~*~A

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
^*^*^*^*^
(\   ~~ /)
(   \ (AA)/   )
(_   /AA\ _)
/AA\
^*^*^*^*^
Right Living

"Service, gladly rendered, obligations squarely met, troubles well accepted or solved with God's

help, the knowledge that at home or in the world outside we are partners in a common effort,
the well-understood fact that in God's sight all human beings are important, the proof that

love freely given surely brings a full return, the certainty that we are no longer isolated and alone
in self-constructed prisons, the surety that we need no longer be square pegs in round holes but

can fit and belong in God's scheme of things -- these are the permanent and legitimate satisfactions
of right living for which no amount of pomp and circumstance, no heap of material possessions,
could possibly be substitutes."
c. 1952AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 124
^*^*^*^*^

Thought to Consider . . .

We are not living just to be sober;
we are living to learn, to serve, and to love.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
L O V E = Living Our Valuable Experiences

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

Sabotage

From "Tightrope":

"After a few years, I was a nightly blackout drinker. My lover drank heavily as well, and I began to

compare my drinking with his. I argued to myself that I could not have a problem because his

drinking was worse than mine at times. In fact, I suggested that he might try A.A. When he did

try this Fellowship, I did all I could to undermine his efforts to get sober his recovery would present an

obvious, if unacknowledged, threat to my drinking. Eventually, the stress became too much and we

broke up, but not before I had succeeded in undermining his recovery."

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
WITHOUT RESERVATION

When brimming with gratitude, one's heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, . . . .
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 37

While practicing service to others, if my successes give rise to
grandiosity, I must reflect on what brought me to this point. What
has been given joyfully, with love, must be passed on without
reservation and without expectation? For as I grow, I find that no
matter how much I give with love, I receive much more in spirit.

Â©Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.Â©
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Honesty and Recovery

In taking an inventory, a member might consider questions such as these:
How did my selfish pursuit of the sex relation damage other people and me?

What people were hurt, and how badly?

Just how did I react at the time?

Did I burn with guilt?

Or did I insist that I was the pursued and not the pursuer, and thus absolve myself?

How have I reacted to frustration in sexual matters?

When denied, did I become vengeful or depressed?

Did I take it out on other people?

If there was rejection or coldness at home, did I use this as a reason for promiscuity?

<<<>>>

Let no alcoholic say he cannot recover unless he has his family back. His recovery is not dependent upon people.

It is dependent upon his relationship with God, however he may define Him.

1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, pp. 50-51 - 2. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 99-100
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"Some day we hope that Alcoholics Anonymous will help the public to
a better realization of the gravity of the alcoholic problem, but we
shall be of little use if our attitude is one of bitterness or
hostility. Drinkers will not stand for it.

After all, our problems were of our own making. Bottles were only a
symbol. Besides, we have stopped fighting anybody or anything.

Wehave to!"

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 103~
*~*~*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*~*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day

Continuing the consideration of the term "spiritual experience":
"What often takes place in a few months could seldom have been
accomplished by years of self-discipline. With few exceptions, our
members find that they have tapped an unsuspected inner resource
which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power
greater than themselves. Most of us think this awareness of a Power
greater than ourselves the essence of spiritual experience. Some of
us call it God-consciousness. In any case, willingness, honesty,
and open-mindedness are the essentials of recovery," Have I tapped
that inner resource that can change my life?

Meditation for the Day

God's power in your life increases as your ability to understand His
grace increases. The power of God's grace is only limited by the
understanding and will of each individual. God's miracle-working
power is only limited in each individual soul by the lack of
spiritual vision of that soul. God respects freewill, the right of
each person to accept or reject His miracle-working power. Only the
sincere desire of the soul gives Him the opportunity to bestow it.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may not limit God's power by my lack of vision.

I pray that I may keep my mind open today to His influence.