The Principles of Step10 - PERSEVERANCE - Dr. David

Principle Of Step 9 - DISCIPLINE - Dr. David

Principle Of Step 8 - BROTHERLY LOVE - Dr. David

Principle Of Step 7 - HUMILITY - Dr. David

Principle Of Step 5 - INTEGRITY - Dr. David

Principle Of Step 4 - COURAGE - Dr. David

Principle Of Step 3 - FAITH - Dr. David

Principle Of Step 1 - HONESTY

Daily Reflections

THE BEST FOR TODAY


The principles we have set down are guides to progress.

-ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 60

Just as a sculptor will use different tools to achieve desired effects in creating a work of art, in Alcoholics Anonymous the Twelve Steps are used to bring about results in my own life. I do not overwhelm myself with life’s problems, and how much more work needs to be done. I let myself be comforted in knowing that my life is now in the hands of my Higher Power, a master craftsman who is shaping each part of my life into a unique work of art. By working my program I can be satisfied, knowing that in the doing the best that we can for today, we are doing all that God asks of us.”

Walk in Dry Places - May 19 2016

Principles are Enduring
Problem Solving

We often emphasize -Principles before personalities– in Twelve Step programs, sometimes without fully understanding what’s involved. The real message of this slogan is that we should treat people equally while following certain guidelines in our own actions.
While we are influenced by strong personalities, we cannot rely on them for complete guidance and direction. People can betray us or simply fail us through no fault of their own. Principles, on the other hand, are enduring and will be with us long after personal relationships wither away.
One unfailing principle for living is to live each day remembering that God is guiding and directing all actions and outcomes. While we will be grateful for the assistance and cooperation of others, we will not hold them responsible for our success or failures.


I’ll live today with the belief that God’s good plan is working in all people’s lives. I will not expect too much or too little of others, but rather will deal with them fairly and decently.

Chuck C. "Practicing Principles at Home and in Personal Relationships" - - - April 26 2026

Wonderful share by one of the best AA speakers ever, Chuck C. from California! At home and in personal relationships is where our Program is put to the test and Chuck offers some awesome experience on the topic with his common sense approach and his engaging story-telling.

EASY DOES IT - April 22 2026

AVOIDING GOSSIP

Tale-bearers are as bad as the tale-makers.

~ Richard Sheridan ~

What we talk about, not whom we talk about, is one way we place principle above personalities and practice our 12th Tradition. At meetings and over coffee, it’s tempting to pass along things we hear about other people who share our recovery.

Before we gossip or find fault with others, wise members teach us to ask ourselves three questions: “Is it true?” “Is it kind?” and “is telling it important to help someone’s recovery?” If we can say “yes” to each question, we mustn’t repeat it. If a single word from us hurts someone else, our guilt could throw us back into addiction. Our gossip could cause someone else to lose faith in the Program, and throw them back into addiction.

I will not gossip. Let me talk about principles, not personalities.

©1990 by Anonymous. All rights reserved. Published by Hazelden. 

A WOMAN’S SPIRIT - April 13 2026

The child in me says “Hold on”; the adult in me says “Let go.”

~ Harriet Hodgson ~

Learning to let go is growing up. Whether we’re twenty-five or sixty-five, we have to learn to let go. We don’t do it automatically. The principles of this program can serve as our guide.

Perhaps we learned in childhood that if we didn’t want to lose our toys, we had to hold on to them. A pattern was set; we began hanging on to everything. But now it’s time for new training, for learning to let go of everything: possessions, people, attitudes, opinions. Patience and practice accomplish the growth we seek.

We must be prepared for backsliding. Some situations cry for us to hold on rather than let go. We have to be vigilant and forgive ourselves when we give in to the old urge to control. Being adult takes desire and consistent effort. The child in us doesn’t give in easily.

I have a choice today. I can handle all circumstances as an adult and feel free, or my “child” can trigger a confrontation. What will I do?

© 1994 by Hazelden Foundation

WALK IN DRY PLACES - 12 th February 2026

DO IT SOBER

Practicing Principles

There may be a hidden meaning in that bumper sticker that reminds us to “Do it sober,” but we can also read it to mean that real sobriety should guide everything we do today.

Real sobriety is emotional sobriety. We have it when our principles protect us from overpowering feelings growing out of greed, fear, and resentment. Even without the bottle, an attack of fear or resentment can distort personal judgment and lead to foolish mistakes. Whatever we do, whether it’s sweeping a factory floor or leading a corporate board meeting, we should do with confidence and calm self-control.

When we work in this way, we help others. We only harm them if we bring bitterness and resentment into their space. True emotional sobriety helps us set a better example and assures others that AA really works in people’s lives. One AA member was pleasantly surprised when he was complimented for remaining calm in confrontations with angry people. He realized that his AA principles had been at work in his workplace, helping him to maintain a calm dignity that made him assertive and effective. Whatever we do sober, we always do better.

Today I’ll remind myself to stay emotionally as well as physically sober. So-called dry drunks are not slips, but they destroy my effectiveness and should have no place in my life. I will meet everyone and face everything with quietness and confidence.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation 

As Bill Sees It - 13th Jan 2026

The Shared Gift, p. 13

A.A. is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. We must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven’t been given the truth may die.

<< << << >> >> >>

Faith is more than our greatest gift; its sharing with others is our greatest responsibility. May we of A.A. continually seek the wisdom and the willingness by which we may well fulfill that immense trust which the Giver of all perfect gifts has placed in our hands.

1. Service Manual, p. 5
2. Grapevine, April 1961

Principle Of Step 5 - INTEGRITY - Dr. David S. - 15th July

Principle Of Step 1 - HONESTY - Dr. David S.

WALK IN DRY PLACES #essentialsofrecovery

IS IT EASY?

Practicing Principles

There’s no “softer, easier way,” we’re told. If so, why are we also urged to embrace the slogan “Easy does it”? Which is right?

Both are right, because they express two different ideas. The softer, easier way doesn’t work be-cause it grows out of self-deception and falls short of a thorough working of the program. “Easy does it” works because it describes an approach to action that is relaxed, confident, and careful.

The person seeking an easier, softer way usually avoids taking some of the steps that are considered necessary in maintaining sobriety. It’s a way of trying to win without doing sufficient work. The person following the “Easy does it” principle pays attention to every detail, but carries on without reasonable haste or excessive loafing.

In a spiritual sense, “Easy does it” also means letting the Higher Power carry the load. At all times, however, we must continue to make choices and bear responsibility for our actions.

I’ll be relaxed and confident while carrying on a full day’s activity. There is always time to do things the right way.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation

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Walk in Dry Places #essentialsofrecovery

The Best outcome is just and equitable.
Principle over personality.

Looking ahead to this day, I may face a possible conflict with another person over a certain issue. How should I respond to this?
If I’m to follow my principles, I should hold to the idea of seeking the best outcome for everybody concerned. It may be very harmful to look at these conflicts as a case of winning or losing. If I seem to win when I’m wrong, I will lose in the long run. If I seem to lose even when I’m right, I can know that there’s just resolution of everything in time. I will always win, however, if I keep my thinking straight and take care to avoid resentment and bitterness.
It’s not surprising that the world is beset by conflicts. Millions of people have conditioned themselves to selfish ways of thinking and behaving that are bound to cause such conflicts. Much harm is done by people who are absolutely sure they are right at all times.
As human beings, we cannot expect to be excluded from these conflicts simply because we have a Twelve Step program. We do, however, have a means of dealing with such conflicts effectively when we respond according to principle. This makes us privileged people in a way, but it is good to know that any person can have the same privileges by following the right principles.
Unpleasant as any conflict may seem, it does give me an opportunity to learn and to grow. I will seek to benefit from any such conflict today. 

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DAILY REFLECTIONS #essentialsofrecovery

COMMITMENT

Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right action is the key to good living.

~ TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 125 

There came a time in my program of recovery when the third stanza of the Serenity Prayer—”The wisdom to know the difference”—became indelibly imprinted in my mind. From that time on, I had to face the ever-present knowledge that my every action, word and thought was within, or outside, the principles of the program. I could no longer hide behind self-rationalization, nor behind the insanity of my disease. The only course open to me, if I was to attain a joyous life for myself (and subsequently for those I love), was one in which I imposed on myself an effort of commitment, discipline, and responsibility.

Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc 

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