April 22, 2026 - Gratitude

My thought for today is Gratitude. Gratitude is defined as a feeling of thankfulness for kindness received whether the kindness is intentional or not. It is the honest recognition that the good in my life is not self-generated, it is a gift and I am aware of the giver. I remember those days before God was in my life. Whenever I was feeling thankful I didn't know who to thank, so I just thanked myself. I see now that was just ego-feeding which ultimately got me nowhere. I know who to thank now. One thought I always express is that gratitude is not about having everything I want; it is about wanting everything I have. So, to God and to all of you, I give my thanks.

April 21, 2026 - Intimacy

 My thought for today is Intimacy. Intimacy is defined as the courage to let yourself be known and the humility to let someone else matter. Into me see. Intimacy is not only about sex or romance. There is spiritual intimacy or the intimacy that is shared through sponsorship. It is two people meeting in an honest relationship where one walks the path and the other keeps the path clear. As the big book reminds us, "Both you and the new man [or woman] must walk day by day in the path of spiritual progress."

April 20, 2026 - But for the Grace of God

My thought for today is But For The Grace of God. The grace of God, to me, is the favor of God but it is not something I earn by being good or that I don't receive by being imperfect. It is a gift that is given to me by God. It is a levelling of the field that reminds me I am no better and no less than anyone else. I could have been lost, angry, drunk, resentful, or gone. But I’m here. I could just as easily be the man who relapses, but by the grace of God I am not. The promises remind me that I will realize that God is doing for me what I could not do for myself.

April 19, 2026 - Acceptance

My thought for today is Acceptance. Acceptance is defined as seeing things as they are, not as I wish, fear, or demand them to be, and choosing the next right thought or action from that point of clarity. As the Big Book reminds me, "When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation - some fact of my life - unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly as it is supposed to be at this moment." Once we make the shift from resistance to willingness, we can begin to practice humility and acceptance.

April 18, 2026 - Self Esteem

My thought for today is self-esteem. Self-esteem is not pride and it's not self-pity, it's the middle ground in between those extremes. It's reminding myself that I'm worth showing up for. In my morning routine, of prayer and meditation, I try to do that. First, I ask for help from my higher power whom I often refer to as God. Then, instead of rushing blindly into the chaos, I do a few readings from books I find helpful, then I ask God to have a care for people I know who are still struggling whether with addiction or with family illness, and finally for help getting through my day. My routine helps to center me so that I will be of better use to God and to my fellows. If working with others, I will try to use experiences from my past to help those I sponsor. As the Big Book reminds me, "we will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it." In all my affairs I will remember that I am good enough.

April 17, 2026 - Self-Pity

My thought for today is self-pity. It is not a good state of mind to be in. I am careful not to confuse it with healthy sadness such as grief or loss or disappointment. Today is my younger sister's birthday. Or rather, it would be. She passed away several years ago, so yes I experience loss. But, that is to be expected. Acknowledging loss makes us more human. Self-pity is when we turn the loss into something that God or life has done to us personally. Self-pity can bring about resentment and victimhood to which for someone like me there is only one solution, to numb myself. To avoid self-pity or to get out of it once I fall into that hole, I can use gratitude or service to others, or connection. It is difficult to feel negative thoughts when I am feeling grateful for those things that I do have, or when I am attempting to help someone else who may be having the same problems today. 

April 16, 2026 - Listen to Learn

My thought for today is Listen To Learn. It's about remaining teachable. When I talk with a newcomer, if I listen to what they are saying, I will learn how to help them better with whatever they are going through. By listening to their fears, their anger, or their shreds of hope that they might be able to do these twelve steps, I will learn not only about them, but also about me and ultimately, as Bill W said to Doctor Bob all those years ago, I'm not here for you, I'm here for me. I just listen to what they have to say. By extending my hand to them, I am allowing myself the gift of sobriety.