Thought for today:

Let’s consider the implications of what Step Twelve means by “…practice these principles in all our affairs”. What principles are we talking about?
Honesty for one thing. Honesty with ourselves and others. Honesty in recognizing our need for reconciliation with God and our fellows. Honestly knowing that we need to change. We are no longer hidden in denial.

Integrity is another principle. We live lives of integrity on the job and at home, at meetings and at school. We are not two faces. We don’t fool ourselves into complacency.

Instead of denial and complacency we we “trust God, clean house, and help others,” as Dr. Bob, AAs co-founder described it.

When DA says “in all our affairs,” it doesn’t just mean looking good at meetings. It’s talking about the complete package.

Am I allowing my DA recovery to enter into every aspect of my life? Do I live by DA principles, or by my own desires alone? If I see an area I am still holding on to, am I willing to consider turning that over and trusting God?

Meditation for Today:

The great paradox of DA is that as we give of ourselves, we receive abundantly. At first, though, we need to take the help offered to us when we come into the rooms of DA. We must experience love to know how to give it back.

Affirmation for Today:
I have a wealth of life ahead of me in DA. As I give of myself in Step Twelve, my world becomes closer to what God has in store.

Prayer for Today:
I feel closer to my Higher Power with each passing day. Make me the best version of myself I can be. I will withhold nothing from you.

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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