Monday 4 April 2016

For Today: Spiritual Progress not Perfection

Today is day 8 of 24 hours at a time.  I am praying more than I have in the past.  I started using the 3rd Step Prayer in the morning a couple of days ago.  It just seemed like the thing to do.

Yesterday, the depression loomed large.  I didn't get out of my pajamas.  I was running a low fever.  My tummy was upset.  And I did practically nothing all day. 

Today, I am starting my day with the intention it will be different than yesterday.  I got up, washed and dressed, before breakfast.  Hair done and shoes on.  I'm doing my OA reading and writing before I start breakfast.

I missed yesterday's reading and I like it a lot this morning. It's worth typing it all out - I find if I write things down (or type them out) I remember better than if I just read them.
Want is a growing giant whom the coat of have was never large enough to cover. - Ralph Waldo Emerson.
My 'wants' outran my 'haves' in all things, though what I wanted most as a compulsive overeater was to be able to eat what I want when I want it.  This illness is a symptom of want.  What else did I want?  More attention?  More things?  Yes - and more, always more.  Whatever I wanted, I thought I should have simply on the strength of wanting it.  But the truth is I seldom needed the things I wanted.
I am learning that what my life needs is the elimination of clutter and excess, which take up time and space and energy.  If I think I need something, I ask myself, "What will it add to my life?"
For today:  The true source of serenity, of good feelings, is not getting what I want, but wanting what I've got.
I was planning to drive out to the leather store, register for a class, buy a whole bunch of new tools and so on.  I think maybe I shouldn't.  I have creative tools cluttering my place that I don't use.  Maybe I have what I need to add to my life already - I just need to do it.

Blessed be.

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