We honor the spirit in other people when we listen to them.
God's messages surround us. The 24 hours before us are special, never to be repeated. The people we share the day with carry our lessons within their words and actions. Let's be vigilant in our attempts to listen.
We have so much to learn, and that's why we're here. Our lives have purpose, even though we might fail to grasp it. Remembering that God is trying to reach us in even the most mundane of circumstances keeps us attentive to everyone in our lives. Our attention to others triggers their lessons too.
The cycle is never-ending. We are not here by accident - we are here by design. The role addiction plays in our lives is part of the design. We can learn our lessons and fulfill our purpose only by acknowledging the spirit, the presence of God, within each person God has ushered to us.
I will pay special attention to the people in my life today. It's a wonderful feeling knowing they are part of God's plan for me.
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I am not here for my 'self', but for the One who sent me.
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"... unless this person can experience an entire psychic change there is very little hope of recovery." Dr. Silkworth. (Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Ed. p.xxix)
This could not be a more appropriate message for me today, Pappy. During today's meeting, the topics were so exciting to me that I wanted desperately to share. I wanted to share so bad that I kept looking at the clock, getting frustrated with people who were sharing for a lengthy time, and rehearsing in my head exactly what I was going to say when it was my turn. Despite being great topics, I turned the focus to *me* and all *I* wanted to share with the group, instead of just existing in the space and listening to the wisdom coming from the people around me. By the end of the meeting, I hadn't really listened to anybody and I didn't get to share anyway. It felt like a cosmic, gentle reminder that the world does not rotate around my alcoholic brain (even though it IS pretty dense - ha). Thanks for the share.
-Adam
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When every situation which life can offer is turned to the profit of spiritual growth, no situation can really be a bad one.-Paul Brunton
Oh wow Adam, ... you just described precisely what I experienced (and still do sometimes) after a year or three sober ... I had a grip on the program and felt I could help someone struggling by their share ... but others would jump in before I could share and, like you said, they would get lengthy ... and you're right on the mark, I would sit there so involved with what and how I was going to share, I'd miss very good shares from others ...
Now-a-days, I have learned to listen more and speak less ... I spend less time speaking and more time listening ... I tend to wait now, and speak only when there's that 'long silent period' thing happenin' ... ... ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
LMAO Stepdude ... ... ... yeah, that's one of those periods I'm talk'n 'bout ... ... ... actually, I had gotten in the habit of thinking of 'topics' on the way to a meeting, before our move ... just in case ...
Here, they have pre-planned topics ... that's okay, but it just ain't what I was used to ...
-- Edited by Pythonpappy on Tuesday 12th of August 2014 10:08:11 PM
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I like those meetings where you do not know what the topic is until the meeting starts, or when it is time to speak. They put me on the spot where I have to rely on my humility of handing over my will. Much like prayer. Whatever I say is not from ego, but from heart. From love of sobriety and gratitude. It is in those occasions I become more aware of being a servant than an AA mouthpiece.
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"... unless this person can experience an entire psychic change there is very little hope of recovery." Dr. Silkworth. (Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Ed. p.xxix)
