AA Thought for the Day

July 20, 2006

(Scroll down for share)

Self-acceptance

I need to feel a strong and helpful
sense of myself.
Such an awareness doesn't happen overnight,
and no one's self-awareness is permanent.
Everyone has a capacity for growth, and for self-awareness,
through an honest encounter with reality.
When I don't avoid issues but meet them directly,
always trying to resolve them,
they become fewer and fewer.

Reprinted from Daily Reflections, Page 100, with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.


Thought to Ponder....

The more accepting I am of myself,
the more accepting I am of others.


Recovery Related Acronym

Coffee Pot

A B C = Acceptance, Belief, Change.


A Member Shares...

Hi all! I'm Jane, an alcoholic.

Self-acceptance is something I always found very difficult. I cared way too much about what others thought. I tried way too hard to please people. I drank myself into blackouts and woke wondering why everyone was so miffed. So I did things to try fixing it, and it wasn't until I got to AA that I fixed me. It's an on-going process, and I'm still a work in progress. But these days I know what I did the night before. I know who I was with, what I've said, and know I do my best on a daily basis. Recently, I've decided I can only do as I'm able, and if others don't like it, well, maybe it's their issue or maybe mine, but if I can't fix it, I'm not going to carry it. I found unconditional love in AA. It has shown me I am worthwhile, and in my worth I've found accepting myself means others accept me as well. Walk into a meeting anywhere and people are happy to see you. Friends worldwide. And I can learn new ways to grow, new ways to think, and maybe new ways to live to the fullest. I'm not so bad. I can put the stick down or get off the cross. AA is simple ... if I do the work I'm well, if I don't; it's my problem. My Higher Power is always there as is AA, but it is my work and my path. Accepting me was a biggie. I can always remember being told I wasn't good enough, but then I started to think I'm a success! I made it to AA! Then I realized if I were a success in the eyes of those who had put me down, I'd be a failure in my own eyes. One day at a time I am successfully sober! I accept and love myself.

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