Serenity is the absence of conflict in our thoughts. We who have committed ourselves to the program (the Twelve Steps) of Alcoholics Anonymous have deemed that it is the program itself which must come first in our lives. Alongside such a commitment comes a personal relationship with a supreme power. In the chapter How It Works in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it says " that One is God, may you find Him now. . Living by these honorable ideals ushers the blessings of serenity into the stream of our lives - no matter what transpires.
In the Alcoholics Anonymous literature, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, such a paragon way of living is elucidated: "We are no longer frightened and purposeless. The moment we catch even a glimpse of God's will, the moment we begin to see truth, justice and love as the real and eternal things in life, we are no longer deeply disturbed by all the seeming evidence to the contrary that surrounds us in purely human affairs. We know that God lovingly watches over us."
By integrating the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous into our lives in such a way that they become our lives, and by manifesting the principles of those steps in our behavior, we have the opportunity to have safe and serene lives. Remembering that joy is not the absence of sorrow, but the presence of God … experience serenity we will.
Written By Armand
Written By Armand
It seems paradoxical that we would have to work for peace. But eliminating the fear that caused chaos and turbulence in our lives is the worked-for gift of the AA Big Book program of recovery. As you point out, all Twelve Steps must be integrated into our lives in such a way that we can live peacefully and in the absence of thought-driven conflict. For me, the miracle of this transformation exists in its simplicity: through the integration of The Steps, I must seek and find a relationship with a power greater than myself. That Power, I discovered, existed within me from my first moment. That Power Within me is Peace, is Joy, is Life, is Serenity. And it is mine if I thoroughly follow the path that has been lovingly lit for me.
ReplyDeleteMichael as Bill says "simple but not easy"...Thank you...Armand
DeleteArmand,
ReplyDeleteAll 12 Steps of AA clearly point out ONLY ONE pathway to the serenity promised within it’s pages. That pathway is, a surrendered relationship to God.. Anything less than the complete surrender of our entire personhood; heart, mind, spirit and soul to the very Person and Spirit of God in Steps 3 through 7 shows that we are still under the delusion that we are still in control and somehow possess the leverage to negotiate the "terms and conditions of our surrender” tragically allowing us to carry on with our “new" lives as though alcohol or any other substance abuse issue was our only problem and once we surrender "daemon rum" life will be just dandy. Substance abuse is but one symptom of the myriad malignancies that defined our lives. The entire, purpose of executing these steps in the presence of either an AA sponsor or other spiritual advisor is to have a temporal witness to this ultimate spiritual commitment that results in the birth of a new and eternal relationship between God, and in my case, man.
As long as this alcoholic entertained any thought or imagining that God desired that I remain, or eventually climb back into the drivers seat and direct life's tour would easily come under the definition of the insanity spoken of in Step 2 and the basic foundation of the mental meanderings of a megalomaniac. The 12 Steps of AA clearly proclaim that any other form of pseudo "spiritual walk” or “ journey to “ enlightenment" completely lacks the Power of the Author and Finisher of the journey as we now mistakenly rely upon our newly discovered "enlightened inner man”, rather than God to accomplish our will with His power inevitably experiencing all the eventual frustrations and bumps along the way until we finally place the keys of our lives into His perfectly capable hands. Simply put, This recovering alcoholic, and I would humbly suggest any other, is entirely incapable of generating the serenity spoken of in the Big Book. Never could, never will.
Serenity, is the Gift of God to all who "humble themselves and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways", For then His eyes shall be open and His ears attentive to their prayers. And thus, He says, "I shall grant you a time of refreshment". That my brother, as you so very well know, is a state of being that once given through our expressed relationship with God no longer needs to be sought out. It simply is. That alone is true serenity.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic.
A recovering Alcoholic the surrender must be complete and absolute. can;t be done without the grace of God...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteGod, grant me the serenity...god gives me the courage and guides me to find serenity. Acceptance of the things I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can. Serenity, inner peace and contentment..sitting with God, breathing and letting go. Going with the flow of life and learning from the darkness and not regretting the past, living in the present one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteSurrendering and trusting, connection, service and deepening confidence in my faith. Serenity is calmness, soundness of mind, connecting more deeply in my heart, with an open heart with love, forgiveness and gratitude. Serenity is a cozy blanket of gods love wrapped around me in times of grief, fear, reminding me I am not alone. 🙏
Jessica when 8 first arrived on the AA doorstep the word Serenity was used a lot in meetings and a goal of many in the fellowship. Not so much today. Let us experience Serenity today....Thank you...Armand
ReplyDelete