Forgiveness

Thoughtfood for Saturday, November 7, 2009

Forgiveness 

Forgiveness of self and forgiveness of others

are just two currents in the same river,

both hindered or shut off completely by the dam of resentment.

Once the dam is lifted, both currents can flow.
- Daily Reflections, p. 146

From the Big Book:

"The physician who, at our request, gave us this letter, has been kind enough to enlarge upon his views in another statement which follows.  In this statement he confirms what we who have suffered alcoholic torture must believe--that the body of the alcoholic is quite as abnormal as his mind.  It did not satisfy us to be told that we could not control our drinking just because we were maladjusted to life, that  we were in full flight from reality, or were outright mental defectives.  These things were true to some extent, in fact, to a considerable extent with some of us.  But we are sure that our bodies were sickened as well.  In our belief, any picture of the alcoholic which leaves out this physical factor is incomplete."

c. 1939, AAWS, Alcoholics Anonymous, The Doctor's Opinion, p.xxiv.

Prayer for the day:

"I pray that I may try to let God's power act through me today. 

I pray that I may get rid of those blocks which keep His power from me." 

c. 1975, Hazelden Foundation, Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Nov. 6.

Quote for the day:

"Without forgiveness life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation."  __Roberto Assagioli

My share:

Forgive and forget.  I've heard that advice more times than I can count. When I was drinking, I was more likely to forget the details that predicated a resentment than I was to forgive the object of my ire. Times, and I, have changed.  Be Good To You, Dave