Even when the World Feels as if it’s Teetering on a Precipice; Take Action & VOTE! – Step 8

An US flag majestically on a flagpole w/ voting sfz title

FIRST WE ACCEPT THAT CHANGE TAKES TIME  AND TAKE ACTION –

“But we shouldn’t become discouraged if we find that we aren’t changing as quickly as we would like. We can’t expect to be free of all our defects overnight. (Overeaters Anon., pg. 56)

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What have you to ‘take action’ and live according to your own spiritual ideal, lately?

OR

How can taking small, brave actions with friends help you grow closer to your best self?

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Get Out and Vote – Those American Girls (1:54)

Spiritual Freedom in America – Emerson (1:44)

Powerful Healing Gayatri Mantra (3:31)

English Analysis

Change demands humility and patience. As Overeaters Anonymous reminds us, “We can’t expect to be free of all our defects overnight.” Emerson’s challenge to go “beyond what you have already mastered” complements this by urging steady growth through courage. Both messages echo the Wellbriety principle that healing unfolds “in a circle, not a line.” Transformation asks for rhythm, not rush.

In The Basic Text, we find joy when we “live this program in the here and now.” This aligns with Eckhart Tolle’s insight in The Power of Now (1997) that presence connects us to Higher Power. When we release false pride, we gain clarity. Recovery becomes service, not self-importance. Such humility allows friendship and mutual accountability to deepen the process. As Don Coyhis of Wellbriety says, “You cannot heal alone; the circle is meant to hold you.”

Furthermore, Emerson’s belief in self-reliance harmonizes with Higher Power dependence when understood as inner alignment. We do not surrender autonomy; we surrender illusion. True freedom means partnership—with others, with Higher Power, and with change itself. Each small act, like voting or showing up for a friend, becomes sacred movement.

Spiritual growth therefore requires community, courage, and consistency. It is less about grand gestures and more about persistent willingness. As we practice patience and service, the precipice becomes a bridge.


Traducción al español

Publicación de Zonr – Citas:

PRIMERO ACEPTAMOS
QUE EL CAMBIO TOMA TIEMPO –

“Pero no debemos desanimarnos si vemos que no cambiamos tan rápido como quisiéramos. No podemos esperar liberarnos de todos nuestros defectos de la noche a la mañana.” (Overeaters Anonymous, p. 56)

LUEGO TRAE A UN AMIGO O DOS CONTIGO –

“… simplemente tratamos de vivir este programa en el aquí y el ahora. Encontramos alegría al comenzar a aprender a vivir según los principios necesarios para llevar el mensaje de recuperación.” “Espiritualmente renovados, nos alegramos de estar vivos.” (The Basic Text, p. 52)

— Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) poeta estadounidense
“A menos que intentes hacer algo más allá de lo que ya dominas, nunca crecerás.”


Análisis

El cambio requiere humildad y paciencia. Como recuerda Overeaters Anonymous, “No podemos esperar liberarnos de todos nuestros defectos de la noche a la mañana.” El reto de Emerson de ir “más allá de lo que ya dominas” nos impulsa a crecer con valentía. Ambos mensajes reflejan el principio de Wellbriety de que la sanación ocurre “en un círculo, no en una línea.” La transformación pide ritmo, no prisa.

En The Basic Text, encontramos alegría al “vivir este programa en el aquí y el ahora.” Esto coincide con la idea de Eckhart Tolle en El poder del ahora (1997) de que la presencia nos conecta con el Poder Superior. Cuando dejamos atrás el falso orgullo, ganamos claridad. La recuperación se convierte en servicio, no en autoimportancia. Esa humildad permite que la amistad y la responsabilidad mutua profundicen el proceso. Como dice Don Coyhis de Wellbriety: “No puedes sanar solo; el círculo está hecho para sostenerte.”

Además, la creencia de Emerson en la autosuficiencia armoniza con la dependencia del Poder Superior cuando se entiende como alineación interior. No rendimos autonomía; rendimos ilusión. La verdadera libertad implica colaboración: con los demás, con el Poder Superior y con el cambio mismo. Cada acto pequeño, como votar o apoyar a un amigo, se vuelve un movimiento sagrado.

El crecimiento espiritual, entonces, requiere comunidad, valor y constancia. No se trata de gestos grandiosos, sino de voluntad persistente. Al practicar paciencia y servicio, el precipicio se convierte en puente.

Pregunta (nivel de sexto grado):
¿Cómo pueden las acciones pequeñas y valientes con tus amigos ayudarte a acercarte a tu mejor versión?

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Comments

8 responses to “Even when the World Feels as if it’s Teetering on a Precipice; Take Action & VOTE! – Step 8”

  1. eli Avatar
    eli

    I’ve been actively learning about my own beliefs. Taking a step back and building to a belief, instead of thinking a thing is right just because it feels right. That doesn’t necessarily change my initial positions, but it makes for an actual body of knowledge instead of a collection of vibes. There are many actual actions I can take to produce change, but to find them I must learn about problems we face.

  2. Ricky Avatar
    Ricky

    About two months ago, I got harassed in a public restroom for my gender identity. The man who harassed me was acting aggressive and probably would have escalated to physical violence if I didn’t escape.

    Immediately after I escaped, my sober friend took me by the hand to their car, consoled me, and brought the manager of the building out to get a statement from me. The friend let me scream my frustrations in their car, then I returned to my temporary home in the IOP housing at my treatment center, and I was surrounded with love, support, and recovery.

    This event reminded me of the value of community. Community is the antidote to addiction. Had I been alone that day, I would have completely shut down and isolated from the trauma, and I might have even relapsed. But because I had support, I am able to continue thriving.

    About a week later, the same sober friend took me to an all-trans wrestling event. I was scared to go in; what if they didn’t have good security? What if a hateful person attended the event just to be violent? But as soon as I saw all the trans beauty and joy in the room, all my worries melted away, and I had an amazing time. By being ourselves, we inherently support and inspire one other. And now, my job is to pay it forward however I can.

  3. cb7595 Avatar
    cb7595

    lately, what i’ve done to “take action” and live by my own spiritual ideals has been to practice a daily 10th step. i check in every night with how i’ve conducted myself throughout the day, and make amends when necessary. so long as i am honest with myself, this allows me to engage with the world in a way that feels both authentic and in alignment with my morals and values.

  4. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    One day at a time. I find that when staying out of my own way by not overthinking it is easier and my own natural state to live spiritually. It is my experience that I have an internal moral/ethical compass that is very consistently accurate when I am not in ego. It is the need to be right or more intelligent, self-righteous, where I find that gets lost, as it resides in ego. When I slow down, be mindful and present, the need for ego to dominate is muted.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  5. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    I take action by taking Jesus by the hand, letting the holy spirit guide my way, and God’s got my back…
    And as far as the second question going out with friends can always build one’s self-esteem simply going out will overcome isolation and make you feel part of… which is extremely important in recovery.

  6. Elexi W.S.A. Avatar

    I can take a good amount of actions by not associating with people who like confusion, although I am investigative, so do spend time at that as well as lots of study, so that I know what I’m doin’ fully, although I have to admit I do have a lot of smarts already, just things that like to be set backs out there unfortunately. Don’t really care to make friends anymore at times, but would rather spend more time with some associations, and lookin’ for work, goin’ to school/takin’ classes or other safer extracurricular activities. If those wants are important to other people, or they’re fakin’ too much I have to become more distant, because after what I’ve been through with sick people topped the charts in my whole life recently. I’m still in awe that sick people may be lurkin’ around – all the way to the gov’t, but what’s new. Those only bring forms of misery anyways, another messed up karma I see some dealin’ with now – then havin’ to medicate all the time just to keep it from resurfacin’, but then forget to deal with the problems at hand, and put it all in that type of medication makin’ it even worse. This is what I’ve seen so everyone stay lookin’ out for those deceivers.

  7. Jon G. Avatar
    Jon G.

    Currently my faith is being tested once more as my business is slow again. Today, I refused to listen to my negative thoughts, I took some contrary action in that I forced myself to so some of my daily routine (ie. exercise and meditation) despite not wanting to do so. I also let a difficult client rant and rave without provoking a negative reaction on my part. I constantly reminded myself that she was a spiritually sick child of God and I allowed her to be herself without having to sacrifice my own values or to cave-in to her selfish and unrealistic demands.

  8. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    I’m not altogether convinced we have as much freedom of religion as we would like. Take myself, for example: it is simply not okay to state a religious preference that I do not like – at least not near me. Perhaps the spiritual freedom I require is the spiritual freedom I need to extend to others. If I cannot listen, truly listen, why would anyone else?

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