This is the reading for this week’s meeting from our AA literature;
As Bill Sees It; 5 & AA Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous p.66
It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while. But with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal. For when harbouring such feelings we shut ourselves off from the sunlight of the Spirit. The insanity of alcohol returns and we drink again. And with us, to drink is to die.
If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of normal men, but for alcoholics these things are poison.
In my sobriety I have seen how practising simple ideas helps me grow in my spiritual life and my spiritual experiences. The ways I grow have been important in relation to maintaining my sobriety a day at a time but also growing in “effectiveness and understanding” of our AA 12 step program.
What are you doing today to maintain your sobriety and grow your understanding and effectiveness in the program and in your spirit life? What are you doing today to turn towards the sunlight of the sprit? Or if you’re not doing it yet, what is it you want to do?
I continue to try to be an active member of AA, by sharing, by reaching out, by 12th stepping, by being of service, by sponsoring. I enjoy listening to others share about their experiences of living the 12 steps and bringing the ideas in the AA Big Book in to their lives. I hear this in sharing in meetings but also in podcasts I find to listen to.
I’ve recently listened slowly over a period of several months to a podcast series on emotional sobriety, about bringing each step to life and connecting with the god of my understanding. This has opened up new insights into prayer and connecting with my Higher Power.
I’ve also recognised where I’ve needed other support and connection and have taken steps to bring that alive in my life. I read a daily reading each day and reflect on the ideas shared there.
I participate regularly in a local women’s meeting and am available for newcomers.
I have begun a new journey with meditation, prayer, gratitude, yoga, self care. These things build my spiritual life. I recently started swimming in our local swimming lake, it’s in an old quarry but the trees grow down the sides of the quarry to the water line and when I swim I’m smiling. It’s not like exercise it’s like creating space and time for my mind to find peace. The people I meet there are friendly and I get a lot of smiles. I had no idea my spirit needed that so much until I got brave and gave it a go. My spiritual life is primarily about being sober first and then I’m in with a chance to grow and be part of the world.
So am I turning to the sunlight of the spirit or am I blocking myself from it? AA and my fellows here show me ways to turn to that sunlight.
I can’t do any of this alone. Being part of this fellowship and continuing to have a home – a home group – in AA help me grow.
The meeting is open for sharing on the topic of growth & maintenance of our sobriety and our spiritual life but as always is open for GROW members to share on anything pertinent to their AA journey, sobriety, AA program, and shares “off topic” are welcomed.
I always always get back far more than I can give in these rooms and it’s a joy to be here to connect and be of service.