January 14
Daily Reflections
NO REGRETS
We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door
on it.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.83
Once I became sober, I began to see how wasteful my
life had been and I experienced overwhelming guilt and
feelings of regret. The program's Fourth and Fifth
Steps assisted me enormously in healing those troubling
regrets. I learned that my self-centeredness and
dishonesty stemmed largely from my drinking and that
I drank because I was an alcoholic. Now I see how even
my most distasteful past experiences can turn to gold
because, as a sober alcoholic, I can share them to help
my fellow alcoholics, particularly newcomers. Sober for
several years in A.A., I no longer regret the past; I
am simply grateful to be conscious of God's love and
of the help I can give to others in the Fellowship.
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As Bill Sees It
Newcomer Problems, p. 14
The temptation is to become rather possessive of newcomers.
Perhaps we try to give them advice about their affairs which we aren't
really competent to give or ought not give at all. Then we are hurt
and confused when the advice is rejected, or when it is accepted and
brings still greater confusion.
<< << << >> >> >>
"You can't make a horse drink water if he still prefers beer or is too
crazy to know what he does want. Set a pail of water beside him, tell
him how good it is and why, and leave him alone.
"If people really want to get drunk, there is, so far as I know, no way
stopping this--so leave them alone and let them get drunk. But don't
exclude them from the water pail, either."
1. 12 & 12, p. 111
2. Letter, 1942
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Alcoholics Anonymous - Fourth Edition
Chapter 7 - WORKING WITH OTHERS
If he is not interested in your solution, if he expects you to act only as a banker for his financial difficulties or a nurse for his sprees, you may have to drop him until he changes his mind. This he may do after he gets hurt some more.
p. 95
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Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
Tradition Six - "An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose."
Soon they'd spotted their man, an A.A. with the necessary experience. Straightway he appeared at New York's A.A. headquarters, asking, "Is there anything in our tradition that suggests I shouldn't take a job like this one? The kind of education seems good to me, and is not too controversial. Do you headquarters folks see any bugs in it?"
pp. 157-158
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You cannot think your way into sober living. You live your way into sober thinking.
I embrace the beauty of life, and depend deeply upon God. --Shelley
"You Can't Change The Wind, But You Can Adjust Your Sails..." Make This Day Shine. --Carol Anne
Without Gods inner source of enlightenment and refreshment, I would soon stagnate and feel despair. --Shelley
God is my constant companion and comfort. --JReid51546
I faithfully, trustfully, have acceptance for God's will, and I therefore find serenity. --Shelley
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Father Leo's Daily Meditation
RESPONSIBILITY
"The fault is in us."
-- Hannah Arendt
As a drunk I would blame everybody for my problems: My family was
too controlling. I did not have people around who understood me. I
worked too hard and the people were too demanding. The weather was
awful!
Today I accept my involvement with my past predicament. Bad things
happened to me because I created them in my life. And this means that
good and creative things can also happen in my life if I create them. I
need not remain the problem. I can be the solution!
Let me discover Your answer in my response to life.
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"As servants of God, live as free people." 1 Peter 1:16
"Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces." Isaiah 25:8
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
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Daily Inspiration
Home should be the happiest place to be. Fill it with love, laughter and good conversation. Lord, give us Your peace and teach us to share it.
Faith grows by speaking daily with God. Lord, You teach me Your promises when times are good so that I will be able to trust in You when times are hard.
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Each Day a New Beginning (Women)
Food for Thought
Language of Letting Go
Today's Gift
Touchstones (Men)
Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Walk In Dry Places