October 14 - Defect Looking for Character

October 14

Remember when you wanted what you currently have? I sure do. When I was growing up, all I wanted was a home. I wanted a stable place to lay my head. Eventually, I got that. Then, I wanted to marry my childhood sweetheart. I moved back to my home state to be with her, and that, too, happened. Then, all I wanted was a job. I wanted a career where I could learn and apply my talents and be successful. I felt like I got that too. Then, the fog sets in. Every day repeated as I drank. I became ungrateful and wanted more. I wanted a bigger house and demanded more love and respect for things I did not deserve. I wanted more recognition than what I felt I received for my efforts. My ego demanded more from these things, and eventually, I ended up resenting the life I once wished for and deeply desired. As we say in recovery (and sometimes too much), expectations are only premeditated resentments. Watch for those seven deadly sins of Pride, Greed, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy, and Sloth and the “instincts gone awry” and see if you can temper your desires today.

Reflections

Am I living in the seven deadly sins?

Daily Challenge

Memorize the Seventh Step prayer in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous whether you believe in God or not.