Daily Reflections reading July 29th

Anonymous Gifts Of Kindness

As active alcoholics we were always looking for a handout in one-way or another. “THE TWELVE TRADITIONS ILLUSTRATED,” p. 14

The challenge of the Seventh Tradition is a personal challenge, reminding me to share and give of myself. Before sobriety the only thing I ever supported was my habit of drinking. Now my efforts are a smile, a kind word, and kindness. I saw that I had to start carrying my own weight and to allow my new friends to walk with me because, through the practice of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, I’ve never had it

© Alcoholics Anonymous World Services

My thoughts on July 29th Reading

Thanks God for tradition seven it has saved me from my selfish ways and provided me a means to give back what was so freely given to me, like most in AA I also looked for the easer softer way until I came to the realization the steps and traditions are the easer softer way

By placing that dollar or two in the collection my group keeps a prudent reserve and then passes on all the extra monies to the district the inter group the area and GSO on a quarterly donation I used to put a little more into the basket on behalf of the new guy who can't afford it yet

Today I cannot give as much but I can offer my services such as being secretary, treasurer, Chairperson I can go out on commitments for my group carrying the message to others, I Can offer to become a General Service Representatives

As far as the program on the whole, I served as the District Committee Member for my District, I Serve on committees to plan the many functions we have in our area, like assemblies, conventions leading committees for the area

I sure was not to generous when I was tanked in a barroom, our meeting in print The Grapevine went thru a dilemma could they sell advertising space publishers and drug companies make a big profit and become a bigger magazine in full color at a cheaper price

They did not do so because it would make the program dependent on those who would buy the advertising space and we would no longer be self supporting and would hurt or basic concept, dilemmas kept coming up if GSO runs short on funds some year could they ask others to subsidize groups in hospitals and prisons like the government and private institutions

Again we do not try this it always comes with given control to others in this case but also to the hospitals and prisons losing or primary purpose of carrying our message of recovery The individual member of aa is the most single support we have given of our time and money

Insures We all have a part in the whole picture of aa and the ultimate voice in aa The treasurer is the one who makes sure bills are paid and if there’s no report given and expenses to be paid voted on we could lose or meeting hall

As a treasurer of my group I felt it was my duty to provide my group the information on spending so They could as a group decide where the monies are going in my 33 years in aa I have never felt like I was receiving charity rather I felt

I was given the best gift in the World sobriety recovery and fellowship this can never have a price on it thank God I learned to give unselfishly to all who needed my experience strength and hope so they may also become part of our fantastic fellowship

God bless you all

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