Ever have one of those days???

“Some will object to many of the questions posed, because they think their own character defects have not been so glaring. To these it can be suggested that a conscientious examination is likely to reveal the very defects the objectionable questions are concerned with. Because our surface record hasn’t looked too bad, we have frequently been abashed to find that this is so simply because we have buried these self-same defects deep down in us under thick layers of self-justification. Whatever the defects, they have finally ambushed us into alcoholism and misery.” 12 & 12, …read more

We’ve seen the First Step Promises, the Second Step Promises, , the Third Step Promises, now here are the Fourth Step Promises from the AA History Lovers Group at Yahoo!
1. Though our decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us. (64:0)
2. Our liquor was but a symptom. (64:0)
3. Resentment is …read more

Beginning on page 43 in AA’s 12&12;
“We have also seen men and women who go power-mad, who devote themselves to attempting to rule their fellows.”
For ex. – this comment.
Forward to pg. 44 – “Whenever a human being becomes a battleground for the instincts, there can be no peace.”
In response to a post where I’m disagreeing with the concept of “Meeting Makers Make It” someone takes the time, lacking any communication, to immediately make a defamatory remark about “not working the program of action” to another human being, knowing nothing at all about that person and going to length to belittle …read more

“Fear knocked at the door; faith answered; no one was there.”
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 …read more

“Having found the shoes that fit, he ought to step into them and walk with new confidence that he is at last on the right track.”
There are two words which offer me relief personally when they are preceded by “confidence” and the implication of peace of mind – “at last.”
The inventory must be four things:

It must be honest. Why waste time fooling ourselves with a phony list? We have fooled ourselves for years, we tried to fool others, and now is a good time to look ourselves squarely in the eye.
It must be searching. Why skip over a vital matter …read more

From Silkworth.net;
4th STEP Prayers
WHEN IN DOUBT
“I was to sit quietly when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my problems as He would have me. Never was I to pray for myself, except as my requests bore on my usefulness to others. Then only might I expect to receive. But that would be in great measure.”
(p.13)
WHEN I AM DISTURBED BY THE CONDUCT (SYMPTOMS) OF OTHERS
“This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done.”
(p. 67 BB)
God help me to show this person the same tolerance, …read more

Rick taught me to never give up the dream…
I haven’t paid attention all that often – usually only when I need to the most. Like now.
Today’s Daily Reflection;
“We want to find exactly how, when, and where our natural desires have warped us. We wish to look squarely at the unhappiness this has caused others and ourselves. By discovering what our emotional deformities are, we can move toward their correction.”
Emotional deformities – that’ll stop ya’!

Yes, heard at a meeting…
“Pain shared in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous is cut in half; Joy shared in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous is doubled!”
Also heard in meetings and known, by personal experience, to be true…
More reality from the Daily Reflection;
“When I stopped drinking I began a lifetime process of recovery from unruly emotions, painful relationships, and unmanageable situations.”
Positively.

Bill Wilson tells a pointed story about a group of fellows finding fully minted gold coins in “The Language of the Heart” (page 256) that you might want to read…
The story creates a symbolic picture graphically which tells Bill “that I may attain ‘humility for today’ only to the extent that I am able to avoid the bog of guilt and rebellion, and that fair but deceiving land which is strewn with the coin of Pride.”
He then offers that “this is how I can find and stay on the Road to Humility which lies in between. Therefore, a constant inventory …read more

As a reminder;
The Tablemate was an early A.A. set of beginners lessons entitled ‘Alcoholics Anonymous: An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps,’ put out in the form of a little pamphlet. It was (and still is) the most successful set of A.A. beginners lessons ever devised.
And I’m drawing content from the Hindsfoot site, laboriously prepared by Glenn C. and others… We now move into Discussion No. 3: Inventory and Restitution (I)

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Step No. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
The intent and purpose of this step is plain. All alcoholics have a definite need for a good self-analysis …read more