One Day At A Time - June

[MajestyJo]

HUMAN EMOTION

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.
Only through experiences of trial and suffering
can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared,
ambition inspired and success achieved."
Helen Keller



While traveling through life, I have made choices that have injured myself and others. Others have made choices that have hurt me. Remembering and writing about my past has proved to bring up a plethora of negative emotions. At this moment I feel pain, remorse, anger, frustration, and am overwhelmed.

Every human on earth experiences these same feelings at one time or another. This is part of what I am here for. How could I ever comprehend bliss without experiencing misery? How could I enjoy inspiration without suffering depression? How could I appreciate peace without encountering turmoil? I am grateful for the problems life gives me -- partnered with the emotions they bring -- because without the bad I could not understand the good. Everything has its opposite. Things will always change. Things will always get better, just like the sun shines after each storm. The good news is that even though I may be experiencing negative feelings, I am learning empathy and I am gaining wisdom. And how much more will I value the rays of sunshine that break through the gray clouds?

One day at a time...
I will allow myself the honor of feeling human emotion. I will ask my Higher Power to give me comfort in my hardships and to help me remember why I am here. I will ask my Higher Power to open my heart to the lessons I am learning. For today, with hope and faith, I will look for the sunbeams shining through the haze.


~ Susanne

When I heard people say, "Well I am only human," it annoyed me. I looked at it as a cop out and an excuse to continue on in their disease. I shared at a meeting and my sponsor said, "I can't believe you said that."

I said anyone who isn't willing to work the program, who has no sponsor, doesn't work on the steps, go to meeting and getting active in service (2 years sober), are not willing to change. It is a cop out, because for me, it shows an unwillingness to change. In recovery, if I am clean and sober, I expect to go to the program, apply it, so I don't continue to act out in my disease.

I heard my sponsor who had about 20 years at the time say to so people at a conference in conversation, "What can I expect, I am an alcoholic." I was horrified. I felt like saying, I expect you to apply the program. I am human, and I makes mistakes but I am not a mistake. I may do or say a silly thing, but that doesn't mean I am stupid. One day at a time, I do get better. The Big Book says, "We do recover from that hopeless state of mind and body."