Blog entry for:
Fri, Feb 5, 2010 09:35:54 AM
∝ sometimes the difference between those who ∝
posted: Fri, Feb 5, 2010 09:35:54 AM
walk out the door of their first meeting, never to return, is the simple hug of a member. okay the honest truth? i have some time. i have seen the endless parade of newcomers in and out of our doors. as a result, i am not nearly as welcoming as i could be, after all, i tell myself, the revolving door never seems to stop, why not wait and see if they keep coming back for a bit, before i put myself out there.
that little chunk of bull sh!t is a hard rationalization to get rid of, in fact it seems more true every day. not that it is a self-fulfilling prophecy or anything. after all, i have some time, and as a result, my behaviors are often repeated by other members who respect me. when i started to drop more than a buck in the basket, the seven tradition donations went up. the evidence suggests, therefore, if i pull away from the procession of newcomers, chances are others will do so as well. the final result, is that we die for lack of newer members to bring in fresh ideas and enthusiasm.
even though i know this intellectually and accept this as fact, i still find myself hesitant to take the corrective action i need to take. so what is this addict to do? well for one, let my mind go on my run here in a few minutes and allow myself to hear what i need to hear. make a conscious decision at the next meeting i go to, to reach out and hug a newcomer and sincerely tell them to keep coming back. and allow myself to grow through the experience of that contact. so that is what i think i will do -- time to hit the street!
that little chunk of bull sh!t is a hard rationalization to get rid of, in fact it seems more true every day. not that it is a self-fulfilling prophecy or anything. after all, i have some time, and as a result, my behaviors are often repeated by other members who respect me. when i started to drop more than a buck in the basket, the seven tradition donations went up. the evidence suggests, therefore, if i pull away from the procession of newcomers, chances are others will do so as well. the final result, is that we die for lack of newer members to bring in fresh ideas and enthusiasm.
even though i know this intellectually and accept this as fact, i still find myself hesitant to take the corrective action i need to take. so what is this addict to do? well for one, let my mind go on my run here in a few minutes and allow myself to hear what i need to hear. make a conscious decision at the next meeting i go to, to reach out and hug a newcomer and sincerely tell them to keep coming back. and allow myself to grow through the experience of that contact. so that is what i think i will do -- time to hit the street!
∞ DT ∞
The views expressed on this page are solely the opinion of the author.
While the author is a member of a 12 Step recovery fellowship, these writings are not intended to endorse or express the published wisdom of any fellowship.
These writings are not meant to be socially or politically correct, and if you take issue with any opinions expressed, please seek the guidance of someone wiser than me.
While the author is a member of a 12 Step recovery fellowship, these writings are not intended to endorse or express the published wisdom of any fellowship.
These writings are not meant to be socially or politically correct, and if you take issue with any opinions expressed, please seek the guidance of someone wiser than me.
Another Look!
∞ keep coming back ∞ 265 words ➥ Saturday, February 5, 2005 by: donnot∞ gratitude for.... ∞ 474 words ➥ Sunday, February 5, 2006 by: donnot
∞ it is easy to step back from the procession of newcomers -- ∞ 197 words ➥ Monday, February 5, 2007 by: donnot
∞ members with some clean time can make the difference between … 454 words ➥ Tuesday, February 5, 2008 by: donnot
α do i remember how scared i was when i walked into my first meeting? … 614 words ➥ Thursday, February 5, 2009 by: donnot
‘ i am grateful that i was made so welcome at meetings that i felt comfortable ’ 311 words ➥ Saturday, February 5, 2011 by: donnot
• by offering my phone number, a hug, or just a warm welcome • 614 words ➥ Sunday, February 5, 2012 by: donnot
µ i remember the welcome i was given when µ 675 words ➥ Tuesday, February 5, 2013 by: donnot
♥ after all, i have seen so many people come and go ♥ 221 words ➥ Wednesday, February 5, 2014 by: donnot
∀ by offering my phone number, a hug, ∀ 580 words ➥ Thursday, February 5, 2015 by: donnot
☀ keep coming back ☼ 774 words ➥ Friday, February 5, 2016 by: donnot
☊ remembering that: ☋ 882 words ➥ Sunday, February 5, 2017 by: donnot
🏁 stepping back 🏁 705 words ➥ Monday, February 5, 2018 by: donnot
😮 i often wonder 😵 614 words ➥ Tuesday, February 5, 2019 by: donnot
🛫 the addict 🚀 580 words ➥ Wednesday, February 5, 2020 by: donnot
🙻 what was 🙻 527 words ➥ Friday, February 5, 2021 by: donnot
🎢 never to return 🎢 429 words ➥ Saturday, February 5, 2022 by: donnot
👀 after watching 🐾 396 words ➥ Sunday, February 5, 2023 by: donnot
🎜 harmony and 🎝 468 words ➥ Monday, February 5, 2024 by: donnot
☯ The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao ☯
by Lao-Tse
Translated by James Legge
Book 1
2) The multitude of men look satisfied and pleased; as if enjoying
a full banquet, as if mounted on a tower in spring. I alone seem listless
and still, my desires having as yet given no indication of their presence.
I am like an infant which has not yet smiled. I look dejected and
forlorn, as if I had no home to go to. The multitude of men all have
enough and to spare. I alone seem to have lost everything. My mind
is that of a stupid man; I am in a state of chaos. Ordinary men look
bright and intelligent, while I alone seem to be benighted. They look
full of discrimination, while I alone am dull and confused. I seem
to be carried about as on the sea, drifting as if I had nowhere to
rest. All men have their spheres of action, while I alone seem dull
and incapable, like a rude borderer. (Thus) I alone am different from
other men, but I value the nursing-mother (the Tao).