Alcoholics Anonymous Blog & Video | Dec 25 | DonInLondon | Step 12 "Freedom To Choose"
Max Ehrmann Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
December 25, 2013 Step Twelve Month: Santa Don was out in the early hours delivering! And hopes the recipient likes the gift. Today like every other day, it's not about me, it is about us, all of us humans being human toward each other. "having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs..."
The most valued and precious gift we offer is our time. There is nothing more precious than time shared, with those we love and those who love us, and so many that we cherish today. Face-to-face is wonderful, from a distance knowing that loved ones are safe is wonderful even if we are missing them and cannot be with them. Unconditional love and time shared, time to share and time to remember. We may have desires and wishes which are beyond reality, in there is a gift even if we cannot give it except in our dreams.
My very last Christmas under the influence was years ago, and I would not wish it back. I need not pretend anymore, to be the life and soul of the party and have no soul within. I need remember that on every day, whoever we encounter is being the best they can be in the moment of now. We cannot control the world, we can understand exactly where everyone is today in their emotional and spiritual being. "The usefulness of any vessel is in its emptiness." In the emptiness we all have room to grow.
To thine own self be true, so that we can be true to others. It is not always possible to know where the truth lies until we begin a conversation. Any conversation between two people who surrender to the truth of their situation will illuminate and provide wisdom. Withholding the truth is withholding love and wisdom. Only fear corrupts the truth, pride and ego will destroy love and wisdom, and can be snuffed out in a heartbeat. Sharing truth love and wisdom sets everyone free, free to make the right choices in the moment of now.
Tolerance and love, forgiveness comes in the freedom to be oneself. Honest relationships flourish, trust develops and grows. And there is no need for contempt driven by a desire and expectation of love without foundation. Unrequited love lasts as long as the truth is withheld. Easier to cope with reality, face the truth and live life free of the burdens we impose upon ourselves. Open honest and willing, principles which help everyone make progress and never a perfect state. We simply learn from endeavour and then can find good fortune.
Easy does it, happiness is a daily possibility even under the harshest of conditions. Peace and serenity are earned through time. Without conflict, without misfortune, and without practice we will make no progress. And life is difficult until we accept that life is difficult and then it ceases to be an issue [M Scott Peck]. There is good in everything.
I'm not sure exactly where I will be today. There are many places I can go, and I have yet to decide what to cook, the beef possibly? I am smiling here, content to be me, still learning the lessons of life, still seeing the world with a youthful outlook even though my years are quite advanced. Age does not mean wisdom has been learned, still so much to do, on the emotional and spiritual path of life. Fortunately, I can only experience it in the moment of now. Fear less, cherish more today.
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