Daily Reflection

SEPTEMBER 22
A "LIMITLESS LODE"
Like a gaunt prospector, belt drawn in over the last ounce
of food, our pick struck gold. Joy at our release from a
lifetime of frustration knew no bounds. Father feels he has
struck something better than gold. For a time he may try to
hug the new treasure to himself. 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, pp. 128-29
When I talk with a newcomer to A.A., my past looks me
straight in the face. I see the pain in those hopeful eyes, I
extend my hand, and then the miracle happens: / become
healed. My problems vanish as I reach out to this trembling
soul.

Daily Reflection

SEPTEMBER 21
THE LAST PROMISE
We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we
could not do for ourselves.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 84
The last Promise in the Big Book came true for me on the
very first day of sobriety. God kept me sober that day, and
on every other day I allowed Him to operate in my life. He
gives me the strength, courage and guidance to meet my
responsibilities in life so that I am then able to reach out
and help others stay sober and grow. He manifests within
me, making me a channel of His word, thought and deed.
He works with my inner self, while I produce in the outer
world, for He will not do for me what I can do for myself. I
must be willing to do His work, so that He can function
through me successfully.

Daily Reflection

SEPTEMBER 20
H.P. AS GUIDE
See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great
events will come to pass for you and countless others. This
is the Great Fact for us.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 164
Having a right relationship with God seemed to be an
impossible order. My chaotic past had left me filled with
guilt and remorse and I wondered how this "God business"
could work. A.A. told me that I must turn my will and my
life over to the care of God, as I understand Him. With
nowhere else to turn, I went down on my knees and cried,
"God, I can't do this. Please help me!" It was when I admitted
my powerlessness that a glimmer of light began to
touch my soul, and then a willingness emerged to let God
control my life. With Him as my guide, great events began
to happen, and I found the beginning of sobriety.

Words Of Wisdom From His Holiness Dalai Lama

In order to lead a meaningful life, you need to cherish others, pay attention to human values and try to cultivate inner peace.

Daily Reflection

SEPTEMBER 19
ACCEPTANCE
We admitted we couldn't lick alcohol with our own
remaining resources, and so we accepted the further fact
that dependence upon a Higher Power (if only our A.A
group) could do this hitherto impossible job. The moment
we were able to accept these facts fully, our release from
the alcohol compulsion had begun.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 109
Freedom came to me only with my acceptance that I could
turn my will and my life over to the care of my Higher
Power, whom I call God. Serenity seeped into the chaos of
my life when I accepted that what I was going through was
life, and that God would help me through my difficulties—
and much more, as well. Since then He has helped me
through all of my difficulties! When I accept situations as
they are, not as I wish them to be, then I can begin to grow
and have serenity and peace of mind.

Daily Reflection

SEPTEMBER 18
LOVED BACK TO RECOVERY
Our whole treasured philosophy of self-sufficiency had to
be cast aside. This had not been done with old-fashioned
willpower; it was instead a matter of developing the
willingness to accept these new facts of living. We neither
ran nor fought. But accept we did And then we were free.
BEST OF THE GRAPEVINE, Vol. I, p. 198
I can be free of my old enslaving self. After a while I
recognize, and believe in, the good within myself. I see that
I have been loved back to recovery by my Higher Power,
who envelops me. My Higher Power becomes that source
of love and strength that is performing a continuing miracle
in me. I am sober . . . and I am grateful.

Daily Reflection

SEPTEMBER 17
FREEDOM FROM FEAR
When, with God's help, we calmly accepted our lot, then we
found we could live at peace with ourselves and show
others who still suffered the same fears that they could get
over them, too. We found that freedom from fear was more
important than freedom from want.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 122
Material values ruled my life for many years during my
active alcoholism. I believed that all of my possessions
would make me happy, yet I still felt bankrupt after I
obtained them. When I first came into A.A., I found out
about a new way of living. As a result of learning to trust
others, I began to believe in a power greater than myself.
Having faith freed me from the bondage of self. As material
gains were replaced by the gifts of the spirit, my life
became manageable. I then chose to share my experiences
with other alcoholics.

Daily Reflection

SEPTEMBER 16
WE STAND—OR FALL—TOGETHER
. . . no society of men and women ever had a more urgent
need for continuous effectiveness and permanent unity. We
alcoholics see that we must work together and hang
together, else most of us will finally die alone.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 562
Just as the Twelve Steps of A.A. are written in a specific
sequence for a reason, so it is with the Twelve Traditions.
The First Step and the First Tradition attempt to instill in
me enough humility to allow me a chance at survival.
Together they are the basic foundation upon which the
Steps and Traditions that follow are built. It is a process of
ego deflation which allows me to grow as an individual
through the Steps, and as a contributing member of a group
through the Traditions. Full acceptance of the First
Tradition allows me to set aside personal ambitions, fears
and anger when they are in conflict with the common good,
thus permitting me to work with others for our mutual
survival. Without Tradition One I stand little chance of
maintaining the unity required to work with others
effectively, and I also stand to lose the remaining
Traditions, the Fellowship, and my life.

Lies

“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” ― Mark Twain

Daily Reflection

SEPTEMBER 15
A NEW LIFE
Yes, there is a substitute and it is vastly more than that. It is
a fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. . . . Life will mean
something at last
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 152
Life is better without alcohol. A.A. and the presence of a
Higher Power keeps me sober, but the grace of God does
even better; it brings service into my life. Contact with the
A.A. program teaches me a new and greater understanding
of what Alcoholics Anonymous is and what it does, but
most importantly, it helps to show me who I am: an alcoholic
who needs the constant experience of the Alcoholics
Anonymous program so that I may live a life given to me
by my Higher Power.

Daily Reflection

SEPTEMBER 14
PEACE OF MIND
Do we lay the matter before our sponsor or spiritual
adviser, earnestly asking God's help and guidance—
meanwhile resolving to do the right thing when it becomes
clear, cost what it may?
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 86-87
My belief in a Higher Power is an essential part of my
work on Step Nine; forgiveness, timing, and right motives
are the other ingredients. My willingness to do the Step is a
growing experience that opens the door for new and honest
relationships with the people I have harmed. My
responsible action brings me closer to the spiritual
principles of the program—love and service. Peace of
mind, serenity, and a stronger faith are sure to follow.

Daily Reflection

SEPTEMBER 13
REPAIRING THE DAMAGE
Good judgment, a careful sense of timing courage and
prudence—these are the qualities we shall need when we
take Step Nine.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 83
To make amends can be viewed two ways: first, that of
repairing damage, for if I have damaged my neighbor's
fence, I "make a mend," and that is a direct amend; the
second way is by modifying my behavior, for if my actions
have harmed someone, I make a daily effort to cause no
further harm. I "mend my ways," and that is an indirect
amend. Which is the best approach? The only right approach,
provided that I am causing no further harm in so
doing, is to do both. If harm is done, then I simply "mend
my ways." To take action in this manner assures me of
making honest amends.