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whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 17th, 2007 07:26 AM   IP              November 16 Thought for the Day I have got rid of most of my inner conflicts. I was always at war with myself. I was doing things that I did not want to do. I was waking up in strange places and wondering how I got there. I was full of recklessness when I was drunk and full of remorse when I was sober. My life didn't make sense. It was full of broken resolves and frustrated hopes and plans. I was getting nowhere fast. No wonder my nerves were all shot. I was bumping up against a blank wall and I was dizzy from it. A.A. taught me how to get organized and to stop fighting against myself. Have I got rid of inner conflicts? Meditation for the Day "When two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them." The spirit of G*d comes upon His followers when they are all together at one time, in one place, and with one accord. When two or three consecrated souls are together at a meeting place, the spirit of G*d is there to help and guide them. When any sincere group of people are together, reverently seeking help of G*d, His power and His spirit are there to inspire them. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may be in accord with the members of my group. I pray that I may feel the strength of a consecrated group. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 17th, 2007 07:49 AM   IP              November 17 Thought for the Day Everyone has two personalities, a good and a bad. We are all dual personalities to some extent. When we were drinking, the bad personality was in control. We did things when we were drunk that we would never do when we were sober. When we sober up, we are different people. Then we wonder how we could have done the things we did. But we drink again, and again our bad side comes out. So we are back and forth, always in conflict with our other selves, always in a stew. This division of our selves is not good; we must somehow become unified. We do this by giving ourselves wholeheartedly to A.A. and to sobriety. Have I become unified? Meditation for the Day "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of Thy Lord." These words are for many ordinary people whom the world may pass by, unrecognizing. Not to the world-famed, the proud, the wealthy, are these words spoken, but to the quiet followers who serve G*d unobtrusively yet faithfully, who bear their crosses bravely and put a smiling face to the world. "Enter into the joy of Thy Lord." Pass into that fuller spiritual life, which is a life of joy and peace. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may not desire the world's applause. I pray that I may not seek rewards for doing what i believe is right. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 19th, 2007 08:33 AM   IP              November 18 Thought for the Day I have gotten over my procrastination. I was always putting things off till tomorrow and as a result they never got done. "There is always another day" was my motto instead of "Do it now." Under the influence of alcohol, I had grandiose plans. When I was sober I was too busy getting over my drunk to start anything. "Some day I'll do that" - but I never did it. In A.A. I have learned that it's better to make a mistake once in a while than to never do anything at all. We learn by trial and error. But we must act now and not put it off until tomorrow. Have I learned to do it now? Meditation for the Day "Do not hide your light under a bushel. Arise and shine, for the light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen in thee." The glory of the Lord shines in the beauty of your character. It is risen in you, even though you can realize it only in part. "Now you see as in a glass darkly, but later you will see face to face." The glory of the Lord is too dazzling for mortals to see fully on earth. But some of this glory is risen in you when you try to reflect that light in your life. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may try to be a reflection of the Divine Light. I pray that some of its rays may shine in my life. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 20th, 2007 07:19 AM   IP              November 20 Thought for the Day I no longer try to escape life through alcoholism. Drinking built up an unreal world for me and I tried to live in it. But in the morning light the real life was back again and facing it was harder than ever, because I had less resources with which to meet it. Each attempt at escape weakened my personality by the very attempt. Everyone knows that alcohol, by relaxing inhibitions, permits a flight from reality. Alcohol deadens the brain cells that preside over our highest faculties and we are off to the un-real world of drunkenness. A.A. taught me not to run away, but to face reality. Have I given up trying to escape life? Meditation for the Day In these times of quiet meditation, try more and more to set your hopes on the grace of G*d. Know that whatever the future may hold, it will hold more and more of good. Do not set all your hopes and desires on material things. There is weariness in an abundance of things. Set your hopes on spiritual things so that you may grow spiritually. Learn to rely on G*d's power more and more and in that reliance you will have an insight into the greater value of the things of the spirit. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may not be overwhelmed by material things. I pray that I may realize the higher value of spiritual things. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 22nd, 2007 09:03 AM   IP              November 21 Thought for the Day I no longer waste money, but try to put it to good use. Like all of us, when I was drunk, I threw money around like I really had it. It gave me a feeling of importance - a millionaire for a day. But the morning after, with an empty wallet and perhaps also some undecipherable checks, was a sad awakening. How could I have been such a fool? How will I ever make it up? Thoughts like these get you down. When we are sober, we spend our hard-earned money as it should be spent. Although perhaps some of us could be more generous in our A.A. giving, at least we do not throw it away. Am I making good use of my money? Meditation for the Day You were meant to be at home and comfortable in the world. Yet some people live a life of quiet desperation. This is the opposite of being at home and at peace in the world. Let your peace of mind be evident to those around you. Let others see that you are comfortable, and seeing it, know that it springs from your trust in a Higher Power. The dull, hard way of resignation is not G*d's way. Faith takes the sting out of the winds of adversity and brings peace even in the midst of struggle. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may be more comfortable in my way of living. I pray that I may feel more at home and at peace within myself. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 25th, 2007 06:50 AM   IP              November 22 Thought for the Day I have got rid of most of my boredom. One of the hardest things that a new member of A.A. has to understand is how to stay sober and not be bored. Drinking was always the answer to all kinds of boring people or boring situations. But once you have taken up the interest of A.A., once you have given it your time and enthusiasm, boredom should not be a problem to you. A new life opens up before you that can be always interesting. Sobriety should give you so many new interests in life that you shouldn't have time to be bored. Have I got rid of the fear of being bored? Meditation for the Day "If I have not charity, I am become a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." Charity means to care enough about other people to really want to do something for them. A smile, a word or encouragement, a word of love, goes winged on its way, simple though it may seem, while the mighty words of an orator fall on deaf ears. Use up the odd moments of your day in trying to do some little thing to cheer up another person. Boredom comes from thinking too much about yourself. Prayer for the Day I pray that my day may be brightened by some little act of charity. I pray that I may try today to overcome the self-centeredness that makes me bored. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 25th, 2007 07:06 AM   IP              November 23 Thought for the Day I no longer refuse to do anything because I cannot do it to perfection. Many of us alcoholics use the excuse of not being able to do something perfectly to enable us to do nothing at all. We pretend to be perfectionists. We are good at telling people how a thing should be done, but when we come to the effort of doing it ourselves, we balk. We say to ourselves: "I might make a mistake, so I'd better let the whole thing slide." In A.A. we set our goals high, but that does not prevent us from trying. The mere fact that we will never fully reach these goals does not prevent us from doing the best we can. Have I stopped hiding behind the smoke-screen of perfectionism? Meditation for the Day "In the world ye shall have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." Keep an undaunted spirit. Keep your spirit free and unconquered. You can be undefeated and untouched by failure and all it's power, by letting your spirit overcome the world; rise above earth's turmoil into the secret chamber of perfect peace and confidence. When a challenge comes to you, remember you have G*d's help and nothing can wholly defeat you. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may have confidence and be of good cheer. I pray that I may not fear the power of failure. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 25th, 2007 07:16 AM   IP              November 24 Thought for the Day Instead of pretending to be perfectionists, in A.A. we are content if we are making progress. The main thing is to be growing. We realize that perfectionism is only a result of false pride and an excuse to save our faces. In A.A. we are willing to make mistakes and to stumble, provided we are always stumbling forward. We are not so interested in what we are as in what we are becoming. We are on the way, not at the goal. And we will be on the way as long as we live. No A.A. has ever "arrived." But we are getting better. Am I making progress? Meditation for the Day Each new day brings an opportunity to do some little thing that will help to make a better world, that will bring G*d's kingdom a little nearer to being realized on earth. Take each day's happenings as opportunities for something you can do for G*d. In that spirit, a blessing will attend all that you do. Offering this day's service to G*d, you are sharing in His work. You do not have to do great things. Prayer for the Day I pray that today I may do the next thing, the unselfish, the loving thing. I pray that I may be content with doing small things as long as they are right. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 25th, 2007 07:28 AM   IP              November 25 Thought for the Day I am not so envious of other people, nor am I jealous of other people's possession's and talents. When I was drinking, I was secretly full of jealously and envy of those people who could drink normally, who had the love and respect of their families, who lived a normal life and were accepted as equals by their friends. I pretended to myself that I was as good as they were, but I knew it wasn't so. Now I don't have to be envious any more. I try not to want what I don't deserve. I'm content with what I have earned by my efforts to live the right way. More power to those who have what I have not. At least, I'm trying. Have I got rid of the poison of envy? Meditation for the Day "My soul is restless till it finds its rest in Thee." A river flows on, until it loses itself in the sea. Our spirits long for rest in the Spirit of G*d. We yearn to realize a peace, a rest, a satisfaction that we have never found in the world or its pursuits. Some are not conscious of their need, and shut the doors of their spirits against the spirit of G*d. They are unable to have true peace. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may feel the divine unrest. I pray that my soul may find its rest in G*d. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 26th, 2007 07:31 AM   IP              November 26 Thought for the Day Continuing our thoughts about rewards that have come to us as a result of our new way of living, we have found that we have got rid of many of our fears, resentments, inferiority complexes, criticism of others, over-sensitiveness, inner conflicts, the habits of procrastination, undisciplined sex, wasting money, boredom, false perfectionism, jealousy, and envy of others. We are glad to be rid of these other things. We can now go forward in the new way of life, as shown us by A.A. Am I ready to go forward in the new life? Meditation for the Day "He that has eyes to see, let him see." To the seeing eye, the world is good. Pray for a seeing eye, to see the purpose of G*d in everything good. Pray for enough faith to see G*'d's care in His dealings with you. Try to see how He has brought you safely through your past life so that now you can be of use in the world. With the eyes of faith you can see G*d's care and purpose everywhere. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may have a seeing eye. I pray that with the eye of faith I may see G*d's purpose everywhere. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 27th, 2007 05:59 AM   IP              November 27 Thought for the Day The way of A.A. is the way of sobriety, fellowship, service, and faith. Let us take up each one of these things and see if our feet are truly on the way. The first and greatest to us is sobriety. The others are built on sobriety as a foundation. We could not have the others if we do not have sobriety. We all come to A.A. to get sober, and we stay to help others get sober. We are looking for sobriety first, last, and all the time. We cannot build any decent kind of a life unless we stay sober. Am I on the A.A. way? Meditation for the Day To truly desire to do G*d's will, therein lies happiness for a human being. We start out wanting our own way. We want our wills to be satisfied. We take and we do not give. Gradually we find that we are not happy when we are selfish, so we begin to make allowances for other people's wills. But this again does not give us full happiness, and we begin to see that the only way to be truly happy is to try to do G*d's will. In these times of meditation, we seek to get guidance so that we can find G*d's will for us. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may subordinate my will to the will of G*d. I pray that I may be guided today to find His will for me. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 28th, 2007 06:26 AM   IP              November 28 Thought for the Day The A.A. way is the way of sobriety. A.A. is known everywhere as a method that has been successful with alcoholics. Doctors, psychiatrists, and clergymen have had some success. Some men and women have got sober all by themselves. We believe that A.A. is the most successful and happiest way to sobriety. And yet A.A. is, of course, not wholly successful. Some are unable to achieve sobriety and some slip back into alcoholism after they have had some measure of sobriety. Am I deeply grateful to have found A.A.? Meditation for the Day Gratitude to G*d is the theme of Thanksgiving Day. The pilgrims gathered to give thanks to G*d for their harvest which was pitifully small. When we look around at all the things we have today, how we can help being grateful to G*d? Our families, or homes, our friends, our A.A. fellowship: all these things are free gifts of G*d to us. "But for the grace of G*d," we would not have them. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may be very grateful today. I pray that I may not forget where I might be but for the grace of G*d. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 29th, 2007 06:45 AM   IP              November 29 Thought for the Day The A.A. way is the way of sobriety, and yet there are slips. Why do these slips occur? Why don't we all accept A.A. and stay sober from then on? There are many reasons, but it has been proved without exception that once we have become alcoholics we can never drink successfully again. This has never been disproved by any case we know of. Many alcoholics have tried drinking after a period of sobriety from a few days to a few years and no one that we know of has been successful in becoming a normal drinker. Could I be the only exception to this rule? Meditation for the Day "We are gathered together in Thy name." First, we are gathered together, bound by a common loyalty to G*d and to each other. Then, when this condition has been fulfilled, G*d is present with us. Then, when G*d is there and one with us, we voice a common prayer. Then it follows that our prayer will be answered according to G*d's will. Then, when our prayer is answered, we are bound together in a lasting fellowship of the spirit. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may be loyal to G*d and to others. I pray that my life may be lived close to His and to theirs. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted November 30th, 2007 06:58 AM   IP              November 30 Thought for the Day We have slips in A.A. It has been said these are not slips but premeditated drunks, because we have to think about taking a drink before we actually take one. The thought always comes before the act. It is suggested that people should always get in touch with an A.A. before taking that first drink. The failure to do so makes it probable that they had decided to take the drink anyway. And yet the thoughts that come before taking a drink are often largely subconscious. People usually don't know consciously what made them do it. Therefore, the common practice is to call these things slips. Am I on guard against wrong thinking? Meditation for the Day "The eternal G*d is thy refuge." He is a sanctuary, a refuge from the care of life. You can get away from the misunderstanding of others by retiring into your own place of meditation. But from yourself, from your sense of failure, your weakness, your shortcomings, wither can you flee? Only to the eternal G*d, your refuge, until the immensity of His spirit envelopes your spirit and it loses its smallness and weakness and comes into harmony again with His. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may lose my limitations in the immensity of G*d's love. I pray that my spirit may be in harmony with His spirit. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 2nd, 2007 07:50 AM   IP              December 1 Thought for the Day The thoughts that come before having a slip are often largely subconscious. It is a question whether or not our subconscious minds ever become entirely free from alcoholic thoughts as long as we live. For instance, some of us dream about being drunk when we are asleep, even after several years of sobriety in A.A. During the period of our drinking days, our subconscious minds have been thoroughly conditioned by our alcoholic way of thinking and it is doubtful if they ever become entirely free of such thoughts during our lifetime. But when our conscious minds are fully conditioned against drinking, we can stay sober and our subconscious minds do not often bother us. Am I still conditioning my conscious mind? Meditation for the Day Having sympathy and compassion for all who are in temptation, a condition which we are sometimes in, we have responsibility towards them. Sympathy always includes responsibility. Pity is useless because it does not have a remedy for the need. But wherever our sympathy goes, our responsibility goes too. When we are moved with compassion, we should go to the one in need and bind up his wounds as best we can. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may have sympathy for those in temptation. I pray that I may have compassion for others' trials. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 2nd, 2007 08:03 AM   IP              December 2 Thought for the Day The thoughts that come before having a slip seem to be partly subconscious. And yet it is likely that at least part of these thoughts get into our consciousness. An idle thought connected with drinking casually pops into our mind. That is the crucial moment. Will I harbor that thought even for one minute or will i banish it from my mind at once? If I let it stay, it may develop into a daydream. I may begin to see a cool glass of beer or a Manhattan cocktail in my mind's eye. If I allow the daydream to stay in my mind, it may lead to a decision, however unconscious, to take a drink. Do I let myself daydream? Meditation for the Day Many of us have a sort of vision of the kind of person G*d wants us to be. We must be true to that vision, whatever it is, and we must try to live up to it, by living the way we believe we should live. We can all believe that G*d has a vision of what he wants us to be like. In all people there is the good person which G*d sees in us, the person we could be and that G*d would like us to be. But many a person fails to fulfill that promise and G*d's disappointments must be many. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may strive to be the kind of a person that G*d would have me be. I pray that I may try to fulfill G*d's vision of what I could be. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 3rd, 2007 08:24 AM   IP              December 3 Thought for the Day There is some alcoholic thought, conscious or unconscious, that comes before every slip. As long as we live, we must be on the lookout for such thoughts and guard against them. In fact, our A.A. training is mostly to prepare us, to make us ready to recognize such thoughts at once and to reject them at once. The slip comes when we allow such thoughts to remain in our minds, even before we actually go through the motions of lifting the glass to our lips. The A.A. program is largely one of mental training. How well is my mind prepared? Meditation for the Day Fret not your mind with puzzles that you cannot solve. The solution may never be shown to you until you have left this life. The loss of dear ones, the equality of life, the deformed and the maimed, and many other puzzling things may not be known to you until you reach the life beyond. "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." Only step by step, stage by stage, can you proceed in your journey into greater knowledge and understanding. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may be content that things which I now see darkly will some day be made clear. I pray that I may have faith that someday I will see face to face. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 4th, 2007 07:58 AM   IP              December 4 Thought for the Day If we allow an alcoholic thought to lodge in our minds for any length of time, we are in danger of having a slip. Therefore we must dispel such thoughts at once, by refusing their admittance and by immediately putting constructive thoughts in their place. Remember that alcohol is poison to you. Remember that it is impossible for you to drink normally. Remember that one drink will lead to others and you will eventually be drunk. Remember what happened to you in the past as a result of your drinking. Think of every reason you have learned in A.A. for not taking that drink. Fill your mind with constructive thoughts. Am I keeping my thoughts constructive? Meditation for the Day Always seek to set aside the valuations of the world which seem wrong and try to judge only by those valuations which seem right to you. Do not seek the praise and notice of the world. Be one of those who, though sometimes scoffed at, have a serenity and peace of mind which the scoffers never know. Be one of that band who feel the Divine Principle in the universe, though He be often rejected because He cannot be seen. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may not heed too much the judgment of the world. I pray that I may test things by what seems right to me. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 5th, 2007 05:14 AM   IP              December 5 Thought for the Day In spite of all we have learned in A.A., our old way of thinking comes back on us, sometimes with overwhelming force, and occasionally some of us have slips. We forget or refuse to call on the Higher Power for help. We seem to deliberately make our minds a blank so far as A.A. training goes, and we take a drink. We eventually get drunk. We are temporarily right back where we started from. Those who have had slips say unanimously that they were no fun. They say A.A. had taken all the pleasure out of drinking. They knew they were doing the wrong thing. The old mental conflict was back in full force. They were disgusted with themselves. Am I convinced that I can never get anything more out of drinking? Meditation for the Day Give something to those who are having trouble, to those whose thoughts are confused, something of your sympathy, your prayers, your time, your love, your thought, your self. Then give of your own confidence, as you have had it given to you by the grace of G*d. Give of yourself and of your loving sympathy. Give your best to those who need it and will accept it. Give according to need, never according to deserts. Remember that the giving of advice can never take the place of giving of your self. Prayer for the Day I pray that as I have received, so may I give. I pray that I may have the right answer to those who are confused. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 7th, 2007 06:34 AM   IP              December 7 Thought for the Day When people come back to A.A. after having a slip, the temptation is strong to say nothing about it. No other A.A. member should force them to declare themselves. It is entirely up to them. If they are well-grounded in A.A., they will realize that it's up to them to speak up at the next meeting and tell about their slip. There is no possible evasion of this duty, if they are thoroughly honest and really desirous of living the A.A. way again. When they have done it, their old confidence returns. They are home again. Their slip should not be mentioned again by others. They are again a good member of A.A. Am I tolerant of other peoples' mistakes? Meditation for the Day It is in the union of a soul with G*d that strength, new life, and spiritual power come. Bread sustains the body but we cannot live by bread alone. To try to do the will of G*d is the meat and support of true living. We feed on that spiritual food. Soul starvation comes from failing to do so. The world talks about bodies that are undernourished. What of the souls that are undernourished? Strength and peace come from partaking of spiritual food. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may not try to live by bread alone. I pray that my spirit may live by trying to do the will of G*d as I understand it. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 8th, 2007 05:55 AM   IP              December 8 Thought for the Day The length of time our sobriety is not as important as its quality. A person who has been in A.A. for a number of years may not be in as good mental condition as a person who has only been in a few months. It is a great satisfaction to have been an A.A. member for a long time and we often mention it. It may sometimes help the newer members, because they may say to themselves, "If they can do it, I can do it." And yet the older members must realize that as long as they live, they are only one drink away from a drunk. What is the quality of my sobriety? Meditation for the Day "And greater works this shall do." We can do greater works when we have more experience of the new way of life. We can have all the power we need from the Unseen G*d. We can have His grace, His spirit, to make us effective as we go along each day. Opportunities for a better world are all around us. Greater works can we do. But we do not work alone. The power of G*d is be hind all good works. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may find a rightful place in the world. I pray that I my work may be made more effective by the grace of G*d. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 9th, 2007 05:35 AM   IP              December 9 Thought for the Day The way of A.A. is the way of fellowship. We have read a good deal about fellowship and yet it is such an important part of the A.A. program that it seems we cannot think too much about it. Human beings were not mean to live alone. A hermit's life is not a normal or natural one. We all need to be by ourselves at times, but we cannot really live without companionship of others. Our natures demand it. Our lives depend largely upon it. The fellowship of A.A. seems to us to be the best in the world. Do I fully appreciate what the fellowship of A.A. means to me? Meditation for the Day We are all seeking something, but many do not know what they want in life. They are seeking something because they are restless and dissatisfied, without realizing that faith in G*d can give an objective and a purpose to their lives. Many of us at least subconsciously seeking for a Power greater than ourselves because that would give a meaning to our existence. If you have found that Higher Power, you can be the means of leading others aright, by showing them that their search for a meaning to life will end when they find faith and trust in G*d as the answer. Prayer for the Day I pray that my soul will lose its restlessness by finding rest in G*d. I pray that I may find peace of mind in the thought of G*d and His purpose for my life. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 10th, 2007 05:44 AM   IP              December 10 Thought for the Day Our drinking fellowship was a substitute one, for lack of something better. At the time, we did not realize what real fellowship could be. Drinking fellowship has a fatal fault. It is not based on a firm foundation. Most of it is on the surface. It is based mostly on the desire to use your companions for your own pleasure, and using others is a false foundation. Drinking fellowship has been praised in song and story. The "cup that cheers" has become famous as a means of companionship. But we realize that the higher centers of our brains are dulled by alcohol and such fellowship cannot be on the highest plane. It is at best only a substitute. Do I see my drinking fellowship in its proper light? Meditation for the Day Set for yourself the task of growing daily more and more into the consciousness of a Higher Power. We must keep trying to improve our conscious contact with G*d. This is done by prayer, quiet times, and communion. Often all you need to do is sit silent before G*d and let Him speak to you through your thought. Try to think G*d's thoughts after Him. When the guidance comes, you must not hesitate, but go out and follow that guidance in your daily work, doing what you believe to be the right thing. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may be still and know that G*d is with me. I pray that I may open my mind to the leading of the Divine Mind. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 11th, 2007 06:33 AM   IP              December 11 Thought for the Day Doctors think of the A.A. fellowship as group therapy. This is a very narrow conception of the depth of the A.A. fellowship. Looking at it purely as a means of acquiring and holing sobriety, it is right as far as it goes. But it doesn't go far enough. Group therapy is directed toward the help that the individual receives from it. It is essentially selfish. It is using the companionship of other alcoholics only in order to stay sober ourselves. But this is only the beginning of real A.A. fellowship. Do I deeply feel the true A.A. fellowship? Meditation for the Day Most of us have had to live through the dark part of our lives, the time of failure, the nighttime of our lives, when we were full of struggle and care, worry and remorse, when we felt deeply the tragedy of life. But with our daily surrender to a Higher Power, come a peace and joy that makes all things new. We can now take each day as a joyous sunrise-gift from G*d to use for Him and for other people. The night of the past is gone, this day is ours. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may take this day as a gift from G*d. I pray that I may thank G*d for this day and be glad in it. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 12th, 2007 06:34 AM   IP              December 12 Thought for the Day Clergymen speak of the spiritual fellowship of the church. This is much closer to the A.A. way than mere group therapy. Such a fellowship is based on a common belief in G*d and a common effort to live a spiritual life. We try to do this in A.A. We also try to get down to the real problems in each others' lives. We try to open up to each other. We have a real desire to be of service to each other. We try to go deep down into the personal lives of our members. Do I appreciate the deep personal fellowship of A.A.? Meditation for the Day Love and fear cannot dwell together. By their very natures, they cannot exist side by side. Fear is a very strong force. And therefore a weak and vacillating love can soon be routed by fear. But a strong love, a love that trusts in G*d, is sure eventually to conquer fear. The only sure way to dispel fear is to have the love of G*d more and more in your heart and soul. Prayer for the Day I pray that love will drive out the fear in my life. I pray that my fear will flee before the power of the love of G*d. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 13th, 2007 05:36 AM   IP              December 13 Thought for the Day We come now to A.A. fellowship. It is partly group therapy. It is partly spiritual fellowship. But it is even more. It is based on a common illness, a common failure, a common problem. It goes deep down into our personal lives and our personal needs. It requires a full opening up to each other of our inmost thoughts and most secret problems. All barriers between us are swept aside. They have to be. Then we try to help each other get well. The A.A. fellowship is based on a sincere desire to help the other person. In A.A. we can be sure of sympathy, understanding and real help. These things make the A.A. fellowship the best we know. Do I fully appreciate the depth of the A.A. fellowship? Meditation for the Day The Higher Power can guide us to the right decisions if we pray about them. We can believe that many details of our lives are planned by G*d and planned with a wealth of forgiving love for the mistakes we have made. We can pray today to be shown the right way. We can choose the good, and when we choose it, we can feel that the whole power of the universe is behind us. We can achieve a real harmony with G*d's purpose for our lives. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may choose aright today. I pray that I may be shown the right way to live today. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 14th, 2007 06:55 AM   IP              December 14 Thought for the Day The way of A.A. is the way of service. Without that, it would not work. We have been "on the wagon" and hated it. We have taken the pledge and waited for the time to be up with impatience. We have tried in all manner of ways to help ourselves. But not until we begin to help other people do we get full relief. It is an axiom that the A.A. program has to be given away in order to be kept. A river flows into the Dead Sea and stops. A river flows into a clear pool and flows out again. We get and then we give. If we do not give, we do not keep. Have I given up all ideas of holding A.A. for myself alone? Meditation for the Day Try to see the life of the spirit as a calm place, away from the turmoil of the world. Think of your spiritual home as a place full of peace, serenity, and contentment. Go to this quiet, meditative place for the strength to carry you through today's duties and problems. Keep coming back here for refreshment when you are weary of the hubbub of the outside world. From this quietness and communion comes our strength. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may keep this resting place where I can commune with G*d. I pray that I may find refreshment in meditation on the Eternal. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 15th, 2007 06:36 AM   IP              December 15 Thought for the Day Service to others makes the world a good place. Civilization would cease if all of us were always and only for ourselves. We alcoholics have a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the well-being of the world. We have a common problem. We find a common answer. We are uniquely equipped to help others with the same problem. What a wonderful world it would be if everybody took his own greatest problem and found the answer to it and spent the rest of his life helping others with the same problem in his spare time. Soon we would have the right kind of a world. Do I appreciate my unique opportunity to be of service? Meditation for the Day Today can be lived in the consciousness of G*d's contact, upholding you in all good thoughts, words, and deeds. If sometimes there seems to be a shadow on your life and you feel out of sorts, remember that this is not the withdrawal of G*d's presence, but only your temporary unwillingness to realize it. The quiet gray days are the days for doing what you must do, but know that the consciousness of G*d's nearness will return and be with you again, when the gray days are past. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may face the dull days with courage. I pray that I may have faith that the bright days will return. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 16th, 2007 06:13 AM   IP              December 16 Thought for the Day The way of A.A. is the way of faith. We don't get the full benefit of the program until we surrender our lives to some Power greater than ourselves and trust that Power to give us the strength we need. There is no better way for us. We can get sober without it. We can stay sober some time with out it. But if we are going to truly live, we must take the way of faith in G*d. That is the path for us. We must follow it. Have I taken the way of faith? Meditation for the Day Life is not a search for happiness. Happiness is a by-product of living the right kind of a life, of doing the right thing. Do not search for happiness, search for right living and happiness will be your reward. Life is sometimes a march of duty during dull, dark days. But happiness will come again, as G*d's smile of recognition of your faithfulness. True happiness is always the by-product of a life well lived. Prayer for the Day I pray that i may not seek happiness but seek to do right. I pray that I may not seek pleasure so much as the things that bring true happiness. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
whiskers *MODERATOR* Posts: 1833 Registered: Dec 2006  Posted December 17th, 2007 07:17 AM   IP              December 17 Thought for the Day The way of faith is, of course, not confined to A.A. It is the way for everybody who really wants to live. But many people can go through life without much of it. Many are doing so, to their sorrow. The world is full of lack of faith. Many people have lost their confidence in any meaning in the universe. Many are wondering if it has any meaning at all. Many are at loose ends. Life has no goal for many. They are not at home. But for us in A.A., the way of faith is the way of life. We have proved by our past lives that we could not live without it. Do I think I could live happily without faith? Meditation for the Day "He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends the rain on the just and the unjust." G*d does not interfere with the working of natural laws. The laws of nature are unchangeable, otherwise we could not depend on them. As far as natural laws are concerned, G*d makes no distinction between good and bad people. Sickness or death may strike anywhere. But spiritual laws are also made to be obeyed. On our choice of good or evil depends whether we go upward to true success and victory in life or downward to loss and defeat. Prayer for the Day I pray that I may choose today the way of the spiritual life. I pray that I may live today with faith and hope and love. Billie ARM-Maine Billie@methadonesupport.org Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.
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