Thoughts For The Day~*~Trouble ^*^*^ September 13
TransitionsDaily
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Trouble
"There was a time when we ignored trouble, hoping
it would go away. Or, in fear and in depression, we ran from it, but
found it was still with us. Often, full of unreason, bitterness, and blame,
we fought back. These mistaken attitudes, powered by alcohol,
guaranteed our destruction, unless they were altered. Then came A.A.
Here we learned that trouble was really a fact of life for everybody -
a fact that had to be understood and dealt with. Surprisingly, we found
that our troubles could, under God's grace, be converted into unimagined
blessings."
Bill W., Letter, 1966
c. 1967 AAWS, As Bill
Sees It, p. 110
Thought to Consider . . .
Through adversity, we find strength.
*~*AACRONYMS*~*
F A I T H
Facing All In Trusting Him
*~*^Just
For
Today!^*~*
"At this point the Cleveland Plain Dealer ran a series of pieces that ushered in a new period for Alcoholics Anonymous, the era of mass production of sobriety. Elrick B. Davis, a feature writer of deep understanding, was the author of a series of articles that were printed in the middle of the Plain Dealer's editorial page, and these were accompanied every two or three days by red-hot blasts from the editors themselves. In effect, the Plain Dealer was saying, 'Alcoholics Anonymous is good, and it works. Come and get it.'
The newspaper's switchboard
was deluged. Day and night, the calls were relayed to [early members] Clarence
and Dorothy and from them to members of their little group."
2001 AAWS, Inc.
Alcoholics
Anonymous Comes of Age, pg.
20
REPAIRING THE DAMAGE
Good judgment, careful sense of timing, courage and prudence - these are the qualities we shall need when we take Step Nine.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 83
To make amends can be viewed two ways: first, that of repairing damage, for if I have damaged my neighbor's fence, I "make a mend," and that is a direct amend; the second way is by modifying my behavior, for if my actions have harmed someone, I make a daily effort to cause no further harm. I "mend my ways," and that is an indirect amend. Which is the best approach? The only right approach, provided that I am causing no further harm in so doing, is to do both. If harm is done, then I simply "mend my ways." To take action in this manner assures me of making honest amends.
Copyright 1990
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*
A "Special" Experience?
"I was the recipient of a tremendous mystic experience or 'illumination,' and at first it was very natural for me to feel that this experience staked me out as somebody very special. But as I now look back upon this tremendous event, I can only feel very grateful. It now seems clear that the only special features of my experience were its suddenness and the overwhelming and immediate conviction that it carried. In all other respects, however, I am sure that my own experience was essentially like that received by any A.A. member who has strenuously practiced our recovery program. Surely, the grace he receives is also of God; the only difference is that he becomes aware of his gift more gradually."
GRAPEVINE, JULY 1962
*~*^Big
Book
Quote^*~*
"If there be divorce or
separation, there should be no undue haste for the couple to get together.
The man should be sure of his recovery. The wife should fully understand his
new way of life. If their old relationship is to be resumed it must be on a
better basis, since the former did not work. This means a new attitude and
spirit all around. Sometimes it is to the best interests of all concerned
that a couple remain apart. Obviously, no rule can be laid down. Let the
alcoholic continue his program day by day. When the time for living together
has come, it will be apparent to both parties."
Alcoholics Anonymous 4th Edition
Working With Others,
Page 99
*^Twenty
Four
Hours A
Day^*
A.A. Thought for the Day
"No one is too discredited, nor has sunk too low, to be welcomed
cordially into A.A., if he or she means business. Social distinctions,
petty rivalries and jealousies are laughed out of countenance. Being
wrecked in the same vessel, being restored and united under one God,
with hearts and minds attuned to the welfare of others, the things that
matter so much to some people no longer signify much to us. In A.A. we have
true democracy and true brotherhood." Has A.A. taught me to be truly
democratic?
Meditation for the Day
When you call on God in prayer to help
you overcome weakness, sorrow, pain, discord, and conflict, God never fails in
some way to answer the appeal. When you are in need of strength for yourself
or for the help of some other person, call on God in prayer. The power you
need will come simply, naturally, and forcefully. Pray to God not only
when you need help, but also just to commune with Him. The spirit of
prayer can alter an atmosphere from one of discord to one of
reconciliation. It will raise the quality of thought and word and bring
order out of chaos.
Prayer
for the Day
I pray that I may bring peace
where there is discord. I pray that I may bring conciliation where there is
conflict.
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