In the "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous in the chapter "Working With Others" it
states, "Practical experience shows that nothing will so much
insure
immunity from drinking as intensive work with
other alcoholics... You can
help when no one else can... Remember they are
very ill. Life will take
on a new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up
about you, to have a host of friends - this is an
experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent
contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives."
There is nothing that we can do with
ourselves that is more important then helping someone else recover from a
seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Nothing. In order for this
recovery to occur for them in its purest form, those we are helping
must develop a personal relationship with God. It is through such a
relationship with Him that they will recover. It is through this
relationship that they will know serenity, peace and joy, maybe even for
the first time in their lives.
Obviously none of this can possibly occur for others if it has not occurred for us -
as we cannot give
away that which we don't have. Live this life through Him and in
helping others do the same, you will be living within the bright spot of
your life.
Written by Armand
Edited by Caitlin Alexandra
Written by Armand
Edited by Caitlin Alexandra
The Big Book also states that in God's hands, our dark past becomes the greatest possession we have - the key to life and happiness for others. In a very real way, our dark past can lead us to the bright spot. My experience is that I had to do much more than "don't drink and go to meetings." In order to locate the bright spot, I had to incorporate the tools of Recovery into my life: the Big Book, Step Book, a trusted and knowing sponsor, a commitment to service and action, a responsibility to give away the gift that I was given. It is through those means that I was able to find and develop the personal relationship with The Power Within me that enabled me to become truly effective, to have something worth giving to another. As a further benefit, the shame and guilt of my past has been replaced by an understanding of the value of the darkest part of my life. "With it you can avert death and misery for others." From the dark side to the bright spot - a truly miraculous and healing process.
ReplyDeleteMichael All can be healed, all can move from darkness into light if they are willing to trust in God in an absolute way and to incorporate the program of Alcoholics Anonymous into there lives...Thank you...Armand
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