Endigar 649 ~ Accepting Success or Failure
From the Daily Reflections of December 26;
Furthermore, how shall we come to terms with seeming failure or success? Can we now accept and adjust to either without despair or pride? Can we accept poverty, sickness, loneliness, and bereavement with courage and serenity? Can we steadfastly content ourselves with the humbler, yet sometimes more durable, satisfactions when the brighter, more glittering achievements are denied us? (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 112)
After I found A.A. and stopped drinking, it took a while before I understood why the First Step contained two parts: my powerlessness over alcohol, and my life’s unmanageability. In the same way, I believed for a long time that, in order to be in tune with the Twelve Steps, it was enough for me “to carry this message to alcoholics.” That was rushing things. I was forgetting that there were a total of Twelve Steps and that the Twelfth Step also had more than one part. Eventually I learned that it was necessary for me to “practice these principles” in all areas of my life. In working all the Steps thoroughly, I not only stay sober and help someone else to achieve sobriety, but also I transform my difficulty with living into a joy of living.
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I do not know how to take a message of recovery to those still suffering as an event separate from a lifestyle of devotion to the principals of the program. Just as the unmanageability of life is linked to a surrender to being powerless to alcohol, the helpfulness of recovery is a fruit of devotion to self-improvement and transformation. When my character develops in strength, my message of recovery will grow in credibility. This is an effort worthy of devotion.
Rest in peace, Leornard Nimoy. He lived long and prospered. It was not a shock, he stayed with us for as long as he could, and I really appreciate that.
Daily Reprieve 
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