*~*^As
Bill
Sees
It^*~*
The Value of Human Will
Many newcomers, having experienced little but constant deflation,
feel a growing conviction that human will is of no value whatever. They have
become persuaded, sometimes rightly so, that many problems besides alcohol will
not yield to a headlong assault powered only by the individual's will. However,
there are certain things which the individual alone can do. All by himself, and
in the light of his own circumstances, he needs to develop the quality of
willingness. When he acquires willingness, he is the only one who can then make
the decision to exert himself along spiritual lines. Trying to do this is
actually an act of his own will. It is a right use of this faculty. Indeed, all
of A.A.'s Twelve Steps require our sustained and personal exertion to conform to
their principles and so, we trust, to God's will.
TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 40
*~*^Big
Book
Quote^*~*
"Once more: The alcoholic at certain
times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in a
few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a
defense. His defense must come from a Higher
Power."
Alcoholics Anonymous 4th Edition
More About
Alcoholism, pg. 43
*^Twenty
Four
Hours A Day^*
A.A. Thought for the Day
"When many hundreds of people are able to say that the
consciousness of the presence of God is today the most important fact of
their lives, they present a powerful reason why one should have faith.
When we see others solve their problems by simple reliance upon some
Spirit of the universe, we have to stop doubting the power of God. Our ideas
did not work, but the God-idea does. Deep down in every man, woman, and
child is the fundamental idea of God. Faith in a Power greater than
ourselves and miraculous demonstrations of that power in our lives are facts
as old as the human race." Am I willing to rely on the Spirit of the
universe?
Meditation for the Day
You should not
dwell too much on the mistakes, faults, and failures of the past. Be done
with shame and remorse and contempt for yourself. With God's help, develop a
new self-respect. Unless you respect yourself, others will not respect you.
You ran a race, you stumbled and fell, you have risen again, and now you
press on toward the goal of a better life. Do not stay to examine the spot
where you fell, only feel sorry for the delay, the shortsightedness that
prevented you from seeing the real goal sooner.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may not look back. I pray that
I may keep picking myself up and making a fresh start each
day.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012