Recovery Thoughts & Quotes 4/5

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~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~
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/AA\
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Virtues

"We of AA are apt sometimes to brag
of the virtues of our fellowship.
Let us remember that none of these are earned virtues.
We have been forced into them, to begin with,
by the cruel lash of John Barleycorn.
We have adopted these attitudes, these practices,
this structure, not at first because we wished to
but because we had to.
But today I think we stand
willing to conform permanently and gladly
to the principles which experience,
under the grace of God,
has taught us."
Bill W., Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, p. 224

Thought to Consider . . .

Unless I accept my virtues,
I will be overwhelmed with my faults.

*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*
LET GO
Leave Everything To God, Okay?

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


Traditions
From "The Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous":
"You will remember that episode back in our living room on Clinton Street. That was the time when my group told me I [Bill W.] could never become an A.A. professional. With nearly every Tradition much the same thing has happened. At first, I obeyed because I had to; I would have lost my standing in A.A. if I had not. After a while I began to obey because I saw that the Traditions were wise and right. While I conformed because it was right to do, I still resisted inwardly.

"This was particularly true of anonymity. Today I hope I have come to a time in my A.A. life when I can obey because I really want to obey, because I really want the Traditions for myself as well as for A.A. as a whole."

2001 AAWS, Inc.; Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pg. 136

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*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*
"Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get
well regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trust in
God and clean house."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 98~

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Misc. AA Literature - Quote




Spiritual Kindergarten

We are only operating a spiritual kindergarten in which people are enabled to get over drinking and find the grace to go on living to better effect. Each man's theology has to be his own quest, his own affair.

When the Big Book was being planned, some members thought that it ought to be Christian in the doctrinal sense. Others had no objection to the use of the word 'God,' but wanted to avoid doctrinal issues. Spirituality, yes. Religion, no. Still others wanted a psychological book, to lure the alcoholic in. Once in, he could take God or leave Him alone as he wished.
To the rest of us this was shocking, but happily we listened. Our group conscience was at work to construct the most acceptable and effective book possible.
Every voice was playing its appointed part. Our atheists and agnostics widened our gateway so that all who suffer might pass through, regardless of their belief or lack of belief.

1. LETTER, 1954
2. A.A. COMES OF AGE, PP. 162, 163, 167

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Member Submitted Quote



The difference between a flower and a weed is a judgment. ( Gayle H. )

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12 x 12 Quote

"This much could be a fragment of what is called meditation, perhaps
our very first attempt at a mood, a flier into the realm of spirit, if
you like. It ought to be followed by a good look at where we stand now,
and a further look at what might happen in our lives were we able to
move closer to the ideal we have been trying to glimpse. Meditation is
something which can always be further developed. It has no boundaries,
either of width or height. Aided by such instruction and example as we
can find, it is essentially an individual adventure, something which
each one of us works out in his own way. But its object is always the
same: to improve our conscious contact with God, with His grace,
wisdom, and love. And let's always remember that meditation is in
reality intensely practical. One of its first fruits is emotional
balance. With it we can broaden and deepen the channel between
ourselves and God as we understand Him." (Twelve and Twelve, Step
Eleven, pg. 101)