Thought for today:

Sanity is a relative term.  A person can seem perfectly normal in most ways, and yet be totally insane in one key area.  Our relation to debt is like that.

We need to admit that we are not like normal people when it comes to debt, spending and earning.  Our disease beats us every time.  But what good is knowing that? Is the situation totally hopeless?  Far from it!

Sometimes in DA we talk about having faith in a “Higher Power” as the answer to this dilemma.

“But I’m a proud atheist,” a new person might say, “How can I possibly do that?”

Enter DA Step 2:

“Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity”.

A personal share:

“They told me to let my imagination help me come to believe in a Higher Power, starting with things I already believe in.  For instance, I believed in good government and justice, and I loved music, so didn’t I believe in love?

“I asked myself if there was a power in the universe I could find trustworthy enough to begin my journey into faith.  the answer came back to me that I had to stop being cynical about my outlook for humankind, and instead look for hopeful signs of courage and peace around me.  They told me I would see the signs if I looked for them.”

“I read spiritual poetry that didn’t come from any religion.  I found one especially goof line in “Desiderata”: ‘With all it’s sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful life.  Strive to be happy.’  I could agree with that.

“Today, striving to be happy is enough of a spiritual journey to keep me solvent.”

The takeaway:

Step 2 doesn’t say what our Power is, where it came from, or why it exists.  It recommends finding a power greater than ourselves.  After all, we have lost our power in regard to debt and were insane with money.

We had fallen into a trap, meaning well, but choosing poorly.  Unsecured debt was our higher power for too long.  Now we find a hint of balance with money, awakening of our higher selves.  The Steps help us get there.

Meditation for today:

“Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” (From the Desiderata.)

Affirmation for today:

Today I will find a power to turn my life over to.

Recommended Reading:

For the definitive Twelve Step and Twelve Tradition book, get Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions  written by Alcoholics Anonymous.  It is a practical guide to all the Steps and Traditions.

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