Topic for the week: Acceptance.
Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book), 4th Edition, P. 417
“When I stopped living in the problem and began living in the answer, the problem went away. From that moment on, I have not had a single compulsion to drink. And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation – some fact of my life – unacceptable to me. I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitudes.”
By the grace of God I have been sober one day at a time since December 21st 1993 and for this I live with gratitude every day. My HP put people in my life who got me here, showed me how to live sober and what it means to love and serve others by living the 12 steps of AA. I reach out for help when I need it and read, pray and meditate every day so that I can remember where I came from and how I have changed and am STILL changing. This is truly a program of progress, not perfection. I write a daily (almost) gratitude list with my sponsee. Today, I will reflect and write an “acceptance list”:
I accept:
1. I cannot live happy, joyous and free without working/living the steps of AA;
2. I must be honest, open and willing to learn and grow in my recovery;
3. I cannot control my partner, family or other people in my life or neighborhood or the world;
4. responsibility and results for my own choices;
5. life can change in seconds, it can be unpredictable and bring surprises
6. my HP/God has a plan for me and others and I don’t need to intervene;
7. my daily work is to love and serve;
8. my attitude and reaction to situations or problems can make things worse or better;
9. my expectations can easily become premeditated resentments
10. I cannot change the past and with the help of my HP/God and support from you I can make the future better for me and others.
What is on your “acceptance list:? How does acceptance fit into your life right now? How does it help keep you sober, make you happy, bring you serenity or struggles?
If you are new or coming back to start again, thank you for being here for all of us. Thank you for allowing me to serve as lead this week.