September AA thread

[Solitaire]

1

September


WILLINGNESS TO GROW

If more gifts are to be received, our awakening has to go on.

? AS BILL SEES IT, p. 8

Sobriety fills the painful "hole in the soul" that my alcoholism created. Often I feel so physically well that I believe my work is done. However, joy is not just the absence of pain; it is the gift of continued spiritual awakening. Joy comes from ongoing and active study, as well as application of the principles of recovery in my everyday life, and from sharing that experience with others. My Higher Power presents many opportunities for deeper spiritual awakening. I need only to bring into my recovery the willingness to grow. Today I am ready to grow.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright ? 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

[retteacher]

September AA thread

Sol: Many thanks for the quote. Yes, simple physical sobriety is not enough. I must be willing to continue to "practice the principles in all my affairs." Sounds easy but isn't.

I've gotten a new sponsor. My former sponsor died last spring, & I took some time to look around for a new one. I've just begun step one again, & my sponsor has a different approach. For step 1, I'm looking at the things I DO have power over. I'm finding that it's those things that pertain to me & me alone. I have power over my recovery, actions, feelings, etc. I have no power over alcohol, other people, the vagaries of life, etc.

Tonight I was asked to speak at a meeting nearby. I'm bringing my sponsor & another woman friend. This tends to be a male-dominated meeting, so I thought I'd bring some of my "peeps" with me for moral support.

Ongoing and deep recovery involves so much more than staying away from a drink ODAT. Of course, that's necessary before anything else. But, I'm seeing that the deeper & deeper I get into the program, how much more I have to learn & grow.

Many thanks for the reminder. I haven't been here for a while, as I thought there was no interest in this thread. I shall check back soon.

Mary