Bring the body and the mind will follow! Ah, technology! I feel like I'm being flogged because I haven't blogged in a few weeks. Even the format has changed.
Anyway, steps 6 and 7 of the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program are about, "We're entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character ... Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings."
Well, He certainly removed the most obvious shortcoming all these years later. I'm not a self-centered drunk. I'm a happy, free, honest and grateful guy. I was ready to let go of a lot of the old life after years of being beaten up by my addiction to alcohol.
Are all the defects of character gone? No, they're not. Was I willing to give my Creator "all of me, good and bad"? I'm still trying to fully understand this. I say "Thy will, not my will," a lot. It seems to be working. They even throw in, "Faith without works is dead."
I realize I have to keep on keepin' on. God has given me a new lease on
life, but on His terms. This is affirmative action, stay sober and clean, no matter what. Now, get ready for the best life you could ever have, because the Higher Power is in the driver's seat. I still have choices to make, and I usually go with God's will. It hurts too much if I don't. I'm constantly praying for God's guidance.
OK, then, the list of all persons I have harmed and to whom I'm willing to make amends. Somebody said I should also be on the list. After 36 years of ruminating, I see this is probably correct. Keep workin' on that praying thing! Steps 8 and 9 are logical. I am not the same person anymore.
This post prompted me to think about my first few AA meetings. I go back to July 1976. America is 200 years old. So much good energy floating around, maybe I can do this.
The body is in a meeting, the mind doesn't really want to be there but it knows it has to because the body ain't leavin'! A girl is holding my hand and she won't let go. My mind perceives hope.
After years of scoffing at getting help, it's pretty OK to be there. Some of the people look pretty good. There's a guy sitting up front. He's talked a few times before, saying stuff like, "You can stay sober and like it." I think he's a little over confident. Athletic looking, nice clothes, maybe I'll "copy" him for awhile, ask him to be my sponsor. He will end up saving my life, along with a few other guys and gals. Thanks, Tom.
