HOLY HERETIC DEVOTIONAL- Sept. 30, 2016-ACCEPTANCE
Compiled by Mercy Junction Council Member Sadie Morgan
“Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, Third Edition, pg 449
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The quote above is often parroted like some kind of mantra in recovery rooms, dismissing the fact that it was the experience of one recovered alcoholic and not subjected to the democratic vetting that the “instructional” parts of the textbook received.
This line became so controversial, those charged with updating the book Alcoholics Anonymous tried to bury it on an unfamiliar page, hesitant to remove it altogether.
Acceptance of the reality of a situation is indeed the starting place with all our problems. Denial or kidding ourselves isn’t going to help anything. We are taught to look at a problem – if it honestly is something we cannot change, then we look in ourselves for whatever is blocking our ability to adapt to that truth. Just as often, however, there is something we can change, if we weren’t so afraid of taking responsibility. We seek courage to take whatever actions we can. Sometimes we can’t tell which things can or cannot be changed. Then we seek guidance to discern the difference. That is the essence of the “Serenity Prayer” treasured by most recovery groups.
More than anything else, this little saying might teach us to consider carefully our sources of information upon which we develop principles for living. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, or to form an opinion different than most of your peers –- even on the subject of acceptance.
Action: Spend 10 minutes quietly reading and meditating on the words of the Serenity Prayer words. Do you have some insight into a current problem? Maybe you are ready to admit powerlessness over some issue – or maybe you become aware of something you could do differently in response.
Today’s Sharing: How was your meditation. Please comment on our Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/HolyHereticZine
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** Don’t forget your gratitude journal at the back of your print edition of Holy Heretic!
To learn more about becoming a member of the Fellowship of Heretics and receiving our print daily devotional guide each month, visit http://www.mercyjunction.org/fellowship-of-heretics
