Thoughts For The Day~*~Sobriety ^*^*^ September 5
TransitionsDaily
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Sobriety
"God willing, we members of A.A. may never again have to deal
with drinking, but we have to deal with sobriety every day. How do we do
it? By learning - through practicing the Twelve Steps and through
sharing at meetings - how to cope with the problems that we looked to
booze to solve, back in our drinking days."
1976 AAWS Alcoholics Anonymous, p.
560
Thought
to Consider . . .
"God,
grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage
to change the one that I can, and the wisdom to know that person is
me."
B E S T
Been Enjoying Sobriety Today?
*~*^Just For Today!^*~*
We aren't a
glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn't
want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life. We try not to indulge in
cynicism over the state of the nations, nor do we carry the world's troubles on
our shoulders.
Alcoholics Anonymous, page 132
When my own house is
in order, I find the different parts of my life are more manageable. Stripped
from the guilt and remorse that cloaked my drinking years, I am free to assume
my proper role in the universe, but this condition requires maintenance. I
should stop and ask myself, am I having fun yet? If I find answering that
question difficult or painful, perhaps I'm taking myself too seriously - and
finding it difficult to admit that I've strayed from my practice of working the
program to keep my house in order. I think the pain I experience is one way my
Higher Power has to get my attention, coaxing me to take stock of my
performance. The slight time and effort it takes to work the program - a
spot-check inventory, for example, or the making of amends, whatever is
appropriate - are well worth the effort.
1990 AAWS Inc.
Daily Reflections, page
31
EMOTIONAL BALANCE
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible . . .
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 83
When I survey my drinking days, I recall many people whom my life touched casually, but whose days I troubled through my anger and sarcasm. These people are untraceable, and direct amends to them are not possible. The only amends I can make to those untraceable individuals, the only "changes for the better" I can offer, are indirect amends made to other people, whose paths briefly cross mine. Courtesy and kindness, regularly practiced, help me to live in emotional balance, at peace with myself.
Copyright 1990
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*
We Need Outside Help
It was evident that a solitary self-appraisal, and the admission of our defects based upon that alone, wouldn't be nearly enough. We'd have to have outside help if we were surely to know and admit the truth about ourselves - the help of God and of another human being. Only by discussing ourselves, holding back nothing, only by being willing to take advice and accept direction could we set foot on the road to straight thinking, solid honesty, and genuine humility.
<<< >>>
If we are fooling ourselves, a competent adviser can see this quickly. And, as he skillfully guides us away from our fantasies, we are surprised to find that we have few of the usual urges to defend ourselves against unpleasant truths. In no other way can fear, pride, and ignorance be so readily melted. After a time, we realize that we are standing firm on a brand-new foundation for integrity, and we gratefully credit our sponsors, whose advice pointed the way.
1. TWELVE AND TWELVE p. 59
2. GRAPEVINE, AUGUST 1961
*~*^Big Book Quote^*~*
"The alcoholic is like a tornado roaring
his way through the lives of others. Hearts are broken. Sweet relationships
are dead. Affections have been uprooted. Selfish and inconsiderate habits
have kept the home in turmoil. We feel a man is unthinking when he
says that sobriety is enough"
Alcoholics Anonymous 4th Edition
Into Action, pg.
82
*^Twenty
Four
Hours A
Day^*
A.A. Thought for the
Day
One of
the mottoes of A.A. is "First Things First." This means that we should
always keep in mind that alcohol is our number-one problem. We must never let
any other problem, whether of family, business, friends, or anything else,
take precedence in our minds over our alcoholic problem. As we go along in
A.A., we learn to recognize the things that may upset us emotionally. When
we find ourselves getting upset over something, we must realize that it's a
luxury we alcoholics can't afford. Anything that makes us forget our
number-one problem is dangerous to us. Am I keeping sobriety in first place
in my mind?
Meditation for
the Day
Spiritual progress is the law of your
being. Try to see around you more and more of beauty and truth, knowledge
and power. Today try to be stronger, braver, more loving as a result of what
you did yesterday. This law of spiritual progress gives meaning and purpose
to your life. Always expect better things ahead. You can accomplish much
good through the strength of God's spirit in you. Never be too discouraged.
The world is sure to get better, in spite of setbacks of war, hate, and
greed. Be part of the cure of the world's ills, rather than part of the
disease.
Prayer for the
Day
I pray
that I may keep progressing in the better life. I pray that I may be a part
of the forces for good in the world.
Hazelden
Foundation PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012
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