TOPICS 6/9/2026
DAILY REFLECTIONS
1) First, we try living in the now just in order to stay sober and it works. Once the idea has become part of our thinking, we find a living life in 24 hour segments is an effective and satisfying way to handle many other matters as well.
-LIVING SOBER, p. 7
“One Day At A Time.” to a Newcomer this and the other One Liners in AA may seem ridiculous. The passwords of the AA Fellowship can become lifelines in moments of stress. Each day can be like a rose unfurling according to the plan of a Power greater than myself. My program should be planted in the right location, just as it will need to be groomed, nourished, and protected from disease. My planting will require patience, and my realizing that some flowers will be more perfect than others. Each stage of the petals unfolding can bring wonder and delight if I do not interfere or let my expectations override my acceptance-and this brings serenity.
WALK IN DRY PLACES
2) When facing difficult situations, we can expect to feel a certain amount of discomfort. What’s more often a problem for compulsive people is being tense and apprehensive, even when things seem to be going well. Although many explanations are offered for the unpleasant feeling, the solution is to be found in the 12 Steps. The more secure we feel in our program, the less apprehension we’ll have in facing the problem of living. With the program as our foundation, we will continue to develop more self-assurance as we go along. We may not immediately find this self-assurance, yet we should not hold back from normal duties and responsibilities. Most of the world‘s work and accomplishments are undertaken by people who do not necessarily feel confident and self assured all the time. Why should it be any different for us?
KEEP IT SIMPLE
3) “Anyone can blame; it takes a specialist to praise.”
-Konstantin Stanislawski
Are we blamers? We sure were blamers when we were using alcohol and other drugs. Then everything was someone’s fault. Some of us did our blaming out loud. And some of us blamed other silently. It’s harder to praise than to blame people. Faults stand out like street signs, but the good things about people may be harder to see. We can see the good in people when we slow down, watch, and listen.
4) “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
-James Baldwin