"Our A.A. friends also had this positive belief in the child's recovery. They did their best to revive my fast-dying energies, and these positive forces of loving faith caused me to reassess my progress in the A.A. program. I was sober, but had I turned my will over to the care of God as I understood Him? What was I doing about 'conscious contact' with my Higher Power? Was the Tenth Step part of my daily life or only a once-tried effort? Most of the answers were negative. This meant that, while my daughter might be in a hopeless situation physically, I was functioning in a way destined to retard any progress she might make spiritually and mentally. There was no other solution than to get out of the child's way and work on myself."
1973 AAWS, Inc.
Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pgs. 107-08
*^Daily Reflections^*
PROGRESSIVE GRATITUDE
Gratitude should go forward, rather than backward.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 29
I
am very grateful that my Higher Power has given me a second chance to
live a worthwhile life. Through Alcoholics Anonymous, I have been
restored to sanity. The promises are being fulfilled in my life. I am
grateful to be free from the slavery of alcohol. I am grateful for
peace of mind and the opportunity to grow, but my gratitude should go
forward rather than backward. I cannot stay sober on yesterday's
meetings or past Twelfth-Step calls; I need to put my gratitude
into action today. Our co-founder said our gratitude can best be shown
by carrying the message to others. Without action, my gratitude is just
a pleasant emotion. I need to put it into action by working Step
Twelve, by carrying the message and practicing the principles in all my
affairs. I am grateful for the chance to carry the message today!
Copyright 1990
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*
To Take Responsibility
"Learning
how to live in the greatest peace, partnership, and brotherhood with
all men and women, of whatever description, is a moving and fascinating
adventure. But every A.A. has found that he can make little headway in
this new adventure of living until he first backtracks and really makes
an accurate and unsparing survey of the human wreckage he has left in
his wake."
<<< >>>
"The readiness to take the full
consequences of our past acts, and to take responsibility for the
well-being of others at the same time, is the very spirit of Step nine."
TWELVE AND TWELVE
1. P. 77, 2. P. 87
*~*^Big Book Quote^*~*
"Some day we hope that Alcoholics Anonymous will help the public to a better realization of the gravity of the alcoholic problem, but we shall be of little use if our attitude is one of bitterness or hostility. Drinkers will not stand for it. After all, our problems were of our own making. Bottles were only a symbol. Besides, we have stopped fighting anybody or anything. We have to!"
Alcoholics Anonymous 4th Edition
Working With Others, pg. 103
*^Twenty Four Hours A Day^*
A.A. Thought for the Day
In
twelfth-step work, the third thing is conviction. The prospect must be
convinced that he honestly wants to stop drinking. He must see and admit
that his life is unmanageable. He must face the fact that he must do
something about his drinking. He must be absolutely honest with himself
and face himself as he really is. He must be convinced that he must give
up drinking and he must see that his whole life depends on this
conviction. Do I care enough about another alcoholic to help him reach
this conviction?
Meditation for the Day
There
is no limit to what you can accomplish in helping others. Keep that
thought always. Never relinquish any work or give up the thought of
any accomplishment because it seems beyond your power. God will help you
all in good work. Only give it up if you feel that it's not God's will
for you. In helping others, think of the tiny seed under the dark, hard
ground. There is no certainty that, when it has forced its way up to the
surface, sunlight and warmth will greet it. Often a task seems beyond
your power, but there is no limit to what you can accomplish with God's
help.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may never become discouraged in helping others. I pray that I may always rely on the power of God to help me.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012