The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.
Pema Chödrön
The Sun’s Warm Glow
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Warm glow of this morning’s sunshine in my bedroom -
Winds of Change
Some of you know I’m living in recovery from alcoholism. If not, you do now. I read a question today that caused me to reflect on my life now that I have a bit of time in recovery. The question was, “What are the important things in my recovery?” Here’s a short list from journaling this morning.
- living life using the principles of the 12 Steps
- daily practice of prayer and meditation
- healing physically, emotionally and spiritually
- healing of broken relationships and birthing of new relationships
- experiencing a Higher Power from within
- able to be more present to life and more often
- true honesty with others
- learning to be a better listener, thus a better communicator
- coming to know my true and authentic self
- practicing a thorough and authentic daily self-examination
- seeing with the eyes of my heart
- uncovering my unhealthy character defects
- living with and accepting all my emotions
- the enjoyment of solitude and silence
- using journaling as letters, prayers, asking deep questions
- discovering my value as a human and the value of others
- uncovering and using the talents and gifts given to me at my conception
- finding and using my inner observer
This morning was quite windy. When I stepped outside about 7:00 am, I needed to pause and listen to the wind blowing through the trees. I smiled as the wind blew leaves from branches, enjoying their rustling dance across the ground. I took a deep breath, filled with hope and excitement, because the wind was a metaphor for the winds of change blowing in our world.
