"God, I offer myself to Thee -- to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!"
"Take away any and everything in my life that isn't going my way, that is not suitable to me and what I want...." LOL
Have come to understand this as the real 'difficulties" being my selfishness, my self-will, my resentments, my inability to fully accept.... Yup, my character defects/maladjustments/various spiritual maladies....
"I need to change not what's in the world around me, but myself and how I react to it." (something to that effect...)
What a wondefully freeing way of life we have. We really don't EVER have to fight anything anymore!!!
Thanks for this, it is truly amazing how, when we do figure that out, that our difficulties, are really not anything outside of us, but just as you said, this 12 Step Program teaches us to look inside. Reminds me of the times I am struggling with something, anything, and it takes me back to a wonderful Therapist that walked so many miles of this Journey with me.
When I would discuss any Problem, and then ask her, her opinion, she would very lovingly, and kindly say to me, The answer Toni.... is inside you. (In the beginning of the therapy and that particular topic of personal difficulties, I used to think silently to myself, WELL, YOU'RE THE TEACHER HERE, why can't YOU Give me the Answer! LOL!!)
My very absolute favorite slogan in this Program is "It's an Inside Job"
