Thoughts on Recovery – No. 64 – Step 11 – Upon Awakening – Page 86
I complete my nightly review by asking God’s forgiveness and I inquire what corrective measures should be taken. I have found that the nightly review helps me put things in proper perspective. In the 12 and 12 it says having considered our day and having searched our hearts with neither fear or favor, we can thank God for the blessings we have received and sleep in good conscience. By trying my best to “do the deal” during the day and reviewing at night this has become the norm for me. It is a gift.
Now the next suggestion is upon awakening. I want to focus on a single paragraph on page 86. They say upon awakening I should think about the next 24 hours. Notice they want me to confine my thinking to just the next 24 hours. This implies I need to not think about yesterday or tomorrow, just the day ahead. This is a powerful suggestion. Keep me out of past resentments or future worry. In Matthew 6:34 ” therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself”. “Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.” How true. That is why the nightly review is so important because I don’t want to bring yesterday’s trouble into today. I have to also give tomorrow to God and just focus on today.
I am to consider my plans for the day. WARNING. Before I do that I need to consider God’s plans for the day. My plans made my life unmanageable. I want God to be my director. I want to work for God today not Michael. So they strongly suggest I ask God first thing to direct my thinking! I ask him especially to divorce my thinking from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. This prayer for me is taking steps 1-3 right away first thing when I wake up. It is admitting I am powerless to manage my life. I believe God has the power to do that. I ask Him to direct my thinking and keep my motives centered on His will not Michael’s.
The tell me under these conditions I can employ my mental faculties with assurance. Under God’s direction I can use my mind with assurance . Assurance that I will be effectively carrying out his will not mine! My motives will be centering on service to God and others. I will be able to stay close to him and perform his work well. On page 63 I am promised by doing that I will get everything I need. I hopefully will not be in conflict with everyone and everything. I will be growing in understanding and effectiveness. I will be useful.
My thought-life will be placed on a higher plane when my thinking is cleared of wrong motives. Notice they say my thought life. I need to remember that all action is born in thought. My thinking when aligned with God’s will for me will produce good fruit! So it is very important to start my day with this prayer. Upon awakening I begin my spiritual awakening for the day. For me my morning prayer and meditation has become essential if I want to be emotionally sober each day.
Love this! Thanks for sharing!
Glad you found it helpful! I have several podcasts covering those pages. Go to episodes and scroll to bottom of the page and there are tags for step 11 covering those pages. Thank you
“My thinking when aligned with God’s will for me will produce good fruit.”
In that case it wouldn’t be my own thinking ( aligned with God’s will ) , would it ? My own thinking is called the Ego. It’s a somewhat minor point I’m making , nevertheless I just thought I’d clear that up.
A higher intelligence in us , is a direct conduit to the Intelligence of the Higher Power of the Universe. We can’t take the credit for our higher intelligence , aligned with God’s will or not.
Because it isn’t us that’s doing the thinking.
tim … thanks for your comment…
Thanks for the explanation on “thought-life,” which is what I was searching to find. While drinking, my experience was that much of my action was not born in thought — at least, not in the way I define “thought” today. It was born in the belly of my alcoholism, which didn’t require conscious thought to actualize it. In fact, conscious (and conscientious) thought merely got in the way, which is why I had to obliterate it with yet more alcohol. I was the proverbial bull in the china shop, unable to realize the damage I was doing. In sobriety, I am still every bit as capable as being that bull. If my actions today are truly born in thought, I must do whatever it takes to constantly turn those thoughts (and that will, and this life) over to the care of God as I understand God — morning, noon, and night.
Very helpful writing. I’m grateful to read it!
Tony glad it was helpful…
Yes indeed by handing my thinking over to a higher power I immediately release any fears l have , l have to practice this concept regularly so it becomes a natural way for me to live.
Thanks for the explanation on “thought-life,” which is what I was searching to find. While drinking, my experience was that much of my action was not born in thought — at least, not in the way I define “thought” today. It was born in the belly of my alcoholism, which didn’t require conscious thought to actualize it. In fact, conscious (and conscientious) thought merely got in the way, which is why I had to obliterate it with yet more alcohol. I was the proverbial bull in the china shop, unable to realize the damage I was doing. In sobriety, I am still every bit as capable as being that bull. If my actions today are truly born in thought, I must do whatever it takes to constantly turn those thoughts (and that will, and this life) over to the care of God as I understand God — morning, noon, and night.