District 9

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - September 9, 2015

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

September 9, 2015

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Listening
In shame and despair, I went to my first AA meeting. By some minor miracle, I was able to suspend opinion, analysis,
judgment. and criticism, and instead to listen and hear.
I heard someone say that AA works for those who put action into the program. . .
I heard that I should forget about yesterday and instead concentrating on today and staying away from the first drink -- now.
I tried it, and it worked.
- Came To Believe . . ., p. 42

Thought to Ponder . . .
Learn to listen; listen to learn.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A R T = Always Remain Teachable.

A Member Shares:
Good morning all, I'm Steve, an alcoholic. Learning to be still is still difficult for me. I heard a lot of things when I first came to AA, and much of it did not make much sense to me. But then I was told to keep coming back and in time it will make sense. I saw something in those people that made me realize maybe they know what they are talking about. Another thing I heard was that sometimes the best action I can take is no action at all. What a concept! Does it really mean I don't have to react to every situation? And I have found that by going through the Steps and coming to meetings one day at a time, that whole business of learning to stay still becomes easier, and doing the next right thing, becomes automatic most of the time. And it is all because of AA. Sure, I have issues today; money is tight, health could be a lot better, but in the big picture, I've got what I need. I just need to be reminded, and that is why I still come to meetings so I don’t forget. I love AA. Newcomers, stick around if you want what we have, it only gets better.
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.

Sunday, September 6, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - September 7, 2015

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

September 7, 2015

Infallible Heartbeat
We need each other's experience, strength, and hope, regardless of age or length of sobriety.
The saving grace of God doesn't come like a bolt out of the blue.
It comes through, in, and from other suffering, as well as rescued, souls like you and me.
I am happy to be part of a living and growing fellowship with an infallible heartbeat.
Divine power is the pulse of AA, and it doesn't change, no matter how errant and foolish we mortals be.
- Came To Believe . . ., p. 94

Thought to Ponder . . .
The stillness of God speaks louder than a choir of voices.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H E A R T = Healing, Enjoying, And Recovering Together.

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:

Saturday, September 5, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - September 6, 2015

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

September 6, 2015

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Carrying the Message
For us, if we neglect those who are still sick, there is an unremitting danger to our own lives and sanity.
Under these compulsions of self-preservation, duty, and love
it is not strange that our Society has concluded that it has but one high mission --
to carry the AA message to those who don't know there's a way out.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 151

Thought to Ponder . . .
Service is gratitude in action.

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

A Member Shares:
I'm John, an alcoholic. The topic of service is important to me because I need a meeting but I can't have one without you. I've heard that service is the secret to sobriety, and have observed the truth in that statement. I have a long history of devastation due to active alcoholism which changed only when I came to AA and saw you folks staying sober 24 hours at a time. You showed me the program of one alky helping another. Because of your example, I serve on our New Hampshire hotline as well as BTG and go to treatment centers and prisons to carry the message. I also have an active sponsor and I sponsor others as well. I've seen that when the guys I sponsor get active, they change from selfish to selfless. I see the same thing in the guys they sponsor. But without your help, I have no place to take someone when they indicate they need help. I would only ask that everyone try to pitch in on the effort to reach out. I was at a meeting last Thursday at a treatment center, and there were 3 people who told stories of desperation and sickness. One of them called me and left a message, but by the time I called back he was already severely impaired. He had just gone through detox, but started to drink when he got out. I will keep calling him and will take him to a meeting as soon as I can. It just shows me how much this disease can destroy our lives as well as those around us, so please reach out to help whenever you can. 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:

Friday, September 4, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - September 5, 2015

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

September 5, 2015

Acceptance
And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find
some person, place, thing, or situation -- some fact of my life -- unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity
until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.
Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God's world by mistake.
Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy.
I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world
as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 417

Thought to Ponder . . .
My serenity is directly proportional to my level of acceptance.

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

AA Thought for the Day - September 4, 2015

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

September 4, 2015

Amends
In making amends, we should be sensible, tactful, considerate, and humble without being servile or scraping.
As God's people, we stand on our feet; we don't crawl before anyone.
- As Bill Sees It, p. 277

Thought to Ponder . . .
It is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and to make amends for them.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O W = Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - September 3, 2015

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

September 3, 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.
All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals -- usually brief --
were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 30

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

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

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.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - September 2, 2015

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

September 2, 2015

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Spirituality
We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our Creator.
We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness.
Paradoxically, it is the way of strength. . .
We never apologize for God. Instead we let Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 68

Thought to Ponder . . .
Hold your face up to the Light, even though for the moment you do not see.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O P E = Heart Open; Please Enter.

A Member Shares:
Hi all, I'm Di, an alcoholic recovering one day at a time. I drank for 27 years like my life depended on it. Twenty-seven long, drunk, miserable years before I decided I truly wanted sobriety. I was in a pit of despair so dark and deep that only God Himself could pull me out. I think that’s the whole point of this program, for me at least ... turning my life over to a God of my understanding. I wake up every day with a little less fog and a little more “now what?” I find that I have to immediately seek out God for help upon waking. I have to ask for the right attitude right away. I have to ask for a clear understanding of what God wants me to do for this day and the strength to carry it out. When I feel uncomfortable ... irritable, restless, discontent, I have to go back and ask God again. Inevitably, I get a similar answer every day. Keep working the Steps with my sponsor, clean house, help others, and stay connected. Honestly, what a relief, because I have no idea what the next right thing is until I ask and listen for an answer. I figure this is going to be an on-going conversation with God as I continue on with my life and my program. My way never worked. I cannot apologize or be ashamed to admit that I need God for everything I do. It’s the only way this alkie stays sober, and somewhat content. Thanks for listening and for showing me how.

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

Please add us to your contacts/address book so this is not marked as spam.

** 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.