^*^*^*^*^
(\ ~~
/)
( \(AA)/ )
(_ /AA\ _)
/AA\
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Skeletons
"Now and then the family will be plagued
by spectres from the past, for the drinking career of almost every
alcoholic has been marked by escapades, funny, humiliating, shameful or
tragic. The first impulse will be to bury these skeletons in a
dark closet and padlock the door. The family may be possessed by the idea
that future happiness can be based only upon forgetfulness of the past. We think that such a view is self-centered and in direct conflict
with the new way of living."
1976 AAWS
Alcoholics Anonymous, pp.
123-4
Thought
to Consider . . .
It's not making a mistake that will kill me. It's defending it that does the damage.
"The crest of this
experience lasted several hours. When I fell into an exhausted sleep, it was
with the knowledge that I had at last begun my adjustment to life as an
alcoholic. From that moment, things seemed to change from within. Gradually, I
could recognize when I was getting in my own way, and I could step aside, for
'Thy will, not mine' had become more than mere words. There have been many times
when this revelation has been hard to hold on to, but, little by little, it
seems easier every day. My course has become two steps forward, one step
backward, two more forward, instead of always complete retreat. The days are too
short, and they are seldom dull. Each day is a new challenge to stay sober and
to keep moving straight ahead."
Charleston, West Virginia
1973 AAWS Inc.
Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg.
37
*~*^As
Bill
Sees
It^*~*
Community Problem
"The answer to the problem of alcoholism
seems to be in education in schoolrooms, in medical colleges, among
clergymen and employers, in families, and in the public at large. From cradle to
grave, the drunk and the potential alcoholic will have to be completely
surrounded by a true and deep understanding and by a continuous barrage of
information. This means factual education, properly presented. Heretofore,
much of this education has attacked the immorality of drinking rather than the
illness of alcoholism. Now who is going to do all this education? Obviously,
it is both a community job and a job for specialists. Individually, we A.A.'s
can help, but A.A. as such cannot, and should not, get directly into this field.
Therefore, we must rely on other agencies, on outside friends and their
willingness to supply great amounts of money and effort."
GRAPEVINE, MARCH 1958
*~*^Big
Book
Quote^*~*
"When you discover a prospect for Alcoholics Anonymous, find out
all you can about him. If he does not want to stop drinking, don't waste
time trying to persuade him. You may spoil a later
opportunity."
Alcoholics Anonymous 4thEdition
Working With Others, pg. 90
*^Twenty
Four
Hours A
Day^*
A.A. Thought for the Day
The program of Alcoholics Anonymous
involves a continuous striving for improvement. There can be no long resting
period. We must try to work at it all the time. We must continually keep
in mind that it is a program not to be measured in years, because we never
fully reach our goals nor are we ever cured. Our alcoholism is only kept in
abeyance by daily living of the program. It is a timeless program in
every sense. We live it day by day, or more precisely, moment by moment -
now. Am I always striving for improvement?
Meditation for the Day
Life
is all a preparation for something better to come. God has a plan for your
life and it will work out, if you try to do His will. God has things planned
for you, far beyond what you can imagine now. But you must prepare
yourself so that you will be ready for the better things to come. Now is
the time for discipline and prayer. The time of expression will come later.
Life can be flooded through and through with joy and gladness. So prepare
yourself for those better things to come.
Prayer for the Day
I
pray that I may prepare myself for better things that God has in store for
me. I pray that I may trust God for the future.
Hazelden
Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012