Recovery Meditations
One Day at a Time
May 9, 2012

~ OPEN MINDEDNESS ~

:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~

Let go of your attachment to being right, and suddenly your mind is
more open.  You're able to benefit from the unique viewpoints of
others, without being crippled by your own judgment.

Ralph Marston

:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~

Before joining this program much of my life was taken up with
defending myself against those who would hurl abuse. I kept everything
and everybody at arm's length in a bid to protect my increasingly
fragile and sensitive self-assurance. As time marched on, and my
disease became parasitical, the walls around me grew higher and
isolation drew me inwards.

Ironically, the fortress I was building didnt protect me from myself
and I soon became my own worst enemy. My self-loathing and my
unceasing search for perfection led me deeper into a self-induced
state of depression. Keeping everybody out and locking myself in
became an exhausting exercise.

On entering the 12 Step program I soon realized that the fortress I
had so carefully built to protect myself against the outside world was
also preventing any kind of light, warmth and love from entering in.

As my journey of recovery progressed, brick by brick the walls came
down and afforded me the nourishment I needed to blossom and grow. In
learning to accept myself, I found that what others thought of me
paled into insignificance. I learned that there was a wealth of
experience, strength and hope which would help me along the journey. I
learned that I could take what I needed and put down the remainder,
without the resentment, anger, fear or pain, which previously would
have sent me running for cover.

One Day at a Time . . .

I aim to be willing to keep my mind open, to accept what I need to
continue my journey, and to leave the rest.

~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~:. .:~*~