Today I have choices and I choose to work at staying sober. I work at this not to be unhappy and sad. I work at this to be happy and fee.
~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ ^*^*^*^*^ (\ ~~ /) ( \ (AA)/ ) (_ /AA\ _) /AA\ ^*^*^*^*^ Arrogance
"I am a firm believer in both guidance and prayer. But I am fully aware, and humble enough, I hope, to see there may be nothing infallible about my guidance. The minute I figure I have got a perfectly clear pipeline to God, I have become egotistical enough to get into real trouble. Nobody can cause more needless grief than a power-driver who thinks he has got it straight from God."
Bill W., Letter, 1950 As Bill Sees It, p. 38 Thought toConsider . . . The smallest package in the world is an alcoholic all wrapped up in himself.
*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
*~*~*~*~*^JustForToday!^*~*~*~*~*
Discovery
From "Bill's Story":
"At the hospital I was separated from alcohol for the last time. Treatment seemed wise, for I showed signs of delirium tremens.
"There I humbly offered myself to God, as I then understood Him, to do with me as He would. I place myself unreservedly under His care and direction. I admitted for the first time that of myself I was nothing; that without Him I was lost. I ruthlessly faced my sins and became willing to have my new-found Friend take them away, root and branch. I have not had a drink since."
All A.A. progress can be reckoned in terms of just two words: humility and responsibility. Our whole spiritual development can be accurately measured by our degree of adherence to these magnificent standards.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 271
To acknowledge and respect the views, accomplishments and prerogatives of others and to accept being wrong shows me the way of humility. To practice the principles of A.A. in all my affairs guides me to be responsible. Honoring these precepts gives credence to Tradition Four-and to all other Traditions of the Fellowship. Alcoholics Anonymous has evolved a philosophy of life full of valid motivations, rich in highly relevant principles and ethical values, a view of life which can be extended beyond the confines of the alcoholic population. To honor these precepts I need only to pray, and care for my fellow man as if each one were my brother. Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC. *~*~*~*~*^AsBill SeesIt^*~*~*~*~* Prelude to the Program Few people will sincerely try to practice the A.A. program unless they have "hit bottom," for practicing A.A.'s Steps means the adoption of attitudes and actions that almost no alcoholic who is still drinking can dream of taking. The average alcoholic, self-centered in the extreme, doesn't care for this prospect--unless he has to do these things in order to stay alive himself. <<<>>> We know that the newcomer has to "hit bottom"; otherwise, not much can happen. Because we are drunks who understand him, we can use at depth the nutcracker of the-obsession-plus-the-allergy as a tool of such power that it can shatter his ego. Only thus can he be convinced that on his own unaided resources he has little or no chance. 1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 24 2. A.A. TODAY, P. 8 *~*~*~*~*^ BigBookQuote^*~*~*~*~*
"These men had found something brand new in life. Though they knew they must help other alcoholics if they would remain sober, that motive became secondary. It was transcended by the happiness they found in giving themselves for others."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 159~
*~*~*~*^TwentyFourHoursADay^*~*~*~* A.A. Thought for the Day We're so glad to be free from liquor that we do something about it. We get into action. We come to meetings regularly. We go out and try to help other alcoholics. We pass on the good news whenever we get a chance. In a spirit of thankfulness to God, we get into action. The A.A. program is simple. Submit yourself to God, find release from liquor, and get into action. Do these things and keep doing them and you're all set for the rest of your life. Have I got into action?
Meditation for the Day God's eternal quest must be the tracking down of souls. You should join Him in His quest. Through briars, through waste places, through glades, up mountain heights, down into valleys. God leads you. But ever with His leadership goes your helping hand. Glorious to follow where the Leader goes. You are seeking lost sheep. You are bringing the good news into places where it has not been known before. You may not know which soul you will help, but you can leave all results to God. just go with Him in His eternal quest for souls.
Prayer for the Day I pray that I may follow God in His eternal quest for souls. I pray that I may offer God my helping hand.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012
