An unsuspected inner resource January 15 With few exceptions our members find that they have tapped an unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power greater than themselves. Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 567-68 From my first days in A.A., as I struggled for sobriety, I found hope in these words […]

Hitting bottom January 16 Why all this insistence that every A.A. must hit bottom first? The answer is that few people will sincerely try to practice the A.A. program unless they have hit bottom. For practicing A.A.'s remaining eleven Steps means the adoption of attitudes and actions that almost no alcoholic who is still drinking […]

Happiness comes quietly January 17 "The trouble with us alcoholics was this: We demanded that the world give us happiness and peace of mind in just the particular order we wanted to get it-by the alcohol route. And we weren't successful. But when we take time to find out some of the spiritual laws, and […]

Would a drink help? January 18 By going back in our own drinking histories, we could show that years before we realized it we were out of control, that our drinking even then was no mere habit, that it was indeed the beginning of a fatal progression. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 23 When […]

Round-the-clock faith January 19 Faith has to work twenty-four hours a day in and through us, or we perish. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 16 The essence of my spirituality, and my sobriety, rests on a round-the-clock faith in a Higher Power. I need to remember and rely on the God of my understanding as I pursue […]

"We pause . . . and ask" January 20 As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 87 Today I humbly ask my Higher Power for the grace to find the space between my impulse and my action; to let […]

Serving my brother January 21 The member talks to the newcomer not in a spirit of power but in a spirit of humility and weakness. Alcoholics Anonymous comes of age, p. 279 As the days pass in A.A., I ask God to guide my thoughts and the words that I speak. In this labor of […]

"Let's keep it simple" January 22 A few hours later I took my leave of Dr. Bob. . . . The wonderful, old, broad smile was on his face as he said almost jokingly, "Remember, Bill, let's not louse this thing up. Let's keep it simple!" I turned away, unable to say a word. That […]

Having fun yet? January 23 . . . we aren't a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn't want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life. We try not to indulge in cynicism over the state of the nations, nor do we carry the world's troubles on […]

Getting involved January 24 There is action and more action. "Faith without works is dead." . . . To be helpful is our only aim. Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 88-89 I understand that service is a vital part of recovery but I often wonder, "What can I do?" Simply start with what I have today! I […]

What we need - each other January 25 . . . A.A. is really saying to every serious drinker, "You are an A.A. member if you say so . . . nobody can keep you out." Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 139 For years, whenever I reflected on Tradition Three ("The only requirement for […]

Rigorous honesty January 26 Who wishes to be rigorously honest and tolerant? Who wants to confess his faults to another and make restitution for harm done? Who cares anything about a Higher Power, let alone meditation and prayer? Who wants to sacrifice time and energy in trying to carry A.A.'s message to the next sufferer? […]

Freedom from guilt January 27 Where other people were concerned, we had to drop the word "blame" from our speech and thought. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 47 When I become willing to accept my own powerlessness, I begin to realize that blaming myself for all the trouble in my life can be an […]

The treasure of the past January 28 Showing others who suffer how we were given help is the very thing which makes life seem so worth while to us now. Cling to the thought that, in God's hands, the dark past is the greatest possession you have—the key to life and happiness for others. With […]

The joy of sharing January 29 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. We know you will not want to miss it. […]

Freedom from . . . freedom to January 30 We are going to know a new freedom. . . . Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 83 Freedom for me is both freedom from and freedom to. The first freedom I enjoy is freedom from the slavery of alcohol. What a relief! Then I begin to experience freedom from fear—fear of people, of […]

Our common welfare comes firts January 31 The unity of Alcoholics Anonymous is the most cherished quality our Society has. . . . We stay whole, or A.A. dies. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 129 Our Traditions are key elements in the ego deflation process necessary to achieve and maintain sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous. […]

Goal: sanity February 01 ". . . Step Two gently and very gradually began to infiltrate my life. I can't say upon what occasion or upon what day I came to believe in a Power greater than myself, but I certainly have that belief now." Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 27 "Came to believe!" […]

RESCUED BY SURRENDERING February 02 Characteristic of the so-called typical alcoholic is a narcissistic egocentric core, dominated by feelings of omnipotence, intent on maintaining at all costs its inner integrity. . . . Inwardly the alcoholic brooks no control from man or God. He, the alcoholic, is and must be the master of his destiny. […]

Filling the void February 03 We needed to ask ourselves but one short question. "Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself?" As soon as a man can say that he does believe, or is willing to believe, we emphatically assure him that he […]

WHEN FAITH IS MISSING February 04 Sometimes A.A. comes harder to those who have lost or rejected faith than to those who never had any faith at all, for they think they have tried faith and found it wanting. They have tried the way of faith and the way of no faith. TWELVE STEPS AND […]

A glorious release February 05 "The minute I stopped arguing, I could begin to see and feel. Right there, Step Two gently and very gradually began to infiltrate my life. I can't say upon what occasion or upon what day I came to believe in a Power greater than myself, but I certainly have that […]

A rallying point February 06 Therefore, Step Two is the rallying point for all of us. Whether agnostic, atheist, or former believer, we can stand together on this Step. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 33 I feel that A.A. is a God-inspired program and that God is at every A.A. meeting. I see, believe, […]

A path to faith February 07 True humility and an open mind can lead us to faith, and every A.A. meeting is an assurance that God will restore us to sanity if we rightly relate ourselves to Him. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 33 My last drunk had landed me in the hospital, totally […]

Convincing "mr. Hyde" February 08 Even then, as we hew away, peace and joy may still elude us. That's the place so many of us A.A. oldsters have come to. And it's a hell of a spot, literally. How shall our unconscious—from which so many of our fears, compulsions, and phony aspirations still stream—be brought […]

Getting the "spiritual angle" February 09 How often do we sit in AA meetings and hear the speaker declare, "But I haven't yet got the spiritual angle." Prior to this statement, he had described a miracle of transformation which had occurred in him—not only his release from alcohol, but a complete change in his whole […]

I don't run the show February 10 When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be? Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 53 […]

The limits of self -reliance February 11 We asked ourselves why we had them . Wasn't it because self-reliance failed us? Alcoholics anonymous, p. 68 All of my character defects separate me from God's will. When I ignore my association with Him I face the world and my alcoholism alone and must depend on self-reliance. […]

"The root of our troubles" February 12 Selfishness — self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Alcoholics anonymous, p. 62 How amazing the revelation that the world, and everyone in it, can get along just fine with or without me. What a relief to know that people, places and things will be […]

We can't think our way sober February 13 To the intellectually self-sufficient man or woman, many A.A.'s can say, "Yes, we were like you — far too smart for our own good. . . . Secretly, we felt we could float above the rest of the folks on our brain power alone." As Bill sees […]

Eexpectations vs. demands February 14 Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get well regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trust in God and clean house. Alcoholics anonymous, p. 98 Dealing with expectations is a frequent topic at meetings. It isn't wrong to expect progress of myself, […]

Taking action February 15 Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us — sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them. Alcoholics anonymous, p, 84 One of the most important things A.A. has given me, in addition to freedom from booze, is the ability to […]

Commitment February 16 Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right action is the key to good living. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 125 There came a time in my program of recovery when the third stanza of the Serenity Prayer — "The wisdom to know the difference" — became indelibly […]

The love in their eyes February 17 Some of us won't believe in God, others can't, and still others who do believe that God exists have no faith whatever He will perform this miracle. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 25 It was the changes I saw in the new people who came into the […]

Our paths are our own February 18 . . . there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet. Alcoholics anonymous, p. 25 My first attempt at the Steps was one of obligation and necessity, which resulted in a deep feeling of discouragement in […]

I'm not different February 19 In the beginning, it was four whole years before A.A. brought permanent sobriety to even one alcoholic woman. Like the "high bottoms," the women said they were different; . . . The Skid-Rower said he was different . . . so did the artists and the professional people, the rich, […]

The gift of laughter February 20 At this juncture, his A.A. sponsor usually laughs. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 26 Before my recovery from alcoholism began, laughter was one of the most painful sounds I knew. I never laughed and I felt that anyone else's laughter was directed at me! My self-pity and anger […]

I'm part of the whole February 21 At once, I became a part—if only a tiny part—of a cosmos. . . . As Bill sees it, p. 225 When I first came to A.A., I decided that "they" were very nice people — perhaps a little naive, a little too friendly, but basically decent, earnest […]

Guidance February 22 . . . this means a belief in a Creator who is all power, justice, and love; a God who intends for me a purpose, a meaning, and a destiny to grow, however . . . haltingly, toward His own likeness and image. As Bill sees it, p. 51 As I began […]

Mysterious paradoxes February 23 Such is the paradox of A.A. regeneration: strength arising out of complete defeat and weakness, the loss of one's old life as a condition for finding a new one. Alcoholics Anonymous comes of age, p. 46 What glorious mysteries paradoxes are! They do not compute, yet when recognized and accepted, they […]

A thankful heart February 24 I try to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful heart cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one's heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion that we can ever know. As Bill sees it, p. 37 My sponsor told me that I […]

The challenge of failure February 25 In God's economy, nothing is wasted. Through failure, we learn a lesson in humility which is probably needed, painful though it is. As Bill sees it, p. 31 How thankful I am today, to know that all my past failures were necessary for me to be where I am […]

No ordinary success story February 26 A.A. is no success story in the ordinary sense of the word. It is a story of suffering transmuted, under grace, into spiritual progress. As Bill sees it, p. 35 Upon entering A.A. I listened to others talk about the reality of their drinking: loneliness, terror and pain. As […]

A unique stability February 27 Where does A.A. get its direction? . . . These practical folk then read Tradition Two, and learn that the sole authority in A.A. is a loving God as He may express Himself in the group conscience. . . . The elder statesman is the one who sees the wisdom […]

What? No president? February 28 When told that our Society has no president having authority to govern it, no treasurer who can compel the payment of any dues, . . . our friends gasp and exclaim, "This simply can't be. . . ." Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 132 When I finally made my […]

It works March 01 It works—it really does. Alcoholics anonymou, p. 88 When I got sober I initially had faith only in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Desperation and fear kept me sober (and maybe a caring and/or tough sponsor helped!). Faith in a Higher Power came much later. This faith came slowly at first, […]

Hope March 02 Do not be discouraged. Alcoholics anonymous, p. 60  Few experiences are of less value to me than fast sobriety. Too many times discouragement has been the bonus for unrealistic expectations, not to mention self-pity or fatigue from my wanting to change the world by the weekend. Discouragement is a warning signal that […]

Overcoming self-will March 03 So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn’t think so. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. We must, or it kills us! Alcoholics anonymous, […]

WEEDING THE GARDEN March 04 The essence of all growth is a willingness to make a change for the better and then an unremitting willingness to shoulder whatever responsibility this entails.  AS BILL SEES IT, p. 115 By the time I had reached Step Three I had been freed of my dependence on alcohol, but bitter experience […]

A lifelong task March 05 “But just how, in these circumstances, does a fellow ‘take it easy?’ That’s what I want to know.” Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 26 I was never known for my patience. How many times have I asked, “Why should I wait, when I can have it all right now?” […]

The idea of faith March 06 Do not let any prejudice you may have against spiritual terms deter you from honestly asking yourself what they mean to you. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 47 The idea of faith is a very large chunk to swallow when fear, doubt and anger abound in and around me. Sometimes just […]

The key is willingness March 07 Once we have placed the key of willingness in the lock and have the door ever so slightly open, we find that we can always open it some more. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 35 The willingness to give up my pride and self-will to a Power greater […]

Surrendering self-will March 09 Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.  Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 34 No matter how much one wishes to try, exactly how can one turn his own will and his own life over to the care […]

Today, it's my choice March 10 . . . we invariably find that at some time in the past we have made decisions based on self which later placed us in a position to be hurt. Alcoholics anonymous, p. 62 With the realization and acceptance that I had played a part in the way my […]

Good orderly direction March 11 It is when we try to make our will conform with God’s that we begin to use it rightly. To all of us, this was a most wonderful revelation. Our whole trouble had been the misuse of willpower. We had tried to bombard our problems with it instead of attempting […]

A day's plan March 12 On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives.  Alcoholics anonymous, p. 86 Every day I ask God to kindle […]

A world of the spirit March 13 We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Alcoholics anonymous, p. 84 The word “entered” . . . and the phrase “entered into the world of […]

The keystone March 14 He is the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom. Alcoholics anonymous, p. 62 A keystone is the wedge-shaped piece at the highest part of an arch that locks […]

Turning it over March 08 Every man and woman who has joined A.A. and intends to stick has, without realizing it, made a beginning on Step Three. Isn’t it true that in all matters touching upon alcohol, each of them has decided to turn his or her life over to the care, protection, and guidance […]

The God idea March 15 When we saw others solve their problems by a simple reliance upon the Spirit of the Universe, we had to stop doubting the power of God. Our ideas did not work. But the God idea did. Alcoholics anonymous, p. 52 Like a blind man gradually being restored to sight, I […]