Yesterday I joined a conversation about establishing a practice… a habit… so that you might become whatever it is you want to be — a writer, a dancer, an entrepreneur, an acrobat, a filmmaker, a person who cuts flour into shortening to make pie crusts worthy of Mother Nature’s gifts — you get the idea.
It seems to me that you have been practicing for this “new” practice since our digital paths crossed. And grateful for that happening.
I’d like to comment on your quoting from The Prayer of St Francis. As one who attended AA meetings for years (not for material to write a book), one group offered morning meditation meetings that always including reading that prayer.
Segue to the “Big Book.” (The formal text of AA, also titled Alcoholics Anonymous) At one point the rhetorical question is, “Why do we do this? (get sober). To render ourselves of maximum service to God and our fellows.” No “me” in there.
Later, in the “Stories” segment of the book, the personal stories of the two founders of AA lead off. Dr Bob, a physician, states, “Nothing so much ensures sobriety as intensive work with other alcoholics.” Nope; not a sign of “me” once again.
A central theme in the AA approach to recovery is acquiring, and keeping, humility as one of our key character traits. “My ego wants me dead” was stated many times in many meetings. Hence the emphasis on humility and helping others.
Do you see any connection with your 30-day practice? Near the end of the prayer we read, “Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted…”.
Then consider this: After an electrocardiogram this morning, the technician kindly suggested I keep praying for wellness. She, a young African-American woman. I, a white haired white dude. It would seem prayer is not the exclusive commodity of any race, creed, or gender.
Thank you for everything you shared in your comment. You have gifted me several of the wisdoms you picked up through your connection with AA. Some, like awareness, acceptance, action, have become principles for my living. I’m grateful. Thank you!
Another of my mentors, Rolf Gates —author of Meditations from the Mat, also shares hard earned lessons from his life changing experiences with AA.
Yoga teacher Sarah has mentioned some people are born twice in one life… yogis and recovering addicts are the two I remember.
I just finished I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Near the end she tells a story that in some ways relates to your exchange with the med tech today.
We’ve got ourselves into our current story… can we write our way out? I think we’re working on it!
It seems to me that you have been practicing for this “new” practice since our digital paths crossed. And grateful for that happening.
I’d like to comment on your quoting from The Prayer of St Francis. As one who attended AA meetings for years (not for material to write a book), one group offered morning meditation meetings that always including reading that prayer.
Segue to the “Big Book.” (The formal text of AA, also titled Alcoholics Anonymous) At one point the rhetorical question is, “Why do we do this? (get sober). To render ourselves of maximum service to God and our fellows.” No “me” in there.
Later, in the “Stories” segment of the book, the personal stories of the two founders of AA lead off. Dr Bob, a physician, states, “Nothing so much ensures sobriety as intensive work with other alcoholics.” Nope; not a sign of “me” once again.
A central theme in the AA approach to recovery is acquiring, and keeping, humility as one of our key character traits. “My ego wants me dead” was stated many times in many meetings. Hence the emphasis on humility and helping others.
Do you see any connection with your 30-day practice? Near the end of the prayer we read, “Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted…”.
Then consider this: After an electrocardiogram this morning, the technician kindly suggested I keep praying for wellness. She, a young African-American woman. I, a white haired white dude. It would seem prayer is not the exclusive commodity of any race, creed, or gender.
I thanked her for her reminder.
Thank you for everything you shared in your comment. You have gifted me several of the wisdoms you picked up through your connection with AA. Some, like awareness, acceptance, action, have become principles for my living. I’m grateful. Thank you!
Another of my mentors, Rolf Gates —author of Meditations from the Mat, also shares hard earned lessons from his life changing experiences with AA.
Yoga teacher Sarah has mentioned some people are born twice in one life… yogis and recovering addicts are the two I remember.
I just finished I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Near the end she tells a story that in some ways relates to your exchange with the med tech today.
We’ve got ourselves into our current story… can we write our way out? I think we’re working on it!
https://link.medium.com/HBEBD4Xoxhb