Arrogance and Its Opposite, p. 199
A very tough-minded prospect was taken to his first A.A. meeting, where two speakers (or maybe lecturers) themed their talks on “God as I understand Him.” Their attitude oozed arrogance. In fact, the final speaker got far overboard on his personal theological convictions.
Both were repeating my performance of years before. Implicit in everything they said was the same idea: “Folks, listen to us. We have the only true brand of A.A. — and you’d better get it!
The new prospect said he’d had it — and he had. His sponsor protested that this wasn’t real A.A. But it was too late; nobody could touch him after that.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I see “humility for today” as a safe and secure stance midway between violent emotional extremes. It is a quiet place where I can keep enough perspective and enough balance to take my next small step up the clearly marked road that points toward eternal values.
Grapevine
1. April, 1961
2. June, 1961
Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrec
A.A. Thought For The DayWe in Alcoholics Anonymous do not enter into theological discussions, but in carrying our message we attempt to explain the simple “how” of the spiritual life. How faith in a Higher Power can help you to overcome loneliness, fear, and anxiety. How it can help you get along with other people. How it can make it possible for you to rise above pain, sorrow, and despondency. How it can help you to overcome your desires for the things that destroy. Have I reached a simple, effective faith?Meditation For The DayExpect miracles of change in people’s lives. Do not be held back by unbelief. People can be changed and they are often ready and waiting to be changed. Never believe that human nature cannot be changed. We see changed people everyday. Do you have the faith to make those changes possible? Modern miracles happen every day in the lives of people. All miracles are in the realm of personalities. Human nature can be changed and is always being changed. But we must have enough faith so that we can be channels for God’s strength into the lives of others.Prayer For The DayI pray that I may have the faith to expect miracles. I pray that I may be used by God to help change the lives of others.
Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrec
PATIENCE
“Patience is the companion of wisdom.”Saint Augustine(354 – 430) The Bishop of Hippo, was a philosopher and theologianand one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity.Patience is an area that I have had some REAL problems with in the past. I had a tendency to want – what I want – NOW! That included recovery. Gaining recovery, as I would eventually realize, is not the same as earning a university credit. It is a process not an end result. You have to be willing to learn to do things in HP’s time and manner rather than your own. What began to happen was – the more impatient I became – the more life tended to resist my efforts. It took a long time for me to realize this. Instead of calming down, I would get even more impatient and struggle even harder. Eventually, I would have a big meltdown and feel like a fool afterwards.The end result was absolutely no different for having done this. It took time for me to muster the willingness to do things in HP’s time and manner. But when I did – life became much more peaceful and things had a tendency to work themselves out – without all the dramatics.
One Day at a Time . . .I will learn to patiently and willingly do things in HP’s time and manner.~ Rob R. ~
Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrec
20
July
Unlimited Choice, p. 201Any number of alcoholics are bedevilled by the dire conviction that if they ever go near A.A. they will be pressured to conform to some particular brand of faith or theology.They just don’t realize that faith is never an imperative for A.A. membership. that sobriety can be achieved with an easily acceptable minimum of it, and that our concepts of a Higher Power and God–as we understand Him–afford everyone a nearly unlimited choice of spiritual belief and action.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^In talking to a prospect, stress the spiritual feature freely. If the man be agnostic or atheist, make it emphatic that he does not have to agree with your conception of God. He can choose any conception he likes, provided it makes sense to him.The main thing is that he is willing to believe in a Power greater than himself and that he live by spiritual principles.1. Grapevine, April 1961
2. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 93
Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrec
10
July
A.A. Thought For The DayWe in Alcoholics Anonymous do not enter into theological discussions, but in carrying our message we attempt to explain the simple “how” of the spiritual life. How faith in a Higher Power can help you to overcome loneliness, fear, and anxiety. How it can help you get along with other people. How it can make it possible for you to rise above pain, sorrow, and despondency. How it can help you to overcome your desires for the things that destroy. Have I reached a simple, effective faith?Meditation For The DayExpect miracles of change in people’s lives. Do not be held back by unbelief. People can be changed and they are often ready and waiting to be changed. Never believe that human nature cannot be changed. We see changed people everyday. Do you have the faith to make those changes possible? Modern miracles happen every day in the lives of people. All miracles are in the realm of personalities. Human nature can be changed and is always being changed. But we must have enough faith so that we can be channels for God’s strength into the lives of others.
Prayer For The DayI pray that I may have the faith to expect miracles. I pray that I may be used by God to help change the lives of others.
Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrec
