Living, a great deal of my past was rooted in dishonest intentions. Lying was first nature to me, everything I did was built on this foundation, couldn’t function without it. With the first principle being honesty, it created a dilemma that didn’t have a resolution, or so it seemed that way at that moment. The person I lied to the most was me, I had created illusions, and lived in these distortions, so when I started to read about the mindset of the Alcoholic in the Big Book, it started to teach me about my nature and how it was saturated with dishonesty. The recognition of this Spiritual Principle created a new path for me, but I have had to work at honesty every moment, I must or I will deceive myself. This actual impossibility to stop telling untruths became possible because of the second principle open mindedness; I had been open enough to see that I didn’t have all the answers. This was also a doorway to the reduction of ego, and believing in something much greater than I, this principle for me was key to unlocking the door, which was like looking behind the curtain, and seeing the magician that created the lie, me. Learning to take actions to effect change, takes the deepest t level of honesty, having to witness that I deceived myself, is healing and powerful, it has become my life’s work which I am thoroughly grateful for, and gives me hope that a fool rooted in deceit can learn honest intent. Even with knowledge and good intentions I still can fall back, it just takes diligence, and conviction to stay grounded in truth, and faith. God has never given me more than I can handle, by revealing to me the truth that is created in living by the principles of honesty, open mindedness, and sincere willingness to change my lying self to a more truthful man. May I live grounded by these principles?
Peace Out: M

I have traveled all my life, and I was taught by my father how to read maps, drive a straight line, and stay awake. I have driven, road trains, and boats, thousands of miles across the world. This has been a blessing, but you would think that I would have learned how to take directions; this has always been a problem. When I entered the rooms, it was highly suggested that I start taking directions, but being the person I am, my first reaction, was that no one here had information I needed or wanted. This was ” contempt prior to investigation”, and this was the first thing I truly heard, at that moment I actually worked the first 2 steps, I honestly surrendered with in my deepest self, that I was an Alcoholic, and I became open minded enough to accept that I needed help and could no longer control nor choose any beneficial actions, it took time to realize this. I had no choice but to take directions, if I WANTED to be taught what I needed to do. This was a Spiritual direction to the path of sober living, and thinking, and a new reality. Through this journey I was not only given a road map to guide me, but I was given tools to fix the vehicle so it was drivable, and could handle the bumpy road. I now also have a “road dawg” the Universal Power” which I choose to just use the three letter word GOD, a language identification, so for those who have different identification than I. For me the steps are the guidelines, the principles are the rules I must follow, if I want to find the gateway, to Spiritual awareness. This learned experience, has given me more gifts than I could have ever imagined, and it stated by being willing to take the directions, and read the map. What my father said taught me carried me many miles, what the Spiritual Principles taught are carrying many more, and I pray that they carry me a few more miles. I love those who have touched me along the way and who continue to touch me every day. This is dedicated my brother Don “D.A., who walks the path along with me, and God the Power of Light and Goodness.
Peace Out. M