Archive for happiness

Endigar 884 – Protective Rituals

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , on July 31, 2023 by endigar

When wisdom and good judgement eludes me, the habits I have established in the protective rituals of the 12 Step recovery program save me. The habit of personal contact with my Sponsor(s) and other members of the support network helps expose the recurrence of my self-destructive thinking. The readings repeated at the beginning and ending of meetings provides necessary reminders to a mind so prone to forget the horror of my addiction and the empowerment of the collective. Meetings once seen as a chore become a welcome respite from the voices of self-hatred. The announcement that I am an alcoholic or addict when I begin to share reminds me of the hard-fought honesty I have secured as a member of AA. Getting up to take a token rather than receive it while sitting reminds me of the need for courage to claim this program as my own. It cannot be acquired passively. The protective rituals help me forge tools to build that archway of freedom and bolt my ass firmly in the midst of a saving refuge.

I am grateful for these and other protective rituals.

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Endigar 671 ~ Happiness Comes Quietly

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , on May 19, 2015 by endigar

From the Daily Reflections of January 17;

“The trouble with us alcoholics was this: We demanded that the world give us happiness and peace of mind in just the particular order we wanted to get it-by the alcohol route. And we weren’t successful. But when we take time to find out some of the spiritual laws, and familiarize ourselves with them, and put them into practice, then we do get happiness and peace of mind. . . . There seem to be some rules that we have to follow, but happiness and peace of mind are always here, open and free to anyone.”   (Dr Bob and the Good Oldtimers, page 308)

The simplicity of the A.A. program teaches me that happiness isn’t something I can “demand.” It comes upon me quietly, while I serve others. In offering my hand to the newcomer or to someone who has relapsed, I find that my own sobriety has been recharged with indescribable gratitude and happiness.

 

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flowers

 

Pleasure-happiness is an event that is associated with my response to some external stimulus. Contentment-happiness is made possible in sobriety. It is the product of internal development and does not rely on external circumstances.  It involves trust in my Higher Power and and the development of gratitude and serenity.  It comes quietly because it is the result of personal growth.

 

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