Cunning, Baffling, Powerful

GETTING INVOLVED There is action and more action. "Faith without works is dead." . . . To be helpful is our only aim. — ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 88-89 I understand that service is a vital part of recovery but I often wonder, "What can I do?" Simply start with what I have today! I look around to see where there is a need. Are the ashtrays full? Do I have hands and feet to empty them? Suddenly I'm involved! The best speaker may make the worst coffee; the member who's best with newcomers may be unable to read; the one willing to clean up may make a mess of the bank account—yet every one of these people and jobs is essential to an active group. The miracle of service is this: when I use what I have, I find there is more available to me than I realized before. Well, I was looking for volunteer opportunities and they were simultaneously looking for me.  My mentor and friend has asked that I fill in as facilitator for his Discipleship course for a couple ...

My mind still gets the best of me.  I talk to people and think about  what was said, what wasn't said, what the "real meaning" was, and my mind starts  running full speed to nowhere. I still have to collect myself, pray, and let go. I still have to remind myself it isn't personal. Last time, when I got to almost 2 years sobreity, I thought "Man, I kick ass.  I don't need meetings anymore." Then I fell apart, blew up, and started over.  Now that I have 10 months under my belt, I think "I'm doing great. I don't want to lose what i've gained.  I need to keep going to meetings and stay sober." I apologize for all the times I complained about problems that weren't there. I apologize for the times I've cast judgement on others for my own shortcomings. I apologize for the times I've sacrificed my own self-respect just to keep the peace. Today my prayer is that god wiill reveal to me the ways in which I can be of most serv...