Thoughts For The Day~*~Self-appraisal ^*^*^ February 29
Transitions Daily
"I used to be a champ at unrealistic self-appraisal. I wanted to look only at the part of my life which seemed good. Then I would greatly exaggerate whatever virtues I supposed I had attained. Next I would congratulate myself on the grand job I was doing. So my unconscious self-deception never failed to turn my few good assets into serious liabilities. This astonishing process was always a pleasant one . . . I was falling straight back into the pattern of my drinking days . . . I shall forever regret the damage I did to people around me. Indeed, I still tremble when I realize what I might have done to A.A. and to its future."
Bill W., June 1961
1988 AA Grapevine
The Language of the Heart, pp. 256-7
Thought to Consider . . .
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
*~*AACRONYMS*~*
A. A.
Altered Attitudes
*~*^Just For Today!^*~*
Renewed
"I had nothing to do
with this gift coming to me, so my gratitude is beyond description. It did not
take me back to the person I was before drinking. It gave me a new life
rather, life itself, because I had attempted suicide and had been hospitalized
in private and state mental hospitals. It must have been spiritual; it was
neither intellectual nor physical, that's for sure. I believe it was God as I
understand Him, working through the love and understanding available in A.A. May
I keep my heart open. The joy which can come to an open heart is
unlimited."
New York, New York, USA
1973 AAWS, Inc.
Came to
Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 51
ONE A.A. MIRACLE
Save for a few brief moments of temptation the thought of drink has never returned; and at such times a great revulsion has risen up in him. Seemingly he could not drink even if he would. God had restored his sanity.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 57
The word "God" was frightening to me when I first saw it associated with A.A.'s Twelve Steps. Having tried all the means I could to stop drinking, I found that it was not possible for me to sustain that desire over a period of time. Yet, how could I believe in a "God" that had allowed me to sink to the deep despair that engulfed me - whether drinking or dry?
The answer was in finally admitting that it might be possible for me to know the mercy of a Power greater than myself who could grant me sobriety contingent on my willingness to "come to believe." By finally admitting that I was one among many, and by following the example of my sponsor and other A.A. members in practicing faith I did not have, my life has been given meaning, direction and purpose.
Copyright 1990
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*
Hard on Ourselves, Considerate of Others
We cannot disclose anything to our wives or our parents which will hurt them and make them unhappy. We have no right to save our own skins at their expense. Such damaging parts of our story we tell to someone else who will understand, yet be unaffected. The rule is, we must be hard on ourselves, but always considerate of others.
<<< >>>
Good judgment will suggest that we ought to take our time in making amends to our families. It may be unwise at first to rehash certain harrowing episodes. While we may be quite willing to reveal the very worst, we must be sure to remember that we cannot buy our own peace of mind at the expense of others.
1. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 74
2. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 84
*~*^Big Book Quote^*~*
"Without knowing it, had we not been brought to where we stood by a certain kind of faith? For did we not believe in our own reasoning? Did we not have confidence in our ability to think? What was that but a sort of faith? Yes, we had been faithful, abjectly faithful to the God of Reason. So, in one way or another, we discovered that faith had been involved all the time!"
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition
We Agnostics, pg. 53
*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*
A.A. Thought for the Day
Getting sober was a long and painful journey, but we can truthfully say it was worth it. We know now that all we've been through led us to A.A. and were part of our spiritual journey. We found in A.A. what we had been vainly seeking in the bottle. We've learned that our journey goes on as we continue to deal with our shortcomings and the human problems everybody must face. And when we reach a crossroads or a roadblock, we know that our Higher Power will come to our aid in making the right choices and surmounting all obstacles. Do I turn to my Higher Power to sustain me as I continue the spiritual journey that brought me to A.A.?
As I continue on my spiritual journey, I will seek and follow Divine Guidance and know there is always a place prepared for me. Nothing but my own pride and fear can keep me from my dwelling place with God. I need not strain or struggle to obtain that which God wants me to have. My only responsibility is to accept God's guidance and follow the highest principles in all my affairs.
Meditation for the DayHappiness cannot be sought directly; it is a byproduct of love and service.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I'll continue to seek guidance as my
spiritual journey continues today. I pray to trust that I am always doing the
right thing and am in the right place when my Higher Power is leading
me.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN
55012
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