The neighbors windows are much cleaner of we first clean our own.
The biggest problem in the world could have been solved when it was small.
If we throw mud, we may hit the mark; but our hands will be dirty.
A.A. never fails, however, many people fail A.A.
What we are tomorrow, we are becoming today.
It is better for anyone to be a part of the solution rather than to be a large part of the problem.
page 1, paragraphs 1 & 6-10
The greatest fault in life is to be conscious of none.
Let us not be guilty of criticism unless we can offer a solution.
If everyone would sweep in front of his own house the street would be clean.
I journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.
When a man trys to control his drinking, he has already lost his control.
Learn from the mistakes of others, we won't live long enough to make them all ourselves.
Don't look down on another person unless you are bending over to help him.
page 2, paragraphs,3,5-7,10 & 12
O Lord, "Thou has given so much to us; give one thing more, a grateful heart".
When God seems of far away, who has moved?
When looking for faults use a mirror, not a telescope.
"The man who removed the mountain was he who began carrying away the small stones."
True happiness will come to the person who seeks and finds how to serve others.
The Devil may build a wall of trouble around the Christian, but he can't put a roof over him so to keep him from looking up!
Before you flare up at another's faults, why not take time to count to ten....ten of your own.
page 3, paragraphs 1,3,10-13 & 16
The best angle to approach any problem is from the TRY angle.
A lot of you people spend six days sowing wild oats, then go to church on Sunday and pray for a crop failure.
Keep your words soft and sweet.....you never know when you may have to eat them.
Never retire before offering a thanks to God.
To HANDLE yourself, use your head.....to handle others, use your heart.
You'll never get ANYWHERE, unless you start SOMEWHERE!
page 4, paragraphs 2,7,8,11,13 & 14
Remember---someone took time to help you!
"ANGER" is only one letter short of "DANGER".
page 5, paragraphs 6 & 9
Isn't it much easier to stay sober than to get sober?
We are here because we weren't all there.
Let us be as enthusiastic about A.A. as we were about our drinking.
We receive without cost, let us give without cost.
A.A. is not something you join, it's a way of life.
page 6, paragraphs 4,6,11,12 & 15
The greatest remedy for anger is delay.
In praying it does not matter what position your body is in, as long as you mind in on your knees.
In the twelve Steps ALCOHOL is mentioned but once. The ALMIGHTY is referred to eight times.
page 7, paragraphs 2,3 & 8
The best way to keep A.A. is to give it away.
It is surprising what we can learn after we think we know it all.
We can see a miracle every night if we but attend an A.A. meeting.
What a different world this would be if people would magnify their blessings the way they do their troubles.
page 8, paragraphs 2,5,7, & 14
The principle ingredient of ANONYMITY is devoting ones efforts for the common good, without personal desires.
See God in someone else or you will never see Him in yourself.
Patience attains all things "IF" we but wait.
It pays to shake hands with a few people on the way up. We may have to pass them on the way down.
page 9, paragraphs 7,11,12, & 14
We can act ourselves into right thinking much earlier, than we can think ourselves into right acting.
When we point our finger at someone else, remember--we are pointing three at ourselves.
The more good thoughts in our minds, the less room for the bad.
When our heads begin to swell, our minds stop growing.
The Twelve Steps are NOT twelve up to Sobriety; but twelve down to HUMILITY.
Gossip: Is it true? It is kind? It is necessary?
page 10, paragraphs 3,5,9,10,14 & 16
There are people who make things happen. People who watch things happen. People who don't know anything happens. "Which are you?"
The best preparation for tomorrow is to make good use of today.
The first 9 Steps are the sprint. The last 3 are the long distance run.
If we have 4 problems--and take a drink then we have 5 problems.
page 11, paragraphs 3,6,7 & 11
Work with the construction crew not with the wrecking crew.
When God seems so far away, who has moved?
Don't stay away from meetings because you don't like someone. We are only hurting ourselves.
We find happiness if we but seek and find how to serve.
page 14, paragraphs 1,2,7 & 9
The job of A.A. members is to "INFORM NOT REFORM".
The best way to multiply happiness is to divide it.
Isn't it wonderful to be wanted instead of just being tolerated.
Nothing is so bad that a drink won't make it worse.
Bend your knees before your elbow.
page 16, paragraphs 10-14
The largest room in the world is the room for Improvement.
I would rather see a sermon anytime, than to hear one.
page 17, paragraphs 10 & 11
Time wasted in getting even can never be used in getting ahead.
Ulcers are something we get from mountain climbing over mole hills.
Lack of alcohol dose not constitute "sobriety".
Learn to listen. Then listen to learn.
page 18, paragraphs 3-5 & 10
I DIDN'T HAVE TIME
I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day!
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn't have time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me
And heavier came the task.
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered.
He answered, "You didn't ask."
I wanted to see joy and beauty
But the day toiled on, grey and bleak.
I wondered why God didn't show me.
He said, "But you didn't seek."
I woke up early this morning
And paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray.
page 19, paragraphs 7-13
THE ANSWER
We ask for strength and God gives us difficulties that make us strong. We pray for wisdom and God sends us problems, the solution for which develops wisdom. We plead for prosperity and God gives us the brain and brawn to work. We pray for courage and God gives us opportunities. This is the answer.
page 20, paragraph 8
The time to attend a meeting is when you least feel like going.
A.A. people is a simple program for complicated people.
page 22, paragraphs 3 & 6
DO YOU JUST BELONG
Are you and active member?
The kind that would be missed?
Or are just contented
That your name is on the list?
Do you attend meetings
And mingle with the flock?
Of do you just stay at home
And criticize and knock?
Do you ever go to visit
A member that is sick.
Or leave the work to just a few
And talk about the clique?
So come to the meetings often
And help with hand and heart.
Don't be just a member,
Dig in and do your part.
Think this over member--
You know right from wrong
Are you an active member,
Or do you just belong?
page 23, paragraphs 1-5
I'm not what I want to be
I'm not what I'm going to be.
But thank God,
I'm not what I used to be.
An idle mind is the devil's workshop.
page 25, paragraphs 3 & 6
There is no right way to do a wrong thing.
The Devil has many tools, but a lie is the handle that fits them all.
Better to slip with the foot than with the tongue.
A loose tongue often gets into tight places.
A mistake is evidence that someone has tried to do something.
page 27, paragraphs 3 & 5-8