The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states, speaking in
reference to the Ninth Step, "if we are painstaking about this phase of
our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through. We
are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not resist
the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word
serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we
have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. The
feeling of uselessness and self pity will disappear. We will lose
interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self
seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude upon life will change. Fear
of people and economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively
know how to handle things which use to baffle us. We will realize that
God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves."
If we are willing to surrender to the will of God through the Twelve
Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, we can be free of the manifestation of
our character defects in our behavior. Our self centered life will
leave us as we experience serenity and peace. This experience of peace
allows us to perceive life in a way that is joyful and to respond to
that joy with love for others even though the circumstances of our life
may not have changed. This love for others is the expression of us
experiencing A BEAUTIFUL LIFE.
As life unfolds day by day, I become more aware of the promises that are understood in the 9th step of Alcoholics Anonymous . On paper as they are in The Big Book, they come to life as a result of these 12 steps. Living life after admitting powerlessness, coming to believe, making a decision, taking personal inventory, confessing what exactly is the nature of my wrongs. My life then is locked into prayer and a true loving relationship with God. Then by being in a constant state of God Conciousness, there is the prompt checking of my behaviors. Admit when wrong, prayer, meditation, in service. Of others! It certainly is a beutiful life! A life full of Godly Promises, and no longer full of The Bedevilments , I am free at last !
ReplyDeleteThe Promises occur following completion of the first Nine Steps, and are the antidotes to the bedevilments clearly iterated on page 52 of The Big Book. In short, to me this means that somehow (incorporating the Steps into our lives) we get the opportunity to leave the devil behind and move to The Beautiful Life with The Power who has prepared the way for us. That transformation of spirit (exchanging the bad for the good) is a necessary occurrence if we are to live our lives in the realm of The Spirit in Steps 10-12. After decades in AA, I am fully convinced that The Beautiful Life awaits us all provided we follow the path that is already lit for us.
ReplyDeleteDon free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty I am free at last. Thank you for sharing your experience...Armand
ReplyDeleteMichael When I lived in the darkness I was unaware of the light but now that i am in the light I am aware of the darkness. In the Light all things are Beautiful...Thanks...Armand
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