WE PAUSE . . . AND ASK
Recovery Einstein's Big Book perspective on the AA Daily Reflection for January 20.
Ah, my friend, to pause and ask—that's the heart of Step 11, where we learn to live in conscious contact with God as we understand Him. You'll find it in Chapter 6: 'When we retire at night, we constructively review our day' [86]. This pausing isn't just stopping; it's an intentional shift from self-will to God's will. We ask for guidance, for strength, for the next right thought or action. On page 87, it says we 'ask God to direct our thinking,' especially when confused. This daily pause—morning and night—keeps us sober. Without it, we drift back into our old way of thinking, and we all know where that leads. So we pause, we ask, and we listen. That quiet listening is where the magic happens.
What specific situation today might benefit from pausing and asking for guidance before acting?
Start each day with Einstein's Big Book perspective — a quiet moment before the world gets loud.
This is Recovery Einstein's original Big Book perspective on the day's theme — not the official AA Daily Reflections text. For the official reflection, follow the aa.org link above. Page references are to Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), 4th Edition.
Quick answers
What is the AA Daily Reflection for January 20?
The theme for January 20 is “We Pause . . . and Ask.” Ah, my friend, to pause and ask—that's the heart of Step 11, where we learn to live in conscious contact with God as we understand Him.
What specific situation today might benefit from pausing and asking for guidance before acting?
So we pause, we ask, and we listen. That quiet listening is where the magic happens. (Big Book: Chapter 6, pages 85-88)