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: […]

A "sane and happy usefulness" December 24 We have come to believe He would like us to keep our heads in the clouds with Him, but that our feet ought to be firmly planted on earth. That is where our fellow travelers are, and that is where our work must be done. These are the […]

At peace with life December 25 Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities. "How can I best serve Thee—Thy will (not mine) be done." Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 85 I read this passage each morning, to start off my day, because it is a […]

Accepting success or failure December 26 Furthermore, how shall we come to terms with seeming failure or success? Can we now accept and adjust to either without despair or pride? Can we accept poverty, sickness, loneliness, and bereavement with courage and serenity? Can we steadfastly content ourselves with the humbler, yet sometimes more durable, satisfactions […]

Problem solving December 27 "Quite as important was the discovery that spiritual principles would solve all my problems." Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 42 Through the recovery process described in the Big Book, I have come to realize that the same instructions that work on my alcoholism, work on much more. Whenever I am angry or frustrated, […]

Suit up and show up December 28 In A.A. we aim not only for sobriety—we try again to become citizens of the world that we rejected, and of the world that once rejected us. This is the ultimate demonstration toward which Twelfth Step work is the first but not the final step. As Bill sees […]

The joy of living December 29 . . . therefore the joy of good living is the theme of A.A.'s Twelfth Step. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 125 A.A. is a joyful program! Even so, I occasionally balk at taking the necessary steps to move ahead, and find myself resisting the very actions that could bring […]

Anonimity December 30 Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 562 Tradition Twelve became important early in my sobriety and, along with the Twelve Steps, it continues to be a must in my recovery. I became aware after I joined the Fellowship […]

Daily resolutions December 31 The idea of "twenty-four-hour living" applies primarily to the emotional life of the individual. Emotionally speaking, we must not live in yesterday, nor in tomorrow. As Bill sees it, p. 284 A New Year: 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes — a time to consider directions, goals, […]

"I am a miracle" January 01 The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 25 This […]

First, the foundation January 02 Is sobriety all that we can expect of a spiritual awakening? No, sobriety is only a bare beginning. As Bill sees it, p. 8 Practicing the A.A. program is like building a house. First I had to pour a big, thick concrete slab on which to erect the house; that, […]

POWERLESS January 03 We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 21 It is no coincidence that the very first Step mentions powerlessness: An admission of personal powerlessness over alcohol is a cornerstone of the foundation of recovery. I've learned that I do […]

Begin where you are January 04 We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations and affairs. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 19 It's usually pretty easy for me to be pleasant to the people in an A.A. setting. […]

Total acceptance January 05 He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 152 Only an alcoholic can […]

The victory of surrender January 06 We perceive that only through utter defeat are we able to take our first steps toward liberation and strength. Our admissions of personal powerlessness finally turn out to be firm bedrock upon which happy and purposeful lives may be built. Twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. 21 When alcohol […]

At the turning point January 07 Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 59 Every day I stand at turning points. My thoughts and actions can propel me toward growth or turn me down the road to old habits […]