District 9

Saturday, August 15, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - August 16, 2015

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

August 16, 2015

~ Scroll Down for Share ~

Step One
"We admitted we were powerless over alcohol -- that our lives had become unmanageable."
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 5

Thought to Ponder . . .
Take the first step in faith. We don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
S T E P S = Solutions Through Each Positive Step.

A Member Shares:
Hi, I'm Jenny, an alcoholic. Step One is such an important Step for us alkies in recovery. And I find that even with some years now, it's a constant for me each day to remember. I believe my Higher Power got me to AA through another member. I couldn't understand why I couldn't drink like others, comparing myself while I was still active to normal drinkers. Today, I understand the difference: in the end, I drank without my permission, saying each morning, "I will not drink today. I am done." But before the day was over I was drunk again, thinking each time it would be different. The only difference was that in the end it kept getting worse ... longer hangovers, longer blackouts, doing things I never would have done sober. Well, you all know what I am getting at. In other words, while actively drinking my life definitely became unmanageable, even though I still was working and had my own home, etc. On the outside, I looked as though I could handle the booze, but inside I knew differently. So the first part of Step One was very apparent for me when I finally understood what alcoholism is, and I accepted that right away. The second part took a wee bit longer. But I kept coming, took the advice of the elders whom I began to watch very closely, and listened to their suggestions. I knew I was licked when it came to booze. I was done. And each day I remember this acceptance by asking my HP for help to stay away from a drink and continue to work the Steps to the best of my ability. Well, I change that to try to live the Steps, which can be a task some days more than others. But if you want to stay sober; if you feel you are done, then this program can help you stay sober one day at a time. Stick with the winners. And for the new people, try not to drink today and keep coming back. There are many miracles within our halls of AA. 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:

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.

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

AA Thought for the Day - August 15, 2015

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

August 15, 2015

Forgiveness
I cannot make an amends when I am still condemning or forgiving myself or the one I am making amends to,
because of the judgment this implies. I have always found condemnation to be a lonely road
and have always found forgiveness to be a confusing and impossible task.
When I forgive someone I guess what I really mean to say is that I judge others.
Forgiving and condemning are God's business, not mine.
~ The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 2], p. 162

Thought to Ponder . . .
Forgiveness is the final form of love.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
T G I F = Thank God I'm Forgiven.

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, August 13, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - August 14, 2015

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

August 14, 2015

An Endless Career
I wish I could tell you all that AA has done for me, all that I think and feel about AA,
but it's something that I have experienced and never have been able to put into words.
I know that I must work at it as long as I live;
I know that it is only by working at it that I can stay sober and have a happy life.
It is an endless career.
~ Experience, Strength and Hope, pp. 341-342

Thought to Ponder . . .
It works -- it really does!

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

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - August 13, 2015

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

August 13, 2015

Relationships
The moment we ponder a twisted or broken relationship with another person, our emotions go on the defensive.
To escape looking at the wrongs we have done another, we resentfully focus on the wrong he has done us. . .
Right here we need to fetch ourselves up sharply.
It doesn't make much sense when a tosspot calls a kettle black.
Let's remember that alcoholics are not the only ones bedeviled by sick emotions.
~ Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 78

Thought to Ponder . . .
To be forgiven we must forgive.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Attitude Adjustment.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - August 12, 2015

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

August 12, 2015

~ Scroll Down for Share ~

On Life's Terms
Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober;
unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 417

Thought to Ponder . . .
Life will take on new meaning.

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

A Member Shares:
My name is Hope, alcoholic. These days, I like to think of myself as "alkie-normal." I see in myself phases I've passed through in the Steps, and I think they are pretty alkie-normal. I remember the first phase as Drama: the mistaken idea that my life stuff was way worse than yours. I had to grow out of that, and talking to other alkies was the key there. As has been said, things do keep changing and I have these days a better idea. I should try to bend like a willow so I don't snap like a dry twig. That is progressively easier, as I practice what we call the Principles. Today, I value respect and don't 'shut down' when I hear something different than I thought. That initial resistance has become a clue to me of a new Truth ... to accept, or at least evaluate. Well, as my hubby used to say, "Get the information." And the info, to me now, is in my gut and my heart, to take in with open-mindedness. Alcohol didn't help me on any level at the end. It was just a 'blotting out,' and not even good at that. The Steps steadily, and the Fellowship, are what give me the real practical solution, which turns out to be not material, but spiritual. Thanks dears!
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, August 10, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - August 11, 2015

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

August 11, 2015

Habits
Our drinking was connected with many habits -- big and little.
Some of them were thinking habits, or things we felt inside ourselves.
Others were doing habits -- things we did, actions we took.
In getting used to not drinking, we have found that we needed new habits to take the place of those old ones.
~ Living Sober, p. 1

Thought to Ponder . . .
Habits are like cork or lead -- they tend to keep you up or hold you down.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
B E S T = Been Enjoying Sobriety Today?

Sunday, August 9, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - August 10, 2015

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

August 10, 2015

Tolerance
We begin to see that all people, including ourselves, are to some extent emotionally ill as well as frequently wrong,
and then we approach true tolerance and see what real love for our fellows actually means.
It will become more and more evident as we go forward that it is pointless to become angry,
or to get hurt by people who, like us, are suffering from the pains of growing up.
~ Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 92

Thought to Ponder . . .
Love and tolerance of others is our code.

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