~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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( \(AA)/ )
(_ /AA\ _)
/AA\
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Courage
I looked around me at people who seemed happy and tried to analyze their happiness,
and it seemed to me that
without exception these people had something or somebody
they loved very much. I
didn't have the courage to love; I was not even sure I had the
capacity. Fear
of rejection and its ensuing pain were not to be risked . . .
c. 1976 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 546
(does not appear in 4th
Edition)
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Thought to Consider . . .
Courage is fear that has said its prayers.
*~*~*AKRONYMS*~*~*
A
A = Altered Attitudes
*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*
Cooperation
From
"The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":
"Public relations was
not only a big problem but a very delicate one. Any blunders that could arouse
general prejudice might prolong the suffering of many and cost the lives of
some. A carefully thought-out public relations policy had to be formed and put
into operation. "Prime consideration
was given to our relations with medicine and religion. Under no circumstances
must we get into competition with either. If we appeared to be a new religious
sect, we would certainly be in trouble. And if we moved into the medical field
as such, there would be more trouble. So we began to emphasize the fact that
A.A. was a way of life that conflicted with no one’s religious belief. We let the doctors know how much we needed
hospitalization, and we suggested to psychiatrists and drying-out places the
advantage of cooperating with us."
� 2001 AAWS,
Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 197
*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
UNITED WE STAND
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
I
came to Alcoholics Anonymous because I was no longer able to control my
drinking. It was either my wife's complaining about my drinking, or maybe
the sheriff forced me to go to A.A. meetings, or perhaps I knew, deep down
inside, that I couldn't drink like others, but I was unwilling to admit it
because the alternative terrified me. Alcoholics Anonymous is a
fellowship of men and women united against a common, fatal disease. Each
one of our lives is linked to every other, much like the survivors on a life
raft at sea. If we all work together, we can get safely to shore.
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Out of the Dark
Self-searching
is the means by which we bring new vision, action, and grace to bear upon the
dark and negative side of our natures. With it comes the development of that
kind of humility that makes it possible for us to receive God's help. Yet it is
only a step. We will want to go further. We will want the good that is in us all,
even in the worst of us, to flower and to grow. But first of all we shall want
sunlight; nothing much can grow in the dark. Meditation is our step out into
the sun.
<<<>>>
"A clear light seems to
fall upon us all - when we open our eyes. Since our blindness is caused by our
own defects, we must first deeply realize what they are. Constructive
meditation is the first requirement for each new step in our spiritual
growth."
1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 98 - 2. LETTER, 1946
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"Despite
all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going
to believe they are in
that class. By every form of self-deception
and experimentation, they
will try to prove themselves exceptions to
the rule, therefore
nonalcoholic. If anyone who is showing inability
to control his drinking
can do the right-about-face and drink like a
gentleman, our hats are
off to him. Heaven knows, we have tried hard
enough and long enough to
drink like other people!"
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg.
31~
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day
When
we were drinking, most of us were full of pride and selfishness. We believed we
could handle our own affairs, even though we were making a mess of our lives.
We were very stubborn and didn't like to take advice. We resented being told
what to do. To us, humility looked like weakness. But when we came into A.A.,
we began to be humble. And we found out that humility gave us the power we
needed to overcome drinking. Have I learned that there is power in humility?
Meditation for the Day
I
will come to God in faith and He will give me a new way of life. This new way
of life will alter my whole existence, the words I speak, the influence I have.
They will spring from the life within me. I see how important is the work of a
person who has this new way of life. The words and the example of such a person
can have a wide influence for good in the world.
Prayer
for the Day
I pray that I may learn
the principles of the good life.
I pray that I may meditate
upon them and work at them, because they are eternal.