Daily
Reflections reading November 2nd
Keeping Optimism Afloat
The
other Steps can keep most of us sober and somehow functioning. But Step Eleven
can keep us growing. . . . THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART, p. 240
A sober alcoholic finds it much easier to be optimistic about life. Optimism is the natural result of my finding myself gradually able to make the best, rather than the worst, of each situation. As my physical sobriety continues, I come out of the fog, gain a clearer perspective and am better able to determine what courses of action to take. As vital as physical sobriety is, I can achieve a greater potential for myself by developing an ever-increasing willingness to avail myself of the guidance and direction of a Higher Power. My ability to do so comes from my learning–and practicing–the principles of the A.A. program. The melding of my physical and spiritual sobriety produces the substance of a more positive life.
© Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
My thoughts on November 2nd Reading
I came to use step eleven on a daily basis with the serenity
prayer, I said in every meeting I learned it by heart really quickly and
whenever I was in a stressful situation I repeated it. Then came the miracle of
the 3rd step prayer
I give myself to you, help me to do your will, take away my
self will that I may be open to yours, show me the way to solve my problems so
I can be an inspiration to show others you are unconditional loving, caring,
and understanding
I have daily conversations with God, I talk to him as a
friend, each morning I just start talking It was hard at first I was scared
that people would think I was talking to myself, but this became a habit, and I
got better at it I really miss it when I didn't have my God talks at times
My daily practice of prayer was enough to get me through the
beginning stages of recovery, but I felt something was missing, I need the
guidance from my sponsor and friends in recovery to help me understand just
what meditation was
One suggested to write letters to God and put them in my God
Box, well you know my first question was what is a God box, he told me it was a
way to turn my problems over to the care and guidance of the God of my
understanding
Important words of my understanding, no one could tell me
who my HP is I don't mind how other people choose to pray, Higher Power might
be the group, Buda, Allah, Jesus or Jehovah for everyone else, but for me it is
God as I myself understand Him
For the first time in my life I had freedom to choose and
get to know God, praying only the for knowledge of His will for me and the
power to carry that out simply put thy will be done, not mine"
This brings me daily back to step three turning my life and
will over I need to have conscious contact and listen as well as pray often my
will is not God's, some times I revert back to my free will to that good old
stinking thinking that alienated me from God
The miracle of step eleven is it is never done, like Step
ten and twelve this step brings me closer on a life long journey to keep my
contact daily with God and to keep His will first and foremost in my mind for
the continuing sobriety I now have
The miracle is I am never alone; I will never be let
down, if I let go and let God, and He will carry me
God bless you Al M
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