"And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation-some fact of my life-unacceptable to me, and can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in the world by mistake. "
"Unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world, as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes." (Pg. 418, 4th edition, Alcoholics Anonymous)
I have read this passage from the Big Book before in meetings and have been referred to it a couple of times when I was venting about how everyone and everything would be just fine if the rest of the world would just do what i want done-sometimes in jest, and most times not. I think it will take me awhile to actually put this notion into practice because I have come to believe that I honestly and truly ACCEPT very little in life-I am always wanting something else, something "better" and if I don't have it now, I am upset. This is the basic point that I have been missing over and over again-until I accept that things are as they should be and that I cannot know what is yet to come, I will continue to be upset day after day. There is no relief from the suffering of desire for more, more, more until I can accept that balance in my life comes with letting things be as they are in the moment they are in. If I can finally realize that my way is not the only way, or even the best way, and that other people and places exist in time and space as they are meant to, individually and as a whole, then wow-I really think the world will totally open up to me.
"Acceptance requires a bit of humility. Acceptance requires the ability to accept that you might be wrong. At the very least acceptance requires the ability to allow others to be wrong without letting it totally screw up your day."-William Berry
Yeah, acceptance is an important thing, until you accept something you can't move on from it because it is still claiming some of your attention. Life needs to be a constant 'letting go' accepting and moving on - easier said than done though. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood post.
Thank you. I always appreciate your comments!
ReplyDeleteYou've quoted one of my fav exerpts from the Big Book. It's a life long journey I believe but being aware is a great beginning.
ReplyDeleteThe nature of the alcoholic beast is to return to our own will often but awareness of this happening allows us to give it up to God again each time. Practice makes perfect but staying focused, connected and present in THIS moment is imperative.
Glad I stopped by ;)