In Memoriam
Michael Nash, Rule 62
Group, passed away on August 16th. Michael was a supporter
and member of AA for many years. He always participated in
supportive roles and in Central Office. He leaves many
friends behind in this world and he will be dearly missed.
At Michael's request there is no service to be held. Please
remember him in your prayers.
SELFISHNESS
& SELF-CENTEREDNESS
Have
you ever had any "troubles" in your life?
Any "problems?" Let me tell ya.....I've had
plenty. As a science teacher - every year we had to teach the
Scientific Method approach regarding solving our problems.
Well, do you remember what you were supposed to have learned
back when you were in high school regarding solving problems
by using the Scientific Method?
The
very first step in dealing with troubles or problems is :
DEFINE THE PROBLEM.
How
in the world can we expect to solve a problem when we do not
know exactly and specifically what the PROBLEM IS ????
We first have to know WHAT THE PROBLEM IS before we can
attack the problem and attempt to solve it.
THE
ROOT of almost every single trouble or problem we have ever
had is ???? SELFISHNESS…SELF-CENTEREDNESS.
I
don't know about you, but just about every time I've had
troubles or problems in my life it was of my own making.
Sure...."poor decisions."
But those decisions were made because I wanted
something MY WAY and I wanted it RIGHT NOW.
I've been a very selfish and self-centered person
during my life time.
I
was playing God. I thought I was IT. I thought I was THE MAN.
I was THE CEO. I
as THE PRESIDENT. I was THE HEAD COACH. I told my mother and
wife a long time ago that if I died before they did that I
wanted them to play the song, “I did it my way” at my
funeral !! Wow. What an arrogant, self-centered, ego-centric
person I was!
Due
to some not so pleasant experiences I had to go through.....I
learned the hard way that I HAD TO STOP PLAYING GOD.
I HAD TO TOTALLY SURRENDER MY LIFE TO MY HIGHER POWER
and conclude "IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT ME."
It was VERY OBVIOUS....MY WAY DID NOT WORK.
Geez, I wish I had learned this at an early age.
BUT....it takes what it takes, doesn't it !?
I thank God every day for those "unpleasant
experiences" I had to go through in order to get where I
am today. That's
why I say the third step prayer MANY times every single day !!
GOD, I OFFER MYSELF TO THEE..
To build with me and to with me as Thou wilt.
RELIEVE ME OF THE BONDAGE OF SELF, that I may better do
THY WILL. Take
away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and THY WAY OF
LIFE.
Do
you need and want PEACE OF MIND? My suggestion would be stop
being the CEO of your life. Stop playing God. Stop being so
dad gummed self centered and ego-centric. Pray that God be the
Director of YOUR LIFE. Let me tell ya, I'm far from being
perfect. Actually, I'm a sinner in every form, shape, and
fashion. BUT, I've never been more AT PEACE. And, my friend,
is a good place to be…"at peace." –TOM M.
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