Pg. 62 Selfishness--self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes they hurt us, seemingly without provocation, but we invariably find that at some time in the past we have made decisions based on self which later placed us in a position to be hurt.
So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. We must, or it kills us! God makes that possible. And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid.
We had to have God's help.
This is the how and why of it. First of all, we had to quit playing God. It didn't work. Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom.
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Life is short..Live it sober to the fullest...One day at a time...
Good one! Now why do I, in the day to day living, tend to forget these basic things? I really have to work at Listening instead of telling the other person how much I think I know. Waiting my turn. Only thinking about my challenges. Only thinking, "How is this going to affect me?" Me, me, my, me mememe! Mine, Me...That's me! So glad to revisit this. Thanks! -paul
"We had to quit playing God. It doesn't work." Sometimes ACoA kids have a lot on their shoulders. I was the oldest child in an alcoholic family. In the chaos and destruction, when my mom was laid up in bed, and my father at work, or in a rage,, it fell to me to do things children shouldn't have to do. And I didn't know God. Sometimes 'playing God' is not from grandiosity,, it is from just trying to survive on our own, and trying to struggle against forces that are destructive to the environment,,, like to brothers and sisters. But,,, it doesn't work. A kid can only do just so much. Same as an adult. It gets overwhelming. I had hit the wall when I landed in an institution 18 years ago. The end of my human rope. I had to beg God to come into my life and do something. He answered my prayer,, and they gave me a Big Book and a 12 Steps and 12 Traditions book that started me on the road of recovery with a Higher Power. It has made all the difference.
I guess thinking that I could be such a great example,,, was my expectation, again, of trying to be perfect,,, that is playing God too,,, cuz only God is perfect. It still doesn't work. I'm still very human,,, and that is part of the acceptance that I have to do,,,, and don't have to make amends for not being God.
g'night
amanda
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do your best and God does the rest, a step at a time
I look out for MR Perfect, He ran me to long. Practice not perfection. Striving for Excellence is ok, I can't be perfect or expect the people around me to be perfect. YOU said it GOD.
.We realize that we only know a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning mediation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something that you haven't got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us.
Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny, May God bless you and keep you-----until then.
Pg. 62 Selfishness--self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes they hurt us, seemingly without provocation, but we invariably find that at some time in the past we have made decisions based on self which later placed us in a position to be hurt.
So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. We must, or it kills us! God makes that possible. And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid.
We had to have God's help.
This is the how and why of it. First of all, we had to quit playing God. It didn't work. Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom.
THE 1st paragraph is talking about a Spiritual disease, So I have to get rid of Selfish and Self-centeredness with God's Help. The BigBook says that when the Spiritual malady is overcome, We straighten out mentally and physically.
Pg. 62 Selfishness--self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes they hurt us, seemingly without provocation, but we invariably find that at some time in the past we have made decisions based on self which later placed us in a position to be hurt.
So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. We must, or it kills us! God makes that possible. And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid.
We had to have God's help.
This is the how and why of it. First of all, we had to quit playing God. It didn't work. Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom.
THE 1st paragraph is talking about a Spiritual disease, So I have to get rid of Selfish and Self-centeredness with God's Help. The BigBook says that when the Spiritual malady is overcome, We straighten out mentally and physically.
