About 4 hunting seasons ago, I would sit in my tree stand from mid October until mid December for Bow and Shotgun Deer hunting in upstate New York...I would watch the earth come alive as day broke the night and just the opposite as dusk brought the dark. Approx. 30 yards from my stand was this bush with this one leaf that tenaciously hung onto the limb through the heat of October,the winds,rain,frost,brutal cold and at the end of the season was still clinging.I would go up to this leaf periodically and just look and wonder at the strength and its abilty to hang on thru all things. When things got difficult in our families lives thru the seasons,I would think back to that leaf, how it would "cling" and stay strong through all the storms of life. I would think am I not at least as important in the eyes of my Higher Power than that leaf is? Has not God given me the ability and willingness to "cling" when I am feeling weak and would like to let go?I also can face each season comforted by knowing it is my God's grace and mercy that strengthen me. WE do recover and today we can "show up" guided by that Higher Power and we can cling to that new way of life we have been shown and are willing to work at. Now we wouldn't join a gym and not workout or maybe a swimming team and not go in the water would we?? (keep it on me anyway)So if your just showing up or starting to come around,, life is blowing up a storm and you feel yourself wanting to let go,,Jump in the pool,(work the steps)get an instructor(sponsor) ,continue to do the work and find yourself progressing a day at a time into something you may have thought you never could be.WE do become "visions of hope" examples that the program works" and the joy of living free from active addiction does become an attraction to those still sick and suffering. My mind was in full reflection today ,I will never forget, day after day staring at that leave(aint much to do up in a tree waitng patiently)and how the "perseverance" showed in one of God's miracles of nature..Truly grateful, have a blessed and productive day!!The ramblings of one who has been lifted from the muck and mire and his feet placed on a solid rock!! yes sir!!!! workin on spellin next:)
-- Edited by mikef on Monday 11th of July 2011 12:43:33 PM
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
When I am weak, then I am strong. I came to AA when I was thoroughly beaten, & just like this leaf, hung on to dear life until God lifted me up from there, & gave me a life beyond my understanding. That is why I am so serious & passionate about my recovery. I don't ever want to forget where I come from. Thanks for a great post, Mike. Gonee.
That is as very good a share to end my day on as any I've heard since coming into this motly fellowship a few decades back. A share I can relate to that paints a picture I can read. I use to get very pissed when my mother or teachers use to ask me "Do I have to paint you a picture?" and then AA and I'm forever grateful for all of the pictures that have been painted within the rooms of recovery and now MIP. With gratitude.
That is as very good a share to end my day on as any I've heard since coming into this motly fellowship a few decades back. A share I can relate to that paints a picture I can read. I use to get very pissed when my mother or teachers use to ask me "Do I have to paint you a picture?" and then AA and I'm forever grateful for all of the pictures that have been painted within the rooms of recovery and now MIP. With gratitude.
About 4 hunting seasons ago, I would sit in my tree stand from mid October until mid December for Bow and Shotgun Deer hunting in upstate New York...I would watch the earth come alive as day broke the night and just the opposite as dusk brought the dark. Approx. 30 yards from my stand was this bush with this one leaf that tenaciously hung onto the limb through the heat of October,the winds,rain,frost,brutal cold and at the end of the season was still clinging.I would go up to this leaf periodically and just look and wonder at the strength and its abilty to hang on thru all things. When things got difficult in our families lives thru the seasons,I would think back to that leaf, how it would "cling" and stay strong through all the storms of life. I would think am I not at least as important in the eyes of my Higher Power than that leaf is? Has not God given me the ability and willingness to "cling" when I am feeling weak and would like to let go?I also can face each season comforted by knowing it is my God's grace and mercy that strengthen me. WE do recover and today we can "show up" guided by that Higher Power and we can cling to that new way of life we have been shown and are willing to work at. Now we wouldn't join a gym and not workout or maybe a swimming team and not go in the water would we?? (keep it on me anyway)So if your just showing up or starting to come around,, life is blowing up a storm and you feel yourself wanting to let go,,Jump in the pool,(work the steps)get an instructor(sponsor) ,continue to do the work and find yourself progressing a day at a time into something you may have thought you never could be.WE do become "visions of hope" examples that the program works" and the joy of living free from active addiction does become an attraction to those still sick and suffering. My mind was in full reflection today ,I will never forget, day after day staring at that leave(aint much to do up in a tree waitng patiently)and how the "perseverance" showed in one of God's miracles of nature..Truly grateful, have a blessed and productive day!!The ramblings of one who has been lifted from the muck and mire and his feet placed on a solid rock!! yes sir!!!!