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It's been rightly suggested that some of this series sounds a little preachy. Yes, it's obvious that it is. To the best of my knowledge, this pamphlet, "The Four Absolutes", was written in the 30's or 40's with the full backing of AA. From that, the conclusion I draw is that it was written by a thoughtful person who way trying to make life better than it had been for him (the wording suggests it was written by a man).
Perhaps some of you subscribe to the tenants of Twelve Step programs, perhaps some of you think they're a bunch of crap. Whatever your feeling, it's honored here. The Twelve Step programs are a personal choice; for many, the only choice. I'm neither for nor against any of them. I must, however, acknowledge some of the wisdom attached to them and, when I come across anything I think might help people, I will share.
While I welcome the opportunity to share this wisdom with you, there are pangs of guilt that you might think I'm trying to shove ideas down your throats. As I said before, the intent is only to share the wisdoms of others.
Page Three of the Phamphlet.
The Absolutes
"We walked into this large group of which we had heard so much, but had never attended. From the vestibule we saw a placard on the corner of the far wall which said 'Easy Does it.' We turned left to park our coat. We turned back and there on the other corner of the same wall was a twin placard which said, 'First Things First.' Then facing to the front of the room, high above the platform we was in the largest letters of all, 'But for the Grace of God.' Then as our eyes descended, there directly on the front of the podium was another with four words, 'Honesty, Unselfishness, Purity and Love.'
"In the next ten minutes as we sat unnoticed in the last row waiting for the meeting to start, many thoughts tumbled throufh a mind that was really startled by this first face to face meeting with the four Absolutes for a very long time.
"We started to grade ourselves fearlessly on our own progress toward these Absolutes through long years of sobriety. The score was a pitiful, lonely little score. We thought of a fine lead recently heard in which a patient humble brother had told his story and had mentioned his overwhelming sense of gratitude as an important ingredient of his fifteen years of sobriety.
"And in listing things for which he was so grateful, he mentioned how comfortable it was to be completely honest. Certainly he meant nothing prideful. He simply meant that he told his wife and friends the truth as best he could, had no fishy stories to reconcile, was honest Your text with money and material things, etc.
"This was a truly grateful, humble fellow. Certainly he did not resemble the man pictured in the cartoon, speaking to a large audience, pounding on the table and with a jutting chin proclaiming in a loud voice that he had more humility than anyone there and could prove it
"But just think of 'complete honesty.' Is it not the eternal search for truth which is endless, and in wich none achieve perfection?
"What do the four Absolutes mean to most of us? Words are tools. Like any other tools, they get rusty and corroded when not used. More importantly, we must familiarize ourselves with the tools, understand them, and ever improve our skill in their use. Else the end product, if any, is pathetically poor.
"We thought of a dear friend in the fellowship, prone like other alcoholics to move quickly from one hobby or interest to another, without really doing much with any of them. (Does that sound like someone you know?) Once this friend decided that working with his hands would solve some problems, quiet his nerves, perhaps help him to achieve serenity and balance. So he reviewed an impressive collection of tool catalogues with friends already addicted to the woodworking hoby.
"He bought a large expensive collection of tools, and a lot of equipment. He hired a carpenter to build a shop in his basement, install the equipment, and make custom-built racks to house the tools. But in the end not one shaving and not one tiny bit of saw-dust graced the floor. The idle tools serve just as well to keep our friend occupied while he doesn't go to meetings, do Twelfth Step work or engage in other happy activity in AA
"How many of you will be completely honest and admit that you have put the four Absolutes in the attic, a little rusty from non-use perhaps, but none the worse for wear? Give or take a little, how many of us who still maintain the workshop for the Absolutes, will admit that not too many shavings or much sawdust from our activity have ever graced its floor? Or even assuming that the activity has persisted, how many will admit that the end product did not win a prize for its quality?
"Such lack of quality can only mean lack of objectives or lack of all-out efford toward such objectives. We must recognize the Absolutes as guideposts to the finest and highest objectives to mortal man. But recognition is not enough. We must use the tools."
~~ Anon
I was being a little lazy and a lot sick by posting only when Spirit moved. Spirit has moved me back to where I should be. I'll go back to The Prophet, but first, let me share this with you.
This is a booklet/phamphlet once published by Alcohlics Anonymous. It's little known now; may you enjoy its wealth.
The Absolutes are: Honesty, Unselfishness, Love, Purity.
The Four Absolutes Forward
"Spelled out as such, the Four Absolutes are not a formal part of our AA philosophhy of lfe. Since this is true, some may claim the Absolutes shoudl be ignored. This premise is approximately as sound as it would be to suggest that the Holy Bible should be scuttled.
"The Absolutes were borrowed from the Oxford Goup Movement back in the days when our society was in its humble beginning. In those days our founders and their early colleagues were earnestly seeking for any and all sources of help to define and formulate suggestions that might guide us in the pursuit of a useful, happy and signifigant sober life.
"Because the Absolutes are not specifically repeated in our Steps or Traditions, some of us are inclined to forget them. Yet in many old time groups where the solid spirit of our fellowship is so strongly exemplified, the Absolutes receive frequent mention. Indeed, you often find a set of old placards, carfelly preserved, which are trotteed out for prominent display each meeting night.
"There could be unanimity on the proposition that living our way life must include not only an awareness but a constant striving toward greater achievement in the qualities which the Absolutes represent. Many who have lost the precious gift of sobriety would ascribe it to carelessness in seeking these objectives. If you will revisit the Twelve Steps with care, you will find the Four Absolutes form a thread which is discermible [sic] in a sober life of quality, every step of a glorious journey"
Damo, youre words, your thoughts, are too wealthy to be reduced to a few-word comment. Therefore I come here.
Our emotions are, yes, part of our reality. They do, indeed, let us understand and fully enjoy the wonderful. Oh, how I applaud and subscribe to that notion. Would that we could simply enjoy the enjoyable. But we cant. We also need to understand there is a yang of life..
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So, how do I go about getting a pic on the front page? Maybe I'm simply not seeing the sub information.
Harmony
Well, here is my maiden post. It's not really what I had in mind, but let's see where it takes us.
This morning, katyzzz posted Computer Images and the elderly. It's a topic worth thought. This is my long answer to her. Feel free to add your thoughts, either to her directly or here.
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Ok, so maybe it's not a safari in the traditional sense, but it surely is another adventure. As writers and readers, we're smitten with adventure and I hope you'll be with me to find new things and go to new places
This is a new gig for me. Truth is, there are plenty of new gigs here at Orble and they all make for continued community growth.
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We all have a lot to say. Let's talk here, post our other blogs here, make room for thoughts here.
And an orator said, "Speak to us of Freedom". And he answered:
"At the city gate and by your fireside I have seen you prostrate yourself and worship your own freecom, even as slaves humble themselves before a tyrant and praise him though he slays them. Ay, in the grove of the temple and in the shadow of the citadel I have seen the freest among you wear their freedom as a yoke and a handcuff. And my heart bled within me; for you can only be free when even the desire of seeking freedom becomes a harness to you, and when you cease to speak of freedom as a goal and a fulfillment.
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It was a bitter in the winter of 1604-05 in St. Croix Island, near Portland Maine. A combination of malnutrition and harsh weather claimed the lives of almost half of the 79 French settlers led by Pierre Dugua and Samuel Champlain that year.
The results of these deaths? Early American autopsies. US and Canadian forensic anthropologists have confirmed a skull discovered during excavations by the National Park Service in June, 2003, belonged to a man who had been the subject in a series of autopsies to determine the cause of so many deaths over such a short period of time.
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Comment by Harmony Rocks
on With A Great Voice . . . . . . . . He Spoke Of Love
head for threads
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Harmony's Forum For You
I do my best to keep inspiration in the world.
HR