Thought for today:

Step seven is: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Humility is knowing of the truth about yourself, that you are not the center of the universe, that you are not God, and that other people are just as important as you. We humble ourselves before the “Ultimate Other”, unburdening ourselves of years of self-centered fears, and become a peer among our brethren.

Even if we believe there is no distinction between us and God – that we are intimate partners – a contrite heart can get us real clarity on our debting situation. Our old way was to try to think of every possible alternative, as if life was some game to be won, and ten losing to insane debt. As we recover and take step seven, we find that true life is not about beating some external opponent. It is about surrendering to a loving Higher Power, so that we can win serenity, peace of mind, and good judgement. These are the greater prizes.

Am I actively putting others’ needs first? Do I realize that I am part of a team – God’s team?

Meditation for today:

We are part of a universe full of possibility. We each have our gifts and our needs. It is in the sharing of these that the universe works it’s purpose.

Affirmation for today:

I have friends I haven’t met yet. As I surrender my defects I discover I am not alone. DA was there to guide me all along.

Prayer for today:

“My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen.”(1)

(1) Alcoholics Anonymous, pp 76.

Further Reading:

The book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions is the definitive guide to all the Steps and Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.  It brings an in-depth understanding of why and how the program of recovery evolved, and how it works to this day, over sixty years after it was first published.

DA adapted the short form of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions almost word for word (with AA’s permission) and to this day DA recommends we read AA literature, (including the “Twelve and Twelve“) as a way for us to understand the disease concept.

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