AA Thought For Today - May

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AA Thought for the Day

May 1

Willfulness
My willfulness is still very much a part of me
and may always be a stumbling block to progress in my life.
So I will have to stay very close to AA, where my strength lies.
I am so full of human frailty that I think it is a miracle I am here today.
It's only through AA.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 2], pp. 147-148

Thought to Ponder . . .
Don't give up before the miracle happens.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Always Awesome.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Choices
"During the day, we can pause
where situations must be met and decisions made,
and renew the simple request:
'Thy will, not mine, be done.'
If at these points our emotional disturbance
happens to be great,
we will more surely keep our balance,
provided we remember,
and repeat to ourselves,
a particular prayer or phrase that has appealed to us
in our reading or meditation.
Just saying it over and over will often enable us
to return to the surest help of all--
our search for God's will, not our own,
in the moment of stress."
Bill W., Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pp. 102-3
As Bill Sees It, p. 78

Thought to Consider . . .
"As we go through the day we pause,
when agitated or doubtful,
and ask for the right thought or action."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 87

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
FEAR
False Evidence Appearing Real

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Conference
From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":
In the late 1940s "most of the nonalcoholics on the Board at the time had been institutional [non-profit organization]
men. Bernard Smith on the other hand was a businessman and lawyer. From the time he had joined the Board, three
years earlier, he had always favored corporate management for the A.A. office and an elected conference to sit with the
Trustees as the final plan of service structure for Alcoholics Anonymous. "
Chairman Leonard Harrison appointed "Bernard Smith Chairman of the Trustees' Committee on the proposed
Conference [despite] their differences of opinion.
"Bernard Smith has a remarkable faculty for persuasion and negotiation. Moreover, his ideas about a conference had
already taken a deeper hold than any of us realized. [H]e took up the task of convincing the Trustees committee on the
Conference. He put this question to the committee: Shall we set up this Conference of delegates, or shall we forget
about it? To my astonishment the committee unanimously said, 'Let's give the Conference a try.' It seemed like a miracle."
2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 212

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"I had been introverted and tense. I had been blocked by a fat ego that made sharing impossible, by a lack of
communication, by a fear of love. The Fifth Step swept away all those barricades. With some humility, I could begin to
find joy in the simple delights of life."
Brooklyn, N.Y. June 1974
"The Fifth Step -- A Way to Stay High,"
Step By Step

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"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

"If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will
be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new
freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to
shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will
know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will
see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness
and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things
and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our
whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and
of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to
handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize
that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, Page 83~

We perceive that only through utter defeat are we able to take our first steps toward liberation and strength.
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 21

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

We Are Not Fighting
We have ceased fighting anything or anyone--even alcohol. For by this time sanity has returned. We can now react
sanely and normally, and we find that this has happened almost automatically. We see that this new attitude toward
liquor is really a gift of God.
That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We have not even sworn off. Instead,
the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid.
That is how we react--so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, PP. 84-85

Prayer For The Day: Oh Heavenly Father, in whom I live and move and have my being, I humbly pray to you to guide and govern me by your Holy Spirit, that in all the joys, occupations, and cares of this day I may never forget you, but remember that I am ever walking in your sight. In Christ's name, I pray, Amen.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 2

Secrets
I can neither love nor be loved if I allow my secrets to get in the way.
It's the side of myself that I refuse to look at that rules me.
I must be willing to look at the dark side in order to heal my mind and heart
because that is the road to freedom.
It's the side of me that I refuse to look at that rules me.
- Daily Reflections, p. 130

Thought to Ponder . . .
I must walk into darkness to find the light.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O W = Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Humility
"I am still arrogant, self-righteous,
with no humility, even phony at times,
but I'm trying to be a better person
and help my fellowman.
Guess I'll never be a saint,
but whatever I am,
I want to be sober and in AA.
The word 'alcoholic' does not turn me off any more;
in fact, it is music to my ears
when it applies to me."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 463

Thought to Consider . . .
"Many people haven't even a nodding acquaintance
with humility as a way of life."
Bill W., Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 70

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
KISS
Keep It Simple, Surrender

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Strong
From "From Loneliness to Solitude":
"A.A. members are not emotional cripples who need someone to hold their hands every moment of the day and night to
prevent their falling. We grow up with the help of God, as we understand Him, and the fellowship of the group, and by
applying the Twelve Steps to our lives."
1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 109

*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*

God has given me this day to use as I wish; Alcoholics Anonymous shows me how to live it without a drink."
Somerville, Mass., September 1995
"Changes for the Better,"
In Our Own Words

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"At a certain point in the drinking of every alcoholic, he passes
into a state where the most powerful desire to stop drinking is of
absolutely no avail. This tragic situation has already arrived in
practically every case long before it is suspected."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 24~

"When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, Page 64~

It is A.A.’s experience that particularly in these cases we ought to pray that God’s will, whatever it is, be done for others
as well as for ourselves.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 104

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Willingness Is the Key
No matter how much one wishes to try, exactly how can he turn his own will and his own life over to the care of
whatever God he thinks there is?
A beginning, even the smallest, is all that is needed. Once we have placed the key of willingness in the lock and have
the door ever so slightly open, we find that we can always open it some more.
Though self-will may slam it shut again, as it frequently does, it will always respond the moment we again pick up the
key of willingness. TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 35

Prayer For The Day: Dear Father, thank you for the life you have given me. Thank you for giving me a family that is so understanding and supportive of me in everything I do.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 3

Amends
Making amends to my family, and to the families of alcoholics still suffering, will always be important.
Understanding the havoc I created and trying to repair the destruction, will be a lifelong endeavor.
The example of my sobriety may give others hope, and faith to help themselves.
- Daily Reflections, p. 173

Thought to Ponder . . .
It is the highest form of self-respect
to admit mistakes and to make amends for them.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Accountable Actions.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Troubles
"So our troubles, we think,
are basically of our own making.
They arise out of ourselves,
and the alcoholic is an extreme example of
self-will run riot,
though he usually doesn't think so.
Above everything,
we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness.
We must, or it kills us!
Many of us had moral and philosophical
convictions galore,
but we could not live up to them
even though we would have liked to.
Neither could we reduce our
self-centeredness much by wishing
or trying our own power.
We had to have God's help."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 62

Thought to Consider . . .
The task ahead of us
is never as great as the Power behind us.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
FINE
Feeling Insecure, Numb and Empty

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Trust
From "CONCEPT III:"
"Our entire A.A. program rests squarely upon the principle of mutual trust. We trust God, we trust A.A., and we trust
each other. Therefore we cannot do less than trust our leaders in service. The 'Right of Decision' that we offer them is
not only the practical means by which they may act and lead effectively, but it is also the symbol of our implicit confidence."
1962, AAWS, Inc.; Twelve Concepts for World Service by Bill W., page 16

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Today, we enjoy a Fellowship which owes its ever-increasing membership of recovering alcoholics (unprecedented in
human history) to the well-wishers and combined efforts of many outside agencies and services, as well as many
professionals. To these folks, we surely owe a debt of gratitude.
"Yet, the heart of AA remains the same, thank God, when one alcoholic reaches out to another, and we find that we can
do together what none of us could do alone."
Aberdeen, S.D., September 1991
"Sponsorship -- The Heart of AA,"
In Our Own Words

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Most of us sense that real tolerance of other people´s shortcomings
and viewpoints and a respect for their opinions are attitudes which
make us more useful to others."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 19

More than most people the alcoholic leads a double life. He is very
much the actor. To the outer world he presents his stage character.
This is the one he likes his fellows to see. He wants to enjoy a
certain reputation but knows in his heart he doesnt deserve it.
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 73

Could we then foresee that troublesome people were to become our principal teachers of patience and tolerance?
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 141

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

The New A.A. and His FamilyWhen alcoholism strikes, very unnatural situations may develop which work against
marriage partnership and compatible union. If the man is affected, the wife must become the head of the house, often
the breadwinner. As matters get worse, the husband becomes a sick and irresponsible child who needs to be looked
after and extricated from endless scrapes and impasses. Very gradually, usually without any realization of the fact, the
wife is forced to become the mother of an erring boy, and the alcoholic alternately loves and hates her maternal care.
Under the influence of A.A.'[s Twelve Steps, these situations are often set right.
Whether the family goes on a spiritual basis or not, the alcoholic member has to if he would recover. The others must
be convinced of his new status beyond the shadow of a doubt. Seeing is believing to most families who have lived with a drinker.
1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, PP. 117-118
2. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, P. 135

Prayer For The Day: Dear Lord, I thank you for this beautiful day. I ask for your guidance and wisdom as I go into this day. Please grant me the strength and wisdom to overcome the problems I may encounter in this day.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 4

Choice
The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure,
have lost the power of choice in drink.
Our so-called willpower becomes practically nonexistent.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p.24

Thought to Ponder . . .
Just for today, I choose not to drink.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O W = Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Inventory
"A business which takes no regular inventory
usually goes broke.
Taking a commercial inventory is
a fact-finding and a fact-facing process.
If the owner of the business is to be successful,
he cannot fool himself about values.
We did exactly the same thing with our lives.
We took stock honestly.
Being convinced that self,
manifested in various ways,
was what had defeated us,
we considered its common manifestations."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 64

Thought to Consider . . .
In order to recover we have to uncover.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
WHO ME?
Willingness,Honesty, Open-mindedness,Must Exist

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Peace
From "To Handle Sobriety:"
"The more I drank, the more I fantasized everything....I lived in a dream world. A.A. led me gently from this fantasizing
to embrace reality with open arms. And I found it beautiful! For, at last, I was at peace with myself. And with others.
And with God."
2001, AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous, page 559

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

They say love heals all, and I am confident the future is bright."
San Diego, Calif., July 1992
"Bottom's Up,"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the
brainstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of normal
men, but for alcoholics these things are poison."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 66~

"...with us, to drink is to die."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 66~

We shall want to speak with someone who is experienced, who not only has stayed dry but has been able to surmount
other serious difficulties.”
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 61

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Freedom to Choose
Looking back, we see that our freedom to choose badly was not, after all, a very real freedom.
When we choose because we 'must,' this was not a free choice, either. But it got us started in the right direction.
When we choose because we 'ought to,' we were really doing better. This time we were earning some freedom,
making ourselves ready for more.
But when, now and then, we could gladly make right choices without rebellion, hold-out, or conflict, then we had our first
view of what perfect freedom under God's will could be like.
GRAPEVINE, MAY 1960

Prayer For The Day: Father in Heaven, Thank you for watching over me as I slept through the night. Your hands of comfort and strength held me as You watched over me. Father, I love You. You love me so much and I am in awe of how amazing You truly are. As I begin my day, I simply pray that you walk with me and lead me where you please. May Your will be done this day. Amen.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 5

Anger
It is a spiritual axiom that every time we are disturbed,
no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with us.
If somebody hurts us and we are sore, we are in the wrong also.
But are there no exceptions to this rule? What about "justifiable" anger?
If somebody cheats us, aren't we entitled to be mad? . . .
For us of AA these are dangerous exceptions.
We have found that justified anger ought to be left to those better qualified to handle it.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 90

Thought to Ponder . . .
Anger is the wind that blows out the light of reason.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Avoid Anger.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Power
"We could wish to be moral,
we could wish to be philosophically comforted,
in fact, we could will these things with all our might,
but the needed power wasn't there.
Our human resources,
as marshalled by the will, were not sufficient;
they failed utterly.
Lack of power, that was our dilemma.
We had to find a power by which we could live,
and it had to be a
Power greater than ourselves."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 45

Thought to Consider . . .
Willpower ... our will-ingness to use a Higher Power.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
FAITH
For An Instant Trust Him

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Destiny
"A Vision For You"
"Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the
wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and
you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny."
2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 164

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"My sponsor taught me how to be of service with grace and gratitude. She taught me how to listen, how to be
respectful, and most importantly, to mind my own business."
Palm Springs, Calif., May 2012
"Stitch and Giggle,"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Some drinkers have excuses with which they are satisfied part of the
time. But in their hearts they really do not know why they do it.
Once this malady has a real hold, they are a baffled lot. There is
the obsession that somehow, someday, they will beat the game. But
they often suspect they are down for the count."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 23~

"Once we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are delighted.
We can look the world in the eye. We can be alone at perfect peace and
ease. Our fears fall from us. We begin to feel the nearness of our
Creator. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to
have a spiritual experience."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 75

Only Step One, where we made the 100 percent admission we were powerless over alcohol, can be practiced with absolute perfection.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 68

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Look Beyond the Horizon
My workshop stands on a hill back of our home. Looking over the valley, I see the village community house where our
local group meets. Beyond the circle of my horizon lies the whole world of A.A.
The unity of A.A. is the most cherished quality our Society has. Our lives, the lives of all to come, depend squarely upon
it. Without unity, the heart of A.A. would cease to beat; our world arteries would no longer carry the life-giving grace of God.
1. A.A. TODAY, P. 7
2. TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 129

Prayer For The Day: May the God of hope fill me and all of us with the joy and peace that comes from believing, so that we may abound in hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 6

Communication
Because of our kinship in suffering,
and because our common means of deliverance are effective for ourselves
only when constantly carried to others,
our channels of contact have always been charged with the language of the heart.
- The Language Of The Heart, p. 243

Thought to Ponder . . .
Modem-to-modem or face-to-face,
AA's speak the language of the heart.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
E S H = Experience, Strength and Hope.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Control
"Most of us have been unwilling to admit
we were real alcoholics.
No person likes to think he is bodily and mentally
different from his fellows.
Therefore, it is not surprising
that our drinking careers have been characterized
by countless vain attempts to prove
we could drink like other people.
The idea that somehow, someday he will control
and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession
of every abnormal drinker.
The persistence of this illusion is astonishing.
Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 30

Thought to Consider . . .
When a person tries to control their drinking
they have already lost control.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
STEPS
Solutions To Every Problem in Sobriety

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Honesty
From "Our Survival:"
"The HONESTY expressed by the members of A.A. in meetings has the power to open my mind. Nothing can block the
flow of energy that HONESTY carries with it. The only obstacle to this flow of energy is inebriation, but even then, no
one will find a closed door if he or she has left and chooses to return. Once he or she has received the gift of sobriety,
each A.A. member is challenged on a daily basis to accept a program of HONESTY."
1990, Daily Reflections, page 311

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

It doesn't matter who or what God is if I can just remember it's not me!"
Ranchester, Wyo., May 2012
"Sunsets -- Not My Idea,"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and
express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than
ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that
Power, which is God."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 46~

"Neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing or
trying on our own power. We had to have God's help."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 62

Step Four is our vigorous and painstaking effort to discover what these liabilities in each of us have been, and are.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 42

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

'Admitted to God . . . '
Provided you hold back nothing in taking the Fifth Step, your sense of relief will mount from minute to minute. The
dammed-up emotions of years break out of their confinement, and miraculously vanish as soon as they are exposed.
As the pain subsides, a healing tranquility takes its place. And when humility and serenity are so combined, something
else of great moment is apt to occur. TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 62

Prayer For The Day: Dear Father, I thank you for helping me when I need it most. I pray you help me help others when they are in need.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 7

Pass It On
I'll never forget the first time I met Bill Wilson.
I was a couple of months sober and so excited,
so thrilled to actually meet the co-founder that I gushed all over him
with what my sobriety meant to me and my undying gratitude for his starting AA.
When I ran down, he took my hand in his and said simply, "Pass it on."
- 'Pass It On' -- The Story of Bill Wilson and How the AA Message Reached the World, Preface.

Thought to Ponder . . .
In AA we don't carry the alcoholic; we carry the message.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
S O B E R = Simply Observe Bill's Enduring Recovery.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Control
"Most of us have been unwilling to admit
we were real alcoholics.
No person likes to think he is bodily and mentally
different from his fellows.
Therefore, it is not surprising
that our drinking careers have been characterized
by countless vain attempts to prove
we could drink like other people.
The idea that somehow, someday he will control
and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession
of every abnormal drinker.
The persistence of this illusion is astonishing.
Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 30

Thought to Consider . . .
When a person tries to control their drinking
they have already lost control.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
STEPS
Solutions To Every Problem in Sobriety

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Honesty
From "Our Survival:"
"The HONESTY expressed by the members of A.A. in meetings has the power to open my mind. Nothing can block the
flow of energy that HONESTY carries with it. The only obstacle to this flow of energy is inebriation, but even then, no
one will find a closed door if he or she has left and chooses to return. Once he or she has received the gift of sobriety,
each A.A. member is challenged on a daily basis to accept a program of HONESTY."
1990, Daily Reflections, page 311

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Everyone's recipe for serenity is different. It's like vegetable soup -- nobody makes it quite the same."
Chestertown, N.Y., January 2006
"Circles of Sobriety,"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and
express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than
ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that

Power, which is God."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 46~

"Neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing or
trying on our own power. We had to have God's help."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 62

Having so considered our day, not omitting to take due note of things well done, and having searched our hearts with
neither fear nor favor, we can truly thank God for the blessings we have received and sleep in good conscience.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 95

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Persistence in Prayer
We often tend to slight serious meditation and prayer as something not really necessary. To be sure, we feel it is
something that might help us to meet an occasional emergency, but at first many of us are apt to regard it as a
somewhat mysterious skill of clergymen, from which we may hope to get a secondhand benefit.
In A.A. we have found that the actual good results of prayer are beyond question. They are matters of knowledge and
experience. All those who have persisted have found strength not ordinarily their own. They have found wisdom beyond
their usual capability. And they have increasingly found a peace of mind which can stand in the face of difficult
circumstances. TWELVE AND TWELVE- 1. P. 96 - 2. P. 104

Prayer For The Day: Dear Lord, You are my light and salvation. With you I am not afraid and have nothing to fear. Thank you for being there for me even when the hour is darkest.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 8

Time
And what is time to me now? It is a most precious asset.
I have the luxury of being able to cherish the memory of yesterday,
to live today with serenity, to wait for tomorrow.
I find great contentment in just knowing where I was and where I am.
And I am grateful; grateful the existence of Alcoholics Anonymous;
grateful to my God for leading me to the doors of AA and to Himself, grateful for hope.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 2], p. 21

Thought to Ponder . . .
I am grateful for this minute. My eternity may be in it.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
T I M E = This Is My Eternity.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Friendship
"We commenced to make many fast friends
and a fellowship has grown up among us
of which it is a wonderful thing to feel a part of.
The joy of living we really have,
even under pressure and difficulty.
I have seen hundreds of families set their feet
in the path that really goes somewhere;
have seen the most impossible
domestic situations righted;
feuds and bitterness of all sorts wiped out.
I have seen men come out of asylums
and resume a vital place in the lives
of their families and communities.
Business and professional men
have regained their standing.
There is scarcely any form of trouble and misery
which has not been overcome among us."
Bill W., Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 15

Thought to Consider . . .
"Most of us feel we need look no further for Utopia.
We have it with us right here and now."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 16

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
EGO
Easing God Out

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Psychology
From "Medicine Looks at Alcoholics Anonymous":":
"As excuse-makers and rationalizers, we drunks are champions. It is the business of the psychiatrist to get behind our
excuses and to find the deeper causes for our conduct. Though uninstructed in psychiatry, we can, after a little time in
A.A., see that our motives have not been what we thought they were and that we have been motivated by forces
unknown to us. Therefore we ought to look with the deepest respect, interest, and profit upon the findings of psychiatry,
remembering that up to now the psychiatrists have been far more tolerant of us than we have been of them. "Bill W."
2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 236

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Should our present success continue, people will commence to assert that AA is a brand new way of life, maybe a
new religion, capable of saving the world. We shall be told it is our bounden duty to show modern society how it ought to live ...
"Fortunately most of us are convinced that these are perilous speculations, alluring ingredients of that new heady wine
we are now being offered, each bottle marked 'Success'!
"Of this subtle vintage may we never drink too deeply."
AA Co-Founder, Bill W., April 1948
"Tradition Five"
The Language of the Heart

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get
well regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trust in
God and clean house."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 98~

"No words can tell of the loneliness and despair I found in that
bitter morass of self pity. Quicksand stretched around me in all
directions. I had met my match. I had been overwhelmed. Alcohol
was my master."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, pg. 8

During this process of learning more about humility, the most profound result of all was the change in our attitude toward God.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 75

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Back To Work
It is possible for us to use the alleged dishonesty of other people as a plausible excuse for not meeting our own obligations.
Once, some prejudiced friends exhorted me never to go back to Wall Street. They were sure that the rampant
materialism and double-dealing down there would stunt my spiritual growth. Because this sounded so high-minded, I
continued to stay away from the only business that I knew.
When, finally, my household went broke, I realized I hadn't been able to face the prospect of going back to work. So I
returned to Wall Street, and I have ever since been glad that I did. I needed to rediscover that there are many fine people
in New York's financial district. Then, too, I needed the experience of staying sober in the very surroundings where
alcohol had cut me down.
A Wall Street business trip to Akron, Ohio, first brought me face to face with Dr. Bob. So the birth of A.A. hinged on my
effort to meet my bread-and-butter responsibilities. GRAPEVINE, AUGUST 1961

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AA Thought for the Day

May 9

Surrender
On the face of it, surrendering certainly doesn't sound like winning.
But it is in AA. . .
We must, and we do, surrender to win.
- Experience, Strength and Hope, pp. 155-156

Thought to Ponder . . .
Avoidance is not the key; surrender opens the door.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
K I S S = Keep It Simple; Surrender.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Anonymity
"We have denied ourselves personal government,
professionalism, and the right to say
who our members shall be.
We have abandoned do-goodism,
reform, and paternalism.
We refuse charitable money and prefer
to pay our own way.
We will cooperate with practically everybody,
yet we decline to marry our Society to anyone.
We abstain from public controversy and will not
quarrel among ourselves about
those things that so rip society asunder--
religion, politics, and reform.
We have but one purpose;
to carry the AA message
to the sick alcoholic who wants it."
Bill W., The Language of the Heart, p. 211

Thought to Consider . . .
AA is not something you join, it's a way of life.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
ANONYMOUS
Actions Not Our Names Yield Maintenance Of Unity & Service

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Psychology
From "Medicine Looks at Alcoholics Anonymous":":
"As excuse-makers and rationalizers, we drunks are champions. It is the business of the psychiatrist to get behind our
excuses and to find the deeper causes for our conduct. Though uninstructed in psychiatry, we can, after a little time in
A.A., see that our motives have not been what we thought they were and that we have been motivated by forces
unknown to us. Therefore we ought to look with the deepest respect, interest, and profit upon the findings of psychiatry,
remembering that up to now the psychiatrists have been far more tolerant of us than we have been of them. "Bill W."
2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 236

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"How will I know if I've really hit my bottom?' I asked at my home group. 'When you stop digging,' they told me."
Chelsea, Mich., November 2002
"The Foundation,"
In Our Own Words

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Faith without works was dead, he said. And how appallingly true for
the alcoholic! For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his
spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could
not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. If he did not
work, he would surely drink again, and if he drank, he would surely
die. Then faith would be dead indeed. With us it is just like that."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, pg. 14~

"It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to
futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit
these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 66~

Then he asked for the grace to bring love, forgiveness, harmony, truth, faith, hope, light, and joy to every human being he could.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 101

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

The Way of Strength
We need not apologize to anyone for depending upon the Creator. We have good reason to disbelieve those who think
spirituality is the way of weakness. For us, it is the way of strength.
The verdict of the ages is that men of faith seldom lack courage. They trust their God. So we never apologize for our
belief in Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, P. 68

Prayer For The Day: Dear Father, life seems so hard at times and I can hardly get through. I close my eyes and hand you my troubles for I know you can do much better than I. Thank you Lord for your blessings and kindness.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 10

New Habits
Our drinking was connected with many habits -- big and little.
Some of them were thinking habits, or things we felt inside ourselves.
Others were doing habits -- things we did, actions we took.
In getting used to not drinking, we have found that we needed new habits
to take the place of the old ones.
- Living Sober, Preface

Thought to Ponder . . .
Habits are like cork or lead -- they tend to keep you up or hold you down.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Altered Attitudes.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Sunlight
"It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment
leads only to futility and unhappiness.
To the precise extent that we permit these,
do we squander the hours that might have been worthwhile.
This business of resentment is infinitely grave.
We found that it is fatal.
For when harboring such feelings
we shut ourselves off from
the sunlight of the Spirit.
The insanity of alcohol returns and we drink again.
And with us, to drink is to die."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 66

Thought to Consider . . .
"I have been given a quiet place in bright sunshine."
Bill W., Box 1980: The AA Grapevine, Jan. 1958.
The Language of the Heart, p. 238

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
CALM
Can Anger Leave Me

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":
"But at one of these [Trustee] meetings in the early fall of 1938, Frank Amos popped up with an idea which opened the
door upon our real future. Frank said, 'One of my friends, Eugene Exman, is Religious Editor of Harper. Perhaps he
would be interested in your [Bill W.'s] new book. Why don't you go down there and show him the few chapters you have
done? I'll fix it up for you.'
"So down I went to meet Gene Exman, another wonderful friend-to-be of our society. I related the tale of our struggles
and handed over to him my first attempt at authorship. While I waited Gene thoughtfully scanned the two chapters. Then
he asked, 'Could you do a whole book in this style? And how many months would it take you?' I was shaking, but I had
an answer ready: 'I believe I can do it. It will probably take nine or ten months.' Thereupon he made a proposal that was
surprising. 'If it would help things along,' he said, 'I think Harper might be willing to advance you $1,500 in royalties. This
amount would be deducted from your account when the book is finished in 1939.'
"Again in the clouds, I left Harper to break the great news to the gang."
2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pgs. 153-54

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"AA works on all kinds of nuts (including myself). I just needed to find the right wrench."
Oceanside, Calif., November 2013
"The Right Wrench,"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Many of us felt that we had plenty of character. There was a
tremendous urge to cease forever. Yet we found it impossible. This
is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it this utter
inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or the
wish."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 34~

"We think it no concern of ours what religious bodies our members
identify themselves with as individuals. This should be an entirely
personal affair which each one decides for himself in the light of
past associations, or his present choice."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 28~

God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, Courage to change the things we can, And wisdom to know the difference.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 125

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Our Problem Centers in the Mind
We know as long as the alcoholic keeps away from drink, he usually reacts much like other men. We are equally
positive that once he takes any alcohol whatever into his system, something happens, in both the bodily and the mental
sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop. The experience of any alcoholic will abundantly confirm this.
These observations would be academic and pointless if our friend never took the first drink, thereby setting the terrible
cycle in motion. Therefore, the main problem of the alcoholic centers in his mind, rather than in his body.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, PP. 22-23

Prayer For The Day: We know, Lord, that throughout our lives each of us will experience problems and difficulties. Give us courage and strength at those times and prevent us then from looking only at ourselves. Keep our vision wide so that, even in times of difficulty, we may still be of help to others. Help us not to be bitter towards people or situations, but empower us to take the initiative and break the cycle of hatred, bitterness, and evil actions. Help us to transform the difficulties that come our way into opportunities for personal growth and service of others. Amen.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 11

Steps Four and Five
If we have swept the searchlight of Step Four back and forth over our careers,
and it has revealed in stark relief those experiences we'd rather not remember, . .
then the need to quit living by ourselves with those tormenting ghosts of yesterday
gets more urgent than ever. We have to talk to somebody about them.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 55

Thought to Ponder . . .
Trust God. Clean house. Help others.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
S T E P S = Solutions Through Each Powerful Step.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Maturity
"Many oldsters who have put our AA 'booze cure'
to severe but successful tests
still find they often lack emotional sobriety.
To attain this,
we must develop a real maturity and balance
(which is to say humility)
in our relations with ourselves,
with our fellows,
and with God."
Bill W., Box 1980: The AA Grapevine, January 1958
As Bill Sees It, p. 244

Thought to Consider . . .
"We must find a spiritual basis of life -- or else."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 44

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
AA
Attitude Adjustment

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Inspiration
From "This Spirit Touch":
"At some time, perhaps in a more moderate way, nearly everyone has experienced this spirit touch of God" the fleeting
feeling of insight, love, joy, and 'The world is right.' Once, I thought that only unusual circumstances made these
moments possible. Actually, I now think, they are forecasts of what one can have if one is willing to take the time and
make the effort. Peace, love, and joy can be sought through quiet thinking and honest prayer. The wholeness, the new
awareness, that is produced affects one's relationship with God and man to a degree greater than would seem possible
in ordinary life."
AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg. 65

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"The AA program does not recognize walls. It is immune to the conditions which break down an individual relationship,
the difference in social levels, of intellect, of experience. AA takes no heed of this. It has one primary law, help your
fellow man and do it by example rather than by instruction."
Walla Walla,Wash., February 1955
"Prisoner AA,"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic, but you can
quickly diagnose yourself, Step over to the nearest barroom and try
some controlled drinking. Try to drink and stop abruptly. Try it
more than once. It will not take long for you to decide, if you are
honest with yourself about it. It may be worth a bad case of jitters
if you get a full knowledge of your condition."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 31~

"Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn't be shy
on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 85

It is worth noting that people of very high spiritual development almost always insist on checking with friends or spiritual
advisers the guidance they feel they have received from God.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 60

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Obstacles in Our Path
We live in a world riddled with envy. To a greater or lesser degree, everybody is infected with it. From this defect we
must surely get a warped yet definite satisfaction. Else why would we consume so much time wishing for what we have
not, rather than working for it, or angrily looking for attributes we shall never have, instead of adjusting to the fact, and
accepting it?
Each of us would like to live at peace with himself and with his fellows. We would like to be assured that the grace of
God can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
We have seen that character defects based upon shortsighted or unworthy desires are the obstacles that block our
path toward these objectives. We now clearly see that we have been making unreasonable demands upon ourselves,
upon others, and upon God.
TWELVE AND TWELVE
1. P. 67
2. P. 76

Prayer For The Day: Dear Lord, no matter how old I get I still feel young and niave. Grant me the wisdom to chose the right path. Guide me for I do not know the way.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 12

Absolute Certainty
The central part of our lives today
is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives
in a way which is indeed miraculous.
He has commenced to accomplish those things for us
which we could never do by ourselves.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 25

Thought to Ponder . . .
Life is an ongoing miracle.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
G I F T = God Is Forever There.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Forgiveness
"The moment we ponder a twisted or broken relationship
with another person,
our emotions go on the defensive.
To escape looking at the wrongs we have done another,
we resentfully focus
on the wrong he has done us.
This is especially true if he has, in fact,
behaved badly at all.
Triumphantly, we seize upon his misbehavior
as the perfect excuse for minimizing
or forgetting our own.
If we are now about to ask forgiveness for ourselves,
why shouldn't we start out by forgiving them, one and all?"
Bill W., Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 78

Thought to Consider . . .
We are prisoners of our own resentments.
Forgiveness unlocks the door and sets us free.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
KISS
Keep It Simple, Surrender

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Reborn
From "Bill's Story":
"Trembling, I stepped from the hospital a broken man. Fear sobered me for a bit. Then came the insidious insanity of
that first drink, and on Armistice Day 1934, I was off again. Everyone became resigned to the certainty that I would have
to be shut up somewhere, or would stumble along to a miserable end. How dark it is before the dawn! In reality that was
the beginning of my last debauch. I was soon to be catapulted into what I like to call the fourth dimension of existence. I
was to know happiness, peace, and usefulness, in a way of life that is incredibly more wonderful as time passes."
2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 8

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"I'm still mystified by how I got sober, and the only answer that makes sense is that I stopped drinking through the grace
of God. I was thinking about the difference between those of us who get sober and those who are still drinking, and I
believe the difference is that we have accepted the grace that was offered. Every day, my Higher Power gives me the
grace to be sober, and every day I make the choice not to drink, to accept the grace."
La Crescenta, Calif., February 1993
"The Gift of Sobriety,"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show,
humbly saying to ourselves many times each day "Thy will be done." We
are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-
pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do
not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we
did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 87~

"In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be
able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for
inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take
it easy. We don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right
answers come after we have tried this for a while."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 86

Practically every A.A. member declares that no satisfaction has been deeper and no joy greater than in a Twelfth Step job well done.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 110

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Spot-Checking
A spot-check inventory taken in the midst of disturbances can be of very great help in quieting stormy emotions.
Today's spot check finds its chief application to situations which arise in each day's march. The consideration of long-
standing difficulties had better be postponed, when possible, to times deliberately set aside for that purpose.
The quick inventory is aimed at our daily ups and downs, especially those where people or new events throw us off
balance and tempt us to make mistakes. TWELVE AND TWELVE, PP. 90-91

Prayer For The Day: The night has passed, the sun shines its light upon us, and the day lies open before me. As I rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence fill me with love for you and my fellow man, holy God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Abide with me, I pray, now and forever. Amen.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 13

Grace
I'm still mystified by how I got sober, and the only answer that makes sense
is that I stopped drinking through the grace of God.
I was thinking about the difference between those of us who get sober
and those who are still drinking,
and I believe the difference is that we have accepted the grace that was offered.
- The AA Grapevine, February, 1993

Thought to Ponder . . .
Joy is in knowing there is an answer.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
G R A C E = Gently Releasing All Conscious Expectations.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Disease
"Some strongly object to the AA position
that alcoholism is an illness.
This concept, they feel, removes
moral responsibility from alcoholics.
As any AA knows, this is far from true.
We do not use the concept of sickness
to absolve our members from responsibility.
On the contrary, we use the fact of fatal illness
to clamp the heaviest kind of moral obligation
onto the sufferer,
the obligation to use AA's Twelve Steps to get well."
Bill W., Talk, 1960 As Bill Sees It, p. 32

Thought to Consider . . .
The road to recovery is always under construction.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
STEPS
Solutions To Every Problem in Sobriety

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Candor
STEP FIVE: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
"When we reached A.A., and for the first time in our lives stood among people who seemed to understand, the sense of
belonging was tremendously exciting. We thought the isolation problem had been solved. But we soon discovered that
while we weren't alone any more in a social sense we still suffered many of the old pangs of anxious apartness. Until
we had talked with complete candor of our conflicts, and had listened to someone else do the same thing, we still didn't
belong. Step Five was the answer. It was the beginning of true kinship with man and God."
1952, AAWS, Inc.; Printed 2005; Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pg. 57

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

While I have years of sobriety, I really only have this day."
Mesa, Ariz., February 1993
"Overcoming Depression and Fear,"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"If you are as seriously alcoholic as we were, we believe there is no
middle-of-the-road solution. We were in a position where life was
becoming impossible, and if we had passed into the region from which
there is no return through human aid, we had but two alternatives:
One was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of
our intolerable situation as best we could; and the other, to accept
spiritual help. This we did because we honestly wanted to, and were
willing to make the effort."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 46~

"...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."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 132

This all meant, of course, that we had substituted negative for positive thinking.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 30

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

'Privileged People'
I saw that I had been living too much alone, too much aloof from my fellows, and too deaf to that voice within. Instead of
seeing myself as a simple agent bearing the message of experience, I had thought of myself as a founder of A.A.
How much better it would have been had I felt gratitude rather than self-satisfaction--gratitude that I had once suffered
the pains of alcoholism, gratitude that a miracle of recovery had been worked upon me from above, gratitude for the
privilege of serving my fellow alcoholics, and gratitude for those fraternal ties which bound me ever closer to them in a
comradeship such as few societies of men have ever known.
Truly did a clergyman say to me, 'Your misfortune has become your good fortune. You A.A.'s are a privileged people.'
GRAPEVINE, JULY 1946

Prayer For The Day: Dear heavenly Father, I honor You as my King and Lord, I submit myself to You to do Your will. Thank you, for Your love for me. I am grateful that You are a loving and forgiving God. I want to thank You also for the abundant blessings that You have given me. One of those blessings is that I can lay my head down each night and enjoy sweet sleep, and at times, You even speak to me in my dreams. It is such a blessing to have Your love, peace and joy. No amount of money can buy these blessings. I just want to say a special thanks for these gifts. Bless my brothers and sisters with Your love and guidance and lead us all into more truth. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 14

Challenges
Like most people, we have found we can take our big lumps as they come.
But also like others we often discover a greater challenge
in the lesser and more continuous problems of life.
Our answer is in still more spiritual development.
Only by this means can we improve our chances for really happy and useful living.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 144

Thought to Ponder . . .
Life is a steady drizzle of small things -- carry an umbrella.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Always Awesome.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Awakening
"Alcoholism is a grievous and often fatal malady
of the mind and body.
We have found that these awful conditions invariably
bring on the third phase of our malady.
This is the sickness of the spirit;
a sickness for which there must necessarily
be a spiritual remedy.
We AA's recognize this in the first five words
of Step Twelve.
Those words are:
'Having had a spiritual awakening...'
Here we name the remedy for our threefold sickness
of body, mind, and soul."
Bill W., The Language of the Heart, p. 297

Thought to Consider . .
"When the spiritual malady is overcome,
we straighten out mentally and physically."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 64
.
*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
P R O G R A M
People Relying On God Relaying A Message.

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Sabotage
"From "Tightrope":
"After a few years, I was a nightly blackout drinker. My lover drank heavily as well, and I began to compare my drinking
with his. I argued to myself that I could not have a problem because his drinking was worse than mine at times. In fact, I
suggested that he might try A.A. When he did try this Fellowship, I did all I could to undermine his efforts to get sober
his recovery would present an obvious, if unacknowledged, threat to my drinking. Eventually, the stress became too
much and we broke up, but not before I had succeeded in undermining his recovery."
2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 361

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"Sometimes I wonder if this illness isn't a gift rather than a problem."
Kingston, Ontario, July 1980
"A Reason for Living,"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Everybody knows that those in bad health, and those who seldom play, do not laugh much. So let each family play
together or separately as much as their circumstances warrant. We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 132~

Those of us who have spent much time in the world of spiritual make-
believe have eventually seen the childishness of it. This dream
world has been replaced by a great sense of purpose, accompanied by a
growing consciousness of the power of God in our lives. We have come
to believe He would like us to keep our heads in the clouds with Him,
but that our feet ought to be firmly planted on earth. That is where
our fellow travelers are, and that is where our work must be done.
These are the realities for us. We have found nothing incompatible
between a powerful spiritual experience and a life of sane and happy usefulness."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 130~

All of A.A.’s Twelve Steps ask us to go contrary to our natural desires . . . they all deflate our egos.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 55

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

The Individual's Rights
We believe there isn't a fellowship on earth which devotes more care to its individual members; surely there is none
which more jealously guards the individual's right to think, talk, and act as he wishes. No A.A. can compel another to do
anything; nobody can be punished or expelled.
Our Twelve Steps to recovery are suggestions; the Twelve Traditions which guarantee A.A.'s unity contain not a single
'Don't.' They repeatedly say, 'We ought . . .' but never 'You must!
Though it is traditional that our Fellowship may not coerce anyone, let us not suppose even for an instant that we are
not under constraint. Indeed, we are under enormous coercion--the kind that comes in bottles. Our former tyrant, King
Alcohol, always stands ready again to clutch us to him.
'Therefore, freedom from alcohol is the great 'must' that has to be achieved, else we go mad or die.'
1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 129
2. LETTER, 1966

Prayer For The Day: Simple Thanks -
For our restful sleep at night,
for the rain and sunshine bright,
For the love that Thou dost send,
For our homes and for each friend,
For the day and all its pleasures,
Grateful thanks I render now.
May our lives pass on the blessings,
None can give to us, but Thou.
Amen.

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AA Thought for the Day

May 15

An Open Mind
Reluctantly, I opened my mind to the fact that maybe, just maybe,
there was something to this spiritual lifestyle.
Slowly, but surely, I realized there was indeed a Power greater than myself,
and I soon found myself with a full-time God in my life and following a spiritual path
that didn't conflict with my personal religious convictions.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 287

Thought to Ponder . . .
Life will take on new meaning.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Always Alive.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Conflict
"My conflicts went right on mounting
because I was simply loaded with excuses and refusals.
When these troubles had finally exhausted me enough,
there was yet another escape.
I would commence to wallow in the bog of guilt.
Here pride and rebellion would give way to depression.
My main theme always was, 'How god-awful I am.'
There was never a decent regret for the harms I had done,
nor was there any serious thought of making such
restitution as I could.
The idea of asking God's forgiveness,
let alone any forgiveness of myself,
never occurred to me.
My really big liability - spiritual pride and arrogance-
was not examined at all.
I had shut out the light by which I might have seen it."
Bill W., The Language of the Heart, p. 257-8

Thought to Consider . . .
Simply asking for help seems to be a help in itself.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
HOW
Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness: that's how we do it

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Disease
From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":
"We know of course that the alcoholic is a sick person. That is a very simple phrase. It is today a phrase that is widely
and generally accepted, and yet you and I know that it was not so long ago that the alcoholic was regarded as a
nuisance, a pest, a person who could snap out of it if he really wanted to. He was regarded as a spoiled brat and a no-
good. Today we know that he is an individual who is sick, and we know that he is sick in an area of which our
understanding is perhaps the least of any area in medicine, namely, illness of the emotions. “ Dr. W.W. Bauer, 1955"
2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 239

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"During days and nights of darkness as I face the demons of self, the knowledge that my God is always in charge keeps
me trudging to the end of each journey. With God, AA, and willingness I can meet the other me and begin putting my
fractured self together again."
Cleveland, Ohio, February 1993
"Facing the Truth,"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Much to our relief, we discovered we did not need to consider
another's conception of God. Our own conception, however inadequate,
was sufficient to make the approach and to effect a contact with
Him. As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a Creative
Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of
things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power and
direction, provided we took other simple steps."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 46~

"Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction
of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of
Light who presides over us all."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill's Story, pg. 14~

During this process of learning more about humility, the most profound result of all was the change in our attitude toward God.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 75

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Victory in Defeat
Convinced I never could belong, and vowing I'd never settle for any second-rate status, I felt I simply had to dominate in
everything I chose to do: work or play. As this attractive formula for the good life began to succeed, according to my
then specifications of success, I became deliriously happy.
But when an undertaking occasionally did fail, I was filled with resentment and depression that could be cured only by
the next triumph. Very early, therefore, I came to value everything in terms of victory or defeat--'all or nothing.' The only
satisfaction I knew was to win.
Only through utter defeat are we able to take our first steps toward liberation and strength. Our admissions of personal
powerlessness finally turn out to be firm bedrock upon which happy and purposeful lives may be built.
1. GRAPEVINE, JANUARY 1962
2. TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 21

Prayer For The Day: Loving Lord, inspire me to bring out the best in others and “touch hearts” by being welcoming and generous and always positive in attitude, showing individuals that they matter and are important. May those who are part of my life this day treat me in the same way as I treat them. Amen.