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AA Thought for the Day

January 10

Happy, Joyous, and Free

We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free.
We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears,
though it once was just that for many of us.
But it is clear that we made our own misery. God didn't do it.
Avoid then, the deliberate manufacture of misery, but if trouble comes,
cheerfully capitalize it as an opportunity to demonstrate His omnipotence.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 133

Thought to Ponder
Joy is in knowing there is an answer.

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

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Courage
I looked around me at people who seemed happy
and tried to analyze their happiness,
and it seemed to me that without exception
these people had something or somebody
they loved very much.
I didn't have the courage to love;
I was not even sure I had the capacity.
Fear of rejection and its ensuing pain were not to be risked . . .
c. 1976 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 546
(does not appear in 4th Edition)

Thought to Consider . . .
Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
A A = Altered Attitudes

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Cooperation
>From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":
"Public relations was not only a big problem but a very delicate one. Any blunders that could arouse general prejudice
might prolong the suffering of many and cost the lives of some. A carefully thought-out public relations policy had to be
formed and put into operation.
"Prime consideration was given to our relations with medicine and religion. Under no circumstances must we get into
competition with either. If we appeared to be a new religious sect, we would certainly be in trouble. And if we moved into
the medical field as such, there would be more trouble. So we began to emphasize the fact that A.A. was a way of life
that conflicted with no one's religious belief. We let the doctors know how much we needed hospitalization, and we
suggested to psychiatrists and drying-out places the advantage of cooperating with us."
2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 197

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"The AA message does not carry itself; somebody must carry it."
Jackson, Miss., November 1964
"Let Go and Let God,"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our Creator. We can
laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness.
Paradoxically, it is the way of strength. The verdict of the ages is
that faith means courage. All men of faith have courage. They trust
their God. We never apologize for God. Instead we let Him
demonstrate, through us, what He can do. We ask Him to remove our
fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be. At once,
we commence to outgrow fear."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 68~

"We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the
Spirit of the Universe."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, Page 75~

The answer, now seen in Tradition Three, was simplicity itself.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p.141

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Self-searching is the means by which we bring new vision, action, and grace to bear upon the dark and negative side of our natures. With it comes the development of that kind of humility that makes it possible for us to receive God's help. Yet it is only a step. We will want to go further.
We will want the good that is in us all, even in the worst of us, to flower and to grow. But first of all we shall want sunlight; nothing much can grow in the dark. Meditation is our step out into the sun.
'A clear light seems to fall upon us all - when we open our eyes. Since our blindness is caused by our own defects, we must first deeply realize what they are. Constructive meditation is the first requirement for each new step in our spiritual growth.'

Prayer for the Day: Lord, make my life A window for Your light To shine through and a mirror to reflect Your love To all I meet. Amen.