Traits in Common
Step Twelve:
Having had a spiritual awakening
as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and
to practice these principles in all our
affairs.
"But not so with
alcoholics. When A.A. was quite young, a number of eminent psychologists and
doctors made an exhaustive study of a good-sized group of so-called problem
drinkers. The doctors weren't trying to find how different we were from one
another; they sought to find whatever personality traits, if any, this group of
alcoholics had in common. They finally came up with a conclusion that shocked
the A.A. members of that time. These distinguished men had the nerve to say that
most of the alcoholics under investigation were still childish, emotionally
sensitive, and grandiose. How we alcoholics did resent that verdict! We would not
believe that our adult dreams were often truly childish. And considering the
rough deal life had given us, we felt it perfectly natural that we were
sensitive. As to our grandiose behavior, we insisted that we had been possessed
of nothing but a high and legitimate ambition to win the battle of
life."
1981 AAWS Inc.
Twelve Steps and Twelve
Traditions, pages 122-123
*^Daily
Reflections^*
THE CIRCLE AND THE TRIANGLE
The circle stands for the whole world of A.A., and the triangle
stands for A.A.'s Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service. Within
our wonderful new world, we have found freedom from our fatal obsession.
A.A.
COMES OF AGE, p. 139
Early in my A.A. life, I became employed
in its services and I found the explanation of our society's logo to be very
appropriate. First, a circle of love and service with a well-balanced
triangle inside, the base of which represents our Recovery through the
Twelve Steps. Then the other two sides, representing Unity and Service,
respectively. The three sides of the triangle are equal. As I grew in A.A. I
soon identified myself with this symbol. I am the circle, and the sides of
the triangle represent three aspects of my personality: physical, emotional
sanity, spirituality, the latter forming the symbol's base. Taken
together, all three aspects of my personality translate into a sober and
happy life.
Copyright 1990
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES,
INC.
*~*^As
Bill
Sees
It^*~*
Compelling Love
"The life of each A.A. and of each group is built around our
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. We know that the penalty for extensive
disobedience to these principles is death for the individual and dissolution for
the group. But an even greater force for A.A.'s unity is our compelling love for
our fellow members and for our principles."
<<< >>>
"You might think
the people at A.A.'s headquarters in New York would surely have to have some
personal authority. But, long ago, trustees and secretaries alike found they
could do no more than make very mild suggestions to the A.A. groups. They
even had to coin a couple of sentences which still go into half the letters they
write: 'Of course you are at perfect liberty to handle this matter any way you
please. But the majority experience in A.A. does seem to suggest . . .' A.A.
world headquarters is not a giver of orders. It is, instead, our largest
transmitter of the lessons of experience."
1. TWELVE CONCEPTS, p. 10
2. TWELVE
AND TWELVE, pp. 173-174
*~*^
Big
Book
Quote
^*~*
"In this book you read again
and again that faith did for us what we could not do for ourselves. We hope
you are convinced now that God can remove whatever self-will has blocked you off
from Him. If you have already made a decision, and an inventory of your
grosser handicaps, you have made a good beginning. That being so you have
swallowed and digested some big chunks of truth about
yourself."
Alcoholics
Anonymous, 4th Edition
How It Works, pg.
70
*^Twenty
Four
Hours A
Day^*
A.A. Thought for the Day
There are no leaders in A.A. except as they volunteer to accept
responsibility. The work of carrying on A.A. - leading group meetings,
serving on committees, speaking before other groups, doing twelfth-step
work, spreading A.A. among the alcoholics of the community - all these
things are done on a volunteer basis. If I don't volunteer to do something
concrete for A.A., the movement is that much less effective. I must do my
fair share to carry the load. A.A. depends on all its members to keep it
alive and to keep it growing. Am I doing my share for A.A.?
Meditation for the Day
When you look to God for strength to face responsibility and are
quiet before Him, His healing touch causes the Divine Quiet to flow into
your very being. When in weakness you cry to God, His touch brings healing,
the renewal of your courage, and the power to meet every situation and be
victorious. When you faint by the way or are distracted by feelings of
inferiority, then rely on the touch of God's spirit to support you on your
way. Then arise and go forth with confidence.
Prayer for the
Day
I pray that I may lay myself open today to the
healing touch of God. I pray that I may not falter or faint by the wayside,
but renew my courage through prayer.
Hazelden Foundation PO Box 176 Center
City, MN 55012
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