True humility and an open mind can lead us to faith, and every A.A. meeting is an assurance that God will restore us to sanity if we rightly relate ourselves to Him. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 33
My last drunk had landed me in the hospital, totally broken. It was then that I was able to see my past float in front of me. I realized that, through drinking, I had lived every nightmare I had ever had. My own self-will and obsession to drink had driven me into a dark pit of hallucinations, blackouts and despair. Finally beaten, I asked for God’s help. His presence told me to believe. My obsession for alcohol was taken away and my paranoia has since been lifted. I am no longer afraid. I know my life is healthy and sane.
A PATH TO FAITH
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February 7 | AA 12 Steps In Action | Step 2 | 2012 | Today’s AA daily reflection: “humility can lead us to faith.” All my life I was a learner, not necessarily learning life too well, more survival skills than anything else. Humility is being able to keep on learning how to live well for me these days. Humility offers release from having to know the answers and having to know the questions. And the question of faith? Faith in whatever you choose to be a higher power will work. The essence of faith today for me does reside in humility and being open, honest and willing to change…
It may seem so simple to many, “a higher power moment,” and to me it was a revelation. When it came to addiction and what to do, my higher power moment was simply “I cannot do this on my own.” I picked up the phone, made a call and asked for help. It was a bittersweet moment, realising I needed help and at the same time still feeling resistance inside me to needing help. After the call, still churning about what to do I’m grateful the decision made, I was able to reach out, listen and make a choice towards freedom and not back into the malady…
Restored to sanity is really difficult, I was looking for “the fix” because the fix would fix me and I would never have to think about it again. I would be cured and with the sure knowledge of knowing the answer, I would overcome my battle and my fight with addiction. Another bittersweet moment, being restored to sanity is a daily ask, simply because there is no fix beyond the moment of now. I cannot predict my circumstances or the challenges I may face and so there is no fix and I’m very pleased there isn’t… Its all about learning life in the moment and asking for help daily from anyone, anywhere and anything, is key to a life with serenity as part of the equation…
I start my day asking myself the questions, “how am I feeling, why and what can I do?” If I know what my feelings are, I know where my thinking may go and likely actions which follow. And as a meditation, remind myself of steps one, two and three, powerless and unmanageable, restored to sanity contingent on the day I ask and let go knowing, and let in the world to help me life can be bittersweet. Whether it is bitter or sweet, the serenity prayer will help me understand what I can and cannot do today…
DonInLondon 2005-2011
True humility, the ability to learn with an open mind can lead us to our personal faith, and every A.A. meeting is about sharing experience, strength and hope with an assurance that the wisdom paves the way to restore us to sanity if we rightly relate ourselves to the world as it is today
William Faulkner “All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection. So I rate us on the basis of our splendid failure to do the impossible.” -/- Progress is delicious…
Fellowship restores our faith in our courage to change ~ Mohandas Gandhi “A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” -/- Every human being is a miracle… And fellowship helps restore us to sanity daily!
Step 2 “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity”
We find it amazing that the newcomer can start the A.A. program without any specific beliefs or, for that matter, without any beliefs whatsoever. All a person needs is the open-mindedness and the willingness to believe that WE BELIEVE this program works…
True humility, the ability to learn with an open mind can lead us to our personal faith, and every A.A. meeting is about sharing experience, strength and hope with an assurance that the wisdom paves the way to restore us to sanity if we rightly relate ourselves to the world as it is today
William Faulkner “All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection. So I rate us on the basis of our splendid failure to do the impossible.” -/- Progress is delicious…
Fellowship restores our faith in our courage to change ~ Mohandas Gandhi “A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” -/- Every human being is a miracle… And fellowship helps restore us to sanity daily!
AA Daily: AA Daily: A PATH TO FAITH ~ FEBRUARY 7, true humility and an open mind can lead us to faith, and every A.A. meeting is an assurance that God will restore us to sanity if we rightly relate ourselves to Him. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 33
My last drunk had landed me in the hospital, totally broken. It was then that I was able to see my past float in front of me. I realized that, through drinking, I had lived every nightmare I had ever had. My own self-will and obsession to drink had driven me into a dark pit of hallucinations, blackouts and despair. Finally beaten, I asked for God’s help. His presence told me to believe. My obsession for alcohol was taken away and my paranoia has since been lifted. I am no longer afraid. I know my life is healthy and sane.
-/-
I had been asking for God’s help for almost 3 years before I stopped drinking, sometimes desperately, most of the time insincerely. I got better when I asked another drunk for help. There was nothing virtuous about any of it but looking back, maybe there was the smallest seed of humility. I was seeking cheap grace, the kind that cost me nothing, that admitted nothing, that exposed nothing, that yielded to nothing, that sought to right no wrongs, move no closer to the God of my understanding. My way created despair and misery, AA’s hope.
i took the path of least resistance as well, until i looked death in the eyes and knew there is no “easier, softer way”.
i had to work to change, and the change worked. i once thought it a punishment to go to meetings, get a sponsor, and do the steps just to stay alive…now i realize it’s the only way i could have survived in this world.
thank god or whatever act of providence landed me in AA, i am forever in debt and grateful.
When I came to my senses; when by some kind of exuberant grace a desire for a better way of living occurred; when I turned out of my own self-sufficiency towards the help of others, a miracle occurred.
Things far out and beyond my own expectations or even dreams became reality.
A desire for others to have what was freely given to me became a driving force in my life.
AA provided the venue for the execution of this healthy motivation.
Out of it, happiness, joyousness, and freedom came.
I’m Harry, grateful alcoholic. – Georgia, USA.
I am grateful for HarryS. Thank you for sharing.
Good one HarryS thanks…
Meetings gave my the experience and the proof that I needed to believe that AA worked.
Meetings also have also allowed me to see that I can choose my own concept of God and that this concept is sufficient to help me stay sober.
I needed to see this stuff working for others before I could believe anything and through this belief I was able to develop a little faith.
I had to first believe then faith came to me, God found me. I did not find him.
Some amazingly different rock bottoms yet the same. They’re was no other way out. My fear nearly lead me to kill another man while in jail which would’ve meant I’d spend the rest of my life in there! The insanity if it all, my selfishness. Dreams of grandiosity, actions to the same! I idolized Scarface and most of my peers in jail did too! It was terrible. I could write a book if I wanted to keep reliving the past. I’ve gave up hope of a better past. In one click of self-will, I could be there again. I chose not. This program has shown me a better way of life, grander than any dreams I’d ever had and it keeps getting better, how amazing is that! Thank God and all of you. Don’t drink, go to meetings and help a dumb ass out. I was once that dumb ass!
At times Dan I am still that dumb ass!
Paul
Dan, it’s so good to have you here. I’m very grateful that AA allows two totally different people on the outside connect for real on the inside. Your comments have begun my day on the right path. Thanks.
Maggie, seeker, trip, seeker, trip, seeker,
I’m 2 today!! Thank u God for letting me choose, being there when I choose wrong, and helping me choose more wisely next time. Have a great day everyone! Im Jill, grateful alcoholic in Kansas
Congratulations Jill!!! I’m right behind you next month! Celebrate your day by sharing and get lots of hugs!!!!
Congrats Jill T on “bigtime” 2!!
Gongrats Jill, That is great. I cant wait till I get there.
good morniing Brothers and Sisters of AA
I wrote a long dialougue but it all jumped into a white screen and is out there in cyberspace as Shrini says. So I guess its my HP way of telling me to be still and he will take care of everything. All I ask of you all to think of me and pray for me this morning. Going thorugh domestic problems that are jeapordizing my sobriety.
TREE in SoFla
No, no ,no Tree! You’ve come this far. Focus on the first three steps and the serenity prayer. Believe them, put all your trust in them. Get through the day, hang out with fellow aa’s. I’ll bet all of us here feel the same way, if we could, we’d grab you and keep you safe. Hang in there. Your journey does not need to go down the path of relapse. Keep posting here, throughout the day, we’ll help you through it!
Maggie, a friend in AA.
Tree (growing) in SoFla,
Bullshit. You WANT to drink.
Go ahead be an idiot. Drink. DO NOT DRIVE.
It will not help anything.
WE WILL BE HERE
TODAY
TOMORROW
AND BEYOND
DO NOT DRINK
IT WILL NOT MAKE ANYTHING BETTER.
IT WILL NOT MAKE ANYTHING BETTER.
IT WILL NOT MAKE ANYTHING BETTER.
Over the years I have spent a few minutes a day reading this tiny book filled with such big things. I am continually reminded of how I was and as a result I remain grateful, humble and sober.
Thank you everyone, for your shares today. John’s reference to seeking “cheap grace” is poignant, and reminds me of how hollow most of my communications were as a drunk. I would argue with everyone and fancy myself a sharp debater when all I really did was be contrary for the sake of it, the “devil’s advocate” complete with a briefcase full of mind altering substances. I was the master of cheap chatter that cost and delivered nothing in the way of insight or deeper understanding. To Jill, a happy second birthday — this kind of two is terrific instead of “terrible.” To Tree who is branching out and blossoming – nothing can jeopardize your sobriety if you guard it like the precious gem that it is. There are ways to cope with stress, to address family issues through Alanon and other support. If you truly give it over to your higher power, and literally every day ask for your sobriety to be protected and safe in the midst of turmoil, you cannot fail. Sometimes the essential message that we are all free to find our own higher power of whatever form we choose can be lost in words that echo the concept of a father figure or other deity. But there are certain things that all these higher powers must have in common for them to work in the context of Alcoholics Anonymous: they come to us when we invite them in a state of surrender and acceptance, they work in our lives when we allow our egos and impulses to step aside and relinquish control, and they grow to influence of our actions and character when we seek their involvement in our lives on a daily basis and align our choices in accordance with their guidance. The more I invite my higher power to lead the way, the better I learn to read its signs and understand its language. With love and courage for all of us in this boat, Zuzu in finally rainy San Francisco
Please don’t let this boat be a cruise ship, I’d rather a barge or perhaps an ark!
I think it is a row boat. No buffet or shuffleboard, just beefy biceps
…Virginia, (SSN-774), no games on board…
it hasnt been long since i realized i need aa meetings to stay sober…the meetings are one of my basic tools…it is also where i first witnessed my Higher Power speaking to me thru the group….for the longest time it was such a burden in my alcoholic mind to attend these meetings and listen to those hateful old timers…now i realize i need to be there and i want to be there and those hateful old timers arent hateful at all they are simply being honest they are trying to save my ass…thank God for AA, the meetings and those honest old timers…i am alive today because of the program
We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Hang in there Tree stay close to your Friends in AA.
I had hit the bottom of darkness and lunacy and remained in that obscure and hellish spot for a long time untill my ego collapsed and in a bewildered surrender I blurted out, “Lord Jesus I’ll do anything…please help me!”.
A silent still thought and calm took over and suggested “Why not try an AA meeting ?”
What a contrast from that moment to my first meeting – and I still experience the need for AA and obviously for my Lord every day.
This promise is as true today for me as it was 16 years ago.
This was me. Thank God for AA and for all of you. 78 days and counting.
A
You’re a good A anon A! 90×90=:)
Great comments today..helped this alcoholic with his constant struggle with self and selflessness……
thank you
j
Congratulations Jill, Happy 2nd! To Tree, you are in my prayers. The strength is inside of you, I have faith in you! Hello to the AA family. It is because of the fellowship and my higher power, that my obsession to drink has been taken from me. It took me years to accept that I am an alcoholic. It is through staying humble and asking for help, that I remain sober. Keeping the faith, ~A~ on cape cod.
Congratulations on 2 years Jill!!
A keep going.
Alcohol had bludgeon me in to a state of complete wreckage before I was capable of any humility much less anything resembling true humility.
I have come to believe that for the this alcoholic the 12 steps are a path to acquiring that precious quality, and as I travel this path I get glimpses of it.
“True ambition is not what we thought it was. True ambition is the deep desire to live usefully and walk humbly under the grace of God.
Paul
Keno, Oregon
Tree- you are in my prayers. Eat something, pray and pass the day. Just for today.
Jill- congrats and God bless.
Maggers – cheering you on to two.
Love to all, shrini alcoholic from india.
Ark Mags. Sometimes we forget that and get into petty bickering. Shrini, alcoholic
There is no problem a drink can’t make worse…as they say.
Think of your problems as if they were dogs. Then have a drink & watch those problems have puppies. Stay strong Tree, it’s just for today! I believe in you!! ~A~
Tree
Do you really need to be a scout again? If your lucky you will come back with a bunch of arrows in ya….if not we will mourn you. Stay in camp buddy. Either way your in my prayers.
j
HI Anon
Do you know why I am having trouble posting today. Am I saying the wrong things? I just want to share!
Dear Jay, Ain V, Maggie, Zuzu, Shrini, Angel
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. You are absolutely right a drink will not make anything better. But I am blessed by my HP today for taking away the stumbling block to my continued sobriety just for today. The obsession has been lifted
Thanks Anon, It looks like its working again.
Hi Tree-I knew a girl who changed her name to Tree. SFCA. Good to know you’re here! Now what works for me, (other than AA), is upon completion of your post or response to a post is clicking the submit button several times. Then it states duplicate comment or so…then click “back” once. That should show your post or comment. (I hope) anyway it works for me…
Hi AinV
Thanks will try that. I have to reveal this as it weighs very hard on my heart. I put a year restraining order on my partner of 14 years due to drug abuse. It applies to both of us. We are no longer to have contact with each other. I prayed for this for a long time and God made it happen.
Good! Sobriety is first and foremost.
NO MATTER WHAT COST.
You CAN do it.
CU tomorrow!
That’s it! Tree. It’s all about today.
Tree, the love and support of the fellowship is always yours. You doing the next right thing. Keep up the good work!
~A~
Tree take care of yourself and your sobriety first, and your domestic problems will resolve themselves.
Paul
I am a recovering alcoholic myself, for my own wicked reasons. I think this is a great website, I love everyone here for being a fellow hurting human being. I know now its ok to hurt and its normal to suffer in this life and to hurt. We all need to realize that we are all vulnerable to the same extent and to the same circumstances whether they be ridicule by our fellow peers for who we are, how we are or jealousy, envy, etc.. these are all things that come against all of us and try to break us down, in my case they did break me down to the point of insane behavior. Now Im barely getting up, its still would be easy for me to trip and fall so, I need to walk carefully. Thank you all for being here and sharing your pains. God bless you all and may he heal us all like he healed the blind, the leppers, the lame, the sick. God loves us all more than we will ever know…seek and ye shall find.. with God…