*~*^Just For Today!^*~*
"The fact of hitting bottom
to produce a surrender which cut the ego to size was evident fairly soon. In
time two additional facts manifested themselves. The first was that a reduced
ego has marvelous recuperative powers. The second was that surrender is an
essential disciplinary function and experience.
"It is common knowledge that
a return of the full-fledged ego can happen at any time. Years of sobriety are
no insurance against its resurgence. No A.A., regardless of his veteran status,
can ever relax his guard against the encroachments of a reviving ego. Recently
one A.A., writing to another, reported that he was suffering, he feared, from
'halo-tosis,' a reference to the smugness and self-complacency which so easily
can creep into the individual with years of sobriety behind him. Dr. Harry
Tiebout, M.D."
2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics
Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 249
*~*^Daily
Reflections^*~*
EXPERIENCE: THE BEST TEACHER
Being still inexperienced and
having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are
going to be inspired at all times.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 87
Some say
that experience is the best teacher, but I believe that experience is the only
teacher. I have been able to learn of God's love for me only by the
experience of my dependence on that love. At first I could not be sure of
His direction in my life, but now I see that if I am to be bold enough to ask
for His guidance, I must act as if He has provided it. I frequently ask
God to help me remember that He has a path for me.
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES,
INC.
*~*^As
Bill
Sees
It^*~*
Meeting Adversity
"Our spiritual and
emotional growth in A.A. does not depend so deeply upon success as it does upon
our failures and setbacks. If you will bear this in mind, I think that your slip
will have the effect of kicking you upstairs, instead of down. "We A.A.'s have
had no better teacher than Old Man Adversity, except in those cases where we
refuse to let him teach us."
<<<>>>
"Now and then all of
us fall under heavy criticism. When we are angered and hurt, it's difficult not
to retaliate in kind. Yet we can restrain ourselves and then probe ourselves,
asking whether our critics were really right. If so, we can admit our defects to
them. This usually clears the air for mutual understanding. "Suppose our critics
are being unfair. Then we can try calm persuasion. If they continue to rant, it
is still possible for us--in our hearts--to forgive them. Maybe a sense of humor
can be our saving grace--thus we can both forgive and forget."
1. LETTER, 1958
2. LETTER,
1966
*~*^
Big
Book
Quote
^*~*
"Do
not be discouraged if your prospect does not respond at once. Search out
another alcoholic and try again. You are sure to find someone desperate
enough to accept with eagerness what you offer. We find it a waste of time to
keep chasing a man who cannot or will not work with you. If you leave such a
person alone, he may soon become convinced that he cannot recover by himself.
To spend too much time on any one situation is to deny some other alcoholic
an opportunity to live and be happy."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg.
96~
*~*^Twenty
Four
Hours A
Day^*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day
In the beginning of Alcoholics
Anonymous there were only two persons. Now there are many groups and
thousands of members. True, the surface has only been scratched. There are
probably ten million or more persons in America alone who need our help.
More and more people are making a start in A.A. each day. In the case of
individual members, the beginning has been accomplished when they admit they
are powerless and turn to a Power greater than them- selves, admitting that
their lives have become unmanageable. That Higher Power works for good
in all things and helps us to accomplish much in individual growth and in
the growth of A.A. groups. Am I doing my part in helping AA. to grow?
Meditation for the
Day
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after
righteousness, for they shall be filled. Only in the fullness of faith can
the heart-sick and faint and weary be satisfied, healed, and rested.
Think of the wonderful spiritual revelations still to be found by those
who are trying to live the spiritual life. Much of life is spiritually
unexplored country. Only to the consecrated and loving people who walk with
God in spirit can these great spiritual discoveries be revealed. Keep going
forward and keep growing in righteousness.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may not be held back by the material
things of the world. I pray that I may let God lead me
forward.
Hazelden Foundation PO
Box 176 Center City, MN 55012