FREEDOM MONTH: DAY 8: “Accomplishments don’t erase shame, hatred, cruelty, silence, ignorance, discrimination, low self-esteem or immorality. It covers it up, with a creative version of pride and ego. Only restitution, compassion, repentance and living with dignity will ever erase the past.” ― Shannon L. Alder
We cannot serve Ego and Spirit at the same time. And we are either manifesting Ego or Spirit in all that we do. When we chase money, goals, acclaim, awards, recognition and attention, we are in Ego. That is always going to eliminate Spirit.
The things we are taught that matter when we are children are wrong! It does not matter how much money you make, unless you want to egoically compete with another who is out of Spirit. There is no such principle as greed or demand.
Taking a bow or an award is going to turn your head and keep you in ego. That is how this works. Our culture applauds Ego. There is no freedom here.
The truth is this: We are here to live upon spiritual principles because we ran amok in Ego. We became caught in those things that define us only from the outside. We became addicted to achievement, money, awards, acclaim, and the things of the world.
None of that is spiritual. Even when we give all our money to a good cause, we are in Ego. That is not how the spirit is fed.
And we cannot make amends for our wrongs with any of these things. It is not about making more empty promises, although I have had sponsees who lied more when making amends than they did before they practiced recovery. That is not of the spirit.
What IS of the spirit is to walk in the world and clean up what you did before with every moment you have left. To be kind and gracious, honest and to practice some form of truth with yourself and others. To be honorable and integral in how we walk through the world.
Not seeking to get, but to give. And not just our money, but our time and attention and love and acceptance and deep consideration.
When we are ashamed of who we are, we act in ways that are manipulative and selfish. It is time to get over that, step into our grace (we already have that!) and act like God’s kids amongst God’s other kids. Let’s go!
