Blog entry for:
Sat, Dec 11, 2021 08:12:22 AM
😜 misery is optional 😜
posted: Sat, Dec 11, 2021 08:12:22 AM
okay, it is true, i have to admit that i am taking some pleasure in causing someone a bit of misery, just by being who i am. it came up on my TENTH STEP last night and once again, as i sat this morning. since my last interaction with that person, i have done absolutely nothing to cause their angst and if they had been paying attention, taken measures to relieve them of their concerns about what i might do. for me, letting go of an outcome has been freeing and has allowed me to sleep well and walk away from all the angst, anger, disappointment and frustration i was feeling, just a week ago. for me, the pain of being controlling and worried about others foisting the “wrong” decision down my throat has been replaced by a reclaiming of my personal power, at least in this situation. do i agree with the so-called “elegant solution” to a problem that does not exist? not really, but i am ready to be a part of developing something that will not blow back on my fellowship.
as i sat this morning, after acknowledging that i am still a bit of a sick pup, what i heard was that i have the power to keep my job. i have the power to move forward in my recovery. most importantly, i have the power to allow the world to spin as it will and accept that it will not always, nay belay that, accept that for the most part, the world will spin according to my wishes. my unhealthy attachment to my expectations of what “should be,” is the source of misery in my life. does that mean i sleepwalk through life, like some sort of sheeple, deferring all decisions to those who tell me they are wiser than i am? no, that is not what i am about today. i seek to see new ideas and paradigms with a critical eye and offer my commentary on those ideas, as it arises. just because i may find something wrong and abhorrent on first “blush” does not me that judgement has been welded into a permanent position in my psyche. just as good science adjusts it theories to fit new evidence, so do i change my mind as the facts come down the pike.
i know about forcing a solution and living in a world where the ends justify whatever means it may take for me to achieve them. i know about laying awake at night trying to figure out the “right thing to do” ignoring the advice and suggestions of those who have come before me. i also know the freedom i get when i let go of being a martyr top the “holy” cause and let the events spin as they will. just for today, that is exactly what i will do, let others worry about what they believe they “must” do, even if it is costing them all the respect and goodwill they may have generated in the local fellowship.
as i sat this morning, after acknowledging that i am still a bit of a sick pup, what i heard was that i have the power to keep my job. i have the power to move forward in my recovery. most importantly, i have the power to allow the world to spin as it will and accept that it will not always, nay belay that, accept that for the most part, the world will spin according to my wishes. my unhealthy attachment to my expectations of what “should be,” is the source of misery in my life. does that mean i sleepwalk through life, like some sort of sheeple, deferring all decisions to those who tell me they are wiser than i am? no, that is not what i am about today. i seek to see new ideas and paradigms with a critical eye and offer my commentary on those ideas, as it arises. just because i may find something wrong and abhorrent on first “blush” does not me that judgement has been welded into a permanent position in my psyche. just as good science adjusts it theories to fit new evidence, so do i change my mind as the facts come down the pike.
i know about forcing a solution and living in a world where the ends justify whatever means it may take for me to achieve them. i know about laying awake at night trying to figure out the “right thing to do” ignoring the advice and suggestions of those who have come before me. i also know the freedom i get when i let go of being a martyr top the “holy” cause and let the events spin as they will. just for today, that is exactly what i will do, let others worry about what they believe they “must” do, even if it is costing them all the respect and goodwill they may have generated in the local fellowship.
∞ 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!
∞ trading in my misery ∞ 251 words ➥ Saturday, December 11, 2004 by: donnotα trading for the gifts of recovery ω 364 words ➥ Sunday, December 11, 2005 by: donnot
∞ IF i am ready to exchange the misery of today for even greater peace, ∞ 381 words ➥ Monday, December 11, 2006 by: donnot
δ it is possible to be miserable in recovery, too, though it is not necessary. δ 489 words ➥ Tuesday, December 11, 2007 by: donnot
α it is funny to remember how reluctant i once was to surrender to recovery. ω 437 words ➥ Thursday, December 11, 2008 by: donnot
δ there is no fellowship militia that will force me … 627 words ➥ Friday, December 11, 2009 by: donnot
° no one is forcing me to give up my misery ° 788 words ➥ Saturday, December 11, 2010 by: donnot
» i once believed i had a wonderful, fulfilling life as a using addict and « 968 words ➥ Sunday, December 11, 2011 by: donnot
∠ i do not have to be miserable unless i really want to be ∠ 782 words ➥ Tuesday, December 11, 2012 by: donnot
§ i continue to give up the misery of active addiction § 484 words ➥ Wednesday, December 11, 2013 by: donnot
∫ i do have a choice, today i CHOOSE ∫ 669 words ➥ Thursday, December 11, 2014 by: donnot
😜 misery is 😜 569 words ➥ Friday, December 11, 2015 by: donnot
☁ how reluctant ☕ 703 words ➥ Sunday, December 11, 2016 by: donnot
🌧 worse than 🌦 545 words ➥ Monday, December 11, 2017 by: donnot
🏚 i have this choice: 🏘 477 words ➥ Tuesday, December 11, 2018 by: donnot
🌩 being forced 🌪 511 words ➥ Wednesday, December 11, 2019 by: donnot
😭 the sanity of recovery 🤒 612 words ➥ Friday, December 11, 2020 by: donnot
🤔 i certainly 🤭 499 words ➥ Sunday, December 11, 2022 by: donnot
🌟 creative action 🌟 414 words ➥ Monday, December 11, 2023 by: donnot
☯ The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao ☯
by Lao-Tse
Translated by James Legge
Book 2
1) Tao has of all things the most honoured place.
No treasures give good men so rich a grace;
Bad men it guards, and doth their ill efface.