AA Thoughts For Today - February

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AA Thought for the Day

February 24

Futility and Unhappiness

It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads
only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that
we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have
been worth while. But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the
maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business
of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, (How It Works) p. 66

Thought to Ponder . . .
We are prisoners of our own resentments.
AA-related 'Alconym'
F E A R = Frustration, Ego, Anxiety, Resentment.

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Resentment
Resentment is the "number one" offender.
It destroys more alcoholics than anything else.
From it stem all forms of spiritual disease,
for we have been not only mentally and physically ill,
we have been spiritually sick.
When the spiritual malady is overcome,
we straighten our mentally and physically.
In dealing with resentments, we set them on paper.
We listed people, institutions or principles
with whom we were angry.
We asked ourselves why we were angry.
In most cases it was found that our self-esteem,
our pocketbooks, our ambitions,
our personal relationships (including sex)
were hurt or threatened.
c. 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 64-5

Thought to Consider . . .
Resentment is like taking poison
and waiting for the other person to die.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
P A C E = Positive Attitudes Change Everything.

*~*~*~*~*^Just For Today!^*~*~*~*~*

Reborn
>From "Riding the Rods":
"That was two years ago. The way has not been easy. The new way of life was strange at first, but all my thoughts were
on it. The going was sometimes slow; halting were my steps among the difficulties of the path. But always, when
troubles came, when doubts assailed and temptation was strong and the old desire returned, I knew where to go for aid.
Helping others also strengthened me and helped me to grow."
2005, AAWS, Inc.; Experience, Strength & Hope, pg. 74

*~*~*~*~*^ Grapevine Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"The Italians have a neat way of telling someone 'I love you.' Their expression is 'Ti voglio bene' -- 'I wish you well.' It just
seems to put things on a tangible level ... Quite often my prayer is nothing more than this little Italian phrase, 'Ti voglio bene.'"
Humbolt, Saskatchewan, February 1996
From: "I Wish You Well"
AA Grapevine

~*~*~*~*^ Big Book & Twelve N' Twelve Quotes of the Day ^*~*~*~*~*

"Most alcoholics owe money. We do not dodge our creditors. Telling
them what we are trying to do, we make no bones about our drinking;
they usually know it anyway, whether we think so or not. Nor are we
afraid of disclosing our alcoholism on the theory it may cause
financial harm. Approached in this way, the most ruthless creditor
will sometimes surprise us. Arranging the best deal we can we let
these people know we are sorry. Our drinking has made us slow to
pay. We must lose our fear of creditors no matter how far we have to go,
for we are liable to drink if we are afraid to face them."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 78~

"Some people cannot be seen--we send them an honest letter. And there
may be a valid reason for postponement in some cases. But we don't
delay if it can be avoided. We should be sensible, tactful, considerate
and humble without being servile or scraping. As God's people we stand
on our feet; we don't crawl before anyone."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, Page 83~

Belief meant reliance, not defiance.
-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 31

Misc. AA Literature - Quote

Seeking Guidance
'Man is supposed to think, and act. He wasn't made in God's image to be an automaton.
'My own formula along this line runs as follows: First, think through every situation pro and con, praying meanwhile that I
be not influenced by ego considerations. Affirm that I would like to do God's will.
'Then, having turned the problem over in this fashion and getting no conclusive or compelling answer, I wait for further
guidance, which may come into the mind directly or through other people or through circumstances.
'If I feel I can't wait, and still get no definite indication, I repeat the first measure several times, try to pick out the best
course, and then proceed to act. I know if I am wrong, the heavens won't fall. A lesson will be learned, in any case.' LETTER, 1950

Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, please help me to remember that it is not what I say, but what I do that speaks the loudest.