Nothing like problems to get and hold our attention. Whether real or imagined they’re able to pipe in our emotions to take over our minds and our hearts. Fear, worry, anxiety, and often anger begin can begin to overwhelm us.
And here is where I need to do something about them. But what if I can’t? Then I’m stuck…or am I?
The other night I went back and read the pamphlet, which was so popular in AA, when I came in. Called Acceptance, it laid out a formula, which has helped so many of us over the years.
The author points out a real truth to which I need to pay attention. What’s that? The truth is we all have problems. We’re not alone. It’s life. Then what can I do? Well that’s obvious in the title of the pamphlet: acceptance. Will I accept the truth of that? And, when I do, will I surrender to that truth? And, if I do, the weight and the effects will be reduced or vanish.
How am I to do that? One of the things I do is to share it with others. Like my sponsor said, a problem shared is a problem cut in half. The next step for me is to let go and let God. To turn it over to my Higher Power. The Serenity Prayer.
What helps me do all of this, of course, is pain. And, when I’m in enough pain, I usually find that I surrender. And that coming to peace with my Higher Power brings about some kind of spiritual awakening. Doesn’t mean I have to like what I accept, but it helps me stay sober. Remove all those ill feelings and the threat of that next drink is gone.
Acceptance is another step toward that far distant goal for me to humility. I know I need that to continue on this journey I’m on, to stay sober. Acceptance also gives me hope that things can get better, if I ask for help. And even before the resolution to whatever the problem is, my faith in my Higher Power and this program begins to grow. Further it opens me to care about others and their problems, which helps me to stop thinking about that self centered rascal, myself.
Anyway, I was talking about acceptance with an old friend of mine, who is faced with the overwhelming problem of losing a loved one. Certainly got my mind off of me and my stuff. Got me to stop and pray and turn all of this over. A reminder of how powerless I am. And the certain knowledge that all these things are in the hands of my Higher Power and that I can stay sober in spite of them. If I will but accept.