"Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil." AA book. My alcoholic mind in a sober state says that this is not true, hence the old ideas are continued and disaster again. This is what the AA book calls insanity. Without spiritual help from God I will die from alcoholism. One of the most dangerous illnesses around because it is subtle, emotional, deep and residual with a very strong denial factor.
Alcoholism breeds resentment, the evil that I must work with on a daily basis, no matter how long I am sober. The BB describes alcohol as cunning, baffling, powerful. The longer I stay sober, the more strenuous my effort in recovery. For me it's still AA first, meetings, program, prayer & meditation. My program has to be single-minded, focused and concrete or I will die of alcoholism. How do I know? Because other people's experience has taught me this.
"We had to let go of our old ideas absolutely" For me, that was just about all of them. I liked what someone wrote about their sponsor telling them that their problem was "their stinking thinking" and that they had to get rid of it. The sponsee replied "How much of my thinking is flawed"? The sponsor said "Let's just go with all of it, and I'll tell you if we find anything of value" lol. That was me for sure. Everything was a game of get out, get the cheese, and get back in my hole, the easiest way possible, without getting caught.
Yes we pull ourselves out of that Triangle of Self Obsession" by replacing our Resentment,Anger and Fear,(RAF) with Acceptance,Love and Faith)(ALF)WE move from the RAF to the ALF by application of spiritual principles applied in our attitudes and behaviors and actions guided by the God of our understanding! I am truly grateful to be able to not only see myself coming now,but knowing how to get into the solution from the character defects and shortcomings I will always have.With help ,Gods continued grace and mercy and the "willingness" to continue to show up More is continually Revealed.Our spiritual awakening is definitely evidenced by change in our lives but it is truly 'MEANINGLESS' UNLESS WE LIVE IT.l Let us give thanks.!!!Thanks Gonee continued blessings to you and your family and Gods strength as the spiritual leader of that family!!
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Really on the spot. I love that part of the BB. It explained so much to me why it never worked when I tried it my way. This is a whole life disease, and in order not to succcumb to it, I had to change my whole life.
Thanks Gonee continued blessings to you and your family and Gods strength as the spiritual leader of that family!!