Get Ready to be “Consumed by the Fire of [Your] Own Creativity” – Step 6

Fiery Phoenix with wings spread and sfz title

“Why ask for something before we are ready for it? This would be asking for trouble. So many times addicts have sought the rewards of hard work without the labor.” (The Basic Text, p. 33)

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How have you confronted something you dread and taken steps to make things right, lately?

OR

Why do you think both hard work and struggle help us get ready to grow stronger inside?

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FIRE   – Bruce Springsteen (5:14) 

Rodin Sculptural Meditation on The Thinker and Ready for More (5:43)

Alleluia – Gregorian Creation Chant (6:26)

Analysis in English

Desire without being ready brings confusion. The Basic Text warns against seeking results without labor. Addiction often thrives on shortcuts. Nietzsche in Thus Spoke Zarathustra explains that true growth requires suffering. He reminds us that only challenge builds strength. Without hardship, rewards lose meaning.

At the same time, The Big Book shows balance. Spiritual ideals should not detach us from reality. William James in The Varieties of Religious Experience argued the same point. He said that spiritual insight must lead to practical action. Otherwise, experience becomes dreamlike without real consequence. We must walk with others and remain grounded.

Finally, Rodin’s insight deepens this reflection. He insists that creativity consumes before it liberates. The artist’s struggle becomes fuel for renewal. Carl Jung echoed this in Modern Man in Search of a Soul. He described creativity as fire that transforms shadow into light. Through that fire, both addict and artist burn illusions. What remains is clarity and strength.

Together, these voices echo one truth. Work, balance, and fire form transformation. The addict learns patience. The spiritual seeker learns grounding. The artist learns surrender. Through each path, the fire of life reshapes them.


Spanish Translation

Citas

“¿Por qué pedir algo antes de estar listos? Esto sería buscar problemas. Muchas veces los adictos han buscado las recompensas del trabajo duro sin el esfuerzo.” (The Basic Text, p. 33)

“Él quisiera que mantuviéramos nuestras cabezas en las nubes con Él, pero que nuestros pies estén firmemente plantados en la tierra. Allí están nuestros compañeros de viaje, y allí debe hacerse nuestro trabajo.” (The Big Book, p. 130)

“El artista debe crear una chispa antes de poder hacer un fuego, y antes de que nazca el arte, el artista debe estar listo para ser consumido por el fuego de su propia creación.” —Auguste Rodin (1840–1917), francés, progenitor de la escultura moderna


Análisis

El deseo sin preparación trae confusión. The Basic Text advierte contra buscar resultados sin esfuerzo. La adicción a menudo prospera en atajos. Nietzsche en Así habló Zaratustra explica que el crecimiento verdadero requiere sufrimiento. Él recuerda que solo el desafío construye fuerza. Sin dificultad, las recompensas pierden sentido.

Al mismo tiempo, The Big Book muestra equilibrio. Los ideales espirituales no deben separarnos de la realidad. William James en Las variedades de la experiencia religiosa dijo lo mismo. Él señaló que la visión espiritual debe llevar a la acción práctica. De lo contrario, la experiencia se vuelve un sueño sin consecuencias reales. Debemos caminar con otros y mantenernos con los pies en la tierra.

Finalmente, la visión de Rodin profundiza esta reflexión. Él insiste en que la creatividad consume antes de liberar. La lucha del artista se convierte en combustible para la renovación. Carl Jung lo repitió en El hombre moderno en busca de un alma. Él describió la creatividad como fuego que transforma la sombra en luz. A través de ese fuego, tanto el adicto como el artista queman ilusiones. Lo que queda es claridad y fortaleza.

Juntos, estas voces repiten una verdad. Trabajo, equilibrio y fuego forman la transformación. El adicto aprende paciencia. Y buscador espiritual aprende a permanecer firme. El artista aprende rendición. En cada camino, el fuego de la vida los transforma.


Pregunta

¿Por qué piensas que tanto el trabajo duro como la lucha nos ayudan a crecer por dentro?

Zonr blog on being ready

Comments

9 responses to “Get Ready to be “Consumed by the Fire of [Your] Own Creativity” – Step 6”

  1. Ari L Avatar
    Ari L

    Hard work and struggle build up resiliency, which not only is the ability to bear difficulty but grow from it. Facing difficulty with tenacity is the first step I think

  2. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    There is a satisfaction that comes from doing the work. Especially physical work. When at the end of the day the body is exhausted from effort and I can see the results of work, there is a satisfaction that is hard to duplicate. Being personally responsible through work for achievement brings joy knowing that I can do it. No matter what it is, no matter what was done. It is in the doing that I feel satisfaction.

    The same holds true for my recovery. When I do the work to achieve the goal, I am proud of accomplishing. Knowing that with the right support and taking responsibility and action, that I can overcome and improve my life, one action after another.

    Thank you for sharing in recovery with me. Grateful.

  3. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    It’s like that old saying no pain no gain. Nothing comes easy in this world you got to work hard for it… but for me it is a labor of love. I get out what I put in. How sincerely I work this step will be proportionate to my desire for change

  4. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    I apologized to my old real estate agent for ditching him, I disclosed my HIV status to someone I’m starting to date, and I confronted someone at work for their poor performance. None of these were pleasant, but they were all necessary and the right thing to do. When I don’t take care of my business, these types of things fester and screw up my attitude until I take appropriate action.

  5. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    Being of service seems to be the ideal way to keep my feet on the ground but my head and heart seeking to know my HP’s will. When I am given the opportunity to take a service call and accept that I do not have answers, I feel grounded and centered. The spiritual connection – they called, I answered seems to be a gift to me that I am working at least some of the tools of the program.

  6. easy does it Avatar
    easy does it

    if my head isn’t in the clouds its usually up my ass. that is when im not working the principles of the program. for example if i would just pause when aggitated, it would save me a buttload of trouble. get it? head up my ass… buttload of trouble. ha ha???

    1. Slim Jim Avatar
      Slim Jim

      You gotta point there Easy. Zeeding these SFZs gives me a chance to take a look around and share with others how dark it is up inside there.

      Btw, zeeding is planting a seed in the SFZs.

  7. brita Avatar
    brita

    this is really helpful for me to know the balance between work and prayer – sometimes I think it’d be great to shut myself in a room and just pray – but that won’t work.

    1. Slim Jim Avatar
      Slim Jim

      Ya, like Easy was saying. There are better places for our heads to be. While praying and meditating does help to center me. But being into action, especially if I’m helping someone else, makes me feel even better.

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