What We Need – Each Other
…A.A. is really saying to every serious drinker, “You are an A.A. member if you say so… nobody can keep you out.”

For years, whenever I reflected on Tradition Three (“The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking”), I thought it valuable only to newcomers. It was their guarantee that no one could bar them from A.A. Today I feel enduring gratitude for the spiritual development the Tradition has brought me. I don’t seek out people obviously different from myself. Tradition Three, concentrating on the one way I am similar to others, brought me to know and help every kind of alcoholic, just as they have helped me. Charlotte, the atheist, showed me higher standards of ethics and honour, Clay, of another race, taught me patience, Winslow, who is gay, led me by example into true compassion, Young Megan says that seeing me at meetings, sober thirty years, keeps her coming back. Tradition Three insured that we would get what we need – each other.

Twenty–Four Hours A Day
A.A. Thought for The Day
We used to depend on drinking for a lot of things. We depended on drinking to help us enjoy things. It gave us a “kick.” It broke down our shyness and helped us to have a “Good time.” We depended on drinking to help us when we felt low physically. If we had a toothache or just a hangover, we felt better after a few drinks. We depended on drinking to help us when we felt low mentally. If we had a tough day at the office or if we’d had a fight with our wives, or if things just seemed against us, we felt better under the influence of alcohol. For us alcoholics, it got so that we depended on drinking for almost everything. Have I gotten over that dependence on drinking?

Meditation for The Day
I believe that complete surrender of my life to God is the foundation of serenity. God has prepared for us many mansions. I do not look upon that promise as referring only to the after–life. I do not look upon this life as something to be struggled through, in order to get the rewards of the next life. I believe that the Kingdom of God is within us and we can enjoy “Eternal life” here and now.

Prayer for The Day
I pray that I may try to do God’s will. I pray that such understanding, insight and vision shall be mine, and shall make my life eternal, here and now.

Walk in Dry Places
Finding a Higher Good–Handling Trouble.

There are times when things just don’t work out, despite our best efforts. Even in sobriety, we can have business or marriage failures, accidents, sicknesses, or trouble in holding a job. Sobriety is no guarantee that things will always work out according to our expectancies.

But no disappointment or failure has to throw us or cause permanent distress. It is some comfort to remember that the meeting of the first two AA members came out of a business failure, not a success. On many occasions, a disappointment or a setback can actually give a person the insight and understanding needed for a new, more successful effort.

We do not, of course, want to rationalize failure. We should also accept responsibility when failure has been the result of negligence or wrong action on our part. Nevertheless, as we continue to seek and to follow God’s guidance, w will find the course of our lives that fits our needs and capabilities. There is a higher good in everything. Even our drinking was indirectly beneficial in pushing us toward AA and the program’s healing principles.

I will not waste time today brooding over mistakes or losses. I’ll know that God is in charge of my life and can turn liabilities into assets and defeats into victories.

Keep it Simple
The best way to find a helping hand is at the end of your arm. – Swedish proverb

During our illness, we hurt others. We hurt ourselves. We messed up a lot. So, a lot of us come to recovery not trusting ourselves very much. The truth is, as addicts, we couldn’t be trusted.

But in recovery, we can be trusted again. We can again live and love ourselves. We do this by finding our spiritual centre. This is the place inside of us where our Higher Power lives. We turn our will and our lives over to this spiritual centre. We do as our spiritual centre tells us. And from our spiritual centre, we’ll find our values. We’ll live better lives. We’ll come to trust ourselves again.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, thank–you for helping me believe in myself again. I’ll treat myself with love and kindness. I know You want me to.

Action for the Day: Today, I’ll list four ways I couldn’t be trusted during my addiction. I’ll also list four ways I can now be trusted.