This slogan has been really important for me for the last year. My illness demands that I keep my days simple or else I suffer from migraines, fatigue, irritability, and depression. Unfortunately, the demands of motherhood and sponsorship don't always allow me to keep it simple. The last two days have been an example of that, which is why I didn't post anything yesterday.
Even with God's strength and practicing the 12 Steps in all of my affairs, my physical and mental limitations still control my life. I am powerless.
I don't think God interferes with the natural order of things. Therefore, I am no longer angry with him for not relieving me of these limitations. Instead, I accept them and have learned to be grateful for them since they ultimately bring me to my knees and back to the one who has all power -- God.
I thank God for the pain and suffering I experience due to my illnesses (alcoholism included.) For it is in this suffering that I am learning the true meaning of humility. And in the state of humility is where I find peace and serenity.
Thank you to the following bloggers for submitting some of their favorite recovery slogans:
Just For Today, HOW (Honesty, Open minded, Willingness), and HALT (don't get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired) from Izzy @ Conversing
Keep Coming Back from dAAve @ higer powered
ACE (Accept, Change, or Eliminate) from BRB at Notes from the BRB Queen
Let Go and Let God from steve at STEVERONI'S BLOG
F.A.I.T.H. (Finally Allowing It To Happen) from Jeremy at Half measures avail us nothing
How Important Is It? from Syd at I'm Just F.I.N.E. -- Recovery in Al-Anon
Keep It Simple from Brian M. at The Three Legged Stool
Thank you for posting this. I recently found myself thanking God for my failures and short-comings because they served as lessons. I couldn't believe what I heard coming out of my mouth!
ReplyDelete:) I go back and forth on slogans, I don't love them because it seems people here say it a lot without any context of what that looks like in truth and experience. Then I come across someone who, as I watch it play out in their experience, finds a way to place the slogan in it's proper place in the heart and head so that a person has no way to forget what that really looks like :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite "God either is or he isn't. What was our choice to be"
You inspire in so many ways, and I love how you said you are no longer angry at God, that you accept your limitations and that they teach you humility. I relate to your busy lifestyle. I too at times feel worn out but one thing that has helped me is that I no longer do what I think I have to do, I just do what I need to do...
ReplyDeleteMarie you are such an inspiration to so many...and your kind and encouraging comments at my blog mean so much to me...i hope that you have a wonderful week, and are able to keep it simple. :-)
ReplyDeleteI like this slogan too. Thanks for writing on them. Some days I remember to use a slogan and some days I just live it.
ReplyDeleteStorm: It is a gift, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteJess: I like that last line, too. God is everything or he is nothing, I hear it said around here.
drygirl: thanks for reading and keeping in touch. hope you are having a good week too.
carrie: thank you. hope you are having a good week, also
syd: you are welcome. Your comment about remember slogans versus living them reminds me of what my sponsor says about working the program until the program works us. cool.