Originally posted by carole8755
"We don’t have to live the pain of every person that crosses our path." Interesting statement that one, because I believe that many, many cgs have internalized others’ pain, a good part of their life. We can feel compassion, but taking on the pain of others, makes us ineffective support people. …
Well said Carole, your words puts a better definition to the truth in the the subject of "living the pain of others".
The jest of my thoughts alone this subject and my posting was brought to mind by the message I referred to (the full message is copied below), but the reason for the thoughts was that in a recent meeting a fellow gambler shared some of his deep and cutting pain that brought tears to each of us there. Recognizing now that it was actually compassion and empathy that we were feeling does remove the imagined guilt of not being able to do anything about it other than offering support and hugs, other than to have and show compassion for the suffering of a friend.
God’s speed.
Today’s thought from Hazelden is:
Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity.
–Joseph Addison
Our Program allows us to stand back from day-to-day confusion and let serenity come into our lives. Our program doesn’t take away all the struggles and problems from life, but it does let us learn a different outlook and attitude.
We don’t have to get caught up in every storm that blows our way. We don’t have to live the pain of every person who crosses our path. We don’t have to right every wrong.
Our recovery is a gift to us from a power greater than we are. We become more and more aware of the meaning of the words in the Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.”
Let me learn to see the world as it actually is, not as I want it to be. I trust that my Higher Power didn’t make a mistake in designing this world or the plans for my life.
You are reading from the book:
Easy Does It by Anonymous
LarryThanks to my Higher Power, My 3G's – God, GA, and GT, "Day Two Is Another Day Behind" and with the help from all I hope to continue to remain gambling free.