Daily
Reflections reading January 17th
Happiness Comes Quietly
The trouble with us alcoholics was this: We demanded that the world give us happiness and peace of mind in just the particular order we wanted to get it – by the alcohol route. And we weren’t successful. But when we take time to find out some of the spiritual laws, and familiarize ourselves with them, and put them into practice, then we do get happiness and peace of mind. . . There seem to be some rules that we have to follow, but happiness and peace of mind are always here, open and free to anyone. DR. BOB AND THE GOOD OLDTIMERS, p. 308
The
simplicity of the A.A. program teaches me that happiness isn’t something I can
“demand.” It comes upon me quietly, while I serve others. In offering my hand
to the newcomer or to someone who has relapsed, I find that my own sobriety has
been recharged with indescribable gratitude and happiness.
© Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
My thoughts on January 17th Reading
Happiness Comes Quietly for me it comes from working with
the new comers, I can today learn from their mistakes not have go out and make
my same old mistakes over and over again, listening keeps it fresh in my mind
took time to find real happiness
My own alcoholism dictated my moods when, acting out I did
lead a double life, with half rooted in guilt, shame, and fear, how could I or
anyone be happy in this situation, it always bring me down, and sometimes I
would carry this guilt, shame, and fear into my early recovery
When I was drinking I looked for happiness in a bottle, I
created a world that I could control, I never knew happiness was a feeling
with-in me, I was always trying to drowning in booze, recovery is regaining a
sense of true happiness that reaches into the deepest part of my life
Today I can look at "Middletown rule 62" "
don't take yourself to damn seriously" this allowed me to be able to once
again laugh, not at people, but with them happiness is an inside job that gives
me a wonderful inner peace and serenity, just being ME
This peace and serenity comes from my Higher Power and the
teachings of this fellowship I still get lost in the world, get caught up in
how miserable I am feeling, I still have physical pain like everyone else I
have my fair share of emotional pain
I can be absorbed in the trials of this pain, or be unhappy
because things are not going exactly the way I want, but over all my happiness
depends on my personal state of mind, at the beginning of my day, if I start
out with an attitude of gratitude I can overcome anything
But if I get down on myself the day does not go to good
unless I start it over, I find my inner strength for the teachings of AA simply
put If I let God into my life on any given day, my heart is happy and if my
feeling are of gratitude I remain happy joyous and free to be me
God has never given my more than I could handle I think at
times He pushing the limit, happiness is only a by product of the way I chose
to live when I follow the 12 steps of recovery they always lead me to my inner-self
where I find peace and happiness
In my home group I discovered the joy of belonging to a
fellowship, laughter is a sign of fellowship, when I join in fellowship, I can
feel my isolation fading, feel a new sense of real sound love and belonging, I have
discovered the joy of laughter that keeps me in touch with others
I can only be as happy and content as I will allow myself to
be this moment, happiness means a lot more than intimacy, the program taught me
what real love is all about we aren't a glum lot I know if I could not see contentment
in my existence wouldn't want the program
Recovery and happiness is a link between the old ungrateful
bitter me and the new happy grateful me contentment is a gift, to remember who
I was and a new gift to be free, a gift to find out who I am I can take time to
feel my gratitude and joy knowing I have changed to be come a better person
God bless you Al M
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