alcoholics anonymous
December 2008 
Lifting the Guilt
Posted on May 3rd, 2008
by 
Zink
Zink
Thoughtfood for Saturday, May 3, 2008
From the Big Book:
"In the early years of our drinking we occasionally remained sober for a year or more, becoming serious drinkers again later. Though you may be able to stop for a considerable period, you may yet be a potential alcoholic. We think few, to whom this book will appeal, can stay dry anything like a year. Some will be drunk the day after making their resolutions; most of them within a few weeks."
c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, More About Alcoholism, p. 34.
Prayer for the day:
"I pray that I may hold no resentments.
I pray that my mind may be washed clean of all past hates and fears."
c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, May 3.
Quote for the day:
YOU WON'T GET ANYWHERE WITHOUT A GOAL
A life without purpose is like a ship without a rudder.
The purpose of a goal is to focus your attention.
Your mind will reach toward achievement only when it has a goal.
There is no achievement without goals.
Establish a goal worth working for.
Your goal will keep you going in tough times.
Always have something ahead of you.
Continuously visualize your next step.
Keep moving after you achieve your goal and set another.
Momentum is maintained by always having something to look forward to.
Constantly give yourself something to work for.
Do what you can do well,
and do well whatever you can do.
You can plant your dream with a goal. __The Daily Guru
My share:
I heard the message loud and clear. So, my goals are no longer of the "pie-in-the-sky", "wishful thinking", or "pipe-dream" varieties. My goals are simple, not grandiose; they are attainable. One of my goals today is to stay away from that first drink. When I reach that goal, I'll reset it again in the morning. I know how to do that. I have a track record of success. I realized this on my second day of sobriety. I can do this. My other goals are simple too, now. Read the text, do the work, go to class. Life is simple and good. Thanks God. Be Good to You, Dave
Lifting the Guilt
For weeks I sat in the back of the rooms,
silent when others shared their experience, strength and hope.
I listened to their stories and found so many areas where we overlapped --
not all of the deeds, but the feelings of remorse and hopelessness.
I learned that alcoholism isn't a sin, it's a disease.
That lifted the guilt I had felt. I learned that I didn't have to stop drinking forever,
but just not pick up that first drink one day, one hour at a time.
I could manage that.
There was laughter in those rooms and sometimes tears, but always love,
and when I was able to let it in, that love helped me heal.
© 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 344
For weeks I sat in the back of the rooms,
silent when others shared their experience, strength and hope.
I listened to their stories and found so many areas where we overlapped --
not all of the deeds, but the feelings of remorse and hopelessness.
I learned that alcoholism isn't a sin, it's a disease.
That lifted the guilt I had felt. I learned that I didn't have to stop drinking forever,
but just not pick up that first drink one day, one hour at a time.
I could manage that.
There was laughter in those rooms and sometimes tears, but always love,
and when I was able to let it in, that love helped me heal.
© 2001 AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 344
From the Big Book:
"In the early years of our drinking we occasionally remained sober for a year or more, becoming serious drinkers again later. Though you may be able to stop for a considerable period, you may yet be a potential alcoholic. We think few, to whom this book will appeal, can stay dry anything like a year. Some will be drunk the day after making their resolutions; most of them within a few weeks."
c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, More About Alcoholism, p. 34.
Prayer for the day:
"I pray that I may hold no resentments.
I pray that my mind may be washed clean of all past hates and fears."
c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, May 3.
Quote for the day:
YOU WON'T GET ANYWHERE WITHOUT A GOAL
A life without purpose is like a ship without a rudder.
The purpose of a goal is to focus your attention.
Your mind will reach toward achievement only when it has a goal.
There is no achievement without goals.
Establish a goal worth working for.
Your goal will keep you going in tough times.
Always have something ahead of you.
Continuously visualize your next step.
Keep moving after you achieve your goal and set another.
Momentum is maintained by always having something to look forward to.
Constantly give yourself something to work for.
Do what you can do well,
and do well whatever you can do.
You can plant your dream with a goal. __The Daily Guru
My share:
I heard the message loud and clear. So, my goals are no longer of the "pie-in-the-sky", "wishful thinking", or "pipe-dream" varieties. My goals are simple, not grandiose; they are attainable. One of my goals today is to stay away from that first drink. When I reach that goal, I'll reset it again in the morning. I know how to do that. I have a track record of success. I realized this on my second day of sobriety. I can do this. My other goals are simple too, now. Read the text, do the work, go to class. Life is simple and good. Thanks God. Be Good to You, Dave
Access: Public
