AA Thought for the Day
(courtesy AA-Alive.net)
October 26, 2016
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A Decision
Practicing Step Three is like the opening of a door which to all appearances is closed and locked.
All we need one key, and it is called willingness.
Once unlocked by willingness, the door opens almost of itself.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 34
Thought to Ponder . . .
Maturity is the ability to make a decision and follow through.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O W = Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.
A Member Shares:
Hi all, I'm Lori, a real alcoholic. I've never been a "frog-on-a-log" person with Step Three. You know the yarn about if there are three frogs on a log and two make a decision to jump, how many are left on the log? Three, because all they did was "make a decision!" Just making a decision meant nothing to me. And I saw Step 3 as turning over MY will and MY life, so it was a stumbling block. If I don't have control of those things, what am I then? A puppet? A shell? I have too much alcoholic ego to take that lightly. Lightbulb moment - actually *read* the damn Step - it doesn't say that we make a decision to turn CONTROL of our will and our life over to God. It says we turn them over to the CARE of God. And, with apologies to anyone who's heard me share on this before, I have no more qualms doing that than I do turning myself over to the CARE of a physician if I need an appendectomy. I have some medical training, and I could probably convince myself that I could do it on my own. And I'd likely do just as good a job with that self-appendectomy as I did running my own life before I turned it over to His care. I like it that I have guidance now in all areas. I have a God I can count on and turn to, and if I leave my will and life in His care (because I do tend to try and snatch it back from time to time), I usually don't run into difficulties or stumbling blocks. I don't make a good God. In fact, I suck at it. So, I'll let God be God and let Him take care of the hard stuff, and focus on staying sober and being of maximum service to Him and all of you. Thanks.
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(All shares are reproduced with the kind permission of the person sharing)
Thanks to all of you for sharing so generously of your experience, strength and hope in carrying the AA message.
Blessings in sobriety to all,
In love and service,
joanna b
dailythought@aa-alive.org
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