Changing motives
“When we finally get our own selfish motives out of the way, we begin to find a
peace that we never imagined possible.”
Basic Text, p.44
As we examine our beliefs, our actions, and our motives in recovery, we’ll find that
sometimes we do things for the wrong reasons. In our early recovery, we may have
spent a great deal of money and time on people, wanting only for them to like us.
Later on, we may find that we still spend money on people, but our motives have
changed. We do it because we like them. Or perhaps we used to get romantically
involved because we felt hollow inside and were seeking fulfillment through another
person. Now our reasons for romantic involvement are based in a desire to share our
already rewarding lives with an equal partner. Maybe we used to work the steps
because we were afraid we’d relapse if we didn’t. Today we work the steps because
we want to grow spiritually.
We have a new purpose in life today, and our changing motives reflect that. We have
so much more to offer than our neediness and insecurities. We have developed a
wholesomeness of spirit and a peace of mind that moves our recovery into a new
realm. We extend our love and share our recovery with complete generosity, and the
difference we make is the legacy we leave to those who have yet to join us.
Just for today: In recovery, my motives have changed. I want to do things for the
right reason, not just for my personal benefit. Today, I will examine my motives.