The program of Alcoholics Anonymous has in place the
fabric necessary to weave through and heal our character defects -
whether they surface in our daily or our spot check inventories. If and
when necessary we use the
Ninth Step which is, "Made direct amends to such people wherever
possible, except when to do so would injure them or others." If we
decide that an amend is necessary we immediately make it in an effort to
live in the present. Only in the present can we be in the will of God,
where His grace saves us from creating another past which we will need
to extricate ourselves from. Once performed, we thread into the
necessary fabric The Seventh Step, "Humbly asked Him to remove our
shortcomings." If our actions cause us to have any shame or guilt, we
then use the Fifth Step of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous,
"Admitted to God, to ourselves
and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs" so that we may
be living in the present with a clean slate and a serene mind.
If we are willing to take our inventories, make our amends, ask God to
remove our defects, and share our wrongs with ourselves, God and another
human being there will be NO NEED TO CREATE A PAST. We will have the freedom to exist in the present - in the will of God.
As
alcoholics we have worked hard to free ourselves from our past. If we
are willing to weave the program of Alcoholics Anonymous into our
lives in such a way that it becomes our life than the creation of a
past that, at least subconsciously, is having a negative effect on our
present consciousness, will not occur. This is a critical tool in
permanent recovery.
Written by Armand
Edited by Caitlin Alexandra
The Big Book tells us something vitally important about our pasts. That, "in God's hands, the dark past is the greatest possession we have - the key to life and happiness for others." It was wholly enlightening to understand that concept, thus appropriating some value to my actively alcoholic years. Nonetheless, extricating myself from my past is essential in extricating myself from my human nature, my lower version of me. In receiving The Promises following completion of Steps 1-9, I was able to take those Promises with me into the "realm of the spirit" which is where I must live in order to not re-create the past. Of all the benefits and joys of my life in recovery, none is greater than the freedom to exist in the present moment and in conscious contact. In that moment, I am able to pray only for knowledge of His Will for me (through Inspiration)and for the Power (Within) to carry it out.
ReplyDeleteMichael we are all human and often fall short of the ideal behavior but the program of Alcoholics Anonymous gives us the apparatus necessary to deal with the manifestation of our charactter defects so as not to have a past that we are dragging around with us , thereby preventing us from living in the present in the will of God...Thanks...Armand
ReplyDeleteThis Comment Is From A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
ReplyDeleteHaving been miraculously delivered from a self imposed prison of misdirected survival skills my bow has now been broken and the bent and featherless arrows that once filled my quiver are now abandoned. Yet, even as I first reluctantly, then willingly, pass the pen to the Master Planner the move from prisoner to pilgrim is not without struggle. I still must contend with the ever-present seductions of the world and, although now graciously subdued, the all present appetites of my flesh. Thankfully, this new life is no longer dependent upon me. This eternal struggle is no longer encountered alone and the mystery for managing the transition has now been laid before me with a simple clarity that only comes through a first hand experiential relationship with the only true source of Power, Light and Love.
Willingness, that "grain of a mustard seed of faith", spoken of in Matthew 19-20; is no longer a galaxy distant but now the impetus of Faith, Love and Compassion that brings an unyielding devotion to the Author and Finisher of this new journey into the unspeakable and eternal mind and plan of God. The Author provides The Advocate who now resides within me and reminds me of the simple steps that brought me to this place. He teaches that truth without love is pride and that love without truth is mere sentimentality. That the purpose of life is not accumulation but regeneration. When all around seems vexed and troubled He compels the surrender of every encounter within life's lesson plan and gently reminds it has been lovingly written, into eternity, just for me.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic an alcoholic must surrender their human nature in an absolute way if they are to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Having the willingness to do so infused by the grace of God the alcoholic is able to live in peace and care about and for others...Thank you...Armand
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