By: Vince DiPasquale
Humility: Our First Teacher
Each day, the Source (God) teaches us to remain humble. Humility is the great teacher.
Life is constant change; we are people in progress—never finished, even when we leave our earthly bodies. Our spirit never dies; it continues its journey of learning and growing.
We are being taught, ‘The last shall be first, and the first, last.’ When we live in ego, we become stagnant and stuck; in the spirit, we stay open to grow and learn from others.
Service: The Secret of Growth
The secret of life is service to others. In serving, we discover who we are through those we serve. We cannot live in isolation. We are part of a big world; to hide is to choose to die while we are still alive.
I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. Each day I meet so many people on their journeys. Their struggles remind me never to forget my own. In serving others, I remember that I am still learning.
The sage puts himself last so he can be open to what is ahead. Always give to others, and you will receive a hundredfold in return. Success is not riches or possessions; it is sharing your gifts. When we serve the needs of others, our needs are fulfilled. God created us to be people of service and people of hope in a dysfunctional world.
When we balance personal growth with service, we are closest to the Creator. We are taught, ‘Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me.’
Community and Connection
Who is our neighbor? Every person who touches us today is our neighbor. God speaks through every experience of life.
We are a people of different cultures, neighborhoods, and religions. Though we are different, we are equal. Isn’t it wonderful how diverse we are? We are like a great mosaic still being formed.
Everything worth having is earned through struggle. When you feel down, have faith. Do not fear losing material things; they are not what matter. To be rich is to be humble and grateful, and to be generous with others. We are servants, teachers, and pupils every day of our lives.
Traditions That Guide Us
In AA we have a beautiful set of traditions that teach balance and service—especially the Second Tradition: ‘There is only one ultimate authority, a God as we understand God; the rest of us are simply servants.’ If we live in the spirit of service to others, others will be of service to us.
Remember the gentle wisdom of the Tao, written more than 2,500 years ago by Lao‑tzu: do not live for yourself only; share your gifts with others—the secret of durability. The wise person serves the needs of others. Get out there and live life, for we are God’s servants. To serve is to be served. Let us stay connected as part of God’s family. Let us respect and love one another. As a famous man said, ‘You are either part of the solution or part of the problem.’
Spring and Resurrection
April showers bring May flowers, just as struggle makes us stronger. Resurrection means to come alive again. Let us leave the darkness and walk into the light.
Closing Blessing
May God bless us in all that we do!
