Daily Reflection

JULY 31
A PRAYER FOR ALL SEASONS
God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot
change, Courage to change the things we can. And wisdom
to know the difference.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 125
The power of this prayer is overwhelming in that its simple
beauty parallels the A.A. Fellowship. There are times when
I get stuck while reciting it, but if I examine the section
which is troubling me, I find the answer to my problem.
The first time this happened I was scared, but now I use it
as a valuable tool. By accepting life as it is, I gain serenity.
By taking action, I gain courage and I thank God for the
ability to distinguish between those situations I can work
on, and those I must turn over. All that I have now is a gift
from God: my life, my usefulness, my contentment, and
this program. The serenity enables me to continue walking
forward. Alcoholics Anonymous is the easier, softer way.

Daily Reflection

JULY 30
GIVING BACK
. . . he has struck something better than gold. . . . He may
not see at once that he has barely scratched a limitless lode
which will pay dividends only if he mines it for the rest of
his life and insists on giving away the entire product.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 129
My part of the Seventh Tradition means so much more than
just giving money to pay for the coffee. It means being
accepted for myself by belonging to a group. For the first
time I can be responsible, because I have a choice. I can
learn the principles of working out problems in my daily
life by getting involved in the "business" of A.A. By being
self-supporting, I can give back to A.A. what A.A. gave to
me! Giving back to A.A. not only ensures my own
sobriety, but allows me to buy insurance that A.A. will be
here for my grandchildren.

Daily Reflection

JULY 29
ANONYMOUS GIFTS OF KINDNESS
As active alcoholics we were always looking for a handout
in one way or another.
"THE TWELVE TRADITIONS ILLUSTRATED," p. 14
The challenge of the Seventh Tradition is a personal
challenge, reminding me to share and give of myself.
Before sobriety the only thing I ever supported was my
habit of drinking. Now my efforts are a smile, a kind word,
and kindness.
I saw that I had to start carrying my own weight and to
allow my new friends to walk with me because, through the
practice of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, I've
never had it so good.

Daily Reflection

JULY 28
THOSE WHO STILL SUFFER
Let us resist the proud assumption that since God has
enabled us to do well in one area we are destined to be a
channel of saving grace for everybody.
A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 232
A.A. groups exist to help alcoholics achieve sobriety.
Large or small, firmly established or brand-new, speaker,
discussion or study, each group has but one reason for
being: to carry the message to the still-suffering alcoholic.
The group exists so that the alcoholic can find a new way
of life, a life abundant in happiness, joy, and freedom. To
recover, most alcoholics need the support of a group of
other alcoholics who share their experience, strength and
hope. Thus my sobriety, and our program's survival,
depend on my determination to put first things first.

Daily Reflection

JULY 27
GIVING FREELY
We will make every personal sacrifice necessary to
insure the unity of Alcoholics Anonymous. We will
do this because we have learned to love God and one
another.
A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 234
To be self-supporting through my own contributions was
never a strong characteristic during my days as a practicing
alcoholic. The giving of time or money always demanded a
price tag.
As a newcomer I was told "we have to give it away in
order to keep it." As I began to adopt the principles of
Alcoholics Anonymous in my life, I soon found it was a
privilege to give to the Fellowship as an expression of the
gratitude I felt in my heart. My love of God and of others
became the motivating factor in my life, with no thought of
return. I realize now that giving freely is God's way of
expressing Himself through me.

Words Of Wisdom From His Holiness Dalai Lama

Like anyone else, I too have the potential for violence; I too have anger in me. However, I try to recall that anger is a destructive emotion. I remind myself that scientists now say that anger is bad for our health; it eats into our immune system. So, anger destroys our peace of mind and our physical health. We shouldn’t welcome it or think of it as natural or as a friend.

Daily Reflection

JULY 26
THE "WORTH" OF SOBRIETY
Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting,
declining outside contributions.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 160
When I go shopping I look at the prices and if I need what I
see, I buy it and pay. Now that I am supposed to be in
rehabilitation, I have to straighten out my life. When I go
to a meeting, I take a coffee with sugar and milk,
sometimes more than one. But at the collection time, I am
either too busy to take money out of my purse, or I do not
have enough, but I am there because I need this meeting. I
heard someone suggest dropping the price of a beer into the
basket, and I thought, that's too much! I almost never give
one dollar. Like many others, I rely on the more generous
members to finance the Fellowship. I forget that it takes
money to rent the meeting room, buy my milk, sugar and
cups. I will pay, without hesitation, ninety cents for a cup
of coffee at a restaurant after the meeting; I always have
money for that. So, how much is my sobriety and my inner
peace worth?

Daily Reflection

JULY 25
THOSE WHO STILL SUFFER
For us, if we neglect those who are still sick, there is
unremitting danger to our own lives and sanity.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 151
I know the torment of drinking compulsively to quiet my
nerves and my fears. I also know the pain of whiteknuckled
sobriety. Today, I do not forget the unknown
person who suffers quietly, withdrawn and hiding in the
desperate relief of drinking. I ask my Higher Power to give
me His guidance and the courage to be willing to be His
instrument to carry within me compassion and unselfish
actions. Let the group continue to give me the strength to
do with others what I cannot do alone.

Daily Reflection

JULY 24
HELPING OTHERS
Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our
constant thought of others and how we may help meet their
needs.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 20
Self-centeredness was my problem. All my life people had
been doing things for me and I not only expected it, but I
was ungrateful and resentful they didn't do more. Why
should I help others, when they were supposed to help me?
If others had troubles, didn't they deserve them? I was
filled with self-pity, anger and resentment. Then I learned
that by helping others, with no thought of return, I could
overcome this obsession with selfishness, and if I
understood humility, I would know peace and serenity. No
longer do I need to drink.

Daily Reflection

JULY 23
I ASK GOD TO DECIDE
"I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of
character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you
and my fellows "
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76
Having admitted my powerlessness and made a decision to
turn my will and my life over to the care of God, as I
understand Him, I don't decide which defects get removed,
or the order in which defects get removed, or the time
frame in which they get removed. I ask God to decide
which defects stand in the way of my usefulness to Him
and to others, and then I humbly ask Him to remove them.

Words Of Wisdom From His Holiness Dalai Lama

As human beings we are all the same. We have this marvelous intelligence, which sometimes creates problems for us, but when influenced by warm-heartedness can be very constructive. In this context we need to appreciate the value of having moral principles.

Daily Reflection

JULY 22
"THE GOOD AND THE BAD"
"My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of
me, good and bad."
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76
The joy of life is in the giving. Being freed of my
shortcomings, that I may more freely be of service, allows
humility to grow in me. My shortcomings can be humbly
placed in God's loving care and be removed. The essence
of Step Seven is humility, and what better way to seek
humility than by giving all of myself—good and bad—to
God, so that He may remove the bad and return to me the
good.

Daily Reflection

JULY 21
A PRICELESS GIFT
By this time in all probability we have gained some
measure of release from our more devastating handicaps.
We enjoy moments in which there is something like real
peace of mind. To those of us who have hitherto known only
excitement, depression, or anxiety—in other words, to all of
us—this newfound peace is a priceless gift.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 74
I am learning to let go and let God, to have a mind that is
open and a heart that is willing to receive God's grace in all
my affairs; in this way I can experience the peace and
freedom that come as a result of surrender. It has been
proven that an act of surrender, originating in desperation
and defeat, can grow into an ongoing act of faith, and that
faith means freedom and victory.

Daily Reflection

JULY 20
SHORTCOMINGS REMOVED
But now the words "Of myself I am nothing, the Father
doeth the works" began to carry bright promise and
meaning.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75
When I put the Seventh Step into action I must remember
that there are no blanks to fill in. It doesn't say, "Humbly
asked Him to (fill in the blank) remove our shortcomings."
For years, I filled in the imaginary blank with "Help me!"
"Give me the courage to," and "Give me the strength," etc.
The Step says simply that God will remove my
shortcomings. The only footwork I must do is "humbly
ask," which for me means asking with the knowledge that
of myself I am nothing, the Father within "doeth the
works."

Daily Reflection

JULY 19
FALSE PRIDE
Many of us who had thought ourselves religious awoke to
the limitations of this attitude. Refusing to place God first,
we had deprived ourselves of His help.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75
Many false notions operate in false pride. The need for
direction to live a decent life is satisfied by the hope
experienced in the A.A. Fellowship. Those who have
walked the way for years—a day at a time—say that a Godcentered
life has limitless possibilities for personal growth.
This being so, much hope is transmitted by the elder A.A.s.
I thank my Higher Power for letting me know that He
works through other people, and I thank Him for our
trusted servants in the Fellowship who aid new members to
reject their false ideals and to adopt those which lead to a
life of compassion and trust. The elders in A.A. challenge
the newcomers to "Come To"—so that they can "Come to
Believe." I ask my Higher Power to help my unbelief.

Daily Reflection

JULY 18
GRATEFUL FOR WHAT I HAVE
During this process of learning more about humility, the
most profound result of all was the change in our attitude
toward God.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75
Today my prayers consist mostly of saying thank you to
my Higher Power for my sobriety and for the wonder of
God's abundance, but I need to ask also for help and the
power to carry out His will for me. I no longer need God
each minute to rescue me from the situations I get myself
into by not doing His will. Now my gratitude seems to be
directly linked to humility. As long as I have the humility
to be grateful for what I have, God continues to provide for
me.

Daily Reflection

JULY 17
SURRENDER AND SELF-EXAMINATION
My stability came out of trying to give, not out of
demanding that I receive.
Thus I think it can work out with emotional sobriety. If
we examine every disturbance we have, great or small, we
will find at the root of it some unhealthy dependency and its
consequent unhealthy demand. Let us, with God's help,
continually surrender these hobbling demands. Then we
can be set free to live and love; we may then be able to
Twelfth Step ourselves and others into emotional sobriety.
THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART, p. 238
Years of dependency on alcohol as a chemical moodchanger
deprived me of the capability to interact
emotionally with my fellows. I thought I had to be selfsufficient,
self-reliant, and self-motivated in a world of
unreliable people. Finally I lost my self-respect and was left
with dependency, lacking any ability to trust myself or to
believe in anything. Surrender and self-examination while
sharing with newcomers helped me to ask humbly for help.

Daily Reflection

JULY 16
"A MEASURE OF HUMILITY"
In every case, pain had been the price of admission into a
new life. But this admission price had purchased more than
we expected It brought a measure of humility, which we
soon discovered to be a healer of pain.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75
It was painful to give up trying to control my life, even
though success eluded me, and when life got too rough, I
drank to escape. Accepting life on life's terms will be
mastered through the humility I experience when I turn my
will and my life over to the care of God, as I understand
Him. With my life in God's care, fear, uncertainty, and
anger are no longer my response to those portions of life
that I would rather not have happen to me. The pain of
living through these times will be healed by the knowledge
that I have received the spiritual strength to survive.

Daily Reflection

JULY 15
PRIDE
For thousands of years we have been demanding more than
our share of security, prestige, and romance. When we
seemed to be succeeding, we drank to dream still greater
dreams. When we were frustrated, even in part, we drank
for oblivion. Never was there enough of what we thought
we wanted.
In all these strivings, so many of them well-intentioned,
our crippling handicap had been our lack of humility. We
had lacked the perspective to see that character-building
and spiritual values had to come first, and that material
satisfactions were not the purpose of living.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 71
Time and again I approached the Seventh Step, only to fall
back and regroup. Something was missing and the impact
of the Step escaped me. What had I overlooked? A single
word: read but ignored, the foundation of all the Steps,
indeed the entire Alcoholics Anonymous program—that
word is "humbly."
I understood my shortcomings: I constantly put tasks
off; I angered easily; I felt too much self-pity; and I
thought, why me? Then I remembered, "Pride goeth before
the fall," and I eliminated pride from my life.

Daily Reflection

JULY 14
A NOURISHING INGREDIENT
Where humility had formerly stood for a forced feeding on
humble pie, it now begins to mean the nourishing
ingredient which can give us serenity.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 74
How often do I focus on my problems and frustrations?
When I am having a "good day" these same problems
shrink in importance and my preoccupation with them
dwindles. Wouldn't it be better if I could find a key to
unlock the "magic" of my "good days" for use on the woes
of my "bad days?"
I already have the solution! Instead of trying to run away
from my pain and wish my problems away, I can pray for
humility! Humility will heal the pain. Humility will take me
out of myself. Humility, that strength granted to me by that
"power greater than myself," is mine for the asking! Humility
will bring balance back into my life. Humility will allow
me to accept my humanness joyously.

Daily Reflection

JULY 13
HUMILITY IS A GIFT
As long as we placed self-reliance first, a genuine reliance
upon a Higher Power was out of the question. That basic
ingredient of all humility, a desire to seek and do God's
will, was missing.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 72
When I first came to A.A., I wanted to find some of the
elusive quality called humility. I didn't realize I was looking
for humility because I thought it would help me get what I
wanted, and that I would do anything for others if I thought
God would somehow reward me for it. I try to remember
now that the people I meet in the course of my day are as
close to God as I am ever going to get while on this earth. I
need to pray for knowledge of God's will today, and see
how my experience with hope and pain can help other
people; if I can do that, I don't need to search for humility,
it has found me.

Daily Reflection

JULY 12
GIVING UP CENTER STAGE
For without some degree of humility, no alcoholic can stay
sober at all . . . Without it, they cannot live to much useful
purpose, or, in adversity, be able to summon the faith that
can meet any emergency.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 70
Why do I balk at the word "humility?" I am not humbling
myself toward other people, but toward God, as I
understand Him. Humility means "to show submissive
respect," and by being humble I realize I am not the center
of the universe. When I was drinking, I was consumed by
pride and self-centeredness. I felt the entire world revolved
around me, that I was master of my destiny. Humility
enables me to depend more on God to help me overcome
obstacles, to help me with my own imperfections, so that I
may grow spiritually. I must solve more difficult problems
to increase my proficiency and, as I encounter life's
stumbling blocks, I must learn to overcome them through
God's help. Daily communion with God demonstrates my
humility and provides me with the realization that an entity
more powerful than I is willing to help me if I cease trying

I have to give props to Dave Harm who selected my site as site of the month for July.

Daily Reflection

JULY 11
A TURNING POINT
A great turning point in our lives came when we sought for
humility as something we really wanted, rather than as
something we must have.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75
Either the A.A. way of life becomes one of joy or I return
to the darkness and despair of alcoholism. Joy comes to me
when my attitude concerning God and humility turns to one
of desire rather than of burden. The darkness in my life
changes to radiant light when I arrive at the realization that
being truthful and honest in dealing with my inventory
results in my life being filled with serenity, freedom, and
joy. Trust in my Higher Power deepens, and the flush of
gratitude spreads through my being. I am convinced that
being humble is being truthful and honest in dealing with
myself and God. It is then that humility is something I
"really want," rather than being "something I must have."

Daily Reflection

JULY 10
TOWARD PEACE AND SERENITY
. . . when we have taken a square look at some of these
defects, have discussed them with another, and have
become willing to have them removed, our thinking about
humility commences to have a wider meaning.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 74
When situations arise which destroy my serenity, pain often
motivates me to ask God for clarity in seeing my part in the
situation. Admitting my powerlessness, I humbly pray for
acceptance. I try to see how my character defects
contributed to the situation. Could I have been more
patient? Was I intolerant? Did I insist on having my own
way? Was I afraid? As my defects are revealed, I put selfreliance
aside and humbly ask God to remove my
shortcomings. The situation may not change, but as I
practice exercising humility, I enjoy the peace and serenity
which are the natural benefits of placing my reliance in a
power greater than myself.

Daily Reflection

JULY 9
I AM AN INSTRUMENT
Humbly asked Him
to remove our shortcomings.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 70
The subject of humility is a difficult one. Humility is not
thinking less of myself than I ought to; it is acknowledging
that I do certain things well, it is accepting a compliment
graciously.
God can only do for me what He can do through me.
Humility is the result of knowing that God is the doer, not
me. In the light of this awareness, how can I take pride in
my accomplishments? I am an instrument and any work I
seem to be doing is being done by God through me. I ask
God on a daily basis to remove my shortcomings, in order
that I may more freely go about my A.A. business of "love
and service."

Daily Reflection

JULY 8
AN EVER-GROWING FREEDOM
The Seventh Step is where we make the change in our
attitude which permits us, with humility as our guide, to
move out from ourselves toward others and toward God.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 76
When I finally asked God to remove those things blocking
me from Him and the sunlight of the Spirit, I embarked on
a journey more glorious than I ever imagined. I
experienced a freedom from those characteristics that had
me wrapped up in myself. Because of this humbling Step, I
feel clean.
I am especially aware of this Step because I'm now able
to be useful to God and to my fellows. I know that He has
granted me strength to do His bidding and has prepared me
for anyone, and anything, that comes my way today. I am
truly in His hands, and I give thanks for the joy that I can
be useful today.

Daily Reflection

JULY 7
. . . AND LETTING GO OF IT
. . . primarily fear that we would lose something we already
possessed or would fail to get something we demanded.
Living upon a basis of unsatisfied demands, we were in a
state of continual disturbance and frustration. Therefore,
no peace was to be had unless we could find a means of
reducing these demands The difference between a demand
and a simple request is plain to anyone.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 76
Peace is possible for me only when I let go of expectations.
When I'm trapped in thoughts about what I want and what
should be coming to me, I'm in a state of fear or anxious
anticipation and this is not conducive to emotional sobriety.
I must surrender —over and over—to the reality of my
dependence on God, for then I find peace, gratitude and
spiritual security.

Daily Reflection

JULY 6
IDENTIFYING FEAR . . .
The chief activator of our defects has been self-centered
fear. . . .
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 76
When I feel uncomfortable, irritated, or depressed, I look
for fear. This "evil and corroding thread" is the root of my
distress: Fear of failure; fear of others' opinions; fear of
harm, and many other fears. I have found a Higher Power
who does not want me to live in fear and, as a result, the
experience of A.A. in my life is freedom and joy. I am no
longer willing to live with the multitude of character defects
that characterized my life while I was drinking. Step
Seven is my vehicle to freedom from these defects. I pray
for help in identifying the fear underneath the defect, and
then I ask God to relieve me of that fear. This method
works for me without fail and is one of the great miracles
of my life in Alcoholics Anonymous.

Daily Reflection

JULY 5
A NEW DIRECTION
Our human resources, as marshaled by the will, were not
sufficient; they failed utterly. . . . Every day is a day when
we must carry the vision of God's will into all our activities.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 45, 85
I hear talk of the "weak-willed" alcoholic, but I am one of
the strongest-willed people on earth! I now know that my
incredible strength of will is not enough to save my life.
My problem is not one of "weakness," but rather of
direction. When I, without falsely diminishing myself,
accept my honest limitations and turn to God's guidance,
my worst faults become my greatest assets. My strong will,
rightly directed, keeps me working until the promises of the
program become my daily reality.

Daily Reflection

July 4

A NATURAL FAITH
. . . deep down in every man, woman and child, is the
fundamental idea of God. It may be obscured by calamity,
by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or
other it is there. For faith in a Power greater than
ourselves, and miraculous demonstrations of that power in
human lives, are facts as old as man himself.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 55
I have seen the workings of the unseen God in A.A. rooms
around the country. Miracles of recovery are everywhere in
evidence. I now believe that God is in these rooms and in
my heart. Today faith is as natural to me, a former
agnostic, as breathing, eating and sleeping. The Twelve
Steps have helped to change my life in many ways, but
none is more effective than the acquisition of a Higher
Power.

Daily Reflection

JULY 3
EXPERIENCE: THE BEST TEACHER
Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious
contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be
inspired at all times.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 87
Some say that experience is the best teacher, but I believe
that experience is the only teacher. I have been able to learn
of God's love for me only by the experience of my
dependence on that love. At first I could not be sure of His
direction in my life, but now I see that if I am to be bold
enough to ask for His guidance, I must act as if He has
provided it. I frequently ask God to help me remember that
He has a path for me.

Words Of Wisdom From His Holiness Dalai Lama

Affection and a calm mind are important to us. A calm mind is good for our physical health, but it also enables us to use our intelligence properly and to see things more realistically. Affection too is important because it counters anger, hatred and suspicion that can prevent our minds from functioning clearly.

Daily Reflection

JULY 2
THE HEART OF TRUE SOBRIETY
We find that no one need have difficulty with the spirituality
of the program. Willingness, honesty and open-mindedness
are the essentials of recovery. But these are indispensable.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 570
Am I honest enough to accept myself as I am and let this
be the "me" that I let others see? Do I have the willingness
to go to any length, to do whatever is necessary to stay
sober? Do I have the open-mindedness to hear what I have
to hear, to think what I have to think, and to feel what I
have to feel?
If my answer to these questions is "Yes," I know enough
about the spirituality of the program to stay sober. As I
continue to work the Twelve Steps, I move on to the heart
of true sobriety: serenity with myself, with others, and with
God as I understand Him.

Daily Reflection

JULY 1
THE BEST FOR TODAY
The principles we have set down are guides to progress
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 60
Just as a sculptor will use different tools to achieve desired
effects in creating a work of art, in Alcoholics Anonymous
the Twelve Steps are used to bring about results in my own
life. I do not overwhelm myself with life's problems, and
how much more work needs to be done. I let myself be
comforted in knowing that my life is now in the hands of
my Higher Power, a master craftsman who is shaping each
part of my life into a unique work of art. By working my
program I can be satisfied, knowing that "in doing the best
that we can for today, we are doing all that God asks of us."