Our journey through the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous teaches us the value of daily inventory. Much can be discovered and the inner self can be transformed as we move away from the instincts of our human nature and progress into the world of the Spirit. We realize there is no need to wait until the end of each day to perform such an inventory, as we can address the manifestation of our defects as they occur. The book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous says, "There is the spot check inventory, taken at any time of the day that we find ourselves getting tangled up." This may be as simple as identifying unkind thoughts that we have of people who are not like us in appearance or beliefs, so that we can reveal and deal with the thoughts as they are happening...and not wait until the end of the day to address such things. When we have completed the first nine steps of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous we have extricated ourselves from the past and freed ourselves of the shame and guilt we carried for so many years. By implementing a daily inventory and progressing it steadily into a spot check inventory, we can tackle the manifestation of our character defects as they occur in the present so that in this moment and at this time we are free of the instincts of our human nature and one with God.
We have unraveled, treated and released our past and are now free of the bondage of self - we are at peace in the will of God. Discovery through inventory is a crucial tool of recovery, existing so as not to create yet another unpleasant past that we are burdened to carry into the present.
Written by Armand
Michael C.
ReplyDeleteThe content of this post is of incalculable value on a practical, emotional, and spiritual level. As a human being, not just as an alcoholic, extricating myself from my past is a necessary unburdening in the very moment of everyday life. I cannot live freely in the present if I remain condemned by the past. By integrating all Twelve Steps into my life, I have come to understand the process of entering and living in the world of the spirit. Yet my fear-based human nature is still existent and can quickly reappear if I rest on my laurels and cease to be vigilant through Tenth Step inventory. By not recreating the past, I am gifted with the discovery of the presence of The Power Within me. In that awareness, recovery is certain.
Michael love when you wrote "I cannot live freely in the present if I am condemned by the past."...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteArmand,
ReplyDeleteSpot on, and If done with absolute abandon, the previous steps have brought us into a divinely inspired personal relationship with God. We have discovered that God is not some nebular impersonal mystical force but in fact a Person. Indeed, a Loving Father who uniquely loves each and every one of us with a love beyond telling. In Step 7 we have humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings for we have come to realize in Step 6 that His plan for us is a divine plan that can only be accomplished with Divine Power, His Power, and the very essence of His Being. In steps 8 and 9 we discover He has healed our once seared and self righteous conscience and provides physical opportunity's to share His grace with others.
Our spirit has become tender and as the Big Book bears witness, "Finally, we begin to see that all people, including our-selves, are to some extent emotionally ill as well as frequently wrong, and then we approach true tolerance and see what real love for our fellows actually means. It will become more and more evident as we go forward that it is pointless to become angry, or to get hurt by people who, like us, are suffering from the pains of growing up. We can often check ourselves by remembering that we are today sober ONLY by the grace of God and that any success we may be having is far more His success than ours."
As our journey continues we discover that the one time insatiable obsession with self is being replaced by an overwhelming empathy, love and understanding for even those who may despise us for what we now believe as we reflect and proclaim the essence of God’s simple plan and Spirit who now inhabits ours. Steps 10, 11 and 12 reveal the immutable fact that moment by moment our current spiritual state no longer reflects our once immature and fragmentary prayers, but are inspired by His.
So I pray gracious God, help me to remember that a great life is an accumulation of days lived, one at a time for Your glory and by Your grace. Anything is possible if I take it in day sized bites. Help me to make today a day to be that different person You have envisioned in me and I desire to be. I want this to be a special day to love You, serve You, be faithful to You, and to love, encourage and serve others whom You will bring into my life today.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic.
Emil love "a divine plan that can only be accomplished with Divine power."...Thank you...Armand
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