Wednesday, November 17, 2010

AS BILL SEES IT, Question 18b

How simple are you keeping your program?  Your life?  Do you tend to complicate things?

My program is very simple today.  I live it One Day At A Time, with God (HP) by my side, abstinently.

I've been abstinent for so long, I know what my standard abstinent meal options are and the food is always available in my home.  (My husband is not responsible for my meals but has been helping me cook abstinently over the years).

I spend an hour during the morning in quiet time - doing prayer and meditation, along with questions.  They help me with my spiritual program - keeping me in contact with God (HP).  When I can do this, the rest of my life runs smoothly.

The only time I complicate things is when I'm stressed - this happens when I'm disconnected from God.  When it occurs, I haven't taken enough time out for myself and I'm rushing.  I also haven't asked God (HP) for help.

The important thing is taking time out for working my program.  If I don't, everything then becomes all about me - what I want, what I'm doing, what I can't do, what someone is doing to me, etc.  I've become self-centered instead of God-centered.  I've lost my peace of mind, serenity and any enjoyment in the life I have - because I've taken back control.  So by making everything about me again, I've lost everything I wanted and sought.

The way I get it back is by pausing, just like the Big Book says:

"As we go through the day we pause when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the 
right thought or action, we constantly remind ourselves we are no longer
running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day 'Thy
will be done.'  We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear,
anger, worry, self-pity or foolish decisions."
A.A. Big Book, pg 87-88

It's so much easier to be living on a spiritual plane.  My days are carefree - I have no concerns and I go to bed peacefully at night 

If I can live my life each day, seeking to do Gods will in all areas of my life, I receive the peace and serenity I've craved, every day of my life.

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