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."