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AA Thought for the Day

February 13

Obsession, Illusion, Delusion
The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great
obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing.
Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death. We learned that we had to fully
concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery.
The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 30

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

AA-related 'Alconym'
A A = Alcoholic's Answer.

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

Carry the Message
Taking advantage of technological advances,
AA members with computers
can participate in meetings online,
sharing with fellow alcoholics across the country
or around the world.
Fundamentally, though, the difference
between an electronic meeting
and the home group around the corner
is only one of format.
In any meeting, anywhere, AA's share experience,
strength, and hope with each other,
in order to stay sober and help other alcoholics.
Modem-to-modem or face-to-face,
AA's speak the language of the heart
in all its power and simplicity.
c. 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Foreword to Fourth Edition, p. xxiv

Thought to Consider . . .
We in AA don't carry the alcoholic;
we carry the message.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
H E A R T = Healing, Enjoying, And Recovering, Together.
* * *
F A I T H = Finding Answers In The Heart

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

Rewards
>From "He Lived Only to Drink":
"The rewards of sobriety are bountiful and as progressive as the disease they counteract. Certainly among these
rewards for me are release from the prison of uniqueness, and the realization that participation in the A.A. way of life is a
blessing and privilege beyond estimate' a blessing to live a life free from the pain and degradation of drinking and filled
with the joy of useful, sober living, and a privilege to grow in sobriety one day at a time and bring the message of hope as
it was brought to me."
2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 451

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

"The day we begin working the Steps, the bottom becomes the foundation."
Chelsea, Mich., November 2002
"The Foundation,"
In Our Own Words

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

"'There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which
is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in
everlasting ignorance, "that principle is contempt prior to investigation.'"
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Appendice II, Spiritual Experience, pg. 568~

Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going
to be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is
the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and
this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through
which we passed to freedom.
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 62

At the very least, we shall have to come to grips with some of our worst character defects and take action toward their
removal as quickly as we can.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 69

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Too much of my life has been spent in dwelling upon the faults of others. This is a most subtle and perverse form of
self-satisfaction, which permits us to remain comfortably unaware of our own defects. Too often we are heard to say, 'If
it weren't for him (or her), how happy I'd be!'
Our very first problem is to accept our present circumstances as they are, ourselves as we are, and the people about
us as they are. This is to adopt a realistic humility without which no genuine advance can even begin. Again and again,
we shall need to return to that unflattering point of departure. This is an exercise in acceptance that we can profitably
practice every day of our lives.
Provided we strenuously avoid turning these realistic surveys of the facts of life into unrealistic alibis for apathy or
defeatism, they can be the sure foundation upon which increased emotional health and therefore spiritual progress can
be built.

Prayer for the Day: God our Father, the Bible reminds us that your love for each of us is great and that you are faithful
for ever, never letting us down or forgetting your promises to us. Inspire us to value friendship and loyalty, that we may
be faithful to those who love and trust us. We pray that we may live in such a way that we may make others feel
welcome and secure. Show us how to look upon other people in the same generous way that you look upon each of us.
Extend our horizons that we may understand better those who are far from us. Amen.