Daily
Reflections reading March 3rd
Overcoming Self-will
So
our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of
ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though
he usually doesn’t think so. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of
this selfishness. We must, or it kills us! ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 62
For so many years my life revolved solely around myself. I was consumed with self in all forms–self-centeredness, self-pity, self-seeking, all of which stemmed from pride. Today I have been given the gift, through the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, of practicing the Steps and Traditions in my daily life, of my group and sponsor, and the capacity–if I so choose–to put my pride aside in all situations which arise in my life. Until I could honestly look at myself and see that I was the problem in many situations and react appropriately inside and out; until I could discard my expectations and understand that my serenity was directly proportional to them, I could not experience serenity and sound sobriety.
© Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
My thoughts on March 3rd Reading
Overcoming Self-will, when I think of self will I always
think of the great I am I thought I was and hope I never have to return there,
being lost in my disease I had no clue as to what I was doing to all my loved
ones and myself not to mention all the creditors and employers I had
Yes I was in denial of self, my will was running wild thru
my mind I had a right to everything I wanted and nothing was going to stop me,
stubborn angry hateful little child, who wanted everything and would go to any
lengths to get it regardless who got in the way
Well the one thing I did not count on is I was getting in my
own way, the bottom was coming up faster than I thought possible, I started to
have losses in my relationships with all around me hurting them with angry words
and just had fits of rage taken it out on things not people
The surest way to the bottle for me is to concentrate only
on what I can get and myself. One thing that will bring me back into the bottle
quicker than anything else in this world, thinking just of my own selfishness
is the fastest way to alienation of myself from God
Also from my friends and loved ones, the best why for me to
go, is to look at myself thru the eyes of others pray sure helps me along the
way, His will not mine so I can remain humble and faithful not just for my own
comfort, but for the comfort of all my new found friends in recovery
Focusing most of my attention on others is the way out of my
own selfishness, I can avoid that feeling of being God and feeling hopeless, by
looking beyond myself to others, as long as I am willing to turn to God for
help in me troubled times I will not feel hopeless
When I am troubled and can't see a way out, it is because I
am to self absorbed in my own mind all solutions to my selfishness depend on
how I relate to the God of my understanding, when I consciously surrender my
will to God's will, I know that faith is at work in my life
When I came into AA, a life without booze seemed strange,
a task impossible for me to understand never thought about what life could be
like without ever drinking again, I had to surrender I was given hope, the
longer I am in AA the more natural this way of life seems for me
When I have everything in life I need to be humble and happy
this is a natural way of life today, God has given me the strength to reach out
of my selfish ways and to become useful to others, what a wonderful way to
live, free of self and free of booze Gods will not mine today
God bless each of you
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suggestions or comments
