And Acceptance is the Answer to ALL MY PROBLEMS

During my travels in sobriety, I have found a "tool" that works for me when I want it to. It seems however, I need to practice it every day. It is not something that "sticks" with me. I am forgetful and need to be reminded continuously.

On Monday, I had the privilege to be the speaker at the Downtown Dartmouth Group. This was true blessing. I got a chance to speak about my past, my present, the Program and about the "tool" that has been so important for me during the past few months.

This tool is called "ACCEPTANCE".

I am "wired differently" than "normal folks". For some reason I am super sensitive. I react to all kinds of fears. I am terrified of rejection or just the fear of rejection. I work in extremes and need to find the shades of gray in my life.

I am also prone to self pity ... poor Gido ... everyone is picking on me, including God! I have been classed as a worry wort, trying to control outcomes, people and places. I always ask myself, when should I control and when should I sit back and "enjoy the ride"?

In the Big Book, there is a passage from a story that was written by a Doctor from California. There are two paragraphs that I have used over and over again. Here is the quote:

" 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."

I have a lot of people, places and things to accept. This morning, I tried something different. Not anything radical but just something a bit different. Today, when I was walking around Lake Banook with Max, I stopped at the gazebo, knelt for a few minutes (with Max by my side) and asked the Big Guy for help. I prayed for Acceptance, for Courage and for Wisdom.

And you know what ... it has been a very good day so far!