District 9

Friday, December 12, 2014

AA Thought for the Day - December 12, 2014

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

December 12, 2014

The Language of the Heart
From the beginning, communication in AA has been no ordinary transmission of helpful ideas and attitudes.
It has been unusual and sometimes unique. Because of our kinship in suffering,
and because our common means of deliverance are effective only when constantly carried to others,
our channels of contact have always been charged with the language of the heart.
- The Language Of The Heart, p. 243

Thought to Ponder . . .
Modem-to-modem or face-to-face, AA's speak the language of the heart.

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

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, December 10, 2014

AA Thought for the Day - December 11, 2014

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

December 11, 2014

Happiness
Happiness happens when results exceed expectations. Maybe this is working after all.
Deep down, there is also a warm, small ball of faith, never dimmed, unexplainable, asking nothing, but giving much.
To define it or try to bounce it would distort or destroy it. It just is, that's all.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 1], pp. 187-188

Thought to Ponder . . .
True happiness is found in the journey, not the destination.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H J F = Happy, Joyous, Free.

AA Thought for the Day - December 10, 2014

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

December 10, 2014

~ Scroll Down for Share ~

Helping Others
When I talk to a newcomer to AA, my past looks me straight in the face.
I see the pain in those hopeful eyes, I extend my hand, and then the miracle happens: I become healed.
My problems vanish as I reach out to this trembling soul.
- As Bill Sees It, p. 274

Thought to Ponder . . .
In AA, we discover that it is impossible to give without receiving, or receive without giving.

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

A Member Shares:
Hi, I'm David and a drunk. I haven’t been around a long time. This year is my 2nd set of Holidays to be sober. I got sober in March last year, so by the time the holidays rolled around, that allergic reaction was long gone, and my Higher Power had removed the obsession for another, another, and another drink from me. But I did have concerns about what would take place if certain situations arose and, like the alcoholic I am, I blew these thoughts up so big, they nearly overwhelmed me. But this past Thanksgiving night I chaired a 12 and 12 meeting along with 2 other members. That meeting was really all it took to get my mind off of myself and put it to better use by helping someone else out of kindness and love. I took that experience and began using it on a more day-to-day basis rather than when I needed it. It still works; if I get in a spot where my mind drives me around instead of my HP, I go to a meeting, talk with my sponsor, or do what I know works: that is to find someone needing someone else, get out of me and into them. I hope to help, and it helps me too. 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:

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, December 8, 2014

AA Thought for the Day - December 9, 2014

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

December 9, 2014

Only One Reason
I believe we are all sober and alive for only one reason: God has a job for us to do.
I have also come to believe that I must please God first, myself second, and everybody else third.
When I can live and feel that way -- and it isn't all day every day -- things seem to work out.
When I try to run the show, everything goes to hell.
- Came to Believe . . ., p. 97

Thought to Ponder . . .
No God, no peace -- know God, know peace.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
G O D = Good Orderly Direction.

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, December 6, 2014

AA Thought for the Day - December 7, 2014

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

December 7, 2014

~ Scroll Down for Share ~

Living Sober
Somewhat to our surprise, staying sober turns out not to be the grim, wet-blanket experience we had expected!
While we were drinking, a life without alcohol seemed like no life at all.
But for sober members of AA, living sober is really living -- a joyous experience.
We much prefer it to the troubles we had with drinking.
One more note: anyone can get sober. We have done it lots of times. The trick is to stay and to live sober.
That is what this booklet is about.
- Living Sober, Foreword

Thought to Ponder . . .
Life didn't end when I got sober -- it started.

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

A Member Shares:
I'm Susan, a grateful alcoholic. If it were not for AA, I would not be alive today. I used to say, "Staying Sober ODAAT," but a month ago someone here said something else that stuck in my head: "Living Life ODAAT" with the tools we are given in this program. I loved that. My memory is short, so to remember that means it is significant. And now, it is one of my major goals. I no longer desire to drink, ever. I am very fortunate that way. But I have much to learn about living. In this room, I listen and learn. No longer afraid to ask questions any more, either. What a gift. I'm not the same woman that I was, not even 6 months ago. I am blessed. Thank you for being my teachers. Blessings to you all.
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, December 5, 2014

AA Thought for the Day - December 6, 2014

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

December 6, 2014

Thankful
I'm still learning how to be thankful. I must work on defects of character every morning.
Slow down and smell the flowers -- they will surely come to this beautiful valley soon, something to look forward to.
Enjoy the phone calls from friends, as far away as Toronto. I may even learn French.
I have done something with my life, instead of complaining.
I owe it all to that day when a member of AA said to me, "Maybe you'd like to go to AA now."
Thank God I said yes.
- Thank You For Sharing, pp. 196-197

Thought to Ponder . . .
No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Achieve Anything.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

AA Thought for the Day - December 5, 2014

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

December 5, 2014

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 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 glossing over anything, 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.