Thoughts For The Day~*~Reprieve ^*^*^ August 13
Transitions Daily
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Reprieve
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"It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities."
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 85
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Thought to Consider . . .
This is a program of limitless expansion. The gate is wide but the road is narrow.
P R O G R A M = People Relying On God Relay A Message
*~*^Just For Today!^*~*
Not for Nothing
When I was two weeks sober, a man's
nine-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver, and three days later he was
at a meeting saying he had to believe it wasn't for nothing. That maybe one
alcoholic would get sober because of it. As I left that day, I found myself
wondering what would have happened if that had been my kids, or me? What would
they remember about me? A feeling came over me (I know now it was gratitude),
and I realized that I could call my children right then and tell them I loved
them. That I could show up when I said I would. That my word could be worth
something to them. That even though I might always just be "mom who comes over
on the weekends," I could be a good weekend mom. I had a chance to move forward
with them, forging a relationship built on a foundation of God and Alcoholics
Anonymous, rather than always trying to make up for the past. One year later I
was able to share with that man that maybe it hadn't been for nothing, because
my life changed that day.
2001, AAWS, Inc., Alcoholics Anonymous, page
520
A CLEAN SWEEP
. . . and third, having thus cleared away the debris of the past, we consider how, with our newfound knowledge of ourselves, we may develop the best possible relations with every human being we know.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 77
As I faced the Eighth Step, everything that was required for successful completion of the previous seven Steps came together: courage, honesty, sincerity, willingness and thoroughness. I could not muster the strength required for this task at the beginning, which is why this Step reads "Became willing. . ."
I needed to develop the courage to begin, the honesty to see where I was wrong, a sincere desire to set things right, thoroughness in making a list, and willingness to take the risks required for true humility. With the help of my Higher Power in developing these virtues, I completed this Step and continued to move forward in my quest for spiritual growth.
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*~*^As
Bill
Sees
It^*~*
The Answer in the Mirror
While drinking, we were certain
that our intelligence, backed by will power, could rightly control our inner
lives and guarantee us success in the world around us. This brave philosophy,
wherein each man played God, sounded good in the speaking, but it still had to
meet the acid test: How well did it actually work? One good look in the mirror
was answer enough.
<<<>>>
My spiritual awakening
was electrically sudden and absolutely convincing. At once I became a part - if
only a tiny part - of a cosmos that was ruled by justice and love in the person
of God. No matter what had been the consequences of my own willfulness and
ignorance, or those of my fellow travelers on earth, this was still the truth.
Such was the new and positive assurance, and this has never left me.
1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 37 - 2.
GRAPEVINE, JANUARY 1962
*~*^Big
Book
Quote^*~*
"Everybody knows that those in bad health, and those who seldom
play, do not laugh much. So let each family play together or separately
as much as their circumstances warrant. We are sure God wants us to
be happy, joyous, and free."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg.
132~
*~*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day
"We had but two alternatives; one was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could, and the other was to accept spiritual help. We became willing to maintain a certain simple attitude toward life. What seemed at first a flimsy reed has proved to be the loving and powerful hand of God. A new life has been given us, a design for living that really works. All of us establish in our own individual way our personal relationship with God." Have I established my own relationship with God?
Meditation for the Day
Make it a daily practice to review your character. Take your character in relation to your daily life, to your dear ones, your friends, your acquaintances, and your work. Each day try to see where God wants you to change. Plan how best each fault can be eradicated or each mistake be corrected. Never be satisfied with a comparison with those around you. Strive toward a better life as your ultimate goal. God is your helper through weakness to power, through danger to security, through fear and worry to peace and serenity.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may make real progress toward a better life. I pray that I may never be satisfied with my present state.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012