A new sense of belonging May 11 Until we had talked with complete candor of our conflicts, and had listened to someone else do the same thing, we still didn't belong. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 57 After four years in A.A. I was able to discover the freedom from the burden of buried […]

The past is over May 12 A.A. experience has taught us we cannot live alone with our pressing problems and the character defects which cause or aggravate them. If . . . Step Four . . .has revealed in stark relief those experiences we'd rather not remember . . . then the need to quit […]

The easier, softer way May 13 If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking. Alcoholics anonymous, p. 72 I certainly didn't leap at the opportunity to face who I was, especially when the pains of my drinking days hung over me like a dark cloud. But I soon heard at the meetings […]

It's okay to be me May 14 Time after time newcomers have tried to keep to themselves certain facts about their lives. . . . they have turned to easier methods. . . . But they had not learned enough humility. . . . Alcoholics anonymous, pp. 72-73 Humility sounds so much like humiliation, but […]

Know God; know peace May 15 It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. . . . But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. Alcoholics anonymous, p. 66 Know God; Know peace. […]

We forgive. . . May 16 Often it was while working on this Step with our sponsors or spiritual advisers that we first felt truly able to forgive others, no matter how deeply we felt they had wronged us.  Our moral inventory had persuaded us that all-round forgiveness was desirable, but it was only when […]

. . . And forgive May 17 Under very trying conditions I have had, again and again, to forgive others – also myself. As Bill sees it, p. 268 Forgiveness of self and forgiveness of others are just two currents in the same river, both hindered or shut off completely by the dam of resentment. […]

Freeedom to be me May 18 If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. Alcoholics anonymous, p. 83 My first true freedom is the freedom not to have to take a […]

Giving without strings May 19 And he well knows that his own life has been made richer, as an extra dividend of giving to another without any demand for a return. As Bill sees it, p. 69 The concept of giving without strings was hard to understand when I first came into the program. I […]

One day at a time May 20 Above all, take it one day at a time. As Bill sees it, p. 11 Why do I kid myself that I must stay away from a drink for only one day, when I know perfectly well I must never drink again as long as I live? I […]

A list of blessings May 21 One exercise that I practice is to try for a full inventory of my blessings... As Bill sees it, p. 37 What did I have to be grateful for? I shut myself up and started listing the blessings for which I was in no way responsible, beginning with having […]

Step one May 22 WE . . . (The first word of the First Step) Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 21 When I was drinking all I could ever think about was "I, I, I," or "Me, Me, Me." Such painful obsession of self, such soul sickness, such spiritual selfishness bound me to the […]

Spiritual health May 23 When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically. Alcoholics anonymous, p. 64 It is very difficult for me to come to terms with my spiritual illness because of my great pride, disguised by my material successes and my intellectual power. Intelligence is not incompatible with humility, provided […]

"Happy, joyous, and free" May 24 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 […]

Progressive gratitude May 25 Gratitude should go forward, rather than backward. As Bill sees it, p. 29 I am very grateful that my Higher Power has given me a second chance to live a worthwhile life. Through Alcoholics Anonymous, I have been restored to sanity. The promises are being fulfilled in my life. I am […]