LISTENING DEEPLY

Daily Reflections - August 5

How  persistently  we  claim  the  right  to  decide  all  by ourselves just what we shall think and just how we shall act TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 37

If I accept and act upon the advice of those who have made the  program  work  for  themselves,  I  have  a  chance  to outgrow the limits of the past. Some problems will shrink to nothingness, while others may require patient, well- thought-out action. Listening deeply when others share can develop intuition in handling problems which arise unexpectedly. It is usually best for me to avoid impetuous action.  Attending  a  meeting  or  calling  a  fellow  A.A. member will usually reduce tension enough to bring relief to  a  desperate  sufferer  like  me.  Sharing  problems  at meetings  with  other  alcoholics  to  whom  I  relate,  or privately with my sponsor, can change aspects of the positions in which I find myself. Character defects are identified and I begin to see how they work against me. When I put my faith in the spiritual power of the program, when I trust others to teach me what I need to do to have a better life, I find that I can trust myself to do what is necessary.