Sunday, February 26, 2006
Peaceful Sunday Night
It's Sunday night in rainy, chilly Victoria. Even the locals are complaining, so I know that it isn't just me.
Today had its rough patches. I awoke feeling irritable and out of sorts. I had a leisurely breakfast, read the paper, and then headed out. The first stop: a laundromat that also offers "Wash and Fluff" service, which is Canadian for what we call "Wash and Fold." Then on to the 11 AM Service at Christ Church Cathedral.
The service was sort of what I expected. It is much "higher church" than what one would normally see in Texas, and more like what I grew up with. Since every "Province" in the Worldwide Anglican Communion writes its own Prayer Book and Hymnal, there was some unfamiliarity and some things that were worded differently. But the form of the service was the same and I had no trouble following along.
I also got a reminder of why Anglicans/Episcopalians often have the reputation for being a bit aloof and stand offish. There were some uncomfortable moments at coffee afterwards until a lady struck up a conversation and then introduced me to some other people. It is a reminder that I must make more of an effort to greet people that I don't recognize when I am at home at St. Stephens. Fortunately, I also had a hunch that the locals see a lot of tourists come and go, and could be reluctant to get involved with them. This perspective helped me understand that being ignored was not about me at all, and prevented me from forming a resentment about it.
The sermon was wonderful, and had a lot of validity for recovery. The priest made two three key points: (1) We should not ask Christ (or our higher power) to do anything for us that we are capable of doing for ourselves - or, in other words, ask for help over those things over which we are powerless; (2) Charity (or any assistance given to others) must be given without the expecation of any reward or gain, or it is not charity but a self-seeking activity; and (3) Anything that we allow to become a driving force in our lives (career, fame, wealth) has the danger of becoming our higher power. These were lessons that this alcoholic/addict needs to hear over and over and over.....
I did finally find a good meeting tonight. About 20 people attended, and the focus was very much on the solution. I got to chat with some of the other people present, and they suggested other meetings that they thought I would enjoy. So now I know where to go and have a toe-hold of sorts in the recovery community here. The irritability that I was feeling had only grown worse during the day, but I got a good dose of my medicine this evening and now feel calm again.
Today I am grateful for:
1. Hearing from friends from home and hearing all about the Mardi Gras Party.
2. That I was able to be of service to a friend who went on HIV meds on Friday and who is having trouble with them.
3. For a wonderful sermon this morning.
4. For a great meeting this evening.
5. For the people that I got to visit with after the meeting, including a newcomer that I spent some time with.
6. For the perspective that I must look for a lesson when difficulty crosses my path, instead of wondering why the difficulty is being "Done" to me.
Today had its rough patches. I awoke feeling irritable and out of sorts. I had a leisurely breakfast, read the paper, and then headed out. The first stop: a laundromat that also offers "Wash and Fluff" service, which is Canadian for what we call "Wash and Fold." Then on to the 11 AM Service at Christ Church Cathedral.
The service was sort of what I expected. It is much "higher church" than what one would normally see in Texas, and more like what I grew up with. Since every "Province" in the Worldwide Anglican Communion writes its own Prayer Book and Hymnal, there was some unfamiliarity and some things that were worded differently. But the form of the service was the same and I had no trouble following along.
I also got a reminder of why Anglicans/Episcopalians often have the reputation for being a bit aloof and stand offish. There were some uncomfortable moments at coffee afterwards until a lady struck up a conversation and then introduced me to some other people. It is a reminder that I must make more of an effort to greet people that I don't recognize when I am at home at St. Stephens. Fortunately, I also had a hunch that the locals see a lot of tourists come and go, and could be reluctant to get involved with them. This perspective helped me understand that being ignored was not about me at all, and prevented me from forming a resentment about it.
The sermon was wonderful, and had a lot of validity for recovery. The priest made two three key points: (1) We should not ask Christ (or our higher power) to do anything for us that we are capable of doing for ourselves - or, in other words, ask for help over those things over which we are powerless; (2) Charity (or any assistance given to others) must be given without the expecation of any reward or gain, or it is not charity but a self-seeking activity; and (3) Anything that we allow to become a driving force in our lives (career, fame, wealth) has the danger of becoming our higher power. These were lessons that this alcoholic/addict needs to hear over and over and over.....
I did finally find a good meeting tonight. About 20 people attended, and the focus was very much on the solution. I got to chat with some of the other people present, and they suggested other meetings that they thought I would enjoy. So now I know where to go and have a toe-hold of sorts in the recovery community here. The irritability that I was feeling had only grown worse during the day, but I got a good dose of my medicine this evening and now feel calm again.
Today I am grateful for:
1. Hearing from friends from home and hearing all about the Mardi Gras Party.
2. That I was able to be of service to a friend who went on HIV meds on Friday and who is having trouble with them.
3. For a wonderful sermon this morning.
4. For a great meeting this evening.
5. For the people that I got to visit with after the meeting, including a newcomer that I spent some time with.
6. For the perspective that I must look for a lesson when difficulty crosses my path, instead of wondering why the difficulty is being "Done" to me.
# posted by 12StepSteve @ 11:53 PM 
Comments:
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Sounds like a good day.
I love the concept that there is a lesson in EVERYTHING if I am willing to rationally look for it. Alternatively, I can revert to "old ideas" and ignore the lesson and be my old self.
Have a wonderful week, Steve.
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I love the concept that there is a lesson in EVERYTHING if I am willing to rationally look for it. Alternatively, I can revert to "old ideas" and ignore the lesson and be my old self.
Have a wonderful week, Steve.
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