Daily Reflections reading August
21st
We Just Try
My stability came out of my trying to give, not out of demanding that I receive. THE BEST OF BILL , p.46-47
As long as I try, with all my heart and soul, to pass along to others what has been passed along to me, and do not demand anything in return, life is good to me. Before entering this program of Alcoholics Anonymous I was never able to give without demanding something in return. Little did I know that, once I began to give freely of myself, I would begin to receive, without ever expecting or demanding anything at all. What I receive today is the gift of “stability”, as Bill did: stability in my A.A. program; within myself; but most of all, in my relationship with my Higher Power, whom I choose to call God.
© Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
My thoughts on August 21st Reading
Having a lot of experience in doing 12 step work I stay
sober because, Having had a spiritual awakening I try to carry this message to
alcoholics God can do for us what we can not do for our self if we let Him,
this takes action to work with our fellow alcoholics who are still in out there
This is how I learned how to practice all Twelve Steps in my daily life, carrying the message is the
basics of recovery to all who seek a new life, what I do to carry the message
is very simple, I stick to the basics of AA, sobriety is all about my disease
that is not cured and never will be
If I stray to far for the teachings I will be lost again to
suffer the misery of my past, God asked me to give up one thing alcohol, he
took my desire to drink away, just as soon as I got humble and honest enough to
ask Him
This took some time I had to find out who I was and who I
could become thru the teachings of the 12 steps, AA gave me a new life and the
tools to use with that new life if I get active in helping others I will stay
sober and have a happy useful life
Filled with the same hope those who came before me gave me
in the beginning the very basics of AA is to reach out to others who suffer
from our disease, show them the unconditional love and friendship that we got
when we came into the halls
12 step work is also being the coffee maker, picking up the
chairs at the end of the meeting, talking to others who are picking up the
chairs, cleaning up after the meeting going out on commitments with your home
group, I always went with a group so I could feel part of not alone
As time passed I got more active with service work, I become
a secretary, treasurer, AA has many jobs to be filled, none of this would be
possible if we do not act in the best interests of AA as a whole these are all
the basics of the fellowship of AA
When I ask God in
the morning to watch over me, in effect am asking Him to let His will be done I
trust in His wisdom and accept beliefs of others, as part of Gods master plan
for us all, the challenges of recovery are met just one at a time with Gods
love and guidance anyone can get sober and learn how to accept the challenges
of changing themselves
Passing it on does not mean trying to take control,
demanding they do it my way carrying the message can become carrying the mess
some times, if I try to preach AA I needed to learn when to let go and let God
handle things in His time not mine
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
I sit in AA meetings, listen not only to get something for
me, but to give my support, just by being there filling the chair is a great
support, 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
Newcomers have found confidence and comfort in the laughter
and talk before the meetings God gave us this gift to pass on lets all carry
this message, God, as we each understand with our own personal beliefs can do
for us what we can't do for ourselves" if we let Him
God Bless Al M
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