ACCEPTANCE MONTH: DAY 31: “Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation—some fact of my life unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God’s world by mistake; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes.” –Dr. Paul O.
There is so little to say about this. It is the most perfect piece of the BB for me. Why? Because I have never lost my need to refer to it, and it never fails to calm my crazy mind. Along with being a mentor in the early days of my recovery, I was inspired by the writings of Dr. Paul.
He and his wife gave some great seminars and workshops, but my favorite times with him were spent standing after the meeting (me smoking in those days!) and discussing some aspect of what was going on for one or the other of us. I was blessed to know him and to get to have these conversations. There were not enough of them for me, of course.
That time of my life was a battle of wills with a couple of people with whom I had ongoing issues. We were engaged in teaching each other who we were. I was unhappy with it most of the time. His insistent focus on what was good about people gave me more hope and help than anything in those days. I am grateful.
Most of all, I have learned to walk with the kind of acceptance he talks about here. And to find the good in the heart of every person alive today. There is so much of this world that is none of my business. I am astonished at the lack of involvement I am having in things going on in the world around me.
I have had some great teachers who walk this planet. Not all of them are still here. I am grateful for their memories and the teachings they leave behind.
There is some deep and long-term healing being brought to my table today. I am not as peaceful with some of it as I would like to be. That is not surprising, given what the circumstances are in some aspects. However, there is nothing but acceptance for me and from me on these things. I have let them be what they are and sat still with the fallout. That is an amazing place to be!
I accept YOU because, today, I can accept ME. The changes I must make to remain free from addiction of ALL KINDS is the way I see the world, because my vision is skewed. My view must shift so I can see things in a spiritual light. There is nothing for me to work on but my perspective and my perception. Most of the time, I think I know…and I am often wrong. Oh!
Dolphin Hug 