"God grant me the courage to change the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Thy will, not mine, be done."
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 41.
If I have the courage to begin, I have the courage to succeed.
A B C = Acceptance, Belief, Change.
“The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others.”
Solomon Ibn Gabriol (1021-1058)
A Member Shares:
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 41.
If I have the courage to begin, I have the courage to succeed.
A B C = Acceptance, Belief, Change.
“The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others.”
Solomon Ibn Gabriol (1021-1058)
A Member Shares:
Hi, Terry here, alcoholic in recovery and grateful for you and this program and hard lessons underway. I was a Navy corpsman (medic). My job was to 'fix' ill and wounded folks. I tried to do that as a drunk and even when I got sober. Some of that is honorable. Some of it is pride. I thought I was in charge on a deeper level than I really am. When I came to sobriety, I tried to fix my dysfunctional family – counseling, etc. I did the same in a relationship that followed. No such luck. I came to realize that if I have done all I know how to do, if I have expended effort, drawn on my best resources, and pray as much and as hard as I can -- things still might not change. Then I have to make a decision – do I accept, and by default, co-sign or enable sickness to continue? Or do I change? I am learning to change. Sometimes doing “the next right thing” means leaving behind people I love. I miss my children, but it was less chaotic for them to stay and find their own paths, knowing that I love them and they are always welcome with me -- the same for friends. I learned I cannot keep other people sober, or “fix” much in other people. I cannot even “fix” myself except by asking my HP to direct my thinking, to let me know HIS will for me, and give me the grace, courage, and power to carry that out. Sometimes that means tough choices. If I make them with love and care, I trust they will be right. Not easy, but admission that I am not “in charge” and my HP has better plans for me (and others) than I could imagine. Thanks for blessing my life.
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough; we must do.”
“The only medicine for suffering, crime, and all the other woes of mankind,
is wisdom.”
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”
Aristotle (384 BCE - 322 BCE) .
Aristotle (384 BCE - 322 BCE) .
