How We can Do Better without “SHOULDING” All over Ourselves – Step 9

A young lumberjack sitting and sawing off the part of a tree's limb that falls to the ground w/ sfz title

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” – Confucius (551 BC – 479 BC) Chinese philosopher (on courage and persistence)

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In what areas have you noticed you’ve had the courage to make incremental spiritual progress, lately?

OR

How does this idea of “progress, not perfection” change the way you look at your own goals?

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Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough – Michael Jackson (4:12)

Luscious Rain Forest Meditation (9:56)

Confucius Brief Bio (1:44)

Analysis

Today’s Zonr post beautifully emphasizes gradual, persistent recovery. False pride often stops people from making amends. They believe the process demands instant perfection. However, the first quote counters this perfectionism. It encourages self-compassion in the recovery journey. We must accept where we are today. We also must do what we can right now. This mindset fosters progress, not perfection.

Furthermore, the second section connects amends to a lifelong behavioral shift. True change means becoming sensitive to other people’s needs. This signifies a profound inner transformation. It is the most vital amends we can offer. Renowned thought leader Carl Jung supports this view of deep self-examination. Jung’s concept of individuation involves confronting the shadow self. This process leads to greater wholeness and self-awareness (Jung, 1968).

The quote from Confucius powerfully reinforces this message. He states that stopping is the only failure. Patience and perseverance are essential spiritual qualities. The Wellbriety path requires trusting a Higher Power. It emphasizes moving forward steadily. We must not allow fear to immobilize us. The goal is consistent effort, not an error-free performance.


🇪🇸 Traducción al español

Citas, Encabezados y Citaciones

  • Encabezado 1: Cómo podemos mejorar sin “DEBERIZARNOS” a nosotros mismos – Paso 9
  • Cita 1: ‘PROGRESO, NO PERFECCIÓN’ – “No permitiré que me detenga de tomar el Paso Ocho o el Paso Nueve porque no puedo hacerlo perfectamente de la noche a la mañana. Me permitiré estar donde estoy hoy, y hacer lo que soy capaz de hacer.” (Courage to Change, p. 6)
  • Encabezado 2: HACIENDO UN CAMBIO PARA MEJOR
  • Cita 2: “Cambiar la forma en que vivimos es un proceso de por vida y es quizás la enmienda más significativa que podemos hacer.” “Si hemos sido desconsiderados, siempre envueltos en lo que queríamos y necesitábamos, ahora comenzamos a ser sensibles a las necesidades de los demás.” (It Works, How & Why, p. 63)
  • Cita 3: “No importa cuán despacio vayas, siempre y cuando no te detengas.” – Confucio (551 BC – 479 BC), filósofo chino
  • Citación (Jung): (Jung, 1968)

Análisis

El post de Zonr enfatiza bellamente la recuperación gradual y persistente. El falso orgullo a menudo impide a las personas hacer enmiendas. Creen que el proceso exige perfección instantánea. Sin embargo, la primera cita contrarresta este perfeccionismo. Fomenta la autocompasión en el viaje de recuperación. Debemos aceptar dónde estamos hoy. También debemos hacer lo que podamos en este momento. Esta mentalidad promueve el progreso, no la perfección.

Además, la segunda sección conecta las enmiendas con un cambio de comportamiento de por vida. El verdadero cambio significa volverse sensible a las necesidades de otras personas. Esto significa una profunda transformación interior. Es la enmienda más vital que podemos ofrecer. El reconocido líder de pensamiento Carl Jung apoya esta visión de profunda autoexaminación. El concepto de individuación de Jung implica confrontar el yo en la sombra. Este proceso conduce a una mayor totalidad y autoconciencia (Jung, 1968).

La cita de Confucio refuerza poderosamente este mensaje. Afirma que detenerse es el único fracaso. La paciencia y la perseverancia son cualidades espirituales esenciales. El camino Wellbriety requiere confiar en un Poder Superior. Enfatiza avanzar constantemente. No debemos permitir que el miedo nos inmovilice. El objetivo es el esfuerzo constante, no una actuación sin errores.


Pregunta

¿Cómo cambia esta idea de “progreso, no perfección” la forma en que ves tus propias metas?

Zonr logo on self-obession

Comments

7 responses to “How We can Do Better without “SHOULDING” All over Ourselves – Step 9”

  1. Lotus (Elexi W.S.A.) Avatar

    Already I’m great in my heightening of esteem, no matter if some try to put me down, but yes going to meetings really has made me(moi) more where I want to be at in life than in my past. Cravings aren’t as strong, but like Eli said we’re working on us, and it comes more, and more for some of us, as time builds up. Being solution oriented or finding answers is where I’m at in life right now, like solving a puzzle. My situation of using is as large as governmentally involved. Being denied adequate pain relievers once again has made it very tough for me to get the medical treatment I deserve. Prescription drug use has never been addictive for me anyways. Some people may be being led racistly by people who like to see people tortured in pain, I’m at conclusions of right now.
    I rest easier that I’m at least not a racist, in sometimes a racist place. Proper non – narcotic medication is of importance for me to one day distribute to fix an end to mental, or physical suffering. I can’t judge people especially when I have enough of my own problems I’m dealing with again. This past doctor down the street I’m definitely going to have to complain about, because something was wrong with them. I left, and that’s messed up if they made it harder for others there.

  2. Ari L Avatar
    Ari L

    Well, I very much used to be a perfectionist to the degree that I would drop things I enjoyed doing because I felt I would never achieve close to my ideal. And that even included behaviors, giving up before I began at times because of that feeling. The notion of progress instead of perfection has been a huge stepping stone in overcoming that issue in my life and I have AA to thank for it 🙂

  3. eli Avatar
    eli

    Every day I get to practice noticing my character defects. Ideally, I can notice them and stop myself in my tracks. It’s building habits. It’s incremental. Not magical and instant.

  4. Neyun Uzdlah Bayoh Avatar
    Neyun Uzdlah Bayoh

    How does this idea of “progress, not perfection” change the way you look at your own goals? ~

    I’m trusting the process that a little things consistent everyday, builds up to big things, honouring where I am at in this process of growing in my art and craft . Trying not to be afraid to show myself to the world in each stage I am at ~ musically and professionally . Progress not perfection . I’m not an AI and I would never want to be . .

  5. Ra Avatar
    Ra

    The incremental spiritual progress that I’ve made is practicing having grace with myself. How I handle what looks like “failure” now, is totally different from how my prior perspective on setbacks, mistakes, and unsuccessful attempts. It’s all a part of the process.

  6. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    This is one of the biggest changes since becoming clean. While using, it was perfection not progress. And nothing worked, always resentful, filled with expectations and predetermined outcomes that never happened. Even when I first went to treatment and for several months after, this remained a big challenge. The need to control and force outcomes. Nothing worked and I was constantly disappointed.

    The serenity prayer was a major part of letting go and letting my higher power into my life. Today, I have more peace, not perfection and that is progress. Every day is not a pink cloud, there are moments of frustration and disappointment. I was dealing with some yesterday, this morning I do not feel the same way. I have an opportunity to reflect for the next few weeks on the progress made this year.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  7. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    I look at my mistakes as learning opportunities and not failures. When I strive for Perfection it always leads to disappointment. This process is much more manageable and less overwhelming. I will always fall short of the glory of God…God is perfection… I am a progress in motion moving forward…

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