Powerlessness

Thoughtfood for Monday, November 2, 2009

Powerlessness

Our admissions of personal powerlessness

 finally turn out to be firm bedrock
upon which happy and purposeful lives may be built.
We know that little good can come to any alcoholic who joins AA
unless he has first accepted his devastating weakness and all its consequences.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,  p. 21

From the Big Book:

"The basic principles of the A.A. program, it appears, hold good for individuals with many different lifestyles, just as the program has brought recovery to those of many different nationalities.  The Twelve Steps that summarize the program may be called los Doce Pasos in one country, les Douze Etapes in another, but they trace exactly the same path to recovery that was blazed by the earliest members of Alcoholics Anonymous."

c. 1976, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, Foreward To Third Edition, p. xxii.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may keep pouring out what I receive.  I pray that I may keep the stream clear and flowing."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 2.

Quote for the day:

"Hatred and anger are powerless when met with kindness." __Anonymous

My share:

First, a correction:  My sponsor is actually XXIII years sober, a few months shy of XXIV, I can't count so good.  ;-)

Powerlessness...I found that by admitting my powerlessness over alcohol, people, places and things, I became empowered to change the things I can, the things within myself that make me who and what I am.   An attitude of gratitude is impossible without an admission of powerlessness and a humble assessment of self worth.  Be Good To You, Dave