Good Morning everyone!

We're at page 128 of Chapter 9 - "The Family Afterward." The reading from here
through the bottom of page 130 centers on, for lack of a better term, spiritual
infancy. It's that period of time that many of us experience where we believe
that we have found an oasis in the desert of an alcoholic life. It's roots may
be in the spiritual experience, or simple and overwhelming gratitude. What this
reading reveals is that, no matter what the circumstance, imbalance in life is
not sustainable. Although the pendulum has swung from active alcoholism to
over-zealousness in the spiritual realm what will happen, given time, is that we
will become centered. Here our families are asked to allow us that period of
time to become centered, to put our AA service work and spiritual lives into
proper perspective with all of the other segments of our lives: work, family,
home, service, etc. Step 10 is the primary tool to accomplish this desired
result.

Beginning at the bottom of page 130 and reading through to the top of page 133
the text discusses family life, taking inventory within our families and
developing a new attitude toward the alcoholic member. This is rooted in our new
attitude as recovered alcoholics. Paragraph 2 on page 132: "Outsiders are
sometimes shocked when we burst into merriment over seemingly tragic experience
out of the past. But why shouldn't we laugh? We have recovered, and have been
given the power to help others."

Continuing on to the following paragraph - "So let each family play together
or separately, as much as their circumstances warrant. We are sure God wants us
to be Happy, Joyous, and Free." Sounds like we get a glimpse of what God's will
is for us. If we are careful when reading the Big Book we will find that much of
God's will is revealed to us. It may be general in nature but it is there. If
we're not "Happy, Joyous, and Free" we may be missing something in our spiritual
lives.

The remainder of this chapter deals with the relationship of the
alcoholic to his family, his health and sex relations. It tells us
not to be shy about consulting physicians for they are here to help.

On page 135 there is a telling sentence - paragraph 1: "Seeing is believing to
most families who have lived with a drinker." Our actions are far more revealing
than our words, especially at home.

And, of course, the first three slogans:
First Things First
Live and Let Live
Easy Does It

Have a great day everyone!


Karen



Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the
rest to God.
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ø!º°^°º!ø,¸¸,ø!º°^°º!ø,¸
DOS: 05/17/1993
http://360.yahoo.com/honey_dot_com












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