I’m seeking serenity, but feeling like this.
This painting is hanging in the Smart Gallery, San Marco, Jacksonville, Florida.
Category: June 2012
Step 12
Step twelve is the top of the stairway. The spiritual principle of this step is love; unconditional love. It requires a large helping of patience, love and tolerance, for others and ourselves. Life is not easy. Accepting others is not always easy. It’s hard to love the unloveable. But the rewards of reaching out and seeing things through, with those that we love and those that need our help, are immeasurable.
Step 11
Discipline is the spiritual principle that correlates to this beautiful step of prayer and meditation. Daily we ask to be led by the Spirit. We get quiet and wait for answers. We become responsive, rather than reactionary. Through this step I have been able to do things otherwise never possible. Through my prayer and meditation I receive power from the Source.
Step 10
Yes there’s more. More steps and more work to be done. We have dug into our lives; ripped out the weeds, by the roots and had a change of heart. But you’re not off the hook now, nor will you ever be. Life is a process of change and growth.
Take it easy~don’t be alarmed. It’s all do-able. Think about slowing down. When I chose this way of life, I envisioned myself like a turtle. I carry my house on my back. I move slow, but I can speed up when necessary. When things look dangerous, I can make a quick retreat. I am patient and persistent.
Before I go to sleep at night, I reflect on the day. Do I owe any apologies? Is there something I can do to change for the better?
When I wake up in the morning, first I thank God for another day. Then I ask that my day be void of selfishness and self-seeking.
The Promises
If you persist, remarkable things will happen. When we look back, we realize that the things which came to us when we put ourselves in God’s hands were better than anything we could have planned. Follow the dictates of a higher power and you will presently live in a new and wonderful world, no matter what your present circumstances. BB pg.100
This is the epic reward of practicing, getting out of self, living a life of service and letting God be your guide.
I’m not ashamed of the life I’ve chosen. I’m not ashamed of my past. I’m not fearful or needy. I am blessed.
Step 9
Step nine is all about making amends to people. It is more than saying, “I’m sorry”. It is about mending the damage that we have done. We work to repair our relationships. It is an ongoing, life long process.
This step is a peace seeking mission, for yourself more than anyone else. You hope at this point in your life that people will recieve your request for forgiveness, but if they don’t~you have to accept that. It’s beyond God to change the past.
Step 8
This is a great step, however, we often see it as difficult. If we pull out our inventory list of resentments from Step four, we will have our amends list. The same people that we were angry at are the ones we have hurt. It’s a cycle to be rid of~it’s a path to forgiveness. Step eight is making a list, and becoming willing to make amends to the people that we have hurt.
come on down from your cross. Get FREE~
I’ve heard it, and I believe it; clinging to resentments has the same effect as drinking poison and thinking that it is going to kill the other person.
Related articles
- The Poison Pill of Bitterness (livingmoreabundantly.wordpress.com)
Step 7
Step Seven was a life changing experience for me. I sat on the beach and felt the presence of God. It was a turning point!
I asked for help and I got it. It was a moment in my life that I never want to forget.
Related articles
- Life-saving lessons from the changing room – Articles (wilmingtonfavs.com)
Step 6
By the time we get to Step Six, we know that IT IS NOT THEM. We are armed with information about ourselves. We have a list of our glaring defects. We admit to ourselves that we cannot change everyone else, only ourselves. This is considered to be a turning point step.
- 6th Step Meeting (myshare06feb94.wordpress.com)
- Castimonia Saturday Morning Meeting Topic 6/09/12 – Working Step 6 (castimonia.org)
- Reflections on the 6th Step (themiracleisaroundthecorner.wordpress.com)
Step 5
“You are as sick as your secrets”.
In humanity, we are shockingly more alike than we realize. There are things that lurk beneath the surface.
Yet, mores encourage us to protect the secrets that hurt us.
I’m not promoting any Jerry Springer type exhibitions. However, I am convinced that confession is good for the soul.
A confession to God, yourself and another human being~
Fish Eye Farm 