Action
"But the program of
action, though entirely sensible, was pretty drastic. It meant I would have
to throw several lifelong conceptions out of the window. That was not easy.
But the moment I made up my mind to go through with the process, I had
the curious feeling that my alcoholic condition was relieved, as in fact it
proved to be. Quite as important was the discovery that spiritual principles
would solve all my problems."
c.
1976AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 42
^*^*^*^*^
Thought to
Consider . . .
Never mistake motion for action.
*~*AACRONYMS*~*
A C T I O N = Any Change Toward Improving One's
Nature
Our Twelfth Step also says that as a result of practicing all the
Steps, we have each found something called a spiritual awakening. . . A.A.'s
manner of making ready to receive this gift lies in the practice of the Twelve
Steps in our program.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 106-107
I
remember my sponsor's answer when I told him that the Steps were
"suggested." He replied that they are "suggested" in the same
way that, if you were to jump out of an airplane with a parachute, it is
"suggested" that you pull the ripcord to save your life. He pointed out
that it was "suggested" I practice the Twelve Steps, if I wanted to save my
life. So I try to remember daily that I have a whole program of recovery
based on all Twelve of the "suggested" Steps.
Copyright 1990 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES,
INC.
*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*
Random Quote - Start by
Forgiving
The moment we
ponder a twisted or broken relationship with another person, our emotions go on
the defensive. To escape looking at the wrongs we have done another, we
resentfully focus on the wrong he has done us. Triumphantly we seize upon his
slightest misbehavior as the perfect excuse for minimizing or forgetting our
own. Right here we need to fetch ourselves up sharply. Let's remember that
alcoholics are not the only ones bedeviled by sick emotions. In many
instances we are really dealing with fellow sufferers, people whose woes we have
increased. If we are about to ask forgiveness for ourselves, why shouldn't we
start out by forgiving them, one and all?
TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 78
*~*^Big Book Quote^*~*
"The fact is that most
alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink.
Our so-called will power becomes practically nonexistent. We are unable, at
certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the
memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We
are without defense against the first drink."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A
Solution, pg. 24~
*~*^Twenty
Four Hours A Day^*~*
A.A. Thought for the Day
The thoughts that come before having a slip
are often largely subconscious. It is a question whether or not our subconscious
minds ever become entirely free from alcoholic thoughts as long as we live. For
instance, some of us dream about being drunk when we are asleep, even after
several years of sobriety in A.A. During the period of our drinking days, our
subconscious minds have been thoroughly conditioned by our alcoholic way of
thinking and it is doubtful if they ever become entirely free of such thoughts
during our lifetime. But when our conscious minds are fully conditioned against
drinking, we can stay sober and our subconscious minds do not often bother us.
Am I still conditioning my conscious mind?
Meditation for
the Day
Having sympathy
and compassion for all who are in temptation, a condition that we are sometimes
in, we have a responsibility toward them. Sympathy always includes
responsibility. Pity is useless because it does not have a remedy for the need.
But wherever our sympathy goes, our responsibility goes too. When we are moved
with compassion, we should go to the one in need and bind up his wounds as best
we can.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may have sympathy for those in temptation. I pray
that I may have compassion for others' trials.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN
55012