Friday, August 28, 2009

Acceptance -- Is this gonna be Forever?

Prayer For The Day

I pray that I may willingly submit to whatever spiritual discipline
is necessary. I pray that I may accept whatever it takes to live a
better life.




*** please note -- I am not affiliated with any advertisement ***

ME?

My version of The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to Accept I'm an alcoholic/addict,
the courage to Accept I'm an alcoholic/addict,
the wisdom to Accept I'm an alcoholic/addict.

See the pattern here?

Yes, you guessed it -- I have a huge issue with ACCEPTANCE!

Seven years ago, I came kicking and screaming into the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, completely beaten down physically, emotionally and spirituality. Still, I was looking for a quick fix for my misery.

Ha, as most of you know, a quick fix would be like putting a bandaide on an amputation.

Whether or not you're an addict, letting go and letting God
-- truly letting go -- can be more difficult than...
* sitting through The Notebook without getting choked up.
* shopping at the Hershey Chocolate Shoppe during a 3 day fast.
* trying on bathing suits in an open dressing room.


Today, I accept that I have no control over the obsessions that plague me.
I accept that I must turn over control to a power greater than me.
And I accept and pray letting go of control will bring peace and serenity in my life.

To sum it up, I have to Accept+Submit+Relinquish=Serenity...

Sue

Just in case I get into trouble, my safe word is BANANA.

Do you have trouble with Acceptance?



Learn more about the Susan/Susan Recovery Project or visit posts on Change, Waste, Balance, Selflessness, Happiness/misery, or Imperfection.

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27 comments:

Angela said...

I accept I must turn over that control to a power greater than me.
And I accept and pray letting go of this control will bring me peace and serenity in my life.
amen amen amen

Shadow said...

okay, so what does BANANA mean???

and yes. i can fly from perfect contentment and serenity to resentment over this f*&^ing addiction in 1 second flat!

Akelamalu said...

What on earth had David been given????

Acceptance is the most important step isn't it?

dAAve said...

That video is absolutely hilarious. Maybe we should save him a seat a few years from now, eh? LOL

What's wrong with being an alcoholic? Recovery from this disease opens me up to opportunities I would never have been able to experience.

dark wings said...

That picture...with the rope chew...looks awfully like my ex :)

Unknown said...

OH MY! What in the world did he get! and kinda lol and kinda ...omg...

Tall Kay said...

Page 417 of the Big Book sums it all up very nicely for me. I think Dr. Paul O. has written some of the best words in regard to acceptance and addiction there.

I find acceptance usually follows a BIG surrender. I had/have to quit playing God. Happy Friday wishes.

Busy Bee Suz said...

acceptance has always been the way it is with me, so no.
I am happy for you, that you have found out what you need to do...and you just have to do it. That would be the hard part. :0
Your posts are always so eye opening.

PS. I would rather tangle with that dog for the rope than to try on a bathing suit in an open dressing room.

Trée said...

I resist change and then I wonder why so much pain when I know, as I have known for the last ten years, that in the resistance lies the pain; that in the holding on to what is not static, my arms are pulled from me. Still, I hold on. And in that holding, I pay the price. And there are days where I just wonder if I'm stupid as a stone. Sigh. Your posts Sue, seem to always hit me right between the eyes. Maybe if you hit me enough, you will knock some sense into my thick head.

The neverending battle of child's opiate addiction said...

I have a hard time with acceptance and letting go, especially with my addicted son. I do know that in the last 1 1/2 years I have lost three very close family members and I learned a bit about letting go. When I am able to just let go and let God, I feel so at peace. Hope you have a very peaceful and joyfilled day!

Anonymous said...

Yes, I have trouble with acceptance that stems back to my childhood. I've never felt truly accepted or unconditional approval from my Mom. It has taken me a long time to come to grips with that fact and I still struggle and long for her blessing today. Amen to letting go and letting God.

clean and crazy said...

you know no matter what the situation or problem in life we face, the answer always, i repeat always begins with surrender and acceptance. it is not life on Susan's terms, but life on life's terms. and oh my gosh, my poor haley went through that not too long ago but her lips were exploded!! i mean check it out on one of my past posts it was posted on 7-29 i got pictures and all. i know your pain girl. oh and yes this is forever, or at least as long as we are breathing, there is always going to be a lesson life has to offer, if we are willing to learn

Syd said...

I accept that I can't control others. I think that it took me over a year in recovery to fully understand that. And some days I still want to control others so badly, just tell them to do what I say. I'm glad those moments are much less gripping now.

Bar L. said...

Ok, I have not laughed so hard in a while...that video was too funny! Poor little guy!

Acceptance: I am better at denial but working on acceptance. Today is a weird day for me...I just feel numb.

Have a great weekend, Sue!

Dulçe ♥ said...

I do not accept myself at times. Little by little I am learning I have no choice; either I accept myself the way I am or I'll continue to live a miserable life.
With the years gaining confidence has helped me a lot. And in accepting myself I've learnt to accept the others and their flaws...

Brother Frankie said...

i can do the notebook thing (not a tear)

open dressing room, well maybe..i have a gut my wife says, but guys dont stare..well straight guys anyway

but the chocolate thing, dang..

i am good at accepting..i its the dieing to myself that hurts..

Maude Lynn said...

Yes, I have a tremendous amount of trouble with acceptance.

Linda said...

I think for me acceptance is that I am powerless without my higher power whom for me is My God. I have a wonderful true story of my God moment and it was when I was in the most pitiful, wallowing in self-pity, moment of my life. "I was on my knees literally on my kitchen floor crying out to God and I was so mad at God. I said what did I do to deserve this life. And a quote of scripture came from within me. without words and I looked it up.
And then interior within me I heard the words because I love you! I looked up the scripture quote and it says, " I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and keep me from getting proud..... Goes on further to say, "My grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches perfection" And so I willingly boast of my weaknesses instead that the power of Christ may rest upon me........ for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong," After this I was still yelling at God and said, "YOu call this love?" Then I went to Mass shortly after this revelation to me and it was the same exact scripture being read at church not more than half an hour later. God was not through with me yet. It was all about carrying our crosses, and how much Jesus loved me. (This was July 9, 2000). From there I was on my way to experience life renewed.
God bless
((((HUGS))))))

Diana said...

Whether we accept things or not really doesn't matter as it is what it is like it or not! Acceptance can make things easier sometimes but not always!
Love Di

Edie said...

Poor David. He looks so frustrated. My little granddaughter had to be sedated like that when she went to the dentist. I felt bad for her too.

Acceptance is hard for me too sometimes. But I know that Jesus is greater than any habit or addiction. Put all of your trust in Him. He is always faithful.

Banana?

Rich blessings and much love to you.

robert said...

Having to hide a tattoo for more than five years was a great problem of acceptance.
Accepting me, with my need of having time on my own, my hope.
Accepting that I returned some days that much drunk home, that until today I don't remember how I arrived, is still an ongoing question.
Having about a glass of red wine per month now was no problem of acceptance.

What an impressive post to be read.

Ginnie said...

I could relate to your coming in to AA kicking and screaming. I did the same thing over 20 yrs. ago and it was only when I gave up and truly learned to accept that I started to take the long journey into recovery. Best thing that ever happened to me !

Wait. What? said...

my acceptance issues are more about control and my own issues to look at myself instead of being distracted by my alcoholic husband acting out...

Ya I am a codie and sometimes thats a hard place to be - but when I can accept myself for that life somehow takes on a much better light for me to view if by.

claude said...

Hello Sue !
I go to the dentist at this time and I accept that.
I accept with a lot of pain my father is getting the end of his life.
Hugs !

Gilly said...

Thanks for calling in at my blog. Struggling myself with spirituality, but if I can I will pray for you.

But, as they keep saying, hang in there!

Just Be Real said...

Okay, most definitly have problems with acceptance! Susan appreciate the post and love that DDS video. Seen it before. Thank you for sharing dear one.... Blessings.

G-Man said...

Susan...Thank you for visiting me today. I usually shamelessly pander for a 55 on Fridays. But I was touched and moved by the turmoil in your words.
You have a wonderful support group here in Blogdom, and their words of encouragement are better than I can express.
I keep an even keel in life by this simple rule...Don't fret over which you have No control!
You obviously can control your drinking...By Not drinking!
Keep it up sister...G