acceptance - was making changes

[Guest guest]

When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation -- some fact of my life -- unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is

You said a mouthful there, Shari. And that goes for everyone (not just addicts) in every situation in life. Our pain comes from resisting "what is". The resistance takes all sorts of forms and guises. The bottom line is we all struggle to change what's happening outside of us and until we accept life on life's terms and that we can't "control" it, we are like a dog chasing it's tail. Making changes in our lives is all an inside job!

Gloria

[Guest guest]

If you can't change them, you accept them. Substitute the word "alcohol" with anything that pertains to your situation............

"And acceptance is the answer to ALL my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation -- some fact of my life -- unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes."

Page 449 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous 3rd Edition

Shari