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Post by abetterlife on May 23, 2015 7:58:46 GMT -8
Letting a Higher Power into my life has been a concept I have understood but have difficulty trusting in. I am trying to focus and practice the daily dedication others have suggested. In my family there was ministers and church but it was so chaotic at home, I think I developed a resentment towards the idea of surrendering. Years ago I surrended to the program and its work but came to a halt when it came to the idea of a power greater than myself.
So far the powers greater than myself that I can't live without on a daily basis is love addiction recovery, power of the program and the biggest one, my strong connection to nature. I feel though my willingness is positive though because I am not giving up yet!
As I was hiking the other day, I was alone. The destination was a waterfall with 3 natural gas flames behind it. There was a bend before you reached the waterfall and as I turned the sun shined through the trees and the waterfall was lit up. It was so powerful and beautiful, I paused and felt a feeling inside I never felt before. I wonder could this be it? Or just beauty of the area?
One helpful tool thst was suggested through others from the fellowship is a decorated closed God Box. Whenever I feel like I'm obsessing, fantasizing, urges to act out, or have questions I can't answer, you write them in a piece of paper and put it in the God Box and let it go. I hope through this practice, I can allow my higher power to take control.
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Post by Susan Peabody on May 23, 2015 12:11:59 GMT -8
My father found God in nature. He shared this with me, and today I feel the presence of a Higher Power when I am outside, especially on the beach looking out over the vast ocean. The Gospel of Thomas says that God is in everything. He is in the rocks and other matter. Interesting concept. "Jesus said: I am the light that is above them all. I am the all; the all came forth from me, and the all attained to me. Cleave a (piece of) wood; I am there. Raise up a stone, and you will find me there." Everyone finds God in a different place. It depends on where and when the spirit visits you. For me it was at an AA meeting. I describe this in the spirituality forum of this board and my book. Here is my general definition of spirituality which is what I call a relationship with God. Spirituality means activating, or getting in touch with, that part of our psyche that connects us to a power greater than ourselves (greater than our fear). It means getting in touch with the "eternal" via our own "inner light. |
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Post by LovelyJune on May 24, 2015 3:28:56 GMT -8
I think the Anonymous concept of powerlessness is a very difficult concept for many to grasp. Being powerless to your addiction, in my opinion does NOT mean you just sit back and do nothing and "let God." You have to work your arse off to heal and recover, and much of what you accomplish is your hands. But, there are moments and lessons that do entail a clear understanding of powerlessness in the form of letting go of control over others and over life, in general. Addiction is often a disease of wanting control (over your life, over others, etc.). The irony is that the more control we try to secure, the more chaotic and out of control our life spins. In this sense, we need to recognize that life has its own rhythm, its own plans, its own consciousness and as great and clever as you think yourself to be, you're not in charge. Life is far bigger, meaner, stronger, more loving and more powerful than we will ever be, and we need to respect that. So, whatever you choose to understand as your higher power, it helps to understand your OWN power first, and what you can and cannot control.
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Post by loveellen on May 24, 2015 3:57:34 GMT -8
I think the Anonymous concept of powerlessness is a very difficult concept for many to grasp. Being powerless to your addiction, in my opinion does NOT mean you just sit back and do nothing and "let God." You have to work your arse off to heal and recover, and much of what you accomplish is your hands. But, there are moments and lessons that do entail a clear understanding of powerlessness in the form of letting go of control over others and over life, in general. Addiction is often a disease of wanting control (over your life, over others, etc.). The irony is that the more control we try to secure, the more chaotic and out of control our life spins. In this sense, we need to recognize that life has its own rhythm, its own plans, its own consciousness and as great and clever as you think yourself to be, you're not in charge. Life is far bigger, meaner, stronger, more loving and more powerful than we will ever be, and we need to respect that. So, whatever you choose to understand as your higher power, it helps to understand your OWN power first, and what you can and cannot control. like this talking very much .. i need know what god wants me to do .. |
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Post by utopiat on May 24, 2015 10:17:47 GMT -8
This is really a great post LovelyJune.
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Post by abetterlife on May 24, 2015 17:36:15 GMT -8
That makes sense  Becaise I find it also in water, in the shorelines. It takes a little while, but practicing mindfulness I can get to that place. There's no fear. No negative thoughts. It is a good place. I find it interesting though, when I am in a toxic relationship I cannot get to that place. Even when I'm alone and sitting for hours. I have tried. It's like being physically there, but not present in the moment. Having no contact, doing loads of work, daily dedication and staying safe I have been able to get to this place again. I feel God is there, waiting for us to start our conversation. |
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Post by abetterlife on May 24, 2015 17:59:35 GMT -8
Hi LovelyJune!
Yes powerlessness, it is Interesting how confusing it can be when i hear, "I had to do it, I am powerless" - "the urges are too strong"...the concept is then difficult for me to understand. I think powerlessness is the idea that we think we can handle and do this on our own but then come to the realization that we cannot. The power of the group, the principle of "we", the higher power, and of course like you say HARD WORK is what gets us to the places we want to be. I've heard our higher power can show us the way but we have to be willing to pick up our feet and walk.
I am powerless over the future, whether my PoA will contact me again, I don't know what triggers will happen tomorrow, nor if I will relapse into another relationship, but I can control what we do today to enhance recovery.
We need others, not to fix us per se but to be the crowds cheering us on at the shoreline. So we can in turn cheer others on when we get there.
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Post by Susan Peabody on May 25, 2015 13:45:16 GMT -8
Excellent post LJ. I could write a book about this. The first step is responsible for the great divide between the self-help community and the word of psychologists. My two cents . . . Alone we are less powerful, even powerless. With [fill in the blank] we have the power to recovery. Neo=cortex Self-will Will power Ego Strength Psychotherapy God Christ Holy Spirit [my personal choice] 12 Steps Peer Support . . . fill in the blank for yourself. |
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Post by abetterlife on May 26, 2015 11:26:52 GMT -8
At this point in my recovery:
1. Holy Spirit
2. 12 steps
2. Peer support
3. Psychotherapy
Susan or anyone if they know, tell me or copy/paste link to I believe to the link about acceptance from alcoholism.about.com or something close to that? I read it on the forum somewhere but cannot find it now, and it was a great article regarding acceptance. And accepting that whatever circumstances that disturbs us right now, we cannot find serenity until we accept that it is exactly how it's supposed to be right now, in this present moment. That's what I can remember.
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Post by Havefaith on May 26, 2015 12:39:18 GMT -8
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Post by abetterlife on May 26, 2015 13:45:40 GMT -8
Thank you havefaith |
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Post by Susan Peabody on May 27, 2015 13:37:49 GMT -8
Susan's post that went with the articles. . . Question from Barry, "Can you just tell me ,why my life is so awful? . . . I gave this world so much love warm, wonderful, happiness , funny, beautiful.. but let myself meet so many unbelievable toxic?? Can you answer me without criticizing me??? I already critisized and abused by so many toxics since I was a very lovely pure kid . . . From Susan . . . Dear Barry: Check out this great book, Why Bad Things Happen to Goode People. The author says it better than I can. I do know that what goes around comes around, but not to individuals but to the whole human race. So sometimes we get caught in the net of other people's selfishness and misdeeds. This is why we must return bad with good to try and cancel out the bad stuff going on in the world. The only antidotes to our angst about toxic in the world, are faith and acceptance. There will be a brighter tomorrow some day, and we can live with this no matter how much it hurts. These two things allow us to hold our head up high. I am glad you asked this. Everyone has to answer this question for themselves and find a belief system that comforts them. David Richo said about life in his book, "How to be an Adult." You change. You are alone. Life is unfair. Life is full of suffering. From page 449 (first 3 editions, pg. 417 in the 4th edition) of Alcoholics Anonymous or The Big Book as it is widely known: "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." For some people there is nothing except serenity. My son has learned this. You should hear his story. More excerpts . . . "Key to Serenity." Cut and paste . . . alcoholism.about.com/cs/tools/a/102297.htm |
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Post by leahb on Jul 2, 2015 19:30:35 GMT -8
Nature is the most amazing of all of the wonder around us. The planet gives us food, water, shelter, sunshine, plants and beautiful scenery-just to mention a few of the wonderful gifts it gives us. I too feel more connected to a HP in nature than in anywhere else. The stillness. The beauty. The simple fact that certain things are in your experience differently each time you even walk the same trail every day. A squirrel is in a different spot than yesterday. Different people are walking past you today versus yesterday. The sun shines on particular leaves at a different time of the day giving off different colours. Certain flowers are blooming today that weren't blooming last week. There's a cornucopia of new experiences each time-even when visiting the same trail. I think it helps that nature is in a constant state of surrender, which is why its easier to feel like surrendering in that space. Because nature is a power greater than us. It feeds us, bathes us, provides endless discovery, etc.. It's the lifeline that keeps us alive.
When I'm out in nature-I let my inner child take centre stage. The part of me that sees the magic and wonder in all that's around. I makes me feel a bit like Alice in Wonderland-which is quite amazing.
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Post by abetterlife on Jul 6, 2015 19:16:19 GMT -8
Alice in Wonderland, I love it Leahb! Its great having time in nature as a top line behavior, if I ever had to give that up I dont know what Id do! My favorite is floating in the lake and looking up at the sky, I feel so connected :0) I love seeing the different colors through the sun too Summer is awesome. |
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Post by leahb on Jul 6, 2015 20:11:18 GMT -8
Me too! I love being in the water with the beauty of the sun beating down on me... Magic!
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Post by abetterlife on Jul 28, 2015 10:08:45 GMT -8
Great youtube video, I felt a connection watching this and it was very powerful. Any step closer to feeling HP's presence.
Take a Spiritual Hike to Find God in Nature - Harris & Muscogee County Georgia
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Post by loveellen on Jul 29, 2015 22:13:20 GMT -8
My father found God in nature. He shared this with me, and today I feel the presence of a Higher Power when I am outside, especially on the beach looking out over the vast ocean. The Gospel of Thomas says that God is in everything. He is in the rocks and other matter. Interesting concept. "Jesus said: I am the light that is above them all. I am the all; the all came forth from me, and the all attained to me. Cleave a (piece of) wood; I am there. Raise up a stone, and you will find me there." Everyone finds God in a different place. It depends on where and when the spirit visits you. For me it was at an AA meeting. I describe this in the spirituality forum of this board and my book. Here is my general definition of spirituality which is what I call a relationship with God. Spirituality means activating, or getting in touch with, that part of our psyche that connects us to a power greater than ourselves (greater than our fear). It means getting in touch with the "eternal" via our own "inner light. beach ! love it , remind me of the time i had fun in the sea ... |
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