![]() ![]() This will be accompanied by a confidence that the correct way will bed shown to us, perhaps a step at a time. How can we identify real guidance when it comes? Usually, we have a sense of peace and rightness about a God-inspired decision. We can easily fall into serious error by assuming that our own impulses and prejudices are “the will of God” for ourselves and others. SECOND, we must take care to set aside personal opinions and prejudices while letting real guidance come through. Our needs in seeking guidance are twofold FIRST, we must reach a belief that our higher power is always available to supply the guidance and power we need. While this isn’t usually practiced by 12 step groups anymore, such exercises are still recommended for individuals. The Twelve Step movement grew out of an earlier society that emphasized taking “quiet times” and seeking continuous guidance in a group setting. Our admissions of personal powerlessness finally turn out to be firm bedrock upon which happy and purposeful lives may be built. Only through utter defeat are we able to take our first steps toward liberation and strength. Very early, therefore, I came to value everything in terms of victory or defeat–“all or nothing.” The only satisfaction I knew was to win. As this attractive formula for the good life began to succeed, according to my then specifications of success, I became deliriously happy.īut when an undertaking occasionally did fail, I was filled with resentment and depression that could be cured only by the next triumph. I pray that I may always rely on the power of God to help me.Ĭonvinced I never could belong, and vowing I’d never settle for any second-rate status, I felt I simply had to dominate in everything I chose to do: work or play. I pray that I may never become discouraged in helping others. Often a task seems beyond your power, but there is no limit to what you can accomplish with God’s help. There is no certainty that, when it has forced its way up to the surface, sunlight and warmth will greet it. In helping others, think of the tiny seed under the dark, hard ground. Only give it up if you feel that it’s not God’s will for you. ![]() Never relinquish any work or give up the thought of any accomplishment because it seems beyond your power. There is no limit to what you can accomplish in helping others. Do I care enough about other alcoholics to help them reach this conviction? They must be convinced that they must give up drinking and they must see that their whole life depends on this conviction. They must be absolutely honest with themselves and face themselves as they really are. They must face the fact that they must do something about their drinking. They must see and admit that their life is unmanageable. Prospects must be convinced that they honestly want to stop drinking. ![]() In twelfth-step work, the third thing is conviction. If I sometimes keep on struggling, it is because I’m still hanging onto my old ideas and ” … the results are nil.” I do not struggle with the program because it is a gift and I have never struggled when receiving a gift. I have learned that I must lay down the “weapons” of self in order to pick up the “tools” of the A.A. Avoid then, the deliberate manufacture of misery, but if trouble comes, cheerfully capitalize it as an opportunity to demonstrate His omnipotence.įor years I believed in a punishing God and blamed Him for my misery. But it is clear that we made our own misery. We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that for many of us. Daily Reflections has proven to be popular, aiding individuals in their practice of daily meditation and providing inspiration to group discussions, even as it presents an introduction for some to AA literature as a whole.We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free. Thus, the audiobook offers sharing, day by day, from a broad cross section of members, which focuses on the three legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous: recovery, unity, and service. These reflections were submitted by members of the AA Fellowship who were not professional writers, nor did they speak for AA but only for themselves, from their own experiences in sobriety. Conference-approved literature, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, As Bill Sees It, and other books. Each chapter contains a reflection on a quotation from AA. It was first published in 1990 to fulfill a long-felt need within the Fellowship for a collection of reflections that moves through the calendar year - one day at a time. This is an audiobook of reflections by AA members for AA members. ![]()
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