Thought for today:
Most of us would have gone to any length to get credit. When the well dried up, and our credit card applications declined, we knew disastrous times lay ahead – late fees, family rejection, the threat of electricity being shut off, lost health insurance, or worse, losing our home.
We were powerless over debt, and yet it drew us stronger and more seductively than the most powerful opiate. We fought to keep the supply of credit coming.
DA Step 1:
- We admitted we were powerless over debt—that our lives had become unmanageable.
A member shares:
“I open the mail in my house. One day I found that my spouse received an offer for a one-year, 0% interest credit card.
“I got on the phone with a bank right away. They wouldn’t open the account without my wife’s consent, so I put down the phone and thought fast.
“It was at a particularly low point in my debting history. I am not proud of this, but I picked up the phone again and impersonated my spouse’s voice in order to open the account. I knew my spouse wouldn’t be too happy about this when they found out, but I told myself that I could worry about that later.”
“We debtors certainly are resourceful, aren’t we? I was very creative while in the throes of my debting disease.
“I’d do almost anything for another “hit” of credit – my “imaginary prosperity” I now call it. I’d risk health insurance, job and family in destructive credit-chasing.
“Now that I’m in recovery, I figured ‘why not use my creative powers as a force for good instead of evil!’?
“Today I use my creativity for good instead of debting. I carry the message to other debtors. I am creative on my job. I find ways to express my creativity in the arts.
“With the help of my Higher Power and DA, I create new visions to replace the old ones as they materialize. With effort, the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Tools, the program of recovery brings a real prosperity, starting inside of me and working its way throughout my life.”
The creative spark in us:
Creativity comes in many forms, and we have unlimited possibilities for bringing inspiration into our work lives. Some DA members are performing artists, painters, sculptors, dancers, writers. Others are internet entrepreneurs, teachers, consultants, salespeople, tradespeople, and builders.
Creativity seems to be a common theme in us. The problem is when our creative spark is not channeled to a useful purpose, and we use it to perpetuate unsecured debting.
In Debtors Anonymous we accept our creativity as a gift inspired by a Higher Power of our own understanding. We cultivate this gift by using Visions and Affirmations. We learn that we can create something of value for the world, and benefit our own lives in the process.
Ask:
“Do I put aside my personal differences with other members, for the greater good of DA unity?”
Meditation for Today:
Many times throughout our day we are given inspirational ideas from our Higher Power. We call this a Higher Power because we know is that it is a power greater than us, and that its help produces tangible results.
We need to say “thank you” to our creative genius. We need to rely on our gifts as coming for our inner Higher Power. As we climb the path before us, we find the tools and the design comes to us.
Caught up in the creative spark, we may not see the miracle while it is developing. But when we open ourselves as a channel for creativity, we become astonished by what gets created through us.
Affirmations for Today:
“I am a creative spirit. Today I will honor my creative visions and dreams. I will take one small action to build my life out of the blueprint that inspires me.”
Recommended Reading:
“How to Get Out Of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, and Live Prosperously”, by Jerrold Mundis, is a comprehensive guide to getting “Back to the Black”, using the concepts of Debtors Anonymous. Many have benefited from Jerrold’s thoughtful encouragement, especially in dealing with creditors, increasing income and reversing under earning.
Other great books for planning our time:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
Also, see our Fourth Step Template which helps us to take a fearless moral inventory.
Some members, with the help of their Pressure Relief Group, take a moratorium from debt payments in order to get their spending under control. See this Debt Moratorium sample letter to creditors for one example.
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