It was at about this time 22 years ago when an epiphany took place in my life. I finally began to figure out I could not control other people, places and things all I could control was my attitude and my effort. Doing my best to take care of what I am able to take care of on a daily basis has become my mantra for years and sure makes living life a lot easier.
This epiphany in my life took place after I read and studied page 449 in the third edition of the big book of “Alcoholics Anonymous.” When I read this page my life began to change. The words on this page came from a doctor who finally learned how to overcome his alcohol and drug addiction problem. The story was initially shared over 70 years ago. Here are the words that helped change my thinking and in turn changed my life.
“When I stopped living in the problem and began living in the answer, the problem went away. From that moment on, I have not had a single compulsion to drink.
And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation–some fact of my life–unnaceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God’s world by mistake. Until I could accept my alchoholism, I could not stay sober, unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitude.”
Hmmm…I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitude??? Powerful words aren’t they? If you aren’t happy today and not having much serenity my guess is you are probably trying to control something you have no control over and in turn not living life on life’s terms. Try bringing a little acceptance into your life by reading the excerpt from the Big Book above.
This blog thought came to me as I was…you guessed it…having trouble accepting something. We are all works in progress. 🙂
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
