AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AAOnline.net)

~ Scroll down for share ~

March 22, 2009

The Solution

I wanted to stop drinking, but I did not like the self-searching

and the leveling of my pride, which was a requirement.

However, I saw that it really worked in others,

so I accepted their suggestion to pick up the simple toolkit

that they laid at my feet.

I was rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence

of which I had never dreamed.  I had found the solution.

Thought to Ponder . . .

While it isn't always easy, if I keep it simple, it works.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .

H O W = Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.

A MEMBER SHARES:
My Name is Mike, and I'm an alcoholic.  I hear lots of folks speak at meetings who never mention the Program of AA as outlined in the Twelve Steps and the Big Book.  I think it's important to share about the Steps.  To me that is the solution.  One of the first things my sponsor taught me was that what I bring to a meeting can be just as important, if not more so, than what I get from the meeting.  When someone says he's not getting anything from this meeting, I ask hum what is he bringing to the meeting.  Why don't you help to make it more like you want?   I think the most important thing for me is to remember to place principles before personalities.  Listening to what other folks have to say helps me to learn tolerance -- even if I don't particularly like the person.  Often I discover these folks may know something I don't.  This is not hard.  I learn new things every day.  My attitude and outlook on life, people, AA, and myself, determines the course of direction in my thinking.  It's easy to walk into a meeting and to begin making judgments.  When I discover that I've been doing that, I have to remember Step Ten -- look inside myself and see if something needs adjusting.  Is it my Ego?  My pride?  My self-esteem or ambitions?  Am I being self-seeking?  Self-centered?  Do I want others to be running the show the way I think they should run the show?  How do I integrate my life into the Twelve Steps?  Over the past two years, this has been a challenge.  Thank God and this program that TODAY, when these things happen, I have a solution other than drinking.  I have Twelve Steps that can change my thinking, attitudes, and actions.  I have a Higher Power that I can turn to.  I have a wonderful sponsor.  Just the other day, I was having a bad day.  I called an AA friend.  Just by making this simple call, I felt better.  The funny thing is that when I got home, two others called to check on me.  That is what it's all about.  This program saved my life and I am grateful.  It works -- no doubt about that.  Thanks for letting me share.