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Pamela7030
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800 Posts |
 Posted - 09/25/2009 : 12:46:40 PM
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NA Thought for the Day
September 25, 2009
“We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”
Character defects or shortcomings are those things that cause pain and misery all of our lives. If they contributed to our health and happiness, we would not have come to such a state of desperation. We had to become ready to have God, as we understood Him, remove these defects.
We couldn’t handle the ordeal of life all by ourselves. It wasn’t until we made a real mess of our lives that we realized we couldn’t do it alone. By admitting this, we achieved a glimpse of humility. To be truly humble is to accept and honestly try to be ourselves. None of us is perfectly good or perfectly bad. We are people who have assets and liabilities. Most importantly, we are human.
Humility is as much a part of staying clean as food and water are to staying alive. As our addiction progressed, we devoted our energy toward satisfying our material desires. All other needs were beyond our reach. We always wanted gratification of our basic desires.
We have to understand that our way of thinking is not the only way; other people can give us direction. When someone points out a shortcoming, our first reaction may be defensive. We must realize that we are not perfect. There will always be room for growth. If we truly want to be free, we will take a good look at input from fellow addicts. If the shortcomings we discover are real, and we have a chance to be rid of them, we will surely experience a sense of well-being.
Some will be very quiet, and others will put a great emotional effort to show intense willingness. Many of us are willing to work this step without reservations, on pure blind faith, because we are sick of what we have been doing and how we are feeling. Whatever works, we go all the way.
This is our road to spiritual growth. We change every day. We gradually and carefully pull ourselves out of the isolation and loneliness of addiction and into the mainstream of life. This growth is not the result of wishing, but of action and prayer.
We have noticed that humility plays a big part in this program and our new way of life. We take our inventory; we become ready to let God remove our defects of character; we humbly as Him to remove our shortcomings. This is our road to spiritual growth, and we will want to continue.
Basic Text, p. 35-37
The word humble applies because we approach this Power greater than ourselves to ask for the freedom to live without the limitations of our past ways.
“Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!” |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2009 : 09:09:40 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
September 26, 2009
Willingness
If you have decided you want what we have
and are willing to go to any length to get it --
then you are ready to take certain steps. At some of these we balked.
We thought we could find an easier, softer way. But we could not.
With all the earnestness at our command,
we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p.58
Thought to Ponder . . .
Many of our fears are tissue paper thin,
and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Willingness, Honesty, Open-mindedness.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
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964 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2009 : 10:29:07 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
September 27, 2009
Attitude
Whatever is done is over. It cannot be changed.
But my attitude about it can be changed
through talking with those who have gone before and with sponsors.
I can wish the past never was,
but if I change my actions in regard to what I have done, my attitude will change.
I won't have to wish the past away. I can change my feelings and attitudes,
but only through my actions and the help of my fellow alcoholics.
- Daily Reflections, p.141
Thought to Ponder . . .
Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Altered Attitudes.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 09/28/2009 : 07:59:11 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
September 28, 2009
Right Size
We found many in AA who had once thought as we did.
They helped us get down to our right size.
By their example they showed us that humility and intellect could be compatible,
provided we place humility first.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p 30
Thought to Ponder . . .
I'm not alone anymore.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Always Awesome.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 09/29/2009 : 05:51:38 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
September 29, 2009
Convincing Evidence
The most convincing evidence I have today that I am an alcoholic
is not how much or how long I drank, nor how drunk I got;
the most convincing evidence I have
is that Alcoholics Anonymous is working for me.
- Thank You For Sharing, p.181
Thought to Ponder . . .
It works -- it really does.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Achieve Anything.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2009 : 06:11:54 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
September 30, 2009
Philosophy
AA is a synthesis of all the philosophy I've ever read,
all of the positive, good philosophy, all of it based on love.
I have seen that there is only one law, the law of love,
and there are only two sins;
the first is to interfere with the growth of another human being,
and the second is to interfere with one's own growth.
- Experience, Strength and Hope, p.431
Thought to Ponder . . .
Love and tolerance of others is our code.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Hope, Encouragement, Love, Patience.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2009 : 07:17:18 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
, 2009
Forgiveness
I must forgive injuries, not just in words, or as a matter of form,
but in my heart.
I do this not for the other persons' sake, but for my own sake.
- Daily Reflections, p 88
Thought to Ponder . . .
Forgiveness of others is a gift to yourself.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Thank God I'm Forgiven.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2009 : 07:51:27 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
October 3, 2009
Belief
My brilliant agnosticism vanished,
and I saw for the first time that those who really believed,
or at least honestly tried to find a Power greater than themselves,
were much more composed and contented than I had ever been,
and they seemed to have a degree of happiness I had never known.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, pp.228-229
Thought to Ponder . . .
Hold your face up to the Light, even though for the moment you do not see.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Acceptance, Belief, Change.
As always,
Sending angels....
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2009 : 4:57:31 PM
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NA Thought for the Day
October 3, 2009
We were constantly searching for the answer—that person, place or thing that would make everything all right. We lacked the ability to cope with daily living. As our addiction progressed, many of us found ourselves in and out of institutions.
These experiences indicate that there was something wrong with our lives. We wanted an easy way out. Some of us thought of suicide. Our attempts were usually feeble and only helped to contribute to our feelings of worthlessness. We were trapped in the illusion of “what if,” “if only” and “just one more time.” When we did seek help, we were only looking for the absence of pain.
We had regained good physical health many times, only to lose it by using again. Our track record shows that it is impossible for us to use successfully. No matter how well we may appear to be in control, using drugs always brings us to our knees.
Like other incurable diseases, addiction can be arrested. We agree that there is nothing shameful about being an addict, provided we accept our dilemma honestly and take positive action. We are willing to admit without reservation that we are allergic to drugs. Common sense tells us that it would be insane to go back to the source of our allergy. Our experience indicates that medicine cannot cure our illness.
Although physical and mental tolerance play a role, many drugs require no extended period of use to trigger allergic reactions. Our reaction to drugs is what makes us addicts, not how much we use.
Basic Text, Page5
Denial of our addiction kept us sick, but our honest admission of addiction enabled us to stop using.
“Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!” |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2009 : 11:00:05 AM
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Thought for the Day
October 4, 2009
Anonymity
We now fully realize that 100 percent personal anonymity
before the public
is just as vital to the life of AA as 100 percent sobriety
is to the life of each and every member.
This is not the counsel of fear; it is the prudent voice of long experience.
I am sure that we are going to listen; that we shall make every needed sacrifice.
- The Language of the Heart, p.216
Thought to Ponder . . .
Walk softly and carry a Big Book.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A N O N Y M O U S =
Actions, Not Our Names, Yield Maintenance Of Unity and Service.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2009 : 08:28:02 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
October 5, 2009
Honesty
Only by discussing ourselves, holding back nothing,
only by being willing to take advice and accept direction,
could we set foot on the road to straight thinking, solid honesty,
and genuine humility.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p.59
Thought to Ponder . . .
Honesty isn't an event -- it's a process.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.
As always,
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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| Information in this forum is not monitored or provided by a medical professional. The information reflects member opinions only. Do not act on advice from these forums without first consulting a qualified medical professional. All content is copyrighted and protected by Aelius Group. |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 05:34:13 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
October 6, 2009
Alternatives
We were in a position where life was becoming impossible,
and if we had passed into the region
from which there is no return through human aid,
we had but two alternatives: One was to go on to the bitter end,
blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could,
and the other, to accept spiritual help.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p.25
Thought to Ponder . . .
Simply asking for help seems to be a help in itself.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Accept, Begin, Continue.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2009 : 1:54:19 PM
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AA Thought for the Day
October 7, 2009
Perfection
I never have been and never can be perfect.
As that realization became a part of me -- and it took time --
it brought me one of the greatest of the many blessings
that have come to me from AA.
I learned to accept myself as a fallible human being.
I do not have to strive for perfection.
Mistakes are permissible. I have the right to be wrong.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 2], pp.167-8
Thought to Ponder . . .
Give me the courage to be imperfect.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Try Relying Upon Steps and Traditions.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2009 : 08:28:14 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
October 8, 2009
Reliance vs. Defiance
No man, we saw, could believe in God and defy Him, too.
Belief meant reliance, not defiance.
In AA, we saw the fruits of this belief;
men and women spared from alcohol's final catastrophe.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p.31
Thought to Ponder . . .
Reliance on God enables me to match calamity with serenity.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
One Day At A Time
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
964 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 06:19:27 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
October 9, 2009
Daily Inventory
When I am feeling good and things are going well, I can become complacent.
To put it simply, I become lazy and turn into the problem
instead of the solution.
I need to get into action, to take stock: where am I and where am I going?
A daily inventory will tell me what I must change.
- Daily Reflections, p.283
Thought to Ponder . . .
Inventory-taking is not all in red ink.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Accountable Actions.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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