~ GIFTS ~
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
"Each day provides its own gifts."
Marcus Aurelius
:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:
For each step there is a principle. I
believe that with each step I received a
gift.
STEP ONE: We admitted we were powerless
over food ~ that our lives had become
unmanageable. (I received a silver
mirror that revealed reality and truth
when I looked into it.)
STEP TWO: Came to believe that a Power
greater than ourselves could restore us
to sanity. (I received a stone to put
in my pocket. It had the word "hope"
engraved on its face and was comforting
in my hand when I held it.)
STEP THREE: Made a decision to turn our
will and our lives over to the care of
God as we understood Him. (I received a
pair of wings for my soul.)
STEP FOUR: Made a searching and fearless
moral inventory of ourselves. (I
received a candle to search out my
hidden shame.)
STEP FIVE: Admitted to God, to
ourselves, and to another human being
the exact nature of our wrongs. (I
received a beautiful note that said,
"Welcome to the human race. We are so
glad to have you back.")
STEP SIX: Were entirely ready to have
God remove all these defects of
character. (I received a dove to put my
burdens upon and set it free.)
STEP SEVEN: Humbly asked Him to remove
our shortcomings. (I received a small
box engraved with the words, "I will
place my problems here.")
STEP EIGHT: Made a list of all persons
we had harmed and became willing to make
amends to them all. (I received a map
that led to the future.)
STEP NINE: Made direct amends to such
people wherever possible, except when to
do so would injure them or others. (I
received an eraser to correct the
mistakes I had made.)
STEP TEN: Continued to take personal
inventory and when we were wrong
promptly admitted it. (I received a
scale to weigh and balance my actions ~
and to measure my growth.)
STEP ELEVEN: Sought through prayer and
meditation to improve our conscious
contact with God as we understood Him,
praying only for knowledge of His will
for us and the power to carry that out.
(I received a communication device able
to span all doubt and prejudice.)
STEP TWELVE: Having had a spiritual
awakening as the result of these steps,
we tried to carry this message to
others, and to practice these principles
in all our affairs.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
The fountain I received bubbles eternal hope and new ideas. I will daily sooth my soul with gratitude.