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12-04-2007, 03:25 PM
Wisdom for Today
Honesty was the next big hurdle for me. If I was going to change my character defects, I needed to adopt a manner of living that demanded rigorous honesty. The big problem was that I had no idea how to do this. I knew how to be sort-a, kind-a, maybe honest, but not rigorously honest. I began to read the stories of other addicts and alcoholics, and saw that I was not alone. I talked about it in meetings and with my sponsor. I prayed that God would give me the courage to become honest. I knew I had to start somewhere, but where? Then one night as I sat in a meeting, I looked up and saw the slogans posted on the wall. I read the slogans one at a time. The answer I was looking for was right in front of me -"First Things First."
The place I had to start was by getting rigorously honest about my drinking and using. This meant that I could no longer glorify my drinking and drugging escapades. It also meant that I could no longer minimize the severity of my problem. I had to tell the truth, even if it was ugly. You see, as long as I could glorify my drinking and using, I could show off. If I minimized, I could keep hiding. The truth was not a pretty picture. I was a drunk. I was a dope fiend. I had all kinds of consequences directly and indirectly related to my addiction. I was powerless and unmanageable. So I began the process of telling the truth. I told my sponsor. I talked in meetings. Tears flowed from my eyes as I faced the truth, but I learned the saying was correct – “the truth shall set you free.” Slowly I began to apply this principle to other areas of my life. I learned that I needed to do this in all areas of my life, except when to do so would injure others. Have I begun the painful journey to honesty?
Meditation of the Heart
The first quality of greatness is service! I have a model of greatness that I interact with all the time. The AA Big Book says it best - "that one is God; may you find Him now." I believe that God is the greatest of all servants. My Higher Power is always ready to listen and always ready to guide me through the storm. He willingly gives me His strength in all my endeavors. This is a free gift, but we have to ask for it. I also see this model of service at every meeting I attend, because God works in and through people. In order to achieve this greatness, we must become humble, accepting ourselves for who and what we are. In this mindset of humility, I reach out to offer a helping hand to others in need. I want this hand to be there for others just as it was there for me. Service work has many different faces. It is the backbone of our program, whether it is helping to set up before a meeting or going on a Twelve Step call. It does not matter what type of service we do, just that we do it. Am I willing to serve others in the program?
Petitions to my Higher Power
God,
Help me to face the world honestly and to face my own demons. Give me the courage needed for this day. Help me to cooperate in the acts of service that I am asked to do. Let me seek out these opportunities, and lead me to be useful and caring toward my fellowman.
Amen.
Honesty was the next big hurdle for me. If I was going to change my character defects, I needed to adopt a manner of living that demanded rigorous honesty. The big problem was that I had no idea how to do this. I knew how to be sort-a, kind-a, maybe honest, but not rigorously honest. I began to read the stories of other addicts and alcoholics, and saw that I was not alone. I talked about it in meetings and with my sponsor. I prayed that God would give me the courage to become honest. I knew I had to start somewhere, but where? Then one night as I sat in a meeting, I looked up and saw the slogans posted on the wall. I read the slogans one at a time. The answer I was looking for was right in front of me -"First Things First."
The place I had to start was by getting rigorously honest about my drinking and using. This meant that I could no longer glorify my drinking and drugging escapades. It also meant that I could no longer minimize the severity of my problem. I had to tell the truth, even if it was ugly. You see, as long as I could glorify my drinking and using, I could show off. If I minimized, I could keep hiding. The truth was not a pretty picture. I was a drunk. I was a dope fiend. I had all kinds of consequences directly and indirectly related to my addiction. I was powerless and unmanageable. So I began the process of telling the truth. I told my sponsor. I talked in meetings. Tears flowed from my eyes as I faced the truth, but I learned the saying was correct – “the truth shall set you free.” Slowly I began to apply this principle to other areas of my life. I learned that I needed to do this in all areas of my life, except when to do so would injure others. Have I begun the painful journey to honesty?
Meditation of the Heart
The first quality of greatness is service! I have a model of greatness that I interact with all the time. The AA Big Book says it best - "that one is God; may you find Him now." I believe that God is the greatest of all servants. My Higher Power is always ready to listen and always ready to guide me through the storm. He willingly gives me His strength in all my endeavors. This is a free gift, but we have to ask for it. I also see this model of service at every meeting I attend, because God works in and through people. In order to achieve this greatness, we must become humble, accepting ourselves for who and what we are. In this mindset of humility, I reach out to offer a helping hand to others in need. I want this hand to be there for others just as it was there for me. Service work has many different faces. It is the backbone of our program, whether it is helping to set up before a meeting or going on a Twelve Step call. It does not matter what type of service we do, just that we do it. Am I willing to serve others in the program?
Petitions to my Higher Power
God,
Help me to face the world honestly and to face my own demons. Give me the courage needed for this day. Help me to cooperate in the acts of service that I am asked to do. Let me seek out these opportunities, and lead me to be useful and caring toward my fellowman.
Amen.