For today Apr 9th

GrokRockStar

“Always shun whatever may make you angry.” – Publilius Syrus

“For today: To the extent that I can accept my own and others’ shortcomings, I can be free of anger.”

This reminds us that we accept the things we cannot change, as stated in the serenity prayer. I have learned to accept life on life’s terms and know to stew in anger would only hinder my growth. I’m not saying that I don’t get angry, I just deal with it differently. A perfect example is when I’m driving in rush hour traffic. If someone cuts me off or is driving erratically, I used to flip them off and get really upset, like it was a personal attack. I’ve come to realize that the other persons behavior has nothing to do with me, so why feed the situation energy.

Have an abstinent day everyone!

blackthrux

Learning to accept my shortcomings is going to be long process for me, and I think is central to my recovery. I have noticed, though, that my level of anger at the world in general has decreased since I found this program and started to allow myself to be "good enough", instead of needing to always be perfect.

The other side of that coin for me is learning to be able to trust and rely on other people. It's easy to accept the shortcomings of others when there is no expectation from others in the first place. I've always relied on myself, and not felt like I could rely on others. So, not only do I need to accept their shortcomings, but I first have to allow myself to expect something positive from others, and then be able to accept it when the shortcomings are revealed.

GrokRockStar

The other side of that coin for me is learning to be able to trust and rely on other people. It's easy to accept the shortcomings of others when there is no expectation from others in the first place. I've always relied on myself, and not felt like I could rely on others. So, not only do I need to accept their shortcomings, but I first have to allow myself to expect something positive from others, and then be able to accept it when the shortcomings are revealed.

Part of our work is being accepting, and it’s definitely a work in progress. You’ll realize who your true friends are. It doesn’t change that we have a choice to not be around negative, toxic people. If they were A-holes before my recovery and continue to be A-holes in my recovery, SAYANARA, I say to them!