We might next ask ourselves what we mean when we say that we have "harmed" other people. What kinds of "harm" do people do one another, anyway? To define the word "harm" in a practical way, we might call it the result of instincts in collision, which cause physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual damage to people. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 80
I had been to Eighth Step meetings, always thinking, "I really haven't harmed many people, mostly myself." But the time came when I wrote my list out and it was not as short as I thought it would be. I either liked you, disliked you, or needed something from you - it was that simple. People hadn't done what I wanted them to do and intimate relationships were out of hand because of my partners unreasonable demands. Were these "sins of omission"? Because of my drinking, I had "dropped out" - never sending cards, returning calls, being there for other people, or taking part in their lives. What a grace it has been to look at these relationships, to make my inventories in quiet, alone with the God of my understanding, and to go forth daily, with a willingness to be honest and forthright in my relationships.
"The alcoholic is absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self-knowledge. We must admit we can do nothing about it ourselves. Willpower and self-knowledge will never help in the strange mental blank spots when we are tempted to drink. An alcoholic mentally is in a very sick condition. The last flicker of conviction that we can do the job ourselves must be snuffed out. The spiritual answer and the program of action are the only hope. Only spiritual principles will solve our problems. We are completely helpless apart from Divine help. Our defense against drinking must come from a Higher Power." Have I accepted the spiritual answer and the program of action?
Meditation For The Day
Rest now until life, eternal life, flowing through your veins and heart and mind, bids you to bestir yourself. Then glad work will follow. Tired work is never effective. The strength of God's spirit is always available to the tired mind and body. He is your physician and your healer. Look to these quiet times of communion with God for rest, for peace, for cure. Then rise refreshed in spirit and go out to work, knowing that your strength is able to meet any problems because it is reinforced by God's power.
Prayer For The Day
I pray that the peace I have found will make me effective. I pray that I may be relieved of all strain during this day.
Hazelden
(Let it be a God or Higher Power of your own understanding)
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
Aloha Daniella...Those post seem so very appropriate for me this morning so I read them slowly again and with an open mind. On the eight step I remember that justification thinking and minimizing process until I was asked and pondered the question, "How would you have felt about these hurts if they were put upon you when you least expected and wanted them?" The changed perspective at times would almost buckle my knees; and to I had retrieved a full line of emotions also. I did hurt. I did harm and those people had to be relieved of the responsibility of carrying the pain of it then came the 9th.
The thought for the day is one that (for me) needs to be read and re-read and pondered upon until there is no further resistance to it's truth. If there is still resistance my ego and pride are still awake and I am certifiably dillusional. In this condition my self (mind, body, spirit and emotions) are being kept from the real and whole truth about alcoholism. I can move away from that dillusion by reviewing my past and it's consequences as I made alcohol a major part of my life. I let others teach me and this morning you have the podium. Mahalo.
