July 19 2012 | AA 12 Steps In Action | Step 7 Courage To Change Alcoholics Anonymous Today's AA daily reflection: "false pride…" Sometimes the difference between doing good because that's what we do, and being a do-gooder, doing things because it looks good. False pride, sometimes thinking if I do something, as a direct consequence I will gain some advantage emotionally, spiritually and there I say it, financially or with romance in mind… Motives are key!
Video For today:
Usually false pride can be spotted quite quickly in ourselves, our motives and intentions. Step six deficits where on occasions fear, putting on a brave face and ego can make us take a back step into covering up, feelings of guilt and shame and inadequacy about something and a less than equal feeling. God and good conscience can come to the rescue, courage to change, faith in the next right step and confidence to not know what to do and ask the help…
False pride usually develops when we isolate and try and work things out all on our own. The old messages of how life used to be before recovery can become loud voices in our heads shouting "I deserve better!" The answer is the world is the way it is right now, and false pride will hinder our ability to seize the day, be open to all the hard knocks and all those precious moments of fun and laughter as well. Open and outward in our outlook, we can connect with reality as it is today…
When I can see the world as it really is today, most likely I am operating and living in the best way I can, open, honest and willing. And to be included where it is possible, to be able to love people, be loved back and useful. This is recovery, on a good day and still there will be other days where old tormenting memories may pull me backwards. Step six at any time of day, step seven at any time of day, and I can be "at sixes and sevens" in the reality and moment of now…
How am I feeling this morning? A week after the wisdom tooth being extracted, two weeks of a summer cold and a hacking cough, and waiting for the plumber to fix my WC. Emotionally I feel okay, but my best friend has got the cough. Physically, Iam a bit sore all over… I feel good in myself, happy in my own doings, cross with the ineptitude of government and their prejudice and hopeful about the Olympics, horrified about news from the Middle East, concerned for my best friend, concerned for my mum who has cancer, concerned for my sister, its the fifth anniversary of her partner's death. Happy that the sky is lighter, concerned for an ex partner of mine, it's her birthday soon, and it's none of my business… Yes so easy to be at sixes and sevens with life, step six into fear and gloom, step seven doing the next right thing, can do and cannot do and keep on learning what the difference is, just for today… And serenity is probably possible by the end of this sentence…
AA Daily Reflections ~ "False Pride: 19 July ~ many of us who had thought ourselves religious awoke to the limitations of this attitude. Refusing to place God first, we had deprived ourselves of His help. [12 & 12]
Many false notions operate in false pride. The need for direction to live a decent life is satisfied by the hope experienced in the A.A. Fellowship. Those who have walked the way for years–a day at a time–say that a God centred life has limitless possibilities for personal growth. This being so, much hope is transmitted by the elder A.A.s. I thank my Higher Power for letting me know that He works through other people, and I thank Him for our trusted servants in the Fellowship who aid new members to reject their false ideals and to adopt those which lead to a life of compassion and trust. The elders in A.A. challenge the newcomers to “Come To”–so that they can “Come to Believe.” I ask my Higher Power to help my unbelief."
DonInLondon 2005-2011
Humility offers a life open and outward looking. The more we know, the less we know. If I share what works for me, and you share what works for you and we both take notice, we grow with grace and unity one day at a time…
Good News the big book is online, the 12&12 is online, and it is official available free from AA world services. The website "online daily reflections" fulfils an obvious development of sharing the essence of AA in the modern communications era. This website has always been about sharing the message, free and without prejudice. No doubt when someone has time the AA daily reflections will be on the official website, free as it always need be and without prejudice. I need keep my side of the street clean, work to good conscience and share a message always.
Tradition 1, no rules, nor laws or regulations, no one can tell another person what to do. AA unity is based on the group conscience at meeting level, and we are all humble servants living free to our personal choices.
19 July Simple Steps for Complicated People... If something feels right when we are sober, it probably is. As we develop faith, courage and esteem, the promises become a reality. Then we think through what we can do. Practical living is simple with 12 steps and a plan based on reality. We can write out a SWOT plan, Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats, promises live today...
19 July Courage faith and confidence grow as we let go extremes of fear, ego and wearing a brave face. With an open, honest and willing outlook, living to good conscience, we can experience acceptance and serenity even when life is tough and difficult. No matter what the outcome, being our best, frail or healthy, we can be loved, love back and useful today...
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Publish July 19 2007
July 19 2007 DonInLondon
A Farewell - ‘Day In the Life’
This has been a very difficult week or so. As you may realise from my journal these last few days have been a preparation for a farewell, the farewell is to Christopher, my sisters partner of some twenty years, who died just last week. Their love story grew and grew over their time together. As trust is made and a tryst develops, and culminating in a marriage had there been enough time. Plans had been made and time was too short
It has been a day to remember for me and everyone concerned. The care and love between two people, cherishing and learning more and more, an adventure of love and life.
It is a very sad day indeed. Christopher has three brothers and many, many family members we really have never known, we met them today so briefly. And it was just as it was. Christopher had many facets and compartments of living. None spilled into another which only with the benefit of hindsight made us wish we had known more. I feel those times were near as Christopher and Louise had plans for a long future together and connections were definitely being rekindled in recent months.
Heavy hearts and dragging feet, we all felt like we had no desire or wish for this day. It came and we went to his memorial service today. And there were many we knew about and more we have never known. Quiet and simple a moving tribute from Christopher’s brothers. And words from our family friend Jan who read and shared others and our feelings about a man loved and admired. We sat in silence and listened, felt our sadness and also humour at adventures of other times were shared.
If it can be said a funeral went well, and the outcomes as can be, it went well indeed. For a large gathering to be thrown together and many people new to each other, it was a kind and heartfelt tribute to a man who worked hard at his craft, and worked hard at life.
And through his illness and times in hospital, he never complained, never had a cross word and followed with aplomb every element of advice. Even in pain he had no complaint. And he preferred company in the open ward rather than privacy and solitude. The nursing staff admired him for his verve and grit. And they saw he and my sister doing everything they could to keep faith and keep going.
Christopher Lee Dunn
A remarkable human being and gift to this world, made my sister happy many years as she him. And it is with sadness we shall miss him. There was so much more to happen and experience, the loss is as profound can be. The grief hurts as grief will.
Tonight
I am home late. Being present today and part of ceremony, I owe and have much gratitude not only to those who keep me on an even keel on a daily basis, I also need thank Christopher as much as anyone for keeping faith and helping me get back my life almost lost to illness in recent years. Christopher and Louise helped me through hardest times and this is never forgotten.
I have no more words tonight. It seems last year I had many words and so include them from last year. Until tomorrow..
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AA Official Online Site: Daily Reflections
AA Official Online Site: Big Book And Twelve And Twelve
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Step 7 "Step 7 Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings" "The way we have come to look at humility is that it is a virtue, one of the principles that AA teaches us to live. The definition we have adopted pictures us as standing naked before God, without pretence nor reservation. It means hiding nothing, being our real selves, both good and bad. A good synonym for humility is honesty." BB Bunch
July Video Reading Step Seven Into Action Link:
Step 7 "Courage To Change" Reading Video Link:
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I do not speak for Alcoholics Anonymous I speak for myself. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of unique and authentic people who speak for themselves where they will to share experience, strength and hope about recovery on a daily basis. Anonymity affords sanctuary to find how to live sober and be open, honest and willing to learn life day by day. For me "truth," "love" and "wisdom" offer the best spiritual experience by living reality today. Into the fabric of recovery from alcoholism are woven the Twelve Steps and the Traditions: steps to be open, honest and willing to learn, traditions to live unity, service and recovery.
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Spiritual principles ~ Forgiveness Acceptance Surrender Faith Open-mindedness Honesty Willingness Moral-inventory Amends Humility Persistence Spiritual-growth Service
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