What I Learned From Jody K.

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In Jody's post Following the Signs I keyed in on two paragraphs. The first was (5th paragraph) when Jody wrote of he simple morning prayer "God, guide my thoughts and actions. Please make me useful today." Next I zoomed in on (11th paragraph)"though I've come to the conclusion that if I listen and follow signs, I'll fall in step with God's will for me. And I'll be given the power to carry that out - in time, resources, inspiration, or whatever I might need." I identified with these actions actions. Though I may use different words I too ask God in the morning to be of service to others. Without a doubt I believe God gives me the power to carry that out. No matter how much I may drag my feet I am given what I need to be of service to others.

When reading Meditation on Being I had a LOT of nodding going on. Oh yes indeed! I loved hearing about "wordless prayer" and "Aligning myself is Harmony." How I related to all of her words describing this and had never put it to words. I especially related to how her concept of a Higher Power shifts. My concept of a Higher Power is first the God of I grew up learning about. All of the other spiritual and religious concepts I have learned since becoming sober help me understand my Higher Power on a deeper level. I learn from so many sources, so like Jody my concept of my Higher Power shifts.

How do I make use of what Jody has to offer? For me reading the words that describe what I frequently do helps me to be mindful of the action. So now when I am doing "wordless prayer" I can be mindful of it. I can practice being in the moment when taking the time to "breathe for a while." I can also make use of what Jody wrote about being given the power to carry out God's will for me. I can always always use reaffirming, after all I am only human. ;)

Thanks Jody K. for all you have offered us!

What I Learned From Carol Ann Preston

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When reading Pause, when agitated or doubtful... I kept thinking about Step Ten and having restraint of tongue and pen. Sure enough as I read further Carol Ann mentions this exact line. For me this was my first lesson in learning how to pause. Whenever I called my sponsor in a tizzy she would tell me to read Step Ten. I was told so many times that I really got the hang of keeping my mouth shut while "agitated or doubtful." After staying sober for some time I had to start taking it a step further. Carol Ann talks about "upon awakening." Today I wake and recite the Third Step and Seventh Step prayers. This is my first pause of the day. Before I even get started I have to pause and align my thinking.

I also love love how Carol Ann explains discipline. It is a great way to view this sometimes difficult task.

How can I make use of what Carol Ann Preston offers here? I can take these principles further into my life. Not only can I pause in the morning and when agitated or doubtful but many times a day. Pause to enjoy a smile from a child. Pause to remember to be in the moment. Pause simply to slow down.

Thanks Carol Ann Preston for your great explanation of discipline and how to "pause."

What I Learned From Dick B.

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In his post Alcoholics Anonymous and God I learned that "God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be?" I have heard my husband share this with the men he sponsors. Do I believe or not? The "choice" was and is mine to make. Choice has always played well with me. Back me into a corner with no options and I become a little skittish. Such a simple word "choice" yet it has given me such freedom. My choice was God is and with time I have come to learn and believe fully He is everything.

In his post Alcoholics Anonymous and the Lord Jesus Christ Bill W. not only turned his life and will over to the care of God but he "Handed his life over to Christ with great sincerity." It is amazing how wording can have such a huge impact on our thoughts and perceptions. Of course I knew Bill turned his life and will over. But reading the words of his wife confirmed how important taking this step is. The sincerity of it. For me that sincerity is the key to my willingness to do the rest of the steps required to get and stay sober.

So how can I make use of this in my life? For me these are reminders of questions I need to ask myself more regularly. It seems I can easily forget so much of what I am taught. So to make use of these points in my life I can regularly ask myself...

A. Is God everything or nothing? Upon answering I can then ask myself "am I applying this to my daily living?"

B. When turning my life over to God in the morning I need to ask myself "am I handing my life over with great sincerity?"

Thank you Dick B. for the powerful words you have shared with us all!

Gwen R.
TwelveBeads.com

What I Learned from Rabbi Shais Taub

Read the posts of Rabbi Shais Taub

From A Rabbi's Perspective I learned He is a power; He can affect our lives; He is caring; He has a will. I learned that Twelve Steps don't just refer to God they tell us about Him. Rabbi Taub taught me that the Steps are already enjoined with certain truths of the Jewish faith.

In the post Step Two: Power I learned what the Zohar says of God “Master of the Worlds, You are the Highest of the High, the Causer of Causes.” I learned of God's Power, that in addition to being compassionate, just and wise He is all powerful.

In his writing Step 3: Goodness I loved learning about the hashgachah peratis. This is "literally “individualized supervision” but more loosely translated as Divine Providence." How great that this HP works for all!

What I learned in the post Steps 5,6,7: Forbearance is we are not looking for forgiveness in these Steps but getting closer to the God of our understanding. I learned that the 7th Step prayer that I say every morning is about a God who can be counted upon by all who seek Him.

In his last post Step Eleven: Will I was drawn to the section about "Knowledge of His Will for Us." It is reassuring to read this section. When he tells the story about the young Jewish man not wanting to get out of bed I heard the message loud and clear. I need to be ready for the day, if I don't suit up and show up God's will most certainly can not be done.


Make Use Of What They Offer

I had to really work hard and reread with focus what Rabbi Taub has written here. I can make use of what he offers in more than one way. The biggest use is reading and trying to understand. On the Just for Today card it says "Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration." If you read the Rabbi's posts you will not be a mental loafer today! The more important way I can make use of Rabbi Taub's writings is to make sure to share them and what I have learned from him with others. I have to pass on what is passed on to me. In reading these posts I have gained more knowledge to apply to my own program and then share it with others.

Thank you Rabbi Shais Taub for all you have taught me!

What I Learned from Randy F.

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Restore Me To Sanity

When I first came into the rooms of recovery I and read the words "restore me to sanity" I thought they were speaking about others. I was NOT insane! I mean really, I just needed to stop drinking. One day at a time I did not pick up a drink and around my third month of sobriety I began to really SEE the insanity of my life and more importantly my thinking.

A Power Greater Than Myself

I gladly picked up with the God of my understanding when entering sobriety. Of course the God of my understanding was from when my spiritual development dropped off at about age 6 or so. So that is what I knew. Picture book images of Jesus with lil animals and children all around. That was enough to get me started. I just needed something to believe in and I had that.

Came To Believe

Although I had the picture book image in my head of the God of my understanding I did not understand how that would work in my recovery. I had to take a leap of faith and trust in those who got sober before me. I took the suggestions and slowly came to believe how the God of my understanding would work to keep me sober.

Make Use Of What They Offer

In Randy's post I seem to focus in on his wording of FalseSelf and SpiritSelf. I learned from this a positive way to identify my thinking. It took me several years in sobriety practicing meditation techniques to learn the true depth of that FalseSelf. Randy says "There was much energy, or mud, caked around my behaviors, my old belief systems, and my thoughts patterns." This too was true for me. I may still have some mud! I am not willing to go on record as saying I am mud free as I have learned how these old patterns can show up randomly. The point is I know today I have a FalseSelf and have worked hard on the SpiritSelf that is dominately who I am today.

From Randy's post I am again reminded of the importance of a formal meditation practice even if for just three minutes a day. Having that sacred space and taking the time to be still is a loving action for my SpiritSelf. Randy said "Persevere with a little bit of effort each day begin your spiritual awakening." I have to take note of his working to use a "little bit of effort each day" because in this life I really need to make that effort. I need to be reminded regularly and that is exactly what Randy did for me.

Thank Randy F. for teaching us about the FalseSelf and the SpiritSelf and reminding to put in that effort!

Gwen R~
TwelveBeads.com

What I Learned from Kevin Griffin

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Setting My Intentions

I was one of the lucky ones when I came into sobriety, lucky because I was ready. The pain I felt took me to my knees and I was willing to try anything. Once I stepped into the rooms of recovery I received hope, something I had not felt in a long time. My intention was set when I cried at my first meeting.

Make Use Of What They Offer

What I can take from Kevin's post is something I can use every day. Like Kevin I can set my intentions for each day in the morning after my prayers. Whatever my character defect du jour, I can set an intention to work on it for that day.

It is always a relief when a writer gives us space to be human. Kevin states in his closing paragraph that we don't always succeed. Personally I need this reinforcement to be able to let go of any unrealistic expectations on myself and my spiritual practices.

So I learned when my intentions changed in the process of my recovery and how to set my intentions for each day.

Thanks Kevin Griffin for teaching us this simple step to include in our mornings to help with Step Six.

Gwen R~
TwelveBeads.com

2009 IOCC Challenge

Here it is folks! The 2009 IOCC Challenge. Get out your notebooks or post a new blog. Your challenge is this...

In the chapter "Into Action" of Alcoholics Anonymous it says on page 87 "Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer." In our case the writers are not all religious people but believers. So the challenge is to go back over the year and see how we can "Make use of what they offer."

I will be posting eleven posts, one about what I have learned from each writer. Challenge yourself! See what you can or have learned from the writers. Boost your spirituality for the Holiday season. Make time for spiritual growth. Stay tuned for more!