The less people tolerated us, the more we withdrew from society, from life itself. As we became subjects of King Alcohol, shivering denizens of his mad realm, the chilling vapor that is loneliness settled down. It thickened, ever becoming blacker. Some of us sought out sordid places, hoping to find understanding companionship and approval. Momentarily we did – then would come oblivion and the awful awakening to face the hideous Four Horsemen – Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration, Despair. Unhappy drinkers who read this page will understand!
Hour To Hour – Book – Quote
Often times late at night, we fear that someone might break in, spirits might invade our body, or that our heart may stop beating. At these times we must turn to our Higher Power, surrender our fears and our fate. In that surrender, we cease struggling, cease fear.
In order for my Spiritual Source to guide me, I cease struggling ( which means getting my will for me ) and surrender my fear and my fate.
Owning My Own Anger Responsibly
Today, I am willing to take responsibility for the anger that I carry within me. I am not a bad person because I feel angry. No one wants to think of himself or herself as an angry person, and I am no exception. But when I refuse to acknowledge the anger and resentment that I have stored within me, (1) I turn my back on me and refuse to accept a very important part of myself, and (2) I ask the people close to me to hold my feelings for me, to be the containers of my unconscious or the feelings inside me that I do not wish to see. Because I deny my anger to myself does not mean that it goes away. Today, I am willing to consider that there might be something more to it, that I may be carrying feelings of anger that I need to accept.
– Tian Dayton PhD
Misc. AA Literature – Quote
The moment we ponder a twisted or broken relationship with another person, our emotions go on the defensive. To escape looking at the wrongs we have done another, we resentfully focus on the wrong he has done us. Triumphantly we seize upon his slightest misbehavior as the perfect excuse for minimizing or forgetting our own.
Right here we need to fetch ourselves up sharply. Let’s remember that alcoholics are not the only ones bedeviled by sick emotions. In many instances we are really dealing with fellow sufferers, people whose woes we have increased.
If we are about to ask forgiveness for ourselves, why shouldn’t we start out by forgiving them, one and all?
Pocket Sponsor – Book – Quote
It’s not your Higher Power’s Will that makes you miserable. It’s your resistance to HP’s Will that causes the damage. Turning it over will set you right again.
God’s will is when I turn it over. Self-will is when I’ve over turned it.
From “Walk Softly and Carry a Big Book” – Book
Law of Sobriety: You can’t fall off the floor.
From Archives:
First we put down the anesthesia; then we operate. – Renee M.
I sum up Step 3 as “Fire myself, hire GOD”. – Renee M.
Put down the food and pick up the program. – Renee M.
The longer a burden is carried, the heavier it gets – so TODAY – I choose to live a life of serenity and not a life of regrets …