October 20 2012 | AA 12 Steps In Action | Step 10 The Now Inventory Alcoholics Anonymous Today's Daily Reflections: "the higher power, and other powers relating to people, places and things…" My higher power works through my good conscience as a guide with principles of open, honest and willing to change based on truth and integrity and especially humility. Other powers reside within others, who can help me if I ask rather than demand on any given day…
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There will be people, places and things which I need access in recovery to help me on my journey of life. The journey of life is not about controlling anything, it is about finding the endeavour of life that suits you and living it. And when we are trying to achieve even the smallest tasks, developing an attitude of learning and asking for help from those with wisdom and influence can be very helpful. Influencing others to be on our side and help us is much more beneficial when we ask rather than demand. When we demand what is rightfully ours from other people, we most likely have set our expectations far too high and we naturally set a path to resentments when things do not go our way. Simply asking for help offers others the opportunity to "power up" with a can do frame of mind. And if what we ask is beyond them, they will "power down" naturally. The key in all this is "can do, cannot do" and finding those with the power to help us today…
The AA daily reflection today is about confusion about a higher power: Accepting that we are not the higher power, and not the centre of the universe in any way, that we have equal opportunity within real possibilities and our real situation. Speaking with a friend yesterday, we got to a phrase which we both found difficult, "let go and let God." My friend realised many years ago that "that phrase let go and let God" might be a copout. Better to let go with a can do and cannot do approach, ask about the cannot do from others to check out what is possible and God or and good conscience will guide us in an open honest and willing way. God and good conscience are about universal principles of living, seeing more of the big picture day-to-day by being open, developing honest endeavours and a willingness to change direction as opportunity knocks…
With the twelve steps and twelve traditions as guiding principles we can explore life and find that trudging that happy road of destiny is more fulfilling and emotionally and spiritually rewarding. Principles which guide us and do not set us in stone with hard edges and immovable blocks of dogma based on fear and exposure. The principles guide us to truth, love and wisdom. And when we live life based on truth, love and wisdom we can cherish every life experience. Cherishing every life experience means we experience all of life, the good, the bad and the ugly. As a song suggests, "life is a rollercoaster," and every part of life, whether it is an up or down, deepens and enriches most often in the moment, the imperfectly perfect moment of now…
Even though we develop the ability to deepen our emotional and spiritual experience, at times we will be overwhelmed by life events. For example the deepest shock when we lose a person in our life because they die, and sometimes more devastating they simply leave us because that is the best path for them. Overwhelming feelings are so difficult to process in the moment we can need to grieve extreme changes and loss. Denial is needed sometimes, the "I cannot believe it moments of loss" need time. Acceptance of grief and loss: the denial, the anger and frustration and the truth of endings. Then wondering if there is a way out of this horrible scenario, and then acceptance which can take years if not the rest of our lives to understand and cherish one day at a time… Yes, in a way there is closure because we cannot undo what has happened, at the same time we do learn to cherish the experience and the love that was there and helps us to experience love again…
DonInLondon 2005-2011
Bewildered: “to lose one's bearings.” Beleaguered in the wilderness; needing to find a path back to reality. When we cannot say we are atheist, agnostic or believer? Developing faith to do the next right thing is a way. For me asking for help was the answer, faith and humility helped me develop courage and confidence no matter what the outcome, I get freedom to choose today…
A step six decision based on fear, a brave face with ego covering shame and guilt offers old insane outcomes. A step seven decision based on faith courage and confidence and help from our friends will yield a new outcome, a free choice. It might work out or not, as the case may be. We move on and let go as we learn...
DonInLondon 2005-2010
October 20 2010 ~ Humility for me means learning life every day. There is acceptance in knowing I work at life, serenity is in the action today. We understand what we can do what we cannot do as we are part of life, included, loved and with choices open to us in our current situation. At one with life and in the universe in moment... of now
October 20 2010 ~ a calming concept of god. Sober I feel able to trust the wisdom of many with experience strength and hope of recovery. We have an inner voice of good conscience. In the fellowship, with wisdom and a good conscience, my actions in the world are influenced to be open, honest and willing to change. A learner today...
Full Blog http://www.doninrecovery.com
Attraction vs. Promotion ~ knowing the difference!
In my experience of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, there have been many instances where I find myself wondering what the difference is between attraction and promotion to alcoholics anonymous. Often what seems complicated is very simple, and sometimes it can take years to sink in to the confused brain, namely mine!
At a meeting last night, the whole confusion has become clear to me. For years I have been writing about my life in recovery, and what I learn on a daily basis. Life is not a theory, it is a daily practice. And on some occasions my words or videos have offended the sensibilities of some in the fellowship of AA, over issues of anonymity and issues of attraction and not promotion.
In the meeting we had a reading from our AA book, the preface. It was the first time I had heard the reading in a meeting and a long time since I had read it. It shares about the fellowship, how it has grown and how it helps people find a way to keep sober one day at a time. Some people and I seemed astonished that the preface was our focus. It was an illuminating moment for me.
Attraction ~ what you see is what you get!
Indeed this is the heart of fellowship. We see recovery in action, from a newcomer to an old timer. From someone still drunk and reeling from their malady, to people living and sharing about their sobriety, just for today.
Promotion ~ selling an idea or a concept
Promotion in the context of our fellowship would be offering a guarantee of sobriety. Some kind of salvation is on offer. And anyone who has tried to find the cure for alcoholism most likely knows it is a very difficult to find a cure. So far hard science and will power have failed.
The Spiritual Path
I have heard the spiritual path described as the ability to cope with what is happening today. Spiritual is quite a difficult, a mixture of beliefs and a mixture of activities. Some believe in god, some believe in a higher power, some believe in good conscience, some believe… and on and on. The good news is if we can live today, with a clear head, and make up our own minds about what is spiritual, we are spiritual. And most likely living to good conscience in an open, honest and willing manner, a part of the world and not trying to control it.
Sobriety contingent on our spiritual condition is quite easy. If we are able to keep sober, we can cope with reality, be open and honest, and see what we can do and what we cannot do. Feel life as it is, and develop our ability to cope and make the best of what is possible. We will always endeavour, and we will deal with the up and down of life. We become able to love people, be loved back and be useful in our activities, work and home.
Attraction is seeing the result of living sober in others and learning how. Often we see the pain and then the joy of recovery, simply freedom of choice and a return to normal living as it can be today.
There are no guarantees in life, and we if we promoted fellowship and AA as a guaranteed outcome, we would defy reality and set people up for failure. Experience is our teacher, and we know in all living there are no guarantees. Anyone can be stricken with anything anytime.
Seeing recovery, taking part in recovery, sharing experience strength and hope in recovery, is life in action. What you see is what you get, if you take the action and include yourself in life with a sober head. Attraction yes, promotion no!
Anonymity
As spiritual life is about living to the truth and being able to cope, we may need sanctuary to learn how. Anonymity affords the opportunity without prejudice, to find truth in living as we would find in other places, medical, religious and wherever else we may go to confide. Anonymity is a key. How we share about our recovery, is a personal choice and a spiritual given, and we do not share about others.
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AA Daily Reflections ~ "SOLACE FOR CONFUSION obviously, the dilemma of the wanderer from faith is that of profound confusion. He thinks himself lost to the comfort of any conviction at all. He cannot attain in even a small degree the assurance of the believer, the agnostic, or the atheist. He is the bewildered one. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 28
The concept of God was one that I struggled with during my early years of sobriety. The images that came to me, conjured from my past, were heavy with fear, rejection and condemnation. Then I heard my friend Ed’s image of a Higher Power: As a boy he had been allowed a litter of puppies, provided that he assumes responsibility for their care. Each morning he would find the unavoidable “by-products” of the puppies on the kitchen floor. Despite frustration, Ed said he couldn’t get angry because “that’s the nature of puppies.” Ed felt that God viewed our defects and shortcomings with a similar understanding and warmth. I’ve often found solace from my personal confusion in Ed’s calming concept of God."
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Step Ten, AA 12 Steps, Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, Addict, Alcoholic, Alcoholism, DonInLondon, Life Works
AA Daily Reflections ~ "SOLACE FOR CONFUSION obviously, the dilemma of the wanderer from faith is that of profound confusion. He thinks himself lost to the comfort of any conviction at all. He cannot attain in even a small degree the assurance of the believer, the agnostic, or the atheist. He is the bewildered one. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 28
The concept of God was one that I struggled with during my early years of sobriety. The images that came to me, conjured from my past, were heavy with fear, rejection and condemnation. Then I heard my friend Ed’s image of a Higher Power: As a boy he had been allowed a litter of puppies, provided that he assumes responsibility for their care. Each morning he would find the unavoidable “by-products” of the puppies on the kitchen floor. Despite frustration, Ed said he couldn’t get angry because “that’s the nature of puppies.” Ed felt that God viewed our defects and shortcomings with a similar understanding and warmth. I’ve often found solace from my personal confusion in Ed’s calming concept of God."
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DonInLondon October 20 2007
As one door closes
Another opens, my you tube presence and matters to do with the AA fellowship are entering a new phase for me. And in truth I still need an outlet for me and my life. So DonInLondon will continue. As to content I am undecided!
I quite like my proper name, which is Don Oddy. As I have my you tube account for myself maybe it’s time to start it up?
Just For Today And Every Day, Cherish Always...
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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 10 "Although all inventories are alike in principle, the time factor does distinguish one from another. There's the spot-check inventory, taken at any time of the day, whenever we find ourselves getting tangled up. There's the one we take at day's end, when we review the happenings of the hours just past. Here we cast up a balance sheet, crediting ourselves with things well done, and chalking up debits where due. Then there are those occasions when alone, or in the company of our sponsor or spiritual adviser, we make a careful review of our progress since the last time. Many A.A.'s go in for annual or semi-annual house-cleanings. Many of us also like the experience of an occasional retreat from the outside world where we can quiet down for an undisturbed day or so of self-overhaul and meditation.”
October 2012 | AA 12 Steps In Action | Step 10 The Now Inventory
Alcoholics Anonymous | Step Ten Reading Video Link:
October 2012 | Video Reading How It Works:
October 2012 | Video Reading Into Action :
October 2012 | Playlist All About Step Ten :
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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