I was reading about prayer in the Eleventh Step in the 12&12 and thinking about other things I had read concerning prayers. I know how often I would get caught up in long prayers and find myself someplace else other than what I was saying. And that taught me to listen to those whom I know were very spiritual in here.
One of them, an extremely religious person, told how he had to let go of long prayers and to focus on short prayers, which enabled him to stay focused on what he was saying. I stopped and thought about this and then began to do what he was doing. It definitely helped me to pray and stick to what it was I was saying and remember what it was I was supposed to be doing. I am so grateful for all that my Higher Power has given me, as well as so many faithful alcoholics in here.
This is for me one of the “tools” I have been able to use, when it comes to negative emotions. I remember how I received instructions on how to pray to negate these emotions, when they appeared and wanted to take over my thoughts and actions. The more I was able to pray this way, the more these emotions were neutralized and gone. Pretty much what those old timers kept on saying about placing our intellects over our emotions. Or, as my sponsor would always tell me to think with my head and not my heart.
The reason I was thinking about this is the result of a conversation today. It reminded me of what I had studied years ago about this. I often will suggest this way of dealing with these negative emotions, which want to take over our lives. And this way of thinking and doing has been very effective in my sobriety. What I have learned and practiced.
I can remember way back, when I was reading the BB, where I saw that resentments can cut us off from the sunlight of the spirit, and we can drink again. And for us to drink is to die. I had seen that happen to some men I knew and I didn’t want to ever go there. And that began to focus me on the Eleventh Step and what it was I needed to do to change and become a better person. A sober alcoholic.
That was part of the beginning to deal with these problems.
Anyway it made me go back and read some of the Eleventh Step in the 12&12. I reminded me once again of why I am here and what it is I need to do each and everyday to stay sober. And part of that is to stay focused on why I am here, to stay sober a day at a time.