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

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Obedience
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"We of AA obey spiritual principles, at first because we must,
then because we ought to, and ultimately because we love the kind of life
such obedience brings. Great suffering and great love
are AA's disciplinarians; we need no others."
1967AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 27
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Thought to Consider . . .

The spiritual approach to recovery is not about relinquishing

responsibility for our lives to some Cosmic Butler.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
H A L T =  Hope, Acceptance, Love, Tolerance

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

Before

From "The Family Afterward":

"This painful past may be of infinite value to other families still struggling with their problem. We think each family which has been relieved owes something to those who have not, and when the occasion requires, each member of it should be only too willing to bring former mistakes, no matter how grievous out of their hiding places. Showing others who suffer how we were given help is the very thing which makes life seem so worth while to us now. Cling to the thought that, in God’s hands, the dark past is the greatest possession you have—the key to life and happiness for others. With it you can avert death and misery for them."

2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 124

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
TRUSTING OTHERS

But does trust require that we be blind to other people's motives or, indeed, to our own?  Not at all; this would be folly.  Most certainly, we should assess the capacity for harm as well as the capability for good in every person that we would trust.  Such a private inventory can reveal the degree of confidence we should extend in any given situation.

AS BILL SEES IT, p. 144

I am not a victim of others, but rather a victim of my expectations, choices and dishonesty.  When I expect others to be what I want them to be and not who they are, when they fail to meet my expectations, I am hurt.  When my choices are based on self-centeredness, I find I am lonely and distrustful.  I gain confidence in myself, however, when I practice honesty in all my affairs.  When I search my motives and am honest and trusting, I am aware of the capacity for harm in situations and can avoid those that are harmful.

Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.

*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Constructive Forces

Mine was exactly the kind of deep-seated block we so often see today in new people who say they are atheistic or agnostic. Their will to disbelieve is so powerful that apparently they prefer a date with the undertaker to an open-minded and experimental quest for God. Happily for me, and for most of my kind who have since come along in A.A., the constructive forces brought to bear in our Fellowship have nearly always overcome this colossal obstinacy. Beaten into complete defeat by alcohol, confronted by the living proof of release, and surrounded by those who can speak to us from the heart, we have finally surrendered. And then, paradoxically, we have found ourselves in a new dimension, the real world of spirit and faith. Enough willingness, enough open-mindedness--and there it is!

A.A. TODAY, P. 9
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to
futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit
these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while."

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 66

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

No chain is stronger than its weakest link. Likewise, if
you fail in the day-by-day program, in all probability it
will be at your weakest point. Great-faith and constant
contact with God's power can help you discover, guard, and
undergird your weakest point with a strength not your own.
Intelligent faith in God's power can be counted on to help
you master your emotions, help you to think kindly of
others, and help you with any task that you undertake, no
matter how difficult. Am I master of my emotions?

Meditation for the Day

You need to be constantly recharged by the power of the
spirit of God. Commune with God in quiet times until the
life from God, the Divine life, by that very contact, flows
into your being and revives your fainting spirit. When weary,
take time out and rest. Rest and gain power and strength
from God, and then you will be ready to meet whatever
opportunities come your way. Rest until every care and worry
and fear have gone and then the tide of peace and serenity,
love and joy, will flow into your consciousness.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may rest and become recharged.

I pray that I may pause and wait for the renewing of my strength.