AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)June 12, 2023Better and HappierThe emphasis on inventory is heavy only because a great many of us have never really acquired the habit of accurate self-appraisal. Once this healthy practice has become grooved, it will be so interesting and profitable that the time it takes won't be missed. For these minutes and sometimes hours spent in self-examination are bound to make all the other hours of our day better and happier.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) pp. 89 - ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy AA-Alive.net)June 11, 2023~ Scroll Down for Share ~Intends to StickEvery man and woman who has joined A.A. and intends to stick has, without realizing it, made a beginning on Step Three. Isn't it true that in all matters touching upon alcohol, each of them has decided to turn his or her life over to the care, protection, and guidance of Alcoholics Anonymous? Already a willingness has been achieved to cast out one's own will and one's own ideas about the alcohol problem in favor of those s ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)June 10, 2023Tremendous UrgeMany of us felt that we had plenty of character. There was a tremendous urge to cease forever. Yet we found it impossible. This is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it—this utter inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or the wish.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (More About Alcoholism) p. 34Thought to Ponder . . .Alcohol — cunning, baffling, powerful!AA-related 'Alconym'A A  =   Alcoholic's Answer.Thank you ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)June 9, 2023All Will Be WellThe moment we catch even a glimpse of God's will, the moment we begin to see truth, justice, and love as the real and eternal things in life, we are no longer deeply disturbed by all the seeming evidence to the contrary that surrounds us in purely human affairs. We know that God lovingly watches over us. We know that when we turn to Him, all will be well with us, here and hereafter.- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Eleven) p. 105Thought t ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)June 8, 2023My Creator . . ."My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen." We have then completed Step Seven.- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Into Action) p. 76Thought to Ponder . . .I don’t get to choose which defects God will remove.AA-related 'A ...Continue Reading

AA Thought for the Day(courtesy aa-alive.net)June 7, 2023Entirely ReadySo Step Six—"Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character"—is A.A.'s way of stating the best possible attitude one can take in order to make a beginning on this lifetime job. This does not mean that we expect all our character defects to be lifted out of us as the drive to drink was. A few of them may be, but with most of them we shall have to be content with patient improvement. The key words "entirely ready&q ...Continue Reading

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