Self-Examination, Today’s Reading
Which quotes from page 86 in the Big Book;
“… we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives.”
The thoughts offered by the person who responded;
“When said sincerely, this prayer teaches me to be truly unselfish and humble, for even in doing good deeds I often used to seek approval and glory for myself.”
Yes, true of me… hiding a bad motive under a good motive, though when I was drinking, I had not a clue that’s what I was doing. Still do it often as that thinking process has only made some progress. I am thankful I’m aware of it because it can still cause emotional distress.
“By examining my motives in all that I do, I can be of service to God and others, helping them do what they want to do.”
Well, well, Mr. S. I guess this puts the screws to this:
“We don’t “Check our motives” in AA Program. That is middle-of-road fellowship babble.”
“When I put God in charge of my thinking, much needless worry is eliminated and I believe He guides me throughout the day. When I eliminate thoughts of self-pity, dishonesty and self-centeredness as soon as they enter my mind, I find peace with God, my neighbor and myself.”
And then I also lose the need to character assassinate someone [see the above comment again], because I’ve found peace with my neighbor. More importantly, much needless worry is eliminated!
This is for me to remember this day (can you make use of it?);
From page 85 - “Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all our activities. How can I best serve Thee - Thy will (not mine) be done.”
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POSTED IN: The Fourth Step
15 opinions for Self-Examination, Today’s Reading
Noor Azman Bin Othman
Apr 20, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Thank you for th reminder, Mark. I can’t help it sometime, I often used to seek approval and glory for myself. I feel bad every time someone ‘condemned’ me.
But I’m still learning. I hope I shall get rid of it and carry the vision of God’s will…
"Mike P "
Apr 20, 2007 at 7:36 pm
this just a test to see if this is for real
Iwaited
dAAve
Apr 21, 2007 at 3:36 am
All of that is very true. I must remember, however, that We are not saints (and I shall never be). Anything I do today is certainly an improvement of leaps and bounds over my previous life.
Mark
Apr 24, 2007 at 5:28 am
You know what Mr. S. - if you weren’t such an egotistical, self-centered control freak you would have no need to come back and offer some level of confrontation, giving up your anonymity. You always, note always, resort to name calling and character assassination when anyone disagrees with you and you find that perhaps, just perhaps, you’re not so damned perfect like you think you are. You are not God! Stop trying to act like Him! I write what I write to attempt to motivate people to think for themselves and if you can’t see that then you’re worse off than I originally thought when you dropped by with your drive-by self-promotional spam article. Get over yourself…
Edited - Okay, I had a thought - had you only asked permission to post your article, asked if I thought it would be worthwhile to my readers rather than to your personal deal, we no doubt would be working together today. But nooooo - you had to do it your way! This is what has happened as a result - you have stepped on my toes and now I’ve retaliated, with some written words. When will you learn to practice this program in a tolerant, understanding manner while still maintaining the legacy of the oldtimers??? As opposed to attempting to make all think that if they don’t do it your way, they’re just wrong and not a real alcoholic! You sir, bring arrogance to new heights and, since I understand arrogance, I’ll not sit by and not call it for what it is!
"Mike P "
Apr 24, 2007 at 4:02 pm
damn I always miss the good stuff “dam you server dam you !!!!!!!”
Mark
Apr 24, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Sorry Mike… but in a way my ego doesn’t like, Mr. S. tried to belittle me, my person and my sobriety in another sanctimonious comment wherein he’s become the “victim” once again. Unfortunately, he got caught in “moderation.” Gawd - I love it - on a recovery Blog - getting caught in moderation… how friggin’ hilarious is that? I’d offer you a screen shot but that wouldn’t solve anything. It is enough that I have it “on file.”
btw - about time you got back here!!!
"Mike P "
Apr 29, 2007 at 6:57 am
About time !!!!!!!!!! you say , i ve been trying but the damn thing takes for ever to come up and while waiting might work for some people ,,me i am a mover and shaker man i got say and go ya know ,,,Lmao whats new here ? me Im still accepting my heart attack and all that goes with it ya know the smoking is hard I dont remember having such a strong desire to drink as I do to smoke , i ve been smoke free for over a month what gives? God I have smoking dreams and all that stuff I hear at beginners meetings ,,,I find myself rationalizing cigars what an alky same things apply thank God I have got the principles of the program to get me though days like today because for me to drink or smoke is to die
Mark
Apr 29, 2007 at 7:14 am
Hell - I’m still accepting your heart attack too! :)
Hey knucklehead - you’ll make it with the smoking! Some times, like just recently, I thought to myself (yeah, yeah) wow, its been well over a year! Amazing! I am tickled yet still live with fear - whatever - of what I’ve done to me… but I’ll take not smoking and having the chance anyday, anytime!
Ut Oh - we better watch out for the chief judge, jury and executioner here lol - we’re talking about something other than AA - ouch.
Gotta go to work today - yuk, Sunday. How’d the tile job work out? Have you been able to work? I’ll be in touch during the week - I’ll call sometime. Going to the MVB Tues. I believe… We’ll see what shakes out… what the Big Boy has planned…
"Mike P "
Apr 29, 2007 at 9:45 am
Got several tile jobs as well as the Project Manger job in North Manhattan {Harlem} I think before taking the job in the city Ill go in one day with my friend and see what the job in tales and if i feel I can do it or not , its a great opportunity , i THINK OF THE SMOKE ONCE IN AWHILE . Like with the drink Im tought to think it though and am I willing to die for a smoke or drink today ,NO!
Mark
Apr 30, 2007 at 7:09 am
Oy!!! A Project Manger??? Will you get those eyeglasses? PLEASE!!!
Anyhoo… a job in the city? Hmmmm - does this mean the LIRR??? Because driving into the city can’t/won’t be a drive in the peacefulness of a parklike setting, especially after just having had a - heart attack??? Dude! What does your sponsor have to say about that? Mike, I’m serious. You’re talking what - three to four hours of drive time a day? Three or four hours of train time a day? How stress filled will that crap be???
I wouldn’t do it despite what a wonderful opportunity it might sound like. Think of the air pollution rather than the smoke! Unless they’ve cleaned up the city! Yeah, right…
Sorry I haven’t called yet, but I’m off tomorrow and part of Weds. Hope to do it then and then you prob won’t be home.
Later,
M
"Mike P "
May 4, 2007 at 12:25 pm
AHHH THE BIG “P” HAS THE LAST WORD ,
Don’t have to haul my ass to the big city after all ,,,good stuff starting to happen …spoke 3 times this week can ya imagine that {not where you are lol} Big book mtg Mon closed Tues and step 4 last nite ,,aren’t I something lol,,,thank God now I can speak for more then three minutes with out getting winded ,,,
Hey keep an eye out for a friend of margs and i ..she has to stay inside for a while so i told about this blog she’ll be the one looking for real time meetings on line i told her to ask you ,{your Highness},,,love ya
[yeah, I edited your shenanigans, hooligan lol - heine ass, jeeez]
Mark
May 4, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Isn’t the real question rather;
Once you’ve spoken for more than three minutes, is the room full of people “listening” winded or not?
Bwaaaa haaaaa!!!
"Mike P "
May 4, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Ahhh why would I expect you not to edit ,,,,when ya hear the truth …Im kidding of course ..
I think you may have misunderstood me I was asked to speak at 3 meetings ,,,,now im getting wined
Mark
May 4, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Naaa - no misunderstanding here (lmao). You said “thank God now I can speak for more then three minutes with out getting winded”
and I wondered if “Once you’ve spoken for more than three minutes, is the room full of people “listening” winded or not?”
Or, perhaps snoozing, getting coffee, having their own conversations, shuffling their chairs, making a cell phone call, you know… all the “normal” things folks do at AA meetings lately 8O
(BTW - it’s more THAN…)
"Mike P "
May 5, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Good God hows does he do it????? all that thinking doesnt it make ya tired ?
Give me a call some time or let me know when your aloud to have phone privelgaes lol how s all that going or should I not ask?
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