Daily Reflection Podcast

Rich speaks with authority about his experience with the service structure of A.A and also shares about the important ways even those with little time can get into service by helping to carry the message at meetings. During this interview Rich mentions SEPIA, which is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Intergroup Association of AA. There are approximately 757 Inter-Groups or Central Offices registered with A.A.’s General Service Office;...

Tony identifies as an atheist. His deep knowledge of the faith traditions and love for the program of recovery makes for an incredible discussion of today’s reflection… his is truly no ordinary success story. 

NO ORDINARY SUCCESS STORY

A.A. is no success story in the ordinary sense of the word. It is a story of suffering transmuted, under grace, into spiritual progress.

AS BILL SEES IT, p. 35

Upon entering A.A. I listened to ...

Joe found the program but didn't get a sponsor. He thought he had it all figured out until he realized the only true victory is through surrender. He decided to take some suggestions like getting a sponsor, working the steps and today, he's lives a happy, joyous and free life.

RESCUED BY SURRENDERING

Characteristic of the so-called typical alcoholic is a narcissistic egocentric core, dominated by feelings of omnip...

Yuchen was born and raised in China and immigrated to the United States when she was fourteen. She remembers having trouble with the language and feeling very different from her classmates. She solved the challenges of being different using drugs and alcohol and this only served to create more problems. At the age of nineteen, she ended up having to enter the psychiatric unit of a hospital where she first felt the realization that ...

Ceci joins us today to share on the concept of the group, the program and the fellowship coming before our own personal desires. She also shares a beautiful poem by Mary Oliver entitled "Praying"...

It doesn't have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn&apos...

Matthew joins me today to share his experience on the concept of Rigorous Honesty. Like so many of us, he's got experience being dishonest and shares he shares his experience and what he's learned from recovery about becoming honest with himself and with others. A powerful message of how getting sober can help us live esteemable lives. 

RIGOROUS HONESTY

Who wishes to be rigorously honest and tolerant? Who wants to...

Lee returns with her good friend and a fellow in recovery, Jessica C. Jess got sober relatively young in life and shares her experience around that and around how the program has impacted her relationships with her family and everyone around her.  She's got a great story and a great attitude. Jess is definitely not glum... she's learned how to have fun in sobriety.

HAVING FUN YET?

. . . we aren't a glum lot. ...

Rick C. is a fixture in the Philadelphia recovery community. He helps so many people which is why today's reflection is so perfect. Today is Rick's sober anniversary and I want to wish him congratulations. He's helped me immensely in my recovery. I should mention that Rick keeps it real and uses language that may not be appropriate for younger audiences... and I love him for that. 

SERVING MY BROTHER

The memb...

Douglas K. from Philadelphia joins us for January 16 - Hitting Bottom. Douglas had a moment of clarity at one point in the latter stages of his drinking wherein it became clear to him that everything that mattered to him in his life had to come after drinking. This is when he hit bottom and knew he needed help. 

HITTING BOTTOM

Why all this insistence that every A.A. must hit bottom first? The answer is that few people will ...

Erin shares her experience on the concept of an unsuspected inner resource and on how she maintains her sobriety despite the challenges she faces as someone with a dual diagnosis. Erin has such an amazing vibe and a great attitude and approach to her sobriety. 

AN UNSUSPECTED INNER RESOURCE

With few exceptions our members find that they have tapped an unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their own c...

Lee made many attempts at controlling her drinking prior to coming into the program and she shares that she once felt so much remorse for the life she previously led. However, those things that used to cause her to feel shame have now become her greatest equity. Lee shares her powerful experience on the concept of having "No Regrets."

NO REGRETS

We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

ALCOHOLIC...

John has over fifteen months (as of Jan 2021) of sobriety and recently experienced the loss of his job. Without a program of recovery, he would likely have used this as an excuse to drink or fall deep into self-pity. Today, he shares how he uses the program, and his support network to view this as an opportunity for growth. John has a great program and I'm grateful to help share his story today on the concept of accepting our ...

Like so many, Riley didn't realize the grave nature of his problem with drinking until it began to affect so many areas of his life... until he found himself at a turning point. Today, he also views so many moments throughout the day as opportunities or turning points where he can choose to practice the principles of the program, and when he does, he continues to experience growth, change, and amazing life in sobriety. 

Chris got sober at the age of 16 and credits the victory of surrender for the grace to move forward and rebuild his life. He's built a wonderful life based on the firm bedrock of personal powerlessness.

Sunlight of the Spirit - https://aavirginia.org/meetings/sunlight-of-the-spirit-4/

THE VICTORY OF SURRENDER

We perceive that only through utter defeat are we able to take our first steps toward liberation and s...

Kevin P. Joins us from Jacksonville Beach, FL where he's a Professional Therapist. Kevin shares on the topic of beginning where you are... Starting with the elimination of alcohol - that's merely the ticket to the show. The real challenge comes when we face the challenges of daily life. 

BEGIN WHERE YOU ARE

We feel that the elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much more important demonstrati...

Louie L. shares on the daily reflection for this, New Years Day - January, 1st entitled "I am a Miracle".

"I AM A MIRACLE"

The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 25

This truly is a...

Join us as Tom Hilton, from Jacksonville Beach, FL, shares his experience, strength, and hope around today's Daily Reflection, The Joy of Living. 

THE JOY OF LIVING

. . . therefore the joy of good living is the theme of A.A.'s Twelfth Step.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 125

A.A. is a joyful program! Even so, I occasionally balk at taking the necessary steps to move ahead, and find myself resisting...

Join us as Joel Gough, from Leesburg, VA, shares his experience, strength, and hope around today's Daily Reflection, Accepting Success or Failure.

ACCEPTING SUCCESS OR FAILURE

Furthermore, how shall we come to terms with seeming failure or success? Can we now accept and adjust to either without despair or pride? Can we accept poverty, sickness, loneliness, and bereavement with courage and serenity? Can we ste...

Max E. from Chicago returns to the show to share his experience around today's Daily Reflection entitled A Sane and Happy Usefulness. 

A "SANE AND HAPPY USEFULNESS"

We have come to believe He would like us to keep our heads in the clouds with Him, but that our feet ought to be firmly planted on earth. That is where our fellow travelers are, and that is where our work must be done. These are the realities for ...