We, each of us, have been given free will to make the choices necessary to live life to the fullest extent, for our benefit, within the limitations which we have placed upon ourselves.

Each lifetime consists of a series of heartbeats, strung out consecutively in time. A normal allotment is approximately 2,360,000,000 which are expended at an average rate of 86,000 per day, ONE HEARTBEAT AT A TIME, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They do not always materialize. There is no guarantee. If I miss the next one I am gone. So I must work at maintaining the spiritual condition and fitness which allows me to expend those which I am given, Happy, Joyous and Free, to my best advantage. I have expended a great number in drunkeness, and now, an even greater number in sobriety, enjoying the benefits of peace of mind, lack of stress and freedom from fear given me by the practice of the steps of AA in my life as I expend my allotment. I regret none that I have used, for without having expended them I could not now be expending those that I am given NOW.

It is always our choice, the manner in which we choose to spend our lifetime allotment. I do believe that in the fellowship of AA and in the grace of the Higher Power I have found a much better way.

That is my experience, it is my strength and it is my conviction.

One at a time, heartbeats, breaths, thoughts, steps, actions, days and lifetimes. Each allows the potential for the next to occur, so that we may live life and prosper in the knowledge of ourselves that we have been given.

Love and Peace, Barefoot

Index of AA History Pages on Barefoot's Domain

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As in so many things, especially with we alcoholics, our History is our Greatest Asset!.. We each arrived at the doors of AA with an intensive and lengthy "History of Things That Do Not Work" .. Today, In AA and In Recovery, Our History has added an intensive and lengthy "History of Things That DO Work!!" and We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it!!

ABC Page 60 from the Big Book

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ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Barefoot's World

On the Web Jan 6, 2003 in the Spirit of Cooperation

Three mighty important things, Pardn'r, LOVE And PEACE and SOBRIETY