AA Daily Reflections To Empower and Encourage You

AA Daily Reflections

As those in recovery begin their journey to sobriety, many forms of therapy may be helpful to address and overcome addictions. 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous are beneficial for long-term recovery from alcohol use disorder.[1] AA daily reflections are a way to connect with other members’ personal experiences and other resources to maintain recovery.

What Are AA Daily Reflections?

AA daily reflections are short passages and affirmations that focus on specific principles pulled from “The Big Book.” The Big Book, or Alcoholics Anonymous: How Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism, is the best-known and primary text of AA that includes the 12 traditions and 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Since the Big Book was written in the 1930s, there have been other pieces of literature written as more approachable alternatives to the Big Book. AA daily reflections are one of those pieces of literature created as an alternative to reading the Big Book from cover to cover.

AA daily reflections do not focus on the 12 steps of AA, rather they expand on areas of recovery to help the person in AA build a strong foundation. The concepts of recovery that they focus on include:

• Hope
• Experience
• Applying AA practices to daily life
• Communal strength

AA daily reflections have a more relatable and casual tone to their writing, which can help make it easier to read than the Big Book. Topics are pulled from the Big Book and condensed into one basic and accessible reading. Each one also includes a reflection from an AA community member based on a quote from the Big Book.

How Are The AA Daily Reflections Used?

AA daily reflections are designed to have an individual reflection for each calendar day of the year. This allows someone in recovery to engage in a healthy daily habit that promotes a positive mindset. Daily reflections take sections of the Big Book and shorten them. This may be a shortcut to help someone in recovery quickly retain and internalize more AA literature and meetings. This can help with long-term recovery and sobriety.

When daily reflections are read once a day, they can help keep actions and thoughts focused on sobriety. They can also help those in recovery to overcome cravings and safely navigate triggers associated with recovery.

Are AA Daily Reflections Effective For Recovery?

AA daily reflections can help keep someone recovering from alcohol addiction on the path to sobriety. The impact these reflections make while in sobriety has been studied and supported by official psychology and medical research.

Internal Happiness

When positive words are read aloud, they can help make a shift in the brain that promotes positive actions and motivation. AA daily reflections use this method to help facilitate more positive thoughts and feelings. Eventually, this allows you to observe and seek out positive things more often and more naturally than negative ones.

This positive psychology approach can also assist those with mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, substance use disorders, or depression heal by focusing on internal happiness. When positive psychology is practiced, it allows the brain to redirect and retrain negative thought patterns.

Inspirational And Spiritual Practices

For many people recovering from alcohol addiction, there is a spiritual aspect to their recovery through AA. Decreased alcohol misuse and improved psychosocial experiences have been found in those who engage in spiritual activities.[2] It encourages those struggling to call on a higher power to get through challenging times.

AA daily reflections can be used alongside meditation, prayer, and other personal practices that allow for self-reflection. This is not always a religious experience but has a spiritually meaningful aspect to the program.
These reflections can offer inspiration and positive insight to those in active recovery. They help influence positivity into the lives of those suffering from mental health conditions. When practiced consistently, they can provide mental and emotional relief.

Mental Energy Redirection

Daily reflections will help redirect mental energy into something positive and not associated with alcohol or substance use. Those in recovery find it helpful to their personal growth and improved personal well-being. When mental space and energy focus on positive elements, you can view your life from a healthier perspective.

How Do AA Daily Reflections Help Symptom Management?

Most people who have alcohol addiction tend to have underlying core issues that they are trying to mask. When someone struggles with negative behaviors, emotions, or thoughts, it is difficult to face real-life challenges.

Our thoughts influence our emotions. Our emotions then influence our behaviors. AA’s daily reflections can help regulate negative emotions and thoughts, which as a result, will help overcome negative behaviors.

Individuals in recovery may experience complex, strong emotions and symptoms of mental health issues. The positive messages of AA daily reflections can help those in recovery manage:

• Anger
• Aggression
• Frustration
• Anxiety
• Resentment
• Depression
• Shame and guilt

AA daily reflections are a tool that may help you examine and alter your own thoughts. You will be empowered and equipped to set aside negative thoughts and emotions and focus on the positive. This act of intentional positive thinking will make room for positive behavior and support a healthy and successful road to recovery.

Do AA daily reflections work for NA?

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) has a different set of daily reflections that are used for sobriety and recovery. These are referred to as ‘Just For Today’ and are based on the Twelve Steps of NA and provide a daily reflection.

Where Can I Find AA Daily Reflections?

Copies of AA’s daily reflections can be found online, in bookstores, and directly from the official Alcoholics Anonymous website. If you’re looking for a free resource, the Alcoholics Anonymous website has the daily reflection listed for free for any calendar date.[3]

Typically, this book is not found for sale at meetings since the meetings are peer-run. However, if there is a specific reflection being covered in a meeting, the meeting leader will have a copy for you to use while you’re there.

AA Daily Reflections You Can Use Today

If you or someone you love is in recovery, try practicing these AA daily reflections we’ve gathered from the official source here to get started.

A Changed Outlook

“Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.”

“When I was drinking, my attitude was totally selfish, totally self-centered; my pleasure and my comfort came first. Now that I am sober, self-seeking has started to slip away. My whole attitude toward life and other people is changing.

For me, the first “A” in our name stands for attitude. My attitude is changed by the second “A” in our name, which stands for action. By working the Steps, attending meetings, and carrying the message, I can be restored to sanity.

Action is the magic word! With a positive, helpful attitude and regular A.A. action, I can stay sober and help others to achieve sobriety. My attitude now is that I am willing to go to any length to stay sober!”

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 84 | AA Daily Reflections, June 2023

Release From Fear

“The problem of resolving fear has two aspects. We shall have to try for all the freedom from fear that is possible for us to attain. Then we shall need to find both the courage and grace to deal constructively with whatever fears remain.”

“Most of my decisions were based on fear. Alcohol made life easier to face, but the time came when alcohol was no longer an alternative to fear. One of the greatest gifts in A.A. for me has been the courage to take action, which I can do with God’s help.

After five years of sobriety, I had to deal with a heavy dose of fear. God put the people in my life to help me do that and, through my working the Twelve Steps, I am becoming the whole person I wish to be, and for that, I am deeply grateful.”

AS BILL SEES IT, p. 61 | AA Daily Reflections, June 2023

Fear And Faith

“The achievement of freedom from fear is a lifetime undertaking, one that can never be wholly completed. When under heavy attack, acute illness, or in other conditions of serious insecurity, we shall all react to this emotion — well or badly, as the case may be. Only the self-deceived will claim perfect freedom from fear.”

“Fear has caused suffering when I could have had more faith. There are times when fear suddenly tears me apart, just when I’m experiencing feelings of joy, happiness, and a lightness of heart. Faith — and a feeling of self-worth toward a Higher Power — helps me endure tragedy and ecstasy. When I choose to give all of my fears over to my Higher Power, I will be free.”

AS BILL SEES IT, p. 263 | AA Daily Reflections, June 2023