Thought For The Day

It is extraordinary how extraordinary the ordinary person is. —George F. Will


At our meetings, we often hear stories of the courage of ordinary people and their triumph against great odds. When we hear of a person's life being restored, we are witnesses to miracles. Our friends are heroes and so are we. As a man describes his passage from insanity to recovery, we are moved. Whenever we are truly open to knowing the people around us, whether at a meeting or in getting to know a neighbor, we will see heroism. It is amazing that when we get to know most people, and hear what their lives have been like, we find so much to admire and respect. It is a privilege to have such friends. It is amazing that they are so abundant when we open ourselves to them. God truly does speak to us through others.


I am grateful when I think about the extraordinary people around me and the courage in each of them. I am grateful to be among them.


From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©1986, 1991 by Hazelden Foundation.

International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous

Most people discover early on an important part of sobriety is giving back to the recovery community. For anyone who has battled a drug addiction or alcohol addiction, a certain element of selfishness pervades their using careers. And once sober, it becomes extremely important to "undo" all that self-absorption by giving back as often as possible.


One of the hundreds of ways to do that is to volunteer at 12-step conferences. The International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous is a perfect opportunity for many since it is coming to Atlanta May 21-24 this year. Two Purple Inc. staff members are on the host committee that is making this conference possible and two other staff members are volunteering to assist with the many panels, meetings, and activities taking place over the weekend. In addition to staff involvement, several of the Purple Alumni are also involved in volunteering at the conference.


Getting involved in this form of service work will be extremely rewarding for all those participating and will ensure another day of happy and usefully whole sobriety.

Thought For The Day

Let no one be deluded that a knowledge of the path can substitute for putting one foot in front of the other.--M. C. Richards


Recovering men know this path is not always easy. We usually talk about the benefits of recovery and the many promises of the program. Today, in our fellowship, we talk of the challenges we must face in order to recover. Honesty may be the greatest challenge. It is frightening to be honest with ourselves about things we have never really admitted or faced before.


Sometimes we have new and confusing feelings and think something must be wrong with us. But we may be just experiencing the logical outcome of our earlier commitment to be honest. No one recovers by thinking about it. We must actively take each Step and meet the challenges presented. We are not alone with our difficulties. We are part of a large movement of men committed to recovery, and this quiet moment is one way in which we are simply putting one foot in front of the other.


Today, I pray for the courage to remain faithful when the fears and pains of my transformation are overwhelming.


From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©1986, 1991 by Hazelden Foundation.