AA Thought for the Day
December 10
Helping Others
When I talk to a newcomer to AA, my past looks me straight in the face.
I see the pain in those hopeful eyes, I extend my hand, and then the miracle happens: I become healed.
My problems vanish as I reach out to this trembling soul.
- As Bill Sees It, p. 274
Thought to Ponder . . .
In AA, we discover that it is impossible to give without receiving, or receive without giving.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H E L P = Hope, Encouragement, Love, Patience.
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~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
Selfishness
"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!"
c. 2001AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 62
Thought to Consider . . .
The smallest package in the world
is an alcoholic all wrapped up in himself.
*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
P A C E = Positive Attitudes Change Everything
*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*
Giving
>From "A Vision for You":
"He [Bill W.] now returned home, leaving behind his first acquaintance [Dr. Bob], the lawyer and the devil-may-care chap. These men had found something brand new in life. Though they knew they must help other alcoholics if they would remain sober, that motive became secondary. It was transcended by the happiness they found in giving themselves for others."
2001 AAWS, Inc., Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 159
*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"God grant that AA may ever stay simple."
AA Co-Founder, Dr. Bob, September 1948
"The Fundamentals in Retrospect"
The Best of the Grapevine, Volume 2
~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*
"Let no alcoholic say he cannot recover unless he has his family
back. This just isn't so. In some cases the wife will never come
back for one reason or another. Remind the prospect that his
recovery is not dependent upon people. It is dependent upon his
relationship with God. We have seen men get well whose families have
not returned at all. We have seen others slip when the family came
back too soon."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 99~
Cessation of drinking is but the first step away from a highly strained, abnormal condition. A doctor said to us, "Years of living with an alcoholic is almost sure to make any wife or child neurotic. The entire family is, to some extent, ill." Let families realize, as they start their journey, that all will not be fair weather. Each in turn may be footsore and may straggle. There will be alluring shortcuts and by-paths down which they may wander and lose their way.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.122
If he wishes to talk, let him do so.
-Alcoholics Anonymous p.91
We sit in A.A. meetings and listen, not only to receive something ourselves, but to give the reassurance and support which our presence can bring.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.110
Misc. AA Literature - Quote
'As sobriety means long life and happiness for the individual, so does unity mean exactly the same thing to our Society as a whole. Unified we live; disunited we shall perish.'
'We must think deeply of all those sick ones still to come to A.A. As they try to make their return to faith and to life, we want them to find everything in A.A. that we have found, and yet more, if that be possible. No care, no vigilance, no effort to preserve A.A.s constant effectiveness and spiritual strength will ever be too great to hold us in full readiness for the day of their homecoming.'
Prayer for the Day: The Morning Light -
Lord of the night,
Be with me through the hours of darkness.
Let all my questions,
Problems, decisions,
Be enveloped in sleep.
That through the mystery
Of the sleeping mind
The difficulties of this day
Will be seen easier
In the morning light.
Into Your hands, O Lord,
I commit my spirit.