Blog entry for:
Wed, Aug 16, 2006 07:35:41 AM
↔ up or down -- it is one or the other, with very little in between, where spiritual growth is concerned. ↔
posted: Wed, Aug 16, 2006 07:35:41 AM
recovery is not fueled by wishing and dreaming, i have discovered, but by prayer and action,
dang it, i hate the fact that just not using is not enough to maintain my spiritual growth, some days anyway. but today i realize that if i want more i have to do more, you know those silly little things that have been told to me since i started coming around: prayer, step work, meetings, working with others and reading the literature.
still i am a lazy slob with expectations and the belief that somehow i am entitled to certain things -- that has been a fact since i was struggling to stay clean nine years ago and it is still a fact today. just because i have managed to stay out of the way to get some days of abstinence behind me does not mean that i have recovered at all. WAHHHHHHH!
the truth is that i have worked a few steps and have been to a few meetings and worked with my sponsors and sponsees since i finally decided that maybe i had a spiritual problem that needed a spiritual solution and started on this path of recovery. and i accept as true the fact that if i want freedom from active addiction than i need to do what has been suggested by those who have walked this path in front of me. i realize that my path is not theirs, but the similarities far outweigh the differences and their experience can be a guide to the potholes along the way.
so the real question is, do i want to continue the upward climb of this path or do i want to start the downward spiral into the black and dank abyss of active using? the answer is.... (drum roll please).... YES, i am willing to do what ever it takes to continue my spiritual growth today!
so off to the races and into a bright new day (a little sunshine there for those who may need it!)
dang it, i hate the fact that just not using is not enough to maintain my spiritual growth, some days anyway. but today i realize that if i want more i have to do more, you know those silly little things that have been told to me since i started coming around: prayer, step work, meetings, working with others and reading the literature.
still i am a lazy slob with expectations and the belief that somehow i am entitled to certain things -- that has been a fact since i was struggling to stay clean nine years ago and it is still a fact today. just because i have managed to stay out of the way to get some days of abstinence behind me does not mean that i have recovered at all. WAHHHHHHH!
the truth is that i have worked a few steps and have been to a few meetings and worked with my sponsors and sponsees since i finally decided that maybe i had a spiritual problem that needed a spiritual solution and started on this path of recovery. and i accept as true the fact that if i want freedom from active addiction than i need to do what has been suggested by those who have walked this path in front of me. i realize that my path is not theirs, but the similarities far outweigh the differences and their experience can be a guide to the potholes along the way.
so the real question is, do i want to continue the upward climb of this path or do i want to start the downward spiral into the black and dank abyss of active using? the answer is.... (drum roll please).... YES, i am willing to do what ever it takes to continue my spiritual growth today!
so off to the races and into a bright new day (a little sunshine there for those who may need it!)
∞ 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!
up or down 283 words ➥ Monday, August 16, 2004 by: donnot∞ uphill journey ∞ 379 words ➥ Tuesday, August 16, 2005 by: donnot
∞ my spiritual condition is never static; if it is not growing, ∞ 458 words ➥ Thursday, August 16, 2007 by: donnot
∞ my only option is to actively participate in my program of spiritual growth. ∞ 534 words ➥ Saturday, August 16, 2008 by: donnot
Λ if i stand still, my spiritual progress will lose its upward momentum Λ 544 words ➥ Sunday, August 16, 2009 by: donnot
¦ the STEPS are my road to spiritual growth ¦ 432 words ➥ Monday, August 16, 2010 by: donnot
⇓ this is my road to spiritual growth. i change every day ⇑ 555 words ➥ Tuesday, August 16, 2011 by: donnot
∂ the only constant in my spiritual condition is change ∂ 707 words ➥ Thursday, August 16, 2012 by: donnot
β i cannot rely on the program i worked yesterday β 557 words ➥ Friday, August 16, 2013 by: donnot
℘ my spiritual growth is not the result of ℘ 545 words ➥ Saturday, August 16, 2014 by: donnot
⇓ up or down ⇑ 465 words ➥ Sunday, August 16, 2015 by: donnot
✫ not the result ✬ 517 words ➥ Tuesday, August 16, 2016 by: donnot
🏔 back to where 🏜 487 words ➥ Wednesday, August 16, 2017 by: donnot
🌄 not fueled 🌅 493 words ➥ Thursday, August 16, 2018 by: donnot
👍 wishing 👎 533 words ➥ Friday, August 16, 2019 by: donnot
👍 my spiritual condition 👎 440 words ➥ Sunday, August 16, 2020 by: donnot
🖖 is it 🙋 549 words ➥ Monday, August 16, 2021 by: donnot
🧞 my recovery 🧚 324 words ➥ Tuesday, August 16, 2022 by: donnot
🤝 a commitment 🤝 550 words ➥ Wednesday, August 16, 2023 by: donnot
😞 wishing and dreaming, 😞 312 words ➥ Friday, August 16, 2024 by: donnot
☯ The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao ☯
by Lao-Tse
Translated by James Legge
Book 2
2) (Its) admirable words can purchase honour; (its) admirable deeds
can raise their performer above others. Even men who are not good
are not abandoned by it.