A Unique Stability

 Bill W. was a clever guy. He’s the best known of the founders of 12-step programs, but he didn’t do it alone. It was born of desperation, despair, and brokenness. Even so, with such an important discovery and practice, he dealt with an oversized ego. He may have wanted to shout “Look what I did!”, and I suspect he found ways to do so, but his overall goal was to freely share his success, and to urge others to share their own.

We all fight our own demons. Do we rule them, or is it the other way around? How do I stay aware of them? How do they show up? To my mind, an out-sized ego gives them free reign; if I have no humility, I mistake my demons for myself, and that’s what directs my path.

Bill learned that by giving away what had been freely given to him, he was able, through humility, to give that free reign to the higher understanding of the ideas and practices as it chose to be expressed. The establishment of ground rules, of guiding principles, and the reasons why these were necessary to the continuation of a way of life which could be shared and reshared, helped ensure that the base model would remain intact.

The lesson for me is to trust that the aphorism “Let go and let God” means that I am not in charge of the result. I choose to work toward goals, and ask my higher power for vision. If I let go of expectations of the results and trust that what I do is in alignment with my values, I can relax and let it be what it will be.

Comments

  1. JeannieFebruary 27, 2022 at 10:21 AM

    Well said Sandy! I especially love this "Bill learned that by giving away what had been freely given to him, he was able, through humility, to give that free reign to the higher understanding of the ideas and practices as it chose to be expressed."

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I Choose Anonymity

 I can be a real braggart. I suspect this is tied to low-self-esteem issues, and is the egos’s way of asserting itself. I must have recognized this at some point in my journey, because, written on the bottom of the page of this Daily Reflection is “STFU, Sandy”.  Inner peace and ease of being is quiet. It invites, it has an allure; it, like the Dude in The Big Lebowski, abides.  Our eleventh tradition tells us that our public principle is “attraction rather than promotion”. For me, this applies to my own public life. When it’s appropriate, like when someone asks about myself or shares a personal concern which would best be addressed by a 12-step fellowship, I’m happy to share how my life has been and continues to be changed.  Newcomers to AA can be so overwhelmed by their new freedom, they loudly proclaim their sobriety. I know I did. Jaded friends and family, used to seeing broken promises and dreadful decisions, don’t hear the words; they’re waiting to see the “pro...
Read more

Step One

 The first step begins with “WE”. What a beautiful, reassuring word that is! The reminder, right from the very start, that I don’t have to face anything by myself. WE understand what it is like to feel alone. WE have all felt the sense of loss, the utter powerlessness over alcohol, the loneliness of feeling apart from rather that a part of.  I was reminded of that this morning when, instead of checking in with my “I’m still alive” buddy, I went back to bed. By the time I got back up, much later than normal, she had tried in vain to reach me several times, and was deeply concerned. I was able to finally let her know that breath and blood still course through my body, filling me with the gratitude of having the love of a friend who cares that that still happens. Our program is like that - WE don’t have to leave anyone in the dark, wondering what to do next. WE show by living our lives how to connect with others as well as our Higher Power. WE see in each other the Light of Life,...
Read more

The End…?

 I started writing my daily reflections in January, although I didn’t start posting them until February. It’s been a journey of self-discipline, even as I missed a few days. It’s also been a dive into a creative outlet, one which I plan to build on.  I don’t know yet what I’ll focus on in the New Year, but I know that, for me, daily writing has been a joyful experience. I have been honored to share it, and will continue to do so. Thank you to those who have read it and have been encouraging - this experiment has been buoyed by you! Thanks also for the many lessons I’ve learned about myself. I’ve been humbled, shown with bright lights how my thinking has led me into shadows, and challenged to see things from a Higher perspective.  The Light in me recognizes and celebrates the Light in you. NamastĂ© 🙏
Read more