Our first objective will be the development of self-restraint.– Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

My drive to work provides me with an opportunity for self-examination. One day while making this trip, I began to review my progress in sobriety, and was not happy with what I saw.

ALSO READ: AA advice: Repairing the damage

I hoped that, as the work day progressed, I would forget these troublesome thoughts, but as one disappointment after another kept coming, my discontent only increased, and the pressures within me kept mounting.

I retreated to an isolated table in the lounge, and asked myself how I could make the most of the rest of the day.
In the past, when things went wrong, I instinctively wanted to fight back.

But during the short time I had been trying to live the AA program I had learned to step back and take a look at myself.

READ THIS: AA advice: Centering our thoughts

I recognised that, although I was not the person I wanted to be, I had learned to not react in my old ways.
Those old patterns of behaviour only brought sorrow and hurt, to me and to others. I returned to my work station, determined to make the day a productive one, thanking God for the chance to make progress that day.

Just for today
I can disarm the secrets in my life by sharing them with one human being.
Uma unenkinga yophuzo oludakyo siza thintana nalezi nobolo ezingezanzi.

NOW READ: AA advice: Toward peace and serenity

The AA Estcourt branch hosts meetings every Tuesday at Forderville Primary School from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Desigan on 082 849 3014, Roy on 081 874 8016 or Tony on 079 513 4422.
The AA Winterton branch hosts meetings every Thursday at the Springfield Church opposite the police station from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Dolly on 071 688 5330 or Virgilo on 079 688 0432.

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