Monday 10/19/09 - "KINDNESS"

"KINDNESS"

"You can never do a kindness too soon,
for you never know how soon it will be too late."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have learned a little about the art of being kind through the kindnesses that have been shown me. I remember the kindness I felt from so many different people when I reached that 'jumping off' place at the end of my drinking.

At the end I was just one big drink of alcohol. There was little else in my life. I was either drinking, getting over being drunk, or beginning to drink again. It was "always" on my mind. I did not behave in a kind way to those around me, not my family, friends, or employer. I was not capable of it. My mind and body were captured by alcohol and it was all I cared about.

Yet - when I began to reach out for help I found compassion and kindness everywhere. A nurse where I worked intervened with me one day behind my closed office door. She explained to me what was wrong with me and though I was busy trying not to hear her words, still in deep denial, she made an impression and I have never forgotten her caring concern for me.

I had a counselor who I believe was sent into my life by God. She was the perfect person to support me in my first steps into sobriety. She was instrumental in encouraging and arranging for me to be in a 28 day treatment program. She was by my side for years after that until I had developed a sound mind. It says in our Big Book, "Alcoholics Anonymous" that some of us need additional outside help. I was one of those people and she was the person who provided it.

There was a minister whose kindness when I was trying to stop drinking never quit. No matter how many times I met with him for counseling and admitted I was still drinking, he always treated me with loving kindness and continued to encourage me to stop drinking if I ever wanted things to improve. Finally I did.

I had several friends who never deserted me no matter how far down I went into my alcoholism. They were there as I became sicker and sicker. They watched me recover. All these many years later we are still fast friends.

It gives me pleasure and joy to be able to return to others the kindness I was shown. Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon give me limitless opportunities to reach my hand and heart out to others. My volunteer job in the pastoral care department of the local hospital never fails to provide ways to show little kindnesses to people who are sick, frightened, and hurting. There are people in need of kindness and ready to respond to compassion everywhere. I am grateful I have enough to share with others.

Life is good.

Prayer Girl