Time spent attempting to change others affords little time for personal change. --Georgette Vickstrom
We must be willing to change or we wouldn't be reading these words right now. However, being willing to change is often easier than doing it. One of the biggest changes most of us need to make is learning to let others be who they are, regardless of who we want them to be. Most of us think our lives would be far smoother and more productive if only other people lived up to our standards. How wrong we are!
If we could change others as we wish, we would live far less enlightened lives. In fact, we discover opportunities for personal development in our interactions with the men and women who frustrate us so. The irony is that we wish they'd change, but if they did, we wouldn't experience the growth we deserve.
I will enhance my growth today by letting others be who they are and working on myself.
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
BAMMM.....wow, I was meant to read this today; amazing how things like this happen in this program. To be honest, I don't usually read these posts when I sign on; and for some reason today after answering an email, and before signing out....I don't know why, but this is the only thread I clicked on. Crazy.
I'm rambling, I know, I guess it's one of those "guess you had to be there" kind of things. And in this case, the "be there" would be inside my radically changing alcoholic mind.
So true Pythonpappy, my side of the street is the one I can worry about and work on getting cleaned up.
It took and takes a while before I/we realize that the others person's side of the street is theirs. I do enjoy the insight about how the others who frustrate us allow us an opportunity to growth and see things is a better and more fulfilling way.
Wisdom and understanding are things that I aspire to, I had to get sober first before any of those things were possible.
It has been so much better living/working on myself than trying to make people be who I want them to be!! Not easier mind you but better!!
There were a few times in the past when I was convinced that I had the answer for everyone and everything. How foolish was that? Well, it helped blind me from myself, and made me neglect myself, wife and children!! Pride comes before the fall.....false pride that is!!
I am proud today of all of us working a program and trying to help others do the same!!
I can only do it by example. If someone asks for help or advice, I give it.
I used to volunteer that direction to no avail.
I had to learn that directing myself was the only thing I can do, with the help of God, my HP!!
BAMMM.....wow, I was meant to read this today; amazing how things like this happen in this program. To be honest, I don't usually read these posts when I sign on; and for some reason today after answering an email, and before signing out....I don't know why, but this is the only thread I clicked on. Crazy.
I'm rambling, I know, I guess it's one of those "guess you had to be there" kind of things. And in this case, the "be there" would be inside my radically changing alcoholic mind.
Good responses GoJo and Pablo, ...
YOU are so right GoJo ... I had a 'wow' moment myself this morning ... I've been experiencing a lot of 'back' pain lately and have seen the doctors and had tests done and the results have been to no avail ... I have a prescript for 'pain pills' but hate to take them ... I sometimes experience enough pain that I pray about it (I have learned in this program to pray for others, not for myself) ... So, this morning, same pain and discomfort, so I added to my morning prayer that if it was 'in-line' for His will for me for today, that I might be relieved of my pain so that my thinking and communications with others might make more sense ...
Well, ... 2 things happened ... the severity of my pain eased almost immediately AND one of the 1st 'E-mails' I opened was a 'BAM' moment ... I opened an email from a 'seniors group', AMAC (I really dislike AARP) and there was an article over to one side that was on 'muscle pain' ... all kinds of muscle pain ... so I was drawn to this article ... it was a warning on prescrpit drugs that most seniors take, including me, for blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke preventatives, etc. ... stuff like 'statins, beta blockers, etc.' ... so I read the article ... come to find out, grapefruit and grapefruit juice can make these drugs very toxic ... I had been warned to not eat grapefruit with my meds (so I staggered eating my grapefruit and meds), but this article said that if you eat ANY grapefruit or drink ANY grapefruit juice, the drugs mentioned can get up to 3 to 10 times more potent than the body can handle ... (I thought they were just LESS effective) ...
I usually eat a whole grapefruit every day ... I think I was meant to read this article today ... I think God was answering my prayer by saying read this dummy, you're doing this to yourself ... So, I think I will stop eating my beloved grapefruit ... it seems 'highly' likely that my problems stem from conflicting stuff in my body ... Heck, the doctors haven't found any reasons for the pain ... ask me in a few day, once all this stuff cycles through my system, and see if I still have problems ... I bet they go away now ...
Love ya and God Bless,
Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Pappy: I am very sorry for your back pain, and will say prayers for you. NO grapefruits for you from now on. As for the mysterious way God works in guiding us as has happened to both of us this morning....when these kind of divine things happen to me, all I can do is smile and say thank you.
Thank you for posting todays Gift, I really mean that as I needed to hear that. What a Gift it was.
Oh, and Happy Anniversary. 40 years is remarkable, she must be a Saint.
Oh, and Happy Anniversary. 40 years is remarkable, she must be a Saint.
You have 'no' idea ... well, ... maybe you do, cause what I put her through, no-one should ever have to endure ... you're right, she absolutely IS a saint ... thanks
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
