tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54967360286740364292024-03-13T21:34:19.817-04:00A Ladder to AboveArmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.comBlogger683125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-80217195574939148602021-03-10T13:11:00.004-05:002021-03-10T13:11:59.174-05:00The Genesis<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQjjeeLlNL6Q5gIJyMAYSaB4zbAOXc__o6MoaLfswlylAzA8J7f1C-tFNkNN4c-KHW3HK0F5lCYo9eZu4F_DZWOnoLvy3HIrGe-WcG-Z9tLkL7G2sLdwN6a1hjryQox56MparNqnRKsi7/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQjjeeLlNL6Q5gIJyMAYSaB4zbAOXc__o6MoaLfswlylAzA8J7f1C-tFNkNN4c-KHW3HK0F5lCYo9eZu4F_DZWOnoLvy3HIrGe-WcG-Z9tLkL7G2sLdwN6a1hjryQox56MparNqnRKsi7/" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <span style="text-align: justify;">In 1930 a member of the Oxford Group and an alcoholic, Roland Hazzard, visited on more than one occasion with the noted psychiatrist Dr. Carl Jung. After Roland failed to cease drinking multiple times Dr. Jung gave to him the solution for alcoholism -- a </span><i style="text-align: justify;">vital spiritual experience. Spiritual </i><span style="text-align: justify;">defined as "of or pertaining to God" and </span><i style="text-align: justify;">vital </i><span style="text-align: justify;">as "life giving". We have to </span><i style="text-align: justify;">give life</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> to our experience with God. This is accomplished by </span><i style="text-align: justify;">surrendering our nature</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> to the will of God.</span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> During what became a historic visit Dr Jung said to Roland, "You have the mind of a chronic alcoholic. I have never seen one single case recover where the state of mind existed to the extent that it does in you." Our friend felt as though the gates of hell had closed on him with a clang. He said to the doctor, "Is there no exception?" "Yes," replied the doctor, "there is. Exceptions to cases such as yours have been occurring since early times. Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual experiences."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I recant these passages from the chapter <i>There Is A Solution </i>in the "Big Book" of <i>Alcoholics Anonymous</i> to make clear that we do know there is a solution to our alcoholism and that solution is indeed a vital spiritual experience. THE GENESIS of that life-giving experience is God. May you find him now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> If you are alcoholic or suffer from the disease of addiction and you wish to recover from the seemingly hopeless state of mind and body, surrender your will to the will of God and you will live in this solution to your alcoholism.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">Written by Armand</div>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-84709008794938652202021-03-07T09:59:00.001-05:002021-03-07T09:59:11.057-05:00A Kernel<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLxbzJ9r1hVLxkrO603QxGx6FN7K-y9ta8-U6Ht8fKcCgllrmL_tclnSyiSz59GxoOqnTsFspzf4VhzanKMfu3Lo9bBh8y5En_-7horlQ4jHYx2KyTf1B1WWmqP_UKr3mBR6cVsWSBN_S/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLxbzJ9r1hVLxkrO603QxGx6FN7K-y9ta8-U6Ht8fKcCgllrmL_tclnSyiSz59GxoOqnTsFspzf4VhzanKMfu3Lo9bBh8y5En_-7horlQ4jHYx2KyTf1B1WWmqP_UKr3mBR6cVsWSBN_S/" width="320" /></a></div><br />The day I stood in the parking lot drunk such a long time ago a most fortunate event occurred. I bumped into the only person I knew who was in AA. Such kindness he showed me - by speaking with me and taking me to my first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that very night. It was there at that meeting that I raised my hand and said "my name is Armand and I am an alcoholic." Some seven years passed from that first night until I admitted complete defeat. Those seven intervening years proved difficult ones in my life as a direct result of alcohol. Fortunately, I did survive a bottom those seven years produced from which I could push up from.<p></p> Since admitting complete defeat I have been blessed with a passion for the program of Alcoholics Anonymous which has given me a life, - a REAL life. I know that in order to keep that life I must give it away. In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it says, "the entire load must be given away." It also states, "Our very lives as ex problem drinkers depends upon our constant thought of others." In the rooms, when I see a newcomer or someone there for their first time to my home group I will walk up to them, shake their hand and introduce myself. When anyone in AA asks for help of any kind, and certainly when I am asked by someone to take them through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous by reading the Big Book together, I say "Yes" - as perhaps that is the day they receive their KERNEL of faith, as I once did when I was blessed by another's kindness. Through just a KERNEL of faith, maybe, just maybe, they will be on their way to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.<br /><br />Written by ArmandArmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-69219858634870162342021-03-03T12:51:00.002-05:002021-03-03T12:51:48.134-05:00How Will I Know God's Will For Me<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXYQVYGnoXC1zjaKsgwQThA2a4Vu4sFOE0z_rQd59bEl8cG96eh0IEGW4IUm8TQO54Xhluorr79Z1ocKQ2gaJ9uWjY4Go0LHVvi7ZkZiMcR6K8JMXuQQzsFUUBhRAFVi2dMNuMg0SoUmD/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="200" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXYQVYGnoXC1zjaKsgwQThA2a4Vu4sFOE0z_rQd59bEl8cG96eh0IEGW4IUm8TQO54Xhluorr79Z1ocKQ2gaJ9uWjY4Go0LHVvi7ZkZiMcR6K8JMXuQQzsFUUBhRAFVi2dMNuMg0SoUmD/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: justify;">I am often asked, "</span><i style="text-align: justify;">HOW will I know what God's will for me is???." </i><span style="text-align: justify;">The "Big Book" of</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Alcoholics Anonymous</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">says, "...that it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Nevertheless, we find that as time passes our thinking will be more and more on the plane of inspiration We come to rely on it." </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Inspiration </i><span style="text-align: justify;">is defined as, "the thoughts of God implanted in the mind and soul of man." Once the thoughts of God hit our souls we do not need to run it by our intellect to know it is indeed the Truth.</span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Although we are not yet capable of turning our will and our life over to the care of God in Step Three, we <i>are </i>capable of making a decision - a final choice - to do so. Deciding from this day forward we are willing to overturn our thought processes that are propelled by our human instincts in order that they may be ruled only by the will of God - which is received through inspiration. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> If <i>you </i>have already made that decision, may God bless you and may He keep you. If you have not, perhaps <i>now (this moment, right now) </i>would be <i>the </i>time for you to make it... to turn your thoughts and your behaviors over to the care of God and begin to live a life of peace and a life of pure, unimpeachable joy.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Written By Armand</div></div>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-28425116216530430832021-02-28T13:23:00.001-05:002021-02-28T13:23:29.026-05:00The Resentment Prayer<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbv9RzV4YJIcNNbfIU1HIhcYXEPuN36rUJ1xH-t5et54PPNwxpJE2qENAgsohXayFm_6sx-Pgga5BIeOo8i7PB1wWUDfkppnI481AueabaKjMt3hM6wA6sfUe5Oo8plFvg4KCuzRTpKHh/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="123" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbv9RzV4YJIcNNbfIU1HIhcYXEPuN36rUJ1xH-t5et54PPNwxpJE2qENAgsohXayFm_6sx-Pgga5BIeOo8i7PB1wWUDfkppnI481AueabaKjMt3hM6wA6sfUe5Oo8plFvg4KCuzRTpKHh/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: justify;">While assembling my 4th step resentment list I found that the best way to cope with the resentments was to first pray for and forgive those that were on my list. In the Big Book of </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Alcoholics Anonymous</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> in the chapter "How It Works" it states, "...we realize that the people who had wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick. Though we did not like their symptoms and the way they disturbed us they, like ourselves, were sick too. We ask God to help us grant them the same tolerance, pity and patience we would grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said to ourselves, 'Perhaps this is a sick person, how can I be helpful to them? God save me from being angry, Thy will be done.' God will show us how to take a kind and tolerant view of each and everyone." As I drew closer to God this began to happen naturally, as it can as well for you.</span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> As an alcoholic I do find that resentment is the number one malfeasance to a serene and peaceful life. If we are to have a clear state of consciousness that is free of conflict; if we are to lead an addiction-free life - a life in which resentment doesn't cause such conflict in our mind then manifest in our behavior - then we must let go of all of our human resentments. There is often no way possible to do this without the aid of the Highest Power. "That One is God may you find Him now."<br /><br />Written by <i>Armand</i></div>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-88068358320756502572021-02-24T13:15:00.003-05:002021-02-24T13:15:29.109-05:00The Functioning Piece Of Alcoholism<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwL3te_bj6pzi2c7zXxPZQRFfp91aL89U0mXjpyxmJFUXQsHA9Avfb62dTU-5LO-_PI02QzH0wxd_zg8y3XO49uEl37wvTSvEMB2x50tyZlRygiML-sYUf-E2Fs1YwkM9AmElT3BFqGwn/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwL3te_bj6pzi2c7zXxPZQRFfp91aL89U0mXjpyxmJFUXQsHA9Avfb62dTU-5LO-_PI02QzH0wxd_zg8y3XO49uEl37wvTSvEMB2x50tyZlRygiML-sYUf-E2Fs1YwkM9AmElT3BFqGwn/" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <span style="text-align: justify;">I have learned through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous that I have three basic instincts: a social, a sexual and a security instinct. These instincts are God given and necessary for life, but in me I can never get enough of what it is I think I need. The great psychiatrist Sigmund Freud defines an instinct as, "a bodily need manifested in our thought process.".</span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> Through the twelve steps I have learned that alcohol is but a symptom of our true malady - our true malady being self-centered fear. We are afraid that we are not going to get what we want and that we are going to lose what we have. Once our fear is triggered we reach for our character defects in an attempt to satiate our instincts, but <i>we can never get enough of what it is we think we need</i>. We are then left running around, chasing our tails, creating havoc in our lives but, more importantly, havoc in the lives of everyone around us. This malady of self-centered fear is the <i>functioning piece of alcoholism </i>and any other <i>ism</i>.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br /><div style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin: 0px;"> The solution to the disease of addiction is a vital spiritual experience. We <i>must </i>give life to our relationship with God. How? By letting go of our human nature so our thought process is no longer propelled by our instincts, but rather by the will of God through inspiration,<br /><br /><br />Written By Armand</div></div>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-47534072518114719032021-02-21T11:21:00.001-05:002021-02-21T11:21:15.890-05:00Admit And Accept<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0i-bAu-BYFwuFtdZB1IxepHAnCblmat-hvDPZKkwLF2s0-qStpQY4JJRLr0QdIc4YDnP2fmCY_fXxmR5jjArWCgze7kfXtXTgnMaPReCbpDWZK-C1ZKNSo3DiHrtEknWulCWEbiAVIoQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0i-bAu-BYFwuFtdZB1IxepHAnCblmat-hvDPZKkwLF2s0-qStpQY4JJRLr0QdIc4YDnP2fmCY_fXxmR5jjArWCgze7kfXtXTgnMaPReCbpDWZK-C1ZKNSo3DiHrtEknWulCWEbiAVIoQ/" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <span style="text-align: justify;">In </span><i style="text-align: justify;">The</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> it is written: "A continuous look at our assets and liabilities, and a real desire to learn and grow by this means, are necessities for us. We alcoholics have learned this the hard way. More experienced people, of course, in all times and places have practiced unsparing self-survey and criticism. For the wise have always known that no one can make much of his life until self-searching becomes a regular habit, until he is able to ADMIT and ACCEPT what he finds, and until he patiently and persistently tries to correct what is wrong.</span><p></p><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"> Through daily inventory we can admit and accept that our character defects are a part of our human nature, a part that cannot manifest if we are truly living in the will of God. We are completely capable of understanding, if the proper work on the 12 steps is thoroughly done, that our human nature is in fact defected. We must accept this about ourselves if we desire to be recovered.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> In the program of Alcoholics Anonymous it is often said, "Let go and let God." The "Let go" part is turning from the incessant prompts of our human nature and the "Let God" part is living in, and thereby manifesting, the will of God. Living in the raw-natured will of God, our character defects cannot be manifested in our behavior - it is in such a spiritual place that our nature can be perfected as we become the human being that God created us to be.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Self-survey is a most powerful tool of recovery.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Written by <i>Armand</i>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-630485496237913112021-02-16T13:30:00.002-05:002021-02-16T13:30:35.157-05:00An Admission Is Required<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QRkZRxZuROEkLeARJnb6cZGcgbqth0FAM5hsgVqKq4fnwR6dKK8pcnme9hacdSs3aN8uWKLVvyFpOQZ5NPCfKtH6cRoVpirzL6lxcnwHksB0iuOnVlu6ySz9BzuQB_GuJ42hQ_VvXWgY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QRkZRxZuROEkLeARJnb6cZGcgbqth0FAM5hsgVqKq4fnwR6dKK8pcnme9hacdSs3aN8uWKLVvyFpOQZ5NPCfKtH6cRoVpirzL6lxcnwHksB0iuOnVlu6ySz9BzuQB_GuJ42hQ_VvXWgY/" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <span style="text-align: justify;">Step One in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous requires </span><i style="text-align: justify;">an admission to our innermost self</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> that we are alcoholic. As difficult as this is, we see the progression not only in the amount of alcohol we consumed but the negative effects the alcohol was having on our bodies and on our lives. This realization comes after we declare, "I am an alcoholic" (or "I am an addict") and after we had a desire </span><i style="text-align: justify;">not to drink</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> and </span><i style="text-align: justify;">not to use</i><span style="text-align: justify;">. We had to make an admission that we were powerless over alcohol, over drugs, over our reckless behaviors, and that our lives had indeed become unmanageable. We drank, used, and behaved the way our disease willed us to and so many of us relapsed time and time again over events and circumstances in our lives. The happenstances of our lives are only excuses as the real reason we lapsed was because we only wanted or had one foot in the program, and one foot out of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.</span><p></p><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"> In Chapter Five of the "Big Book" of <i>Alcoholics Anonymous </i>entitled "How It Works" states, "Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program." We can chose not to <i>thoroughly </i>follow the path and so we do not <i>completely </i>give ourselves to this simple program as we are so very defiant by nature. The result of such defiance is relapse (if we are lucky, death if we are not).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> It is true that an admission is <i>required</i>. It is true that we must <i>admit complete defeat.</i> It is true that our lives are <i>unmanageable</i>. It is true that we must admit to our innermost self that we are alcoholic, that we are addict, that we are amok with disease. It is true that we must surrender to the program of AA. Once we have made all of these admissions we must integrate the program of AA into our lives in such a way that it becomes our life. Then maybe, just maybe, for the first time in our existence we will have a life... a real life...a joyful, loved-filled life.<br /><br />Written By Armand</div><div><br /></div>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-13581787337561993252021-02-13T13:56:00.002-05:002021-02-13T13:56:12.774-05:00Primary Characteristics Of An Alcoholic<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXBjNKj9qzCYGsmGBxXfjtsr4MoReqEwzbY3BJMj3bHTkz_tDGxqJ5cba9UjFb0lac_wYainSuZZNhD95-BleMY6JIIlpz3TkGJNisBC5o4pgwdk33U370JsCXPAjzCjB3cV9HoMWCQe6/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="139" data-original-width="200" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXBjNKj9qzCYGsmGBxXfjtsr4MoReqEwzbY3BJMj3bHTkz_tDGxqJ5cba9UjFb0lac_wYainSuZZNhD95-BleMY6JIIlpz3TkGJNisBC5o4pgwdk33U370JsCXPAjzCjB3cV9HoMWCQe6/" width="320" /></a></div><br />Today I was reminded of the work of Dr. Tiebout, a pioneering figure in the treatment of alcoholism and early supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous. He concurred that "the characteristics of the so-called typical alcoholic are one who is narcissistic with an egocentric core, dominated by feelings of omnipotence and intent in maintaining, at all costs, their inner integrity." In a careful study of a series of cases regarding the alcoholic by Sillman, Dr. Tiebout reported that Sillman felt he could discern the outlines of a common character structure among problem drinkers and that the best terms he could find to describe said group were, "defiant individuality and grandiosity." Tiebout concurs with Sillman and states, "...inwardly the alcoholic brooks no control from God or man. The alcoholic is and must be the master of their destiny." Tiebout continues, "...granted the more or less constant presence of these character traits, it is easy to see how the person possessing them has difficulty in accepting spirituality and God. Spirituality, by its demand that the individual acknowledge the presence of God, changes the very nature of the alcoholic. So, if the alcoholic can use the spiritual tools of recovery and accept the concept of the presence of a power greater than themselves, then he or she by that very step modifies presently and possibly permanently his or her deepest inner structure and when done so without resentment or struggle then they are no longer typically alcoholic."<p></p> In my own experience with the disease of alcoholism, the belief in God in and of itself is not enough, as I had always had a belief in God. That belief must also carry with it the component of TRUSTING in God to the point of making a decision to turn my will and my life over to His care. All we have today is contingent upon our relationship with God - in this day and in this moment.<br /><br />Written By ArmandArmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-23543647111556815862021-02-10T12:52:00.002-05:002021-02-10T12:52:06.479-05:00I Don't Know If Its A Good Thing I Don't Know If Its A Bad Thing<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhDWfuKRbEIH6_wplws2ZVXdXpKyWoIxdRweyXlTldOqBPL0lSiALNASSxYuosGffiBZqF5DcCjghx86C2ds2q6tCjLimO0BlXHTBDU8W9irac2BuDdLF2XfwUWg0-xxwfDrZRjY8WgPO/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhDWfuKRbEIH6_wplws2ZVXdXpKyWoIxdRweyXlTldOqBPL0lSiALNASSxYuosGffiBZqF5DcCjghx86C2ds2q6tCjLimO0BlXHTBDU8W9irac2BuDdLF2XfwUWg0-xxwfDrZRjY8WgPO/" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Many centuries ago there was a kingdom and in this kingdom there lived a farmer. The farmer owned a beautiful white stallion. The king of the kingdom desired the farmer's beautiful white stallion so he sent an emissary to the farmer who offered the farmer a quarter of the king's kingdom for his beautiful white stallion. The farmer said, "No, as I love my beautiful white stallion." The very next day the beautiful white stallion ran away and all of the people from the village came running out to the farmer saying, "What a bad thing that happened to you, you could have had a quarter of the king's kingdom and now your beautiful white stallion has run away." The farmer said, "I don't know if it's a good thing, I don't know if it's a bad thing, all I know is my beautiful white stallion has run away." <p></p><div style="margin: 0in;"> The very next day the farmer was in his field when he looked up on the hill beyond and saw his beautiful white stallion. Behind his beautiful white stallion were four more white stallions just as beautiful as his. All the people from the village came running out to the farmer saying, "It's a good thing you didn't trade your beautiful white stallion for a quarter of the king's kingdom, as now you have FIVE beautiful white stallions. You could probably get half of the king's kingdom now!" The farmer said, "I don't know if it's a good thing, I don't know if it's a bad thing, all I know is I now have five beautiful white stallions." </div><div style="margin: 0in;"> The very next day the farmer's son was breaking in one of the wild white stallions when he was thrown from the stallion and broke both of his legs. So now, all the people from the village came running out to the farmer saying, "What a bad thing that has happened to you. You need your son to work in the fields and now he can't as he has two broken legs." The farmer replied, "I don't know if it's a good thing, I don't know if it's a bad thing, all I know is that my son has two broken legs." </div><div style="margin: 0in;"> The very next day the kingdom goes to war and all the able-bodied men are drafted into the army after which they will go to the front end and they will surely die. The farmer's injured son could not go as he had two broken legs. So, all the people from the village came running out to the farmer saying, "That is a good thing that your son was thrown from the wild white stallion and broke both his legs, as he would have been drafted into the army, been sent to the front end and would have surely died." The farmer replied, "I don't know if it's a good thing, I don't know if it's a bad thing, all I know is my son can't go as he has two broken legs."</div> The moral of the story is that we are not to judge what is occurring in our life as "good" or "bad", but to have faith and trust in God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.<br />Written By ArmandArmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-50370871843005308272021-02-06T17:24:00.001-05:002021-02-06T17:24:26.156-05:00No Need To Create The Past<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFb_jaqo6AmEfDZ-1ZrMG3ZstJKmO5l4Q0kAcfU5vHweExifeOkiCOPH9cuHBH5nsqK-stMBc5nwMcSLe7KCWdBnfTUxSP30kkEJ2QgGxotHUaWUgQs8MFlB7BHdOu0J8lPLxOeCNWF0_/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFb_jaqo6AmEfDZ-1ZrMG3ZstJKmO5l4Q0kAcfU5vHweExifeOkiCOPH9cuHBH5nsqK-stMBc5nwMcSLe7KCWdBnfTUxSP30kkEJ2QgGxotHUaWUgQs8MFlB7BHdOu0J8lPLxOeCNWF0_/" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: justify;">The program of Alcoholics Anonymous has in place the fabric necessary to weave through and heal our character defects - whether they surface in our daily or our spot check inventories. If and when necessary we use the Ninth Step which is, "Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others." If we decide that an amend is necessary we immediately make it in an effort to live in the present. Only in the present can we be in the will of God, where His grace saves us from creating another past which we will need to extricate ourselves from. Once performed, we thread into the necessary fabric The Seventh Step, "Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings." If our actions cause us to have any shame or guilt, we then use the Fifth Step of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, "Admitted to God, to ourselves and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs" so that we may be living in the present </span><i style="text-align: justify;">with a clean slate </i><span style="text-align: justify;">and a </span><i style="text-align: justify;">serene</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> mind.</span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> If we are willing to take our inventories, make our amends, ask God to remove our defects, and share our wrongs with ourselves, God and another human being there will be NO NEED TO CREATE A PAST. We will have the freedom to exist in the present - in the will of God.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br /><div style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin: 0px;"> As alcoholics we have worked hard to free ourselves from our past. If we are willing to weave the program of Alcoholics Anonymous into our lives in such a way that it <i>becomes </i>our life than the creation of a past that, at least subconsciously, is having a negative effect on our present consciousness, will not occur. This is a critical tool in permanent recovery.<br /><br />Written By Armand</div></div>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-56646355169381054232021-02-03T13:06:00.001-05:002021-02-03T13:06:11.291-05:00The Fourth Dimension Of Life<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEnHD_QAYs1c5oSPBH_sijnLWMt2LwydYYH2qA27465O3EI8Fz-Ta8m6vZ653GvK9TEZiuZEsTMxFihteJto8fPoQSf_STj7OQubI-5otwj7zvXxOOTaESdBBNzCe2RkKauxMYkz4gY3I/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEnHD_QAYs1c5oSPBH_sijnLWMt2LwydYYH2qA27465O3EI8Fz-Ta8m6vZ653GvK9TEZiuZEsTMxFihteJto8fPoQSf_STj7OQubI-5otwj7zvXxOOTaESdBBNzCe2RkKauxMYkz4gY3I/" width="240" /></a></div><br /> In the Big Book of <i>Alcoholics Anonymous</i> it says, "We shall describe some of the states that precede a relapse into drinking, for obviously this is the crux of the problem. What sort of thinking dominates an alcoholic who repeats time after time the experiment of the first drink.....therefore the main problem of the alcoholic centers in the mind rather than in the body."<p></p> If our thought processes are propelled by the will of God rather than our human instincts we will not drink. Our character defects cannot manifest themselves in our behavior if we are in His will. Instead, our character has been perfected, as we are now the human being that God created us to be.<br /> In THE FOURTH DIMENSION OF LIFE we become a human being that cares about others in such a genuine way. We become a human being that <i>wants </i>to help others. We think of other's needs before our own. In the Big Book it states, <i>"Our very lives as ex-problem drinkers depends upon our constant thoughts of others and how we may help meet their needs."</i><br /> We benefit in using all tools of recovery but, above all, we must turn from our human nature and live in the will of God. By doing so we will live a human life we could have only imagined we would. We will manifest THE FOURTH DIMENSION OF LIFE - a life free from the bondage of ourselves. <br /><br />Written by ArmandArmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-4304734848721151992021-01-30T11:47:00.001-05:002021-01-30T11:47:07.140-05:00To Know Peace<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCYhlEhfYmuKkAhwsrYQW2eVHvxUORLumHZiXM4RAICRRtwKV5dGqXfj-skQejFbEUmODdKfAHhfpsaxeDcA8YzvAGxtvG8RSXwGvx_PDh6Oe6ArOL59LnCAh4clb8NdnIq57djPRUE2o/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCYhlEhfYmuKkAhwsrYQW2eVHvxUORLumHZiXM4RAICRRtwKV5dGqXfj-skQejFbEUmODdKfAHhfpsaxeDcA8YzvAGxtvG8RSXwGvx_PDh6Oe6ArOL59LnCAh4clb8NdnIq57djPRUE2o/" width="320" /></a></div><br />In Chapter 4 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it says, "...we had to fearlessly face the proposition that God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be?" When I came to the very point in my recovery where I had no desire to turn back to my old life but I was fearful of letting go of my nature (and living in the will of God), the above statement had to be answered. I may have answered in the affirmative <i>earlier </i>in my recovery but it wasn't until that precise moment that I fully understood what was being asked of me - or rather, required of me.<p></p> If we are to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body; if we are to be free of manifesting our human defects in our behavior; if we are to live a life where we are tolerant and loving of all but never accepting of evil, if we are to live a life free from fear, anxiety and anger, if we are to be respected and loved and posses the spirit of charity forgiveness and joy - not because everything in life is as our human nature <i>thinks it ought to be</i> but because <i>God is with us</i>. Joy is not the absence of sorrow but the presence of God.<br /> For the first time in my life I had become fully alive as the Spirit was fully awakened within me. I became and am the human being that God created me to be, maximizing my human potential, free of conflict, and at peace.<br /> I am aware of what is required of me, and I have answered "Yes, God is everything." What will your answer be?<br />Written By ArmandArmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-28550980555462742842021-01-27T15:17:00.004-05:002021-01-27T15:17:30.938-05:00Another Way To Look At Step Ten<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmEV_bvSE20gTDiuSKlWpywSZk0pPKaVget7w_Y51V2xL_Go006Edpt-1rE5-X2xBqy0Fl1Ipiyvfo4-MS59Q_OYSggdGr4yfpWIqztv8lDTBsWqGvHr1-vP7gn05MXEmnBYQRuLmyPfg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmEV_bvSE20gTDiuSKlWpywSZk0pPKaVget7w_Y51V2xL_Go006Edpt-1rE5-X2xBqy0Fl1Ipiyvfo4-MS59Q_OYSggdGr4yfpWIqztv8lDTBsWqGvHr1-vP7gn05MXEmnBYQRuLmyPfg/" width="240" /></a></div><br /> I like to think of the Tenth Step of the AA program as a hallway - a hallway that I must walk down in order to come into the room in which I can live with God. This hallway needs daily repair as the ceiling is leaking, there are holes in the walls and the floor is buckled. Fortunately, the program of Alcoholics Anonymous has given us an instructional manual so that we can pass through, although we may be encumbered at first.<p></p> Another way to look at this is as if God is the light and my human defects are a clouded glass which no light can shine through. As I begin to incorporate the program of AA into my life and begin to develop a relationship with God, some of the glass clears and some of the light shines through. As I continue to incorporate the Twelve Steps into my life, the glass clears even more and even more of the light shines through. Finally, the day arrives when the glass is transparent and all of the light shines through and it is in this moment that I am one with God and free of the manifestation of my character defects.<br /> Incorporate the Tenth Step into your daily existence and, eventually, into all your waking moments. We <i>must </i>be persistent. Persistence is the time between the <i>promise </i>of God and the <i>provision </i>of God. Thereafter, a life free of anxiety, fear and resentment can be experienced; cloaked in harmony, peace and serenity.<br /><div><br />Written By Armand</div>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-54763672346396845922021-01-24T12:36:00.003-05:002021-01-24T12:36:33.259-05:00Our True Maldy<span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrofRhYApfp_jzMJ13pWm57_gHuUuV8mICpCkHiQdGGfA26W1PhR0NMqnIuPTA95kYabRUDgLq_eq9T50jsq9IZEQJdXg2nU09jik89Ds_so-xDyCbTe0mkjQ48OvyywSFE8CebRfS0Pj/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrofRhYApfp_jzMJ13pWm57_gHuUuV8mICpCkHiQdGGfA26W1PhR0NMqnIuPTA95kYabRUDgLq_eq9T50jsq9IZEQJdXg2nU09jik89Ds_so-xDyCbTe0mkjQ48OvyywSFE8CebRfS0Pj/" width="240" /></a></div><br />In the Big Book </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Alcoholics Anonymous</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> in the chapter "How It Works" it states, "The first requirement (in taking the Third Step) is that we be convinced that any life run on self will can hardly be a success. Remember that we deal with alcohol - cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power - that One is God. May you find Him now!" It also says "Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles... So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making...and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't think so. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness... And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid."</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"> We have learned through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous that we have three basic instincts. These instincts are God given and necessary for life, but in me I can never get enough of what it is I think I need. The great psychiatrist Sigmund Freud defines an instinct as "a bodily need manifested in our thought process." What occurs for us as an alcoholic is our instincts manifest themselves in our thought process and trigger our self-centered fear. We learned through the program that alcohol is but a symptom of OUR TRUE MALADY. Any addiction is such. OUR TRUE MALADY is self-centered fear: afraid that we are not going to get what we want, afraid that we will lose what we have. Once our fear is triggered we reach for our character defects in an attempt to satiate our instincts. The only problem is that in us we can never get enough of what it is that we think we need, then we run around chasing our tails creating havoc in our lives - but more importantly, havoc in the lives of everyone around us. This is the functioning piece of alcoholism.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> As an alcoholic we have a compulsive need to defend our basic human instincts, often to an extreme. This manifestation of our character defects is a result of our self-centered fear that permeates our lives. Alcohol is but a symptom of OUR TRUE MALADY. OUR TRUE MALADY is SELF-CENTERED FEAR.<br /><br /></div><p><span style="text-align: justify;">Written By Armand</span> </p>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-52226938561638905362021-01-19T16:51:00.003-05:002021-01-19T16:51:57.199-05:00Sponsorship<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk6aD49iUDt2bQ8ZllUma03_JBGitXE4JPkNMt6N4ZuvjnzKEU_7J5B156n-2cKwevijYeiBElbmUDDGi_ddnhdfGXUE0jgM6VMUhNH0r-pwazJI_SXjpF6XaTHZYggWWiw-1J3yxg5zq/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk6aD49iUDt2bQ8ZllUma03_JBGitXE4JPkNMt6N4ZuvjnzKEU_7J5B156n-2cKwevijYeiBElbmUDDGi_ddnhdfGXUE0jgM6VMUhNH0r-pwazJI_SXjpF6XaTHZYggWWiw-1J3yxg5zq/" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: justify;">I have had the privilege of working with many people in Alcoholics Anonymous. I have worked with all walks of life: male and female, rich and poor, young and old, believers and non believers, Christians, Jews and Muslims. I do the same thing with everyone - I always have the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous between them and me. I simply open the book and we begin reading at the preface. As we read the book we discuss the material. I don't change anything for anyone. The solution, a vital spiritual experience, is the solution regardless of </span><i style="text-align: justify;">what </i><span style="text-align: justify;">their problem may be in addition to their addiction. Obviously, if a person has mental problems then additional help is necessary for them. I never tell anyone what they must do - I just follow the material and incorporate the Twelve Steps as we move through it all: A practice that can be replicated by anyone.</span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div> I know that my behavior is being observed. Not just whether I can "talk the talk" but more importantly can I "walk the walk". Am I practicing the principles of AA? In the forward of <i>The Twelve And Twelve</i> it says, "The twelve steps are a group of principles, spiritual in nature, which if practiced as a way of life can expel the obsession to drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole."</div> The following is what my sponsees see in me: I am responsible. When asked to take someone through the book of Alcoholics Anonymous, I say yes. I never consider whether I have enough time... I simply just make it work. There isn't a greater exercise one can participate in than to help another recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Nothing. We meet once a week for an hour and I only cancel if I have an urgent family matter or if I am doing step work with another. My emotional state rarely, if ever, changes one week to the next as I am serene and at peace. I never prepare for a meeting as I am dependent upon and trusting in God. Again, I never tell another what they must do as it is <i>their </i>recovery. It is <i>their </i>relationship with God. I am the example, not the taskmaster.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br /><div style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin: 0px;"> When we live this life in AA we become happily and usefully whole. Let us share in this legacy.<br /><br />Written By Armand</div></div>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-49779713115683669702021-01-17T11:49:00.001-05:002021-01-17T11:49:14.330-05:00Become The Being God Created<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwRZuQ4KHtRUTiTNf8C55emeV3Y_c6cDj7oU-ftjIfUFtqY_LHz3iGhKPXerZ9hMH_PTzR41hu2X6em5dx5VA2l9t33M9Clo6_ccg3PSmQzEhCM6Nog_9iztb23BcIepGOd5P9D5lm5Qp/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwRZuQ4KHtRUTiTNf8C55emeV3Y_c6cDj7oU-ftjIfUFtqY_LHz3iGhKPXerZ9hMH_PTzR41hu2X6em5dx5VA2l9t33M9Clo6_ccg3PSmQzEhCM6Nog_9iztb23BcIepGOd5P9D5lm5Qp/" width="240" /></a></div><br />When I first walked through the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous I had no idea what to expect. Though quickly I was able to see what worked in others - <i>a belief in and dependence upon God.</i> As Bill once said "Would I have it? Of course I would."<p></p> The Sixth Step of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous is "We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character." We learn through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous that alcohol is but a symptom of our true malady, our true malady is in fact self-centered fear. We are afraid we are not going to get what we want, afraid that we are going to lose what we have. Once our fears are triggered we reach for our character defects in an attempt to satiate our human instincts. The dictionary defines <i>defect </i>as, "the lack of something necessary for completion or perfection."<br /> We learn in the Fourth Step of the program that it is necessary to find out what it is about us that keeps the Grace of God from our lives. It is in doing this that we discover the exact nature of our wrongs, as we make the list of our defects. In the Fifth Step of the program we confess our character defects. Then, in the Sixth Step, we are entirely ready and willing to have these defects removed.<br /> It is our character defects that keep us from the perfection of God - from becoming the human being God created each of us to be and not the self-centered people who care only for their human desires and what they <i>think</i> they need in life. A person who is willing to use almost any means necessary to fulfill their desires is sick.<br /> With all of our human flaws we can <i>become the being God created us to be</i> when we turn from our human naturWe and surrender to His will.<br /><br />Written By ArmandArmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-61284926689389919272021-01-13T14:33:00.001-05:002021-01-13T14:33:08.995-05:00Trust In God<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYAPY8E13DzObR6ohiZIJemXOOfhOdEPNumS71fSxl_wafqdCmH1yO_gKaVWiHxLXxR1yzLNqxYP_2jc7vg2S4zz-zJ70kWZibodRC302E9stIM9dHTXvmWgB2ffD-FJmvtgWS9IyzY1z/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYAPY8E13DzObR6ohiZIJemXOOfhOdEPNumS71fSxl_wafqdCmH1yO_gKaVWiHxLXxR1yzLNqxYP_2jc7vg2S4zz-zJ70kWZibodRC302E9stIM9dHTXvmWgB2ffD-FJmvtgWS9IyzY1z/" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">There is an old Biblical story which relates to having trust in God. When the Jewish people left Egypt, "The Exodus", God had prepared a land for them - The Promised Land. The Promised Land was an eleven day journey from Egypt. Moses sent a scout from each of the twelve tribes to explore The Promised Land and report back. They reported that the area was magnificent, a land flowing with milk and honey, but the people there are powerful and the cities well fortified. What's more, "we saw giants seven to nine feet tall". This caused fear in the people. The only scouts willing to face their fear (by trusting in God) were Caleb and Joshua, both willing to enter The Promised Land. The Jewish people decided not to enter. For the next forty years the Jews wandered around in the wilderness until all those who were over twenty at the time had died. Once again, they stood at The Promised Land and only Caleb and Joshua who were over twenty from forty years ago were allowed to enter as they had been willing to face their fears by trusting in God.</span><p></p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;"> We each have our own exodus from our own addiction. We became weary of wandering around the wilderness alone. We were ill. We were finished. We face our fears by </span><span style="text-align: justify;">trusting in God</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> and we enter The Promised Land - a land of serenity, peace and joy. Are you ready? Have you come to believe that a power greater than yourself could restore you to sanity? Have you come to </span><span style="text-align: justify;">trust</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> in that power?</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Written By Armand</span></span></div>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-34831226081077194682021-01-10T07:49:00.003-05:002021-01-10T07:49:36.504-05:00Power Of Prayer And Meditation<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBZyx1znPfKhPIEnemTLbzsTAUoSZ3sHWUdHI0Q5ibdLaar2XiLo7rVYQIFOlfGMEW-TQ7PQOZWIWWlGgYntFBbVYQU3YYlfTzBCpzMCXErGzy8uv8Jo3KPbzjp7yLWLCiBvZ36S_8JyK/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBZyx1znPfKhPIEnemTLbzsTAUoSZ3sHWUdHI0Q5ibdLaar2XiLo7rVYQIFOlfGMEW-TQ7PQOZWIWWlGgYntFBbVYQU3YYlfTzBCpzMCXErGzy8uv8Jo3KPbzjp7yLWLCiBvZ36S_8JyK/" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="text-align: justify;">Eleventh Step is the lifeline for the alcoholic. "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry it out." Prayer and meditation were not something I initially incorporated into my practices of the</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Why? I don't really know. The only answer that I can come up with is that at some level I was still defiant, egotistical and lacked the humility necessary to pray and meditate daily. I was talking the talk but not walking the walk. I had worked the previous steps well and certainly to the best of my ability. I was excited by the program of AA and all the promise it held for me but I have learned through experience that the human nature is a strong foe, unwilling to pray and meditate daily to improve on a conscious contact with God. I had taken many people through the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. I had read the first 164 pages of the Big Book hundreds of times and attended so many meetings that I can't begin to guess how many. But prayer and meditation at the level necessary to perceive and do God's will, well that was not in my thoughts and therefore, not on my agenda.</span><p></p> Then one day, after a decade of sobriety, I came home from the gym and stepped out of the car experiencing such sever pain that I fell to the ground. I was unable to move for what seemed like such a long time but in reality was only a minute or so. I had suffered from back problems most of my adult life but I had never experienced such severe pain. The subsequent M.R.I. disclosed seven herniated discs, an arthritic spine, spinal stenosis, degenerative vertebrae and a degenerated left hip. This left me unable to function. I spent the next twelve months of my life incapacitated, ten months of which I was unable to sit as I had to stand or lay. The medical community offered me a solution of surgery with a 15% chance of some improvement, heavy blood loss and five to six hours on the operating table. The surgeon said that the surgery was so difficult that he would only encourage it if I could no longer tolerate the pain.<br /> I was directed to a kind and loving doctor who has the ability to identify emotional blocks that prevent healing. After some months of treatment and with some improvement he said to me as I was lying on the table, "I am picking up energy of a resentful nature." As soon as he said this I instantly and clearly identified my mom, my dad, and my sister - all of whom I had made amends to and prayed to forgive but at some level deep down inside the cells of my body I was unable to bring about the healing needed to release this resentful energy.<br /> When I returned home I immediately began to pray and meditate and did so on a daily basis as I was unable to function, in severe pain and incapable of complete forgiveness for my family. After several days I experienced a forgiveness for my family emanating from deep within. This experience of forgiveness, through the grace of God, was brought about by the daily practice of prayer and meditation. On the 14th of June in the year 2001, while meditating, I knew for the first time in my life that my life was worth something. I had never had that feeling before. At the age of 54, after 11 years of sobriety, I had self esteem. My prayer for you is that if you haven't already you will incorporate daily prayer and meditation into your life<br /><br />Written By ArmandArmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-39299672884254491532021-01-06T13:03:00.001-05:002021-01-06T13:03:13.372-05:00The Real Problem<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-LnJG4qYGvHBiMAZjCFN-wCflaG3M3wK9VfauWasX3OgLiJr2BsYMLXRIy-Tu1dLIsLHv6tYmOnfpeTWuAygOzYJ3noUA-FsYd-vW40XvQA_xPtowox5ZKJE12NkH2Ts8K-ZldfRhQyV/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-LnJG4qYGvHBiMAZjCFN-wCflaG3M3wK9VfauWasX3OgLiJr2BsYMLXRIy-Tu1dLIsLHv6tYmOnfpeTWuAygOzYJ3noUA-FsYd-vW40XvQA_xPtowox5ZKJE12NkH2Ts8K-ZldfRhQyV/" width="240" /></a></div><br />What a beautiful program Alcoholics Anonymous is. Not only does it relieve our uncontrollable use of alcohol but is applicable to each and every problem in our lives.<p></p><br />We come to A A because we desire to stop drinking alcohol and are unable to do so <i>on our own</i>. Alcohol severely impacts our lives, our minds, and our bodies. We discover through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous that alcohol, of itself, is not and was not the problem - it is but a <i>symptom </i>of the problem. The <i>real </i>problem with us as alcoholics (and addicts of any and all types) is <i>self-centered fear. </i>We are afraid we will not get what we want... and afraid to lose what we have.<br /><br />When any of our human instincts are threatened we overreact until we make the decision in the Third Step of the program to turn our thoughts and our actions over to the care of God. Once we do this we are on our way to a serene and peaceful life. The integration of the remaining steps into our lives leads us to a life in which we are praying and meditating <i>on a daily basis</i>. When praying we ask only for the knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out. Remaining in that present state of mind, in the will of God, we do not drink. In God's hands all of our problems are solved.<br /><br />God is the solution to <i>the real problem</i>. Once we are in His will we do not overreact when we think that our human instincts are threatened as we are trusting in His safety and serenity. May you find Him and his comfort <i><b>now</b></i>.<br /><br />Written By ArmandArmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-5143902696906578912021-01-03T09:06:00.000-05:002021-01-03T09:06:01.647-05:00What Was Our Choice To Be<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVZOnza-qd0HnOroIBlI9WzuRmfv0RCKW9dIpqAtjQ_MGroTehGqNdxytJR_6vVESDvAJwBKaI6tNJvjVYzKno8L_2AdtcUgwWrTSw93CNj9NgivnzON5fNXmcfWiBMn9eQ40MEAArva8/s1600/Whatwasourchoicetobeblogimage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVZOnza-qd0HnOroIBlI9WzuRmfv0RCKW9dIpqAtjQ_MGroTehGqNdxytJR_6vVESDvAJwBKaI6tNJvjVYzKno8L_2AdtcUgwWrTSw93CNj9NgivnzON5fNXmcfWiBMn9eQ40MEAArva8/s200/Whatwasourchoicetobeblogimage.jpg" width="200" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had admitted I was alcoholic. I believed in God. I drank twice while a member of Alcoholics Anonymous - once for thirteen months and once for ninety days. Only after the second relapse did I fully realize that I had to make a choice. As the "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous says, "When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is or He isn't. WHAT WAS OUR CHOICE TO BE?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Early on I chose - God is everything. When I made that choice I had no idea of the power of the human instinct, how pervasive it is and how difficult it would be to turn from my nature and to live in the will of God. The second relapse brought me to a state of reasonableness in which I clearly saw that the surrender had to be absolute. In Bill's Story in the "Big Book" it says "Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all." What will you chose - He is and He is everything or the nothingness which envelops one in the darkness? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-30513010027486031112020-12-30T14:46:00.002-05:002020-12-30T14:46:29.738-05:00Self Centerdness<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SC9Ymj32xka_PXKGv8ENogC6cfzcGfjcz69j-Mbzn62PRhWEj11FXAV35OlrKj-KyTFfrFS9ni37boo4UkRkpkyPvJEC00_cztOzrxnlNzu-Z-rVNMo4Z7AJjalmZLeWDtiR-Ix21mU2/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SC9Ymj32xka_PXKGv8ENogC6cfzcGfjcz69j-Mbzn62PRhWEj11FXAV35OlrKj-KyTFfrFS9ni37boo4UkRkpkyPvJEC00_cztOzrxnlNzu-Z-rVNMo4Z7AJjalmZLeWDtiR-Ix21mU2/" width="240" /></a></div><br />When I become angry or resentful, it is in that moment that I manifest my human SELF-CENTEREDNESS. In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it says "that we think is the root of our troubles." It also goes on to say "It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise point that we permit these do we squander the hours that might have been worthwhile. But with the alcoholic whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found it fatal! For when harboring such thoughts we cut ourselves off from the sunlight of the spirit."<p></p> The solution to our alcoholism is a vital spiritual experience. We must give life to our relationship with God. We accomplish this by turning from our human nature and living in the will of God. We receive God's will through inspiration conditioned by prayer and meditation. We can't possibly be in the will of God when we are manifesting SELF - CENTEREDNESS in our lives , but by sobrogating our human nature to the will of God we cannot possibly manifest the SELF - CENTEREDNESS of our human nature in our behavior.<br /><br /><br />Written By ArmandArmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-37092375703347624402020-12-27T10:49:00.003-05:002020-12-27T10:49:47.948-05:00Forming And Sustaining Relationships<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30uBco_nzRpqe3UB0EyQ86rK-gS1wGEmyzP9tRTyJpjjCcp8jvZkHhfbLOGFvAz2rZdOwS6vHe1mWipXotwaBNUFHm6i1lpXICvaCm9daH_Fe_Ij-Y19se-coDeLaIPSAGZpRRfXBdS3Y/s1600/Relationships.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30uBco_nzRpqe3UB0EyQ86rK-gS1wGEmyzP9tRTyJpjjCcp8jvZkHhfbLOGFvAz2rZdOwS6vHe1mWipXotwaBNUFHm6i1lpXICvaCm9daH_Fe_Ij-Y19se-coDeLaIPSAGZpRRfXBdS3Y/s200/Relationships.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The chapter on the fourth step in <i>Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions</i> describes our dysfunctional relations well: "But it is from our twisted relations with family, friends, and society at large that many of us have suffered the most. We have been especially stupid and stubborn about them. The primary fact that we failed to recognize is our <i>total inability to form a true partnership</i> with another human being."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I went through my entire life unable to interact with others on an intimate level. I was incapable of allowing others to experience me as I truly was and I was unwilling to allow others to share with me their own true self. I would present to the world what I thought the world needed to see about me so I could feel good and safe about myself. In the past, the relationships I did have were of the type which, when I was done taking that which I wanted from them and them from me, the relationship was over. I was incapable of FORMING AND SUSTAINING RELATIONSHIPS in an <i>honest and caring </i>way with other human beings.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The greatest gift I have received from developing a personal relationship with God is the ability to interact with other human beings at an honest and true level - therefore forming and sustaining relationships that are caring and loving, loyal and trust-giving. My landing on such soil from which these relations sprout was done simply, but not easily, by going through the twelve steps of the program of AA. This can occur for any who return to the being God created and meant for them to be. When this does occur, human potential is maximized and becoming a recovered, unbroken being is completely possible.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Written by <i>Armand</i>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-67352135333170351192020-12-22T15:35:00.003-05:002020-12-22T15:35:47.269-05:00Humility With Serenity<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7MxRcFdkqWF3BmpAxdIGHUNo3xLBwGE8E1XoSr_10plUuDVVwP8KjNgQoXFE4fAofBMk0QYR4ApItN8UD9jkP6C8KI7rg9ck-_ShHWkPDVwrq1FIHfLTcg_VfH7F_W35Rr0rQOun0qmK/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="102" data-original-width="200" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7MxRcFdkqWF3BmpAxdIGHUNo3xLBwGE8E1XoSr_10plUuDVVwP8KjNgQoXFE4fAofBMk0QYR4ApItN8UD9jkP6C8KI7rg9ck-_ShHWkPDVwrq1FIHfLTcg_VfH7F_W35Rr0rQOun0qmK/" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The Fourth Step is the beginning of a process in which we list our resentments, fears and sexual conduct on a four column inventory to determine the exact nature of our wrongs. Step Five is, "admitted to God to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. In many great spiritual traditions a deep introspective period is necessary and Alcoholics Anonymous is no different. The purpose of which is to discover within ourselves what it is about ourselves that is keeping the grace of God from our lives. Then a confession, our Fifth Step, for a sense of relief from the shame and guilt is common. If we are to overcome our alcoholism, a review and admission of our defects is necessary.<p></p> The chapter <i>Into Action</i> in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states, "we shall be more reconciled with discussing ourselves with another person when we see why we should do so. The best reason first. Time after time newcomers have tried to keep to themselves certain facts about their lives. Trying to avoid the humbling experience, they tried easier methods. Almost invariably they got drunk. Having persevered with the rest of the program, they wondered why they fell. We think the reason is they never completed their housecleaning. They took inventory alright but held onto the worst items in stock. They only thought they had lost their egoism, they only thought they had humbled themselves in the sense we find it necessary until they had told someone all their life story."<br /> All the steps of AA are humbling but none more so than the Fourth and Fifth Steps. To tell someone the deepest, darkest side of ourselves is a very humbling experience. Along with it comes a sense of relief. For maybe the first time in our lives we are free of the shame and guilt that we have carried within ourselves for years. There is a sense of serenity. The Step Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says, "when HUMILITY is combined with SERENITY a great moment is apt to occur," and for me it was the presence of God in my life for the first time since I was a little boy.<br /> If we are willing to do a complete Fourth Step as outlined in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous followed by a complete and honest Fifth Step, HUMILITY will intersect with SERENITY and we will know a peace that we have never before experienced.<br /><br />Written by <i>Armand</i>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-34226300514182416652020-12-19T16:16:00.001-05:002020-12-19T16:16:04.606-05:00Reliance Not Defiance<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGkg-PPxH4OseAePCSrqlYViPtNME1Y5AYJboJx3n7ilK9kBHh-lvdVxDDlcoHWCXN9KoD6qapNF1S9QP_Ao9ZOwUPfXc_GEY4l1Y602KTKS5QisEZisf2MyqyfRCpjclcBf_lsFPnhYZ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGkg-PPxH4OseAePCSrqlYViPtNME1Y5AYJboJx3n7ilK9kBHh-lvdVxDDlcoHWCXN9KoD6qapNF1S9QP_Ao9ZOwUPfXc_GEY4l1Y602KTKS5QisEZisf2MyqyfRCpjclcBf_lsFPnhYZ/" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: justify;">In the Big Book of </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Alcoholics Anonymous</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> it says, "When we encountered A.A., the fallacy of our defiance was revealed. At no time had we asked what God's will was for us; instead we had been telling Him what it ought to be. No man, we saw, could believe in God and defy Him, too. Belief meant RELIANCE, NOT DEFIANCE. In A.A. we saw the fruits of this belief: men and women spared from alcohol's final catastrophe. We saw them meet and transcend their other pains and trials. We saw them calmly accept impossible situations, seeking neither to run nor to recriminate. This was not only faith; it was faith that worked under all conditions. We soon concluded that whatever price in humility we must pay, we would pay."</span><p></p><span style="text-align: justify;"> Reliance upon God is the basis of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous; humility is the key which unlocks the door to the grace of God. The Twelve Steps of A.A. move us from developing a faith </span><i style="text-align: justify;">in </i><span style="text-align: justify;">God to </span><i style="text-align: justify;">trusting in</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> God and finally a </span><i style="text-align: justify;">true reliance </i><span style="text-align: justify;">upon God in every area of our life. This relationship with Him allows us to transcend the travails of life in such a way that we are not self-centered and caught in our own needs and problems. Rather, we are trusting in the will of God as it unfolds in our life - freeing us to be open to the world around us and sensitive to the needs of others. </span><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: justify;">Written by Armand</span></div>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496736028674036429.post-21763925437934590562020-12-15T17:02:00.002-05:002020-12-15T17:02:55.325-05:00Step 6 Key Questions Step 7 Basic Ingrediant<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIibpAWl2-ZNPCuBDsJLlFS0eOigPV1aUOpi_L2GGtMZ4tGDt_uevh1Ermq_WpKP2GgW7Dm0EJG4EYJAitAMQkgSFljp3wPfi0uhs-qlGIePhrIjhOuo7hTf6sHdV9_IXxarTRdQcWD5z9/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIibpAWl2-ZNPCuBDsJLlFS0eOigPV1aUOpi_L2GGtMZ4tGDt_uevh1Ermq_WpKP2GgW7Dm0EJG4EYJAitAMQkgSFljp3wPfi0uhs-qlGIePhrIjhOuo7hTf6sHdV9_IXxarTRdQcWD5z9/" width="320" /></a></div><br />Having completed Steps One through Five, there are some fundamental recovery questions in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous that must be answered before we can move on.<p></p> <br /> 1) Have we omitted anything?<br /> 2) Is our work solid so far?<br /> 3) Are the stones properly in place?<br /> 4) Have we skipped on the cement put into the foundation?<br /> 5) Have we tried to make motor without sand?<br /><br /> If we can answer these questions in the affirmative, then we have completed the first five steps in such a way that we have acquired the humility necessary to be entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.<br /> The Big Book of AA states "if we can answer to our satisfaction, we then look at Step Six. We have emphasized willingness as being indispensable. Are we now ready to let God remove from us all the things which we have admitted are objectionable? Can God now take them all, every one? If we can answer in the affirmative we have then completed Step Six.<br /><br /> The Seventh Step of Alcoholics Anonymous is "humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings." In the Step Book it states "this lack of anchorage to any permanent values, this blindness to the true purpose of our lives produced another bad result, for just as long as we convinced ourselves that we could live by our own individual strength and intelligence, for just that long was a working faith in a higher power impossible. This was true even though we believed God existed. As long as we placed self reliance first, a genuine reliance upon a higher power was impossible. THE BASIC INGREDIENT of all humility, a desire to seek and do God's will, was missing."<br /> I have learned through experience that belief in God is not enough, that we must trust in God in every area of our lives, even as our every day life unfolds. The purpose of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous is to bring us from a thought process propelled by our human desires to a thought process propelled by the will of God. In the will of God our defects that exist in our human nature cannot possibly be manifested in our behavior. And it is only through true humility, a desire to seek and do God's will, that that can occur. We can free ourselves from the bondage of self, we can trust in God in all things and, if so, we are protected from the disease of Alcoholism.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">Written by <i>Armand</i></div>Armandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10431272557856731555noreply@blogger.com4