends to a snapping point, and have brought out the very worst in those who didn't think much of us to begin with. In many instances we are really dealing with fellow sufferers, people whose woes we have increased. If we are now about to ask forgiveness for ourselves, why shouldn't we start out by forgiving them, one and all?- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Eight) p. 78Thought to Ponder . . ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)May 29, 2023Fear and CourageThe verdict of the ages is that faith means courage. All men of faith have courage. They trust their God. We never apologize for God. Instead we let Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do. We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be. At once, we commence to outgrow fear.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 68Thought to Ponder . . .Fear is not an admission of weakness; fear is an opportunity for coura ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy AA-Alive.net)May 28, 2023~ Scroll Down for Share ~Time After TimeWe will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person when we see good reasons why we should do so. The best reason first: If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking. Time after time newcomers have tried to keep to themselves certain facts about their lives. Trying to avoid this humbling experience, they have turned to easier methods. Almost invariably they got drunk.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (In ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)May 27, 2023A Sick ManThough we did not like their symptoms and the way these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too. We asked God to help us show them the same tolerance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said to ourselves, "This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done."- Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 67Thought to Ponder . . .The Three &q ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)May 26, 2023Moments of TriumphTo conclude that others were wrong was as far as most of us ever got. The usual outcome was that people continued to wrong us and we stayed sore. Sometimes it was remorse and then we were sore at ourselves. But the more we fought and tried to have our own way, the worse matters got. As in war, the victor onlyseemed to win. Our moments of triumph were short-lived.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 66Thought to Ponder . . .Without change I a ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)May 25, 2023Recovery BeginsIn spite of the great increase in the size and the span of this Fellowship, at its core it remains simple and personal. Each day, somewhere in the world, recovery begins when one alcoholic talks with another alcoholic, sharing experience, strength, and hope.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Foreword to Third Edition,) p.xxiiThought to Ponder . . .Every recovery from alcoholism began with one sober hour.AA-related 'Alconym'H O P E  =   Hold On, Pain ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)May 24, 2023What Is This Power?What is this power that A.A. possesses? This curative power? I don’t know what it is. I suppose the doctor might say, "This is psychosomatic medicine." I suppose the psychiatrist might say, "This is benevolent interpersonal relations." I suppose others would say, "This is group psychotherapy." To me it is God.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Physician, Heal Thyself!) p. 308Thought to Ponder . . .We will suddenly realize tha ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)May 23, 2023Quick InventoryIn all these situations we need self-restraint, honest analysis of what is involved, a willingness to admit when the fault is ours, and an equal willingness to forgive when the fault is elsewhere. We need not be discouraged when we fall into the error of our old ways, for these disciplines are not easy. We shall look for progress, not for perfection.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 91Thought to Ponder . . .Forgiveness is another w ...Continue Reading