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Freefly
Administrator
966 Posts |
 Posted - 07/14/2008 : 07:07:51 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 14, 2008
Resentments
In one flash of insight I saw that if I were to wait for
all the other people to shape up,
I was going to get drunk and stay drunk a long, long time.
In that instant I saw that all things I had considered facts,
were not facts at all, but my own thoughts.
And that this was very fortunate, because I could do something about changing
my thoughts but nothing about changing the people around me.
So the fault was mine after all. . .
The most important factor in eliminating resentments is to know you have them.
You can't fix something if you don't know what's wrong.
© 1985 The AA Grapevine, Inc., The Best Of The Grapevine [Vol. 1], p. 44
Thought to Ponder . . .
Expectations are premeditated resentments.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
966 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2008 : 06:49:18 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 15, 2008
Children of Chaos
Over the years, every deviation
from our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions has been tried.
That was sure to be, since we are so largely a band of ego-driven individuals.
Children of chaos, we have defiantly played with every brand of fire,
only to emerge unharmed and, we think, wiser.
These very deviations created a vast process of trial and error which,
under the grace of God, has brought us to where we stand today.
© 1953 AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 146
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
Wisdom is knowing the right path to take. Integrity is taking it.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Try Relying Upon Steps and Traditions.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2008 : 06:54:45 AM
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July 16.................Self-esteem
"Deep inside, I had feelings of inadequacy and infeiority."
Basic Text, p. 112
Somewhere along the way, many of us developed strong feelings of inadequacy and inferiority. Deep inside was a voice that continually cried out, "You're worthless?" Many of us learn to recognize this characteristic of low self-esteem very early in our recovery. Some of us may feel that our feelings of inferiority were where all our problems began.
Whether we learn this low self-esteem in our families or through our interactions with others, in NA we learn the tools for reclaiming ourselves. Building up our fractured self-esteem sometimes begins by simply accepting a service position Or perhaps our phone begins to ring, and for the first time people are calling just to see how we are. They don't want anything from us but to reach out and help.
Next we get a sponsor, someone who teaches us that we are worthwhile and believes in us until we can believe in ourselves. Our sponsor guides us through the Twelve Steps where we learn who we really are, not who we have built ourselves up or down to be.
Low self-esteem doesn't go away overnight. Sometimes it takes years for us to really get in touch with ourselves. But with the help of other members of NA who share our same feelings, and by working the Twelve Steps, we blossom into individuals whom others and, most importantly, we ourselves respect.
Just For Today: I will remember that I am deserving of my Higher Power's love. I know that I am a worthy human being.
From the book Just For Today, Daily Meditations for
Recovering Addicts, NA World Services, Inc. page 206
(I can really relate to this reading. I am still working on my self-esteem, even at two years. But with all the love I feel from both fellowships and feeling a part of, I keep coming back and my self-esteem keeps getting better. I "was" told by my sponsor and network that "they would love me, until I could learn to love mysef". And I do have people calling me and asking how I am doing. I couldn't stay sober without these people! I can't do this alone. This is a journey, not a destination! Thanks, Pam)
"Reach for the stars...You will at least end up among the clouds"
Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!
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Freefly
Administrator
966 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2008 : 07:30:13 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 16, 2008
Spirit of Service
Dr. Bob said, "We knew practically nothing of alcoholism."
Bob understood that the spirit of service was of primary importance
for his own recovery, but he soon discovered it had to be backed up
by some knowledge as well.
He remembered, for instance, talking for five or six hours to one man
who was lying in a hospital bed.
"I don't know how he ever stood me," he said.
"We must have hidden his clothes.
We are stewards of what we have, and that includes our time.
I was not giving a good account of my stewardship of time
when it took me six hours to say something to this man
I could have said in an hour -- if I had known what I was talking about."
© 1980 AAWS, Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, pp. 104-5
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
Faith is our greatest gift; its sharing with others our greatest responsibility.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2008 : 11:09:29 PM
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July 17.....With no more regrets...its about here and its about now.
Today's thought from Hazelden is:
Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, "."
--John Greenleaf Whittier
Unless we live in the now, we are in danger of suffering the agony of regret. We can't spend all our time thinking "life's not fair." We cannot afford to excuse everything with "what ifs?" We used those words constantly during the years we wasted on obeying compulsions we knew could destroy us.
We remember the years before recovery and accept them as object lessons of what it could be like again if we become careless or complacent. But we don't regret them. Regret only leads to depression and perhaps a return to active addiction.
We must stop dwelling on the impossibility of undoing the wrongs of yesterday. Instead, we must begin enjoying the "right things" that are now possible in recovery.
It is impossible to relive my past. I can only create a good past now by living this day the best way I can, so that tomorrow I can look back without having to say "It might have been."
From the book:
Easy Does It by Anonymous
Easy Does It. Copyright 1999 by Hazelden Foundation.
"Reach for the stars...You will at least end up among the clouds"
Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!
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Freefly
Administrator
966 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2008 : 06:00:39 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 17, 2008
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 most 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 all done it lots of times.
The trick is to stay and to live sober.
© 1998 AAWS, Living Sober, preface
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
Every recovery from alcoholism began with one sober hour.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
966 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2008 : 09:08:22 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 18, 2008
Revelations
Although I can barely recall anything about that [first] meeting,
I heard two things I have never forgotten.
The first was, "You don't have to drink again."
This was a total revelation to me. For a long time, I had believed
that alcohol was one of the few positive things left in my life.
I looked forward to my first drink every evening and thought that alcohol
was holding my life together.
I had to drink to survive, let alone to have any comfort.
Yet here were people who had been in the same boat
telling me that I didn't have to drink. I don't think I believed them that night,
but it gave me enough hope to quit drinking the rest of the day.
The second thing I heard was "You don't have to be alone anymore."
This too was a revelation.
© 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp.364-365
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
If I don't drink today, I have the hope of a tomorrow.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
You Are Not Alone.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
966 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2008 : 08:43:43 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 19, 2008
Envy
We live in a world riddled with envy.
To a greater or less degree, everybody is infected with it.
From this defect we must surely get a warped yet definite satisfaction.
Else why would we consume such great amounts of time
wishing for what we have not, rather than working for it,
or angrily looking for attributes we shall never have,
instead of adjusting to the fact and accepting it?
© 1953 AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p.67
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light;
take off all your envy, jealousy, un-forgiveness, selfishness, and fear.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
966 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2008 : 07:49:45 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 20, 2008
"Something"
AA provided for me a means
by which I could overcome the compulsion to drink,
and, more important, a means by which I could achieve
a personality change, or spiritual awakening -- a surrender to life.
Though I have had problems and deep troubles since that summer ten years ago,
my faith has not been shaken.
I cannot say that I have found God, as I understand Him,
but rather that I have faith in Something which remains a mystery to me
and which I continue to seek.
© 1973 AAWS, Came To Believe . . ., p.59
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
A spiritual awakening is our greatest gift.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Keeping It Simple, Spiritually.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
966 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2008 : 06:44:08 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 21, 2008
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.
Resentment, anger, or a desire to see someone punished,
are things that rot my soul. Such things fasten my troubles to me with chains.
They tie me to other problems that have nothing to do with my original problem.
© 1990 AAWS, Daily Reflections p.88
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
Forgiveness of others is a gift to yourself.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Pamela7030
Moderator
800 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2008 : 9:08:40 PM
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July 21, 2008
"I would love to, but I need to talk to my sponsor first."
Before recovery I listened to my own best thinking, and you can imagine where that got me. Time and time again I'd follow one "good idea" with another until I was in so much trouble I didn't know what to do. And that's when I'd think of the best idea ever, and I'd act on it. After a while, the only thing worse than my problems where the solutions I would think up for them!
When I entered the program, my sponsor constantly asked me if I had any good ideas left. Plenty, I told him. "Make sure and run your thinking by me first then," he said. When I objected to this he reminded me that my best thinking was what had gotten me into the rooms. As I followed his direction, and as he walked me through the inevitable consequences of my thinking, I began to see the wisdom of his advice.
What's so interesting to me now is that even with years in recovery, my thinking remains much the same. It is still driven by the disease of addiction and automatically defaults to self will and self seeking. Because of this, I've found that the same advice I was given in the beginning remains true for me today
I should still run my thinking by my sponsor first.
From the web site "Wisdom of the Rooms"
www.wisdomoftherooms.com
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
............Helen Keller
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.
.................J. Robert Oppenheimer
"Reach for the stars...You will at least end up among the clouds"
Share your experience, strength, and hope with another and see the miracles transform your life!
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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
966 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2008 : 09:36:14 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 22, 2008
Blessings
Today I fit in my skin. I am at peace with myself and the world around me.
Growing up in AA, I have been blessed with children
who have never seen their mother drunk.
I have a husband who loves me simply because I am,
and I have gained the respect of my family.
What more could a broken-down drunk ask for?
Lord knows it is more than I ever thought possible,
and ever so much more than I deserved.
All because I was willing to believe AA just might work for me too.
© 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous p.318
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
It works -- it really does.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
966 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2008 : 08:09:59 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 23, 2008
Lifting Guilt
For weeks I sat in the back of the rooms,
silent when others shared their experience, strength, and hope.
I listened to their stories and found so many areas where we overlapped
-- not all of the deeds, but the feelings of remorse and hopelessness.
I learned that alcoholism isn't a sin, it's a disease
That lifted the guilt I had felt. I learned that I didn't have to stop drinking forever,
but just not pick up that first drink one day, one hour at a time.
I could manage that.
There was laughter in those rooms and sometimes tears, but always love,
and when I was able to let it in, that love helped me heal.
© 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous p.344
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
Laughter is music to my soul.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Tears, Laughter, Caring.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
966 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2008 : 07:24:39 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 24, 2008
Willingness
I was told that I must want sobriety for my own sake,
and I am convinced this is true.
There may be many reasons that bring one to AA for the first time,
but the lasting one must be to want sobriety and the AA way of living for oneself.
© 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous pp. 354-55
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
The express elevator to sobriety doesn't work -- please use the Steps.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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Freefly
Administrator
966 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2008 : 07:48:33 AM
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AA Thought for the Day
July 25, 2008
New Vistas
For a long time, I had the idea that I must succeed, I must be right,
I must be important.
If I let go, I thought, then I wouldn't be anybody. Well, who was I, anyway?
Just a willful alcoholic woman.
Now I'm beginning to see that letting go doesn't mean giving up.
It means opening myself to new vistas. There have been moments of
what I would call ecstasy. I'm thrilled and I'm scared at the same time.
I feel, "I'd better not enjoy this, because it is going to go away."
It's so hard for me to say, "Okay, you've had a little insight. Just let it happen!"
The AA program says, "Look, we've got some things to give you
that are really going to help -- if you'll slow down enough and if you'll relax."
© 1973 AAWS, Came To Believe . . . p. 41
With permission, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Thought to Ponder . . .
The peaks and valleys of my life have become gentle rolling hills.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
No Othere Way.
Day by Day is the only way.... |
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