Page 80 ~
Debits and Credits
Following a gossip binge, we can well ask ourselves these questions: “Why did we say what we did? Were we only trying to be helpful and informative? Or were we not trying to feel superior by confessing the other fellow’s sins? Or, because of fear and dislike, were we not really aiming to damage him?”
This would be an honest attempt to examine ourselves, rather than the other fellow.
<< << << >> >> >>
Inventory-taking is not always done in red ink. It’s a poor day indeed when we haven’t done something right. As a matter of fact, the waking hours are usually well filled with things that are constructive. Good intentions, good thoughts, and good acts are there for us to see.
Even when we have tried hard and failed, we may chalk that up as one of the greatest credits of all.
~ 1. GRAPEVINE, AUGUST 1961 ~
~ 2. TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 93 ~
© 1967 by Alcoholics Anonymous ® World Services, Inc
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DEMANDING CREDIT
Approval
The struggle for recognition sometimes takes an ugly form in AA. Even the pioneers of AA had disputes about who deserved credit for the fellowship’s success.
Demanding credit and recognition is a loser’s game for people who are seeking growth in sobriety. It is an indication that we still need applause and approval of the sort that drove us while we were drinking. It is a way of saying that we still don’t believe good work should be done for its own sake, but rather for the applause that goes with it.
The real kicker is that people who demand recognition never get enough of it. Ironically, if we don’t try to obtain credit for our actions, it sometimes comes anyway, without effort on our part.
I’ll watch myself for any tendency to demand credit for the things I do in the program. My healthy growth in sobriety should be reward enough.
© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation
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~ Page 80 ~
Debits and Credits
Following a gossip binge, we can well ask ourselves these questions: “Why did we say what we did? Were we only trying to be helpful and informative? Or were we not trying to feel superior by confessing the other fellow’s sins? Or, because of fear and dislike, were we not really aiming to damage him?”
This would be an honest attempt to examine ourselves, rather than the other fellow.
<< << << >> >> >>
Inventory-taking is not always done in red ink. It’s a poor day indeed when we haven’t done something right. As a matter of fact, the waking hours are usually well filled with things that are constructive. Good intentions, good thoughts, and good acts are there for us to see.
Even when we have tried hard and failed, we may chalk that up as one of the greatest credits of all.
~ 1. GRAPEVINE, AUGUST 1961 ~
~ 2. TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 93 ~
© 1967 by Alcoholics Anonymous ® World Services, Inc
Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery
4
August
Reflection For The DayOne of the best ways to get out of the self-pity trap is to do some “instant bookkeeping.” For every entry of misery on the debit side of our ledger, we can surely find a blessing to mark on teh credit side: the health we enjoy, the illnesses we don’t have, the friends who love us and who allow us to love them, a clean and sober 24 hours, a good day’s work. If we but try, we can easily list a whole string of credits that will far outweigh the debit entries which cause self-pity. Is my emotional balance on the credit side today?
Today I PrayMay I learn to sort out my debits and credits, and add it all up. May I list my several blessings on the credit side. May my ledger show me, when all is totaled, a fat fund of good things to draw on.Today I Will RememberI have blessings in my savings.
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