RIGOROUS HONESTY
Recovery Einstein's Big Book perspective on the AA Daily Reflection for January 26.
Rigorous honesty is the foundation of our recovery, my friend. The Big Book tells us that 'the first requirement is that we be convinced that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success' [Page 60]. That means we must stop lying to ourselves about our drinking and our defects. On page 58, it says 'Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program,' and that starts with being utterly honest. When we take a fearless moral inventory in Step Four, we 'search out the flaws in our make-up which caused our failure' — that requires rigorous honesty [Page 72]. Without it, we're just whitewashing the tombstone of our old life.
What am I holding back from being honest about — with myself, with my Higher Power, or with another person — that is keeping me from full freedom?
Start each day with Einstein's Big Book perspective — a quiet moment before the world gets loud.
This is Recovery Einstein's original Big Book perspective on the day's theme — not the official AA Daily Reflections text. For the official reflection, follow the aa.org link above. Page references are to Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), 4th Edition.
Quick answers
What is the AA Daily Reflection for January 26?
The theme for January 26 is “Rigorous Honesty.” Rigorous honesty is the foundation of our recovery, my friend.
What am I holding back from being honest about — with myself, with my Higher Power, or with another person — that is keeping me from full freedom?
Without it, we're just whitewashing the tombstone of our old life. (Big Book: Chapter 5, pages 58-60 and Chapter 6, pages 72-75)