July 16 Selfishness - Transitions Daily Alcohol Recovery ReadingsJuly 16 Selfishness - Transitions Daily Alcohol Recovery Readings
Transitions Daily Alcoholics Anonymous Recovery Readings Podcast
A series of Alcoholics Anonymous readings focuses on selfishness, humility, and reliance on a higher power, stressing the dangers of rationalisation and the value of peace of mind. Jerry R. from Cardiff shares traditional AA wisdom aimed at people seeking daily support in sobriety.
7:17•16 Jul 2026
Selfishness, Humility and Peace of Mind: A Daily AA Reading for 16 July
Episode Overview
- Selfishness and self-will are identified as root causes of many problems in alcoholism, and are described as potentially fatal if not addressed.
- Peace of mind is linked to the peace and kindness brought into other people’s lives, rather than self-focus.
- Humility is presented as a healing response to pain, gained by turning one’s will and life over to the care of God as understood personally.
- Rationalising a single slip is shown as highly dangerous, as one justification can quickly lead back to full-time drinking or misuse of pills.
- Many people in recovery notice a craving for sweets and find that having chocolate or candy on hand can be a helpful tool during difficult moments.
“Our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making.”
How do people cope with the challenges of staying sober? This short daily episode from Transitions Daily brings together classic Alcoholics Anonymous readings, all centred on a hard-hitting theme: selfishness and self-will as major blocks to recovery. Read by Jerry R. from Cardiff, Wales, the episode strings together quotes from the Big Book, Daily Reflections, As Bill Sees It and more.
You’ll hear the blunt reminder that “our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making” and that for alcoholics, selfishness isn’t just a bad habit – “we must [be rid of it], or it kills us.” The tone is gentle but direct.
Spiritual themes run throughout, with repeated references to turning “my will and my life over to the care of God, as I understand him.” Humility is described as a “healer of pain,” and there’s a strong warning about rationalising “just one slip” – because “one justification leads to another, and presently we are back on the bottle full time.” There’s even a practical nod to early sobriety cravings, mentioning that many alcoholics “noticed a tendency to eat sweets, and have found this practice beneficial.” If you like structured daily guidance, short episodes, and traditional AA language, this reading-based format might suit you.
One passage jokes that “the smallest package in the world is an alcoholic wrapped up in just themselves,” while another redefines peace of mind: AA has taught that it comes “in exact proportion to the peace of mind I bring into the lives of other people.” So if you’ve ever wondered why self-centred thinking keeps tripping you up, this episode doesn’t let you off the hook, but it does offer a clear route forward.
It’s especially geared towards people who want regular reminders that they’re not running the show any more – and that there’s real comfort in handing things over. How might your day look different if you weren’t the one trying to direct everything?
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