AA Thought for the Day

December 16

This Book

Upon therapy for the alcoholic himself, we surely have no monopoly.
Yet it is our great hope that all those who have as yet found no answer
may begin to find one in the pages of this book and will presently
join us on the highroad to a new freedom.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. xxi

Thought to Ponder
Joy is in knowing there is an answer.

AA-related 'Alconym'
B I G B O O K = Believing In God Beats Our Old Knowledge.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Belonging
There is no more aloneness, with that awful ache,
so deep in the heart of every alcoholic
that nothing, before, could ever reach it.
That ache is gone and never need return again.
Now there is a sense of belonging,
of being wanted and needed and loved.
In return for a bottle and a hangover,
we have been given the Keys of the Kingdom.
c. 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 276
c. 1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 312

Thought to Consider . . .
Turn your wounds into wisdom.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
G R A C E = Gently Releasing All Conscious Expectations

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Hope
>From "Finding your own way:"
"Most of us have seen death close up...but we
also have known the sort of hope that makes the
heart sing....If you are a problem drinker, you
already know enough about pain and loneliness.
We'd like you to find some of the peace and joy
we have found in meeting the reality of life's ups
and downs with a clear head and a steady heart."
c. 1975, Living Sober, page 86

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"The smile from my face traveled to my heart."
Olympia, Wash., September 2006
"The Portals of Service,"
Beginner's Book: Getting and Staying Sober

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to
futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit
these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 66

"Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant
thought of others and how we may help meet their needs."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 20

Modem-to-modem or face-to-face, A.A.'s speak the language of the heart in all its power and simplicity.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.xxiv

Could we then foresee that troublesome people were to become our principal teachers of patience and tolerance?
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.141

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

As the book Alcoholics Anonymous puts it, Resentment is the Number One offender, It is a primary cause of relapses
into drinking. How well we of A.A. know that for us 'To drink is eventually to go mad or die.'
'Much the same penalty overhangs every A.A. group. Given enough anger, both unity and purpose are lost. Given still
more 'righteous' indignation, the group can disintegrate; it can actually die. This is why we avoid controversy. This is why
we prescribe no punishments for any misbehavior, no matter how grievous. Indeed, no alcoholic can be deprived of his
membership for any reason whatever. Punishment never heals. Only love can heal.'

Prayer for the Day: Next Right Step - God, please show me all through this day, what is the next right step. Give me the
strength, faith, and courage I need to take care of the problems in my life. Show me the solution, for I will take the next
right actions. And, I ask to be free from self-will and fear. Your will, not mine, be done. Amen

AA Thought for the Day

December 17

Steps
Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened,
and what we are like now. If 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.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 58

Thought to Ponder
Sobriety without action is fantasy.

AA-related 'Alconym'
S T E P S = Solutions Through Each Powerful Step.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Freedom
"Through AA, we can experience freedom from self.
After all, it was self ( you, me ) that stood in our own way,
that ran the show and ran ourselves into bankruptcy,
that hurt the ones we loved.
All Twelve Steps of AA are designed to kill the old self
( deflate the old ego )
and build a new, free self."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 459

Thought to Consider . . .
Within our wonderful new world,
we have found freedom from our fatal obsession.

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Honesty
>From "Inner Voice":
"Long before nagging and pressures from others concerning my excessive use of alcohol made any impression on me, the nagging voice of conscience my own inner voice of truth and right apprised me of the irrevocable fact that I had lost control of alcohol, that I was powerless. I know now that the inner voice was God, as I understand Him, speaking. For, as I had been taught from earliest memory and as A.A. has emphasized, God or good emanates from within each of us. "Lakewood, Ohio, USA"
1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 83

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Not picking up a drink creates infinite possibilities for me ... When I wake up in the morning I pray for what I need to get through the day sober. I also smile and say to myself, Who knows? This could be the greatest day of my life!"
New York, N.Y., January 2006
"Attitude Adjustment"
Beginner's Book: Getting and Staying Sober

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"...we aren't a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun
in our existence, they wouldn't want it. We absolutely insist on
enjoying life."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 132

"Thus was I convinced that God is concerned with us humans when we want
Him enough. At long last I saw, I felt, I believed. Scales of pride and
prejudice fell from my eyes. A new world came into view."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, pg. 12~

We shouldn't be shy on this matter of prayer.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.85

The actual experience of meditation and prayer across the centuries is, of course, immense.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.98

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Men who cry for money and shelter as a condition of their sobriety are on the wrong track. Yet we sometimes do provide a new prospect with these very things - when it becomes clear that he is willing to place his recovery first.
It is not whether we shall give that is the question, but when and how to give. Whenever we put our work on a material plane, the alcoholic commences to rely upon alms rather than upon a Higher Power and the A.A. group. He continues to insist that he cannot master alcohol until his material needs are cared for.
Nonsense! Some of us have taken very hard knocks to learn this truth: that, job or no job, wife or no wife, we simply do not stop drinking so long as we place material dependence upon other people ahead of dependence on God.

Prayer for the Day: In Fellowship - Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is unselfish—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—I will think about such things. The things I have learned and received and heard and seen in our Fellowship and Program, I will practice, and the God of my understanding will be with me.

AA Thought for the Day

December 18

Conditions
People have said we must not go where liquor is served. . .
. . . we mustn’t think or be reminded about alcohol at all.
Our experience shows that this is not necessarily so.
We meet these conditions every day. An alcoholic who cannot meet them,
still has an alcoholic mind; there is something the matter with his spiritual status.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 100 - 101

Thought to Ponder
Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional,
growing spiritually is up to me.

AA-related 'Alconym'
D R Y = Doing Recovery Yourself.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Miracle
And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone --
even alcohol.
For by this time sanity will have returned.
We will seldom be interested in liquor.
If tempted, we recoil from it as from a hot flame.
We react sanely and normally,
and we will find that this has happened automatically.
We will see that our new attitude toward liquor
has been given us without any thought or effort on our part.
It just comes! That is the miracle of it.
c. 1976, 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 84-5

Thought to Consider . . .
Don't give up before the miracle happens.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
H O W = Honest, Open, Willing.

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Bill Undercover
AA History
Among the odd jobs that Bill cited in Bill's Story was his mention of working on a farm for a month. During 1925, Bill and
Lois took off on a trip down the east coast inspecting companies to see if their stock might be good Wall Street
investments. They camped up and down the coast and carried all of their belongings in the Harley-Davidson motorcycle
and sidecar that Bill had purchased.
At the end of April 1925, they stopped at the Goldfoot family dairy farm in Scotia, New York near Schenectady. Mr.
Goldfoot had two sons, both of whom worked for General Electric, a company that Bill was able to penetrate for
investment investigation by befriending some of their employees during that month. They also worked for the Goldfoots
to earn some money to continue on this most successful trip. Lois later acknowledged that she hadn't cared if they
earned a cent on the trip. She had been hoping the fresh air and the hobo lifestyle would help Bill slow up on his drinking.

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"You've got one life to live. Don't screw it up with a lot of maybes, what-ifs, and could-have-beens. Focus on what you have."
Carmel Valley, Calif., August 2000
"Old Advice"

Beginner's Book: Getting and Staying Sober

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"But there was always the curious mental phenomenon that parallel
with our sound reasoning there inevitably ran some insanely trivial
excuse for taking the first drink. Our sound reasoning failed to hold
us in check. The insane idea won out. Next day we would ask
ourselves, in all earnestness and sincerity, how it could have
happened."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 37~

"At the moment we are trying to put our lives in order. But this is not
an end in itself."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 77~

Nothing counted but thoroughness and honesty.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.56

Our basic troubles are the same as everyone else’s, but when an honest effort is made ‘to practice these principles in all our affairs,’ well-grounded A.A.’s seem to have the ability, by God’s grace, to take these troubles in stride and turn them into demonstrations of faith.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.114

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Selfishness - self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes they hurt us, seemingly without provocation, but we invariably find that at some time in the past we have made decisions based on self which later placed us in a position to be hurt.
So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. We must, or it kills us!

Prayer for the Day: Free Of Resentment Prayer - God, free me from my resentment toward _____ . Please bless _____ in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day. Please give _____ everything I want for myself and may _____'s life be full of health, peace, prosperity, and happiness as they seek to have a closer relationship with You.

AA Thought for the Day

December 19

Our Will
We could wish to be moral, we could wish to be philosophically comforted,
in fact, we could will these things with all our might, but the needed
power wasn’t there. Our human resources, as marshalled by the will,
were not sufficient; they failed utterly.
Lack of power, that was our dilemma.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 45

Thought to Ponder
Take a walk with God. He will meet you at the Steps.

AA-related 'Alconym'
W O W = Willingness Over Willpower.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Alternatives
If you are as seriously alcoholic as we were,
we believe there is no middle-of-the-road solution.
We were in a position where life was becoming impossible,
and if we had passed into the region
from which there is no return through human aid,
we had but two alternatives.
One was to go on to the bitter end,
blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation
as best we could, and the other,
to accept spiritual help.
This we did because we honestly wanted to,
and were willing to make the effort.
c. 1976, 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 25-6

Thought to Consider . . .
If you always do what you've always done,
you will always be where you've always been.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
A B C = Acceptance, Belief, Change.

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Simple
>From "Freedom from Bondage":
"The A.A. members who sponsored me told me in the beginning that I would not only find a way to live without having a drink, but that I would find a way to live without wanting to drink, if I would do these simple things. They said if you want to know how this program works, take the first word of your question the 'H' is for honesty, the 'O' is for open-mindedness, and the 'W' is for willingness; these our Big Book calls the essentials of recovery."
2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pgs. 549-50

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"When I call my sponsor, my friends, someone on my home group's phone list, or someone who scribbled their number on a napkin after a meeting, I make progress ... If we just call, we help one another stay sober, one call at a time, one connection at a time."
Morristown, N.J., May 2003
"Just Call Me"
Beginner's Book: Getting and Staying Sober

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"...I humbly offered myself to God, as I then I understood Him, to do
with me as He would. I placed myself unreservedly under His care and
direction. I admitted for the first time that of myself I was
nothing; that without Him I was lost. I ruthlessly faced my sins and
became willing to have my new-found Friend take them away, root and
branch."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, pg. 13~

"We know what you are thinking. You are saying to yourself, "Im
jittery and alone. I couldnt do that." But you can. You forget that
you have just now tapped a source of power much greater than yourself.
To duplicate, with such backing, what we have accomplished is only a
matter of willingness, patience and labor."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 163~

No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.56-Alcoholics Anonymous p.60

Having been granted a perfect release from alcoholism, why then shouldn't we be able to achieve by the same means a perfect release from every other difficulty or defect?
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.64

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

We see that the sun never sets upon A.A.'s Fellowship; that more than three hundred and fifty thousand of us have now recovered from our malady; that we have everywhere begun to transcend the formidable barriers of race, creed, and nationality. This assurance that so many of us have been able to meet our responsibilities for sobriety and for growth and effectiveness in the troubled world where we live, will surely fill us with the deepest joy and satisfaction.
But, as a people who have nearly always learned the hard way, we shall certainly not congratulate ourselves. We shall perceive these assets to be God's gifts, which have been in part matched by an increasing willingness on our part to find and do His will for us.

Prayer for the Day: The Fear Prayer - God, thank you for helping me be honest enough to see this truth about myself and now that you have shown me the truth about my fears, please remove these fears from me. Lord, please help me outgrow my fears and direct my attention to what you would have me be. Father, demonstrate through me and help me become that which you would have me be. Help me do thy will always, Amen.

AA Thought for the Day

December 20

Fellowship of the Spirit
Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him
and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what
you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and
you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny.
May God bless you and keep you—until then.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 164

Thought to Ponder
Trust God. Clean house. Help others.

AA-related 'Alconym'
A L C O H O L I C S = A Life Centered On Helping Others Live In Complete Sobriety.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Choices
Looking back we see that our freedom to choose badly
was not, after all, a very real freedom.
When we chose because we "must,"
this was not a free choice either.
But it got us started in the right direction.
When we chose because we "ought to"
we were really doing better.
This time we were earning some freedom,
making ourselves ready for more.
But when, now and then, we could gladly make
right choices without rebellion, holdout, or conflict,
then we had our first glimpse of what perfect freedom
under God's will could be like.
Bill W., May 1960
c. 1988AAGrapevine, The Language of the Heart, p. 302

Thought to Consider . . .
Sobriety is a choice and a treasure.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
C H A N G E = Choosing Honesty Allows New Growth Every day

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Compensation
>From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":
"Shortly after the financial investigation episode, Father Ed Dowling, our Jesuit friend from St. Louis, turned up in New
York. Still puzzled, I put the case up to him. He asked, 'Do you think A.A. requires your full-time efforts?' I replied, 'Yes, I
think it does, perhaps indefinitely.' Then he inquired, 'Could you become a paid therapist, taking money for Twelfth Step
work?' I told him that this issue had been settled long since. Most emphatically I could not, regardless of the
consequences, nor could any other A.A. member.
"This meant that Dr. Bob and I must certainly never accept money for Twelfth Step work but that we could be
recompensed for special services. We both accepted Father Ed's down-the-middle advice and have stuck by it ever
since, and I am glad to say this status for Dr. Bob and me was later accepted as correct in principle by our entire
fellowship."
2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 195

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Like every AA member I have a definite responsibility to become a citizen of the world around me; to channel into it the

experience of living and working which has been mine in our Fellowship. "
AA Co-Founder, Bill W., November 1961
"Again at the Crossroads"
The Language of the Heart

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"We know that while the alcoholic keeps away from drink, as he may do
for months or years, he reacts much like other men. We are equally
positive that once he takes any alcohol whatever into his system,
something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes
it virtually impossible for him to stop. The experience of any
alcoholic will abundantly confirm this."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 22~

"Many doctors and psychiatrists agree with our conclusions. One of
these men, staff member of a world renowned hospital, recently made
this statement to some of us, "What you say about the general
hopelessness of the average alcoholics plight is, in my opinion,
correct. As to two of you men, whose stories I have heard, there is no
doubt in my mind that you were 100% hopeless, apart from divine
help. Had you offered yourselves as patients at this hospital, I would
not have taken you, if I had been able to avoid it. People like you
are too heartbreaking. Though not a religious person, I have profound
respect for the spiritual approach in such cases as yours. For most
cases, there is virtually no other solution."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 43~

We want to leave you with the feeling that no situation is too difficult and no unhappiness too great to be overcome.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.104

And they have increasingly found a peace of mind which can stand firm in the face of difficult circumstances.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.104

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Perhaps you raise the question of hallucination verses the divine imagery of a genuine spiritual experience. I doubt if anyone has authoritatively defined what an hallucination really is. However, it is certain that all recipients of spiritual experiences declare for their reality. The best evidence of that reality is in the subsequent fruits. Those who receive these gifts of grace are very much changed people, almost invariably for the better. This can scarcely be said of those who hallucinate.
Some might think me presumptuous when I say that my own experience is real. Nevertheless, I can surely report that in my own life and in the lives of countless others, the fruits of that experience have been real, and the benefactions beyond reckoning.

Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, When I do wrong, help me admit to it. Lord, When I do wrong, help me to leave nothing out. Lord, When I do wrong, help me to swallow my pride. Lord, When I do wrong, help me to do right. Amen.

AA Thought for the Day

December 21

Spiritual Progress
Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain
anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints.
The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines.
The principles we have set down are guides to progress.
We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 60

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Let Go
If 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.
Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas
and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.
Remember we deal with alcohol -- cunning, baffling, powerful!
Without help it is too much for us.
But there is One who has all power -- that One is God.
May you find Him now!
c. 1976, 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 58

Thought to Consider . . .
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
H O P E = Heart Open; Please Enter

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Safe
>From "Good Housekeeping" article, 1954:
"When you stand outside a room where a group of Alcoholics Anonymous is meeting, the most frequent sound you hear
is laughter. Mellow laughter, which can come only from people who have looked destruction and catastrophe in the face,
not once but continuously over long years, and now are free and unafraid. The laughter, in short, of people who hold
God's hand and feel safe."
c. Letter to a Woman Alcoholic (A.A. Pamphlet P-14)

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"My group included almost every type of alcoholic that old-timers feared most ... The amazing thing is most of us stayed
sober, despite all the dire predictions. Why? Because the two things we had in common were more important than all
our differences. We were alcoholics and we believed in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous."
Springville, UT, March 2000
"Courage to Change"
Beginner's Book: Getting and Staying Sober

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Once 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, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 43~

"We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much
more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our
respective homes, occupations and affairs."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 19

Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.77

When the Twelfth Step is seen in its full implication, it is really talking about the kind of love that has no price tag on it.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.106

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

For a new prospect, outline the program of action, explaining how you made a self-appraisal, how you straightened out
your past, and why you are now endeavoring to be helpful to him. It is important for him to realize that your attempt to
pass this on to him plays a vital part in your own recovery. Actually, he may be helping you more than you are helping
him. Make it plain that he is under no obligation to you.
In the first six months of my own sobriety, I worked hard with many alcoholics. Not a one responded. Yet this work kept
me sober. It wasn't a question of those alcoholics giving me anything. My stability came out of trying to give, not out of
demanding that I receive.

Prayer for the Day: I surrender my life to Thee, O God. Living in self has separated me from your Divine guidance and
grace. Take my life and run it for me, according to Your will and Your plan. Thy will, not mine be done.

Thought to Ponder
Spiritual progress isn't what gets us sober, it's what keeps us sober.

AA-related 'Alconym'
A R T = Always Remain Teachable.

AA Thought for the Day

December 22

Emotional Stability
When we developed still more, we discovered the best possible source of emotional
stability to be God Himself. We found that dependence upon His perfect justice,
forgiveness, and love was healthy, and that it would work where nothing else would.
If we really depended upon God, we couldn’t very well play God to our fellows nor
would we feel the urge wholly to rely on human protection and care.
- Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions, p. 116

Thought to Ponder
How we treat others is a consequence of the depth of our own spirituality.

AA-related 'Alconym'
F R O G = Fully Rely On God.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Let Go
If 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.
Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas
and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.
Remember we deal with alcohol -- cunning, baffling, powerful!
Without help it is too much for us.
But there is One who has all power -- that One is God.
May you find Him now!
c. 1976, 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 58

Thought to Consider . . .
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
H O P E = Heart Open; Please Enter

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Safe
>From "Good Housekeeping" article, 1954:
"When you stand outside a room where a group of Alcoholics Anonymous is meeting, the most frequent sound you hear
is laughter. Mellow laughter, which can come only from people who have looked destruction and catastrophe in the face,
not once but continuously over long years, and now are free and unafraid. The laughter, in short, of people who hold
God's hand and feel safe."
c. Letter to a Woman Alcoholic (A.A. Pamphlet P-14)

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"My group included almost every type of alcoholic that old-timers feared most ... The amazing thing is most of us stayed
sober, despite all the dire predictions. Why? Because the two things we had in common were more important than all
our differences. We were alcoholics and we believed in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous."
Springville, UT, March 2000
"Courage to Change"
Beginner's Book: Getting and Staying Sober

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Once 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, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 43~

"We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much
more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our
respective homes, occupations and affairs."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 19

Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.77

When the Twelfth Step is seen in its full implication, it is really talking about the kind of love that has no price tag on it.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.106

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

For a new prospect, outline the program of action, explaining how you made a self-appraisal, how you straightened out
your past, and why you are now endeavoring to be helpful to him. It is important for him to realize that your attempt to
pass this on to him plays a vital part in your own recovery. Actually, he may be helping you more than you are helping
him. Make it plain that he is under no obligation to you.
In the first six months of my own sobriety, I worked hard with many alcoholics. Not a one responded. Yet this work kept
me sober. It wasn't a question of those alcoholics giving me anything. My stability came out of trying to give, not out of
demanding that I receive.

Prayer for the Day: I surrender my life to Thee, O God. Living in self has separated me from your Divine guidance and
grace. Take my life and run it for me, according to Your will and Your plan. Thy will, not mine be done.

AA Thought for the Day

December 23

Our Plans
On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead.
We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God
to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced
from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 86

Thought to Ponder
Life is fragile, handle with prayer.

AA-related 'Alconym'
P R A Y E R = Praying Regularly Allows Your Everyday Recovery.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Letting Go
Letting go of everything at once
was both painful and terrifying.
I could never have accomplished this alone.
It took the help, understanding
and wonderful companionship
that was given so freely to me by my ex-alkie friends.
This and the program of recovery
embodied in the Twelve Steps.
In learning to practice these steps in my daily living,
I began to acquire faith and a philosophy to live by.
Whole new vistas were opened up for me,
new avenues of experience to be explored,
and life began to take on color and interest.
c. 1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 311
c. 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 275

Thought to Consider . . .
The peaks and valleys of my life
have become gentle rolling hills.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
F A I T H = Finding Answers In The Heart.

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Sharing
>From "Aspects of Spirituality:"
"Among A.A.'s there is still a vast amount of
mix-up respecting what is material and what
is spiritual. I prefer to believe that it is
all a matter of motive. If we use our worldly
possessions too selfishly, then we are materialists.
But if we share these possessions in helpfulness
to others, then the material aids the spiritual."
c. 1967, As Bill Sees It, page 287

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"If faith without works is dead, willingness without action is fantasy."
Cheverly, Md., February 1985
"Short Takes"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"...we were at Step Three, which is that we decided to turn our will
and our life over to God as we understood Him. Just what do we mean
by that, and just what do we do?
The first requirement is that we be convinced that any life run on
self-will can hardly be a success. On that basis we are almost
always in collision with something or somebody, even though our
motives are good. Most people try to live by self-propulsion."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 60~

"Follow the dictates of a Higher Power and you will presently live in
a new and wonderful world, no matter what your present circumstances!"
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 100

At once, we commence to outgrow fear.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.68

Then fear, in turn, generates more character defects.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.49

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

We can be grateful for every agency or method that tries to solve the problem of alcoholism--whether of medicine, religion, education, or research. We can be open-minded toward all such efforts and we can be sympathetic when the ill-advised ones fail. We can remember that A.A. itself ran for years on 'trial and error.'
As individuals, we can and should work with those that promise success - even a little success.
Every one of the pioneers in the total field of alcoholism will generously say that had it not been for the living proof of recovery in A.A., they could not have gone on. A.A. was the lodestar of hope and help that kept them at it.

Prayer for the Day: Right Living -
From the cowardice that dare not face new truth,
From the laziness that is contented with half truth,
From the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth,
Good Lord, deliver me.

AA Thought for the Day

December 24

Our Review
When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Were we
resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid? Do we owe an apology? . . . .
What could we have done better? . . .
After making our review we ask God’s forgiveness and inquire what
corrective measures should be taken.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 86

Thought to Ponder
I want the gift of an untroubled mind.

AA-related 'Alconym'
T G I F = Thank God I'm Forgiven.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Certainty
The great fact is just this, and nothing less:
That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences
which have revolutionized our whole attitude
toward life, toward our fellows, and toward God's universe.
The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty
that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives
in a way which is indeed miraculous.
He has commenced to accomplish those things for us
which we could never do by ourselves.
c. 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 25

Thought to Consider . . .
I stood in the sunlight at last.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
Y A N A = You Are Not Alone.

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Aid
>From "A Vision for You":
"God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for
the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order."
2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 164

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"It doesn't do too much good to carry the Big Book on your arm all day if you don't open it up and read it."
Oceanside, Calif., June 2000
"As Unique as Ham and Eggs,"
Emotional Sobriety

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Now we go out to our fellows and repair the damage done in the
past. We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out
of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves. If we
haven't the will to do this, we ask until it comes. Remember it was
agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over
alcohol."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg.76~

"Doubtless you are curious to discover how and why, in the face of
expert opinion to the contrary, we have recovered from a hopeless
condition of mind and body. If you are an alcoholic who wants to get
over it, you may already be asking What do I have to do?"

It is the purpose of this book to answer such questions specifically.
We shall tell you what we have done.
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, Page 20~

In meditation, we ask God what we should do about each specific matter.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.69

Prayer is the raising of the heart and mind to God -- and in this sense it includes meditation.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.102

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Watch any A.A. of six months working with a Twelfth Step prospect. If the newcomer says, 'To the devil with you,' the twelfth-stepper only smiles and finds another alcoholic to help. He doesn't feel frustrated or rejected. If his next drunk responds, and in turn starts to give love and attention to other sufferers, yet gives none back to him, the sponsor is happy about it anyway. He still doesn't feel rejected; instead he rejoices that his former prospect is sober and happy.
And he well knows that his own life has been made richer, as an extra dividend of giving to another without any demand for a return.

Prayer for the Day: Dear God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself. .. and the fact that I think I am following Your Will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe this: I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You, I hope I have that desire in everything I do. I hope I never persist in anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this You will lead me by the right road, though I may do nothing about it at the time, Therefore I will trust You always, for though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death - I will not be afraid, because I know you will never leave me to face my troubles all alone, Handed to a Newcomer by an Oldtimer in 1988 with the notation "This helps me on the days when none of it makes sense!"

AA Thought for the Day

December 25

Good Will
Most of us feel we need look no further for Utopia.
We have it with us right here and now.
Each day my friend’s simple talk in our kitchen multiplies itself
in a widening circle of peace on earth and good will to men.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 16

Thought to Ponder
Sobriety is not a destination, but an everlasting journey.

AA-related 'Alconym'
A A = Answer Available.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Right Living
Service, gladly rendered,
obligations squarely met, troubles well accepted
or solved with God's help.
the knowledge that at home or in the world outside
we are partners in a common effort,
the well-understood fact that in God's sight
all human beings are important,
the proof that love freely given surely brings a full return,
the certainty that we are no longer isolated and alone
in self-constructed prisons,
the surety that we need no longer be square pegs
in round holes but can fit and belong
in God's scheme of things --
these are the permanent and legitimate satisfactions
of right living for which no amount of pomp
and circumstance,
no heap of material possessions,
could possibly be substitutes.
c. 1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 124

Thought to Consider . . .
The peaks and valleys of my life
have become gentle rolling hills.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
B E S T = Been Enjoying Sobriety Today?

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Initiation
Step Twelve: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs."
"There are as many definitions of spiritual awakening as there are people who have had them. But certainly each genuine one has something in common with all the others. And these things which they have in common are not too hard to understand. When a man or a woman has a spiritual awakening, the most important meaning of it is that he has now become able to do, feel, and believe that which he could not do before on his unaided strength and resources alone."
1952, AAWS, Inc.; Printed 2005; Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pg. 107

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"By whatever name we may call it, the spirit of Christmas is in us all. How best to give and how to receive with ever more gratitude is our common aim. We'd like to practice the spirit of Christmas the year around. Therefore, we shall especially ask ourselves at this season: 'What more can we find in order that we shall have more to give?"
AA Co-Founder, Bill W., December 1952
"Every Day Is Christmas"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Much to our relief, we discovered we did not need to consider
another's conception of God. Our own conception, however inadequate,
was sufficient to make the approach and to effect a contact with
Him. As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a Creative
Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of
things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power and
direction, provided we took other simple steps."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 46~

"If God can solve the age-old riddle of alcoholism, He can solve your
problems too."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, To Wives, Page 116~

Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time?
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.66

When these things happen we should not think too ill of ourselves.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.105

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Though many of us have had to struggle for sobriety, never yet has this Fellowship had to struggle for lost unity. Consequently, we sometimes take this one great gift for granted. We forget that, should we lose our unity, the millions of alcoholics who still 'do not know' might never get their chance.
We used to be skeptical about large A.A. gatherings like conventions, thinking they might prove too exhibitionistic. But, on balance, their benefit is huge. While each A.A.'s interest should center principally in those about him and upon his own group, it is both necessary and desirable that we all get a larger vision of the whole.
The General Service Conference in New York also produces this effect upon those who attend. It is a vision-stretching process.

Prayer for the Day: Our Meeting Room Door -
Dear God
Make the door of this meeting wide enough
To Receive all who need love and fellowship
And narrow enough yo shut out
All envy, Pride, and Hate.
Make it s threshold smooth enough
To be no stumbling block to anyone
Not to those who have strayed
But rugged enough to turn back
The Tempter`s power:
Make it a gateway
To thine eternal kingdom.

AA Thought for the Day

December 26

Abnormal Condition
Cessation of drinking is but the first step away from a highly strained, abnormal condition.
A doctor said to us, “Years of living with an alcoholic is almost sure to make
any wife or child neurotic. The entire family is, to some extent, ill.”
Let families realize, as they start their journey, that all will not be fair weather.
Each in his turn may be footsore and may straggle.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 122

Thought to Ponder
Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in the past.

AA-related 'Alconym'
F A I L = From Adversity I Learn.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Broad Highway
We can only clear the ground a bit.
If our testimony helps sweep away prejudice,
enables you to think honestly,
encourages you to search diligently within yourself,
then, if you wish, you can join us on the Broad Highway.
With this attitude you cannot fail.
The consciousness of your belief is sure to come to you.
c. 1976, 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 55

Thought to Consider . . .
The joy is in the journey, so enjoy the ride

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
F A I T H = Fantastic Adventures In Trusting Him.

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Alike
>From "The Missing Link":
"They opened a book and read a chapter titled 'Step Seven.' After the reading, they went around the table for comments, and for the first time in my life, I found myself surrounded by people I could really relate with. I no longer felt as if I was a major misfit, because here was a roomful of people who felt precisely as I did, and a major weight had been lifted. I happened to be in the last chair around the table to speak and, confused by the reading, all I could say was, 'What the heck are shortcomings?'"
2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 286

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"I heard my future told around the tables at my home group."
Houston, TX, October 1994
"Around the Tables,"
Thank You for Sharing

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"...the actual or potential alcoholic, with hardly an exception,
will be absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self
knowledge. This is a point we wish to emphasize and re-emphasize, to
smash home upon our alcoholic readers as it has been revealed to us
out of bitter experience."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 39~

"Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and
our personal adventure 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, 4th Edition, How It Works, Page 60~

Many less desperate alcoholics tried A.A., but did not succeed because they could not make the admission of hopelessness.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.23

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

I have had many experiences with atheists, mostly good. Everybody in A.A. has the right to his own opinion. It is much better to maintain an open and tolerant society than it is to suppress any small disturbances their opinions might occasion. Actually, I don't know of anybody who went off and died of alcoholism because of some atheist's opinions on the cosmos.
'But I do always entreat these folks to look to a Higher Power - namely, their own group. When they come in, most of their A.A. group is sober, and they are drunk. Therefore, the group is a Higher Power. That's a good enough start, and most of them do progress from there. I know how they feel, because I was once that way myself.'

Prayer for the Day: Dear God, Take my life and let me live serenely for today. Open my mind to happy thoughts. Take away my self-pity, I don’t want it. Take away my ill will towards others. Make it possible for me to feel joy, love, and compassion. Help me to accept what is, to hold my tongue, to do my daily task, and to let go with love. Take away my worry about the future. Make me realize that in your hands everything will be provided. Help me to understand that I have no control over anything but my own actions. Make me know that today is precious and will soon be gone. Help me to remember that all hatred and pain directed toward me are the hatred and pain the other person is feeling toward him self. Thank you for your willingness to accept my burden and lighten my load. Amen

AA Thought for the Day

December 27

Excuses
Some drinkers have excuses with which they are satisfied part of the time.
But in their hearts they really do not know why they do it.
Once this malady has a real hold, they are a baffled lot.
There is the obsession that somehow, someday, they will beat the game.
But they often suspect they are down for the count.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 23

Thought to Ponder
Alcohol — cunning, baffling, powerful!

AA-related 'Alconym'
A L E = Alibis, Lies, Excuses.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Surrender
Such is the paradox of AA regeneration:
strength arising out of complete defeat and weakness,
the loss of one's old life
as a condition for finding a new one.
But we of AA do not have to understand that paradox;
we have only to be grateful for it.
Bill W.
c. 1957, 1985AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, p. 46

Thought to Consider . . . .
We surrender to win

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
K I S S = Keep It Simple, Surrender

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Autonomy
>From "When A.A. Came of Age":
"Some may think that we have carried the principle of group autonomy to extremes. . . .
"But this ultra-liberty is not so risky as it looks. In the end the innovators would have to adopt A.A. principles "at least
some of them" in order to remain sober at all. If, on the other hand, they found something better than A.A., or if they
were able to improve on our methods, then in all probability we would adopt what they discovered for general use
everywhere. This sort of liberty also prevents A.A. from becoming a frozen set of dogmatic principles that could not be
changed even when obviously wrong." Bill W., 1959
2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pgs. 104-05

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"My miracle occurred when I became willing to go to any lengths to take action. Like the trapeze artist, it wasn't the knowledge of it being there -- it was the action of letting go."
Lexington, Ky., April 2002
"God, the Verb,"
Spiritual Awakenings

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic, but you can
quickly diagnose yourself, Step over to the nearest barroom and try
some controlled drinking. Try to drink and stop abruptly. Try it
more than once. It will not take long for you to decide, if you are
honest with yourself about it. It may be worth a bad case of jitters
if you get a full knowledge of your condition."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 31~

"I was to test my thinking by the new God-consciousness within.
Common sense would thus become uncommon sense. I was to sit quietly
when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my
problems as He would have me. Never was I to pray for myself, except
as my requests bore on my usefulness to others. Then only might I
expect to receive. But that would be in great measure."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, Page 13~

The second difficulty is this: what comes to us alone may be garbled by our own rationalization and wishful thinking.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.60

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

When a man or a woman has a spiritual awakening, the most important meaning of it is that he has now become able to
do, feel, and believe that which he could not do before on his unaided strength and resources alone. He has been
granted a gift which amounts to a new state of consciousness and being.
He has been set on a path which tells him he is really going somewhere, that life is not a dead end, not something to be
endured or mastered. In a very real sense he has been transformed, because he has laid hold of a source of strength
which he had hitherto denied himself.

Prayer for the Day: I am a child of God. In God I live and move and have my being; so I do not fear. I am surrounded by
the Presence of God and all is well. I am not afraid of the past; I am not afraid of the present; I am not afraid of the
future; for God is with me. The Eternal God is my dwelling place and underneath are the everlasting arms. Nothing can
touch me but the direct action of God Himself, and God is Love.." By: Dr. Emmet Fox. Written in 1931

AA Thought for the Day

December 28

Humility
To those who have made progress in A.A., it amounts to a clear recognition of what
and who we really are, followed by a sincere attempt to become what we could be.
Therefore, our first practical move toward humility must consist of recognizing
our deficiencies. No defect can be corrected unless we clearly see what it is.
- Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions, p. 58

Thought to Ponder
Learning is the very essence of humility; the two walk hand in hand.

AA-related 'Alconym'
C H A N G E = Choosing Humility Allows New Gifts and Energy.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Keynotes
We can try to stop making unreasonable demands
upon those we love.
We can show kindness where we had shown none.
With those we dislike we can begin to practice
justice and courtesy,
perhaps going out of our way to understand and help them.
Whenever we fail any of these people,
we can promptly admit it -- to ourselves always,
and to them also, when the admission would be helpful.
Courtesy, kindness, justice, and love
are the keynotes by which we may come into harmony
with practically anybody.
c. 1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 93

Thought to Consider . . .
Let us always love the best in others --
and never fear their worst.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
H E L P = Hope, Encouragement, Love, Patience

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Apology
>From "Our Side of the Street":
I made amends to my dad soon after I quit drinking. My words fell on deaf ears since I had blamed him for my troubles. Several months later I made amends to my dad again. This time I wrote a letter in which I did not blame him or mention his faults. It worked, and at last I understood! My side of the street is all that I'm responsible for and thanks to God and A.A. it's clean for today."
1990 AAWS, Inc.; Daily Reflections, pg. 259

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"It feels good to be trusted."
Nipawin, Saskatchewan, November 2003
"Nobody's Fault but Mine"
Beginner's Book: Getting and Staying Sober

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Sometimes we hear an alcoholic say that the only thing he needs to
do is to keep sober. Certainly he must keep sober, for there will be
no home if he doesn't. But he is yet a long way from making good to
the wife or parents whom for years he has so shockingly treated."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 82~

"Our hope is that when this chip of a book is launched on the world
tide of alcoholism, defeated drinkers will seize upon it, to follow
its suggestions. Many, we are sure, will rise to their feet and march
on. They will approach still other sick ones and fellowships of
Alcoholics Anonymous may spring up in each city and hamlet, havens
for those who must find a way out."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, Page 153~

These fears are the termites that ceaselessly devour the foundations of whatever sort of life we try to build.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.49

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

It is possible for us to use the alleged dishonesty of other people as a plausible excuse for not meeting our own obligations.
Once, some prejudiced friends exhorted me never to go back to Wall Street. They were sure that the rampant materialism and double-dealing down there would stunt my spiritual growth. Because this sounded so high-minded, I continued to stay away from the only business that I knew.
When, finally, my household went broke, I realized I hadn't been able to face the prospect of going back to work. So I returned to Wall Street, and I have ever since been glad that I did. I needed to rediscover that there are many fine people in New York's financial district. Then, too, I needed the experience of staying sober in the very surroundings where alcohol had cut me down.
A Wall Street business trip to Akron, Ohio, first brought me face to face with Dr. Bob. So the birth of A.A. hinged on my effort to meet my bread-and-butter responsibilities.

Prayer for the Day: God I feel your peace as it moves gently through my soul. I feel a sense of serenity now as I let go of all cares and challenges. All tension is released. I am filled with inner peace that overflows into everything I do. Throughout this day I will be unfolding in your loving care.

AA Thought for the Day

December 29

Lost Faith
"The here and now was good enough for us. The will to win would carry
us through. But then alcohol began to have its way with us. Finally,
when all our score cards read 'zero,' and we saw that one more strike
would put us out of the game forever, we had to look for our lost faith.
It was in A.A, that we rediscovered it. And so can you.”
- Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions, p. 29

Thought to Ponder
Faith isn't believing that God can, but that He will.

AA-related 'Alconym'
F A I T H = Facing All, Intuitively Trusting Him.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Slip
"I had commenced to drink
as though the cocktails were ginger ale.
I now remembered what my alcoholic friends had told me,
how they prophesied that if I had an alcoholic mind,
the time and place would come --
I would drink again. . .
I knew from that moment that I had an alcoholic mind.
I saw that will power and self-knowledge
would not help in those strange mental blank spots. . .
I had never been able to understand people
who said that a problem had them hopelessly defeated.
I knew then. It was a crushing blow."
c. 1976, 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 41-2

Thought to Consider . . .
I have learned it's the first drink that gets me drunk.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
S L I P = Sobriety Loses Its Priority

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Action
>From "Daily Resolutions:"
"A New Year: 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days,
8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes -- a time to consider
directions, goals, and actions. I must make some plans
to live a normal life, but also I must live emotionally
within a twenty-four-hour frame, for if I do, I don't
have to make New Year's resolutions! I can make
every day a New Year's day! I can decide, 'Today
I will do this....Today I will do that.' Each day I can
measure my life by trying to do a little better, by
deciding to follow God's will and by making an
effort to put the principles of our A.A. program into
action."
c. 1990, Daily Reflections, page 374

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"I never thought that a day like today would be a high point of my life. All that excitement that I used to crave and strive for was not there. I don't have to live on the edge anymore. And tonight as I lay my head on my pillow I can't think of one single thing that I did today that I have to go back and redo and make amends for."
Oceanside, Calif., June 2000
"As Unique as Ham and Eggs,"
Emotional Sobriety

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"We alcoholics are sensitive people. It takes some of us a long time
to outgrow that serious handicap."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 125~

"Those having religious affiliations will find here nothing
disturbing to their beliefs or ceremonies. There is no friction
among us over such matters."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, Page 28~

We'll listen politely to those who would advise us, but all the decisions are to be ours alone.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.37

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Perhaps one of the greatest rewards of meditation and prayer is the sense of belonging that comes to us. We no longer live in a completely hostile world. We are no longer lost and frightened and purposeless.
The 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.

Prayer for the Day: Father, as I think of you, I feel your love. I become still and feel your everlasting arms of love around me. God I know without a doubt that you love me, so I trust you completely. I feel safe and secure. God you soothe my thoughts and enrich my soul. I am ready to face my day feeling your loving presence.

AA Thought for the Day

December 30

Uniquely Useful
Ministers and doctors are competent and you can learn much from them
if you wish, but it happens that because of your own drinking experience
you can be uniquely useful to other alcoholics. So cooperate;
never criticize. To be helpful is our only aim.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 89

Thought to Ponder
"Service made me feel useful. Twelfth Step work taught me to accept my past."

AA-related 'Alconym'
A L C O H O L I C S = A Life Centered On Helping Others Live In Complete Sobriety.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Motives
We were depressed and complained we felt bad,
when in fact we were mainly asking
for sympathy and attention.
This odd trait of mind and emotion,
this perverse wish to hide a bad motive
underneath a good one,
permeates human affairs from top to bottom.
This subtle and elusive kind of self-righteousness
can underlie the smallest act or thought.
Learning 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.
c. 1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pp. 94-5

Thought to Consider . . .
The best things in life aren't things.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
P U T = Patience, Understanding, Tolerance

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Pleasure
>From "The Joy of Living":
"A.A. *is* a joyful program! Even so, I occasionally balk at taking the necessary steps to move ahead, and find myself
resisting the very actions that could bring about the joy I want. I would not resist if those actions did not touch some
vulnerable area of my life, an area that needs hope and fulfillment. Repeated exposure to joyfulness has a way of
softening the hard, outer edges of my ego. Therein lies the power of joyfulness to help all members of A.A."
1990 AAWS, Inc. Daily Reflections, pg. 372

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Serenity is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it."
Tacoma, Wash., April 1984
"Short Takes"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Suppose we fall short of the chosen ideal and stumble? Does this
mean we are going to get drunk. Some people tell us so. But this is
only a half-truth. It depends on us and on our motives."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, Page 70~

Lack of power, that was our dilemma. we had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater
than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power?
page 45 Alcoholics Anonymous

A continuous look at our assets and liabilities, and a real desire to learn and grow by this means, are necessities for us.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.88

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Change is the characteristic of all growth. From drinking to sobriety, from dishonesty to honesty, from conflict to serenity, from hate to love, from childish dependence to adult responsibility - all this and infinitely more represent change for the better.
Such changes are accomplished by a belief in and a practice of sound principles. Here we must needs discard bad or ineffective principles in favor of good ones that work. Even good principles can sometimes be displaced by the discovery of still better ones.
Only God is unchanging; only He has all the truth there is.

Prayer for the Day: God created me to express a full and happy life. Every second of every day spiritual energy flows through every cell, organ, muscle, tissue and fiber of my being, revitalizing and renewing me. I do not allow symptoms or medical terms to alarm me. I am filled with the spirit of health. I make positive statements about my health. I am complete and whole because the spirit of God fills me with ever-renewing life.