Latest / Sober Readings / Walking Through Fear
Transcript
- Scott Hayes: you Welcome back to Sober Readings. Today is Saturday, the 9th of May. Let's begin with the Serenity. Grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Alright, let's begin today with Daily Reflections for May 9, Walking Through Fear. That's a line from Alcoholics Anonymous, page 76. When I had taken my fifth step, I became aware that all my defects of character stemmed from my need to feel secure and loved. To use my will alone to work on them would have been trying obsessively to solve the problem. In the sixth step, I intensified the action I had taken in the first three steps, meditating on the step by saying it over and over, going to meetings, following my sponsor's suggestions, reading and searching within myself. During the first three years of sobriety, I had a fear of entering an elevator alone. One day, I decided I must walk through this fear. I asked for God's help, entered the elevator, and there in the corner was a lady crying. She said that since her husband had died, she was deathly afraid of elevators. I forgot my fear and comforted her. This spiritual experience helped me to see how willingness was the key to working the rest of the 12 Steps to Recovery. God helps those who help themselves. Today's reading from 24 Hours, May 9, AA Thought for the Day. We alcoholics used so little self-control when we were drinking. We were so absolutely selfish that it does us good to give up something once in a while. Using self-discipline and denying ourselves a few things is good for us. At first, giving up liquor is a plenty big enough job for all of us, even with God's help. But later on, we can practice self-discipline in other ways to keep a firm grip on our minds so that we don't start any wishful thinking. If we daydream too much, we'll be in danger of slipping. So ask yourself, am I practicing enough self-discipline? The Meditation for the Day. In material things, you must rely on your own wisdom and that of others. In spiritual things, you cannot rely so much on your own wisdom as on God's guidance. In dealing with personalities, It is a mistake to step out too much on your own. You must try to be guided by God in all human relationships. You cannot accomplish much of value in dealing with people until God knows you are ready. You alone do not have the power or wisdom to put things right between people. You must rely on God to help you in these vital matters. The Prayer for the Day I pray that I may rely on God in dealing with people's problems. I pray that I may try to follow his guidance in all personal relationships. And for today's final reading, we'll go to Touchstones, a book of daily meditations. For May 9. I learned that inspiration does not come like a bolt, nor is it kinetic, energetic striving. But it comes into us slowly and quietly and all the time, though we must regularly and every day give it a little chance to start flowing, prime it with a little solitude and idleness. Brenda Eulin. We tend to be action-oriented and concerned about showing results in the shortest period of time. Our world has emphasized this outlook, especially for men. Now we are seeking spiritual progress. We are on a journey seeking a relationship with our higher power, with ourselves, and with others. Spiritual progress is made by pushing aside busyness and efficiency. We become receptive to inspiration by allowing empty spaces in our lives. some solitude and idleness. This moment, right now, is one such time. It is not clearly goal-oriented. Rather, it is a moment when we reflect on ourselves as recovering people. We become receptive to inspiration, to a deeper wisdom, to that part of life we do not command. I will remember today that spiritual progress comes only when I make room for it in my life. So that's it for today's episode of Sober Readings. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show, please do me a huge favor and hit that like button and share the show with someone you think might need it. Drop a comment and let me know what you thought. And if you'd like to be a guest on the show, just send me an email at soberreadingswithscott at gmail.com. If you'd like to drop a dollar in today's virtual donation basket, just go to soberreadings.com and click the donate button. So again, thank you so much for listening. Stay sober, keep reading, and I'll see you in the next episode. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other and remember just for today, don't drink, go to a meeting, and keep coming back. Have a great day. And as my friend Larry says, best day ever.