During my morning meditation, it came to me that this hasn't been posted in a long time ... 

I love this statement below and have re-read it often in my early sobriety ... to me? ... it defines our very purpose here on earth ... it gives me a sense of duty and a goal to ever keep alive in my mind ... it inspires me to live in the 'spirit of God' by practicing the AA principles daily ... I know you 'old timers' have read it, but it occurred to me this morning, maybe it's time for a reprint, time for the 'new-comers' to have a 'deeper' understanding of one of the reasons we stay sober ... it's not so much for ourselves as it is to be capable of helping others ... which should remain as one of our primary goals ... 

WHY WE WERE  CHOSEN

     God in His wisdom selected this group of men and women to be the purveyors of His goodness.  In selecting them through whom to bring about this phenomenon He went not to the proud, the mighty, the famous or the brilliant.  He went instead to the humble, to the sick, to the unfortunate.  He went right to the drunkard, the so-called weakling of the world.  Well might He have said to us:

     Unto your weak and feeble hands I have entrusted a power beyond estimate.  To you has been given that which has been denied the most learned of your fellows.  Not to scientists or statesmen, not to wives or mothers, not even to my priests or ministers have I given this gift of healing other alcoholics which I entrust to you.

     It must be used unselfishly; it carries with it grave responsibility.  No day can be too long; no demands upon your time can be too urgent; no case be too pitiful; no task too hard; no effort too great.  It must be used with tolerance for I have restricted its application to no race, no creed, and no denomination.  Personal criticism you must expect; lack of appreciation will be common; ridicule will be your lot; your motives will be misjudged.  You must be prepared for adversity, for what men call adversity is the ladder you must use to ascend the rungs toward spiritual perfection, and remember, in the exercise of this power I shall not exact from you beyond your capabilities.

     You are not selected because of exceptional talents, and be careful always, if success attends your efforts, not to ascribe to personal superiority that to which you can lay claim only by virtue of my gift.  If I had wanted learned men to accomplish this mission, the power would have been entrusted to the physician and scientist.  If I had wanted eloquent men, there would have been many anxious for the assignment, for talk is the easiest used of all talents with which I have endowed mankind.  If I had wanted scholarly men, the world is filled with better qualified men than you who would be available.  You were selected because you have been the outcasts of the world and long experience as drunkards has made or should make you humbly alert to the cries of distress that come from the lonely hearts of alcoholics everywhere.

     Keep ever in mind the admission you made on the day of your profession in AA -- namely that you are powerless and that it was only with your willingness to turn your life and will unto my keeping that relief came to you.

                                                        Author Unknown (Anonymous)

Love to you all and God Bless,

Pappy