Selfishness-self centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes they hurt us, seemingly without provocation, but we invariably find that at some time in the past we have made decisions based on self which later placed us in a position to be hurt.
So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so. Above everything, we alcohlics must be rid of this selfishness. We MUST, or it kills us!! God makes that possible. And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid. many of us had moral and philosophical convictions galore, but we could not live up to them even though we would have liked to. neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing or trying on our own power. We had to have God's help.
BB Page 62
I am VERY lonely because this reading describes me to a tee!!
Self centeredness kinda gets a bad rap here. it's just another one of those primal instincts that we exagerate because we have "the disease of more". Being people pleasers, in order to control others, we tend to neglect ourselves. We also neglect ourselves in the area of taking care of ourselves and our problems. In these areas we should be more self centered. "This is a selfish program" how many times have you heard that?
Thanks Dean. I needed to hear that. I talked to my sponsor about what I am going thorugh and she told me to shut up for a while, so I wont be posting for a while, ust reading. Allison
We had to have God's help. This is the how and why of it. First of all, we had to quit playing God. It didn't work. Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. He is the Principle; we are His agents. He is the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom. When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable things followed. We had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute to life. As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, the tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn. We were now at Step Three. Many of us said to our Maker, as we understood Him. "God I offer myself to Thee-to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over the may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of Life. May I do Thy will always!" We thought well before taking this step making sure we were ready; that we could at last abandon ourselves utterly to Him. We found it very desirable to take this spiritual step with an understanding person, such as our wife, best friend, or spiritual adviser. But it is better to meet God alone than with one who might misunderstand. The wording was, of course, quite optional so long as we expressed the idea, voicing it without reservation. This was only a beginning, though if honestly and humbly made, an effect, sometimes a very great one, was felt at once. Thanks for your share & your post, Allison. This is my first favourite section of the Big Book so far & what I had read out before my first two chairs. These were the best & most humble of the shares I opened with & I think it was because I had completely prayed & handed over before opening my mouth. It did me good to add to your words & write this out. Thanks again for posting it. I hope you're feeling better today. The retreat was great so if you have any chance of a break & going on one in the New Year it's a really good way to renew your faith & spirit & inspire you forward in your daily living. I hope you're praying some. I'll keep you in mine. God bless you, Alli. With you in fellowship & spirit, Danielle x
-- Edited by Sobrietyspell at 06:15, 2007-12-11
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
For me my foundation is based on page 77 out of the Big Book of AA.
It has taken me many, many yrs to obtain what I have and I love the relationship I have with my HP. It is the best high I could have, he gives me everything I need, not want. I just recently heard at a speakers meeting that God---------
God is never in a hurry, but he is always on time!
