. . . . we then look at Step Six. We have emphasized willingness as being indispensable. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76
Steps Four and Five were difficult, but worthwhile. Now I was stuck on Step Six and, in despair, I picked up the Big Book and read this passage. I was outside, praying for willingness, when I raised my eyes and saw a huge bird rising in the sky. I watched it suddenly give itself up to the powerful air currents of the mountains. Swept, along, swooping and soaring, the bird did things seemingly impossible for mortal birds to do. It was an inspiring example of a fellow creature letting go to a power greater than itself. I realized that the bird took back his will and tried to fly with less trust, on its power alone, it would spoil its apparent free flight. That insight granted me the willingness to pray the Seventh Step prayer. Its not easy to know Gods will in each circumstance. I must search out and be ready for the currents, and thats where prayer and meditation help! Because I am, of myself, nothing, I ask God to grant me the knowledge of His will and the power and courage to carry it out today.
A.A. Thought for the Day
Some more things I do not miss since be coming dry: running all over town to find a bar open to get that "pick me up"; meeting my friends and trying to cover up that I feel awful; looking at myself in a mirror and calling myself a damn fool; struggling with myself to snap out of it for two or three days; wondering what it is all about. I'm positive I don't miss these things, am I not?
Meditation for the Day
Love is the power that transforms your life. Try to love your family and your friends and then try to love everybody that you possibly can, even the "sinners and publicans," everybody. Love for God is an even greater thing. It is the result of gratitude to God and it is the acknowledgement of the blessing that God has sent you. Love for God acknowledges His gifts and leaves the way open for God to shower yet more blessings on your thankful heart. Say: "Thank you, God," until it becomes a habit.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may try to love God and all people. I pray that I may continually thank God for all His blessings.
This is great! When I got sober, there were two books I was told to buy. One was the Big Book, and the other was the 24 hour book. After a few weeks of sobriety, I bought the Living Sober book and read it from front to back in a very short time. i went straight to the back of the Big Book and started reading the stories. Boy could I relate to those stories and that is what kept me 'coming back'. I had just finished a doozy of a drunk and had tried getting 'fixed' by going to church and calling up a treatment center for help. The treatment center said i would have to stay for 30 days, and that was out due to my having two kids who needed me at home. Church didn't work because I didn't believe those people when they said "God loves you" and I was like yeah right, he may love 'you' but he doesn't love me because you don't know what a horrible person I really am. Anyhow, to make a long story, short.... I found my way (or was gently led) into the rooms of AA, and since that first meeting, I have not had to take another drink of alcohol, one day at a time. Thank you for this group, I am glad to be here! Teresa
