INTEGRITY MONTH: DAY 20: “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.” –Buddha
We have all had those times of speaking and thinking negatively. I believe that is one of the biggest symptoms of addiction. The negative mindset we operate within as addicts is troubling and creates a world of fear and isolation.
Ego is a screaming purple monkey of destruction; it embodies all the sins of the world and none of its beauty and richness.
People are susceptible to living so locked within themselves they cannot see or be the truth. They cannot see or be integral. I have been sitting with a couple of instances of this. There are some really challenging aspects to the kind of dishonesty with self that SPM and ego create.
I do not believe in evil, per se, but in the selfish nature of ego and those who are so consumed by it that they cannot embrace others except on a basis of greed and need. If there is nothing they can receive from you, they are on to the next and the next and the next.
There is no sense of service, except from that ego-base where they are going to “tell” others about how they are doing what they are doing. There is no sharing. I love what Dr. Paul O. talked about for much of his life. The difference between telling and sharing. Vast differences!
We can see the results of our selfishness and self-centeredness all around. As the saying goes, “If you like what you are getting, keep doing what you are doing.” If you are happy and filled with gratitude, then you are doing some right things. If not, you are not. So simple!
We are not here to be good to get what we want. As Chuck C. said so many times, I am here to be good for nothing. Period.
I love my life and my path today. Simple. I do what feels right and I feel good. Life seems to flow out from that space in wonderful ways. There are things that puzzle me, mostly people with whom I must interface and I am not always sure what is happening there, but I am okay.
My heart will tell me what I am to do. I was told for many years, “when in doubt, do nothing.” I never regret that path. When I take action just to be busy, I find I have regrets. Okay.
“Never mistake motion for action” is a favorite quote of mine by Ernest Hemingway. Addicts in recovery love to run around being busy and doing little that matters, but then telling everyone how “busy” they are…usually too busy to be doing right work or taking right action. I see that a lot.
You get what you believe about life. It happens, it is your creation. Another Chuck C. quote I love is: “You cannot throw garbage into life and expect roses to grow there.” That only works with compost; and, to be totally honest, I don’t know a single gardener (except myself) who actually composts. Sad, huh? It should be a bigger part of life in this time. Speaks a great deal about another need in this big world.
I am still puzzled with some of the things taking place around me today. I am just sitting with them and letting them be…today I am at perfect peace.
Dolphin Hug 