Letting go means I can't do it for someone else. It does NOT mean I stop caring.
Letting go is to acknowledge the outcome is not in my hands. It is NOT to admit defeat.
Letting go is the realization that I can't control or cure another person. It is NOT to cut myself off.
Letting go is to make the most of myself, to be true to myself. It is NOT to try to change or blame another.
Letting go is to care about. It is NOT care for.
Letting go is to be supportive. It is NOT to fix.
Letting go is to allow another to be a human being. It is NOT to judge.
Letting go is to is to allow others to affect their own destinies. It is NOT to be in the middle, arranging all the outcomes.
Letting go is to is to accept. It is NOT to deny.
Letting go is to search our my own shortcomings, and correct them. It is NOT to nag, scold, or argue.
Letting go is to take each day as it comes and take care of myself in it. It is not to adjust everything to may desires.
Letting go is to grow and live for the future. It is NOT to regret the past.
Letting go is to love more. It is NOT to avoid risk and fear.
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"What you are is God's gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God." "I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again." "No change of circumstances can repair a defect of character." "There is only one thing that can keep growing without nourishment: "You can bring more power into your life by expanding your comfort zone. I suggest that you do something each day to widen that space. Take a risk-a-day—one small or bold stroke that will make your feel great once you've done it. With each risk you take, each time you move out of what feels comfortable, you become more powerful; as your power builds, so does your confidence." –Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. "Good habits result from resisting temptation." "It is more important to be aware of the grounds for your own behavior "It isn’t until you come to a spiritual understanding of who you are — not necessarily a religious feeling, but deep down, the spirit within — that you begin to take control." "The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."
"A loving relationship is one in which the loved one is free to be himself "Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind." "The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up." "Selfishness isn't always a simple matter. The path of stupid selfishness is trying to avoid all pain. The path of smart selfishness is trying to discern which pain or suffering, particularly emotional suffering, is contructive and which is unconstructive. ...I see no value whatsoever in unconstrucive suffering. But we must learn how to make the distinction. ...those who are most healthy learn not to dread but actually to welcome problems; those who are wise are aware that it is only through the pain of confronting and resolving problems that we learn and grow." "God has not called me to be successful. he's called me to be faithful." |
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The items on this page have been gathered from various other sources. A collection and 'passing on' of wisdom, research, insight, observations, and experience...those who 'have gone before us.'
This page of collections covers a broader range of recovery goodies. |
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| God Stuff | ||
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God Will Not Ask . . .
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. . . what kind of car you drove, but He will ask how many people you drove who did not have transportation.
. . . what the square footage of your house was, but He will ask how many people you welcomed into your home. . . . in what neighborhood you lived, but He will ask how you treated your neighbors. . . . about the clothes you had in your closet, but He will ask how many you helped to clothe. . . . what your job title was, but He will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability. . . . how much overtime you worked, but He will ask if your overtime work was for yourself or for your family. . . . how many friends you had, but He will ask how may people to whom you were a friend. . . . about your social status, but He will ask what kind of class you displayed. . . . about your body type or the color of your skin, but He will ask about the content of your character. . . . about how much 'stuff' you had, but He will ask if they dictated your life. . . . what you did to help yourself, but He will ask what you did to help others. . . . what your did to protect your rights, but He will ask what you did to protect the rights of others. . . . how many times your deeds matched your words, but He will ask how many times they did not. . . . what big plans you made for your life, but He will ask which of His plans for your life you ignored. . . . about how wonderful your pursuit of pleasures made your life, but He will ask what you sacrificed for others. . . . about how proud you felt at your accomplishments, but He will ask if you helped others accomplish their dreams. |
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Chinese Proverb
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If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. |
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We have crossed the point of ever again having the ability to handle our cravings and addictions. We must have a personality/psychic change. There is no human power that can save us. AA helps us find a Power that is greater than ourselves who can change our thinking and offer us a daily reprieve.
"Our own conception, however inadequate, was sufficient to make the approach and to effect a contact with Him." p 46, AA Text "Each of us is free to work out our own concept of a Higher Power.... We re-evaluate our old ideas, so we can become acquainted with the new ideas that lead to a new way of life." p 91, NA Text |
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"I Stand by the Door" -- "An Apologia For My Life" -- Sam Shoemaker was one of the spiritual leaders who helped draft the 12 Steps of A.A. -- [The excerpt below is only a portion; please go to either link above for the full poem.]
...The most tremendous thing in the world is for people to find that door--the door to God. |
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Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace that brought me safe this far, and grace will lead me home. And when we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, We'll have no less days to sing God's praise then when we first began. -John Newton [1725-1807] |
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Poems / Writings / Observation
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[Author and origin unknown]
My name is Cocaine - call me Coke for short. I entered this country without a passport. Ever since then I've made lots of scum rich. Some have been murdered and found in a ditch. I'm more valued than diamonds, more treasured than gold. Use me just once and you too will be sold. I'll make a schoolboy forget his books. I'll make a beauty queen forget her looks. I'll take renowned speaker and make a bore. I'll take a mother and make here a whore. I'll make a schoolteacher forget how to teach. I'll make a preacher not want to preach. I'll take all your rent money and you'll get evicted. I'll murder your babies or they'll be born addicted. I'll make you rob and steal and kill. When you're under my power you have no will. Remember my friend my name is " Big C ". If you try me just one time you may never be free. I've destroyed actors, politicians and many a hero. I've decreased bank accounts from millions to zero. I make shooting and stabbing a common affair. Once I take charge you won't have a prayer. Now that you know me what will you do ? You'll have to decide, It's all up to you. The day you agree to sit in my saddle. The decision is one that no one can straddle. Listen to me, and please listen well. When you ride with cocaine you are headed for hell !!! |
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I sit alone in my room but I no longer cry It doesn’t seem to matter much to mom and dad who only care about getting high I don’t go to school much these days, I’m sick and it’s hard for me to breathe Dad cooks things in my house but it’s not for us to eat Why does no one hear me? Why does no one care? Then one night I hear the sounds as the door comes crashing down My mom and dad are on the floor, their hands behind their back They move from room to room as they continue to yell Police! Then one of them looks down at me and he can tell I’m a child in need He picks me up from the floor that has become my bed I can only see his eyes but they look so very sad He rushes me from my house to an ambulance on the street I now have good clothes to wear and good food to eat I know now there is a God because when I prayed he sent an answer back The Angels In Black! Ronald V. Mullins, National DEC Training Coordinator, San Diego , Ca. |
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GROWTH
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"Although often we do damage to ourselves through simplistic thinking, there are other times when people may seek to damage us for daring to think well. If we think a great deal and others don't particularly like it, that is their problem, not ours. If you use your brain, it's bound to create a problem for others if they are seeking to use, abuse, or control you or keep you dependent or fearful. Their hidden motive may be to discourage you from realizing the sense of personal power that is directly related to the ability to exercise good, independent thinking. . . It can take a lifetime for many people to come to terms with the freedom they truly have to think for themselves. ...we are able to change and grow throughout our lifetimes—even in the subtlest ways. But it is a choice."
—M. Scott Peck |
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"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7 [Bible]
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"AS A MAN THINKETH" by James Allen
E-book PDF download — Excerpt from Chapter 2: "Men imagine that thought can be kept secret, but it cannot. It rapidly crystallizes into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance. Bestial thoughts crystallize into habits of drunkenness and sensuality, which solidify into circumstances of destitution and disease. Impure thoughts of every kind crystallize into enervating and confusing habits, which solidify into distracting and adverse circumstances. Thoughts of fear, doubt, and indecision crystallize into weak, unmanly, and irresolute habits, which solidify into circumstances of failure, indigence, and slavish dependence. Lazy thoughts crystallize into weak, habits of uncleanliness and dishonesty, which solidify into circumstances of foulness and beggary. Hateful and condemnatory thoughts crystallize into habits of accusation and violence, which solidify into circumstances of injury and persecution. Selfish thoughts of all kinds crystallize into habits of self-seeking, which solidify into distressful circumstances. Author — Allen, James, 1864-1912, Title: As a Man Thinketh. EText-No. 4507 Release Date: 2003-10-01. Copyright Status: Not copyrighted in the United States. |
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The following are excerpts from "A Purpose Driven Life," Dr. Rick Warren,
chapters 32 & 33 "God deserves your best...Start finding out and clarifying what God intends for you to be and do. 1. Begin by assessing your gifts and abilities. 2. Consider your heart and your personality. 3. Examine your experiences and extract the lessons you have learned. ...Whatever gifts you have been given can be enlarged and developed through practice. ...stretch yourself and learn all you can. " "We serve God by serving others. ...Everyone wants to lead; no one wants to be a servant. ...Remember, God shaped you for service, not for self-centeredness. 1. Real servants make themselves available to serve. 2. Real servants pay attention to need. 3. Real servants do their best with what they have. 4. Real servants are faithful to their ministry. 5. Real servants maintain a low profile. ...Self-promotion and servanthood don't mix. ...[servants] live for an obedience of ONE. ...don't be discouraged when your service is unnoticed or taken for granted. Keep on serving! God notices and will reward you. (want more? click on the weblink above) return to top |
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DEPRESSION
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Drug-induced Depression
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"There is a strong, entwined relationship between substance use and depression. Depressive symptoms are also common when people are in withdrawal from substance use. For those who have used and abused either stimulants or depressants – drug-induced depression is a very real emotional state that results from a severe imbalance in brain chemistry, and the user’s brain trying as hard as it can to return to a normal (non-drug) state. How long it takes to recover depends on the many different factors from the particular drugs used, length of time the drugs were used, the age, health, and genetic makeup of the person, and if there other medical or psychological conditions. Many people with depressive symptoms self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. They feel better, at least in the short term, when they use a substance. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant—people who consume alcohol report a higher level of depressive symptoms than non-drinkers. ... " |
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"Feelings of discouragement, frustration and even a sense of despair are normal reactions to loss or disappointment and may last for days before gradually disappearing. Fortunately, for most of these people, the depressed moods are brief and disappear on their own. However, when a case of the 'blues' won't pass after a couple of weeks and begins to interfere with work, family and other aspects of life, the low mood may be a sign of clinical depression." |
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Treatments for Depression and Bipolar Disorder
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"With appropriate treatment, more than 80% of people with depression get full relief from their symptoms or at least substantial improvements. Most people respond to a combination of medication and psychotherapy. People with mild or moderate depression may benefit from herbal extracts of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Light therapy can benefit people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help lessen overall symptoms. Spiritual faith or practice can give hope. People with mild depression may benefit from accenting the positive and increasing pleasurable activities." |
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Bill W. and Depression
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"I think that many oldsters who have put our AA "booze cure" to severe but successful tests still find they often lack emotional sobriety. Perhaps they will be the spearhead for the next major development in AA ... the development of much more real maturity and balance (which is to say, humility) in our relations with ourselves, with our fellows, and with God. How to translate a right mental conviction into a right emotional result and so into easy, happy, and good living ... well, that's not only the neurotic's problem, it's the problem of life itself for all of us who have got to the point of real willingness to hew to right principles in all our affairs. Even then, as we hew away, peace and joy may still elude us. That's the place so many of us AA oldsters have come to. And it's a hell of a spot, literally.... If we examine every disturbance we have, great or small, we will find at the root of it some unhealthy dependency and its consequent demand. Let us, with God's help, continually surrender these hobbling demands. Then we can be set free to live and love; we may then be able to gain emotional sobriety." [from Bill W's letter on depression] |
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There are books and literature available about Bill's life-long battles with depression and other struggles. Much has been made of his psychoanalysis, treatment, and self-medication [including LSD and niacin therapy]. In 1944, Intergroup criticized him for his behaviors and for embarrassing AA. |
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© Rose City Recovery Connections, 2006–2008 |
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