District 9: March 2015

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - April 1, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

April 1, 2015

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Being Good to Ourselves
Now is the time, the only time there is. And if we are not kind to ourselves right now,
we certainly cannot rightfully expect respect or consideration from others.
We have found we can enjoy, sober, every good thing we enjoyed while drinking -- and many, many more.
It takes a little practice, but the rewards more than make up for the effort.
To do so is not selfish, but self-productive.
Living Sober,p. 42

Thought to Ponder . . .
Self-esteem doesn't need an audience.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
S I T = Stay In Today.

A Member Shares:
Hi, I'm Eric, an alcoholic. I want to put this out there right away: I can be miserable or I can be happy. It takes the same amount of work. Today, I choose happiness. Being good to myself means living a life I never dreamed. I'm even in better physical health. I know that when I start the day, before my feet hit the floor, and give thanks to God for another day of life to live, that's when gratitude happens. Misery and gratitude don't mix, so I ask in earnest prayer for the strength, courage and guidance to do His will, not my will. When I’m centered in God, I'm centered for the day. Thanks to all for being here.
To respond to the sharer, please email DTShare@aa-alive.org and it will be forwarded to them.
(All shares are reproduced with the kind permission of the person sharing)

Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength and hope in carrying the AA message.
Blessings in sobriety to all,
In love and service,
joanna b
dailythought@aa-alive.org

For further information about AA-Alive, including:

Meeting Schedule
The Daily Thought Discussion Board
Service Opportunities
AA Birthday Signups
Helpful links and much more
Please go to our Website
http://aa-alive.net …
G.S.O. Registration Number: 712515

** Trademarks and Disclaimer: **
Alcoholics Anonymous, AA, and the Big Book are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. The AA Daily Thought is neither endorsed by, approved by, associated nor affiliated with, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., or The AA Grapevine, Inc.
Disclaimer: The Daily Thought is meant for domestic distribution only and for countries where it is in public domain.

Monday, March 30, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 31, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 31, 2015

The Solution
Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings
which the process requires for its successful consummation. But we saw it really worked in others,
and we had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it.
When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved,
there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet.
We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into a fourth dimension of which we had not even dreamed.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 25

Thought to Ponder . . .
The solution is simple. The solution is spiritual.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
K I S S = Keeping It Simple, Spiritually.

Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength and hope in carrying the AA message.
Blessings in sobriety to all,
In love and service,
joanna b
dailythought@aa-alive.org

For further information about AA-Alive, including:

Meeting Schedule
The Daily Thought Discussion Board
Service Opportunities
AA Birthday Signups
Helpful links and much more
Please go to our Website
http://aa-alive.net …
G.S.O. Registration Number: 712515

** Trademarks and Disclaimer: **
Alcoholics Anonymous, AA, and the Big Book are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. The AA Daily Thought is neither endorsed by, approved by, associated nor affiliated with, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., or The AA Grapevine, Inc.
Disclaimer: The Daily Thought is meant for domestic distribution only and for countries where it is in public domain.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 30, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 30, 2015

Perfection
There would be no music if high C were the only note, no art if spectrum red were the only color,
no joy in pleasure if pleasure were the only feeling -- and, paradoxically, there would be no perfection without imperfection.
What does this mean to me? Well, first it means that I don't have to be perfect.
All I have to do is grow at a pace natural to me -- and that is all I have a right to expect of others.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 1], p. 61

Thought to Ponder . . .
Give me the courage to be imperfect.

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

Saturday, March 28, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 29, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 29, 2015

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Primary Purpose
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other
that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.
AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; neither endorses nor opposes any causes.
Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
The AA Preamble first appeared in the AA Grapevine June, 1947

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

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H E L P = Hope, Encouragement, Love, Patience.

A Member Shares:
Hi everyone, I'm Bobbie Jo, and I am an alcoholic. The word I zoned in on is, "help." The thing about this and the hand of AA is that it takes two. I need to be here and be sober, yes, and the other person needs to reach out to me or someone. So when they do reach out, I need to ask myself after a visit, "was I helpful or was I harmful?" "Did I sound like I know it all, or did I just share my own experience, strength and hope and really help?" I pray I do that. I try, and some stay; some don't. When they don't, I'm still here and sober. And I thank them all for helping me. Thanks.
To respond to the sharer, please email DTShare@aa-alive.org and it will be forwarded to them.
(All shares are reproduced with the kind permission of the person sharing)

Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength and hope in carrying the AA message.
Blessings in sobriety to all,
In love and service,
joanna b
dailythought@aa-alive.org

For further information about AA-Alive, including:

Friday, March 27, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 28, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 28, 2015

Alcoholism
Alcoholism is deadly, ugly, and tough. It is also cunning, baffling, and powerful. . .
It wants me to forget it is a snake in the brain, hoping to catch my eye, watching, waiting.
The gritty pain of alcoholism is the traction of recovery.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 3], p. 165

Thought to Ponder . . .
Times change, alcoholism doesn't.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Absolute Abstinence.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 27, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 27, 2015

Cafeteria Style
Sometimes an AA member will talk about taking the various parts of the program in cafeteria style --
selecting what he likes and letting alone what he does not want.
Maybe others will come along and pick up the unwanted parts -- or maybe that member himself will go back later
and take some of the ideas he previously rejected.
However, it is good to remember the temptation in a cafeteria is to pick up nothing but a lot of desserts
or starches or salads or some other food we particularly like.
It serves as an important reminder to us to keep a balance in our lives.
- Living Sober, pp. 2-3

Thought to Ponder . . .
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

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

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 26, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 26, 2015

Sanity
AA taught me that willingness to believe was enough for a beginning.
It's been true in my case, nor could I quarrel with "restore us to sanity," for my actions drunk or sober, before AA,
were not those of a sane person.
My desire to be honest with myself made it necessary for me to realize that my thinking was irrational.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 550

Thought to Ponder . . .
AA has taught me the knack of being myself.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
T H I N K = Thank Heavens, I Now Know.

Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength and hope in carrying the AA message.
Blessings in sobriety to all,
In love and service,
joanna b
dailythought@aa-alive.org

For further information about AA-Alive, including:

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 25, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 25, 2015

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Patience
I had to find my own personal skid row before I became willing to let the seeds of patience, tolerance, humility,
unselfishness, honesty, love, purity and charity grow within myself.
And as long as I keep the weeds of resentment, envy, selfishness, pride, anger, impatience and misunderstanding
from choking out these healthy seedlings; keep them fed and watered with regular attendance at meetings,
open-minded attentiveness to the speakers, and constant association with other AAs,
I am sure that this formula will help me to recognize and accept God's will and give me the courage and wisdom to carry it out.
The AA Grapevine, September 1955

Thought to Ponder . . .
Patience, tolerance, understanding and love are the watchwords.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
P U T = Patience, Understanding, Tolerance.

A Member Shares:
I'm Pammy, an alcoholic. I have seen how easy it is to want to push things into how we think it should be. Patience was never one of my best attributes, especially when life tries to overwhelm. I see how it tries to rob me of any joy, and then has a domino effect. The difference today as I see it is to see where I need to accept what I can work with today and leave the rest for another day. Willingness has been a big a huge part of my spiritual experience and the awakening for me is that nothing lasts ... not even our suffering ... and patience renews my faith again. And all I have to do to maintain it is to take time to breathe in and breathe out, thank God. Thanks for letting me share.
To respond to the sharer, please email DTShare@aa-alive.org and it will be forwarded to them.
(All shares are reproduced with the kind permission of the person sharing)

Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength and hope in carrying the AA message.
Blessings in sobriety to all,
In love and service,
joanna b
dailythought@aa-alive.org

For further information about AA-Alive, including:

Monday, March 23, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 24, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 24, 2015

Courage
Before we could recognize the illness in ourselves, we had to unload this tired old myth:
It would be a sign of shameful weakness to admit that we couldn't handle the sauce any more (if we ever could).
Weakness? Actually, it takes considerable courage to stare unblinkingly at the hard truth,
sparing nothing, without excuses, and without kidding ourselves.
- Living Sober, p. 72

Thought to Ponder . . .
If I have the courage to begin, I have the courage to succeed.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
O D A A T = One Day At A Time.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 23, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 23, 2015

Righteous Indignation
The positive value of righteous indignation is theoretical -- especially for alcoholics.
It leaves every one of us open to the rationalization that we may be as angry as we like
provided we can claim to be righteous about it.
- As Bill Sees It, p. 58

Thought to Ponder . . .
Those who anger me, conquer me.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A N G E R = A Negative Grudge Endangers Recovery.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 22, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 22, 2015

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Concept
My friend suggested what seemed then a novel idea. He said,
"Why don't you choose your own conception of God?" That statement hit me hard.
It melted the icy intellectual mountain in whose shadow I had lived and shivered many years.
I stood in the sunlight at last.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 12

Thought to Ponder . . .
Take a walk with God. He will meet you at the Steps.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
F A I T H = For All, I Trust Him.

A Member Shares:
Hi everyone, I'm Robin, an alcoholic with Mittenhead the cat at the keyboard. It was a huge relief for me to learn that I didn't have to consider anyone else's conception of God. Like many folks, I have no connection to a formal religion . When asked, I say "I am a spiritual person." One thing came to me in my developing conception of God and that was, "God is all." With a sponsor, I learned to actively seek manifestations of God and God's love in my daily life. I really turned a corner when it came to me that "God is all, including me." I had such a low opinion of myself that it took a while for me to develop a conception of God which included me. Since then my conception of God and my need for God in my daily life has changed and grown. The longer I practice this program, the more I need and depend upon God. Thank you for listening!
To respond to the sharer, please email DTShare@aa-alive.org and it will be forwarded to them.
(All shares are reproduced with the kind permission of the person sharing)

Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength and hope in carrying the AA message.
Blessings in sobriety to all,
In love and service,
joanna b
dailythought@aa-alive.org

For further information about AA-Alive, including:

Thursday, March 19, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 20, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 20, 2015

Fellowship
I have had my share of problems, heartaches, and disappointments because that is life,
but also I have known a great deal of joy and a peace that is the handmaiden of an inner freedom.
I have a wealth of friends and, with my AA friends, an unusual quality of fellowship.
For, to these people, I am truly related.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 276

Thought to Ponder . . .
A friend is one who sees through you and still enjoys the view.

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

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 19, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 19, 2015

Silent Revolution
Gradually, in a manner I cannot explain, I began to re-examine the beliefs I had thought beyond criticism.
Almost imperceptibly my whole attitude toward life underwent a silent revolution. I lost many worries and gained confidence.
I found myself saying and thinking things that a short time ago I would have condemned as platitudes!
A belief in the basic spirituality of life has grown and with it belief in a supreme and guiding power for good.
- Experience, Strength and Hope, p.107

Thought to Ponder . . .
What are you coming to believe? Belief is a continuing action.

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

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 18, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 18, 2015

The Helmsman
Having seen for myself that my own navigation served only to slam my boat up against shoals,
I have at last become willing to turn the steering over to a more adept helmsman. The decision is clear.
Tomorrow I may be drunk. But today I have the tired peace that comes from doing the things you have to do
when you turn the wheel over to a mariner who knows that way across,
but makes you work with him through every inch of the crossing.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 2], p.147

Thought to Ponder . . .
A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H E L P = His Ever-Loving Presence.

Monday, March 16, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 17, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 17, 2015

Control
We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking.
We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers control. . .
We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness.
Over any considerable period we get worse, never better.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p.30

Thought to Ponder . . .
When we try to control our drinking, we have already lost control.

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

Sunday, March 15, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 16, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 16, 2015

The Home Group
The home group is where recovery begins;
it is where AA members grow up in sobriety by the time-honored process of trial and error,
to discover they can be loved "warts and all.". . .
It is where they begin to adopt the guiding principles of AA as working realities in their own sober lives.
- The Home Group: Heartbeat of AA, Preface

Thought to Ponder . . .
The Three M's: Meeting makers make it.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
K C B = Keep Coming Back

Saturday, March 14, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - March 15, 2015

AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)

March 15, 2015

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Anger
If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the sudden rage were not for us.
Anger is the dubious luxury of normal men, but for us alcoholics it is poison.
- As Bill Sees It, p. 5

Thought to Ponder . . .
Anger rules nothing except itself.

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

A Member Shares:
I'm Greg W., an alcoholic. Before I stopped drinking and came to AA I almost always reacted to what I didn't like with anger. When my wife or friends questioned my drinking I was not only confused and unhappy about their comments but became very heated and angry with them. I became irritated when was asked how much I drank and where. After coming into AA, working the Steps and sharing my innermost 'angers' with my sponsor, I learned that I could react to disappointments without anger. In AA I have experienced that it is a fine line between accepting and letting go of my character defects and choosing to take action to correct them. The third part of the Serenity Prayer reminds me to seek the wisdom to know the difference on how to react to life on life's terms with sobriety, honesty, dignity and kindness rather than with anger even when I am wronged by someone else. I like to ask myself this question, "How can I help the person who is making me angry?" Even moreso, "How can I show love to the person who is making me angry?" Sobriety, God, and AA always give me the strength to do so if I just wait and ask for it. Thank you.
To respond to the sharer, please email DTShare@aa-alive.org and it will be forwarded to them.
(All shares are reproduced with the kind permission of the person sharing)

Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength and hope in carrying the AA message.
Blessings in sobriety to all,
In love and service,
joanna b
dailythought@aa-alive.org

For further information about AA-Alive, including: