Tuesday, October 14, 2008

PEACE AND SERENITY IN A WORLD OF CHAOS


"PEACE AND SERENITY
IN A WORLD OF CHAOS"


Stock market plunges!
Housing market crashes!
Vicious political rhetoric!
Corruption - political, corporate, personal!
Natural disasters!
Personal family crises!
Health challenges!
Divorce, death, destruction!
Alcoholism!
Drug addiction!

HELP!
What do all these things have in common as they pertain to me?

Powerlessness!

I am totally powerless over the things that happen around me. I have learned by taking and now living the 12 steps that though I may be powerless over people, places, and things, I am not powerless over my reaction to them. I now have a set of spiritual tools that allow me to live life on life's terms - to experience a measure of peace and serenity.

When I arrived at the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous, I was living in a world of chaos. I was powerless over alcohol, jobless, personally penniless, unable to care for my children, and finally acknowledging the fact that my marriage was crumbling. All I was capable of was going to meetings, taking the steps, and dealing only with what each day presented.

Peace and Serenity are "priceless". I have learned over the years that the price I need to pay to have peace and serenity are:
Plenty of prayer (talking to God and then listening for what He has to say)

Talking regularly to a sponsor and to other alcoholics


Going to meetings


Reading AA and spiritual material


Finding ways to give rather than always taking


Seeking to increase my trust and faith in God


Remaining honest, open-minded, and willing

Blogging (more recently)

No matter what is happening in my world, if I do these things, I will find a degree of peace and serenity.

Turns out that the price I pay is a true pleasure.
It works - it really does.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes indeedy, it does. And I'm glad you blog :) We need you!

steveroni said...

You mean I gotta pay a PRICE? Will I have anything left?

Fellow I know said, "Thank God I'm an Atheist!"

Shadow said...

that age-old 'worry about the things you can change' pops to mind. thanks for the reminder!

Lou said...

All those things you wrote really keep me busy..but then I used to keep busy worrying, feeling guilty & being fearful.

J-Online said...

Thank You Thank You Thank You. I know you get what I'm saying here. I've thought a lot about our talk. Have a blessed day

~Tyra~ said...

Yes, peace and serenity are indeed priceless. Thank you for this post, I needed it.

Syd said...

We are thinking about the same things here. I can't do anything about all the stuff that is crumbling around me but I can take care of myself. Thanks!

Zanejabbers said...

Wow! And it really is that simple.