1938 Original Manuscript for 1939 1st Edition BigBook Searchable 1976 3rd Edition BigBook On-Line
The Prescription
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On The Sober Dance of Life

As a sober person in the "Dance Of Life" in sobriety, it is only when we do this dance of the Twelve Steps that we are our true self. We who were formerly powerless over alcohol and life have been given a power through the grace of the Higher Power and diligent effort at the practice of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

That power takes over a sober person's life. It affects everything about them. Knowledge and understanding increase faster. Before long their relationship with the Higher Power, and to power itself, is different from that of ordinary people, always presenting opportunities to set the power in motion. They become able to show others the fullness of that power in motion. Without that motion, the action of living the Twelve Steps in all their affairs, they know the power is for naught, nil.

But these people, having thoroughly applied the steps to their lives, have spiritually cleansed themselves, and they are very different from ordinary people. They may, for the most part, behave and look like everyone else, but they are not. The way they think is different. What happens to them is different. They have insights that other people do not have. And, it is these thoughts and insights that enable them to reach into others in the process of 12th Step work, and bring healing to them.

Another thing they know is who they are. They have forgiven and accepted forgiveness for themselves. Self-doubt and fear have been removed. They have a clear self-image. They know that they are a living part of AA history, and that in their journey along the Road to Happy Destiny, there is no limit to what the Higher Power can do in and through them in spiritual matters. They are always ready for Higher Power to take them places and show them things that others, because they have closed minds, are unable to see or may never see. They know that the power they have received is for healing, solving of problems, and helping those who are lost in life.

The power, that comes into and through them, is for spreading Love, transforming and assuring peace, and maturing growth, and does not change the fact that they are human beings with limitations. It is not to give them power over others, because they know the source of power is not themselves. It comes to them and moves through them by the grace of the Higher Power. The Higher Power is the true source, and to whom all thanks should go.

They know they must aim at the heavens and set themselves standards and goals that in the beginning will seem beyond reach. But as they experience growth they begin to enjoy the challenges this brings, and they should not look for perfection. One day they might get close to it.

If, on the other hand, they aim low, that is where they will always be.

Even failures have a positive contribution. Failures keep them humble, and help them to find and fix their mistakes. Failures also teach them to practice more until they are better. They know that things are never automatic in their relationship with the Higher Power, that the Higher Power wants them to learn for themselves what they are made of, so that they can fully experience the things that life brings to them.

They know that Quitting is the greatest failure of all. Don't. They may put the work aside for awhile if they must, but then they come back to it. It is the practice that gives them confidence and prepares them for the tests of life to come.

They know that the miracle of Sobriety is not something incredible. It is the thousands of changed lives.

The one who wishes to be a truly sober person must be a person of faith, and they can only work successfully with those who are also willing to have faith. Good intentions are never enough nor are excuses. The sponsor and the sponsee must be glued together in faith for the healing to occur.

The truly sober do not try to cheat, to just get by, or to fool anyone. Instead, they are the ones that always work and study the hardest, knowing that as long as they have the strength to do the Higher Power's will, they will continue to learn and to grow. They have an active sense of humor, able to laugh at themseves, and at life. Laughter breaks tension and is a very good healer. And it keeps them from taking life too seriously.

They know that the Higher Power is chief in all things at all times, always has been and always will be. They know that they shall come and go, but that the Circle of the Fellowship is turning before them every day, One Day At A Time. They know that, if they do that which the Higher Power wishes done, the Circle will keep turning long after they are gone. They know that they are the living AA history. They are the Dancers of Life. The Steps do the dancing for them.

The Dancers
by Mike P. & The Messengers
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From their CD "I Think I'll Quit Drinkin' Today"
Read about Mike P. And The Messengers and the songs.

Love and Peace, Barefoot

Index of AA History Pages on Barefoot's Domain

As in so many things, especially with we alcoholics, our History is our Greatest Asset!.. We each arrived at the doors of AA with an intensive and lengthy "History of Things That Do Not Work" .. Today, In AA and In Recovery, Our History has added an intensive and lengthy "History of Things That DO Work!!" and We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it!!

ABC Page 60 from the Big Book

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Three mighty important things, Pardn'r, LOVE And PEACE and SOBRIETY