How Bill W. "got it" - Spiritual AwakeningThis is a featured page



"My friend promised when these things were done

I would enter upon a new relationship with my Creator; that I would have

the elements of a way of living which answered all my problems.

Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements. Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all. These were revolutionary and drastic proposals, but

the moment I fully accepted them, the effect was electric.

There was a sense of victory, followed by such a peace and serenity as I had never know. There was utter confidence. I felt lifted up, as though the great clean wind of a mountain top blew through and through."

From Bill's Story, BB 4th edition, p. 8

Do we want the problems?

We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn't control our emotional natures,
we were a prey to misery and depression,
we couldn't make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness,
we were full of fear,
we were unhappy,
we couldn't seem to be of real help to other people—
was not a basic solution of these bedevilments more important...?

The Big Book, p. 54, 3rd and 2nd and 4th editions

... or do we want the solutions ?
(what practicing the principles of AA promises yields)

We are going to know a new freedom and a new
happiness.

We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door
on it.

We will comprehend the word serenity and.

No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we
will see how our experience can benefit others.

That feeling of uselessness and self pity will
disappear.

We will lose interest in selfish things and gain
interest in our fellows.

Self-seeking will slip away.

Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will
change.

Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave
us.

We will intuitively know how to handle situations
which used to baffle us.

We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us
what we could not do for ourselves.


The Big Book, pp. 83-84, 3rd, 2nd and 4th editions




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owens 		Latest page update: made by owens , Sep 24 2009, 9:34 AM EDT (about this update About This Update owens Edited by owens


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