Dear Friends,
In case you missed reading the email last month, I would like to mention to you the big change with the newsletter. In the spirit of Tradition One, the service committees of both District 7 and District 16 have elected to combine their individual newsletters into one. Now, the NEW newsletter can serve the needs of both fellowships. Hence, On the Rogue and Keeping it Simple are now One Day at a Time. Please feel free to send us your comments on this new regional newsletter. Tell us what you think.
So, attached please find the July 2021 Jackson County and Josephine County A.A. e-Newsletter. Thank you for subscribing.
If you would like to get involved with the Newsletter or if you would simply like to contribute, please email me @ [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.
In putting together this month’s edition of One Day at a Time, I have given much thought and consideration to the concept of humility. I have come to believe that no one can truly achieve the kind of recovery that Bill W. and Dr. Bob teach in the Big Book without humility. We have to empty ourselves of ourselves and stand in the truth of who we really are. It is only then that we can be honest, willing, open-minded, grateful, service-oriented, responsible, disciplined, and coachable to learn to be faithful, hopeful, courageous, loving, and tolerant with integrity. Humility runs through the veins of the Steps. It is the nails that hold the Steps together.
So, this month, we focus on the Seventh Step and the principle of humility. You will read a story about how the process of going through Step Seven led to the discovery of purpose. Also, another story tells of an A.A.’s journey through Step Seven that with God’s help and the willingness to take proper action he found a more fulfilled and healthier life. Lastly, the Newsletter features an inmate’s point of no return as he took his Seventh Step.
Bill W. considered each Step to be a spiritual principle in and of itself. However, the core spiritual principles of the Program are willingness, open-mindedness, and honesty. Bill W. also believed that one of the most important principles is humility because it is the only principle that runs through each one of the Steps. Step Seven calls us to get rid of character defects with God’s help and replace them by practicing humility and the spiritual principles. This life-long process requires constant thoughtfulness and a genuine commitment to being honest, courageous, and humble.
My friends, I pray that God always blesses you, keeps you, and protects you. More importantly, though, I pray that you steadfastly lean on God, continually hold onto God, and never ever lose faith. In so doing, you grab ahold of this Program as if your life depended on it because, for us alcoholics, it literally does. Life will not always be easy. In fact, the road ahead will be bumpy as it normally is, but life in recovery can be great and fun. Just listen to our Oldtimers. They share about how grand things are for them today. Believe it and hold on to that promise. In our years ahead as we walk and live together, “life will mean something at last. The most satisfactory years of [our] existence lie ahead” (A.A.W.S. Alcoholics Anonymous, 2001). I love you all.
With gratitude and blessings,
Sincerely, your friend,
Winslow C.