I just wanted to share something that has become a paramount part of my recovery. It actually started when going through a Big Book study with a group I used to belong to in my old home town. As we were reading through the chapter "Working With Others", we stumbled across a line, which I am sure had been there all along, but suddenly jumped off the page and hit me smack in the middle of my forehead. It was simply talking about going to events where there may or may not be drinking, and the author states that rather than looking at what we can get out of the event, we should instead look at what we can bring.
I don't know why at that particular moment that would stand out to me. I only know that HP decided it was time for me to finally get out of my self-centered "what's in it for me" attitude.
Previous to that moment in time, I refused to go to wakes or funerals because they "depressed" me and kind of "grossed me out". I went to weddings or family gatherings with the attitude that I was going to have a lousy time. But on that day, something really changed in me. It has in fact become a huge part of my prayer life now.
It occurred to me that LIFE was the event that I was invited to, and instead of living for what I could get out of life, I needed to approach life by asking what I could bring to it. What could I give to others? What ways could I be of service? What could I offer to this world to make it a better place?
Up until this time, I was like a sponge, sucking the fun and the joy out of everything. But after that day, I've been able to (most days) really look at what I could bring.
I work in a medical profession and deal with patients on a daily basis. They used to be an inconvenience, a pain even sometimes. But because of the change in my perspective and because of prayer asking HP to take me out of the center of the universe and asking to let me be of service to HP and to others that day, I've been able to do a lot of really cool things. Some seem so little, but I'm finding they make a difference to others. Like noticing what people are wearing and complimenting them on it. Or noticing that they got their hair done and again complimenting them on it. Thanking people. Smiling at people.
I'm not trying to say I'm a perfect or even wonderful person. The point of this whole post is that as I changed my perspective, a wonderful fringe benefit has been that I DO enjoy life much more.
I've learned that the more I try to get out of life or of an event, the less likely I am to enjoy it. The more I try to "bring to the party" (life), the more I find that I enjoy life and frankly, people kinda like being around me more, too.
Amazing what the right words at the right time can do. My sponsor used to say, "When the student is ready, the teacher will come." (Yeah, I know it wasn't original...he always told me he never told me anything he hadn't heard before - although some of his puns/jokes/allegories make me wonder sometimes....)
So...what can we bring to the party today? Hope? Joy? Encouragement?
Yes, yes, yes, and yes!!!!!!! THanks for sharing, my best moments are when I am "bringing" instead of "taking". And, no, we are not perfect, but isn't it a great adventure practising? Much joy and peace to you today.
Excellent, Karen! If we could just make that committment every morning with our first cup of tea (or coffee), think how the little world around us could benefit. Wanda, will my machine be able to embroider that on a place mat? LOL, I'd have it sitting on my end table every morning. "What can I bring to the party of Life Today?". I love it, thank you for sharing. Blessings Wren
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Funny, isn't it, how friends and a Power greater than ourselves can neutralize nightmares?
