Coach Aaron

Life Coach, Spiritual Advisor, Sober Coach & Addiction Specialist. He has been around horses his entire life.

Coach Aaron Smith is a Life Coach, Addiction and Equine Specialist, Sober Coach and Spiritual Advisor. He has been working in the recovery field for several years. He has vast personal and professional experience and knowledge working with addicts and alcoholics and the utilization of equine therapeutic services. His proven specialties include working with men, women and adolescents who are trying to improve their lives. he works with individuals who have substance abuse and/or process addictions and grief and loss. He has a unique way of being able to connect from the recovery/12-Step perspective and an abundance of information about spirituality.

02/24/2026

The Daily Reflection W/ Coach Aaron

February 24th, 2026

A THANKFUL HEART

I try to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful heart cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one's heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion that we can ever know.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 37

My sponsor told me that I should be a grateful "A" and always have "an attitude of gratitude"—that gratitude was the basic ingredient of humility, that humility was the basic ingredient of anonymity and that "anonymity was the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities." As a result of this guidance, I start every morning on my knees, thanking God for three things: I'm alive, I'm sober, and I'm a member of AA. Then I try to live an "attitude of gratitude" and thoroughly enjoy another twenty-four hours of the A.A. way of life. A.A. is not something I joined; it's something I live.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by AA World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

02/23/2026

The Daily Reflection W/ Coach Aaron

February 23rd, 2026

MYSTERIOUS PARADOXES

Such is the paradox of A.A. regeneration: strength arising out of complete defeat and weakness, the loss of one's old life as a condition for finding a new one.
A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 46

What glorious mysteries paradoxes are! They do not compute, yet when recognized and accepted, they reaffirm something in the universe beyond human logic. When I face a fear, I am given courage; when I support a brother or sister, my capacity to love myself is increased; when I accept pain as part of the growing experience of life, I realize a greater happiness; when I look at my dark side, I am brought into new light; when I accept my vulnerabilities and surrender to a Higher Power, I am graced with unforeseen strength. I stumbled through the doors of A.A. in disgrace, expecting nothing from life, and I have been given hope and dignity. Miraculously, the only way to keep the gifts of the program is to pass them on.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by AA World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

02/22/2026

The Daily Reflection W/ Coach Aaron

February 22nd, 2026

GUIDANCE
. . this means a belief in a Creator who is all power, justice, and love; a God who intends for me a purpose, a meaning, and a destiny to grow, however . . . haltingly, toward His own likeness and image.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 51

As I began to understand my own powerlessness and my dependence on God, as I understand Him, I began to see that there was a life which, if I could have it, I would have chosen for myself from the beginning. It is through the continuing work of the Steps and the life in the Fellowship that I've learned to see that there is truly a better way into which I am being guided. As I come to know more about God, I am able to trust His ways and His plans for the development of His character in me. Quickly or not so quickly, I grow toward His own image and likeness.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by AA World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

02/21/2026

The Daily Reflection W/ Coach Aaron

February 21st, 2026

I'M PART OF THE WHOLE

At once, I became a part—if only a tiny part—of a cosmos. . . .
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 225

When I first came to A.A., I decided that "they" were very nice people — perhaps a little naive, a little too friendly, but basically decent, earnest people (with whom I had nothing in common). I saw "them" at meetings—after all, that was where "they" existed. I shook hands with "them" and, when I went out the door, I forgot about "them."

Then one day my Higher Power, whom I did not then believe in, arranged to create a community project outside of A.A., but one which happened to involve many A.A. members. We worked together, I got to know "them" as people. I came to admire "them," even to like "them" and, in spite of myself, to enjoy "them." "Their" practice of the program in their daily lives—not just in talk at meetings—attracted me and I wanted what they had. Suddenly the "they" became "we." I have not had a drink since.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by AA World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

02/20/2026

The Daily Reflection W/ Coach Aaron

February 20th, 2026

THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER

At this juncture, his A.A. sponsor usually laughs.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 26

Before my recovery from alcoholism began, laughter was one of the most painful sounds I knew. I never laughed and I felt that anyone else's laughter was directed at me! My self-pity and anger denied me the simplest of pleasures or lightness of heart. By the end of my drinking not even "A" could provoke a drunken giggle in me.

When my A.A. sponsor began to laugh and point out my self-pity and ego-feeding deceptions, I was annoyed and hurt, but it taught me to lighten up and focus on my recovery. I soon learned to laugh at myself and eventually I taught those I sponsor to laugh also. Every day I ask God to help me stop taking myself too seriously.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by AA World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

02/19/2026

The Daily Reflection W/ Coach Aaron

February 19th, 2026

I'M NOT DIFFERENT

In the beginning, it was four whole years before A.A. brought permanent sobriety to even one "A" woman. Like the “high bottoms,” the women said they were different; . . . The Skid-Rower said he was different . . . so did the artists and the professional people, the rich, the poor, the religious, the agnostic . . . the veterans, and the prisoners . . . nowadays all of these, and legions more, soberly talk about how very much alike all of us "A's" are when we admit that the chips are finally down.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 24

I cannot consider myself “different” in A. A.; if I do I isolate myself from others and from contact with my Higher Power. If I feel isolated in A.A., it is not something for which others are responsible. It is something I’ve created by feeling I’m “different” in some way. Today I practice being just another "A" in the worldwide Fellowship of AA

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by AA World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

02/17/2026

The Daily Reflection W/ Coach Aaron

February 17th, 2026

THE LOVE IN THEIR EYES

Some of us won't believe in God, others can't, and still others who do believe that God exists have no faith whatever He will perform this miracle.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 25

It was the changes I saw in the new people who came into the Fellowship that helped me lose my fear, and change my negative attitude to a positive one. I could see the love in their eyes and I was impressed by how much their "One Day at a Time" sobriety meant to them. They had looked squarely at Step Two and came to believe that a power greater than themselves was restoring them to sanity. That gave me faith in the Fellowship, and hope that it could work for me too. I found that God was a loving God, not that punishing God I feared before coming to A.A. I also found that He had been with me during all those times I had been in trouble before I came to A.A. I know today that He was the one who led me to A.A. and that I am a miracle.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by AA World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

02/16/2026

The Daily Reflection W/ Coach Aaron

February 16th, 2026

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.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by AA World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

02/15/2026

The Daily Reflection W/ Coach Aaron

February 15th, 2026

TAKING ACTION

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us — sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.

AA, p, 84

One of the most important things A.A. has given me, in addition to freedom from booze, is the ability to take "right action." It says the promises will always materialize if I work for them. Fantasizing about them, debating them, preaching about them and faking them just won't work. I'll remain a miserable, rationalizing dry drunk. By taking action and working the Twelve Steps in all my affairs, I'll have a life beyond my wildest dreams.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by AA World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

02/14/2026

The Daily Reflection W/ Coach Aaron

February 14th, 2026

EXPECTATIONS vs. DEMANDS

Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get well regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trust in God and clean house.
AA, p. 98

Dealing with expectations is a frequent topic at meetings. It isn't wrong to expect progress of myself, good things from life, or decent treatment from others. Where I get into trouble is when my expectations become demands. I will fall short of what I wish to be and situations will go in ways I do not like, because people will let me down sometimes. The only question is: "What am I going to do about it?" Wallow in self-pity or anger; retaliate and make a bad situation worse; or will I trust in God's power to bring blessings on the messes in which I find myself? Will I ask Him what I should be learning; do I keep on doing the right things I know how to do, no matter what; do I take time to share my faith and blessings with others?

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by AA World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

02/13/2026

The Daily Reflection W/ Coach Aaron

February 13th, 2026

WE CAN'T THINK OUR WAY SOBER

To the intellectually self-sufficient man or woman, many A.A.'s can say, "Yes, we were like you — far too smart for our own good. . . . Secretly, we felt we could float above the rest of the folks on our brain power alone."
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 60

Even the most brilliant mind is no defense against the disease of alcoholism. I can't think my way sober. I try to remember that intelligence is a Godgiven attribute that I may use, a joy—like having a talent for dancing or drawing or carpentry. It does not make me better than anyone else, and it is not a particularly reliable tool for recovery, for it is a power greater than myself who will restore me to sanity—not a high IQ or a college degree.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by AA World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

02/12/2026

The Daily Reflection W/ Coach Aaron

February 12th, 2026

"THE ROOT OF OUR TROUBLES"

Selfishness — self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
AA, p. 62

How amazing the revelation that the world, and everyone in it, can get along just fine with or without me. What a relief to know that people, places and things will be perfectly okay without my control and direction. And how wordlessly wonderful to come to believe that a power greater than me exists separate and apart from myself. I believe that the feeling of separation I experience between me and God will one day vanish. In the meantime, faith must serve as the pathway to the center of my life.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by AA World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Address

Palm Desert, CA

Telephone

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Website

http://www.coachaaronsmith.com/

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