Last night, I was sitting in a book study with my sponsor and sponsor brothers, and we spent the entire meeting focusing on page 86 in Step 11, “Into Action.”

I love how my sponsor had us go through each line of the book starting with “On awakening…”  We broke it down and he helped us see the promises, prayer, actions, and warnings in the reading and reminded us that it is what a sober day looks like.  This morning when I woke up, I sat down and did what you see below.  I shared it with him and he said he loved it, so I wanted to share it with you.  I hope you have a glorious day today!

In love & service,

(Promises, Prayer, Actions, & Warnings from Step 11, page 86, “Into Action”)

“[ACTION] On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. [PROMISE] Under these conditions we can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for after all God gave us brains to use. Our thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives.

[WARNING] In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. [ACTION] Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don’t struggle. [PROMISE] We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while. What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspiration gradually becomes a working part of the mind. [WARNING] Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. [PROMISE] Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it.

[ACTION] We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no request for ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped. We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends. [WARNING] Many of us have wasted a lot of time doing that and it doesn’t work. You can easily see why.

[ACTION] If circumstances warrant, we ask our wives or friends to join us in morning meditation. If we belong to a religious denomination which requires a definite morning devotion, we attend to that also. If not members of religious bodies, we sometimes select and memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing. There are many helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be obtained from one’s priest, minister, or rabbi. Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.

[ACTION] As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day [PRAYER] “Thy will be done.” [PROMISE] We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves.

It works—it really does.”

My 5-Step Action Plan for a Sober Day Today

1.) On awakening let me think about the twenty-four hours ahead. I consider my plans for the day. Before I begin, I ask God to direct my thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives.

2.) At any point throughout the day when I face indecision, I ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. I relax and take it easy. I don’t struggle.

3.) I usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that I be shown all through the day what my next step is to be, that I be given whatever I need to take care of such problems. I ask especially for freedom from self-will, and am careful to make no request for myself only. I may ask for myself, however, if others will be helped. I am careful never to pray for my own selfish ends.

4.) If circumstances warrant, I ask my partner or friends to join me in morning meditation. If I belong to a religious denomination which requires a definite morning devotion, I attend to that also. If not a member of a religious body, I sometimes select and memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing. There are many helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be obtained from one’s priest, minister, or rabbi. Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.

5.) As I go through the day I pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. I constantly remind myself I am no longer running the show, humbly saying to myself many times each day “Thy will be done.”