Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Carrying the message and not the mess!
Let’s get to know basic definitions used in our step work and in the Big Book.
Struggle versus Suffering:
An alcoholic still suffering is a Spiritual Being without any answers to their problems and is trapped in the bondage of self. This drives us to drinking and using to numb out and get the familiar relief we’re in the habit of pursuing.
An alcoholic who is struggling has had the gift of desperation and has found that being in the solution doesn’t necessarily have all their problems go away but is free from the desperation* that comes with suffering. Prayer and Meditation are the answers!
*Desperation: Desperation is a state of hopeless despair that often drives people to take extreme, rash, or reckless actions. It is characterized by an intense sense of urgency, helplessness, and the willingness to try anything to change a difficult situation.
Prayer as a Petition to God.
I realized I never really learned how to pray to God. In my cups, in my happy hour beers, I would play the pray to a kinda, Let’s Make A Deal! I promise I will never do this again if you can get me out of this. Apparently, I learned this ‘deal’ was an attempt to tell God what to do, and in effect, I was playing God. I thought I could do a better job than God. It wasn’t until last month that I realized I was trying to do God’s job, and if I’ve learned anything, it’s better to let God do the driving, not me! Rather than just being another Bozo on the Bus, I could choose to be God’s agent, and have God work through me and be my Boss Universal. My employer wasn’t the city transit agency, my new employer was God! Wow. What an upgrade!
Our immediate temptation will be to ask for specific solutions to specific problems, and for the ability to help other people as we have already thought they should be helped. In that case, we are asking God to do it our way. Therefore, we ought to consider each request carefully to see what its real merit is. Even so, when making specific requests, it will be well to add to each one of them this qualification: “. . . if it be Thy will.”
Twelve and Twelve p. 102
We must be aware of well-intentioned rationalizations. Remember the director who is always trying to run the show, the staging, the lights, the actors. This energy becomes exhaustive.
I may still be a mess—but I can be a mess headed in the Right Direction!
As a self-published writer, Doug is the creative force behind the Dao of Doug brand. He is currently working on the fourth book in his signature series, building upon the urban mindfulness established in his earlier titles. His most recent release, “The Best of the Dao of Doug: A Public Transit Guide,” blends decades of public service, a commitment to community advocacy, and the observant eye of a seasoned driver to offer readers a unique, mindful perspective on modern urban life. Readers can explore more of his commentary, updates, and fine art landscape and transit photography by visiting his WordPress blog and his Fine Art America gallery.
