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

"War fever ran high in the New England town to which we new, young officers from Plattsburg
were assigned, and we were flattered when the first citizens took us to their homes, making us feel heroic.
Here was love, applause, war; moments sublime with intervals hilarious. I was part of life at last,
and in the midst of the excitement I discovered liquor. I forgot the strong warnings and the prejudices
of my people concerning drink. In time we sailed for "Over There." We landed in England.
I visited Winchester Cathedral. Much moved, I wandered outside. My attention was caught by a doggerel on an old
tombstone: 'Here lies a Hampshire Grenadier Who caught his death Drinking cold small beer . . .'
Ominous warning -- which I failed to heed."
Bill W.,
c.1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 1
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Thought to Consider . . .

I have learned what the Grace of God feels like.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
H O P E = Helping Other People Every day

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

Endorsement

From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":

"The news wires carried the news of Mr. Rockefeller's [1940] dinner [planned by John D., Jr., but attended and moderated by his son, Nelson] all over the world. A few of the stories that appeared were somewhat lurid and ran under startling headlines. One headline informed the public: 'John D. Rockefeller dines tosspots.' But all the stories plugged A.A. just the same; even the tabloids gave us the glad hand. The total effect was to give Alcoholics Anonymous a public status of dignity and worth. Thus encouraged, considerable numbers of people went to their bookstores to buy the A.A. book. Orders poured in and our financial difficulties were much eased. Hundreds of requests for help came from alcoholics and their families all over the nation."

*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
A NECESSARY PRUNING

. . .we know that the pains of drinking had to come before sobriety, and emotional turmoil before serenity.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 94

I love spending time in my garden feeding and pruning my beautiful flowers. One day, as I was busily snipping away, a neighbor stopped by. She commented, "Oh! Your plants are so beautiful, it seems such a shame to cut them back." I replied, "I know how you feel, but the excess must be removed so they can grow stronger and healthier." Later I thought that perhaps my plants feel pain, but God and I know it's part of the plan and I've seen the results. I was quickly reminded of my precious A.A. program and how we all grow through pain. I ask God to prune me when it's time, so I can grow.

©Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.©
*~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
To Lighten Our Burden

Only one consideration should qualify our desire for a complete disclosure of the damage we have done. That will arise where a full revelation would seriously harm the one to whom we are making amends. Or - quite as important -- other people. We cannot, for example, unload a detailed account of extramarital adventuring upon the shoulders of our unsuspecting wife or husband.
It does not lighten our burden when we recklessly make the crosses of others heavier.

<<<>>>

In making amends, we should be sensible, tactful, considerate, and humble without being servile or scraping. As God's people, we stand on our feet; we don't crawl before anyone.

1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 86 - 2. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 83
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"Actually we were fooling ourselves, for deep down in every man,
woman, and child, is the fundamental idea of God. It may be obscured
by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form
or other it is there. For faith in a Power greater than ourselves, and
miraculous demonstrations of that power in human lives, are facts as
old as man himself."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 55~

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

Am I critical of other members of A.A. or of new prospects? Do I
ever say about other members: "I don't think they're sincere, I
think they're bluffing, or I think they're taking a few drinks on
the quiet?" Do I realize that my doubtful and skeptical attitude
is hurting those members, if only in my attitude toward them, which
they cannot help sensing? Do I say about new prospects: "They'll
never make the program," or do I say: "They'll only last a few
months?" If I take this attitude, I am unconsciously
hurting those prospects' chances. Is my attitude always
constructive and never destructive?

Meditation For The Day

To be attracted toward God and a better life, you must be spirit-
guided. There is wonderful illumination of thought given to those
who are spirit-guided. To those who are material-guided, there is
nothing in God or a finer life to appeal to them or to attract
them. But to those who are spirit-guided there is strength and
peace and calm to be found in communion with an Unseen Lord. To
those who believe in this God they cannot see but whose power
they can feel, life has a meaning and purpose. They are children
of the Unseen Lord, and all human beings are their brothers and sisters.

Prayer For The Day

I pray that I may be spirit-guided. I pray that I may feel God's presence and power in my life.