AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 21, 2023Fearless and ThoroughIf you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it—then you are ready to take certain steps. At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier, softer way. But we could not. With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 58Thought to Ponder . . .Sobriety without action is fantasy.AA-related 'A ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 20, 2023SecurityAfter we come into A.A., if we go on growing, our attitudes and actions toward security—emotional security and financial security—commence to change profoundly. Our demand for emotional security, for our own way, had constantly thrown us into unworkable relations with other people. Though we were sometimes quite unconscious of this, the result always had been the same. Either we had tried to play God and dominate those about us, or we had insisted on ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy AA-Alive.net)November 19, 2023~ Scroll Down for Share ~"Selfish?""I can see why you are disturbed to hear some A.A. speakers say, "A.A. is a selfish program.' The word 'selfish' ordinarily implies that one is acquisitive, demanding, and thoughtless of the welfare of others. Of course, the A.A. way of life does not at all imply such undesirable traits. We are of no value to anyone, including ourselves, until we find salvation from alcohol. Therefore, our own recovery an ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 18, 2023More Satisfying"Quite as important was the discovery that spiritual principles would solve all my problems. I have since been brought into a way of living infinitely more satisfying and, I hope, more useful than the life I lived before. My old manner of life was by no means a bad one, but I would not exchange its best moments for the worst I have now. I would not go back to it even if I could."- Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) pp. 42 - ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 17, 2023A Spot-Check InventoryAnger, that occasional luxury of more balanced people, could keep us on an emotional jag indefinitely. These emotional "dry benders" often led straight to the bottle. Other kinds of disturbances—jealousy, envy, self-pity, or hurt pride—did the same thing. A spot-check inventory taken in the midst of such disturbances can be of very great help in quieting stormy emotions.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 90Thou ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 16, 2023Quality of WillingnessBut now it appears that there are certain things which only the individual can do. All by himself, and in the light of his own circumstances, he needs to develop the quality of willingness. When he acquires willingness, he is the only one who can make the decision to exert himself. Trying to do this is an act of his own will. All of the Twelve Steps require sustained and personal exertion to conform to their principles and so, we trust, ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 15, 2023Failed to PracticeLet him see that you are not there to instruct him in religion. Admit that he probably knows more about it than you do, but call to his attention the fact that however deep his faith and knowledge, he could not have applied it or he would not drink. Perhaps your story will help him see where he has failed to practice the very precepts he knows so well.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Working With Others) p. 93Thought to Ponder . . .Faith is mighty. ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 14, 2023The Quick InventoryThe quick inventory is aimed at our daily ups and downs, especially those where people or new events throw us off balance and tempt us to make mistakes. In 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.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 91Thought to Ponder . . .Nothing pays off l ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 13, 2023Fundamental InquiriesDid these perplexities beset me because of selfishness or unreasonable demands? Or, if my disturbance was seemingly caused by the behavior of others, why do I lack the ability to accept conditions I cannot change? These are the sort of fundamental inquiries that can disclose the source of my discomfort and indicate whether I may be able to alter my own conduct and so adjust myself serenely to self-discipline.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Trad ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy AA-Alive.net)November 12, 2023~ Scroll Down for Share ~Powerful CementThe feeling of having shared in a common peril is one element in the powerful cement which binds us. But that in itself would never have held us together as we are now joined. The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (There Is A Solution) p. 17Thought to PonderThe solution is simple. The solution is spiritual.AA-related 'Alconym'F R O G  =  Fu ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 11, 2023It Engulfs AllBut not so with the alcoholic illness, for with it there goes annihilation of all the things worth while in life. It engulfs all whose lives touch the sufferer's. It brings misunderstanding, fierce resentment, financial insecurity, disgusted friends and employers, warped lives of blameless children, sad wives and parents—anyone can increase the list.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (There Is A Solution) p. 18Thought to Ponder . . .Alcoholic drinking's th ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 10, 2023Morning MeditationIf circumstances warrant, we ask our wives or friends to join us in morning meditation. If we belong to a religious denomination which requires a definite morning devotion, we attend to that also. If not members of religious bodies, we sometimes select and memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 87Thought to Ponder . . .If you want to stay protected, you have ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 9, 2023A Total LiabilityWhen first challenged to admit defeat, most of us revolted. We had approached A.A. expecting to be taught self-confidence. Then we had been told that so far as alcohol is concerned, self-confidence was no good whatever; in fact, it was a total liability.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step One) p. 22Thought to Ponder . . .Avoidance is not the key; surrender opens the door. AA-related 'Alconym'D E A D  =   Don't Ever Admit Defe ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 8, 2023Thinking, Honesty, HumilityWe'd have to have outside help if we were surely to know and admit the truth about ourselves—the help of God and another human being. Only by discussing ourselves, holding back nothing, only by being willing to take advice and accept direction could we set foot on the road to straight thinking, solid honesty, and genuine humility.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Five) p. 59Thought to Ponder . . .We need to share our proble ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)November 7, 2023Profound AlterationMost of our experiences are what the psychologist William James calls the "educational variety" because they develop slowly over a period of time. Quite often friends of the newcomer are aware of the difference long before he is himself. He finally realizes that he has undergone a profound alteration in his reaction to life; that such a change could hardly have been brought about by himself alone.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Appendix I ...Continue Reading