“Radical” Action Must Not be Delayed since Happiness is an Inside Job – Step 9

ABANDONING SPIRITUAL PIETY FOR “HAPPY USEFULNESS” – “… our feet ought to be firmly planted on earth. That is where our fellow travelers are, and that is where our work must be done. These are the realities for us. We have found nothing incompatible between a powerful spiritual experience and a life of sane and happy usefulness.” (The Big Book, p. 130)

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How has your spiritual practice helped you to become happier in your own life, lately?

OR

How can taking small responsible actions each day help you feel happier inside?

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Yertle the Turtle -RHCP megamix (10:00)

Happiness in Relationships Guided Meditation (3:52)



ENGLISH ANALYSIS

Step Nine invites steady movement toward repair. The passages urge grounded action instead of lofty avoidance. Bill W. stressed this need for balance in The Big Book when he wrote that “our feet ought to be firmly planted on earth” (Alcoholics Anonymous, 2001). He called us to meet life directly and embrace responsibility. Likewise, Anthony Kiedis reminds us that consistent happiness demands deliberate choices, not vague hopes. His words highlight emotional courage.

Furthermore, Wellbriety teachings echo this theme. They state that “healing happens in action, not avoidance” (Coyhis, 2016). This idea supports Step Nine’s call for living change. When we face our behavior honestly, we nurture integrity. That integrity strengthens community trust. Moreover, How Al-Anon Works describes happiness as a daily commitment to changed attitudes (Al-Anon Family Groups, 1995). The text pushes us toward internal renewal before outside shifts.

However, we often stall due to fear or false pride. False pride distorts our sense of worth and distracts us from purpose. Yet humility reconnects us with our Higher Power and restores clarity. That clarity guides useful action. Each step toward amends becomes a step toward balanced living.

In addition, emotional steadiness deepens spiritual experience. Service anchors that experience. When we act with steady kindness, we join others on equal footing. That connection enriches our recovery path. Step Nine teaches that happiness grows when we practice responsibility with compassion.


SPANISH TRANSLATION

Citas del Zonr Post

ABANDONING SPIRITUAL PIETY FOR “HAPPY USEFULNESS”

“… nuestros pies deben
estar firmemente plantados
en la tierra. Allí están
nuestros compañeros de viaje,
y allí es donde nuestro trabajo
debe hacerse. Estas son
las realidades para nosotros. No hemos
encontrado nada incompatible
entre una poderosa experiencia
espiritual y una vida de sensata
y feliz utilidad.” (The Big Book, p. 130)

HAPPINESS: “A RADICAL AND DESIRABLE ACT”

“Solo por hoy
estaré feliz.”
“‘Que Empiece Conmigo’
es una forma de cambiar
las cosas que podemos,
especialmente nuestras actitudes,
en lugar de esperar que
todos los demás cambien
para complacernos.”
(How Al-Anon Works, p. 69)

Anthony Kiedis Quote

“Hemos aprendido
a equilibrarnos
un poco mejor,
así que somos más felices
la mayoría del tiempo,
y, ya sabes, ser feliz
es un acto radical
y deseable,
si me preguntas.”
— Anthony Kiedis (1962- ), EE. UU., vocalista de Red Hot Chili Peppers


ANÁLISIS EN ESPAÑOL

El Paso Nueve invita un avance constante hacia la reparación. Los pasajes impulsan acción firme en lugar de evasión elevada. Bill W. enfatizó este equilibrio en The Big Book cuando dijo que “nuestros pies deben estar firmemente plantados en la tierra” (Alcoholics Anonymous, 2001). Él llamó a enfrentar la vida y asumir responsabilidad. Anthony Kiedis también señala que la felicidad requiere decisiones conscientes, no deseos vagos. Sus palabras muestran valentía emocional.

Asimismo, las enseñanzas de Wellbriety refuerzan este mensaje. Ellas dicen que “la sanación ocurre en la acción, no en la evasión” (Coyhis, 2016). Esta idea respalda el llamado del Paso Nueve al cambio vivido. Cuando enfrentamos nuestra conducta con honestidad, fortalecemos la integridad. Esa integridad sostiene la confianza comunitaria. Además, How Al-Anon Works describe la felicidad como un compromiso diario con actitudes nuevas (Al-Anon Family Groups, 1995). El texto nos mueve hacia la renovación interna antes del cambio externo.

A veces nos detenemos por miedo o falso orgullo. El falso orgullo distorsiona nuestro valor y desvía nuestro propósito. La humildad nos reconecta con nuestro Poder Superior y devuelve claridad. Esa claridad guía acciones útiles. Cada paso hacia las enmiendas alimenta una vida equilibrada.

La estabilidad emocional también profundiza la experiencia espiritual. El servicio refuerza esa experiencia. Cuando actuamos con bondad constante, caminamos junto a otros de igual manera. Esa conexión fortalece nuestro camino de recuperación. El Paso Nueve muestra que la felicidad crece cuando practicamos responsabilidad con compasión.


Pregunta en Español (nivel sexto grado)

¿Cómo pueden las acciones pequeñas y responsables ayudarte a sentirte más feliz por dentro?

Zonr logo on happiness

Comments

6 responses to ““Radical” Action Must Not be Delayed since Happiness is an Inside Job – Step 9”

  1. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    For me happiness is just circumstantial. true Joy comes from the Lord…. it also doesn’t mean that I’m running around with a smile on my face all day long it means that I am content in my heart. And this is a result of being 100%.
    The joy of the Lord is my strength!

  2. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    IMHO there is little more painful than not being taken seriously – when others reframe my reality, I tend to become irrational and then…Welcome to the Pity Party. That is strictly my own experience. I have also read that in the ER if they ask you on a scale of 1-10 how bad the pain is, if you say “10” they might automatically assume you’re addicted to pain meds. So as far as I can hear, there are a couple of things going on: the pain of not being heard or believed, and the physical pain. Aside from meds, have they offered alternatives (i.e. biofeedback, chiropractic, acupuncture, meditation)? How have you offered to partner with your healthcare providers (i.e. “What is your experience in dealing with cases like mine? What have other people tried? etc.). I have learned from the HIV community that it is really helpful to have someone go with you to ask even more questions, take notes, and suggest alternatives. For me, the bottom line is what is the spiritual lesson in all this? What is my Higher Power trying to tell me? I will keep you in my prayers that you may have relief, serenity, and peace. Make it a blessed and beautiful day!

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Thank you SO much – that helps A LOT. you are exactly on target – I felt “crazy” at not being believed. Gratitude gratitude at your response and prayers. serenity restored. whew!

  3. brita Avatar
    brita

    I am asking for advice (is that allowed on SFZ?):
    I have a pain disease that requires pain meds. to avoid the “torture pain” level. The doctors in the ER and my neuro. won’t give them – they try other meds. that aren’t working & meanwhile I suffer huge pain.

    The problem is apparently in Miami where I am now there was a huge problem with addicts feigning illness to get meds. & now after the crackdown practically NO ONE gets pain meds. My case was dealt with suspiciously & when I go to ER am not taken seriously until they see my records.
    Anyway, I have a problem with they think I am lying and I am not. Any advice on how to handle this?
    Thank you.

    1. JB jr. Avatar
      JB jr.

      It seems to me we all have questions from time to time. Sometimes forming the questions help us find the solutions for ourselves.

      I would only caution that responses be tempered with love, compassion and tolerance and gratitude for the opportunity for being heard.

      Hopefully we can become a supportive spiritual community in addition to the ones we’d encourage developed outside of cyberspace.

      As we grow we can decide these things and reflect our consensus on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

  4. brita Avatar
    brita

    The quotes in this SFZ make me feel very peaceful – life is not so scary when I know I am not alone.

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