Daily Reflection

JUNE 11
FAMILY OBLIGATIONS
. . . a spiritual life which does not include . . . family
obligations may not be so perfect after all.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 129
I can be doing great in the program—applying it at
meetings, at work, and in service activities—and find that
things have gone to pieces at home. I expect my loved ones
to understand, but they cannot. I expect them to see and
value my progress, but they don't—unless I show them. Do
I neglect their needs and desires for my attention and
concern? When I'm around them, am I irritable or boring?
Are my "amends" a mumbled "Sorry," or do they take the
form of patience and tolerance? Do I preach to them, trying
to reform or "fix" them? Have I ever really cleaned house
with them! "The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to
live it" (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 83).

Daily Reflection

JUNE 10
IMPATIENT? TRY LEVITATING
We reacted more strongly to frustrations than normal
people.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. I l l
Impatience with other people is one of my principal
failings. Following a slow car in a no-passing lane, or
waiting in a restaurant for the check, drives me to
distraction. Before I give God a chance to slow me down, I
explode, and that's what I call being quicker than God.
That repeated experience gave me an idea. I thought if I
could look down on these events from God's point of view,
I might better control my feelings and behavior. I tried it
and when I encountered the next slow driver, I levitated
and looked down on the other car and upon myself. I saw
an elderly couple driving along, happily chatting about
their grandchildren. They were followed by me—bug-eyed
and red of face—who had no time schedule to meet
anyway. I looked so silly that I dropped back into reality
and slowed down. Seeing things from God's angle of vision
can be very relaxing.

Daily Reflection

JUNE 9
LIVING IN THE NOW
First, we try living in the now just in order to stay sober—
and it works Once the idea has become a part of our
thinking we find that living life in 24-hour segments is an
effective and satisfying way to handle many other matters
as well
LIVING SOBER, p. 7
"One Day At A Time." To a newcomer this and other oneliners
of A.A. may seem ridiculous. The passwords of the
A.A. Fellowship can become lifelines in moments of
stress. Each day can be like a rose unfurling according to
the plan of a Power greater than myself. My program
should be planted in the right location, just as it will need
to be groomed, nourished, and protected from disease. My
planting will require patience, and my realizing that some
flowers will be more perfect than others. Each stage of the
petals' unfolding can bring wonder and delight if I do not
interfere or let my expectations override my acceptance—
and this brings serenity.

Daily Reflection

JUNE 8
OPENING UP TO CHANGE
Self-searching is the means by which we bring new vision,
action, and grace to bear upon the dark and negative side
of our natures With it comes the development of that kind of
humility that makes it possible for us to receive God's help.
. . . we find that bit by bit we can discard the old life—the
one that did not work—for a new life that can and does
work under any conditions whatever.
AS BILL SEES IT, pp. 10, 8
I have been given a daily reprieve contingent upon my
spiritual condition, provided I seek progress, not perfection.
To become ready for change, I practice willingness,
opening myself to possibilities of change. If I realize there
are defects that hinder my usefulness in A.A. and toward
others, I become ready by meditating and receiving
direction. "Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas
and the result was nil until we let go absolutely"
(Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 58). To let go and let God, I
need only surrender my old ways to Him; I no longer fight
nor do I try to control, but simply believe that, with God's
help, I am changed and affirming this belief makes me
ready. I empty myself to be full of awareness, light, and
love, and I am ready to face each day with hope.

Daily Reflection

JUNE 7
LONG-TERM HOPE
Since most of us are born with an abundance of natural
desires, it isn't strange that we often let these far exceed
their intended purpose. When they drive us blindly, or we
willfully demand that they supply us with more satisfactions
or pleasures than are possible or due us, that is the point at
which we depart from the degree of perfection that God
wishes for us here on earth. That is the measure of our
character defects, or, if you wish, of our sins.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 65
This is where long-term hope is born and perspective is
gained, both of the nature of my illness and the path of my
recovery. The beauty of A.A. lies in knowing that my life,
with God's help, will improve. The A.A. journey becomes
richer, the understanding becomes truth, the dreams become
realities—and today becomes forever.
As I step into the A.A. light, my heart fills with the
presence of God.

Daily Reflection

JUNE 6
ALL WE DO IS TRY
Can He now take them all—every one?
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76
In doing Step Six it helped me a lot to remember that I am
striving for "spiritual progress." Some of my character
defects may be with me for the rest of my life, but most
have been toned down or eliminated. All that Step Six asks
of me is to become willing to name my defects, claim them
as my own, and be willing to discard the ones I can, just for
today. As I grow in the program, many of my defects
become more objectionable to me than previously and,
therefore, I need to repeat Step Six so that I can become
happier with myself and maintain my serenity.

Daily Reflection

JUNE 5

ENTIRELY READY?

"This is the Step that separates the men from the boys

" . . . the difference between "the boys and the men" is

the difference between striving for a self-determined

objective and for the perfect objective which is of God. . . .

It is suggested that we ought to become entirely willing to

aim toward perfection. . . . The moment we say, "No,

never!" our minds close against the grace of God. . . . This

is the exact point at which we abandon limited objectives,

and move toward God's will for us

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 63, 68, 69

Am I entirely ready to have God remove these defects of

character? Do I know at long last that I cannot save myself?

I have come to believe that I cannot. If I am unable, if my

best intentions go wrong, if my desires are selfishly

motivated and if my knowledge and will are limited—then

I am ready to embrace God's will for my life.

Daily Reflection

JUNE 4
LETTING GO OF OUR OLD SELVES
Carefully reading the first five proposals we ask if we have
omitted anything for we are building an arch through
which we shall walk a free man at last. . . . Are we now
ready to let God remove from us all the things which we
have admitted are objectionable?
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 75, 76
The Sixth Step is the last "preparation" Step. Although I
have already used prayer extensively, I have made no
formal request of my Higher Power in the first Six Steps. I
have identified my problem, come to believe that there is a
solution, made a decision to seek this solution, and have
"cleaned house." I now ask: Am I willing to live a life of
sobriety, of change, to let go of my old self? I must
determine if I am truly ready to change. I review what I
have done and become willing for God to remove all my
defects of character; for in the next Step, I will tell my
Creator I am willing and will ask for help. If I have been
thorough in the preparation of my foundation and feel that I
am willing to change, I am then ready to continue with the
next Step. "If we still cling to something we will not let go,
we ask God to help us be willing." (Alcoholics Anonymous,
p. 76)

Daily Reflection

JUNE 3
ON A WING AND A PRAYER
. . . we then look at Step Six. We have emphasized
willingness as being indispensable.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76
Steps Four and Five were difficult, but worthwhile. Now I
was stuck on Step Six and, in despair, I picked up the Big
Book and read this passage. I was outside, praying for
willingness, when I raised my eyes and saw a huge bird
rising in the sky. I watched it suddenly give itself up to the
powerful air currents of the mountains. Swept along,
swooping and soaring, the bird did things seemingly impossible
for mortal birds to do. It was an inspiring example
of a fellow creature "letting go" to a power greater than
itself. I realized that if the bird "took back his will" and
tried to fly with less trust, on its power alone, it would spoil
its apparent free flight. That insight granted me the
willingness to pray the Seventh Step prayer.
It's not easy to know God's will in each circumstance. I
must search out and be ready for the currents, and that's
where prayer and meditation help! Because I am, of
myself, nothing, I ask God to grant me the knowledge of
His will and the power and courage to carry it out—today

Anniversary

Today I celebrate my 4 year Anniversary, or 1461 days, 35,064 hours, 2,103,840 minutes, 126,230,400 seconds. I've been thru some tough times, jobless, homeless, blood clots, and a recent diagnosis of stage 3 lung cancer, I could only have got thru this with the help of my higher power, my sponsor, and the fellowship of AA. Someone once told me God only gives you what you can handle, he must think i'm a badass.

Daily Reflection

JUNE 2
THE UPWARD PATH
Here are the steps we took. . . .
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 59
These are the words that lead into the Twelve Steps. In
their direct simplicity they sweep aside all psychological
and philosophical considerations about the lightness of the
Steps. They describe what I did: I took the Steps and
sobriety was the result. These words do not imply that I
should walk the well-trodden path of those who went
before, but rather that there is a way for me to become
sober and that it is a way I shall have to find. It is a new
path, one that leads to infinite light at the top of the
mountain. The Steps advise me about the footholds that are
safe and about chasms to avoid. They provide me with the
tools I need during the many parts of the solitary journey of
my soul. When I speak of this journey, I share my
experience, strength and hope with others.

Daily Reflection

JUNE 1
A CHANGED OUTLOOK
Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 84
When I was drinking, my attitude was totally selfish,
totally self-centered; my pleasure and my comfort came
first. Now that I am sober, self-seeking has started to slip
away. My whole attitude toward life and other people is
changing. For me, the first "A" in our name stands for
attitude. My attitude is changed by the second "A" in our
name, which stands for action. By working the Steps,
attending meetings, and carrying the message, I can be restored
to sanity. Action is the magic word! With a positive,
helpful attitude and regular A.A. action, I can stay sober
and help others to achieve sobriety. My attitude now is that
I am willing to go to any length to stay sober!