Recently I had a few talks about not being able to change anyone else. The Serenity Prayer. And it covered several things that some were going through. In a sense going beyond just trying to help or guide or change others. Tough.
I know what the BB and my old sponsor told me. I was not here to change anyone. I might be able to help, but nothing beyond that. And this is especially true, when it comes to spirituality. I’m not here to teach anyone. That can cause fury and confusion. That’s why we are to learn to keep our peculiar thoughts to ourselves. For instance someone might be trying to convert others, who are not educated and desiring what we want them to believe.
All this stuff I learned a long time ago. I’ve seen the anger it can produce in persons we’re hoping to convert. We can turn them into a hard headed enemy in a sense. The BB tells us to leave them alone. It’s up to the individual.
And then there is the individual who wants to learn what it is that works for us. However our thoughts of what we think they want may be just the opposite of what they’re going through. And that’s where we have to step back and not force anything. It’s better that we stop talking about our beliefs and practices. To establish a neutral state. It may help them from hostility, fear, and hateful anger.
I know it’s hard for deep engrossed dedication to this program and how it works for all of us. We can become careless and not think we are doing wrong by talking about our practices and how this program works for us. Especially the spiritual practices we go through in here. Silence is not something we think about. But the BB and those old timers knew what the problems that came up with this.
Anyway I tried to talk to a couple of others about this. Even in the program itself we can create anger, hostility, and resentments by our expressions. I’ve seen the result of this. We’re not here to create conversions. I’m to express neutrality. I’m not here to sell religions or atheism or anything like that. That’s where we need to talk about a Higher Power and leave it at that. I’ve heard what others have done, when they express a religious beliefs and using names, which we need to step back from in public expressions.
Anyway I know what it is I need to do. I have even, when asked. to refer some others to experts in the field. Could be a social worker or a religious expert, who is kind and understanding. Or books which might help. Other than that I have to step back and turn all over to my Higher Power and let go.
On my part I know I have to begin each day by praying hopefully to practice staying sober in this program a day at a time. Right now and not into the future. Letting go of my own thinking and being open and hopefully beginning my day by turning myself over to my Higher Power and this program and the people in it, who help me. Even remembering those, who opened me up to this in the past. Being grateful and giving thanks for all that has been given to me. Letting go and letting the God of my understanding be in charge.