Blog entry for:
Wed, Dec 25, 2019 09:56:18 AM
🎅 the principle 🎅
posted: Wed, Dec 25, 2019 09:56:18 AM
of selflessness, has always been one that confuse the lining sh*t out of me. it is not as if i do not understand what the word means nor is it that i am resistant of merging who i am, into group of my like-minded peers, to focus on carrying a clear message of HOPE, to those who are still suffering. no, what confuses me is, how can i **be myself** without asserting who i am. the one thing i am fairly certain of, at least for this addict, is that my ego did need a bit of “right sizing” when i walked into the rooms, and the way those who were here when i got here, pounded that notion into my head, with very little kindness, patience or tolerance. over time, i came to see that ego was not really the problem, is was DESIRE that drove me.
oh yeah, for those of you who happen to be celebrating a holiday today or this week, my sincerest holiday wishes for all: May This Holiday Season Bring You Closer to Those You Love and Cherish.
learning to become a part of something greater by stepping back from who i think i am, is certainly a worthy endeavor. i have heard it said by many of those who have lost the HOPE and FAITH that this program can work for them, that they can do it for themselves. they look to material and romantic success as indicators that they have got it going on, and yet resist the notion that what has worked for countless others, when it comes to foiling addiction, is the manner in which they need to go. what i see, is that those who come back after a “fall from grace” are the ones that need to salve their bruised egos by turning the notion of clean-time does not equal recovery, on it's head, stating that they have had “recovery” during their periods of clean time and that was not lost, just because they had a “slip.” i would have loved to use that intellectual slight of hand to excuse my misbehavior, even if i have never used since before i became a member. the fact is, nearly all of my less than stellar crap, comes down to my DESIRE to be seen as something i am not.
which brings me back to the top, when i let go of my DESIRE to have my peers see me as ”bigger and better,” and live in a fellowship as just another member, i get the opportunity to hear and feel what my peers are trying to tell me, by seeing how they live their lives. it is true i have been clean for several thousand days in a row, and yet i am just doing this gig on a daily basis. part of being selfless, at least in my not so humble opinion, is being there so those who are unsure of the way, do not end up coming back homeless, on a borrowed bicycle with their worldly possessions in a large garbage bag, if they make it back at all. if i allow myself to be o0ne among many, my message is more likely to resonate with those who need it most, just for today.
oh yeah, for those of you who happen to be celebrating a holiday today or this week, my sincerest holiday wishes for all: May This Holiday Season Bring You Closer to Those You Love and Cherish.
learning to become a part of something greater by stepping back from who i think i am, is certainly a worthy endeavor. i have heard it said by many of those who have lost the HOPE and FAITH that this program can work for them, that they can do it for themselves. they look to material and romantic success as indicators that they have got it going on, and yet resist the notion that what has worked for countless others, when it comes to foiling addiction, is the manner in which they need to go. what i see, is that those who come back after a “fall from grace” are the ones that need to salve their bruised egos by turning the notion of clean-time does not equal recovery, on it's head, stating that they have had “recovery” during their periods of clean time and that was not lost, just because they had a “slip.” i would have loved to use that intellectual slight of hand to excuse my misbehavior, even if i have never used since before i became a member. the fact is, nearly all of my less than stellar crap, comes down to my DESIRE to be seen as something i am not.
which brings me back to the top, when i let go of my DESIRE to have my peers see me as ”bigger and better,” and live in a fellowship as just another member, i get the opportunity to hear and feel what my peers are trying to tell me, by seeing how they live their lives. it is true i have been clean for several thousand days in a row, and yet i am just doing this gig on a daily basis. part of being selfless, at least in my not so humble opinion, is being there so those who are unsure of the way, do not end up coming back homeless, on a borrowed bicycle with their worldly possessions in a large garbage bag, if they make it back at all. if i allow myself to be o0ne among many, my message is more likely to resonate with those who need it most, just for today.
∞ DT ∞
The views expressed on this page are solely the opinion of the author.
While the author is a member of a 12 Step recovery fellowship, these writings are not intended to endorse or express the published wisdom of any fellowship.
These writings are not meant to be socially or politically correct, and if you take issue with any opinions expressed, please seek the guidance of someone wiser than me.
While the author is a member of a 12 Step recovery fellowship, these writings are not intended to endorse or express the published wisdom of any fellowship.
These writings are not meant to be socially or politically correct, and if you take issue with any opinions expressed, please seek the guidance of someone wiser than me.
Another Look!
α selflessness and anonymity ω 126 words ➥ Sunday, December 25, 2005 by: donnot∞ the principle of selflessness does a lot more than just make me feel better -- it helps me live better. ∞ 301 words ➥ Tuesday, December 25, 2007 by: donnot
μ when i abandon my **know-it-all** pretensions and start recognizing the value of the experience of others, μ 630 words ➥ Thursday, December 25, 2008 by: donnot
λ the word anonymity itself means namelessness λ 484 words ➥ Friday, December 25, 2009 by: donnot
∗ my drive for personal gain brought me and those around me so much pain in the past ∗ 797 words ➥ Saturday, December 25, 2010 by: donnot
¡ HIGHER POWER, please free me from self-will ! 578 words ➥ Sunday, December 25, 2011 by: donnot
£ when i practice anonymity, through the principle of selflessness £ 945 words ➥ Tuesday, December 25, 2012 by: donnot
♣ the less i try to run my life on self-will, ♣ 580 words ➥ Wednesday, December 25, 2013 by: donnot
× i start living a life that is bigger × 1006 words ➥ Thursday, December 25, 2014 by: donnot
❄ anonymity ❆ 610 words ➥ Friday, December 25, 2015 by: donnot
☃ seeking the power ✇ 694 words ➥ Sunday, December 25, 2016 by: donnot
🧠 more than 🤳 760 words ➥ Monday, December 25, 2017 by: donnot
🕴 more than 🕶 499 words ➥ Tuesday, December 25, 2018 by: donnot
🚶 taking the first step 🚶 549 words ➥ Friday, December 25, 2020 by: donnot
🔎 power and direction 🔌 439 words ➥ Saturday, December 25, 2021 by: donnot
🚗 the drive 🏎 514 words ➥ Sunday, December 25, 2022 by: donnot
🎄 similar, 🎅 571 words ➥ Monday, December 25, 2023 by: donnot
☯ The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao ☯
by Lao-Tse
Translated by James Legge
Book 2
1) The movement of the Tao
By contraries proceeds;
And weakness marks the course
Of Tao's mighty deeds.