One Day At A Time: The AA Daily Reflection

As one of the two million members of Alcoholics Anonymous, each day affords you a new opportunity to grow and stay grounded on your path to sobriety.[1] The AA Daily Reflections are a part of the program and are designed to help you connect with your inner strength and embrace the principles of the Twelve Steps. These daily moments of reflection can offer valuable insights and reminders of the progress you’re making. Let’s explore the wisdom and guidance provided by Alcoholics Anonymous as well as AA’s daily readings.

Alcoholics Anonymous

When you join AA, you’re joining a community that is proven to help people recover from alcoholism.[2] The end goal is to help you achieve and maintain sobriety, one day at a time, through community support, personal reflection, and a commitment to change.

The program is built around a set of 12 steps that guide you through a process of personal accountability and spiritual growth. As you follow the Twelve Steps, you’ll learn to admit that you are powerless over alcohol and that you need help to manage your addiction.

If you attend AA meetings, you’ll find a supportive and confidential environment. These meetings are free and open to anyone who wants to stop drinking, regardless of age, gender, or background. During meetings, you’ll have the opportunity to share your experiences and listen to others who are on similar recovery journeys to yours.

You’ll also be able to choose a sponsor or an experienced AA member who will provide personal guidance, support, and accountability during your recovery process. Your sponsor will help you navigate the challenges of staying sober and work through the Twelve Steps.

The Big Book

The Big Book, which is officially titled Alcoholics Anonymous, is the foundational text of AA and one of the most significant resources for understanding alcohol addiction and recovery. It was first published in 1939, over 85 years ago, yet it remains largely unchanged.[3] It’s also one of the best-selling books of all time.

The Big Book played a big role in shifting the perception of alcoholism by establishing it as a disease rather than a moral failing. Its introduction of a spiritual approach to recovery has resonated with millions worldwide, making it an enduring resource for those in need of support.

The book includes “The Doctor’s Opinion,” which offers a medical perspective on alcoholism. This adds scientific credibility to AA’s recovery approach. It also explains the Twelve Steps, the core of the AA program, and provides a framework for recovery. Additionally, personal stories throughout the book illustrate how the program works in real life. This offers both hope and practical insights to those seeking to overcome alcohol addiction.

The 12 Steps

The Twelve Steps are not meant to be interpreted as a straightforward checklist. Rather, they are an ongoing process centered around personal growth and spiritual development. Each step builds on the previous ones. These are the Twelve Steps of AA:[4]

1. Admission of powerlessness: First, you acknowledge that alcohol has control over your life and that you can’t manage your drinking.
2. Belief in a higher power: Next, you begin to accept that recovery requires help beyond yourself. This doesn’t necessarily mean a traditional religious concept of God, as AA does not subscribe to any one religion but rather any power greater than yourself.
3. Surrender of will: Step three involves making a conscious decision to turn your life and will over to that higher power. This means letting go of the belief that you can solve everything on your own.
4. Moral inventory: Now, you must conduct an honest self-examination. This involves writing down your personal history, including past behaviors, resentments, fears, and harmful patterns you’ve participated in.
5. Confession: A proper confession includes admitting the nature of your wrongs to yourself, to your higher power, and to another person, like your sponsor.
6. Readiness for change: In the next step, you must become open to having your character defects removed. This isn’t about forcing change, per se, but about being genuinely willing to let go of your destructive behaviors and attitudes.
7. Humility and healing: After that, you must humbly ask your higher power to remove your shortcomings. This step recognizes that change requires help beyond your own efforts.
8. Making amends list: One of the more famous steps, the amends list, is a comprehensive list of people you’ve harmed through your alcoholism.
9. Making amends: In step 9, you directly make amends to those you’ve harmed, except when doing so would cause further damage.
10. Continuous personal inventory: Here, you commit to ongoing self-examination. When you’re wrong about something, you must admit it. This step prevents falling back into old patterns and maintains your personal growth.
11. Spiritual connection: You should constantly seek to improve your conscious contact with your higher power through prayer and meditation.
12. Service and sharing: Finally, you’ll carry the message of recovery to other alcoholics and practice these principles in all parts of your life.

The AA Daily Reflection

The AA Daily Reflection is a daily meditation used by members of Alcoholics Anonymous and their loved ones to guide them in recovery. It is a practice of self-reflection, focusing on the principles of the Twelve Steps and the spiritual, emotional, and psychological aspects of sobriety.

The Reflection gives you a structured way to start your day. By reading and reflecting on these thoughts each morning, you’re reminded of the importance of living one day at a time and being aware of your behaviors and emotional states.

Each day’s reflection will include the following:

• A short passage or thought: This passage offers insight into a specific theme or aspect of recovery, such as honesty, self-reflection, or acceptance.
• A personal reflection or commentary: This often includes a story or example from an AA member’s experiences. This illustrates how the passage can be applied in daily life.
• A closing thought or action: This may encourage you to take specific actions, consider a prayer, or adopt a particular mindset to guide your day.

Reach Out And Reclaim Your Life

AA offers a powerful way of life for maintaining sobriety. But sometimes you need extra help. By combining the structure of professional treatment with the ongoing guidance of AA, you can work toward lasting recovery and improve your well-being. Ultimately, with the right support, you can find freedom from addiction and embrace a healthier life as a renewed human being.