"CULTIVATE A BEGINNER'S MIND"
Today I attended a noon women's Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. It was the same meeting, in the same room that I walked into for the first time 24 years ago. Different women, the furniture newer, no smoking is the rule, but otherwise it is exactly as on the day I arrived as a "beginner". My guess is that they were saying pretty much the same things, but at that time I heard and understood nothing.
Today I heard the following statement and was able to hear and contemplate it:
"CULTIVATE A BEGINNER'S MIND."
I liked it and asked myself why it resonated so strongly with me.I love the idea of cultivating a mind - nurturing and fostering the growth of healthy ideas. If I am cultivating my mind, I am keeping it fertile, fresh, free to receive new, life-giving information.
But why would I want to cultivate a beginner's mind? Why not a long-timer's mind? The next thought in my mind was Mark 10:15 from the Bible:
"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."
As a child I was full of curiosity, was always searching to know and experience more, and I had open-mindedness. These are the same qualities I need and desire today. These attitudes keep my memory green and hopefully make it less likely that I will repeat the horrors of my active alcoholic past.
Additionally, the more years I work the AA program, the more I come to understand how little I know. As a newcomer, I knew nothing and I was hungry for anything that would lessen my confusion, anxiety, and sick thinking. I was anxious to increase sane thinking, and create and strengthen a spiritual connection. I want and need that today as much as when I first arrived.
Let's remember there is a time to "CULTIVATE A BEGINNER'S MIND".
Prayer Girl
7 comments:
Sometimes I get frustrated when I realize how little I truly know. But then I look back at where I've been and I see what a work in progress our lives are and that I will NEVER know all I need to or want to know.
I am so glad I stopped by for this great message.Big time hugs.Mike G. said that!
PG I think it is wonderful that you can even recognize the more you have worked your AA, the more you have opportunity to still grow and learn. Even that is a process!!! So, it makes perfect sense to cultivate even a beginners mind, relying on the Savior all the way!! Thank you for sharing dear one!!
nice post! in my view (as yours it seems) 'beginner's mind' means OPEN mind.. a mind that is open to new information and is willing to say 'i don't know' versus an 'I-KNOW mind'.. like when someone is sharing with me and i start feeling like i'm closing down, i try to remember 'is it POSSIBLE they could be right'.. if i'm not open, i may miss something that could enlighten me to myself and in turn, help others. perhaps.
that I-KNOW mind can be very closed! not attractive! ha
my 2 cents for what it's worth on this lovely day
I know that I am still willing and teachable. As a Beginner, I wanted so badly to have peace. I was in a lot of pain. I have the desire still to learn and grow. I can see how much I have grown since going to meetings. Yet, every day I can see that there is much more to learn and to do in service to the fellowship. Thanks for a great post.
it seems that I always wind up back at the start of my program - back to step one or square one and it used to frustrate me so much, but now I know what is needed and I begin again and let go of everything else, being open to acceptance...
Yes, a beginners mind. An open mind. One of the essentials of recovery. I don't think it can be done without that attitude. Not for me, at least. And I Know That! lol.
Post a Comment