‘PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION’ – “The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.” (The Big Book, p. 60)
“I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” – Nelson Mandela (1918 – ) 1st President of South Africa (post-apartheid)
When was the last time you had to remind yourself to keep ‘progress, not perfection’ in mind, lately?
Nelson Mandela Brief Bio (6:50)
Sinner Man – Nina Simone (10:24) classic vers.
Relaxation Nature Meditation LP (3:00:21)
Leaning Into The Afternoons
by Pablo Neruda
Leaning into the afternoons I cast my sad nets
towards your oceanic eyes.
There in the highest blaze my solitude lengthens and flames,
its arms turning like a drowning man’s.
I send out red signals across your absent eyes
that smell like the sea or the beach by a lighthouse.
You keep only darkness, my distant female,
from your regard sometimes the coast of dread emerges.
Leaning into the afternoons I fling my sad nets
to that sea that is thrashed by your oceanic eyes.
The birds of night peck at the first stars
that flash like my soul when I love you.
The night gallops on its shadowy mare
shedding blue tassels over the land.
Good morning everyone + Happy Sunday. Oh yes, Step 12. God comes to us + offers us sobriety. We have a new life. We have a new beginning. We have a chance. We have a new hope. God welcomes the Prodigal son + daughter home. And all we have to do to keep this precious gift of sobriety is to share it with others. How wonderful is this. Blessings. BB
Great meeting this morning and looking forward to another this evening. The topic was “what helped most when I was a newcomer.” Amazing how many people remember minute details about their first meeting – their first moment of consciousness – their first time of being able to let go and let God. So many tears in the room; some tears of gratitude, some tears of pain remembered, some tears of pain right now. We are the best saints there are. We keep on trying knowing we will learn something on this journey; knowing we may never get it right; knowing that we have the help and grace of a Power greater than ourselves. Namaste! Namaste.
helping a family member to drive today was very conscientious about not being overly for critical of he is driving mishaps. instead I try to be positive about the things he did correctly and emphasize the the progress being made.
Good morning everyone + Happy Saturday. Living life is challenging at times. We need to have faith in God if we are going to live a good + happy life. This is a way in which Saints live. Trust in God. Endure with God. Live as a Saint lives. Blessings. BB
I also like the saying, “fake it, till you make it.” To me it means just keep trying even if your no where near perfect. I couldn’t complete a painting volunteer project today as much as I could. I felt embarrassed looking at everyone else’s work. Today it was a hard day to remember, that it’s ‘progress, not perfection.’ My take away is to work doubly hard next time around.
being of service always gives me a feeling of self worth, by giving someone a ride when i can, a shoulder to cry on …
JB wrote yesterday about the oneness that makes being of service to others also being of service to ourselves. I love that being of service is both “tool” and “result.” Being of service is at once the means by which I advance and maintain my recovery as well as the outcome. We are not saints. I just know that when an opportunity to serve becomes available, I check in with myself to see if I can and if I may. I have sometimes taken on too many service positions – which is why I now have a Service Sponsor to help keep me from over-committing.