WE are told that the Steps lead to an awakening of a spiritual nature. The evidence is based on the changes in our lives. The changes make us better able to live by spiritual principles and to carry our message of recovery and HOPE to those who still suffer.It is also said the spiritual awakenings(along with the awareness right from the beginning)take a lot of different forms among our different personalities that WE find in the fellowship..The message is meaningless though ,unless we LIVE IT. And as we live it our lives ,actions give it more meaning than our words or writings ever could. Each year at my anniversary I share with those in the room that the new understanding we gain of our Higher Power by sharing with another's recovery lets us know that WE do become visions of Hope, We are examples of the program working and that the joy WE have in living in sobriety is an attraction to those who still may be suffering.We can carry our message of recovery in silence in the actions attitudes and behaviors of our lives....While caught in the grip of active alcoholism for decades the only message I portrayed was going on to the same,jails ,institutions,deriliction or death.Sobriety,with God's grace and mercy,accompanied by application of the solution of our program,THE STEPS, in to all areas of my life help me to seek our primary purpose, to remain free of active addiction,a day at a time, and be of maximum service to my Higher Power and others,things that were impossible,FOR ME, during the STORM!
__________________
Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
I would describe sobriety as living without crutches. I would describe it as utilizing a support system, helping others, engaging in the world around me. It's impossible to describe something without sort of referring to it's opposite. That's kind of like saying how do you define happiness with zero reference to being unhappy. We wouldn't know we were happy unless we'd felt sad at some time. Hence, sobriety to us (having been drunks) means something totally different to nonalcoholics.
__________________
Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
Kinda tired tonight, so this is will be brief . My analogy would be like a person who had lost all of their senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch and the ability to love and be loved) all be restored after years or decades. Add to that the freedom from fear, that kept the person for experiencing dozens, maybe 1000's of opportunities, events, relationships, business ventures, vacations, hobbies, educations...., allowing the person, perhaps for the first time, to go and do anything that he/she really want to. There, that should cover it. apologies to the fundamentalists
Grand to have you back Adam...How's it been going? Hope serenity is still covering your shoulders like he warmest of cloaks. For me when I was quizzacle as to whether the program was or could work for me my sponsor told me I would never know unless I gave it away and watched it work for the other. That's the way it worked for me and the first time I was amazed at the miracle and then I wanted more for me.
Thank you all for your wisdom. Had one of those days the other day. Living in today, making small choices today that will benefit my health and sobriety. Hope you all are well this holiday season.
apologies to the fundamentalists 