The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it. ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS , p. 83
When new in the program, I couldn’t comprehend living the spiritual aspect of the program, but now that I’m sober, I can’t comprehend living without it. Spirituality was what I had been seeking. God, as I understand Him, has given me answers to the whys that kept me drinking for twenty years. By living a spiritual life, by asking God for help, I have learned to love, care for and feel compassion for all my fellow men, and to feel joy in a world where, before, I felt only fear.
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That basicly tells how it was for me. Thank GOD for A.A.
As I was reminded, there is no spiritual “aspect” becuase it’s all spiritual. Every step has a prayer. There’s a prayer for every situation. How great is this?
Hmmm.
Interesting!
This statement comes a couple of paragraphs before the promises on pages 83 and 84. The preceding several pages in our Book has given a summation of the process of repair of our quite disheveled lives.
I was quite mystified about some of the instructions or suggestions that were passed on and I had no earthly idea about how to live a spiritual life.
Sometimes I did it in in some measure but my motives were always selfish and self-seeking.
I had no conception of living by the Golden rule that is a common thread throughout all spiritual movements and disciplines.
I had no consciousness of loving my lord, the God of my understanding with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my might, and equally important, loving my neighbor as myself.
It’s fair to say I have been and continue to be transformed by the powerful grace of full and dedicated commitment to these principles and the circumferential ideals to accomplish this.
I’m Harry, I’m thankful there is a We in this program.
I heard spirituality and it got me drunk again. But I was told I could get sober one day at a time. It is all semantics. You say potato, I say potatto. Good Orderly Direction. Don’t drink and do the next right thing. What I feel when I don’t drink is the feeling a lot of people call “spirituality”. I have a disease – an allergy to alcohol. I am also allergic to aspirin and I don’t ingest that or I suffer anaphallactic shock and die.
AA works. Today I celebrate 365 consecutive 24 hour periods!
Congratulations PaigeB
Isn’t it wonderful what can happen when we try not to be in the drivers seat any more. I’ve only have a couple more years more than you, but everyday gives us new opportunities as long as we keep our sobriety one day at a time.
You are in inspiration to me more than you can know!
Congratulations Paige!
Way to go Paige.
Harry