AA Thoughts For Today - November

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AA Thought for the Day

November 30

Our Blind Spot

To clergymen, doctors, friends, and families, the alcoholic
who means well and tries hard is a heartbreaking riddle.
To most A.A.'s, he is not. There are too many of us who
have been just like him, and have found the riddle's answer.
This answer has to do with the quality of faith rather than its
quantity. This has been our blind spot.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Two) p. 32

Thought to Ponder . . .
Faith is mighty. Action with faith is mightier.

AA-related 'Alconym'
A B C = Action, Belief, Change.

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

Perfection
"Day by day, we try to move a little
toward God's perfection.
So we need not be consumed by maudlin guilt
for failure to achieve His likeness and image by Thursday next.
Progress is our aim,
and His perfection is the beacon, light-years away,
that draws us on."
Bill W., Letter, 1966
c. 1967AAWS, As Bill Sees It, p. 15

Thought to Consider . . .
Remember the 3 P's:
Perfectionism (leads to) Procrastination (leads to) Paralysis.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
P U T = Patience, Understanding, Tolerance.

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

Belief
From "He Took Control":
"One of the oldtimers used the electricity metaphor, which I later found in the Big Book. 'A person walking into a dark room does not worry about understanding electricity,' he said. 'He just finds the switch and turns on the light.' He explained that we can turn on the switch of spirituality by simply asking God each morning for another day of sobriety and thanking Him at night for another beautiful sober day. He said, 'Do it mechanically if you really don't believe in it. But do it every day. There is probably no one who really understands the wonderful ways of the Higher Power, and we don't need to. He understands us.'"
1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 30

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

"I began to find ... a more centered, purposeful life, at least in the sense that my body, mind, emotions, and soul were all more or less heading in the same direction. I was riding one horse instead of four."
La Canada, Calif., November 1989
"Stepping Into the Sunlight,"
Spiritual Awakenings

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

"Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to
Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give
freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the
Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you
trudge the Road of Happy Destiny."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 164

"We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our Creator. We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness. Paradoxically, it is the way of strength. "
Alcoholics Anonymous page 68

When resentful thoughts come, try to pause and count your blessings.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.119

When in doubt we can always pause, saying, "Not my will, but Thine, be done.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.93

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

As newcomers, many of us have indulged in spiritual intoxication. Like a gaunt prospector, belt drawn in over the last ounce of food, we saw our pick strike gold. Joy at our release from a lifetime of frustration knew no bounds.
The newcomer feels he has struck something better than gold. He may not see at once that he has barely scratched a limitless lode which will pay dividends only if he mines it for the rest of his life and insists on giving away the entire product.

Prayer for the Day: Sixth Step Prayer - Dear God, I am ready for Your help in removing from me the defects of character which I now realize are an obstacle to my recovery. Help me to continue being honest with myself and guide me toward spiritual and mental health.