Today's Reflection
There is no right way to pray.
Prayer is not a requirement of Twelve Step programs like Al-Anon. In fact, the program has no requirements. It has only suggestions that if followed will change how we see our experiences. This, in turn, mysteriously changes our very experiences. One suggestion is that we seek, through prayer and meditation, to know God and God's will for us.
The idea of prayer scares some of us initially. It seems religious. However, we learn from other people, if we're open to their words, that the program is not religious but spiritual. This means that we can expect help from a Power who wants to safeguard our lives. All we have to do is let that Power in, using any method that feels comfortable. Kneeling to pray isn't for everyone. Having friendly casual "chats" appeals to some. Others seek knowledge of God in a bird's song or a flower's blossom. Whatever is comfortable is not only adequate but appropriate.
Praying in our own special way becomes a wonderful habit. It protects us all day long, giving us strength every time we need it.
I will relish my moments with God today. They will help me in every cir****tance. I'm never alone as long as I remember God.
Prayer is not a requirement of Twelve Step programs like Al-Anon. In fact, the program has no requirements. It has only suggestions that if followed will change how we see our experiences. This, in turn, mysteriously changes our very experiences. One suggestion is that we seek, through prayer and meditation, to know God and God's will for us.
The idea of prayer scares some of us initially. It seems religious. However, we learn from other people, if we're open to their words, that the program is not religious but spiritual. This means that we can expect help from a Power who wants to safeguard our lives. All we have to do is let that Power in, using any method that feels comfortable. Kneeling to pray isn't for everyone. Having friendly casual "chats" appeals to some. Others seek knowledge of God in a bird's song or a flower's blossom. Whatever is comfortable is not only adequate but appropriate.
Praying in our own special way becomes a wonderful habit. It protects us all day long, giving us strength every time we need it.
I will relish my moments with God today. They will help me in every cir****tance. I'm never alone as long as I remember God.
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
My thoughts on this reading today. . .
Being raised Roman Catholic, going through grades 1 thru 8 in parochial school, taught mostly by nuns, I had a foundation in those religious teachings, but being who I am, I wanted to understand this God stuff more and so I read the Bible at the age of 14, which cast many questions on what I had been taught.
For whatever reason, I have always had faith in that Unknown quantity called God, it helped me get through my abusive childhood, though at times I wondered why I was being "punished". . . as I evolved into younger adult years, I still believed in God, but because I willfully chose to break certain commandments, I believed myself to be out of favor with my God and just could not swallow the idea of forgiveness where wilful disregard came into play. Simply, I could not align myself within those teachings and so I sought, through other philoshopies and teachings, what I did not come to realize, until I found myself on the battleground of addiction, was the spirituality aspect of what religious teachers try to teach.
During my late teens and through my 20s, I studied with Jehovah Witnesses, in order to better understand the bible, again, not able to embrace their beliefs, I went on to Buddhism, the Koran and the American Indian beliefs, always seeking a better understanding of this god thing. . . looking for a way to know that I was not damned to "eternal death" because I went against the teachings I was brought up on. . . well, at the age of 30something I got clean and sober and it was through the philosphy of the 12 steps and traditions that I came to know and formed a core belief system that has helped me make peace with God as I know understand IT.
The great thing about 12 Step Recovery is that it brings people who have either questioned, never wanted to believe, or believed as I once did, that I had no right to God's grace and love, to a new understanding of the concept of God, it is as unique as the individual and so what I, personally, found was a God of Love, Forgiveness and Divine Grace.
It was not that my childhood, religious God was punishing, it was that the interpretation from the "pulpit" put a contradicition in place that for me, left me with such a lack of understanding of just what "spirituality" is about and question those beliefs in such a manner as to make me feel lost and alone until I fought on the battleground of addiction and found it simplified through the 12 Step fellowships of NA/AA/OA and countless other 12 Step programs.
There is a line in the AA Big Book that reads,
"There is a principle which is a bar against all investigation, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance -- that principal is comtempt prior to investigation. Herbert Spencer"
Very simply, what that statement tells me is to keep an open mind and stay willing to understand what I might not be able to today, the possibilities truly do open up by doing that. . . Thanks for letting me share some of my thoughts with you . . .
Being raised Roman Catholic, going through grades 1 thru 8 in parochial school, taught mostly by nuns, I had a foundation in those religious teachings, but being who I am, I wanted to understand this God stuff more and so I read the Bible at the age of 14, which cast many questions on what I had been taught.
For whatever reason, I have always had faith in that Unknown quantity called God, it helped me get through my abusive childhood, though at times I wondered why I was being "punished". . . as I evolved into younger adult years, I still believed in God, but because I willfully chose to break certain commandments, I believed myself to be out of favor with my God and just could not swallow the idea of forgiveness where wilful disregard came into play. Simply, I could not align myself within those teachings and so I sought, through other philoshopies and teachings, what I did not come to realize, until I found myself on the battleground of addiction, was the spirituality aspect of what religious teachers try to teach.
During my late teens and through my 20s, I studied with Jehovah Witnesses, in order to better understand the bible, again, not able to embrace their beliefs, I went on to Buddhism, the Koran and the American Indian beliefs, always seeking a better understanding of this god thing. . . looking for a way to know that I was not damned to "eternal death" because I went against the teachings I was brought up on. . . well, at the age of 30something I got clean and sober and it was through the philosphy of the 12 steps and traditions that I came to know and formed a core belief system that has helped me make peace with God as I know understand IT.
The great thing about 12 Step Recovery is that it brings people who have either questioned, never wanted to believe, or believed as I once did, that I had no right to God's grace and love, to a new understanding of the concept of God, it is as unique as the individual and so what I, personally, found was a God of Love, Forgiveness and Divine Grace.
It was not that my childhood, religious God was punishing, it was that the interpretation from the "pulpit" put a contradicition in place that for me, left me with such a lack of understanding of just what "spirituality" is about and question those beliefs in such a manner as to make me feel lost and alone until I fought on the battleground of addiction and found it simplified through the 12 Step fellowships of NA/AA/OA and countless other 12 Step programs.
There is a line in the AA Big Book that reads,
"There is a principle which is a bar against all investigation, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance -- that principal is comtempt prior to investigation. Herbert Spencer"
Very simply, what that statement tells me is to keep an open mind and stay willing to understand what I might not be able to today, the possibilities truly do open up by doing that. . . Thanks for letting me share some of my thoughts with you . . .
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
Laureen,
Contempt prior to investigation. So much packed in a few words. I used to hear the phrase "Don't knock it unless you've tried it."
Preconceived opinions about people and what is perceived as right or wrong block us from exploring the world. It is through personal and real exploration that I get to know myself on a deeper level. It is also when someone shares their inner self that I get to learn more about not only that person but myself. You very eloquently shared some of your life's journey. Thank you for always being there my friend.
Karen C
Aloha and Thank you so much Laureen...........your words will go with me today as I head out into the unknown. Airports, traffic, deadlines......and time with my little grandsons. I'm so thankful to be healthy enough to do this......at 320 lbs. I would never have been able to get down on the floor and play, or carry wiggling little bodies to bet, etc.
I WILL find time to meditate....thanks for reminding me.
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
I WILL find time to meditate....thanks for reminding me.
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
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