Directions for making a beginning

[nandm]

Directions for making a beginning utilizing the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

PAGE: LINE DIRECTION

44: 10 We had to face the fact that we must find a spiritual basis for life----or else

46: 9 We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside our prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commence to get results.

46: 12 As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a Creative Intelligence. A Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power and direction, provided we took other simple steps.

47: 3 Do not let any prejudice you may have against spiritual terms deter you from honestly asking yourself what they mean to you.

47: 8, 9 We needed to ask ourselves but one short question, "Do I now believe or am I even willing to believe in a Power greater than myself?"

48: 2 This sort of thinking had to be abandoned.

48: 4 Faced with alcoholic destruction we soon became as open minded on spiritual matters as we had tried to be on other questions.

49: 9 .....lay aside prejudice, even against organized religion.

50: 16 This happened soon after they wholeheartedly met a few simple requirements.

51: 12 We asked ourselves this: are not some of us just as biased and unreasonable about the realm of the spirit as were the ancients about the realm of the material?

52: 5 We had to ask ourselves why we shouldn't apply to our human problems this same readiness to change our point of view.

52: 8 .....we had to stop doubting the power of God,

53: 8-10 ....we had to fearlessly face the proposition that God is either everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be?

55: 11-12 We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis it is only there that He may be found.

55: 15-17 ....sweep away prejudice.....think honestly.....search diligently within yourself......join us on the Broad Highway. With this attitude you cannot fail. The consciousness of your belief is sure to come to you.

57: 11-12 .....He has come to all who have honestly sought him. When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us.

The Annotated A.A. Handbook
A companion to the Big Book
By Frank D.

[nandm]

I realized that an explanation of page number and line reference is probably needed. The page number refers to the page of the Big Book and the line number refers to what line the reference is referring to. Sorry, I myself can be a little slow... that is why I need all the help I can get...lol

[sugErspun]

For me a beginning started with an accurate diagnoses., Then a prescription..and some directions on how to use that prescription.
Step 1 (the problem),
Step 2(the solution),
and Steps 3-12 (how to implement the solution into my life).

Thanks for sharing nandm! Without a beginning, we never get anywhere.