AA Thought for the Day
April 13
Isolation
Isolation sneaks up on us. We can mask it with familiar props that are not in themselves bad. We can
isolate ourselves in an attempt to clean up our apartments (and then not do the cleaning); we can isolate
ourselves in churches or in sleep; we can use family, sweethearts, compulsive working, television.
The list is long. The nicest way to end it is the way you and I do: together.
Reach out -- people can't read your mind. Say ouch! Someone hears. Always.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 1], pp. 84-85
Thought to Ponder . . .
An alcoholic is someone who wants to be held while isolating.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Y A N A = You Are Not Alone.
~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
Amends
"Learning how to live in the greatest peace,
partnership, and brotherhood with all men and women,
of whatever description, is a moving
and fascinating adventure.
Every AA has found that he can make little headway
in this new adventure of living until he first backtracks
and really makes an accurate and unsparing survey
of the human wreckage he has left in his wake."
Bill W., Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 77
As Bill Sees It, p. 145
Thought to Consider . . .
We are as sick as our secrets.
*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
DENIAL
Don't Even Notice I Am Lying
*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*
Setback
>From "Evidence of a Miracle":
"Now I see how monumental my self-deception was. During that first thirteen years, my sobriety was not of the high
quality it seemed to be. During the two years that followed, I actually convinced myself that it was a privilege to be able
to drink. When I returned to A.A., its precepts seemed entirely new to me, particularly the meaning of the First Step, the
'atom bomb of the program.' Instead of taking the Steps and forgetting them, this time I began living them daily, finding
new meaning in each one."
1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 96
*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"I've been told to shake hands and have started doing so, even though it feels awkward ... I know one thing and one
thing only: Today I'm sober and loved by members of my home group, even though I might not love myself yet."
Waukesha, Wisconsin, March 2006
"Head Full of AA and a Belly Full of Beer,"
AA Grapevine
~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*
"When working with a man and his family, you should take care not to
participate in their quarrels. You may spoil your chance of being
helpful if you do. But urge upon a man's family that he has been a
very sick person and should be treated accordingly. You should warn
against arousing resentment or jealousy. You should point out that
his defects of character are not going to disappear over night. Show
them that he has entered upon a period of growth. Ask them to
remember, when they are impatient, the blessed fact of his sobriety."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 100~
"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~
During this process of learning more about humility, the most profound result of all was the change in our attitude toward God.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 75
Misc. AA Literature - Quote
Principle Before Expediency
Most of us thought good character was desirable. Obviously, good character was something one needed to get on with
the business of being self-satisfied. With a proper display of honesty and morality, we'd stand a better chance of getting
what we really wanted. But whenever we had to choose between character and comfort, character-building was lost in
the dust of our chase after what we thought was happiness.
Seldom did we look at character-building as something desirable in itself. We never thought of making honesty,
tolerance, and true love of man and God the daily basis of living.
How to translate a right mental conviction into a right emotional result, and so into easy, happy, and good living, is the
problem of life itself.
1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, PP. 71-72
2. GRAPEVINE, JANUARY 1958
Prayer For The Day: Dear Father, as I go out into the world guide me so that I may be helpful and understanding. Help me represent your grace and love so that others may understand.