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this reading is the reminder i need to have every day. i have spent these last set of steps discovering and building the sense of self i so sorely lacked when i got clean. i often confuse the sense of self and self-will, thinking that i am being assertive and standing-up for myself when actually i am being agressive and manipulative. the difference was pointed out in the reading

"living in harmony with the world around me"

what an excellent test! of course in my crude manner i must reduce and simplify it to the "asshole" test. if i come across more than one "asshole" in the course of my daily activities the chances are very great (approaching certainty) that it is me who is living in self-will and not in harmony with the world around me.
am i very good about looking for this simple measure in the here and now? well i am better than i used to be. if i continue to stay clean, follow the simple suggestions of my sponsor, and stay connected witht he fellowship that gave me a new life, the chance approach certainty that i will continue to improve on applying the "asshole" test in real-time and not after the fact.
thank GOD i do not have to do this perfectly each day, just do my very best, because i would have given up a long time ago against the standard of perfection.
-- DT --