CarolD

~*~A.A. Thoughts For The Day~*~

Life on Life's Terms

"For years, I was sure the worst thing that could happen to a nice guy like me would be that I would turn out to be an alcoholic. Today, I find it's the best thing that has ever happened to me. This proves I don't know what's good for me. And if I don't know what's good for me, then I don't know what's good or bad for you or for anyone. So I'm better off if I don't give advice, don't figure I know what's best, and just accept life on life's terms, as it is today--especially my own life, as it actually is. Before AA, I judged myself by my intentions, while the world was judging me by my actions.


"Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 449-50
1st. Edtion



Thought to Consider . . .

I am liberated from dreaming the impossible dream
and free, finally, to start living the possible dream.



*~*~*AACRONYMS*~*~*

TRUST Try Relying Upon the Steps and Traditions

jimhere

This is an example of watered down AA.

Life doesn't make terms. People make the terms.

Living this way is about living in God's terms.

My terms get me nothing but grief. My terms are based in selfishness and fear. If there is such a thing as life's terms, those terms are harsh and cruel. Screw you before you screw me, early bird gets the worm, he who dies with the most toys wins. Fight and scratch to get to the top of the heap. Kinda like our current society.

God's terms are much kinder. One simple word encompasses God's terms-generosity. God's terms are love & service. Much kinder but much harder to live in a society that is based on materialism and getting. You have to go against the flow and stand for something.
Jim

CarolD

Hmm..
I noticed this is from the stories section.

It's one mans share...and as we say at my home group
"our shares are our personal opinions
not necessarily that of AA"

jimhere

True enough Carol.

Nothing personal towards Dr. Paul. I met him not long before he passed away and he was a very nice man.

I will point out that the people whose stories are in the back of the book did what is in the front of the book.

His story has become one of the sacred cows of AA. Many people know it better than the basic text-the first 164 pages of the book. During our visit, he even expressed that he had problems with that.
Jim

IO Storm

"don't figure I know what's best, and just accept life on life's terms, as it is today--especially my own life, as it actually is."

Coupled with the passage on acceptance..pg. 449..

Practicing this principle has kept me sober, for two years nine months so far..

I never could do it before. There was always a but..

"But him, but they, but he, she, them".. "But it"....

And I would drink over it, or pop some pills over it, or run to a casino over it.

The external person, place, or thing seemingly causing my internal distress.

It wasn't until I accepted things ..people, places..to be the way are supposed to

be at that given moment that I could stay sober.

Now, in sobriety..I receive guidance as when to take action and when to

refrain from taking action. We don't grow into a sofa or allow ourselves

to be abused or otherwise live ourlives and take care of business..

But I..do not rail against God and others when things go wrong.

It helps me say.."Thy will be done."

This is what I get from the story.