EMMET FOX - April 13 2026

GET BACK ON THE BEAM

Today most commercial flying is done on a radio beam. A directional beam is produced to guide the pilot to his destination, and as long as he keeps on this beam he knows that he is safe, even if he cannot see around him for fog, or get his bearings in any other way. As soon as he gets off the beam in any direction he is in danger, and he immediately rises to get back on the beam.

Those who believe in the Allness of God, have a spiritual beam upon which to navigate.

You are off the beam the moment you are angry or resentful or jealous or frightened or depressed; and when such a condition arises you should immediately get back on the beam by turning quietly to God in thought, claiming His Presence, claiming that His Love and Intelligence are with you, and that the promises in the Bible are true today. You are back on the beam and you will reach port in safety.

Keep on the beam and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

For this God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide even unto death (Psalm 48:14)

© 1931 by Emmet Fox

Daily Reflections #essentialsofrec #Direction #Recovery

A NEW DIRECTION

Our human resources, as marshalled by the will, were not sufficient; they failed utterly. . . Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all our activities. 

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.45,85

I hear talk of the “weak-willed” alcoholic, but I am one of the strongest-willed people on earth! I now know that my incredible strength of will is not enough to save my life. My problem is not one of “weakness,” but rather of direction. When I, without falsely diminishing myself, accept my honest limitations and turn to God’s guidance, my worst faults become my greatest assets. My strong will, rightly directed, keeps me working until the promises of the program become my daily reality. 

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WALK IN DRY PLACES #essentialsofrec #Acting #Recovery #God

ACT AS IF

Finding Direction

Though it sounds like a game or a trick, there’s great power in “acting as if.” This means acting as if we’ve already succeeded, acting as if we expect everybody to cooperate with us, acting as if we’ve already reached whatever goal we’re seeking.

The principle behind this approach is that such acting helps focus our minds and energies on goals. It’s also important to believe that our success is inevitable if we are truly on the right path.

We should not employ this principle superstitiously or assume it’s a substitute for intelligent work and good judgment. It will be a substantial aid, however, in helping us eliminate the self-doubt and pessimism that dog so many alcoholics during their quest for sobriety. Too often, low self-esteem and a faulty belief that nothing will turn out right have led us to sabotage our own efforts.

We should go into any venture with the idea that we’ve already succeeded—that much good is going to come out of it, even if the exact outcome is somewhat different from what we had in mind. “Acting as if” is just what we might need to summon our powers for the duties ahead.

An old saying affirms that “if God be for me, who can be against me?” I’ll carry on today with the confidence that my Higher Power is guiding all my efforts in the right direction.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation

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THE EYE OPENER #essentialsofrec #Recovery #Conduct

Few of us have any real direction to our conduct. We live from day to day, taking care of our problems as they arise, and this is sound AA advice as regards our long-range thinking and planning. This does not mean that we should take this too literally and give absolutely no thought to tomorrow’s needs.

It is absolutely true that tomorrow may never be born, but, on the other hand, it might, and in that event a well filled refrigerator will come in mighty handy.

Copyright Hazelden Foundation

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Daily Reflections #essentialsofrec #Stability #AA Tradition2

A UNIQUE STABILITY

Where does A.A. get its direction? . . . These practical
folk then read Tradition Two, and learn that the sole
authority in A.A. is a loving God as He may express
Himself in the group conscience. . . The elder statesman
is the one who sees the wisdom of the group’s decision,
who holds no resentment over his reduced status, whose
judgment, fortified by considerable experience, is
sound, and who is willing to sit quietly on the sidelines
patiently awaiting developments.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 132, 135

Into the fabric of recovery from alcoholism are woven
the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions. As my
recovery progressed, I realized that the new mantle was
tailor made for me. The elders of the group gently
offered suggestions when change seemed impossible.
Everyone’s shared experiences became the substance for
treasured friendships. I know that the Fellowship is
ready and equipped to aid each suffering alcoholic at
all crossroads in life. In a world beset by many
problems, I find this assurance a unique stability.
I cherish the gift of sobriety. I offer my gratitude
for the strength I receive in a Fellowship that truly
exists for the good of all members. 

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Walk in Dry Places #essentialsofrecovery

Expect Miracle-working Coincidences
Spiritual direction

Somebody said that a wonderful coincidence is when God acts but does not

choose to leave a signature. Wonderful coincidences are appearing every moment of the day. People who live the spiritual life are especially positioned to recognize and understand coincidences.

The founding of AA abounds with coincidences that boggle the mind. Almost by chance, the Oxford Group ideas found their way to Bill Wilson. A business trip took him to Akron where, coincidentally. An earnest group of Oxford Group people were trying to help Dr. Bob Smith to sobriety. With his business venture in collapse, Bill made the telephone call that put him in touch with Dr. Bob, eventually resulting in the launch of AA.

Such miraculous coincidences work for the fellowship, and they’re also at work in our individual lives. If we look closely, we’ll discover that many such coincidences helped bring about our recovery or some other blessing.

God is the guiding power behind these coincidences. What appears to be chance is really a marvelous intelligence coordinating random events for the good of all.

I’ll have confidence today that God is always bringing positive results out of a number of random events. 

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Daily Reflections #essentialsofrecovery

GOOD ORDERLY DIRECTION

It is when we try to make our will conform with God's that we begin to use it rightly. To all of us, this was a most wonderful, revelation. Our whole trouble had been the misuse of willpower. We had tried to bombard our problems with it instead of attempting to bring it into agreement with God's intention for us. To make this increasingly possible is the purpose of A.A. 's Twelve Steps, and Step three opens the door.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p 40

All I have to do is look back at my past to see where my self-will has led me. I just don't know what's best for me and I believe my Higher Power does. G.O.D., which I define as " Good Orderly Direction," has never let me down, but I have let myself down quite often. Using my self-will in a situation usually has the same result as forcing the wrong piece into a jigsaw puzzle-- exhaustion and frustration.

Step Three opens the door to the rest of the program. When I ask God for guidance I know that whatever happens is the best possible situation, things are exactly as they are supposed to be, even if they aren't what I want or expect. God does do for me what I cannot do for myself, if I let Him.

From the book Daily Reflections

© Copyright 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. 

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Twenty-Four Hours A Day #essentialsofrecovery

A.A. Thought For The Day

Before alcoholics come into A.A., they are “flying blind.” But A.A. gives them a directed beam in the A.A. program. As long as they keep on this beam, the signal of sobriety keeps coming through. If they have a slip, the signal is broken. If they swing off course into drunkenness, the signal stops. Unless they regain the A.A. directed beam, they are in danger of crashing against the mountain peak of despair. Am I on the beam?

Meditation For The Day

Be expectant. Constantly expect better things. Believe that what God has in store for you is better than anything you ever had before. The way to grow old happily is to expect better things right up to the end of your life and even beyond that. A good life is a growing expanding life, with ever-widening horizons, an ever-greater circle of friends and acquaintances, and an ever-greater opportunity for usefulness.

Prayer For The Day

I pray that I may await with complete faith for the next good thing in store for me. I pray that I may always keep an expectant attitude toward life.

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The Eye Opener #essentialsofrecovery

Columbus is the only man on record who didn’t know where he was going when he set sail, didn’t know where he was when he got there, and didn’t know where he had been when he got back – and still escaped the reputation of being an alcoholic.

If AA paid no further dividends than to get us out of that haphazard, confused and disordered way of living, it would be enough.

Now we at least know which end is up.

Copyright Hazelden Foundation 

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Daily Reflections #essentialsofrecovery

A NEW DIRECTION

Our human resources, as marshalled by the will, were not sufficient; they failed utterly. . . Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all our activities. 

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.45,85

I hear talk of the “weak-willed” alcoholic, but I am one of the strongest-willed people on earth! I now know that my incredible strength of will is not enough to save my life. My problem is not one of “weakness,” but rather of direction. When I, without falsely diminishing myself, accept my honest limitations and turn to God’s guidance, my worst faults become my greatest assets. My strong will, rightly directed, keeps me working until the promises of the program become my daily reality.

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WALK IN DRY PLACES #essentialsofrecovery

IF GOD BE FOR US

Good Orderly Direction

Sometimes recovering alcoholics find help and power in staying sober, yet feel naked and alone when facing other problems. It is almost as if they see their Higher Power as a “sobering-up God” who has said, I’ll help you with the drinking problem, but you’re on your own in everything else.”

The true way to practice AA’s principles in all of our affairs is to view everything as spiritual, as being under God’s direction and influence. God is with us in our homes, in the shop, on the highway, or wherever we go. There is no place and no action that is beyond God’s scrutiny and power.

We should reflect on this truth at times when we are frustrated or when others threaten us. We should not expect God to aid us in manipulating or dominating others. God will be with us as a protecting, guiding presence in all our activities and relationships. And when we truly understand this, we will find surprising reserves of courage in situations that used to frighten us. This is true even when we are not certain of the outcome of a situation.

I will know that God is with me in all of my affairs today—in all that I think, say, or do.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation 

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TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY #essentialsofrecovery

A.A. Thought for the Day

A. A. may be human in its organization, but it is divine in its purpose. The purpose is to point me toward God and the good life. My feet have been set upon the right path. I feel it in the depths of my being. I am going in the right direction. The future can be safely left to God. Whatever the future holds, it cannot be too much for me to bear. I have the Divine Power with me to carry me through everything that may happen. Am I pointed toward God and the good life?

Meditation for the Day

Although unseen, the Lord is always near to those who believe in Him and trust Him and depend on Him for the strength to meet the challenges of life. Although veiled from mortal sight, the Higher Power is always available to us whenever we humbly ask for it. The feeling that God is with us should not depend on any passing mood of ours; we should try to be always conscious of His power and love in the background of our lives.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may feel that God is not too far away to depend on for help. I pray that I may feel confident of His readiness to give me the power that I need.

© 1954, 1975, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation 

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AS BILL SEES IT #essentialsofrecovery

~ Page 320 ~

Running the Whole Show

Most people try to live by self-propulsion. Each person is like an actor who wants to run the whole show and is forever trying to arrange the lights, the scenery and the rest of the players in his own way. If his arrangements would only stay put, if only people would do as he wished, the show would be great.

What usually happens? The show doesn’t come off very well. Admitting he may be somewhat at fault, he is sure that other people are more to blame. He becomes angry, indignant, self-pitying.

Is he not really a self-seeker even when trying to be useful? Is he not a victim of the delusion that he can wrest satisfaction and happiness out of this world if only he manages well?


~ ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, PP. 60-61 ~

© 1967 by Alcoholics Anonymous ® World Services, Inc

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A DAY AT A TIME #essentialsofrecovery

Reflection for the Day

Someone once said that the mind’s direction is more important than its progress. If my direction is correct, then progress is sure to follow. We first come to the Program to receive something for ourselves, but soon learn that we receive most bountifully when we give to others. If the direction of my mind is to give rather than to receive, then I’ll benefit beyond my greatest expectations. The more I give of myself and the more generously I open my heart and mind to others, the more growth and progress I’ll achieve. Am I learning not to measure my giving against my getting, accepting that the act of giving is its own reward?

Today I Pray

May I not lose sight of that Pillar of the Program—helping myself through helping others in our purpose of achieving comfortable sobriety. May I feel that marvel of giving and taking and giving back again from the moment I take the First Step. May I care deeply about others’ maintaining their freedom from chemicals, and may I know that they care about me. It is a simple—and beautiful—exchange.

Today I Will Remember

Give and take and give back again.

© 1989 by Hazelden Foundation 

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Walk In Dry Places #essentialsofrecovery

Taming the instincts.
Orderly direction

Though alcoholics can appear to have serious shortcomings, these problems
are really only misguided attempts to satisfy needs that must be met. In the
12 Step program, we do not deny our human needs. We realize, however, that
these needs must be met in moral, constructive ways. Falso methods of meeting
needs will bring false, harmful results.
We can meet our needs in an orderly manner by turning to our Higher Power and
following the slow and impractical, but over the longer term we will come to see that
it is the right way to live. Our instinctive needs are proper and God-given, but they
must not run wild in our lives. Living sober also means taming our instincts.
I’ll not be surprised by the various needs I may feel today. I am committed, however,
to a moral and principled response to these needs.

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A Day At A Time #essentialsofrecovery

Reflection For The Day

Everybody wants to be somebody;  nobody wants to grow.”  

Goethe.

I ask myself sometimes, as we all do;  “Who am I?”   “Where am I?”  “Where am I going?”  “What’s it all about?”  The learning and growing process is usually slow.  But eventually our seeking always brings a finding.  What seem like great mysteries often turn out to be enshrined in complete simplicity.  Have I accepted the fact that my willingness to grow is the essence of my spiritual development?

Today I Pray

God give me patience and the perseverance to keep on hoeing the long row, even when the end of it is out of sight.  The principles of The Program are my almanac for growing, even more than the harvesting.  The harvest will come, abundant enough to share, if I can stick to my garden tending.

Today I Will Remember

Getting there, not being there. 

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As Bill Sees It #essentialsofrecovery

Morning Thoughts, p.243

On awakening, let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead.  We ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity and from dishonest or self-seeking motives. Free of these, we can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for God gave us brains to use. Our thought-life will be on a higher plane when our thinking begins to be cleared of wrong motives.

If we have determined which of two courses to take, we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought, or a decision. Then we relax and take it easy, and we are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while.

We usually conclude our meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, asking especially for freedom from damaging self-will.

Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 86-87

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IF GOD BE FOR US

Good Orderly Direction

Sometimes recovering alcoholics find help and power in staying sober, yet feel naked and alone when facing other problems. It is almost as if they see their Higher Power as a “sobering-up God” who has said, I’ll help you with the drinking problem, but you’re on your own in everything else.”

The true way to practice AA’s principles in all of our affairs is to view everything as spiritual, as being under God’s direction and influence. God is with us in our homes, in the shop, on the highway, or wherever we go. There is no place and no action that is beyond God’s scrutiny and power.

We should reflect on this truth at times when we are frustrated or when others threaten us. We should not expect God to aid us in manipulating or dominating others. God will be with us as a protecting, guiding presence in all our activities and relationships. And when we truly understand this, we will find surprising reserves of courage in situations that used to frighten us. This is true even when we are not certain of the outcome of a situation.

I will know that God is with me in all of my affairs today—in all that I think, say, or do.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation

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Random BIg Book AlcoholicsAnonymous #essentialsofrec #Recovery #God #Director

"Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going

to be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is

the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and

this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through

which we passed to freedom."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 62

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WALK IN DRY PLACES #essentialsofrec #Faith #Guidance

KEEPING THE FAITH WITH GUIDANCE

Good Orderly Direction
Does guidance from our Higher Power always come through? We must believe that it does, even when we don’t seem to receive a visible answer.

Spiritual guidance usually doesn’t come as we think it should. What we’re likely to find instead is that over time, a number of unrelated events come together for a good purpose. Although this appears to be chance or coincidence, very important outcomes often develop from simple happenings— maybe just from meeting someone on the street.

We can never really determine how any chain of events will play out. The best we can do is to continue seeking guidance while following the highest principles in our program. Many chance happenings will be recognized as guidance when we look back at an entire chain of events.

My best way to seek guidance is simply to remember today that my life and affairs are in God’s care and keeping. The highest good will come from this.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation

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