Daily Reprieve

From the Daily Reflections of February 16;

Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right action is the key to good living.  (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 125)

There came a time in my program of recovery when the third stanza of the Serenity Prayer — “The wisdom to know the difference” — became indelibly imprinted in my mind. From that time on, I had to face the ever-present knowledge that my every action, word and thought was within, or outside, the principles of the program. I could no longer hide behind self-rationalization, nor behind the insanity of my disease. The only course open to me, if I was to attain a joyous life for myself (and subsequently for those I love), was one in which I imposed on myself an effort of commitment, discipline, and responsibility.

END OF QUOTE

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The citing from the 12 & 12 in this Daily Reflection comes from the last paragraph on the Steps, and I will quote that here to gain some helpful context:

These little studies of A.A.’s Twelve Steps now come to a close. We have been considering so many problems that it may appear that A.A. consists mainly of racking dilemmas and troubleshooting. To a certain extent, that is true. We have been talking about problems because we are problem people who have found a way up and out, and who wish to share our knowledge of that way with all who can use it. For it is only by accepting and solving our problems that we can begin to get right with ourselves and with the world about us, and with Him who presides over us all. Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right action is the key to good living; therefore the joy of good living is the theme of A.A.’s Twelfth Step. (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 125).

So this understanding comes from the quest to accept and solve our problems. Right principles, attitudes, and actions come from getting right with ourselves, others, and our Higher Power. It all begins with accepting the full knowledge and reality of that which robs me of power to the point of not being able to manage my day to day living. That is the First Step that leads me to the realization of good living from the Twelfth. So I continue my quest. I truly hope you will, as well.

This entry was posted on July 30, 2015 at 11:28 am and is filed under Uncategorized with tags Addiction, Alcoholism, Daily Reflections, Journal, Life, Personal, Recovery, Spirituality. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.