Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 30
PROTECTION FOR ALL
At the personal level, anonymity provides protection or all
members from identification as alcoholics, a safeguard
often of special importance to newcomers, i t the level of
press, radio, TV, and films, anonymity tresses the equality
in the Fellowship of all members by putting the brake on
those who might otherwise exploit their A.A. affiliation to
achieve recognition, power, or personal gain.
"UNDERSTANDING ANONYMITY," p. 5
Attraction is the main force in the Fellowship of A.A. The
miracle of continuous sobriety of alcoholics within A.A.
confirms this fact every day. It would be harmful if the
Fellowship promoted itself by publicizing, through the
media of radio and TV, the sobriety of well-known public
personalities who became members of A.A. If these
personalities happened to have slips, outsiders would think
our movement is not strong and they might question the
veracity of the miracle of the century. Alcoholics
Anonymous is not anonymous, but its members should be.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 29
"ACTIVE GUARDIANS"
To us, however, it represents far more than a sound public
relations policy. It is more than a denial of self-seeking.
This Tradition is a constant and practical reminder that
personal ambition has no place in A A. In it, each member
becomes an active guardian of our Fellowship.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 183
The basic concept of humility is expressed in the Eleventh
Tradition: it allows me to participate completely in the
program in such a simple, yet profound, manner; it fulfills
my need to be an integral part of a significant whole.
Humility brings me closer to the actual spirit of
togetherness and oneness, without which I could not stay
sober. In remembering that every member is an example of
sobriety, each one living the Eleventh Tradition, I am able
to experience freedom because each one of us is
anonymous.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 28
ATTRACTION, NOT PROMOTION
Through many painful experiences, we think we have
arrived at what that policy ought to be. It is the opposite in
many ways of usual promotional practice. We found that we
had to rely upon the principle of attraction rather than of
promotion.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 180-81
While I was drinking I reacted with anger, self-pity and
defiance against anyone who wanted to change me. All I
wanted then was to be accepted by another human simply
as I was and, curiously, that is what I found in A.A. I
became the custodian of this concept of attraction, which is
the principle of our Fellowship's public relations. It is by
attraction that I can best reach the alcoholic who still
suffers.
I thank God for having given me the attraction of a wellplanned
and established program of Steps and Traditions.
Through humility and the support of my fellow sober
members, I have been able to practice the A.A. way of life
through attraction, not promotion.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 27
THE PERILS OF THE LIMELIGHT
In the beginning, the press could not understand our
refusal of all personal publicity. They were genuinely
baffled by our insistence upon anonymity. Then they got the
point. Here was something rare in the world —a society
which said it wished to publicize its principles and its work,
but not its individual members. The press was delighted
with this attitude. Ever since, these friends have reported
A.A. with an enthusiasm which the most ardent members
would find hard to match.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 182
It is essential for my personal survival and that of the
Fellowship that I not use A.A. to put myself in the
limelight. Anonymity is a way for me to work on my
humility. Since pride is one of my most dangerous
shortcomings, practicing humility is one of the best ways to
overcome it. The Fellowship of A.A. gains worldwide
recognition by its various methods of publicizing its
principles and its work, not by its individual members
advertising themselves. The attraction created by my
changing attitudes and my altruism contributes much more
to the welfare of A.A. than self-promotion.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 26
THE HAZARDS OF PUBLICITY
People who symbolize causes and ideas fill a deep human
need. We of A.A. do not question that. But we do have to
soberly face the fact that being in the public eye is
hazardous, especially for us.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 181
As a recovered alcoholic I must make an effort to put into
practice the principles of the AA. program, which are
founded on honesty, truth and humility. While I was
drinking I was constantly trying to be in the limelight. Now
that I am conscious of my mistakes and of my former lack
of integrity, it would not be honest to seek prestige, even
for the justifiable purpose of promoting the A.A. message
of recovery. Is the publicity that centers around the A.A.
Fellowship and the miracles it produces not worth much
more? Why not let the people around us appreciate by
themselves the changes that A.A. has brought in us, for that
will be a far better recommendation for the Fellowship than
any I could make.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 25
A POWERFUL TRADITION
In the years before the publication of the book, "Alcoholics
Anonymous," we had no name. . . . By a narrow majority
the verdict was for naming our book "The Way Out" . . .
One of our early lone members . . . found exactly twelve
books already titled "The Way Out" . . . So "Alcoholics
Anonymous" became first choice. That's how we got a name
for our book of experience, a name for our movement and,
as we are now beginning to see, a tradition of the greatest
spiritual import.
"A.A. TRADITION: HOW IT DEVELOPED," pp. 35-36
Beginning with Bill's momentous decision in Akron to
make a telephone call rather than a visit to the hotel bar,
how often has a Higher Power made itself felt at crucial
moments in our history! The eventual importance that the
principle of anonymity would acquire was but dimly
perceived, if at all, in those early days. There seems to have
been an element of chance even in the choice of a name for
our Fellowship.
God is no stranger to anonymity and often appears in
human affairs in the guises of "luck," "chance," or
"coincidence." If anonymity, somewhat fortuitously,
became the spiritual basis for all of our Traditions, perhaps
God was acting anonymously on our behalf.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 24
A UNIVERSAL SEARCH
Be quick to see where religious people are right Make use
of what they offer.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 87
I do not claim to have all the answers in spiritual matters,
any more than I claim to have all the answers about
alcoholism. There are others who are also engaged in a
spiritual search. If I keep an open mind about what others
have to say, I have much to gain. My sobriety is greatly
enriched, and my practice of the Eleventh Step more
fruitful, when I use both the literature and practices of my
Judeo-Christian tradition, and the resources of other religions.
Thus, I receive support from many sources in
staying away from the first drink.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 23
"HOLD YOUR FACE TO THE LIGHT"
Believe more deeply. Hold your face up to the Light, even
though for the moment you do not see.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 3
One Sunday in October, during my morning meditation, I
glanced out the window at the ash tree in our front yard. At
once I was overwhelmed by its magnificent, golden color!
As I stared in awe at God's work of art, the leaves began to
fall and, within minutes, the branches were bare. Sadness
came over me as I thought of the winter months ahead, but
just as I was reflecting on autumn's annual process, God's
message came through. Like the trees, stripped of their
leaves in the fall, sprout new blossoms in the spring, I had
had my compulsive, selfish ways removed by God in order
for me to blossom into a sober, joyful member of A.A.
Thank you, God, for the changing seasons and for my everchanging
life.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 22
ONLY TWO SINS
. . . there are only two sins; the first is to interfere with the
growth of another human being, and the second is to
interfere with one's own growth.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 542
Happiness is such an elusive state. How often do my
"prayers" for others involve "hidden" prayers for my own
agenda? How often is my search for happiness a boulder in
the path of growth for another, or even myself? Seeking
growth through humility and acceptance brings things that
appear to be anything but good, wholesome and vital. Yet
in looking back, I can see that pain, struggles and setbacks
have all contributed eventually to serenity through growth
in the program.
I ask my Higher Power to help me not cause another's
lack of growth today—or my own.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 21
A CLASSIC PRAYER
Lord, make me a channel for thy peace—that where there
is hatred, I may bring love—that where there is wrong, I
may bring the spirit of forgiveness—that where there is
discord, I may bring harmony—that where there is error, I
may bring truth—that where there is doubt, I may bring
faith—that where there is despair, I may bring hope—that
where there are shadows, I may bring light—that where
there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may
seek rather to comfort than to be comforted—to understand,
than to be understood—to love, than to be loved. For
it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that
one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal
Life. Amen.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 99
No matter where I am in my spiritual growth, the St.
Francis prayer helps me improve my conscious contact
with the God of my understanding. I think that one of the
great advantages of my faith in God is that I do not
understand Him, or Her, or It. It may be that my
relationship with my Higher Power is so fruitful that I do
not have to understand. All that I am certain of is that if I
work the Eleventh Step regularly, as best I can, I will
continue to improve my conscious contact, I will know His
will

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 20
"THY WILL, NOT MINE"
. . . when making specific requests, it will be well to add to
each one of them this qualification. ". . . if it be Thy will"
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 102
I ask simply that throughout the day God place in me the
best understanding of His will that I can have for that day,
and that I be given the grace by which I may carry it out. As
the day goes on, I can pause when facing situations that
must be met and decisions that must be made, and renew
the simple request: "Thy will, not mine, be done."
I must always keep in mind that in every situation I am
responsible for the effort and God is responsible for the
outcome. I can "Let Go and Let God" by humbly repeating:
"Thy will, not mine, be done." Patience and persistence in
seeking His will for me will free me from the pain of selfish
expectations.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 19
"I WAS SLIPPING FAST"
We A.A.'s are active folk, enjoying the satisfactions of
dealing with the realities of life, . . . So it isn't surprising
that we often tend to slight serious meditation and prayer as
something not really necessary.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 96
I had been slipping away from the program for some time,
but it took a death threat from a terminal disease to bring
me back, and particularly to the practice of the Eleventh
Step of our blessed Fellowship. Although I had fifteen years
of sobriety and was still very active in the program, I knew
that the quality of my sobriety had slipped badly. Eighteen
months later, a checkup revealed a malignant tumor and a
prognosis of certain death within six months. Despair
settled in when I enrolled in a rehab program, after which I
suffered two small strokes which revealed two large brain
tumors. As I kept hitting new bottoms I had to ask myself
why this was happening to me. God allowed me to recognize
my dishonesty and to become teachable again.
Miracles began to happen. But primarily I relearned the
whole meaning of the Eleventh Step. My physical condition
has improved dramatically, but my illness is minor
compared to what I almost lost completely.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 18
A SAFETY NET
Occasionally. . . . We are seized with a rebellion so
sickening that we simply won't pray. When these things
happen we should not think too ill of ourselves. We should
simply resume prayer as soon as we can, doing what we
know to be good for us.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 105
Sometimes I scream, stomp my feet, and turn my back on
my Higher Power. Then my disease tells me that I am a
failure, and that if I stay angry I'll surely get drunk. In those
moments of self-will it's as if I've slipped over a cliff and
am hanging by one hand. The above passage is my safety
net, in that it urges me to try some new behavior, such as
being kind and patient with myself. It assures me that my
Higher Power will wait until I am willing once again to risk
letting go, to land in the net, and to pray.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 17
OVERCOMING LONELINESS
Almost without exception, alcoholics are tortured by
loneliness Even before our drinking got bad and people
began to cut us off, nearly all of us suffered the feeling that
we didn't quite belong.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 90
The agonies and the void that I often felt inside occur less
and less frequently in my life today. I have learned to cope
with solitude. It is only when I am alone and calm that I am
able to communicate with God, for He cannot reach me
when I am in turmoil. It is good to maintain contact with
God at all times, but it is absolutely essential that, when
everything seems to go wrong, I maintain that contact
through prayer and meditation.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 16
A DAILY REPRIEVE
What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the
maintenance of our spiritual condition.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 85
Maintaining my spiritual condition is like working out
every day, planning for the marathon, swimming laps,
jogging. It's staying in good shape spiritually, and that
requires prayer and meditation. The single most important
way for me to improve my conscious contact with a Higher
Power is to pray and meditate. I am as powerless over
alcohol as I am to turn back the waves of the sea; no human
force had the power to overcome my alcoholism. Now I am
able to breathe the air of joy, happiness and wisdom. I have
the power to love and react to events around me with the
eyes of a faith in things that are not readily apparent. My
daily reprieve means that, no matter how difficult or
painful things appear today, I can draw on the power of the
program to stay liberated from my cunning, baffling and
powerful illness.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 15
VITAL SUSTENANCE
Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer
would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food,
or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air,
light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away
from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds,
our emotions, and our intuitions of vitally needed support.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 97
Step Eleven doesn't have to overwhelm me. Conscious
contact with God can be as simple, and as profound, as
conscious contact with another human being. I can smile. I
can listen. I can forgive. Every encounter with another is an
opportunity for prayer, for acknowledging God's presence
within me.
Today I can bring myself a little closer to my Higher
Power. The more I choose to seek the beauty of God's work
in other people, the more certain of His presence I will
become.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 14
INTUITION AND INSPIRATION
. . we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought >r a
decision. We relax and take it easy. We don't struggle.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 86
[ invest my time in what I truly love. Step Eleven is a
discipline that allows me and my Higher Power to be
together, reminding me that, with God's help, intuition and
inspiration are possible. Practice of the Step brings on selflove.
In a consistent attempt to improve my conscious
contact with a Higher Power, I am subtly reminded of my
unhealthy past, with its patterns of grandiose thinking and
false feelings of omnipotence. When I ask for the power to
carry out God's will for me, I am made aware of my
powerlessness. Humility and a healthy self-love are
compatible, a direct result of working Step Eleven.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 13
LOOKING OUTWARD
We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are
careful to make no requests for ourselves only. We may ask
for ourselves, however, if others will be helped We are
careful never to pray for our own selfish ends.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 87
As an active alcoholic, I allowed selfishness to run rampant
in my life. I was so attached to my drinking and other
selfish habits that people and moral principles came
second. Now, when I pray for the good of others rather
than my "own selfish ends," I practice a discipline in letting
go of selfish attachments, caring for my fellows and
preparing for the day when I will be required to let go of all
earthly attachments.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 12
MORNING THOUGHTS
Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each
day for the man who is still sick
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 164
For many years I pondered over God's will for me,
believing that perhaps a great destiny had been ordained for
my life. After all, having been born into a specific faith,
hadn't I been told early that I was "chosen"? It finally
occurred to me, as I considered the above passage, that
God's will for me was simply that I practice Step Twelve
on a daily basis. Furthermore, I realized I should do this to
the best of my ability. I soon learned that the practice aids
me in keeping my life in the context of the day at hand.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 11
SELF-ACCEPTANCE
We know that God lovingly watches over us. We know that
when we turn to Him, all will be well with us, here and
hereafter.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 105
I pray for the willingness to remember that I am a child of
God, a divine soul in human form, and that my most basic
and urgent life-task is to accept, know, love and nurture
myself. As I accept myself, I am accepting God's will. As I
know and love myself, I am knowing and loving God. As I
nurture myself I am acting on God's guidance.
I pray for the willingness to let go of my arrogant self criticism,
and to praise God by humbly accepting and
caring for myself.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 10
A SENSE OF BELONGING
Perhaps one of the greatest rewards of meditation and
prayer is the sense of belonging that comes to us.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 105
That's what it is—belonging! After a session of meditation
I knew that the feeling I was experiencing was a sense of
belonging because I was so relaxed. I felt quieter inside,
more willing to discard little irritations. I appreciated my
sense of humor. What I also experience in my daily
practice is the sheer pleasure of belonging to the creative
flow of God's world. How propitious for us that prayer and
meditation are written right into our A.A. way of life.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 9
STEPPING INTO THE SUNLIGHT
But first of all we shall want sunlight; nothing much can
grow in the dark. Meditation is our step out into the sun.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 10
Sometimes I think I don't have time for prayer and
meditation, forgetting that I always found the time to drink.
It is possible to make time for anything I want to do if I
want it badly enough. When I start the routine of prayer
and meditation, it's a good idea to plan to devote a small
amount of time to it. I read a page from our Fellowship's
books in the morning, and say "Thank You, God," when I
go to bed at night. As prayer becomes a habit, I will increase
the time spent on it, without even noticing the foray
it makes into my busy day. If I have trouble praying, I just
repeat the Lord's Prayer because it really covers
everything. Then I think of what I can be grateful for and
say a word of thanks.
I don't need to shut myself in a closet to pray. It can be
done even in a room full of people. I just remove myself
mentally for an instant. As the practice of prayer continues,
I will find I don't need words, for God can, and does, hear
my thoughts through silence.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 8
AN INDIVIDUAL ADVENTURE
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.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 101
My spiritual growth is with God as I understand Him. With
Him I find my true inner self. Daily meditation and prayer
strengthen and renew my source of well-being. I receive
then the openness to accept all that He has to offer. With
God I have the reassurance that my journey will be as He
wants for me, and for that I am grateful to have God in my
life.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 7
LET GO AND LET GOD
. . . praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the
power to carry that out
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 96
When I "Let Go and Let God," I think more clearly and
wisely. Without having to think about it, I quickly let go of
things that cause me immediate pain and discomfort.
Because I find it hard to let go of the kind of worrisome
thoughts and attitudes that cause me immense anguish, all I
need do during those times is allow God, as I understand
Him, to release them for me, and then and there, I let go of
the thoughts, memories and attitudes that are troubling me.
When I receive help from God, as I understand Him, I
can live my life one day at a time and handle whatever
challenges that come my way. Only then can I live a life of
victory over alcohol, in comfortable sobriety.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 6
GOING WITH THE FLOW
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our
conscious contact with God as we understood Him. . . .
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 96
The first words I speak when arising in the morning are, "I
arise, O God, to do Thy will." This is the shortest prayer I
know and it is deeply ingrained in me. Prayer doesn't
change God's attitude toward me; it changes my attitude
toward God. As distinguished from prayer, meditation is a
quiet time, without words. To be centered is to be
physically relaxed, emotionally calm, mentally focused and
spiritually aware.
One way to keep the channel open and to improve my
conscious contact with God is to maintain a grateful
attitude. On the days when I am grateful, good things seem
to happen in my life. The instant I start cursing things in
my life, however, the flow of good stops. God did not
interrupt the flow; my own negativity did.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 5
"THE QUALITY OF FAITH"
This . . . has to do with the quality of faith. . . . In no deep
or meaningful sense had we ever taken stock of ourselves. .
. . We had not even prayed rightly. We had always said,
"Grant me my wishes" instead of "Thy will be done."
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 32
God does not grant me material possessions, take away my
suffering, or spare me from disasters, but He does give me
a good life, the ability to cope, and peace of mind. My
prayers are simple: first, they express my gratitude for the
good things in my life, regardless of how hard I have to
search for them; and second, I ask only for the strength and
the wisdom to do His will. He answers with solutions to my
problems, sustaining my ability to live through daily
frustrations with a serenity I did not believe existed, and
with the strength to practice the principles of A.A. in all of
my everyday affairs.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 4
A DAILY DISCIPLINE
. . . when they [self-examination, meditation and prayer]
are logically related and interwoven, the result is an
unshakable foundation for life.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 98
The last three Steps of the program invoke God's loving
discipline upon my willful nature. If I devote just a few
moments every night to a review of the highlights of my
day, along with an acknowledgement of those aspects that
didn't please me so much, I gain a personal history of
myself, one that is essential to my journey into selfdiscovery.
I was able to note my growth, or lack of it, and to
ask in prayerful meditation to be relieved of those continuing
shortcomings that cause me pain. Meditation and
prayer also teach me the art of focusing and listening. I find
that the turmoil of the day gets tuned out as I pray for His
will and guidance. The practice of asking Him to help me in
my strivings for perfection puts a new slant on the tedium
of any day, because I know there is honor in any job done
well. The daily discipline of prayer and meditation will
keep me in fit spiritual condition, able to face whatever the
day brings—without the thought of a drink.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 3
FOCUSING AND LISTENING
There is a direct linkage among self-examination,
meditation, and prayer. Taken separately, these practices
can bring much relief and benefit.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 98
If I do my self-examination first, then surely, I'll have
enough humility to pray and meditate—because I'll see and
feel my need for them. Some wish to begin and end with
prayer, leaving the self-examination and meditation to take
place in between, whereas others start with meditation,
listening for advice from God about their still hidden or
unacknowledged defects. Still others engage in written and
verbal work on their defects, ending with a prayer of praise
and thanksgiving. These three-self-examination, meditation
and prayer—form a circle, without a beginning or an end.
No matter where, or how, I start, I eventually arrive at my
destination: a better life.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 2
KEEPING OPTIMISM AFLOAT
The other Steps can keep most of us sober and somehow
functioning. But Step Eleven can keep us growing . . .
THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART, p. 240
A sober alcoholic finds it much easier to be optimistic
about life. Optimism is the natural result of my finding
myself gradually able to make the best, rather than the
worst, of each situation. As my physical sobriety continues,
I come out of the fog, gain a clearer perspective and am
better able to determine what courses of action to take. As
vital as physical sobriety is, I can achieve a greater potential
for myself by developing an ever-increasing
willingness to avail myself of the guidance and direction of
a Higher Power. My ability to do so comes from my
learning—and practicing—the principles of the A.A.
program. The melding of my physical and spiritual sobriety
produces the substance of a more positive life.

Daily Reflection

NOVEMBER 1
I CANNOT CHANGE THE WIND
is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and
rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for
alcohol is a subtle foe.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 85
My first sponsor told me there were two things to say about
prayer and meditation: first, I had to start and second, I had
to continue. When I came to A.A. my spiritual life was
bankrupt; if I considered God at all, He was to be called
upon only when my self-will was incapable of a task or
when overwhelming fears had eroded my ego.
Today I am grateful for a new life, one in which my
prayers are those of thanksgiving. My prayer time is more
for listening than for talking. I know today that if I cannot
change the wind, I can adjust my sail. I know the difference
between superstition and spirituality. I know there is a
graceful way of being right, and many ways to be wrong.