Daily Reflections

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AT THE TURNING POINT

Daily Reflections – January 7

Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 59

THE VICTORY OF SURRENDER

Daily Reflections – January 6

We perceive that 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. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 21

TOTAL ACCEPTANCE

Daily Reflections – January 5

He cannot picture life without alcohol Some day he will be unable to imagine life either  with alcohol  or without  it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 152

 

BEGIN WHERE YOU ARE

Daily Reflections – January 4

We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations and affairs. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 19

POWERLESS

Daily Reflections – January 3

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 21

FIRST, THE FOUNDATION

Daily Reflections – January 2

Is sobriety all that we can expect of a spiritual awakening? No, sobriety is only a bare beginning. AS BILL SEES IT, p. 8

"I AM A MIRACLE"

Daily Reflections – January 1

The central fact 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. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 25

DAILY RESOLUTIONS

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 31

The idea of "twenty-four-hour living" applies primarily to the emotional life of the individual. Emotionally speaking, we must not live in yesterday, nor in tomorrow. AS BILL SEES IT, p. 284

ANONYMITY

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 30

Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 564

THE JOY OF LIVING

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 29

. . . therefore the joy of good living is the theme of A.A.'s Twelfth Step. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 125

SUIT UP AND SHOW UP

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 28

In  A.A.  we  aim  not  only  for  sobriety—we  try  again  to become citizens of the world that we rejected, and of the world that once rejected us. This is the ultimate demonstration toward which Twelfth Step work is the first but not the final step. AS BILL SEES IT, p. 21

PROBLEM SOLVING

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 27

"Quite as important was the discovery that spiritual principles would solve all my problems." ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 42

ACCEPTING SUCCESS OR FAILURE

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 26

Furthermore, how shall we come to terms with seeming failure or success? Can we now accept and adjust to either without despair or pride? Can we accept poverty, sickness, loneliness,  and  bereavement  with  courage  and  serenity? Can we steadfastly content ourselves with the humbler, yet sometimes more durable, satisfactions when the brighter, more glittering achievements are denied us? TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 112

AT PEACE WITH LIFE

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 25

Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities "How can I best serve Thee— Thy will (not mine) be done."
ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 85

I  read  this  passage  each  morning,  to  start  off  my  day, because it is a continual reminder to "practice these principles in all my affairs." When I keep God's will at the forefront  of my mind, I am able to do what I should be doing, and that puts me at peace with life, with myself and with God.

A "SANE AND HAPPY USEFULNESS"

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 24

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. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 130

RECOVERY, UNITY, SERVICE

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 23

Our Twelfth Step—carrying the message—is the basic service that AA's Fellowship gives; this is our principal aim and the main reason for our existence.
THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART, p. 160

PRINCIPLES, NOT PERSONALITIES

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 22

The way our "worthy" alcoholics have sometimes tried to judge the "less worthy" is, as we look back on it, rather comical.   Imagine,   if   you   can,   one  alcoholic   judging another! THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART, p. 37

LISTEN, SHARE AND PRAY

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 21

When working with a man and his family, you should take care not to participate in their  quarrels.  You may spoil your chance of being helpful if you do. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 100

When trying to help a fellow alcoholic, I've given in to an impulse to give advice, and perhaps that's inevitable. But allowing  others  the  right  to  be  wrong  reaps  its  own benefits. The best I can do— and it sounds easier than it is to   put   into   practice—   is   to   listen,   share   personal experience, and pray for others.

THE REWARDS OF GIVING

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 20

This is indeed the kind of giving that actually demands nothing. He does not expect his brother sufferer to pay him, or even to love him.  And then he discovers  that  by the divine paradox of this kind of giving he has found his own reward, whether his brother has yet received anything or not.
TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 109

UNDERSTANDING THE MALADY

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 19

When dealing with an alcoholic, there may be a natural annoyance that a man could be so weak, stupid and irresponsible.   Even  when  you  understand  the  malady better, you may feel this feeling rising.  ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 139

Having suffered from alcoholism, I should understand the illness, but sometimes I feel annoyance, even contempt, toward a person who cannot make it in A.A. When I feel that way, I am satisfying my false sense of superiority and I must remember, but for the grace of God, there go I.
 

HONESTY WITH NEWCOMERS

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 18

T'ell him exactly what happened to you. Stress the spiritual feature freely. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 93

DOING ANYTHING TO HELP

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 17

. . . work with other alcoholics. . . . It work when other activities fail. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 8

PARTNERS IN RECOVERY

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 16

. . nothing will so much insure immunity from finking as intensive work with other alcoholics. . . Both you and the new man must walk day by ay in the path of spiritual progress. . . . Follow the dictates of a Higher Power and you will presently live in a new and wonderful world, no matter what your resent circumstances!
ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, pp. 89, 100

DOING ANYTHING TO HELP

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 15

Offer him [the alcoholic] friendship and fellowship. Tell him that if he wants to get well you will do anything to help. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 95

REACHING OUT

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 14

Never  talk  down  to  an  alcoholic  from  any  moral  or spiritual hilltop; simply lay out the kit of spiritual looks for his inspection. Show him how they worked with you. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 95

THINKING OF OTHERS

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 13

Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 20

A COMMON SOLUTION

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 12

The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered  a  common  solution.  We have  a  way  out  on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious ac-ion. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS, p. 17

"A GENUINE HUMILITY"

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 11

. . . we are actually to practice a genuine humility. This is to the end that our great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of Him who presides over us all. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 192

CARRYING THE MESSAGE

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 10

Now,  what  about  the  rest  of  the  Twelfth  Step?  The wonderful energy it releases and the eager action by which it carries our message to the next suffering alcoholic and which finally translates the Twelve Steps into action upon all our affairs is the payoff, the magnificent reality, of Alcoholics Anonymous.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 109

LOVE WITH NO PRICE TAG

Daily reflections - DECEMBER 9

When the Twelfth Step is seen in its full implication, it is really talking about the kind of love that has no price tag on it. TWELVE AND TWELVE, p. 106

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