Priorities - Sept 5th

It is easier to stay out than get out.
~ Mark Twain


A.A. Thought for the Day

One of the mottoes of A.A. is "First Things First." This means that we should always keep in mind that alcohol is our number one problem. We must never let any other problem; whether of family, business, friends, or anything else take precedence in our minds over our alcoholic problem. As we go along in A.A., we learn to recognize the things that may upset us emotionally. When we find ourselves getting upset over something, we must realize that it's a luxury we alcoholics can't afford. Anything that makes us forget our number one problem is dangerous to us. Am I keeping sobriety in first place in my mind?

I've found that the best way to keep this idea foremost in my mind is to get to meetings and to stay in touch with my AA fellows.

~ Mike

Tolerance - Sept 4th

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.”
~ Jalal ad-Din Rumi

A.A. Thought for the Day

"We must be careful never to show intolerance or hatred of drinking as an institution. Experience shows that such an attitude is not helpful to anyone. We are not fanatics or intolerant of people who can drink normally. Prospects are relieved when they find we are not witch burners. Temperate drinking is okay, but we alcoholics can't get away with it. And no alcoholic likes to be told about alcohol by anyone who hates it. We shall be of little use if our attitude is one of bitterness or hostility." Do I have tolerance for those who can drink normally?

Being tolerant of others was not a skill I had learned before coming into AA. Through sobriety and with the knowledge I've been given by the program I now understand that AA is not a religion to be preached but a way of life to be practiced.

~ Mike

Newcomers - Sept 3rd

“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.”
~ Kahlil Gibran

A.A. Thought for the Day

"Offer new prospects friendship and fellowship. Tell them that if they want to get well you will do anything to help. Burn the idea into the consciousness of new prospects that they can get well, regardless of anyone else. Job or no job, spouse or no spouse, they cannot stop drinking as long as they place dependence on other people ahead of dependence on God. Let no alcoholic say they cannot recover unless they have their family back. This just isn't so. Their recovery is not dependent upon other people. It is dependent on their own relationship to God." Can I recognize all excuses made by a prospect?

It seems to me that humour and the sound of a group of alcoholics laughing and enjoying themselves will surprise the newcomer most of all. Most newcomers, I believe, assume that a life of sobriety will be a life without fun. As the newcomer becomes more attracted to a life of sobriety I believe their need to cling to unhealthy ideas will slip away. That's just my 2 cents worth.

~ Mike

Helping Others - Aug 30th

I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.
~ Al S.

A.A. Thought for the Day

"Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as extensive work with other alcoholics. Carry the message to other alcoholics. You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail. Life will take on a new meaning for you. To watch people recover, to see them help others in turn, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow about you, to have a host of friends, this is an experience you must not miss." Am I always ready and willing to help other alcoholics?

In working with others I have found purpose. The experience has given me an opportunity to learn and grow.
~ Mike

Surrender - Aug 29th

“Once we surrender our mind to GOD completely, HE will take care of us in every way.”
~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba

A.A. Thought for the Day

"We cannot get along without prayer and meditation. On awakening, let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking. Our thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane when we start the day with prayer and meditation. We conclude this period of meditation with a prayer that we will be shown through the day what our next step is to be. The basis of all our prayers is: Thy will be done in me and through me today." Am I sincere in my desire to do God's will today?

When I drive the bus I always seem to crash into something - making my life a shambles. When I let my higher power drive the bus I am free to enjoy the journey. Let go and let God.
~ Mike

Spiritual Practice - Aug 28th

“Religion is for people who are scared to go to hell. Spirituality is for people who have already been there.”
~ Bonnie Raitt

A.A. Thought for the Day
"We must continue to take personal inventory and continue to set right any new mistakes as we go along. We should grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter; it should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We must not rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve, contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition." Am I checking my spiritual condition daily?

Practicing Step 10 is vital to my program. I can't say that I catch all of my mistakes but by constantly taking inventory my life is vastly improved. 

~Mike

Making Amends - Aug 27th

“It is the highest form of self-respect to admit our errors and mistakes and make amends for them. To make a mistake is only an error in judgment, but to adhere to it when it is discovered shows infirmity of character.”
~ Dale E. Turner

A.A. Thought for the Day

"We must be willing to make amends to all the people we have harmed. We must do the best we can to repair the damage done in the past. When we make amends, when we say 'I'm sorry,' the person is sure at least to be impressed by our sincere desire to set right the wrong. Sometimes people we are making amends to admit their own faults, so feuds of long standing melt away. Our most ruthless creditors will sometimes surprise us. In general, we must be willing to do the right thing, no matter what the consequences may be for us." Have I made a sincere effort to make amends to the people I have harmed.


The list of the persons I had harmed wasn't written in stone. There were those who, in my mind, weren't deserving of consideration when I first got sober. My ex-wife, an old boss, some family members. Over time as I got a better grounding in the program and became more accepting of my own imperfections I have had the chance to review my list of those I must make amends to and have added to that list. People I once considered not deserving of an apology have been added and amendments have been made.
~ Mike