~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~ ^*^*^*^*^ (\ ~~~ /) ( \(AA)/ ) (_ /AA\ _) /AA\ ^*^*^*^*^ "There are those in AA whom we call 'destructive' critics. They power-drive, they are 'politickers,' they make accusations to gain their ends-- all for the good of AA, of course! We ought to listen carefully to what they say. Sometimes they are telling the whole truth; at other times, a little truth.. If they are talking nonsense, we can ignore it, or else try to persuade them. There are few better means of self-survey and of developing patience than the workouts these usually well-meaning but erratic members so often afford us." Bill W., Twelve Concepts for World Service, p. 40 As Bill Sees It, p. 215 Thought to Consider . . .
Every problem arrives bearing a gift in its hands.
*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~* GIFTS Getting It From The Steps
*~*~*~*~*^JustForToday!^*~*~*~*~*
Starting Point
From "Fear as a Steppingstone:"
"For all its usual destructiveness, we have found that fear can be the starting point for better things. Fear can be a steppingstone to prudence and to a decent respect for others. It can point the path to justice, as well as to hate. And the more we have of respect and justice, the more we shall begin to find the love which can suffer much, and yet be freely given. So fear need not always be destructive, because the lessons of its consequences can lead us to positive values."
c. 1967, As Bill Sees It, page 22
*~*~*~*~*^DailyReflections^*~*~*~*~* A FULL AND THANKFUL HEART
I try hard to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful heart cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one's heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion that we can ever know.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 37
I believe that we in Alcoholics Anonymous are fortunate in that we are constantly reminded of the need to be grateful and of how important gratitude is to our sobriety. I am truly grateful for the sobriety God has given me through the A.A. program and am glad I can give back what was given to me freely. I am grateful not only for sobriety, but for the quality of life my sobriety has brought. God has been gracious enough to give me sober days and a life blessed with peace and contentment, as well as the ability to give and receive love, and the opportunity to serve others -- in our Fellowship, my family and my community. For all of this, I have "a full and thankful heart."
"He could have rented the house for enough to carry it. But no! Henry said he knew that God wanted him to live there, and He would see that the costs were paid. So Henry went on running up bills and glowing with faith. Not surprisingly, his creditors finally took over the place. "Henry can laugh about it now, having learned that God more often helps those who are willing to help themselves." 1. LETTER,1960 2. LETTER, 1966 *~*~*~*~*^ BigBookQuote^*~*~*~*~* "Yes, there is a substitute and it is vastly more than that. It is a fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. There you will find release from care, boredom and worry. Your imagination will be fired. Life will mean something at last. The most satisfactory years of your existence lie ahead."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 152 *~*~*^TwentyFourHoursADay^*~*~* A.A. Thought for the Day Strength comes from coming to believe in a Higher Power that can help you. You can't define this Higher Power, but you can see how it helps other alcoholics. You hear them talk about it and you begin to get the idea yourself. You try praying in a quiet time each morning and you begin to feel stronger, as though your prayers were heard. So you gradually come to believe there must be a Power in the world outside yourself, which is stronger than you and to which you can turn for help. Am I receiving strength from my faith in a Higher Power?
Meditation for the Day
Spiritual development is achieved by daily persistence in living the way you believe God wants you to live. Like the wearing away of a stone by steady drops of water, so will your daily persistence wear away all the difficulties and gain spiritual success for you. Never falter in this daily, steady persistence. Go forward boldly and unafraid. God will help and strengthen you, as long as you are trying to do His will.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may persist day by day in gaining spiritual experience, I pray that I may make this a lifetime work.
