Thursday, July 06, 2006
Bill's Story - Self-Knowledge (Discovery, not Recovery!)
"Surely this was the answer -- self-knowledge."
Alcoholics Anonymous
Bill's Story
page 7
I suppose it's a bit of a "Mars/Venus" guy thing, but once I realized that I had a problem, I wanted to fix it. It was an amazing relief to learn that there were others who thought like I did and that there was a scientific explanation for my unthinkable behavior in the face of a desperate desire to stop. I began to learn all that I could about my disease and the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. But learning how to recover is called discovery, not recovery!
Luckily, I met some smart people in the program that knew more than me and they explained how it really works. At the end of each meeting, I'd hear the words, "It works -- if you work it!" After a while, I began to understand the meaning of that conditional phrase.
There are three primary ways of "working the program":
Alcoholics Anonymous
Bill's Story
page 7
I suppose it's a bit of a "Mars/Venus" guy thing, but once I realized that I had a problem, I wanted to fix it. It was an amazing relief to learn that there were others who thought like I did and that there was a scientific explanation for my unthinkable behavior in the face of a desperate desire to stop. I began to learn all that I could about my disease and the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. But learning how to recover is called discovery, not recovery!
Luckily, I met some smart people in the program that knew more than me and they explained how it really works. At the end of each meeting, I'd hear the words, "It works -- if you work it!" After a while, I began to understand the meaning of that conditional phrase.
There are three primary ways of "working the program":
- Attend meetings - there is something miraculous that occurs by sharing experience, strengths, and hope with other like-minded people.
- Strengthen your spirtual relationship - "There is One who has all power -- that One is God. May you find Him now!"
- Work the steps - read the Book and follow its instructions -- line-by-line, page-by-page, step-by-step (a sponsor can be a great help).
Important Note: All three are required! They're like the three legs of a stool -- if any one or two are missing, the stool will fall over.
Get the latest edition of:
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA Services
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# posted by Bill B. @ 11:18 PM 
