Over the years I have learned to take away the controversy and disagreements from my life.
I have learned to look for the good in the other persons viewpoint. Many times when I find myself disagreeing with the other brother, God has pointed out to me something in that person, which I am lacking in own personality. I have gained tremendously from that. We all have different gifts and it's the exercising of these gifts that builds our humanity. Not all our gifts seem great, but they are necessary. I have seen some brothers on this forum, who have such tremendous gift for generosity and I can learn from that.
I have learned to disagree without being disagreeable. For me that means, temporarily, that viewpoint seems incorrect, but as I allow it to play out it bears fruit in the greater scheme of things.
That's what AA means to have an open mind. It's primarily for my benefit, irrespective of how long I am sober. In fact the longer I stay sober, the greater the need to listen more intently for others viewpoint.
This reminds me of how I was before I had my alcohol problem take over. I always tried to see the good in everything over the bad and not get into negative moods especially with people. I'm still trying to do it today, when I dont recieve people well, they dont recieve me well, I dont gotta like everything they say, but its still ok.
With application of our spiritual principles,guided by the God of our understanding,the adage,WE can agree to disagree without being disagreeable takes on so much more meaning in word and action.Thanks Gonee,blessings of this day..........
__________________
Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Very insightful - I was looking out at the water today - watching the ripples, and realized that even if everyone is 2 hours late from their golf trip - I can still enjoy and be grateful for every moment. If I act upset about them being late when they return, I take away from everyone's enjoyment - and probably future enjoyment as they may learn that to be with me means they must be rigid and rushing to please me. I don't want that. I can simply say "I'm not going to worry about it" to myself - and them if they apologize when they return. If not, I can say nothing to keep from hindering the pleasure of the now and those "now's" to come. I even went so far as to ponder saying to them "don't worry about it", vs. "I'm not going to worry about it". Even saying "Don't" is telling them what to do. I can only really do anything about my stuff: so saying "I'm" vs. "Don't" is the best thing I can do to create a negative ripple effect upon those I love.
Yesterday - when I went to A&W - I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the ease of food, and was thankful. It's the first time I gave thanks - other than on Thanksgiving when I gave thanks because I was led by someone else to do so. It came naturally and filled me with a new gift of sobriety - real gratitude for my life, my nourishment, my family, and my HP.
Thanks for the thread Gonee... this reminded me of that wonderful new feeling thanks to this program : )
__________________
Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
