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, […]