Because you're not what I would have you be, I blind myself to who, in truth, you are. —Madeleine L'Engle
Sometimes we expect far too much of the people around us, and because no one can ever live up to those expectations, we are almost always disappointed. But wouldn't it be better if we just let go, and let people be who they are? Then we'd be able to see them as they are - with all their beauty and goodness in which we take joy, and with all their faults, which we can also see in ourselves.
When we have put someone up on a pedestal, sculpturing them to fit our needs and desires by smoothing out the rough edges and creating new curves here and there, we cannot see the real person underneath our work. All we see is the illusion we have created. That is denying the person's real identity and is disrespectful. It's much better for our friends and for ourselves if we drop our expectations and illusions, and accept them all just the way they are.
What unfair expectations do I have of others?
From Today's Gift: Daily Meditations for Families ©
Keep It Simple
The rose and the thorn, and sorrow and gladness are linked together. --Saadi.
When we were drinking and drugging, we didn't have to deal much with feelings. We turned them off. Then, when we let go of the alcohol and other drugs, we started to come back to life. Now--we have feelings again! But, even now, in recovery, we're scared of too much happiness. It's true--we don't want sadness and pain at all. Yet, feelings--the good and the bad--keep on coming.
And we have to handle them. We are learning to handle our feelings. We're getting strong enough to deal with them. With the help of our friends in the program, and our Higher Power, we're ready for life.
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, I want to be fully alive, but I'm a little scared. Help me know what to do with my feelings today.
Action for the Day: Today, I'll be open to feelings. I'll enjoy my good feelings and share them. I'll ask for help with hard feelings by praying, and by calling my sponsor.
Growth and understanding came slowly, but they came steadily.
And finally, I could feel gratitude for my sobriety -- for the saving grace of my Higher Power.
I learned about people in AA, and this brought me to an understanding of myself.
I know that spiritual growth is a great, wide, beautiful thing
and that I have only stepped up to the open door. . .
The saving grace of our Higher Power doesn't come like a bolt out of the blue.
It comes through, in, and from other suffering, as well as rescued,
souls like you and me. I am happy to be part of a living and growing fellowship
with an infallible heartbeat.
- Came To Believe . . ., p. 94
Thought to Ponder . . .
There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O P E = Heart Open; Please Enter.
Your heart knows
Listen to your heart when it asks you to act with kindness. Your heart knows what truly fulfills you.
Listen to your heart when it suggests that you be patient. Your heart knows how real and lasting value is created.
Listen to your heart when it calls you to live this moment with joy. Your heart knows what makes you the most effective.
Listen to your heart when it urges you to see profound beauty in the most ordinary things. Your heart knows where your real strength comes from.
Listen to your heart when it reminds you to feel hopeful. Your heart knows about possibilities that your mind has not yet considered.
Whether you're up or you're down, whether you're confident or unsure, listen to your heart. For your heart knows why you're here.
-- Ralph Marston
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