Finding Your Higher Power

We need to believe in something greater than ourselves; it's human nature. Now my higher power is God. Whatever or whoever you choose as your higher power is up to you. As an addict, I can get lost in life. When I feel like a problem is a bit much to handle, I ask God to give the patience and wisdom to continue. When I do what God wants me to I feel a great feeling of fulfillment within.

Spirituality isn't about getting to church every Sunday. It is nice to go to church but if you aren't actually paying attention and understanding what is being taught then it is irrelevant. Being spiritual is about doing your everyday routine and taking a moment to look around feel God in your presence. It's like when you go outside in the spring and you hear the birds chirping while the sun and wind caress your face; you have serenity.

It takes time and meditation to be able to feel that peace and serenity. I have that now that I am clean and sober. I go to the beach and admire the beauty of the emerald ocean that lie beneath the heavenly clouds and the calming blue sky. I stop to take it all in and I am so grateful that my higher power has allowed me to regain life; for the first time I am actually living. I enjoy the nature around me (except cockroaches). Just like in the AA promises, my whole outlook on life has changed. AA has been fulfilling those 12 promises since 1935. If you do not receive what is promised to you it is because you strayed from the ways of sober life. 

When you doubt your recovery remember that God could, and would restore you to sanity if He were sought.

1. If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through.
2. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
3. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
4. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
5. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
6. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.
7. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
8. Self-seeking will slip away.
9. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
10. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
11. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
12. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.