Yesterday I heard myself say, "I wish I had his new car". I went home feeling ungrateful and sat down and made my list.
Dear God, You have given me so much to be thankful for. I have a house, not a castle, but it's all mine. I have a car. Not brand new but it runs well. I have a family who has forgiven me. I have a sweet little girl dog who loves me. I have 56 friends in my home group. I have 56 teachers who tell me how to live. I have a job that pays well. I have a new knee and insurance that paid for it. I have otherwise good health. I have a friend who’s cancer surgery was successful. I am two years from a retirement. I have places to go seven nights a week. I'm no longer lonely. I no longer lie or steal. I no longer want to drink myself to death. I have faith in something at last!
Thank you God for all the bounty and when you hear me moan occasionally, it's only that little part of me that's not healed yet.
And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation,some fact of my life, unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God's world by mistake.
There is nothing you need to get,find or acquire to be enlightened.You don't need a teacher or a guru.You don't need a priest or rabbi to intercede with God for you. You don't need a special technique ormeditation practice. You don't need to memorize scripture or engage inesoteric breathing practices.Look- ing for spirituality outside yourself is a dead end.
May today there be peace within. May you trust your Highest Power that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun.
I'm Slipping When I begin to dislike AA conversation and company... When I deliberately stay away from meetings.... When I am beginning to take your inventory, instead of my own.... When I am more afraid to be known as an AAer than a drunk..... When I begin to remember the good times that I had drinking and overlook the bad.... When I begin to condemn in others that which I tolerate in myself.... When I shrink from self-examination.... I'm slipping.
There were once three frogs on a log and one of them made a decision to jump in. How many were left? Answer: There are still three frogs on a log, he only made a decision, he took no action! Until we were miserable enough to have the willingness to jump in with both feet and try something different we did not get sober. Today I am grateful for the day I finally arrived at that “jumping off” place, where I could no longer face the misery of living with alcohol but could not live without it.
I need to tell you that I am very greatful for all you've done for me here...I know I don't offer much support and encourgement like I should and I'm not making excuses but it takes all I have, emotionally, mentally and physically when I post something personal from my life...And, after I do that, I always disappear for a while so I can get my head wrapped around what has happened...But you are always there for me and I wish that I could give you a hug to show my appreciation, but I can't...All I can give you are my words...Thank you from the bottom of my heart for not giving up on me, for supporting me and consoling me...
“I have placed both operation and myself in God's hands. I'm going to do what it takes to get sober and stay that way.” "Just before they stopped [at the hospital, where Dr. Bob was to perform surgery], Bill, who also had his practical side, gave him a bottle of beer...The bottle of beer Bill gave him that morning was the last drink he [Dr. Bob] ever had. "Although arguments have been and will be made for other significant occasions in A.A. history, it is generally agreed that Alcoholics Anonymous began there, in Akron, on that date: June 10, 1935."
From "Two alcoholics meet:" c. 1980, Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, pages 74-75 A.A. Timeline History www.alcoholicsanonymous.9f.com/aa_history_timeline.htm