~*~A

     ~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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(\   ~~ /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
/AA\
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Belonging
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"There is no more 'aloneness,' with that awful ache, so deep in the heart of every alcoholic
that nothing, before, could ever reach it. That ache is gone and never need return again.
Now there is a sense of belonging, of being wanted and needed and loved.
In return for a bottle and a hangover, we have been given the Keys of the Kingdom."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 312
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Thought to Consider . . .

If I'm not comfortable within myself,
I can't be comfortable with others.

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

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

Plan

From "The Missing Link":

"Following this spiritual path made a major difference in my life. It seemed to fill that lonely hole that I used to fill with alcohol. My self-esteem improved dramatically, and I knew happiness and serenity as I had never known it before. I started to see the beauty and usefulness in my own existence, and tried to express my gratitude through helping others in whatever ways I could. A confidence and faith entered my life and unraveled a plan for me that was bigger and better than I could have ever imagined.

"It wasn’t easy, and it has never been easy, but it gets so much better."

2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pgs. 287-88

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
A TWO-WAY STREET

If we ask, God will certainly forgive our derelictions. But in no case does He render us

white as snow and keep us that way without our cooperation.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 65

When I prayed, I used to omit a lot of things for which I needed to be forgiven. I thought that if I didn't mention those things to God, He would never know about them. I did not know that if I had just forgiven myself for some of my past deeds, God would forgive me also. I was always taught to prepare for the journey through life, never realizing until I came to A.A. when I honestly became willing to be taught forgiveness and forgiving that life itself is the journey. The journey of life is a very happy one, as long as I am willing to accept change and responsibility.

*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Domination and Demand

The primary fact that we fail to recognize is our total inability to form a true partnership with another human being. Our egomania digs two disastrous pitfalls. Either we insist upon dominating the people we know, or we depend upon them far too much.
If we lean too heavily on people, they will sooner or later fail us, for they are human, too, and cannot possibly meet our incessant demands. In this way our insecurity grows and festers. When we habitually try to manipulate others to our own willful desires, they revolt, and resist us heavily. Then we develop hurt feelings, a sense of persecution, and a desire to retaliate.
<<<>>>
My dependency meant demand--a demand for the possession and control of the people and the conditions surrounding me.

2. GRAPEVINE, JANUARY 1958
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"Putting out of our minds the wrongs others had done, we resolutely
looked for our own mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dishonest,
self-seeking and frightened? Though a situation had not been entirely
our fault, we tried to disregard the other person involved entirely.
Where were we to blame? The inventory was ours, not the other man's.
When we saw our faults we listed them. We placed them before us in
black and white. We admitted our wrongs honestly and were willing to
set these matters straight."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 67~

*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought For The Day

One of the most encouraging facts of life is that your
weakness can become your greatest asset. Kites and airplanes
rise against the wind. In climbing up a high mountain, we
need the stony crags and rough places to aid us in our climb.
So your weakness can become an asset if you will face it,
examine it, and trace it to its origin. Set it in the very
center of your mind. No weakness, such as drinking, ever
turned into an asset until it was first fairly faced. Am I
making my weakness my greatest asset?

Meditation For The Day

Whenever we seek to worship God, we think of the great
universe that God rules over, of creation, of mighty law
and order throughout the universe. Then we feel the awe
that precedes worship. I too must feel awe, feel the desire
to worship God in wondering amazement. My mind is in a box
of space and time and it is so made that I cannot conceive
of what is beyond space or time, the limitless and the eternal.
But I know that there must be something beyond space and time,
and that something must be the limitless and eternal Power
behind the universe. I also know that I can experience that Power in my life.

Prayer For The Day

I pray that I may accept the limitless and eternal Spirit.
I pray that It may express Itself in my life.