Living It

 For the most part, 12-Step programs consist of sets of suggestions. I’ve even heard people say that there are no ‘musts’, but I disagree: One of my first assignments was to go through the first 164 pages and underline them. I had the feeling the exercise was to show that there were none, but I found many, including, from page 84 of the Big Book, “The spiritual life is not a theory, We have to live it.”

Thank goodness this spiritual life isn’t specific. The third step suggests that we “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” That is an important caveat. I don’t have to accept anyone else’s idea of a Higher Power. I am assured of my right to find that which is meaningful to me, and even then, that understanding is subject to change. As I grow in knowledge and insight, my views will evolve with me. Each of us has the right and the responsibility to ourselves to find that higher knowing, and to live by the principles embodied therein.

Sobriety is so much more than simply not indulging. Sobriety entails seeing my life from a different, higher perspective, and following through with the ‘next right action’. We all have access to the Truth within. Sometimes, we need a little help to recognize it, so that we can then live it.

Comments

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