HOPE MONTH: DAY 13: “Insight into change teaches us to embrace our experiences without clinging to them — to get the most out of them in the present moment by fully appreciating their intensity, in full knowledge that we will soon have to let them go to embrace whatever comes next.
Insight into change teaches us hope. Because change is built into the nature of things, nothing is inherently fixed, not even our own identity. No matter how bad the situation, anything is possible. We can do whatever we want to do, create whatever world we want to live in, and become whatever we want to be.” –Buddha
As a big fan of hope, I love this particular quote. When I gather these quotes at the beginning of each month, I spend hours with various sources for them. Because I tend to use the same quotes year after year, I sometimes stretch my searches to find new ones for my own edification.
This one reminds me so wonderfully of Step 2 and its promise that I will be restored to sanity, over and over again. I have been insane quite a few times in these 30 (almost 31!) years; and most often dare the Universe to make the crazy (S.P.M.) STOP!!
Somehow, it happens. Somehow, I get restored. Sometimes I must sit for a few extra minutes or an hour in quiet to still the screaming. Other times I call my sponsor or a trusted friend. I journal, I write gratitude letters. Whatever I need to do.
Insanity is a temporary, for me, state. As is sanity. Each new turn of the wheel brings a craziness I thought I had done work to eliminate. And THERE it is again! Now, if you read the previous sentence, you will recognize the problem. I think I did the eliminating of the insanity. OH!
So, the truth is, change is constant. What I did on Saturday is not sufficient for Sunday. I must show up to the gratitude list, the journal, the cushion, etc.
Why????? Because change is constant. I may believe it is the same, old, screaming purple monkey; but it is a new day and a new Universe each time. So, yesterday’s peace does not stick around when the energy changes, which is what happens ALL THE TIME!
Hooray! I have so many newer members who want to explain to me that they have “done” their work in the steps, and are past that part of recovery…Hahahaha!
We get to have continual recovery based on continual work on our old ideas and ways of doing things. This is a beautiful thing to know! We have all seen what happens over time with those who do not keep it going. They may not drink or use drugs; but, by God I want to buy them a cocktail! And I have most likely been in that state a few times myself. I have certainly felt the discomfort of not doing what I need to be doing.
We are always the last ones to know what our attitudes and behaviors look like in the world around us. That is why I need to NOT justify and rationalize my behaviors. The beauty of the process is that this gets uncomfortable in a much shorter time frame than it used to. Progress!
I really love this quote and the space it opened up for me today. I hope you enjoy it as well. This HOPE thing is beautiful, isn’t it?
Dolphin Hug 