Helping Others Survive the Holidays

Before I came to AA, my life was without a clear focus and lacked good orderly direction. Since coming to AA, I have adopted my favorite line in the Big Book as a guiding principle in my life. That line is found on page 77 and goes like this: “Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us.” This principle goes against my old, negative nature, which was based on self, self, self—selfish, self-centered, self-seeking. My new, positive nature is based in my own AA experience that was brought about by applying the principles of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions in my life in a practical way. The holiday season provides excellent opportunities to be of maximum service to God by being helpful to new people in AA.