my daily reflections…

my sponsor taught me this right away. he said, in order fer me to be able to be loved and tolerated, i had to love and tolerate others 1st, unconditionally. learnin to forgive others was also a vital part of this action. i had to forgive so that i too could be forgiven. i try to practice these vital character assets everyday as they have been very helpful in my recovery. i remember one day early in recovery i was bitchin to my sponsor about all the people i couldnt stand to be around and just hated. well, ya need to know, my sponsor only listened to all that garbage spewin outta my mouth fer only a few short minutes. he explained to me that this thing we do creates, fer us, an avenue to let loose of all that selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear i was feelin; it was my choice to use it. he had, yet again, pointed the finger right back at me. he told me, in no uncertain terms, i had, by startin the steps, started a process of alleviation from all those core character defects and shortcomins. at 1st i was all like, they did the shit to me, i didnt do it to them. he explained, in some form, their actions were probably based upon my actions, and that theirs were probably reactions to my actions. he suggested that i go to them and if possible be of help to them instead of a hindrance to them. he then laid down love and tolerance of others is our code, all of this straight outta the big book. after lookin at the situations later i saw how he was right. i had acted upon the defects/shortcomins listed above. i learned that day that i needed to practice lovin, forgivin, and toleratin myself so that i could then do the same with others. i learned that livin in the world of the Spirit was somethin that would take work on my behalf, work on me, not others. 1 day @ a time…