~*~A

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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(\   ~~ /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
/AA\
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Restraint
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"It is evident that the harmony, security, and future effectiveness of AA will depend largely upon
our maintenance of a thoroughly non-aggressive and specific attitude in all our public relations.
This is an exacting assignment, because in our drinking days we were prone to anger,
hostility, rebellion and aggression. And even though we are now sober,
the old patterns of behavior are to a degree still with us,
always threatening to explode on any good excuse.
But we know this, and therefore I feel confident that in the conduct
of our public affairs we shall always find the grace to exert an effective restraint."
Bill W.
1962AAWS, Twelve Concepts for World Service, p. 68
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Thought to Consider . . .

Nothing pays off like restraint of tongue and pen.
1953AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p, 91

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
A C T I O N = Any Change Toward Improving One's Nature

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

Prayer

From "'Ask God for Strength'":

"I went to the filthy bathroom and got down on my knees. 'God, teach me to pray,' I begged. I remained there a long time, and when I arose and left the room, I knew I never had to drink again. I came to believe, that day, that God would help me maintain my sobriety. Since then, I've come to believe that He will help me with any problem. "Birmingham, Alabama, USA"

1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30^th printing 2004, pg. 36

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*~*

IDENTIFYING FEAR……..

The chief activator of our defects has been self-centered fear.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 76

When I feel uncomfortable, irritated, or depressed, I look for fear. This "evil and corroding thread" is the root of my distress: Fear of failure; fear of others' opinions; fear of harm, and many other fears. I have found a Higher Power, who does not want me to live in fear and, as a result, the experience of A.A. in my life is freedom and joy. I am no longer willing to live with the multitude of character defects that characterized my life while I was drinking. Step Seven is my vehicle to freedom from these defects. I pray for help in identifying the fear underneath the defect, and then I ask God to relieve me of that fear. This method works for me without fail and is one of the great miracles of my life in Alcoholics Anonymous.

*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Talk or Action?

In making amends, it is seldom wise to approach an individual who still
smarts from our injustice to him, and announce that we have gone religious.
This might be called leading with the chin. Why lay ourselves open to being
branded fanatics or religious bores? If we do this, we may kill a future
opportunity to carry a beneficial message.
But the man who hears our amends is sure to be impressed with our sincere
desire to set right a wrong. He is going to be more interested in a
demonstration of good will than in talk of spiritual discoveries.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, P. 77
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"We are careful never to show intolerance or hatred of drinking as
an institution. Experience shows that such an attitude is not
helpful to anyone. Every new alcoholic looks for this spirit among
us and is immensely relieved when he finds we are not witch-burners.
A spirit of intolerance might repel alcoholics whose lives could
have been saved, had it not been for such stupidity."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 103~

*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

We tried to study our alcoholic problem, wondering what
was the cause of our strange obsession. Many of us took
special treatments, hospitalization, even confinement in
institutions. In every case, the relief was only temporary.
We tried through crazy excuses to convince ourselves that
we knew why we drank, but we went on regardless. Finally
drinking had gone far beyond even a habit. We had become
alcoholics, men and women who had been destroying
themselves against their own will. Am I completely free
from my alcoholic obsession?

Meditation for the Day

"Ask and ye shall receive." Never let yourself think you
cannot do something useful or that you never will be able
to accomplish a useful task. The fact is that you can do
practically anything in the field of human relationships,
if you are willing to call on God's supply of strength. The
supply may not be immediately available, because you may
not be entirely ready to receive it. But it will surely come
when you are properly prepared for it. As you grow spiritually,
a feeling of being plentifully supplied by God's strength will
possess you and you will be able to accomplish many useful things.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may claim God's supply of strength by my faith in Him.

I pray that it shall be given to me according to my faith