A.A.'s heartbeat October 25 Without unity, the heart of A.A. would cease to beat; . . . As Bill sees it, p. 125 Without unity I would be unable to recover in A.A. on a daily basis. By practicing unity within my group, with other A.A. members and at all levels of this great Fellowship, […]

One ultimate authority October 26 For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 132 When I am chosen to carry some small responsibility for my fellows, I ask that God grant me the patience, […]

Global sharing October 27 The only thing that matters is that he is an alcoholic who has found a key to sobriety. These legacies of suffering and of recovery are easily passed among alcoholics, one to the other. This is our gift from God, and its bestowal upon others like us is the one aim […]

An unbroken tradition October 28 We conceive the survival and spread of Alcoholics Anonymous to be something of far greater importance than the weight we could collectively throw back of any other cause. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 177 How much it means to me that an unbroken tradition of more than half a […]

Our survival October 29 Since recovery from alcoholism is life itself to us, it is imperative that we preserve in full strength our means of survival. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 177 The honesty expressed by the members of A.A. in meetings has the power to open my mind. Nothing can block the flow of energy […]

Live and let live October 30 Never since it began has Alcoholics Anonymous been divided by a major controversial issue. Nor has our Fellowship ever publicly taken sides on any question in an embattled world. This, however, has been no earned virtue. It could almost be said that we were born with it. . . […]

Avoiding controversy October 31 All history affords us the spectacle of striving nations and groups finally torn asunder because they were designed for, or tempted into, controversy. Others fell apart because of sheer self-righteousness while trying to enforce upon the rest of mankind some millennium of their own specification. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. […]

I cannot change the wind November 01 It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 85 My first sponsor told me there were two things to say about prayer […]

Keeping optimism afloat November 02 The other Steps can keep most of us sober and somehow functioning. But Step Eleven can keep us growing, . . . The language of the heart, p. 240 A sober alcoholic finds it much easier to be optimistic about life. Optimism is the natural result of my finding myself […]

Focusing and listeningOCUSING AND LISTENING November 03 There is a direct linkage among self-examination, meditation, and prayer. Taken separately, these practices can bring much relief and benefit. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 98 If I do my self-examination first, then surely, I'll have enough humility to pray and meditate—because I'll see and feel my […]

A daily discipline November 04 . . . when they are logically related and interwoven, the result is an unshakable foundation for life. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 98 The last three Steps of the program invoke God's loving discipline upon my willful nature. If I devote just a few moments every night to […]

"The quality of faith" November 05 This . . . has to do with the quality of faith. . . . In no deep or meaningful sense had we ever taken stock of ourselves. . . . We had not even prayed rightly. We had always said, "Grant me my wishes" instead of "Thy will […]

Going with the flow November 06 Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. . . . Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 96 The first words I speak when arising in the morning are, "I arise, O God, to do Thy will." This is the shortest […]

Let go and let God November 07 . . . praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 96 When I "Let Go and Let God," I think more clearly and wisely. Without having to think about it, I quickly let […]

An individual adventure November 08 Meditation is something which can always be further developed. It has no boundaries, either of width or height. Aided by such instruction and example as we can find, it is essentially an individual adventure, something which each one of us works out in his own way. Twelve steps and twelve […]

Stepping into the sunlight November 09 But first of all we shall want sunlight; nothing much can grow in the dark. Meditation is our step out into the sun. As Bill sees it, p. 10 Sometimes I think I don't have time for prayer and meditation, forgetting that I always found the time to drink. […]

A sence of belonging November 10 Perhaps one of the greatest rewards of meditation and prayer is the sense of belonging that comes to us. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 105 That's what it is — belonging! After a session of meditation I knew that the feeling I was experiencing was a sense of […]

Self-acceptance November 11 We know that God lovingly watches over us. We know that when we turn to Him, all will be well with us, here and hereafter. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 105 I pray for the willingness to remember that I am a child of God, a divine soul in human form, […]

Morning thoughts November 12 Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 164 For many years I pondered over God's will for me, believing that perhaps a great destiny had been ordained for my life. After all, having been born into […]

Looking outward November 13 We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no requests for ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped. We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 87 As an active alcoholic, I allowed selfishness to […]

Intuition and inspiration November 14 . . . we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don't struggle. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 86 I invest my time in what I truly love. Step Eleven is a discipline that allows me and my Higher Power to be […]

Vital sustenance November 15 Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we […]

A daily reprieve November 16 What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 85 Maintaining my spiritual condition is like working out every day, planning for the marathon, swimming laps, jogging. It's staying in good shape spiritually, and that requires prayer and meditation. The […]

Overcoming loneliness November 17 Almost without exception, alcoholics are tortured by loneliness. Even before our drinking got bad and people began to cut us off, nearly all of us suffered the feeling that we didn't quite belong. As Bill sees it, p. 90 The agonies and the void that I often felt inside occur less […]

A safety net November 18 Occasionally. . . . We are seized with a rebellion so sickening that we simply won't pray. When these things happen we should not think too ill of ourselves. We should simply resume prayer as soon as we can, doing what we know to be good for us. Twelve steps […]

"I was slipping fast" November 19 We A.A.'s are active folk, enjoying the satisfactions of dealing with the realities of life, . . . So it isn't surprising that we often tend to slight serious meditation and prayer as something not really necessary. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 96 I had been slipping away […]

"Thy will, not mine" November 20 . . . when making specific requests, it will be well to add to each one of them this qualification. ". . . if it be Thy will." Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 102 I ask simply that throughout the day God place in me the best understanding […]

A classic prayer November 21 Lord, make me a channel for thy peace—that where there is hatred, I may bring love—that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness—that where there is discord, I may bring harmony—that where there is error, I may bring truth—that where there is doubt, I may bring […]

Only two sins November 22 . . . 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. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 542 (Third Edition) Happiness is such an elusive state. How often do my "prayers" for others involve […]

"Hold your face to the light" November 23 Believe more deeply. Hold your face up to the Light, even though for the moment you do not see. As Bill sees it, p. 3 One Sunday in October, during my morning meditation, I glanced out the window at the ash tree in our front yard. At […]

A universal search November 24 Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 87 I do not claim to have all the answers in spiritual matters, any more than I claim to have all the answers about alcoholism. There are others who are also engaged […]

A powerful tradition November 25 In the years before the publication of the book, "Alcoholics Anonymous," we had no name. . . . By a narrow majority the verdict was for naming our book "The Way Out." . . . One of our early lone members . . . found exactly twelve books already titled […]

The hazards of publicity November 26 People who symbolize causes and ideas fill a deep human need. We of A.A. do not question that. But we do have to soberly face the fact that being in the public eye is hazardous, especially for us. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 181 As a recovered alcoholic […]

The perils of the limelight November 27 In the beginning, the press could not understand our refusal of all personal publicity. They were genuinely baffled by our insistence upon anonymity. Then they got the point. Here was something rare in the world—a society which said it wished to publicize its principles and its work, but […]

Attraction, not promotion November 28 Through many painful experiences, we think we have arrived at what that policy ought to be. It is the opposite in many ways of usual promotional practice. We found that we had to rely upon the principle of attraction rather than of promotion. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, pp. 180-81 […]

"Active guardians" November 29 To us, however, it represents far more than a sound public relations policy. It is more than a denial of self-seeking. This Tradition is a constant and practical reminder that personal ambition has no place in A.A. In it, each member becomes an active guardian of our Fellowship. Twelve steps and […]

Protection for all November 30 At the personal level, anonymity provides protection for all members from identification as alcoholics, a safeguard often of special importance to newcomers. At the level of press, radio, TV, and films, anonymity stresses the equality in the Fellowship of all members by putting the brake on those who might otherwise […]

"Suggested" steps December 01 Our Twelfth Step also says that as a result of practicing all the Steps, we have each found something called a spiritual awakening. . . . A.A.'s manner of making ready to receive this gift lies in the practice of the Twelve Steps in our program. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, […]

Serenity December 02 Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, . . . Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 106 As I continued to go to meetings and work the Steps, something began to happen to me. I felt confused because I wasn't sure what it was that I was feeling, […]

In all our affairs December 03 . . . we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 106 I find that carrying the message of recovery to other alcoholics is easy because it helps me to stay sober and it […]

Into action December 04 A.A. is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. We must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven't been given the truth may die. As Bill sees it, p. 13 I desperately wanted to live, but if I was […]

A new state of consciousness December 05 He has been granted a gift which amounts to a new state of consciousness and being. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 107 Many of us in A.A. puzzle over what is a spiritual awakening. I tended to look for a miracle, something dramatic and earth-shattering. But what […]

When the chips are down December 06 When we developed still more, we discovered the best possible source of emotional stability to be God Himself. We found that dependence upon His perfect justice, forgiveness, and love was healthy, and that it would work where nothing else would. If we really depended upon God, we couldn't […]

True ambition December 07 True ambition is not what we thought it was. True ambition is the deep desire to live usefully and walk humbly under the grace of God. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 124-25 During my drinking years, my one and only concern was to have my fellow man think highly of […]

Service December 08 Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends—this is an experience you must not miss. . . . Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is […]

Love with no price tag December 09 When the Twelfth Step is seen in its full implication, it is really talking about the kind of love that has no price tag on it. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 106 In order for me to start working the Twelfth Step, I had to work on […]

Carrying the message December 10 Now, what about the rest of the Twelfth Step? The wonderful energy it releases and the eager action by which it carries our message to the next suffering alcoholic and which finally translates the Twelve Steps into action upon all our affairs is the payoff, the magnificent reality, of Alcoholics […]

"A genuine humility" December 11 . . . we are actually to practice a genuine humility. This is to the end that our great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of Him who presides over us all. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 192 Experience has taught me […]

A common solution December 12 The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer […]

Thinking of others December 13 Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 20 Thinking of others has never come easily to me. Even when I try to work the A.A. program, I'm prone to thinking, "How do I feel today. […]

Reaching out December 14 Never talk down to an alcoholic from any moral or spiritual hilltop; simply lay out the kit of spiritual tools for his inspection. Show him how they worked with you. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 95 When I come into contact with a newcomer, do I have a tendency to look at him […]

DOING ANYTHING TO HELP December 15 Offer him friendship and fellowship. Tell him that if he wants to get well you will do anything to help. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 95 I remember how attracted I was to the two men from A.A. who Twelfth-Stepped me. They said I could have what they had, with no […]

Partners in recovery December 16 . . . nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. . . . Both you and the new man must walk day by day in the path of spiritual progress. . . . Follow the dictates of a Higher Power and you will […]

A priceless reward December 17 . . . work with other alcoholics. . . . It works when other activities fail. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 89 "Life will take on new meaning," as the Big Book says (p. 89). This promise has helped me to avoid self-seeking and self-pity. To watch others grow in this wonderful […]

Honesty with newcomers December 18 Tell him exactly what happened to you.  Stress the spiritual feature freely. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 93 The marvel of A.A. is that I tell only what happened to me. I don't waste time offering advice to potential newcomers, for if advice worked, nobody would get to A.A. All I have […]

Understanding the malady December 19 When dealing with an alcoholic, there may be a natural annoyance that a man could be so weak, stupid and irresponsible. Even when you understand the malady better, you may feel this feeling rising. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 139 Having suffered from alcoholism, I should understand the illness, but sometimes I […]

The rewards of giving December 20 This is indeed the kind of giving that actually demands nothing. He does not expect his brother sufferer to pay him, or even to love him. And then he discovers that by the divine paradox of this kind of giving he has found his own reward, whether his brother […]

Listen, share and pray December 21 When working with a man and his family, you should take care not to participate in their quarrels. You may spoil your chance of being helpful if you do. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 100 When trying to help a fellow alcoholic, I've given in to an impulse to give advice, […]

Principles, not personalities December 22 The way our "worthy" alcoholics have sometimes tried to judge the "less worthy" is, as we look back on it, rather comical. Imagine, if you can, one alcoholic judging another! The language of the heart, p. 37 Who am I to judge anyone? When I first entered the Fellowship I […]

Recovery, unity, service December 23 Our Twelfth Step—carrying the message—is the basic service that AA's Fellowship gives; this is our principal aim and the main reason for our existence. The language of the heart, p. 160 I thank God for those who came before me, those who told me not to forget the Three Legacies: […]