AA Thought for the Day - January 13, 2016

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

January 13, 2016

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The Doctor's Opinion
Frothy emotional appeal seldom suffices.
The message which can interest and hold these alcoholic people must have depth and weight.
In nearly all these cases, their ideals must be grounded in a power greater than themselves, if they are to re-create their lives.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. xxviii

Thought to Ponder . . .
So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains and we never even know we have the key.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A B C = Acceptance, Belief, Change.

A Member Shares:
Hi, I'm Lori, real alcoholic.  This reading has something of a different meaning to me.  The frothy emotional appeal the doctor speaks of, the way I understood it, was in presenting the concept of sobriety to an alcoholic.  For example, "You are making your husband and your kids so sad.  You'll be so much happier sober!  Please, for the love of God, look at what you're doing to your life and the lives of those around you."  I was all into some frothy emotional appeal as an alcoholic.  It was a great manipulator, but it rarely worked on me because I already felt guilt and shame when I wasn't drunk.  I drank because I liked the sensation produced by alcohol.  I thought I was always so much “smarter," so much more capable of coming up with a plan (i.e. a new set of convoluted lies) when I was drunk.  The very hardest part of committing to sobriety was accepting having all of my feelings back.  Working the Steps with a sponsor is the only way that I can reconcile what is good in me with what wrong I did in the past.  It is the only way that I can move beyond the pain and the guilt and the shame.  And now I have come to start realizing the promises in my life.  Not regretting the past nor wishing to shut the door on it.  Seeing how no matter how far down the scale I went, I can be of use to others.  These are the reasons why I am a grateful recovering alcoholic.  The beauty and benefit of this program go far beyond just not drinking.  Thanks.
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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

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