The "Big Book"
Alcoholics Anonymous states, in reference to the Ninth Step and the Promises, "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 regret 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. That 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 and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly 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 then we can be free of the manifestation of our character defects in our behavior. Our self-centered life will begin its departure as we experience serenity and peace - peace which allows us to perceive life in a way that is joyful. We can then respond to that joy with love for others even though the circumstances of our lives may be unchanged. This love for others is the expression of us experiencing
a beautiful life.
Written by Armand
Life should be beautiful, life was meant to be beautiful. As you point out, life can be circumstantially unfavorable and still be beautiful. Life is getting to know myself in a loving way, and carrying that self-love into all my actions, activities, interactions, and relationships. For me, that has been the most difficult part of being a human being. Through the sources you cite, The Twelve Steps of AA and their incorporation into my life, I have found that my spiritual being is available to me. Without question and through The Power Within me and within all of us. My spiritual being has been awakened "as a result of these steps." But, as we know, that is only the initial premise for ensuring a beautiful life. I must carry this message to other alcoholics and to practice these principles in all my affairs. Simple but not easy. Unavailable through my self-will. Awakened and available through the will of The Powrr Within me. That is beautiful. That is life.
ReplyDeleteMichael a life lived in the abandonment of self and in the consciousness or awareness of God in this moment is a life beyond telling...Thank you so much...Armand
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