Surrender

From One Day at a Time for January 20th:

'The first psychiatrist to recognize the work of Alcoholics Anonymous, Dr. Harry Tiebout, used many concepts of The Program in his own practice. Over many years, the doctor's study of the "conversion experience" led him to see, first, that it is the act of surrender which initiates the switch from negative to positive; second, that the positive phase is really a state of surrender which follows the act of surrender; and third, that the state of surrender, if maintained, supplies an emotional tone to all thinking and feeling that insures healthy adjustment. Am I living in a constant state of surrender?'

What a beautiful juxtaposition; surrendering to win. Before I had this experience of surrender, there would have been no way my warped mind could have wrapped itself around this concept. We are taught that to win the other side must surrender. If the other side surrenders without a fight then the triumph of the winner is delfated. That when grappling with our inner demons, when we can get to the place that lets us surrender--to let go and stop fighting--that is when we can truly move into peace. When we have switched from negative to positive, only then can we exist in the positive state. By continuing this positive experience we shift into the gear of grateful existence. We attain the attitude of gratidude.

Maintenence of this attitude isn't tricky if we continue to attend meetings, talk with other alcoholics, work with our sponsors. We are told over and over to keep coming back. This simple act of returning to the place of surrender keeps us humble--if we are paying attention. It has been my experience that I cannot stay sober without humility. And I cannot stay humble without surrender. Humility destroys arrogance.

Today I am grateful the war of Scott vs. the World fought it's last battle on November 18, 2003.