The Holidays
Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror, and the Christmas Holidays are within range. Because they can be slippery places, presenting unexpected choices, with your permission I am repeating myself.
If you are new to the blog, here’s a link to some earlier posts about the Holidays. I hope they help.
Or, if you have been reading for a while, you know three things I believe: (1) God answers prayers. (2) Meetings are places to regain my footing, and (3) the AA program makes better sense if I do not drink.
You may also remember, dear reader, a poem I now repeat.
The author, Portia Nelson, was a singer and lyricist. She was an actress who frequently was cast as a nun – but she was better known as a cabaret singer who interpreted familiar lyrics in a lilting soprano. It is from her book, There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk— a collection of thoughts and poems — that comes a reminder.
Every day you and I can make choices – healing and life-sustaining choices.
An Autobiography in Five Short Paragraphs
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in.I am lost. I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in. I can’t believe I’m in the same place, but it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in. It’s a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
I walk down a different street.
It’s great our life’s story is a work in progress!
Making that choice not to pick up is like walking around the deep hole addiction is. Recovery is choosing a different path. (See Someone Slipped . . .)
Making a choice to learn about addiction is a work in progress. It’s like walking around the hole into which an alcoholic or addict’s choices may plunge us. It is choosing a different path. (If You Love a Dunk . . .)
Again, dear reader, every day you and I can make choices for the holidays – and the choice is just for today.
Whatever yesterday’s choices were, they have brought us to today’s choice: walking around our “holes” and choosing a different path. Tomorrow’s choices will take care of themselves.
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34~The Message
Happy, Merry, Ho-ho-ho,
and Love in Christ,
Sober and Grateful
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