I must never forget who and what I am and where I come from. I have to remember the nature of my illness and what it was like before I came to The Program. I'll try to keep the memory green, yet not spend my time dwelling morbidly on the past. I won't be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to others, so others will give to me. Can I ever afford to forget what it used to be like, even for one minute?
Today I Pray
May I never forget the painful days of my addiction. May I never forget that the same misery awaits me if I should slip back into the old patterns. At the same time, may such backward glances serve only to bolster my own present strength and the strength of others like me. Please, God, do not let me dredge up these recollections in order to outdo or "out drunk" my fellow members. Like others who are chemically dependent, I must be wary of my desire to be center stage in the spotlight.
Today I Will Remember
I do more when I don't 'outdo.'
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I'm finding out just how sick I am as I discover how much service work and meetings it takes now for me to keep my head above water and away from a drink.
I see people who seem to be doing it for bragging rights.
I hope it is clear to others in our town that I am doing everything I do to survive my disease and help another alcoholic survive in the process. I love this passage and pray that I can always remain humble in my efforts and never ever be doing it to out do anyone else - but simply live and be of service to my HP.
Quiet work (sometimes never seen by another human eye work) behind the scenes is very very good for my soul and an excellent antidote to my disease.
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
I'm finding out just how sick I am as I discover how much service work and meetings it takes now for me to keep my head above water and away from a drink.
I see people who seem to be doing it for bragging rights.
I hope it is clear to others in our town that I am doing everything I do to survive my disease and help another alcoholic survive in the process. I love this passage and pray that I can always remain humble in my efforts and never ever be doing it to out do anyone else - but simply live and be of service to my HP.
Quiet work (sometimes never seen by another human eye work) behind the scenes is very very good for my soul and an excellent antidote to my disease.
Service work is great and very rewarding ... BUT we should try and only do what we are personally 'physically & mentally' able to comfortably do ... it is easy to get committed to too many activities at one time ... and if we're not in top spiritual form, they can 'break the camel's back' if you get my drift ... we should feel sobriety is a gift to enjoy, not like it's work to be endured ...
As far as others purpose for doing service work? ... let them brag if they must, but we know that to work without seeking recognition is more rewarding in the end ...
And what you refer to as quiet work behind the scenes, I find very critical for my own personal growth ... some things are best learned alone in private, now that we can tolerate who we are alone with ... LOL
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
