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Daily Reflection: Do I Have a Choice?

DO I HAVE A CHOICE?
The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink. Our so-called will power becomes practically nonexistent.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 24
My powerlessness over alcohol does not cease when I quit drinking. In sobriety I still have no choice — I can't drink.

The choice I do have is to pick up and use the "kit of spiritual tools" (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 25). When I do that, my Higher Power relieves me of my lack of choice—and keeps me sober one more day. If I could choose not to pick up a drink today, where then would be my need for A.A. or a Higher Power?

Another great an timely reading.  I was trying to explain to someone with no drinking problem why I don't drink.  I don't drink because I LOVE the life I live today.  And I've never been able to live this fully, honestly, hopefully, purposefully, or spiritually AND drink.  The simple fact is I am powerless over alcohol.  I can never forget that truth, because the moment I do I will lose everything that I have today.

I am powerless over alcohol.  It isn't a question of will.  It isn't a question of rational thought.  It is just simply this: I am powerless over alcohol.  And when I drink, my thoughts and emotions are out of control, which leads to terrible choices and actions that are out of my control.

I have the power to choose sobriety. I choose to pray, to be honest, to face the things I'm rather procrastinate on, and to just tackle goal after goal, all with the intent of being of as much service to the people around me as possible.

I have a choice: self destruction or the best life I could ever live. That's an easy choice for me.  It's a daily choice for me. It is a lesson I have to remember every single morning, and a decision I give thanks for every single night.

Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 5, 2018 at 7:10 AM

    It has been such an honor to walk with you on this journey my friend. You are a testament to the power of this program, and the power of God. I recall when you first came into the rooms your children wanted minimal interaction with you, and now you have a healthy relationship with your kids.

    I appreciate how you mentioned that you have a daily choice because that is exactly how our AA forefathers put it. "All we are granted is a daily reprieve from alcoholism contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition." Too many people get to one or two years of sobriety, work the steps, gain everything they had lost, and then completely stop working the program. They fall victim to what Sandy Beach called the prayer of the ego, which I'm sure you've heard me mention before.

    Prayer From An Ego“God, I’m here tonight to thank you for what you’ve done in my life.  You’ve taken a hopeless person, restored him to a place in society, restored him to his family, restored his dignity and his self-respect, his health – excitement in his life.You and you alone have placed me in a positionWhere I no longer needYour sorry ass.(But I am grateful.)”

    I have been around these rooms long enough to see that too many people grow apathetic on maintaining and growing their spiritual condition, which is a lethal decision! We must constantly ask ourselves what we can do for the ALCOHOLICS who still suffer, in addition to being of service to our fellow men. There is something special about one alcoholic working with another alcoholic. Sometimes this comes in the form of taking a sponsee through the steps, and other times it is simply suiting up and showing up to a meeting to relate your experience, strength, and hope to a newcomer.

    Keep asking yourself daily what you can do for the alcoholics who still suffer. Ask God to help you transmit what you have to the alcoholics who still suffer and He will hear your prayer.

    I am proud of you brother!

    ReplyDelete

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