Blog entry for:
Mon, Dec 11, 2006 08:44:27 AM
∞ IF i am ready to exchange the misery of today for even greater peace, ∞
posted: Mon, Dec 11, 2006 08:44:27 AM
i have the means to do just that -- if i really want to.
and of course that is the catch -- do i really want to trade my current brand of misery for the gifts of self-acceptance, serenity and a chance to be happy? well of course i do! i just do not want to do what is necessary to do that. sometimes the stinky reality of my life is less frightening than the unknown of spiritual growth. after all, what if i do not like the results? there is a chance that i will not be able to get my misery back. sounds more than a little idiotic, does it not? well that is the way my brain works some days, well honestly most days. i hate to admit that i like being miserable, and that i am afraid of change. so the fear of change trumps surrendering my misery to the tools of spiritual growth and guess what the results are for me -- more misery, familiar yes, painful yes but surrendering to fear is the easier, softer way.
what exactly is it that feeds that fear? it is not the evidence of my experience in recovery. every time i have surrendered to change and practice the courage to do so, i have been pleased with the final outcome. what it is for this addict is the pain of change! familiar pain is known quantity that i can deal with most of the time. unknown pain or the perception of unknown pain drives me nuts and so i choose to do nothing, save wallowing in misery, regardless of what anyone says.
today, right here and right now, i want more! less misery and greater freedom from self-obsession. the only way i will achieve that desire is to totally surrender to the process of change that the program that has given me this wonderful new life evokes when i choose to consciously work it! so just for today, i believe i will ask myself to expect less misery and do the footwork i need to do to accomplish that. i am choosing to recover and let the chips fall as they will, just for today!
and of course that is the catch -- do i really want to trade my current brand of misery for the gifts of self-acceptance, serenity and a chance to be happy? well of course i do! i just do not want to do what is necessary to do that. sometimes the stinky reality of my life is less frightening than the unknown of spiritual growth. after all, what if i do not like the results? there is a chance that i will not be able to get my misery back. sounds more than a little idiotic, does it not? well that is the way my brain works some days, well honestly most days. i hate to admit that i like being miserable, and that i am afraid of change. so the fear of change trumps surrendering my misery to the tools of spiritual growth and guess what the results are for me -- more misery, familiar yes, painful yes but surrendering to fear is the easier, softer way.
what exactly is it that feeds that fear? it is not the evidence of my experience in recovery. every time i have surrendered to change and practice the courage to do so, i have been pleased with the final outcome. what it is for this addict is the pain of change! familiar pain is known quantity that i can deal with most of the time. unknown pain or the perception of unknown pain drives me nuts and so i choose to do nothing, save wallowing in misery, regardless of what anyone says.
today, right here and right now, i want more! less misery and greater freedom from self-obsession. the only way i will achieve that desire is to totally surrender to the process of change that the program that has given me this wonderful new life evokes when i choose to consciously work it! so just for today, i believe i will ask myself to expect less misery and do the footwork i need to do to accomplish that. i am choosing to recover and let the chips fall as they will, 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!
∞ 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
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
😜 misery is optional 😜 522 words ➥ Saturday, December 11, 2021 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
3) In this way the effect will be seen in the person, by the observation
of different cases; in the family; in the neighbourhood; in the state;
and in the kingdom.