We have collectively revealed this past week or so, a whole lot of stuff that goes on among AA folk once in awhile, whether in the meetings or one on one, or at clubs.... which is petty and unkind, as we can often be, as we are humans (and rather emotionally sick ones, at that).
Lets talk about kindness, and let us see it in people throughout the day, and celebrate it!!
What do you think about this? Any bits of experience with kindness lately?? I find I need to restore my faith that the Human Race is still good and kind.
Thanks!
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~Your Higher Power has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.
Having shared last night, I was flooded with kindness from my brothers and sisters at that meeting, the big hugs, the men who took the time after the meeting to talk with me and share their experience with me.
Put me in the frame of mind this morning that when I was told that my daughter's boyfriend's father had again offered a cheap car to my son, instead of seeing this as another man trying to take the father role with my son, I saw it for what it might be, a bloke who likes my daughter and wants to do a kindness for her brother, by helping him buy a car on the cheap.
My son however is showing a bit of sense, he's going to find out how much the insurance will be on an 1800 almera before he parts with his hard earned and is also going to talk to my best mate, Mark the Mechanic, to make sure this is really a good deal.
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It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
Ahhhh JoniJoni...good discussion theme. My life has been turned upside down since I have been allowed membership in this 12step spiritual program. I often get at least to the extent that I give. Kindness was lacking during the drinking years. I believe that those good moral characteristics go into hybernation as the opposite becomes my personality. I found it true from the description of alcoholism that alcohol would break down my inhibitions and permit me to do that which I would not normally do. I was born and raised in the Aloha culture and that mattered nothing to alcohol or me when I drank. Unkindness became the norm until sobriety and the steps restored me to sanity and discipline. I don't demand it today. I give it freely and express gratitude when it is given to me. Thanks for the share.
The kindness I will never forget was shown to me by a Group of Alcoholics at the first meeting I ever attended.
I was hurting sooo bad like only Alcoholics can hurt. One by one they came to me lovingly with a smile, hugged me and said "You never have to feel this way again"
Larry ------------------- Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on; 'Twas not given for thee alone, Pass it on; Let it travel down the years, Let it wipe another's tears, 'Til in Heaven the deed appears - Pass it on. ~Henry Burton, Pass It On
Yay! I SO need this topic today! I am going to have to think a bit but I know I've seen a lot lately. Sad that it doesn't spring to mind immediately.
I will mention this as it makes me super-happy. There is an app I got for my iphone called DoGood. If you don't have an iPhone they have a feed on twitter. Anyhow, it just gives you a simple doable good action you can do that day. Today is "Hold the door open today - It does not take much effort to do this simple action, so as you do, give someone a compliment or wish them a nice day."
When you do it, you click done, and you see comments from other people who have done it. It's heartwarming and it makes me happy to think of all these people all over the country making an effort to do those good things. You can see how many people have done it that day too! Highly recommended.
whitewhineoh, that's pretty cool. I remember when just about everyone held the door and the others said thankyou sir. It's these simple courtesies like this and using your turn signal and letting the other car to merge that promotes civility while the opposite breeds contempt. When I first moved to Florida (18 years ago) from Virginia, I noticed a big difference in the basic manners (or lack of). I was getting resentments as I would hold the door at a store while someone walked in and didn't acknowledge me as if they were a king and it was my duty. I brought it up with my sponsor and his response was that I wasn't holding the door for them to get acknowledgment, I did it because it was the right thing to do.
Joni, My sponsor came back home today. He gave me a big hug and was there for me later when I need to talk to him. A nice lady in my home-group gave us a baby-gift basket. Now I'm going to go exercise some kindness and diffuse the war in my kitchen.
