my daily reflections…

i have learned that there are many avenues to sobriety. among those pathways is religion. though i am not a religious person, and am not a member of a congregation today, the religion i was taught as a child for years still holds truth to me. religion is not what i used to get what i have today, it is the 12 steps, 12 traditions, and 12 concepts, of this thing we do. i reckon if religion had fallen into place at the time i had finally became ready, religion may have been what i used to get what i have today. this doesnt mean that i dont use it today, because there are principles within it that do help me today. often times in the past i was put off by what i had seen in the acts of religious people. fortunately for me today i have the understandin that though religion may be as pure as the 36 spiritual principles of this thing we do, the fellowship surroundin religion are just as human as those who are in the fellowship of this thing we do. i also reckon, that if i would have actually done what religion taught me as a child, maybe i wouldnt have fallen into the grips or cups of alcoholism. i just didnt do what i was taught. i also have learned that perfectionism is only a result of false pride and an excuse to save face. recovery taught me that i must be willin to make mistakes and to stumble. today, im not so interested in what i am as in what i am growin toward. i have a goal, i am on the way toward meetin it someday; a journey that may last the entirety of my life. when i remember to keep my priorities in such an order that God is 1st, recovery 2nd, and service toward others 3rd, i can rest assured that all else will fall into place accordingly. no matter which i follow today, within almost any program that promotes sobriety or recovery, simple ideas and concepts are found. ive found in both, religion and in this thing we do, that i aint gotta live in the agony of resentment, guilt, remorse, and shame, because those agonies will overpower me if i continue to live within em. when i do live in them, i halt my progress toward the comfortable and rewardin livin i am promised in recovery. after all it is i who have been my own worst enemy durin most of my life. today i choose to stop hurtin myself over what i think is justifiable anger and resentment. i am thankful for the gifts that enable me to grow in understandin. today, most of what happens to me isnt my fault, but i am responsible for how i react to it. spiritual awareness has given me the wisdom of the religion of my youth and the wisdom of my time in recovery. i am grateful for both. 1 day @ a time...