AA Thoughts For Today - February

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AA Thought for the Day

February 16

Complacency

In the first days of A.A., I wasn't much bothered about the
areas of life in which I was standing still. There was always
the alibi: "After all," I said to myself, "I'm far too busy with
much more important matters." That was my near perfect
prescription for comfort and complacency.
- As Bill Sees It, (We Cannot Stand Still) No. 25

Thought to Ponder
We grow or we go.

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

Cheerfulness
But we aren't a glum lot. . .
We absolutely insist on enjoying life. . .
So we think cheerfulness and laughter
make for usefulness.
Outsiders are sometimes shocked when we
burst into merriment over a seemingly tragic
experience out of the past.
But why shouldn't we laugh?
We have recovered,
and have been given the power to help others.
c. 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 132

Thought to Consider . . .
Laughter is the sound of recovery.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
B E S T = Been Enjoying Sobriety Today?

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

Change
From "A Glacier Melts":
"I had thought I was happy in that first eighteen months of sobriety, but now everything began to look brighter; people
seemed nicer; and I had moments of tremendous insight. It was as if words and sentences I had heard all my life had a
deeper meaning and were reaching my feelings, rather than my intellect. It was as if my head and my heart finally had
gotten glued together. I no longer seemed like two people in one, engaging in a tug of war. I experienced within this six-
week period a feeling of being totally forgiven, and never since have I felt the guilt that I had throughout my life prior to
that time. More than once, I had as sense of Presence which I can describe only as being marvelously warm, uplifting,
and comfortable."
1973 AAWS, Inc., printed 2004; Came to Believe, pg. 58

*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quotes ^*~*~*~*~*

"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. We have to!"
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 103~

"Since the home has suffered more than anything else, it is well that
a man exert himself there. He is not likely to get far in any
direction if he fails to show unselfishness and love under his own
roof. We know there are difficult wives and families, but the man
who is getting over alcoholism must remember he did much to make them so."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 127~

Could we then foresee that troublesome people were to become our principal teachers of patience and tolerance?
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 141

Misc. AA Literature - Quote
The Wright brothers' almost childish faith that they could build a machine which would fly was the mainspring of their
accomplishment. Without that, nothing could have happened.
We agnostics and atheists were sticking to the idea that self-sufficiency would solve our problems. When others
showed us that God-sufficiency worked with them, we began to feel like those who had insisted the Wrights would never
fly. We were seeing another kind of flight, a spiritual liberation from this world, people who rose above their problems.

Prayer for the Day: Lord Jesus, as you touched the eyes of the blind man, touch us so that our eyes may be opened so
that we can “really see” the many wonderful things around us and in our own lives. Amen.

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AA Thought for the Day

February 17

True Perspective

The moral inventory is a cool examination of the damages
that occurred to us during life and a sincere effort to look
at them in a true perspective. This has the effect of taking
the ground glass out of us, the emotional substance that
still cuts and inhibits.
- As Bill Sees It, (Defects and Repairs) No. 140

Thought to Ponder . . .
The gritty pain of alcoholism is the traction of recovery.

AA-related 'Alconym'
A C T I O N = Any Change To Improve Our Nature.

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

A New Life
Life will take on a new meaning.
To watch people recover, to see them help others,
to watch loneliness vanish,
to see a fellowship grow up about you,
to have a host of friends --
this is an experience you must not miss.
We know you will not want to miss it.
c. 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 89

Thought to Consider . . .
Break out of your shell and join us!

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
F E E L = Feel, Experience, Express, Let go

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

God's Help
From "Another Prodigal Story":
"I know I am an alcoholic and while I used to call on God to help me, my conclusion is that I was simply asking God to
help me drink alcohol without its hurting me, which is a far different thing than asking him [sic] to help me not to drink at all."
2005, AAWS, Inc.; Experience, Strength & Hope, pg. 113

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"I am a student of life just trying to learn how the universe works. The most powerful lesson I have learned is that it all
happens inside me. My perception of any situation is in my control -- I have a choice about which way my mind will react."
Pinellas Park, Fla., November 2006
From: "How the Universe Works"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by
which faith can be acquired. If what we have learned and felt and
seen means anything at all, it means that all of us, whatever our
race, creed, or color are the children of a living Creator with whom
we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as
soon as we are willing and honest enough to try."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 28~

"Whether the family goes on a spiritual basis or not, the alcoholic
member has to if he would recover. The others must be convinced of
his new status beyond the shadow of a doubt. Seeing is believing to
most families who have lived with a drinker."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 135~

All we need is a key, and the decision to swing the door open.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 34

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

When a drunk has a terrific hangover because he drank heavily yesterday, he cannot live well today. But there is another
kind of hangover which we all experience whether we are drinking or not. That is the emotional hangover, the direct
result of yesterday's and sometimes today's excesses of negative emotion - anger, fear, jealousy, and the like.
If we would live serenely today and tomorrow, we certainly need to eliminate these hangovers. This doesn't mean we
need to wander morbidly around in the past. It requires an admission and correction of errors - now.

Prayer for the Day: Dear Father, thank you for today. Please be grant me the wisdom to help those who are in need.
Give me the wisdom so I may help guide them in their journey.

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AA Thought for the Day

February 18

A Priceless Gift

We enjoy moments in which there is something like real
peace of mind. To those of us who have hitherto known
only excitement, depression, or anxiety—in other words,
to all of us—this newfound peace is a priceless gift.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Seven) p. 74

Thought to Ponder . . .
Happiness and peace of mind are always here,
open and free to anyone.

AA-related 'Alconym'
G I F T S = Getting It From The Steps.

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

AA Unity
Though many of us have had to struggle for sobriety,
never yet has this Fellowship had to struggle
for lost unity.
Consequently, we sometimes take this one great gift
for granted.
We forget that, should we lose our unity,
the millions of alcoholics who still "do not know"
might never get their chance.
Bill W., Letter, 1949
c. 1967 AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 297

Thought to Consider . . .
We can make a difference.
Without you, there is no 'we.'

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
A A's - R - U S = Alcoholics Anonymous Recovery Unity Service

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

AA Unity
Though many of us have had to struggle for sobriety,
never yet has this Fellowship had to struggle
for lost unity.
Consequently, we sometimes take this one great gift
for granted.
We forget that, should we lose our unity,
the millions of alcoholics who still "do not know"
might never get their chance.
Bill W., Letter, 1949
c. 1967 AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 297

Thought to Consider . . .
We can make a difference.
Without you, there is no 'we.'

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
A A's - R - U S = Alcoholics Anonymous Recovery Unity Service

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

Paybacks
From "Into Action":
"Most alcoholics owe money. We do not dodge our creditors. Telling them what we are trying to do, we make no bones
about our drinking; they usually know it anyway, whether we think so or not. Nor are we afraid of disclosing our
alcoholism on the theory it may cause financial harm. Approached in this way, the most ruthless creditor will sometimes
surprise us. ... [W]e let these people know we are sorry. Our drinking has made us slow to pay. We must lose our fear
of creditors no matter how far we have to go, for we are liable to drink if we are afraid to face them."
2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 78

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Recovery is something like the restoration of a very old painting, covered over by layers and layers of darkening, distorted varnish ... Not all of the underlying pattern can be revealed at one time. What is uncovered, bit by bit and layer by slow, careful layer, are the things which are necessary and appropriate for me to know about myself right now."
Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, August 1992
From: "An Indescribable Benevolence"
Step By Step

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"My friend suggested what then seemed a novel idea. He said, 'Why
don't you choose your own conception of God?'
That statement hit me hard. It melted the icy intellectual mountain
in whose shadow I had lived and shivered many years. I stood in the
sunlight at last.
It was only a matter of being willing to believe in a Power greater
than myself. Nothing more was required of me to make my beginning.
I saw that growth could start from that point."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, pg. 12~

"The very practical approach to his problems, the absence of
intolerance of any kind, the informality, the genuine democracy, the
uncanny understanding which these people had were irresistible."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, Page 160

We began to fear pain less, and desire humility more than ever.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 75

Misc. AA Literature - Quote
If we are planning to stop drinking, there must be no reservation of any kind, nor any lurking notion that some day we will be immune to alcohol.
Such is the paradox of A.A. regeneration: strength arising out of complete defeat and weakness, the loss of one's old life as a condition for finding a new one.

Prayer for the Day: God , Give us the power of your Spirit that we may see and love in others what you see and love in them. We want to see the positive in people and bring out the best in each other. It’s easy to say that, but not always easy to live it out, and so we ask you to help and inspire us to live as you would like us to live this day. Amen.

[bluidkiti]

AA Thought for the Day

February 19

Precisely How We Have Recovered

We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and
women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind
and body. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered
is the main purpose of this book. For them, we hope these pages will
prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Foreward to the First Edition) p.xiii

Thought to Ponder . . .
Walk softly and carry a Big Book.

AA-related 'Alconym'
A A = Amazing Awakening.

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

Entirely Ready
It is plain for everybody to see that each sober AA member
has been granted a release from this very obstinate
and fatal obsession.
So in a very complete and literal way,
all AA's have "become entirely ready"
to have God remove the mania for alcohol from their lives.
And God has proceeded to do just that.
c. 1952 AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 64

Thought to Consider . . .
I stood in the sunlight at last.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
S T E P S = Solutions To Every Problem in Sobriety

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

Faith
Step Two: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
"Therefore, Step Two is the rallying point for all of us. Whether agnostic, atheist, or former believer, we can stand
together on this Step. True humility and an open mind can lead us to faith, and every A.A. meeting is an assurance that
God will restore us to sanity if we rightly relate ourselves to Him."
1952, AAWS, Inc.; Printed 2005; Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pg. 33

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Drinking is no longer a problem, but my thinking sure is. Writing a gratitude list puts the brakes on negative thoughts,
turns me back toward the light, and helps me to see the beauty in everyday life."
New York, N.Y., January 2006
From: "Tools for Life"
Beginner's Book: Getting and Staying Sober in AA

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"If there be divorce or separation, there should be no undue haste
for the couple to get together. The man should be sure of his
recovery. The wife should fully understand his new way of life. If
their old relationship is to be resumed it must be on a better basis,
since the former did not work. This means a new attitude and spirit
all around. Sometimes it is to the best interests of all concerned
that a couple remain apart. Obviously, no rule can be laid down.
Let the alcoholic continue his program day by day. When the time for
living together has come, it will be apparent to both parties."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, Page 99

We are not saints. The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines.
Alcoholics Anonymous page 60

And they have increasingly found a peace of mind which can stand firm in the face of difficult circumstances.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 104

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

A.A.: Benign Anarchy and Democracy
When we come into A.A. we find a greater personal freedom than any other society knows. We cannot be compelled to
do anything. In that sense our Society is a benign anarchy. The word 'anarchy' has a bad meaning to most of us. But I
think that the idealist who first advocated the concept felt that if only men were granted absolute liberty, and were
compelled to obey no one, they would then voluntarily associate themselves in the common interest. A.A. is an
association of the benign sort he envisioned.
But when we had to go into action - to function as groups - we discovered that we also had to become a democracy. As
our oldtimers retired, we therefore began to elect our trusted servants by majority vote. Each group in this sense
became a town meeting. All plans for group action had to be approved by the majority. This meant that no single
individual could appoint himself to act for his group or for A.A. as a whole. Neither dictatorship nor paternalism was for us.

Prayer for the Day: Prayer for One's Home by Edgar Guest
Peace, unto this house, I pray,
Keep terror and despair away;
Shield it from evil and let sin
Never find lodging room within.
May never in these walls be heard
The hateful or accusing word.
Grant that its warm and mellow light
May be to all a beacon bright,
A flaming symbol that shall stir
The beating pulse of him or her
Who finds this door and seems to say,
“Here end the trials of the day.“
Hold us together, gentle Lord,
Who sit about this humble board;
May we be spared the cruel fate
Of those whom hatreds separate;
Here let love bind us fast, that we
May know the joys of unity.
Lord, this humble house we'd keep
Sweet with play and calm with sleep.
Help us so that we may give
Beauty to the lives we live.
Let Thy love and let Thy grace
Shine upon our dwelling place.
Amen.

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AA Thought for the Day

February 20

Learning Daily

Learning daily to spot, admit, and correct these flaws is the essence of
character-building and good living. An honest regret for harms done,
a genuine gratitude for blessings received, and a willingness to try for
better things tomorrow will be the permanent assets we shall seek.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Ten) p. 95

Thought to Ponder . . .
The Three A's .. Awareness, Acceptance, Action.

AA-related 'Alconym'
A A = Accountable Actions.

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

Steps & Traditions
AA's Twelve Steps are a group of principles,
spiritual in their nature, which, if practiced as a way of life,
can expel the obsession to drink
and enable the sufferer to become
happily and usefully whole.
AA's Twelve Traditions apply to the life
of the Fellowship itself.
They outline the means by which AA maintains its unity
and relates itself to the world about it,
the way it lives and grows.
c. 1952 AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 15

Thought to Consider . . .
The Steps protect me from myself;
the Traditions protect AA from me.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
T R U S T = Teaching Recovery Using Steps and Traditions.

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

Publications
From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":
"The year 1944 brought a vital development. In New York City a few literary and newsminded A.A.'s began to issue a
monthly publication. They called their magazine the Grapevine. It was by no means the first local A.A. bulletin or
magazine. The Cleveland Central Bulletin, the Los Angeles Eye-Opener, and several others had preceded it. But the
Grapevine caught on nationally.
"After the first few months it encountered a strange kind of difficulty. It turned out that the FBI for a long time had
published a [news]sheet called the Grapevine devoted to keeping FBI men up to date. Things were finally ironed out
when we began to call our monthly magazine the A.A. Grapevine. With this minor difficulty overcome, our Grapevine
grew and grew."
2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pgs. 201-02

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"In the meetings I attend, newcomers sometimes ask me how I've been able to stay sober so long. My answer is always
the same: every morning, the first thing I do is say three magic words -- God, help me."
Kissimmee, Fla., March 2006
From: "Small but Mighty"
Beginner's Book: Getting and Staying Sober in AA

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"The basic principles of the A.A. program, it appears, hold good for
individuals with many different lifestyles, just as the program has
brought recovery to those of many different nationalities. The
Twelve Steps that summarize the program may be called los Doce Pasos
in one country, les Douze Etapes in another, but they trace exactly
the same path to recovery that was blazed by the earliest members of
Alcoholics Anonymous."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Foreward To Third Edition, Page xxii~

"If we are planning to stop drinking, there must be no reservation
of any kind, nor any lurking notion that someday we will be immune to
alcohol."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 33~

All we need is a key, and the decision to swing the door open.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 34

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

The Coming of Faith
In my own case, the foundation stone of freedom from fear is that of faith: a faith that, despite all worldly appearances to the contrary, causes me to believe that I live in a universe that makes sense.
To me, this means a belief in a Creator who is all power, justice, and love; a God who intends for me a purpose, a meaning, and a destiny to grow, however little and haltingly, toward His own likeness and image. Before the coming of faith I had lived as an alien in a cosmos that too often seemed both hostile and cruel. In it there could be no inner security for me.
'When I was driven to my knees by alcohol, I was made ready to ask for the gift of faith. And all was changed. Never again, my pains and problems notwithstanding, would I experience my former desolation. I saw the universe to be lighted by God's love; I was alone no more.' 1. GRAPEVINE, JANUARY 1962 - 2. LETTER, 1966

Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, Please grant me peace so I can face the day with a clear mind and calm heart.