“Daily Reflections“

First Things First – Dr. Bob speaks of practice and I imagine that this was passed down to the point when it eventually came to me because my sponsor pointed out to me the only way I’d become good at anything was to practice it. It most certainly applies to recovery as Dr. Bob says;

“And I don’t believe we do AA too well unless we practice it.”

He goes further to speak of practicing then acquiring the spirit of service which, in turn, leads to;

“We should attempt to acquire some faith, which isn’t easily done, especially for the person who has always been very materialistic, following the standards of society today.”

Which may have something to do with why I talk about being “societized.”

“But I think faith can be acquired; it can be acquired slowly; it has to be cultivated. That was not easy for me, and I assume that it is difficult for everyone else…”

To which the excerpt’s respondent says;

“Fear is often the force that prevents me from acquiring and cultivating the power of faith. Fear blocks my appreciation of beauty, tolerance, forgiveness, service, and serenity.”

Fear – the thief of all thieves… and, again, the Big Book has the answer (pg. 68);

“We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be. At once, we commence to outgrow fear.”

Post from: Blisstree

Faith – Not Easy For Some? Many? Most?

Just my personal opinion now – if I’m afforded the luxury of having time to think, even momentarily, at what appears fearful, it is one thing. On the other hand, if I have no opportunity to consider, am taken completely by surprise instantly, it is an entirely different situation.

It happened over ten years ago. My youngest son was coming to stay with me for the summer. We had had our conversations and had made arrangements. Unknown to me because it happened while he was on the road traveling to meet me, there was a change in the bus schedule and he wasn’t being dropped off where we originally had planned.

I hadn’t heard my ex-wife’s voice in quite some time. Strangely enough, I answered the phone at work prior to leaving to pick him up. I rarely answered the phone as I had folks who did it as part of their job. This is one of the multitude of moments where I’m willing to say that God has a weird sense of humor.

Of course, it was her, the dreaded mother of my children!!! At the sound of her voice, I’ll never forget it, a feeling swept over me. My fingertips and my toes (and a few other places) began to feel like I had frost bite. Within seconds they were burning with a sensation I’d never felt before nor since.

Fear hadn’t done that to me prior to that moment.

I won’t get into why it was fear, I’ll leave that to your imagination. My feelings about it are that my sponsor, Rick, was right on point on the day he told me that the emotional wreckage of the divorce had traumatized me.

Today I am truly blessed. The Twelve Steps have, in addition to helping me stay away from a drink of alcohol, returned me emotionally to the person I believe my God wanted me to be. But I am wary and aware constantly. On guard for the unguarded moment.

[This entry influenced by today's Daily Reflection, John's comment and John's post]

Post from: Blisstree

What Do You Tell Your Gut When It Goes “Oh Sh**!”