Daily
Reflections reading November 28th
ATTRACTION, NOT PROMOTION
Through many painful experiences, we think we have arrived
at what that policy ought to be. It is the opposite in many ways of usual
promotional practice. We found that we had to rely upon the principle of attraction
rather than of promotion.
TWELVE
STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 180-81
While I was drinking I
reacted with anger, self-pity and defiance against anyone who wanted to change
me. All I wanted then was to be accepted by another human simply as I was and, curiously,
that is what I found in A.A. I became the custodian of this concept of
attraction, which is the principle of our Fellowship's public relations. It is
by attraction that I can best reach the alcoholic who still suffers.
I
thank God for having given me the attraction of a well-planned and established
program of Steps and Traditions. Through humility and the support of my fellow
sober members, I have been able to practice the A.A. way of life through
attraction, not promotion.
©
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
My thoughts on November 28th Reading
I
have been fortunate enough to enjoy life because of AA, today I know I must
stay vigilant and protect what was freely suggested to me, with freedom from
booze I was given the chance to grow and it gave me the opportunity to make the
best of my sober life
I have seen many who are in need, alcohol
denies them the freedom to be fully alive, I know I could not be free and sane
when my life was ruled by my alcoholism, but by carrying the program to others,
I can help them return to sanity, and grow from the bonds of alcoholism
I
see people new to recovery, that enter the program only to encounter an
enormous crisis, or difficulty in their life, which sometimes inflicts pain
when someone is down. difficulties do come in moments of struggle and we become
aware of the reality of our life
I
have known many who refused, or were unable to hear the message being offered
at the meetings, this is where the attraction comes in, it takes wisdom,
patience, and detachment, to know when to reach out to someone, and how far to
go
I
must have respect for that person's recovery process, sharing only my
experiences, as well as my faith I have in my Higher Power and the Twelve
Steps, I can not demand anything from another, or try to promote recovery, for
them to do it my way
I
try to carry the message as it was given to me and then I must let go and trust
in the process, of my making it attractive to the new comer, I can only pray
that they see some thing to help them see we have a lot to offer on their way
to their own recovery
Alcoholism
isolated and drove me to retreat from humanity, into a single unhappy way of
life, my world narrowed and any kind of joy or happiness was taken away from
me, until I asked for the help of others, I had to do this before I retreated
into the bottle again
You
can always tell a roomful of recovering alcoholics, because everyone is
drinking coffee and talking all at the same time, it's easy for anyone to learn
a lot about recovery, everyday problems are talked about all the time
Meetings
and a trust in a power greater then ones self is enough for anyone to learn
about life, it all works! Our big mouths that kept us sick for so long, are now
flapping to keep us well, meetings are the basis for a lot more than laughter
they add up to sound recovery
If
our old life tells us to hold back and to decline closeness, we put ourselves
at risk, when we let old thoughts control our lives again, lacking the experience
of others, we are vulnerable, not only to loneliness, but to gross
misunderstanding reality
By
connecting with friends, we're able to see that our monsters are only about
knee-high, that most of our fears are made of smoke, and that no gray day can
hold out against the sunshine of common sense and a functioning program.
I
found that by this kind of giving I have found my own sobriety growing, whether
this new person has received anything or not does not matter for it kept me
sober, I try to only carry the message of recovery, not the drunk, I just need
to be there for them
There
is no joy greater than in a Twelfth Step call that is accepted by the new
person, to watch their eyes open with wonder, as they move from the fear and
darkness, into light, to see their lives fill with purpose and meaning, to see
them received back into family life
Today
watching people awaken to the presence of a loving God, of their own
understanding, is what I receive when I try to carry the AA message to the alcoholic
who still suffers, I sit in AA meetings and listen, not only to get something
for me
Just
being there filling the chair is a great support, so others can see they are
not alone, when I speak at a meeting, I try to carry God's message of hope, love,
and forgiveness, that we all make mistakes and are all worth saving from this
disease
Newcomers
have found confidence and comfort in the laughter and talk before the meetings
God gave us this gift
to pass on to the next sick and suffering person lets all carry this
message
“God can do for us what we
can't do for ourselves if we let Him”
God
bless you Al M
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suggestions or comments
