Acceptance

If you read my last post (if not, please do) you will read that I asked to be reminded of the word "acceptance."  Anyone in recovery knows this following quotation, almost as a code to live by and can readily site page and volume. It is something for all of us, so I share it here. 

Courtesy of Pixabay

"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 I 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 God's world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; 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." 

From "Alcoholics Anonymous" Volume 4, pg. 417

Different

Have you ever had a loss or transition or change in your life that you have had to adjust to and found yourself saying that this now is a new "different?"  Well, I spent a couple of days with some friends who had moved and she and her husband couldn't have been more hospitable. They are on a large, beautiful lake, with great sites and fishing! 

In a note she sent me afterward she acknowledged that even though our time together was nice, it was "different" and that she was still adjusting to all the "different."  It really doesn't matter what the event is that caused the transition but it could be a death, a job or a move...it could be anything major but things are "not like they used to be!" 

I don't know about you but I don't like changes and there's not a thing that can be done when they hit us in the face.  Many are completely out of our control, like my friends moving which changed many things for them and me!

Photo from Pixabay

Have you ever wanted to pout, complain or grump because of it? Have you ever experienced miserable times, missing the gorgeous sunsets of life right in front of you?  Or have you decided to have as positive an attitude as possible through the adjustments, knowing this attitude will carry further than a negative one?  

The ultimate consolation sometimes is as simple as saying out loud, "I'm adjusting to 'different' too!" It always helps to know we're not alone in this world and to share the same sentiments; this gives great comfort!  Remind me to share about acceptance next time! 

There are times in life that occur that we might like to have a spiritual companion on our journey.  If you would like to make an appointment with a spiritual director, call me at 920.793.3530.  If you would like to subscribe to my blog, scroll all the way down and put in your email address.  You can see my entire website at: MollyLaFond.com

Friends

From Pixabay

Have you ever felt really loved?  Well, this past weekend a friend of 50 years came up from Ohio and stayed here over the weekend. We did very little except "hang out", catch up and laugh.  Oh, we went out to lunch with friends Saturday, which was special, too, but, other than that, just stayed home. 

We both realize that with her poor health we both need to take whatever opportunities that present themselves to share our thoughts, feelings and love without hesitation.  We really keep very little, if anything, from each other.  We both realize our words, whatever they are, are based on the deep love we have for each other.  Sometimes we are very honest and frank with our words. 

A few years ago I asked her if we had ever had a fight all the years we have been friends.  "Once, she said, when we were camping and you said the spatula was yours and it was mine!"  We  both laughed because when we were eighteen we camped and she always brought the kitchen stuff; I brought the boat and fishing stuff.  We still laugh about it today. 

She left on her return trip home today and all I have thought about since is how loved I feel in our friendship. Often friends, even relatives, hesitate to be so open and honest in a relationship with one another. I am so blessed to be so loved.  I am so blessed to have someone for all these years that accepts all my quirks and foibles the way she does.

This filial or agape love is so freeing especially when there are no desires or expectations, and our love accepts the other and believes in the greater good.  Have you ever had a friend this special?  Have you ever been that special friend to someone.  What a wonderful feeling of being so loved!  

I am a spiritual director. If you would like to subscribe to my blog, scroll all the way down and fill in the email so this can go into your mailbox. If you would like to contact me for an appointment, call 920.793.3530.

Worth Reading!

Written and posted by: John C. Dorhauer

I am fast losing the capacity to mourn all that we must mourn. Charlottesville becomes Houston becomes Florida becomes Puerto Rico becomes Las Vegas. Every lost life is a name, a history, a hope, a story - an unfulfilled future. Every lost life leaves behind loved ones who mourn and grieve and piece together a future of their own torn asunder by matters we cannot comprehend. I can't find words to capture this pain, this collective grief and anger. I cannot reach deep enough into my soul to express fully the pain, the anger, the rage, the confusion, the anxiety, the emptiness. When will it end? And what must I do, must I do, must I do to respond with meaning, with purpose, with intent so that whatever hope we talk about on the other side of this is not vapid and vain? I feel utterly powerless. God help us all. Inspire imagination. Inspire hope. Inspire healing. Inspire resistance. Inspire something new and something bold and something grand. This cannot be our ongoing narrative. We have to want something better than this. Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.


This was on Facebook, written by John C. Dorhauer. It expresses so many sentiments that many of us share and I hope this makes its way across nations, not just local areas.  Please forward and share this.  Each one of needs to find peace on this earth and "let it begin with me."  God bless each and every one of you! Thank you, John, for posting this!