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
Written by Armand
From day one in AA, I've heard that "you have to give it away in irder to keep it." I defined "it" as simply not drinking and accepting what would follow. Thus, I would have a new life to give away. While that is top-line true, the bottom line is exactly as you've written in this post. Frequent and intensive work with others put real action into my recovery, as in order to be effective I had to deliver more than words. I had to deliver me. Without incorporating all Twelve Steps into my life and, as a result, developing an intimately personal relationship with
ReplyDeleteThe Power Within, I didn't have much of real recovery to share. To witness the lives of others change and grow is a great gift of AA. But to have my own life transformed to a new level of consciousness and being is the ultimate gift of recovery. It is that gift, which by its very nature will be freely given to others, that will enable me to live as the person I was born to be. And not the drunk I'd become.
Michael as you said so well "to have my own life transformed to a new level of consciousness" cannot occur for us without helping others. For it is in that very act of love that our consciousness is transformed...thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteThis Comment Is From A Gratefully recovering Alcoholic
ReplyDeleteArmand,
Once the Gift of Life is received, there is an almost instantaneous change in paradigm. We become immersed in the incredible value and unspeakable love God has for each and every one of us. One of the greatest blessings received and fondest memories recalled is to have been present when you first came to believe that God Himself is the ultimate author of the 12 steps of AA and then bear witness as you received Him and His Gift to confidently confirm to others that the yearnings of every heart consumed by desperation, fear and trepidation can only be satisfied by a true spiritual conversion and fellowship with the Lover of our souls. As you surrendered yourself to The Master and hands were laid upon you His gift of the Holy Spirit to fully apprehend God's revelation, that He personally and continuously reaches out to each and every one of His errant children with fiery passion and boundless love, no matter how far we have strayed from His Light, opened the door to the ultimate and ongoing gift and revelation that He desires that all be joint "sponsor's" of that plan.
Whenever I pass by the small stone chapel where your conversion and ministry began I fondly recall that day we furtively entered. I knew the doors are rarely if ever open and its seldom if ever used, but that one day we found it was unlocked, warm and full of life. That above all confirmed for me in space and time that we were there by Divine appointment. My witness as a partaker of that sublime meeting and the continuing miraculous reality of its effects are as clear today as it was many years ago. Over time I watched as you took up His call with complete abandon. He has used your unique personality, talents, culture and experiences as an inspiration to a great many others desperately seeking the only true release from the seemingly inescapable internal prison of alcohol and self obsession.
This world is a far better place because you said yes to His invitation and have been faithful and true to His call. May He continue to richly bless His children through the ministry He has provided them through you and may you continue to recall and share His glorious intervention until you finally meet Him, face to face, the one true and living God, Jesus Christ
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic.
Thank you...Armand
Delete