Understanding Principle Nine of AA Alcoholics Anonymous
#9 - The Principle of Discipline
In the practical sense, the principle of discipline in the AA Alcoholics Anonymous program of recovery refers to thoughts and actions that aim to promote new patterns of behavior and character traits. The word "discipline” comes from the Latin word "disciple", which means pupil or student…one who follows a given set of teachings, learning, or training. This couldn't be more appropriate, because following a twelve-step program of recovery is a learning process aimed at attaining a set of skills that are necessary to achieve the desired goal of sobriety.
When I was an active addict, the lack of discipline for me created complete chaos, unaccountability, and unreliability. I was not trustworthy – hell, I didn't even trust myself! Being healthy was not a priority; I was very self-centered and totally obsessed with myself, with alcohol, with negative focus and destructive behaviors. However, when I surrendered and began my journey through the Steps and the disciplines of AA, and slowly metamorphosed, I became the complete opposite kind of person.
In the spiritual sense, the aim of our discipline is also to know God's will for us and to receive the courage and grace by which to do it. My program of recovery is the discipline that opens the door to a right relationship with God, which in return makes possible a healthier relationship with myself and all the people in my life.
The Principle Of Structure, Consistency & Safety
What I like about the AA program of recovery is that it's an ordered, purposeful sequence of steps; its "disciplines" are motivation, intention, commitment, and perseverance. Without discipline, there was an opportunity for me to just go with the negative flow of life-like a feather floating aimlessly in the wind- where one bad gust of wind after the next led to things in life just getting worse and worse and worse. I have an image of myself up in my LA apt, in my darkest depths of despair, when everything that was happening was just so miserable, and I was thinking "here I am again for the thousandth time".
But the AA program of recovery was my ticket out of hell and into a place where I finally felt safe. It provided a way of working and managing my life with discipline. This is one of the reasons that the principle of 'Discipline' for addicts in recovery is paramount! We thrive when we have structure, consistency, and a feeling of security. Something I say frequently is that "when you have discipline it allows you the opportunity to develop structure, which creates consistency; and consistency creates safety.
Discipline By Choice In Recovery
Discipline by choice is mindfulness before you make a decision that could negatively impact you. It's an opportunity to create a structure to your day so you don't fall into those bad patterns of behavior. When you're disciplined all of the actions that you're taking are manifesting a better outcome and improving your quality of life. We are in control of our lives and we can choose if it's going to be "one day" or day one.
The principle of discipline offers an opportunity for us to better ourselves; it's not necessarily the things that you want to do, but the things that you need to do. Discipline by choice is creating or developing healthy habits to enable success in your life. To me, discipline starts with a routine, and what I call my 'Ideal 24'.
My 'Ideal 24' is an example of the key facets of discipline that keep my recovery in alignment. For my sobriety (and sanity) I have to create what my day looks like in a healthy way- 24 hours at a time. I'm adjusting it all the time of course but here's an example:
Early wake-up time: sometimes it's as simple as having a consistent early wake-up time. It's important to have a good night's sleep of course but also to have some consistency.
Morning prayer & meditation: What's the first thing you want to do every morning to get into a healthy state of mind?
Gratitude lists: I share daily with a few different people.
Be of service: Going to meetings connecting with mentors, sponsors, and fellowship, being of service- giving back. As I always say 'Do something nice for somebody and don't get caught".
Work out & Work: Daily exercise of some kind is key to my recovery. An idle mind is a wandering mind so keeping busy with work, working out and family is my ideal kind of day!
End of day: Do an inventory on the day, pause, review what I did well, what I can do better, and plan another awesome Ideal 24.
The Discipline Of Letting Go
Sometimes the word 'discipline' conjures up an image of holding on too tight, or an uptight intense person. To some people holding on and 'hanging in there are signs of great strength. But the principle of discipline in the AA program of recovery is actually about surrender and letting go.
As addicts, we struggle when we want to grow, but are too stubborn, unwilling to surrender, and let go. In the process of doing the steps and practicing the spiritual principles, we get to practice letting go of thinking that we know everything, letting go of the behaviors we outgrow and the old habits that no longer serve a purpose. We surrender, open up, and walk through life with greater ease and grace.
In recovery we learn to have the discipline to make things right, taking responsibility for ourselves- it's in the steps and the principles. It's how we get to move forward and not be stuck in the mud. There is a joy to be found when we examine ourselves daily and are quick to admit wrongs, make amends and participate with pleasure in all the things that bring us closer together for the common good. This is how we persevere!
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