June 23

HUMILITY MONTH: DAY 23: “…talent means nothing, while experience, acquired in humility and with hard work, means everything.” ― Patrick Süskind

We all have great talents. Most of them are not being used to their fullest extent. I have great talent for growing things, because I truly love every aspect of it. I grow beautiful gardens and have throughout my life.

However, when a friend asked me if I wanted to do this for a living, I was adamant that No, it is not my calling.

I have talent for design and decorating as well. Not my calling. I have talent for sewing and creating things from threads and fabric or yarn or tapestry, but that is not my calling. I have talent for many types of creative work, but I do my best work face-to-face, one on one with people.

That is my greatest work. And also in large groups, as a teacher. So, I think this quote is very accurate. I have experience in teaching others about this recovery thing, because I have a great passion for it. It has been my calling since I got here. Prior to that, I was a teacher from the time I went to Kindergarten and fell in love with my teacher.

As we acquire experience in this world, we find ourselves humbled by those things that kick our butts. I would not want to be done with learning about life and recovery and myself. There is so much more to do and to know and to find.

Each day brings me greater insight and wisdom. Greater humility and peace and joy and love. I am happy that there is a continuum, rather than a final set point to achieve.

The great thing about recovery  is that it is best taught by those who share their experience with us. It helps us to find the people we want to connect with and work with. Not our experience in drinking and drugging, but our experience in learning to walk down a new road and live a new kind of life.

That is invaluable. And precious and dear. And, it truly is the gift that we are here to give each other. And that does, in fact, mean everything.