Big Book Quotes....Do You?

[CarolD]

*~*~*~*~*^ Big Book Quote ^*~*~*~*~*

"On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We
consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to
direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-
pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these conditions we
can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for after all God
gave us brains to use. Our thought-life will be placed on a much
higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives."

~Alcoholics Anonymous, First Edition

[jimhere]

Carol,

Thank you for bringing back the Big Book quotes so that we can have a forum based on experience and not opinion.

Eleventh Step stuff. I pretty much follow it. I have made it a habit that as soon as my eyes open after the alarm goes off to turn my thoughts to God in prayer. Then I get up, go to the bathroom, get the coffee going, and then come back up too my room to sit in meditation for twenty minutes or so.

I have found that if want this paragraph to be true that I must be consistent in my practice. When I am consistent, I find that my thinking is much clearer. When I skip my practice for even a few days, it shows in my attitude and how I relate to people.
Jim

[CarolD]

I too sometimes jump into my day
without this valuable recovery element.
*sigh*
When I get started without this
connection.....and get off track ....
my day needs a re-charge.

[ananda]

I have found that reading pages 86, 87 and 88 have really helped me to find a solid footing in the path of sobriety.

My sponsor suggested I read it every morning. AFter reading step 3 which said that the wording was quite optional and that it was about expressing the idea without reservations, I looked at these pages again.

I began to read the pages incorporating my spirituality into the words. I became a personal expereince of steps 10/11/and 12 for me. I am able to read those pages with absolute commitment to the process.

I have become very inconsistant in reading those pages over the last 2 months and it is very clear from my actions and in my life. Have returned to that reading the last week and am finding it very helpful.

[RufusACanal]

Thank you Carol for this gift once again.

[Tommyh]

I try and read pages 86-88 each morning
I have done it as much as 5 times a day to stay focused when I first started.
it works.I use a few other things somedays ,in addition.

[AW2486]

For years and years I would say a simple prayer on my way to work, at the same spot at the same time every morning. After working with somebody who was looking for idea's about prayer, I took the 11th step morning and evening suggested thoughts and prayers and put them on paper. Along with 3rd & 7th step prayers. I changed my ritual to that sheet and its made a big difference in my life. I really like the part that Carol quoted about thinking about the 24hrs ahead the the plans for the day. It gives me a game plan for the day, and actions I can take to not serve my will but Gods will. Sometimes my mind is racing during my morning ritual, But I think the action of doing it is the most important part it.

Nice thread

[lizw]

I've heard it described as 'plugging in' (to my HP/God) for the day.

For the last 3 months I have been writing everything down. I brought a book for this purpose. Writing it all down (my prayers etc..) helps me stay slow instead of speeding off into my day.

I've known other people who do this and always found it a little weird but yet again, I find out don't knock it till you try it - contempt prior to investigation.

:ghug2