. . . nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics . . . Both you and the new man must walk day by day in the path of spiritual progress. . . . Follow the dictates of a Higher Power and you will presently live in a new and wonderful world, no matter what your present circumstances! ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 89, 100
Doing the right things for the right reasons — this is my way of controlling my selfishness and self-centeredness. I realize that my dependency on a Higher Power clears the way for peace of mind, happiness and sobriety. I pray each day that I will avoid my previous actions, so that I will be helpful to others.
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I am beginning to understand this slowly but surely. I have always had a tendency to isolate, not bother other people, and silently do things my own way. I’m amiable and as gregarious as I need to be, but as an alcoholic I was perfectly happy to be by myself and not think about other people. I didn’t really care much about others. Now I am learning through action and example the value of sharing with fellow AAs my thoughts, accomplishments, mistakes and faults. I am on safe ground within the rooms and with another AA. And I am taking baby steps to open up, which then brings the peace of mind written about in this Daily Reflection. Thank you.
Today’s reading fits right with the 7th step prayer I pray every day, especially the part that says, “remove from me every defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and others.”
When I was hurting, the last thing I wanted was to help someone else. But when I did what my sponsor said, I felt better – especially going to meetings. Now that I’m a few steps on my way, I can say that part of the prayer and mean it.