Daily Picture December 10th

[Brock]

As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day “Thy will be done.” We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves. BB p. 87/88

Control 10th.jpg

[PaigeB]

As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day “Thy will be done.” We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves. BB p. 87/88

The opposite of faith is not doubt;
The opposite of faith is control ~ R. Rohr

I don't know if Rohr is an alcoholic, but he sure gets ME!

Thanks Brock for pairing this with one of my favorite BB quote! I mean who KNEW that "excitement" was a problem?!? One time I said to my 1st sponsor (before I knew this quote existed), "If I felt Joy I would probably drink!" She said to me, "You probably would." MAN was I ticked off by this! Until I got to this quote and her words came back to me. I seem to recall I smiled and finally Knew that yes, too much joy could indeed get me drunk!

But the pair today hit home with the control thing... Most who know me know that I am trying to practice acceptance with my family. I perceive that a couple of my adult children live in chaos. I am subject to ALL if the dangerous emotions on page 88! I used to say it was the Mom in me... but seriously - it is the Control Freak in me. Even my prayers are often laced with my ideas about what I think the situation should look like. I can know it in my head, but I have to internalized my powerlessness in this area.

So this is quite perfectly timed today. I am practicing "setting aside" and "acceptance" but I am not quite to the place where I automatically say, "Thy will be done." Maybe that is the next Step in my Practice. But I have to set that idea aside too. I am not in control.

[Brock]

I also like most things Fr. Richard Rohr says, I don’t think he is an alcoholic but is a good friend of AA. I listened to a talk of his in which he spoke about first finding AA when he was assigned to a church that had meetings in its basement, the fellows in the meeting said he could attend if he wanted, guess it was an open meeting. He said he saw more spirituality in that room than in the church on a Sunday morning, he has been a staunch supporter of AA since then.

[PaigeB]

That made me smile. Thanks Brock.

[Mcintyre Drew87]

it was an open meeting. He said he saw more spirituality in that room than in the church on a Sunday morning, he has been a staunch supporter of AA since then.