Alabama, near the Gulf of Mexico, is a beautiful place to visit. And it has a great AA culture. The slow southern language and the welcoming hospitality make for beautiful shares and brilliant meetings. I have many fond memories of new AA friends and great shares at AA meetings in the Gulf Shores region of Alabama.
meditation
Dance Steps
When I am dancing and I change my rhythm, my partner will change as well. Maybe not right away, but soon.
The world and the people in it are my dancing partners in life.
When I am going through life and I change my thinking, the people around me change as well. Maybe not right away, but soon.
Twelve step workout
Before I came to the Program and began working the steps, my spiritual legs had atrophied.
There were two reasons, both of which are addressed by the Program of AA.
First, I was lazy. I did not want to grow and mature spiritually. So, I avoided problems and certainly worked to avoid solutions that might involve serious work and thought; or worse yet, prayer and meditation.
Reminders and alarms
The Muslims have a great habit of prayer reminders. Five times a day they are called to prayer by an outside source.
I need the same reminder system to re-focus my thoughts upon God. I forget Him easily. A lesson that the ancient Muslim leaders apparently recognized.
Taking God for Granted
If you have ever pedalled on a bike against the wind, you can quickly recall the exhaustion and frustration of the never-ending grind of working against the wind. With every kilometre of distance covered, the wind is in your ears and pushing against your chest. Your shirt flaps in the breeze, and you come to resent the wind and the energy it sucks from you with every pedal stroke. It is unrelenting and merciless. And you are keenly aware of it. You hear it, you feel it, you work against it.
How Good a Friend is God?
“If God is my friend, what does it say if all I do is give him a quick hello in the morning and a passing ‘good night’ as I go to sleep? If He is a really good friend, I will talk with Him during the day. I will check in during the day and ask for his thoughts and opinions. I will share my mental maps with him.”