Daily Reflections - February

**yukonm** · 02-21-2010, 08:23 AM

Daily Reflections
February 21

I'M PART OF THE WHOLE

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 people (with
whom I had nothing in common). I saw "them" at meetings
--after all, that was where "they" existed. I shook
hands with "them" and, when I went out the door, I
forgot about "them." Then one day my Higher Power,
whom I did not then believe in, arranged to create a
community project outside of A.A., but one which
happened to involve many A.A. members. We worked
together, I got to know "them" as people. I came to
admire "them," even to like "them" and, in spite of
myself, to enjoy "them." "Their" practice of the
program in their daily lives--not just talk at meetings
--attracted me and I wanted what they had. Suddenly the
"they" became "we." I have not had a drink since.

**yukonm** · 02-22-2010, 06:28 AM

Daily Reflections
February 22

GUIDANCE

... 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 to understand my own powerlessness and my
dependence on God, as I understand Him, I began to see
that there was a life which, if I could have it, I
would have chosen for myself from the beginning. It is
through the continuous work of the Steps and the life
in the Fellowship that I've learned to see that there
is truly a better way into which I am being guided.
As I come to know more about God, I am able to trust
His ways and His plans for the development of His
character in me. Quickly or not so quickly, I grow
toward His image and likeness.

**yukonm** · 02-23-2010, 05:03 AM

Daily Reflections
February 23

MYSTERIOUS PARADOXES

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.
A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 46

What glorious mysteries paradoxes are! They do not
compute, yet when recognized and accepted, they reaffirm
something in the universe beyond human logic. When I
face a fear, I am given courage; when I support a
brother or sister, my capacity to love myself is
increased; when I accept a pain as part of the growing
experience of life, I realize a greater happiness; when
I look at my dark side, I am brought into new light;
when I accept my vulnerabilities and surrender to a
Higher Power, I am graced with unforeseen strength.
I stumbled through the doors of A.A. in disgrace,
expecting nothing from life, and I have been given
hope and dignity. Miraculously, the only way to keep
the gifts of the program is to pass them on.

**yukonm** · 02-24-2010, 04:28 AM

Daily Reflections
February 24

A THANKFUL HEART

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 should be a grateful alcoholic
and always have "an attitude of gratitude"-- that
gratitude was the basic ingredient of humility, that
humility was the basic ingredient of anonymity, and that
"anonymity was the spiritual foundation of all our
Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before
personalities. " As a result of his guidance, I start
every morning on my knees, thanking God for three things:
I'm alive, I'm sober, and I'm a member of Alcoholics
Anonymous. Then I try to live an "attitude of gratitude"
and thoroughly enjoy another twenty-four hours of the
A.A. way of life. A.A. is not something I joined; it's
something I live.

**yukonm** · 02-25-2010, 05:01 AM

Daily Reflections
February 25

THE CHALLENGE OF FAILURE

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 now. Through much pain came
experience and, in suffering, I became obedient. When I sought God,
as I understand Him, He shared His treasured gifts. Through
experience and obedience, growth started, followed by gratitude. Yes, then
came peace of mind -- living in and sharing sobriety.

**yukonm** · 02-26-2010, 09:46 AM

Daily Reflections
February 26

NO ORDINARY SUCCESS STORY

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 I listened further, I soon heard a description of a
very different kind--the reality of sobriety. It is a
reality of freedom and happiness, of purpose and
direction, and of serenity and peace with God,
ourselves and others. By attending meetings, I am
reintroduced to that reality, over and over. I see it
in the eyes and hear it in the voices of those around
me. By working the program I find the direction and
strength with which to make it mine. The joy of A.A.
is that this new reality is available to me.

**yukonm** · 02-27-2010, 06:48 AM

Daily Reflections
February 27

A UNIQUE STABILITY

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 of the group's decision,
who holds no resentment over his reduced status, whose
judgment, fortified by considerable experience, is
sound, and who is willing to sit quietly on the sidelines
patiently awaiting developments.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 132, 135

Into the fabric of recovery from alcoholism are woven
the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions. As my
recovery progressed, I realized that the new mantle was
tailor made for me. The elders of the group gently
offered suggestions when change seemed impossible.
Everyone's shared experiences became the substance for
treasured friendships. I know that the Fellowship is
ready and equipped to aid each suffering alcoholic at
all crossroads in life. In a world beset by many
problems, I find this assurance a unique stability.
I cherish the gift of sobriety. I offer my gratitude
for the strength I receive in a Fellowship that truly
exists for the good of all members.

**yukonm** · 02-28-2010, 06:59 AM

Daily Reflections
February 28

WHAT? NO PRESIDENT?

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 way to A.A., I could not believe that there was no treasurer to
"compel the payment of dues." I could not imagine an organization that didn't require
monetary contributions in return for a service. It was my first and, thus far, only
experience with getting "something for nothing." Because I did not feel used or conned
by those in A.A., I was able to approach the program free from bias and with an open
mind. They wanted nothing from me. What could I lose? I thank God for the wisdom of
the early founders who knew so well the alcoholic's disdain for being manipulated.

02-21-2010, 08:23 AM	#21
yukonm Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,380 Thanks: 3,285 Thanked 4,471 Times in 2,833 Posts My Mood:	Daily Reflections February 21 I'M PART OF THE WHOLE 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 people (with whom I had nothing in common). I saw "them" at meetings --after all, that was where "they" existed. I shook hands with "them" and, when I went out the door, I forgot about "them." Then one day my Higher Power, whom I did not then believe in, arranged to create a community project outside of A.A., but one which happened to involve many A.A. members. We worked together, I got to know "them" as people. I came to admire "them," even to like "them" and, in spite of myself, to enjoy "them." "Their" practice of the program in their daily lives--not just talk at meetings --attracted me and I wanted what they had. Suddenly the "they" became "we." I have not had a drink since. Last edited by yukonm; 02-21-2010 at 08:25 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

X vBulletin 3.8.1 Debug Information
Page Generation 0.19579 seconds Memory Usage 13,708KB Queries Executed 17 (?)
More Information
Template Usage: (1)SHOWTHREAD (1)ad_footer_end (1)ad_footer_start (1)ad_header_end (1)ad_header_logo (1)ad_navbar_below (1)ad_showthread_beforeqr (1)ad_showthread_firstpost (1)ad_showthread_firstpost_sig (1)ad_showthread_firstpost_start (1)bannouncements (1)blog_navbar_link (1)blog_navbar_search (1)footer (1)forumrules (1)gobutton (1)header (1)headinclude (1)navbar (3)navbar_link (1)navbar_noticebit (3)option (1)pagenav (1)pagenav_curpage (1)pagenav_pagelink (8)post_thanks_box (7)post_thanks_box_bit (1)post_thanks_javascript (1)post_thanks_navbar_search (8)post_thanks_postbit_info (7)post_thanks_postbit_legacy (8)postbit_legacy (8)postbit_onlinestatus (8)postbit_wrapper (4)showthread_bookmarksite (1)spacer_close (1)spacer_open (3)tagbit (1)tagbit_wrapper (1)vbseo_linkbackmenu (1)vbseo_linkbackmenu_entry (8)vmoods_postbit Phrase Groups Available: global inlinemod postbit posting reputationlevel showthread	Included Files: ./vbseo.php ./includes/functions_vbseo.php ./includes/functions_vbseo_pre.php ./includes/config_vbseo.php ./includes/functions_vbseo_url.php ./includes/functions_vbseo_createurl.php ./includes/functions_vbseo_db.php ./includes/functions_vbseo_vb.php ./includes/functions_vbseo_seo.php ./includes/functions_vbseo_misc.php ./includes/functions_vbseo_crr.php ./includes/functions_vbseo_cache.php ./includes/functions_vbseo_hook.php ./includes/functions_vbseo_startup.php ./includes/config.php ./showthread.php ./global.php ./includes/init.php ./includes/class_core.php ./includes/functions.php ./includes/class_hook.php ./includes/functions_notice.php ./includes/functions_bigthree.php ./includes/class_postbit.php ./includes/class_bbcode.php ./includes/functions_reputation.php ./includes/functions_post_thanks.php Hooks Called: init_startup cache_permissions fetch_threadinfo_query fetch_threadinfo fetch_foruminfo style_fetch cache_templates global_start parse_templates fetch_musername notices_check_start notices_check_criteria notices_noticebit global_setup_complete showthread_start showthread_getinfo showthread_post_start showthread_query_postids showthread_query bbcode_fetch_tags bbcode_create showthread_postbit_create postbit_factory postbit_display_start post_thanks_function_post_thanks_off_start post_thanks_function_post_thanks_off_end post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_start post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_end post_thanks_function_thanked_already_start post_thanks_function_thanked_already_end post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_bit_start post_thanks_function_show_thanks_date_start post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_bit_end post_thanks_function_fetch_post_thanks_template_start post_thanks_function_fetch_post_thanks_template_end postbit_imicons bbcode_parse_start bbcode_parse_complete_precache bbcode_parse_complete postbit_display_complete pagenav_page pagenav_complete tag_fetchbit tag_fetchbit_complete forumrules showthread_bookmarkbit navbits navbits_complete showthread_complete
Messages:

02-22-2010, 06:28 AM	#22
yukonm Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,380 Thanks: 3,285 Thanked 4,471 Times in 2,833 Posts My Mood:	Daily Reflections February 22 GUIDANCE ... 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 to understand my own powerlessness and my dependence on God, as I understand Him, I began to see that there was a life which, if I could have it, I would have chosen for myself from the beginning. It is through the continuous work of the Steps and the life in the Fellowship that I've learned to see that there is truly a better way into which I am being guided. As I come to know more about God, I am able to trust His ways and His plans for the development of His character in me. Quickly or not so quickly, I grow toward His image and likeness.

02-23-2010, 05:03 AM	#23
yukonm Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,380 Thanks: 3,285 Thanked 4,471 Times in 2,833 Posts My Mood:	Daily Reflections February 23 MYSTERIOUS PARADOXES 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. A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 46 What glorious mysteries paradoxes are! They do not compute, yet when recognized and accepted, they reaffirm something in the universe beyond human logic. When I face a fear, I am given courage; when I support a brother or sister, my capacity to love myself is increased; when I accept a pain as part of the growing experience of life, I realize a greater happiness; when I look at my dark side, I am brought into new light; when I accept my vulnerabilities and surrender to a Higher Power, I am graced with unforeseen strength. I stumbled through the doors of A.A. in disgrace, expecting nothing from life, and I have been given hope and dignity. Miraculously, the only way to keep the gifts of the program is to pass them on.

02-24-2010, 04:28 AM	#24
yukonm Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,380 Thanks: 3,285 Thanked 4,471 Times in 2,833 Posts My Mood:	Daily Reflections February 24 A THANKFUL HEART 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 should be a grateful alcoholic and always have "an attitude of gratitude"-- that gratitude was the basic ingredient of humility, that humility was the basic ingredient of anonymity, and that "anonymity was the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. " As a result of his guidance, I start every morning on my knees, thanking God for three things: I'm alive, I'm sober, and I'm a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Then I try to live an "attitude of gratitude" and thoroughly enjoy another twenty-four hours of the A.A. way of life. A.A. is not something I joined; it's something I live.

02-25-2010, 05:01 AM	#25
yukonm Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,380 Thanks: 3,285 Thanked 4,471 Times in 2,833 Posts My Mood:	Daily Reflections February 25 THE CHALLENGE OF FAILURE 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 now. Through much pain came experience and, in suffering, I became obedient. When I sought God, as I understand Him, He shared His treasured gifts. Through experience and obedience, growth started, followed by gratitude. Yes, then came peace of mind -- living in and sharing sobriety.

02-26-2010, 09:46 AM	#26
yukonm Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,380 Thanks: 3,285 Thanked 4,471 Times in 2,833 Posts My Mood:	Daily Reflections February 26 NO ORDINARY SUCCESS STORY 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 I listened further, I soon heard a description of a very different kind--the reality of sobriety. It is a reality of freedom and happiness, of purpose and direction, and of serenity and peace with God, ourselves and others. By attending meetings, I am reintroduced to that reality, over and over. I see it in the eyes and hear it in the voices of those around me. By working the program I find the direction and strength with which to make it mine. The joy of A.A. is that this new reality is available to me.

02-27-2010, 06:48 AM	#27
yukonm Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,380 Thanks: 3,285 Thanked 4,471 Times in 2,833 Posts My Mood:	Daily Reflections February 27 A UNIQUE STABILITY 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 of the group's decision, who holds no resentment over his reduced status, whose judgment, fortified by considerable experience, is sound, and who is willing to sit quietly on the sidelines patiently awaiting developments. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 132, 135 Into the fabric of recovery from alcoholism are woven the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions. As my recovery progressed, I realized that the new mantle was tailor made for me. The elders of the group gently offered suggestions when change seemed impossible. Everyone's shared experiences became the substance for treasured friendships. I know that the Fellowship is ready and equipped to aid each suffering alcoholic at all crossroads in life. In a world beset by many problems, I find this assurance a unique stability. I cherish the gift of sobriety. I offer my gratitude for the strength I receive in a Fellowship that truly exists for the good of all members.

02-28-2010, 06:59 AM	#28
yukonm Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,380 Thanks: 3,285 Thanked 4,471 Times in 2,833 Posts My Mood:	Daily Reflections February 28 WHAT? NO PRESIDENT? 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 way to A.A., I could not believe that there was no treasurer to "compel the payment of dues." I could not imagine an organization that didn't require monetary contributions in return for a service. It was my first and, thus far, only experience with getting "something for nothing." Because I did not feel used or conned by those in A.A., I was able to approach the program free from bias and with an open mind. They wanted nothing from me. What could I lose? I thank God for the wisdom of the early founders who knew so well the alcoholic's disdain for being manipulated.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)