Giving Freely

We will make every personal sacrifice necessary to insure the unity of Alcoholics Anonymous. We will do this because we have learned to love God and one another. A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 234

To be self-supporting through my own contributions was never a strong characteristic during my days as a practicing alcoholic. The giving of time or money always demanded a price tag. As a newcomer I was told “we have to give it away in order to keep it.” As I began to adopt the principals of Alcoholics Anonymous in my life, I soon found it was a privilege to give to the Fellowship as an expression of the gratitude felt in my heart. My love of God and of others became the motivating factor in my life, with no thought of return. I realize now that giving freely is God’s way of expressing Himself through me. Daily Reflections

In active addiction there was always a purpose behind why I may lend a "helping hand"...it was to make sure there was something in it for me. I lived a selfish life, only thinking of myself and not of others. "How would this act benefit me?" "Would I be able to drink?" "What time and effort am I going to have to put into this?" "Will this embed my 'it's five o'clock somewhere' time?"

I thought I was going to be "helping" someone and that I would get "recognitions" for it but there were always stipulations in my mind. Selfish acts of kindness. I never could understand why my ex husband thought I was selfish, I really didn't.

Today I give freely and there are not stipulations attached to it, physical stipulations or mind stipulations. I give because I want to; because I have an urging need to; because I want God to work through me, to show the love he has given to me and give it to others.