Beyond Addiction .

[saved1]

It is to have no trouble. It is never to be fretted or vexed, irritable or sore; to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me; and when I am blamed or despised, it is to have a blessed home within myself where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace, as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and about is seeming trouble. :1:
--Dr. Bob and the Good Old-timers

~Perpetual quietness of heart (Humility), a true gift. :15:

[saved1]

-Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926) ©
reprint from: sagebliss.com

Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart
and try to love the questions themselves…
Don’t search for the answers,
they could not be given to you now,
because you would not be able to live them.
And the point is, to live everything.
Live the questions now.
Perhaps then, someday in the future,
you will gradually, without even noticing it,
live your way to the answer. :cool:

[MajestyJo]

My sponsor always told me, "You have the answers." I doubted it, but like you say, "They came when I was ready to hear them. Not a minute before as a rule, although I did find a few times, the answer was there but I wasn't willing to listen. When that happened, I was brought back repeatedly until I listened. As a sponsee use to say to me, "Did God hit you over the head with a spiritual cast iron frying pan?"

[saved1]

Keep It Simple, Silly! :cool:
Don't try to over-analyze everything! Take it simple. You can't get sober, diet, quit smoking and make all the money you need to pay up all your bills immediate. We didn't turn into Alcoholics or drug addicts in a minute, we won't get sober in a minute.

Make A Gratitude List!
It is hard to be depressed and/or full of anger when you are full of gratitude!!! Make a gratitude list: State 5 things that you are grateful for today! It helps. :1:

[MajestyJo]

Don't like to consider myself stupid or silly, not much of a sweetheart either! LOL!

Have always tended to analyze and want to know why. Not as bad as it was but not as good as it could be.

In my case, from the first taste of alcohol until my last it was 39 years. Even though I came into recovery about 20 years ago, I think in terms of wear and tear on the body, it is probably 2 to 1, so when I have 78 years of sobriety, I should have it about right.

Have done a gratitude list, although I didn't do it daily, more weekly at one time. Then I did 10 things not 5, have to think harder. When I am hurting, it is always a good time to do one. Makes me grateful for my sobriety.

[saved1]

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

A Time to Think
Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.–Marion Wright Edelman

A Time to Act
Open your heart to the kindness of others. :15:

A Time to Pray
Dear Father, teach me how to share Your kindness with everyone I meet.

[saved1]

People whose hearts are full of gratitude and appreciation are truly beautiful.
A humble heart is the wellspring of great growth and development. :D

Gratitude makes a person modest. A sense of gratitude expands the heart.

None of us can exist in isolation. Our lives and existence are supported by others in seen and unseen ways, be it by parents, mentors or society at large. To be aware of these connections, to feel appreciation for them, and to strive to give something back to society in a spirit of gratitude is the proper way for human beings to live.

Those who always have a sense of appreciation and gratitude never reach an impasse in life.

The ungrateful feel that it is below them to show any kind of appreciation. They are under the delusion that showing gratitude to others diminishes their own worth. But it is this sense of appreciation that elevates, enriches and expands the human spirit.
A lack of gratitude is actually a sign of arrogance. :162:

by Daisaku Ikeda

[saved1]

*This article is not only restricted to the topic substance.
*The story and principles can apply to a much larger base. :281:

A smoker is inspired to turn her back on tobacco as an act of faith and friendship. By Miriam Wilmoth, Memphis, Tennessee

As appeared in Guideposts

Charita Braker and I met at church choir practice 15 years ago. She has brightened my life ever since. She may have even saved it.

It happened one Thanksgiving, a rough time for me because that was when my mom died. Charita invited me to her house. We had a good time cooking together. But my thoughts kept going back to how badly I missed Mom.

Soon I was craving what I reached for when I got emotional—a cigarette. I slipped out the door and lit up. I’d taken a few drags when Charita came outside.

“Would you do something for me?” she asked.

“Of course,” I said. “You name it.”

“Would you stop?” she said, staring at my cigarette.

“Why? What’s the big deal?” I asked.Charita took my hand. “Because, Miriam, I love you. And I don’t want to lose you. So, will you quit? Please?”

Her words shook me. I knew the heartache of losing a loved one, and I didn’t want to put anyone through that. I stubbed out my cigarette, walked inside and threw out my pack. Then I wrapped my arms around Charita.

That was 11 years ago. I haven’t smoked since. I’ll always miss Mom, but Thanksgiving is no longer a sad time. Now I think of it as a celebration of love and gratitude, particularly for Charita and the new beginning she gave me.

Here may be an opportunity to express gratitude thru an unselfish act.:1:
*ANY DAY CAN BE THANKSGIVING, something to chew on for a while.:idea:

When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. Matthew 18:19
A Time to Think
*Where there is great love there are always miracles. — Willa Cather
A Time to Act
*Remember love is the only thing okay to do in excess.
A Time to Pray
*Lord, thank You for the grace that strengthens me for tasks large and small. :170: