That word "serenity" looked like an impossible goal when we first saw the prayer. In fact, if serenity meant apathy, bitter resignation, or stolid endurance, then we didn't even want to aim at it. But we found that serenity meant no such thing. When it comes to us now, it is more as plain recognition -- a clear-eyed, realistic way of seeing the world, accompanied by inner peace and strength. Serenity is like a gyroscope that lets us keep our balance no matter what turbulence swirls around us. And that is a state of mind worth aiming for.
c. 1998 AAWS, Living Sober, p. 19
Thought to Ponder . . .
Serenity isn't freedom from the storm; it is peace within the storm.
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* We eventually realize that just as the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, emotional turmoil comes before serenity. *
"Serenity isn't freedom from the storm; it is peace within the storm"
Exactly... how many of us can remain peaceful within the storm... and how many of us are busy trying to run from all the storms to protect a very tenuous serenity?
My sister is always telling us what we can and can't say to her, and that we have to let her have control, and we have to treat her delicately so as not to upset her. And she is often on the brink so that we have to be verrrrry careful. And when she is acting mean or selfish or not keeping up her responsibilities we have to remember that she is a victim and so has these problems and should be excused.
amanda
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do your best and God does the rest, a step at a time
Amanda2u2:how many of us can remain peaceful within the storm... and how many of us are busy trying to run from all the storms to protect a very tenuous serenity? _____________________________________________________________________________
Today thru the help of AA I have SOME serenity thru any storm. Running from them was what I did thru my drinking career and it could very easily take me back out! As always character defects and human nature will sometimes get the best of me, however if I use the tools I've been given freely I can right any wrong and I can do the next right thing to the best of my ability. I can accept what I can not change and I can believe that nothing happens in God's world by mistake..... I have hope and I have faith and I know that I can not only stay sober today but I can achieve good recovery, MY recovery ~ what works for me will not work for all. If the obession can be lifted from me that is PROOF that the program works if I work it and some sense of serenity can be achieved... I am a miracle.
It Ain't Easy, but It's Simple
-- Edited by Doll at 20:13, 2006-02-27
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* We eventually realize that just as the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, emotional turmoil comes before serenity. *
That word "serenity" looked like an impossible goalwhen we first saw the prayer.In fact, if serenity meant apathy, bitter resignation,or stolid endurance, then we didn't even want to aim at it.But we found that serenity meant no such thing.When it comes to us now, it is more as plain recognition --a clear-eyed, realistic way of seeing the world,accompanied by inner peace and strength.Serenity is like a gyroscope that lets us keep our balanceno matter what turbulence swirls around us.And that is a state of mind worth aiming for. c. 1998 AAWS, Living Sober, p. 19Thought to Ponder . . .Serenity isn't freedom from the storm;it is peace within the storm.
__________doll , i swear, U really come up with some beeeeeutiful stuff!!!! wow!!! this is exactly what i used to think.....like "bending over the chair in resignation"......good golly!!! seeing the world, clear eyed, and realistic...accepting the facts AS IS......and being able to maintain inner peace through the comfort of our "christ within".........wonderful offering, thank U, rosie
Yes,, and 'the world' includes our spouses, our marriages,, our children, our co-workers, our meeting group, the person sitting next to us. Do we accept that person? Knowing that, as you say, 'nothing happens in God's world by mistake' including that that person is sitting next to you at the meeting,,, or across from you at the table, or next to you in the bed,,, with their own storms,,, the storm of our marriage,, the storm of the meeting, the storm of this thread. I agree that no one is perfect... not us in our recovery, and not them either... and acceptance works both ways, eh?
"Living Sober" is a good book. I go to one meeting that is focussed on that one,,, and also the 'Came to Believe' book. Thanks for posting a great excerpt.
still learning the program after 18 years,, still growing, and haven't graduated yet,
amanda
-- Edited by amanda2u2 at 21:48, 2006-02-27
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do your best and God does the rest, a step at a time
We agree on one thing; still learning and still growing and hope to never graduate.......... See! There's some good shit right there that proves this program works... I actually agreed w/you ..as you said "acceptance works both ways"......
Love and hugs to you amanda.
-- Edited by Doll at 22:14, 2006-02-27
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* We eventually realize that just as the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, emotional turmoil comes before serenity. *
