AA *An Open Mind

When we enter recovery it can be hard to shed our preconceived images of a Power Greater Than Ourselves. Here, AA's "Daily Reflections" (pg. 300) gives us hope that we don't need to begin with a belief. All we need to begin is Openness; A mind just opens enough to know that we need help outside ourselves.

Transcript

Daily Reflections and Open Mind. True humility and an open mind can lead us to faith. From Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Page 33. My alcoholic thinking led me to believe that I could control my drinking. But I couldn't. When I came to AA, I realized that God was speaking to me through my group. My mind was open just enough to know that I needed His help. A real, Honest acceptance of AA took more time, But with it came humility. I know how insane I was, And I am extremely grateful to have my sanity restored to me and to be a sober alcoholic. The new sober me is a much better person than I ever could have been without AA. 24 hours a day. Have I got over most of my sensitiveness, My feelings that are too easily hurt, And my just plain laziness and self-satisfaction? Am I willing to go all out for AA, At no matter what cost to my precious self? Is my own comfort more important to me than doing the things that need to be done? Have I got to the point where what happens to me is not so important? Can I face up to things that are embarrassing or uncomfortable if they are the right things to do for the good of AA? Have I given AA just a small piece of myself? Am I willing to give all of myself whenever necessary? Meditation for the day. Not until you have failed can you learn true humility. Humility arises from a deep sense of gratitude to God for giving you the strength to rise above past failures. Humility is not inconsistent with self-respect. The true person has self-respect and the respect of others, And yet is humble. The humble person is tolerant of others' failings and does not have a critical attitude toward the foibles of others. Humble people are hard on themselves and easy on others. Prayer for the day. I pray that I may be truly humble and yet have self-respect. I pray that I may see the good in myself as well as the bad.