God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.
Phil said
Mar 3, 2005
Accepting Ourselves
While driving one day, a womans attention focused on the license plate of the car ahead. The license read: B WHO UR. How can I? she thought. I dont know who I am!
Some of us may have felt confused when people encouraged us to be ourselves. How could we know ourselves, or be who we are, when, for years, many of us submerged ourselves in the needs of others?
We do have a self. Were discovering more about ourselves daily. Were learning were deserving of love.
Were learning to accept ourselves, as we are for the present moment - to accept our feelings, thoughts, flaws, wants, needs, and desires. If our thoughts or feelings are confused, we accept that too.
To be who we are means we accept our past - our history - exactly as is.
To be ourselves means we are entitled to our opinions and beliefs - for the present moment and subject to change. We accept our limitations and our strengths.
To be who we are means we accept our physical selves, as well as our mental, emotional, and spiritual selves, for now. Being who we are in recovery means we take that acceptance one step further. We can appreciate our history and ourselves.
Being whom we are, loving and accepting ourselves, is not a limiting attitude. Accepting and loving ourselves is how we enable growth and change.
Today, I will be who I am. If Im not yet certain who I am, I will affirm that I have a right to that exciting discovery.
GammyRose said
Mar 3, 2005
Thanks Phil, I needed to read the Serenity Prayer today, I said it this morning, but I needed it again. Yes, after 20 years of sobiety and 14 of those in recovery, I have not arrived , I am struggling each day. I am a work in progress, don't think I will ever reach perfection and I am trying to admit that today. I thank God for the serenity I recieve each day because I did not know what the word meant 20 years ago.
I pray you have a great, living life on lifes terms, day my friend.
(((Hugs)))
GammyRose
JohnV said
Mar 3, 2005
Hey Phil,
The truth never changes. I am grateful for the serenity I have recieved through the Program. I have wandered lost and confused in trying to find the "real me". I have looked for the self love and respect that would set me free. I have prayed to be free of the bondage of my past behavior. Then the reality struck. I am always changing. There is no reality outside of the present. I have a choice how to experience it. My perception makes the difference.
In my greatest darkness. In the moment when all felt lost. When I could not understan where I fit. I found my healing through my HP. It was a God thing to accept. As a mere mortal, I fail in so many ways. As I find the Promises of the Program come true, I find the Spiritual Awakening that can set me free. It is a journey, not a destination...
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
Accepting Ourselves
While driving one day, a womans attention focused on the license plate of the car ahead. The license read: B WHO UR. How can I? she thought. I dont know who I am!
Some of us may have felt confused when people encouraged us to be ourselves. How could we know ourselves, or be who we are, when, for years, many of us submerged ourselves in the needs of others?
We do have a self. Were discovering more about ourselves daily. Were learning were deserving of love.
Were learning to accept ourselves, as we are for the present moment - to accept our feelings, thoughts, flaws, wants, needs, and desires. If our thoughts or feelings are confused, we accept that too.
To be who we are means we accept our past - our history - exactly as is.
To be ourselves means we are entitled to our opinions and beliefs - for the present moment and subject to change. We accept our limitations and our strengths.
To be who we are means we accept our physical selves, as well as our mental, emotional, and spiritual selves, for now. Being who we are in recovery means we take that acceptance one step further. We can appreciate our history and ourselves.
Being whom we are, loving and accepting ourselves, is not a limiting attitude. Accepting and loving ourselves is how we enable growth and change.
Today, I will be who I am. If Im not yet certain who I am, I will affirm that I have a right to that exciting discovery.
Thanks Phil, I needed to read the Serenity Prayer today, I said it this morning, but I needed it again. Yes, after 20 years of sobiety and 14 of those in recovery, I have not arrived , I am struggling each day. I am a work in progress, don't think I will ever reach perfection and I am trying to admit that today. I thank God for the serenity I recieve each day because I did not know what the word meant 20 years ago.
I pray you have a great, living life on lifes terms, day my friend.
(((Hugs)))
GammyRose
Hey Phil,
The truth never changes. I am grateful for the serenity I have recieved through the Program. I have wandered lost and confused in trying to find the "real me". I have looked for the self love and respect that would set me free. I have prayed to be free of the bondage of my past behavior. Then the reality struck. I am always changing. There is no reality outside of the present. I have a choice how to experience it. My perception makes the difference.
In my greatest darkness. In the moment when all felt lost. When I could not understan where I fit. I found my healing through my HP. It was a God thing to accept. As a mere mortal, I fail in so many ways. As I find the Promises of the Program come true, I find the Spiritual Awakening that can set me free. It is a journey, not a destination...
Blessings, JV.