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

"Taking this book down from our shelf
we turn to the page which contains the twelve steps.
Carefully reading the first five proposals
we ask if we have omitted anything,
for we are building an arch through which
we shall walk free at last.
Is our work solid so far?
Are the stones properly in place?
Have we skimped on the cement put into the foundation?
Have we tried to make mortar without sand?"

c.1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 75
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Thought to Consider . . .

This day I choose to spend in perfect peace.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
G R A C E  =  Gently Releasing All Conscious Expectations

 

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

From "Reaching for Humility:"

 

"We first reach for a little humility, knowing that
we shall perish of alcoholism if we do not.  After
a time, though we may still rebel somewhat, we
commence to practice humility because this is
the right thing to do.  Then comes the day when,
finally freed in large degree from rebellion, we
practice humility because we deeply want it
as a way of life."

 

c. 1967, As Bill Sees It, page 211


*~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~*
A PROGRAM FOR LIVING

When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. . . . On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. . . . Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest and self-seeking motives.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 86

I lacked serenity.  With more to do than seemed possible, I fell  further behind, no matter how hard I tried.  Worries about things not done yesterday and fear of tomorrow's deadlines denied me the calm I needed to be effective each day.  Before taking Steps Ten and Eleven, I began to read passages like the one cited above.  I tried to focus on God's will, not my problems, and to trust that He would manage my day.  It worked!  Slowly, but it worked!

©Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.©
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~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Aspects of Spirituality

"Among A.A.'s there is still a vast amount of mix-up respecting what is material and what is spiritual. I prefer to believe that it is all a matter of motive. If we use our worldly possessions too selfishly, then we are materialists. But if we share these possessions in helpfulness to others, then the material aids the spiritual."

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"The idea keeps persisting that the instincts are primarily bad and are the roadblocks before which all spirituality falters. I believe that the difference between good and evil is not the difference between spiritual and instinctual man; it is the difference between proper and improper use of the instinctual. Recognition and right channeling of the instinctual are the essence of achieving wholeness."

1. LETTER, 1958 - 2. LETTER, 1954
*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn't be shy
on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly."

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 85

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

How big a part of my life is A.A. ? Is it just one of my activities and a small one at that? Do I only go to A.A. meetings now and then and sometimes never go at all? Do I think of A.A. only occasionally? Am I reticent about mentioning the subject of A.A. to people who might need help? Or does A.A. fill a large part of my life? Is it the foundation of my whole life? Where would I be without A.A.? Does everything I have and do depend on my A.A. foundation? Is A.A. the foundation on which I build my life?

Meditation for the Day

Lay upon God your failures and mistakes and shortcomings. Do not dwell upon your failures, upon the fact that in the past you have been nearer a beast than an angel. You have a mediator between you and God - your growing faith - which can lift you up from the mire and point you toward the heavens. You can still be reconciled with the spirit of God. You can still regain your harmony with the Divine Principle of the universe.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may not let the beast in me hold me back from my spiritual destiny. I pray that I may rise and walk upright.