Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Humility ...


is the seventh principle behind the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

My favorite mantra since I entered the world of recovery is found on page 58 of the book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. It reads ...


"Another great dividend we may expect from confiding our defects to another human being is humility -- a word often misunderstood. To those who have made progress in A.A., it amounts to a clear recognition of what and who we really are, followed by a sincere attempt to become what we could be."

Nuff said.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that my Mom's health remains stable 23 months after a major stroke -- she is not able to eat or speak, however (howz that Liz?)

that we read the Forewords to the Big Book (4th edition) yesterday at the 6:30am meeting

that when I don't get my way, I tend to experience life's necessary lessons

that I have finally realized this ... half of my problems are how I relate to other people; the other half of my problems are how I don't relate to other people

that Pam reminded me yesterday to work on my own character defects and not anyone else's

that my next-door neighbor knew who to call when I had a plumbing leak at 10pm last night

It is human to think wisely and act in an absurd fashion.
-Anatole France

13 comments:

Trudging said...

You have problems relating to other people too huh?

Mary Christine said...

I really think it is the human condition.

Pammie said...

1. yahoo MC is out of bed.
2. we relate fine to other people, they just don't understand us! :)
3. Love the last quote.
4. Thanks for the call yesterday..it was so wonderful to hear your voice.

Kathrin Ivanovic said...

I absolutely love your quote - so true!

Kathrin

Todd HellsKitchen said...

YOU are the quote of the day at:

http://tootalltodd.blogspot.com/

Kathrin Ivanovic said...

Yeah - the trust and sponsor thing has been a hurdle for me. I dont trust (easily). How am I supposed to trust a complete stranger with my thoughts if I dont even trust myself?

So....I am exploring a possible alternative, but I have to think on it!

Kindly,
Kathrin

Scott W said...

Hope that neighbor called a plumber.

Kathrin Ivanovic said...

Yeah - I agree with you on those three traits!

I had to cut down on some of the people who commented here and IRL. Too many voices not enough clarity.

I need to think through things, because I need to mean what I say! That is vital to my head space right now. I've been so focused on the "right" answers all my life, that I need to figure out what "my" answers are, ya know?!

Thanks for listening.
K.

peanut said...

Dear dave,

Wow, you certainly got lots of response to this topic.

I find it terribly hard to get my foot off of my own throat lately.
I am rebelling to the "shoulds" in my head.

I am working on getting those "shoulds" extracted from my unconscious/conscious thoughts.

They are ground in. I have hope.

Love you

Syd said...

I marvel at how I can trust animals and relate to them so much better than I relate to people. Good post.

tkdjunkie said...

That "12 & 12" quote was perfect ... I needed to be reminded of humility. Thanks for sharing :)

Kathrin Ivanovic said...

Thanks for the thoughts about groups and such. I have the groups near my home on non school and weekend nights figured out, but the meetings on school nights are a bit more problematic. I find the meetings near school very cold, sterile and uninviting, none of which will motivate me to return every week, ya know?!

Have a great night!
Kindly,
Kathrin

Shannon said...

lots of damn good wisdom thanks daave