Ego

Thoughftood for Sunday, June 28, 2009

Ego
 
Selfishness -- self-centeredness! 

That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 62

From the Big Book:

"Next he can be assured that you do not intend to lecture, moralize, or condemn, that if this was done formerly, it was because of misunderstanding.  If possible express alack of hard fooling toward him.  At this point, it might be well to explain alcoholism, the illness."

c.1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, To Employers, p. 142.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may gladly leave my future in God's hand.  I pray that I may be confident that good things will happen, as long as I am on the right path."

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, June 28.

Quote for the day:

"It is the nature of the ego to take, and the nature of the spirit to share."  __Proverb

My share:

I pass my share to Judy.  Be Good To You, Dave

A Member Shares:
Hi, I'm Judy and I'm an alcoholic.  I felt everyone and everything was about me.  Odd thing for me, though, is when they were talking about me I didn't get that.  I thought I had them all fooled; that they didn't know of my addictions, my problems.  When they were not speaking of me, I would get tremendously defensive.  The Steps, meetings, getting a sponsor, and doing AA taught me how to live.  One of the very basics I have learned is not to talk of others -- it's just not a good idea.  If I mention you today, it is because I genuinely care about you as a person.  It is not gossip; it is not mean spirited, but a love and understanding which enables me to live life on life's terms in a better way.  I do the best I can at every moment.  That is what God asks of me today, and I get to stay sober and am happier than ever before in my life.  Because it is not about me.  I am not afraid to say it was this way or that way when it does not make me look good.  I am not afraid to be who I am becoming -- the other person is not so bad, and I am not so bad.  After all, there are some things that are worth keeping that I found out in my Fourth and Fifth Steps.  Being able to listen constructively to someone who loved me enough to say, "You might want to look at that a little closer," or, "You might just want to let that go -- how important is it, really?"  Being able to make sense and not be so baffled at simple life experiences, I love being sober today.  I NEVER thought I would say that, ever!  But it is my truth today.  I am glad it's not all about me today.  I thank God and you for helping keep me sober today.