~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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Fellowship
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"We are average Americans.
All
sections of this country and many of its occupations
are represented, as well as many
political, economic, social, and religious backgrounds.
We are people who
normally would not mix. But there exists among us a fellowship,
a friendliness, and an
understanding which is indescribably wonderful ...
The tremendous fact for
every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution."
©1976 AAWS, Alcholics Anonymous, p. 17
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Thought to Ponder ...
The Journey is the Destination.
*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
B
E S T = Been Enjoying Sobriety Today?
*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*
Introduction
From
"When A.A. Came of Age":
"This introduction led directly to the formation of the Alcoholic Foundation. Dick Richardson's steady faith, wisdom, and spiritual quality were our main anchors . . . and he carried his conviction and enthusiasm to still others who labored for us so well. . . .
"Dick Richardson
was an old friend and confidant of the John D. Rockefellers, Senior and
Junior. The result was that Mr. Rockefeller, Jr., became deeply interested
in A.A. He saw that we had the small sum necessary to launch our service
project, yet not enough to professionalize it, and he gave a dinner in 1940 to
many of his friends so they might meet some of us and see A.A. for
themselves. This dinner, at which Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick and the
neurologist Dr. Foster Kennedy talked, was a significant public recommendation
of our fellowship at a time when we were few and unknown. Sponsoring such
a dinner could have brought Mr. Rockefeller under much ridicule. He did it
nevertheless, giving a very little of his fortune and much of himself."
© 1985
AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pgs. 14-15
*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
OPENING UP TO CHANGE
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. . . . we find that bit by bit we can discard the
old life -- the one that did not work -- for a new life that can and does work
under any conditions whatever.
AS BILL SEES IT, pp. 10, 8
I have been given a
daily reprieve contingent upon my spiritual condition, provided I seek
progress, not perfection. To become ready for change, I practice
willingness, opening myself to possibilities of change. If I realize
there are defects that hinder my usefulness in A.A. and toward others, I become
ready by meditating and receiving direction. "Some of us have tried
to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go
absolutely" (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 58). To let go and let God, I
need only surrender my old ways to Him; I no longer fight nor do I try to control,
but simply believe that, with God's help, I am changed and affirming this
belief makes me ready. I empty myself to be full of awareness, light, and
love, and I am ready to face each day with hope.
©Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.©
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Between the Extremes
"The real question is whether we can learn anything from
our experiences upon which we may grow and help others to grow in the likeness
and image of God.
"We know that if we
rebel against doing that which is reasonably possible for
us, then we will be
penalized. And we will be equally penalized if we presume in ourselves a
perfection that simply is not there.
"Apparently, the
course of relative humility and progress will have to lie
somewhere between these
extremes. In our slow progress away from rebellion, true perfection is
doubtless several millennia away."
LETTER, 1959
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again: 'Once
an
alcoholic, always an
alcoholic.' Commencing to drink after a period
of sobriety, we are in a
short time as bad as ever."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 33
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day
Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. We always get worse,
never better. We are
never cured. Our alcoholism can only be
arrested. No matter how
long we have been sober, if we try
liquor again, we're as
bad or worse than we ever were. There
is no exception to this
rule in the whole history of A.A. We
can never recapture the
good times of the past. They are gone
forever. Will I try to
recapture them?
Meditation for the Day
Your life has been given
to you mainly for the purpose of
training your soul. This
life we live is not so much for the
body as for the soul. We
often choose the way of life that best
suits the body, not the
way that best suits the soul. God wants
you to choose what suits
the soul as well as the body. Accept
this belief and a
wonderful molding of character is the result.
Reject it and God's
purpose for your life is frustrated, and
your spiritual progress
is delayed. Your soul is being trained
by the good you choose.
Thus the purpose of your life is being
accomplished.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may choose
what is good for my soul.
I pray
that I may realize God's purpose for my life.