Blessings of this day and WELCOME to all Newcomers, those just coming back....Hello to all who have been around for a few cups of coffee!!
It was about 15 years into my daily recovery(1999)and I was in my usual tree stand during another Deer Hunting Season(Mid October up North,Archery Season) my favorite time of the year)This particular season I noticed that one of the bushes approximately 35 yards away from my stand had a bunch of Leaves that would sway with the slightest breeze.Not unusual but the movement always caught my attention because as you sit for hours watching the night break to dawn and hearing,but not seeing the sounds of God's night creatures heading in to make room for the day creatures movements could be deceiving...As I would sit in my tree and pray and reflect on so many things my eyes would constantly shift to the movement of those bushes and leaves..I could have cut it down but I did not want to upset the flow of nature too much..You never knew what the weather would be in October,,usually windy and not good for Hunting ,hard to hear for animals and humans..I watched and waited patiently as Fall turned into Winter,the leaves would fall,the frost would break down the branches and the cold would enter the scene..I noticed through all the weather changes just about all the leaves had fallen from that bush and finally there was only one left..Amazing,,it would still sway in the breeze and bring my attention to it as I could notice movement from a squirrel at a 100 yards,you eyes and senses just develop over time.I tell this story because it reminded me of the tenacity of that little leave and how it held on to its base,the vine.How my daily recovery also held onto the vine,,the Grace and Mercy of the God of my understanding,the application of the Program in all areas of my life and how I also learned to hang on through the seasons weather of LIFE. Each year I would harvest one deer with my bow and 1 or 2 more with my shotgun,always put two in the freezer for the season(hung ,butchered and packaged my own take) and would usually donate one to my church or the Deer locker where they would feed the homeless.The Tenacity of that leave to this day still pops up in my mind now and again.And I always drift back to the time,the emotions,the gratitude of having God's grace and strength to hang on,,especially early on...So I can only suggest,find that tenacity to hold on to the Power greater than yourself,to the process and application of the PROGRAM and the blessing of giving back to the best of your ability to remain FREE from the horrors of active addiction............And yes ,at the end of that season,I remember walking to my stand in the dark,,,pointing my light and not seeing my tree..It had blow over during a night Storm..The area was raviged and the bush and all other saplings and such were blown around...It was weird, I felt a sense of loss but knew that in time all things pass..I found another spot and continued my journey ,20 feet off the ground,sharing in God's beauty of his creatures ,night and day and to this day..my thoughts every now and again return to that season...It is not our Quantity of time in daily recovery that WE focus on,for some just have been treating themselves longer than others.It is our quality of LIFE ,the evidence based on the Change that has occurred.... The blessing of knowing .WE were given another shot at and how WE sometimes could find the most mundane things to bring us joy and peace..JUST FOR TODAY,,Do whatever it takes ,guided by that Power greater than you to remain in serenity and freedom from active addiction and give it back the best way you can...I share my spirit with you......Ramblings of a grateful servant of God to the best of my ability....
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Super post. It still amazes me how the program, you and the fellowship has changed my thinking and in return my life.I'm also an avid hunter. I so look forward to that time of the year because it allows me to slow down and spend time with nature and more importantly spend time with my son.Good times and good talks.
You have started my day off right and for that I am greatful.