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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Giving Back
Post Info TOPIC: Giving Back
Jerry F


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Giving Back
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now is an often thing, a usual thing and a natural practice.  How would I have ever thought it would have come to this as a milestone in my own recovery.  I came in to Al-Anon "all buss up" as we say in pigeon...I came in pupule or in translation, crazy.  I was angry and rageful and uncaring about any one in and around me regardless of where.  I am a child of the disease on all levels...a member of Al-Anon and a member of AA.  I was self-centered and an isolator and very good at keeping others out of my life and my way both verbally and non-verbally.  Most of my thoughts and actions were reactions to what I was angry about and feared though I didn't know what fear was.  I would have to find out from the fellowship, mostly women of Al-Anon who kept up that steady personality and characteristic of unconditional love.  

Love is the opposite of fear I have learned from my Higher Power and so I would be brought along in recovery by it.  MIP is Love...unconditional love and understanding.

This year of my recovery the practice of giving back has taken hold and become more natural for me...almost a habit practice and I like the balance that has come from not being resistive in the least to "giving back" regardless of whether I have received from a person or not.  That isn't a qualification for giving back.  

I believe that one of the HP tools that was used in this portion of my recovery was/is my avocado tree...yes I said that right.  All I ever did was plant the seed and it inundated me with fruit, feed, more than enough than I could use by myself so it and HP required me to give back and that became a normal, natural, regular part of my daily life right up until Tropical Storm Iselle came ashore.  I had to take the tree down or it might be damaged and damage my house also and so I brought her down and even in that operation she left me with 5 avocados I could not see till she was on the ground.  Giving back still.

This afternoon I put some Papaya trees in the ground and the day before yesterday 5 more pineapple plants just off to the side of the taro.  I'm not a farmer, I'm just the in between person...the giving back person of what has been freely given to me.  Yes I've got sponsees also and that is the other program.  This part of recovery touches others who  might never need our meeting...just something to eat or feed someone else with.  Simple program huh? 

You have to know also that it hasn't been only my trees and plants which have sustained Jerry F and his life...You all are also part of my garden.   ((((Ho`omaika`I))))  Blessings.  smile   



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el-cee


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Nice post jerry. Love the metaphors, I can get those visual cues from them. I think giving back can come in many forms as does unconditional love. Giving back love can look different from different people, its the motives that count. Those old timers that were crucial to your progress probably gave you a little kick when you needed it as part of their unconditional love. I like that, different people with different styles all giving back in their own way. Thats unconditional love isnt it?

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Jerry F


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el-cee...when you talk...I listen.  Unconditional love?  I agree.  (((hugs)))  smile



-- Edited by Jerry F on Monday 18th of August 2014 01:19:44 AM

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grateful2be


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Insightful share, Jerry. Thank you. I do agree that when we enter the program and work the program we change. We stop pretending that all is well with us and in us. We stop dictating that all should be exactly as we have been programmed to believe it should be. We stop demanding other people change to suit us. We start recognizing our responsibility to make ourselves and our lives as happy and tension free as possible and stop expecting other people to do it for us. We begin to notice that what worked for us at one time in our lives no longer works for us now and let go of forcing our will and our way on others. We become open and honest with ourselves and open and honest with others. And we begin to understand the difference between loving someone for our gain and loving ourselves and others because we exist. And we realize that there is no end to life's lessons or its gifts freely given to all - whether we notice them or not.

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hotrod


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Thank you Jerry Sharing the journey, the love,the wisdom and growth with you and my MIP family on a daily bases is such a powerful gift of this program.

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Betty

THE HIGHEST FORM OF WISDOM IS KINDNESS

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PP


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Amen to all that has been said...being in the now keeps me aware to seeing that which is presented to me to offer.  You have grounded the new gifts and will nurture them until it is time to feed others with their fruits.  The avocado tree lived a full life, giving freely and fully, just like you.  Jerry Avocadoseed may not fit anymore?  And I love this beautiful avatar.

 



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Paula
Debilyn


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thank you jer, this was lovely!



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Jill


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JErry, You described another facet of the attraction of this. To go from your before behavior and mindset to giving is a tremendous journey. Thank you for telling us how you got from there to here. I'll never see an avocado again without thinking of unconditional love.

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Jerry F


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Might I suggest Grateful that you send that into the Forum?  Leave my name out of course and "give away" that message.  It is profound.   (((((Mahalo and Hugs))))) smile



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grateful2be


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Your share is truth and truth responded. (((J)))

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DavidG


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Hmmm aroha, e~Jerry...

                                       I have just rounded a bend having gotten to Step 12... got some seeds in the post to plant soon- spring is just around the corner here in Aotearoa...

...what next? I have more exposure to a higher power now... so I need not worry so much. Much more in the here and now... and able to do stuff which was once impossible...

I saw steps 12 and one linked, like the numbers on the clock... next door neighbours...

...so it is just good to read, to hang-out and to celebrate our small but significant successes...

Kia miharo ki a koe,

na Rawiri (David)



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