District 9

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - October 14, 2015

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

October 14, 2015

~ Scroll Down for Share ~

An Open Mind
All you really need is a truly open mind. Just resign from the debating society
and quit bothering yourself with such deep questions as whether it was the hen or the egg that came first.
Again I say, all you need is the open mind.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 26

Thought to Ponder . . .
Minds are like parachutes -- they won't work unless they're open.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O W = Honest, Open-minded, Willing.

A Member Shares:
I am Mike, a very grateful alcoholic. Talking about the AA program and leaving out God or the spiritual part is like talking about the ocean and leaving out the wet part. For me, having an open mind took a lot of pain. That's not something to brag about at all, like the child who is caught red-handed and saying yes sir, I did that. Not much virtue in that. I am sober today by the grace of the God I've come to know while working and living the Steps. Now, like many, I spent some wasted time trying to invent God when I should've been letting God reinvent me. I spent many wasted prayers trying to conform God's will to mine instead of conforming mine to His. I prayed for those I love; for God to do my will as what I thought they needed, instead of asking God how I can be of love and service to them. I have come to believe I am to be a servant to God, not God being a servant to Mike. God isn't a Maytag repairman. He is a loving Father who knows what's best for this emotionally immature 61 year old who has been sober many 24 hours. I sure hope I can continue to grow spiritually one day at a time. 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, October 12, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - October 13, 2015

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

October 13, 2015

The Grapevine
After a while, I began reading the Grapevine. I like to read the Grapevine because it raps my knuckles,
slaps my back, tickles my funny bone, and shakes my hand, all at the same time.
It is a critic, a guide, a good-natured friend, and an unmitigated joy.
I am in love with the Grapevine, that's what I am. I love it so much I steal from it. So do my friends.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 2], p. 267

Thought to Ponder . . .
Smile, it's a free facelift.

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

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:

Sunday, October 11, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - October 12, 2015

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

October 12, 2015

Sponsorship
Whether you are a newcomer who is hesitant about "bothering" anyone,
or a member who has been around for some time trying to go it alone, sponsorship is yours for the asking.
We urge you: Do not delay. Alcoholics recovered in AA want to share what they have learned with other alcoholics.
We know that our own sobriety is greatly strengthened when we give it away!
- Questions and Answers on Sponsorship, AA Pamphlet P-15, p. 8

Thought to Ponder . . .
Don't look for a sponsor, listen for one.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
S P O N S O R = Sober Person Offering Newcomers Suggestions On Recovery.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - October 11, 2015

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

October 11, 2015

~ Scroll Down for Share ~

Meetings
Sometimes, the body can speak an eloquent language all its own. I see and feel that in meetings.
So coming to regular meetings of AA is a priceless experience for me on a great many levels --
mental, spiritual, social, emotional, and now possible physical. Listening quietly is already a joy to me,
and if it calms me down and lowers my blood pressure in the process,
that's just another great reason to keep coming back.
- Thank You For Sharing, p. 13

Thought to Ponder . . .
I sit at a meeting until the bus of sanity comes by; then, I climb aboard.

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

A Member Shares:
Hello! Jenny here, an alcoholic. Each time I attend an AA meeting, I hear what I truly need to hear. I need to remember that this disease is fatal; it's no joke even though I do enjoy laughing now. It is in these meetings that I hear others share what happens when they go back out, or what their fellows have had happen to them. As time goes on, it could be easily forgotten that alcohol wants us dead. It lies to us. Our disease tells us the things that can lead us to thinking we could drink again. That is insanity. And insanity for an alcoholic is fatal thinking. At a meeting yesterday, I heard a friend who has 38 years in AA share about his drinking before AA. He spoke of his actions when in a blackout. He woke up with a gun in his hand. Not only does the booze itself become fatal, the insanity that goes along with drinking is too. I came to AA after several blackouts in a row, and to hear these kinds of shares brings those dark times back in a way that I hope reminds me that alcoholism is fatal if left untreated. So I am here today to listen and remember and to hear some more shares that can be shared with others in recovery again and again. 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, October 9, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - October 10, 2015

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

October 10, 2015

Self-righteousness
The perverse wish to hide a bad motive underneath a good one permeates human affairs from top to bottom.
This subtle and elusive kind of self-righteousness can underlie the smallest act or thought.
Learning daily to spot, admit, and correct flaws is the essence of character-building and good living.
- As Bill Sees It, p. 17

Thought to Ponder . . .
Self-righteousness is a loud din raised to drown the voice of guilt within us.

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

Thursday, October 8, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - October 9, 2015

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

October 9, 2015

Baggage
I have more than enough to handle today, without dragging along yesterday's baggage too.
I must balance today's books, if I am to have a chance tomorrow.
So I ask myself if I have erred and how can I avoid repeating that particular behavior.
Did I hurt anyone, did I help anyone, and why?
Some of today is bound to spill over into tomorrow, but most of it need not if I make an honest daily inventory.
- Daily Reflections, p. 287

Thought to Ponder . . .
Inventory-taking is not always done in red ink.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
B A T H = Behavior, Attitude, Thinking, Habits.

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, October 7, 2015

AA Thought for the Day - October 8, 2015

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

October 8, 2015

Action
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 work for it, those who put action into the program. . .
I heard that I should forget about yesterday and instead concentrate on today and staying away from the first drink today -- now.
I tried it and it worked.
- Came To Believe . . ., p. 42

Thought to Ponder . . .
I must walk into darkness to find the light.

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