Big Book Quote

[CarolD]

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


We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show,
humbly saying to ourselves many times each day "Thy will be done." We
are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-
pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do
not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we
did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves."


Alcoholics Anonymous, 1st. Edition,
Into Action, pg. 87

[jimhere]

I have been thinking a lot about this subject lately. I have found that you can't live the spiritual life in a hurry because always hurrying to get somewhere else other than where you are at is not living in the now. So I am simplifying my life even more and cutting out unnecessary activities and commitments. Slowing down.

This goes right along with watching, pausing, and turning. In fact slowing down is a spiritual discipline because it takes effort and attention. I refuse to live my life in a frantic, hectic, everywhere at once, all over the place manner.

I am facilitating a Big Book workshop and we are in 10 & 11. There are a couple of women participating in this workshop, both with long-term sobriety, both "good AA'ers," but they are both chronically basket cases. Always late, or roaring intro the parking lot just under the wire, constant crises going on, lives full of busy-ness, full of commitments to carreers, family, AA, etc. I kind of called them on it yesterday. I told them that where many of us fall short is in the disciplines of 10 & 11, that in my own experience, the practices in these steps are the basis for effective and happy living, that practicing meditation, self-examination, slowing down and watching, pausing, asking, and turning makes me more effective at living. And living is serving and serving is living.

Try it, you might be surprised
Jim.

[FightingIrish]

I think I was one of those people once upon a time. Now I just look at people like that with puzzlement and a bit of judgmentalness, which I need to work on. People who are chronically late, always in a hurry, always distracted, on their Blackberries, picking up phone calls during a meal or a conversation. People who constantly lament, "I'm sooo busy" as if it were something inflicted upon them. People who talk on the phone the entire time during a two hour train ride.

I also don't have kids to take care of, or a spouse to deal with, so what do I know.

Originally Posted by jimhere

Always late, or roaring intro the parking lot just under the wire, constant crises going on, lives full of busy-ness, full of commitments to carreers, family, AA, etc.

[navysteve]

I am definitely in the "I may be way too busy" club. I work full time ( Military so its more like full time+++) go to school ( Working on MBA) raising someone elses kid ( Foster parent, therapy with him three times a week plus cleaning up the wreckage of mom's presence!) And a parent myself ( daughter is 14, son is 12). Not to mention that my girlfriend has a few medical issues. People always wonder why I look so tired...

I have the ability to juggle all of that because of the 12 steps. Alot of folks in my "current area"( transferring in 2011) focus on making meetings and what I see as disguising taking it easy for the "pause" Jim referred to. The pause, is for guidance. Seeking guidance alludes to the fact that I will be doing something

[jimhere]

Originally Posted by FightingIrish

I think I was one of those people once upon a time. Now I just look at people like that with puzzlement and a bit of judgmentalness, which I need to work on. People who are chronically late, always in a hurry, always distracted, on their Blackberries, picking up phone calls during a meal or a conversation. People who constantly lament, "I'm sooo busy" as if it were something inflicted upon them. People who talk on the phone the entire time during a two hour train ride.

I also don't have kids to take care of, or a spouse to deal with, so what do I know.

I too look upon those people with a rather critical eye. Thanks for calling me on that.

I just read my post from this morning. Here I am talking about slowing down and my brain types faster than my fingers.
Jim

[barb dwyer]

I am also in this place these days.

"It's not my job any more" is what I say ... a LOT.

"Take my will and my life and do with it what You will"

is a big statement.
it's the day to day remember ing of that committment
that I've been trying to let happen first lately.