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AA Thought for the Day

April 11

Dependence
Some of us have taken very hard knocks to learn this truth: Job or no job -- wife or no wife --
we simply do not stop drinking so long as we place dependence upon other people
ahead of dependence on God.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 98

Thought to Ponder . . .
I cannot mend if I bend the truth.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
G I F T = God Is Forever There.

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

Progress
"We claim spiritual progress rather than
spiritual perfection.
Our description of the alcoholic,
the chapter to the agnostic,
and our personal adventures before and after
make clear three pertinent ideas:
(a) That we were alcoholic and could not
manage our own lives.
(b) That probably no human power could
have relieved our alcoholism.
(c) That God could and would if He were sought."
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 60

Thought to Consider . . .
Every recovery from alcoholism
began with one sober hour.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
BIG BOOK
Believing In God Beats Our Old Knowledge

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

Surrender
>From "God Is Good":
"Before A.A., I could not, or would not, admit I was wrong. My pride would not let me. And yet I was ashamed of me.
Caught in this conflict, I banished God from my life because I felt He asked me to adhere to a behavior pattern too high
for a man of my human frailty. Somehow, I believed that there could be no forgiveness of any failure, that God required
me to be all good. The moral of the story of the Prodigal Son eluded me.
"Since I thought trying was not enough, I stopped trying. That made me feel guilty. For a while, alcohol blotted out the
guilt. Then alcohol became the greatest cause of my guilt. I had to be beaten to a pulp physically, mentally and
emotionally, become bankrupt in all facets of my being, before I could give up my pride and admit defeat. Unfortunately,
admitting was not sufficient. My situation got worse until I had to surrender completely. From the depths of my hell, I
called out, "Oh God, help," and He led me to a place where I could find a way out of the maze and then sent me a group
of people to lead the way."
1973 AAWS, Inc.; Came to Believe, 30th printing 2004, pg.86

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

"I cannot afford to take sobriety for granted ... I count my blessings and enjoy them all, large and small."
Green Valley, Arizona, February 1978
"Summer of Discontent,"
Spiritual Awakenings II

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

"Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental
defense against the first drink. Except in a few rare cases, neither
he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense
must come from a Higher Power."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 43~

"We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much
more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our
respective homes, occupations and affairs."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 19

To those of us who have hitherto known only excitement, depression, or anxiety – in other words, to all of us – this
newfound peace is a priceless gift.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 74

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

'The Spiritual Angel'
How often do we sit in A.A. meetings and hear the speaker declare, 'But I haven't yet got the spiritual angle.' Prior to this
statement, he has described a miracle of transformation which has occurred in him--not only his release from alcohol,
but a complete change in his whole attitude toward life and the living of it.
It is apparent to everyone else present that he has received a great gift, and that this gift is all out of proportion to
anything that may be expected from simple A.A. participation. So we in the audience smile and say to ourselves, 'Well,
that guy is just reeking with the spiritual angle--except that he doesn't seem to know it yet!' GRAPEVINE, JULY 1962

Prayer For The Day: Lord help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I together can't handle. Amen.