Hi everyone,
I want to share one of the life lessons I have learned along the way...
Whenever I see a homeless or needy person, I always try to supply them with what they need (within my means of course) whether it be food, clothing, kindness, etc. I try very hard not to hand over money because it might be used for something harmful (alcohol, drugs, etc.), but there have been occasions when I wasn't able because of lack of time or facilities to provide the "things" they need, and hand over some money. I was getting tired of people telling me I was stupid for doing that saying, "You know what they did with that money, don't you? They headed to a bar or their dealer." I went to a sister (nun) that I know and asked her what she does in those circumstances. She told me that if I see someone in hungry, cold, or otherwise in need and I choose not to help, I am sinning by being selfish and uncaring. The responsibility of what that person does with the money is on their shoulders, not mine. If they take advantage of my kindness and use it for alcohol/drugs, the sin is on their souls.
I have come to apply that in other areas of my life. If I help someone in any way and they have deceived me to get my sympathy I try not to let it bother me because I KNOW I did what I did out of the goodness of my heart and it is still a good thing. The person who did the deceiving hopefully will be helped (maybe not in the way I intended) by my actions and maybe turn their lives around in time by my example and the example of others reaching out in love to them. If not, then the sin of deception is on their soul.
What I'm trying to say is if we reach out to help someone, we have opportunity to change/transform that person by our love and generosity NO MATTER what the circumstances are that lead to the action.
There are many caring and loving people on here, and I love and care about you ALL. I'm so proud of how you persevere to stay/get clean. I'm so proud of how you reach out to each other like you've known each other for years. I may not agree with you all of the time, but something can ALWAYS be learned from another person's point of view. If something really bothers me on a thread, I either avoid it or go back and read it later and see if I misunderstood something. If it still bothers me, I don't go back. If you ever see the word "BULLs***!" on my post, you'll know I really, really didn't agree and couldn't let it go like usual. lol
Let the caring and the kindness continue! God bless!
Love,
Susan :)
Susan,
Thanks, I really needed to hear that tonight. I have to remember more often how it was and how good I do have it now. Gratitude is something I've let slip away from the forground and I need to keep that in check. Thanks again.
Take care.........................................God bless...................................Bob
Thanks, I really needed to hear that tonight. I have to remember more often how it was and how good I do have it now. Gratitude is something I've let slip away from the forground and I need to keep that in check. Thanks again.
Take care.........................................God bless...................................Bob
Susan, great post.
We were just talking the other day at home about doing the RIGHT thing. The question came up with the kids: If a cashier or waitress gives you too much change, do you speak up???
One of my kids said immediately "No, it's their mistake!"
I came back by saying:
1) If you were the waitress, wouldn't you appreciate being told?
2) At the end of the day, the waitress will have to take money out of her own pocket to repay her mistake.
3) It's the RIGHT thing to do!
My point is that in our hearts we all know the RIGHT thing to do here. It's simple, we have 2 choices: 1: We can contribute helpful suggestions, offer support and promote recovery, or
2: We can get nasty, make personal jabs and wallow in misery.
I never judge anyone here, but in order to progress in my recovery, I need to feel safe and assume that people here have my (and everyone else's) best interest at heart.
We were just talking the other day at home about doing the RIGHT thing. The question came up with the kids: If a cashier or waitress gives you too much change, do you speak up???
One of my kids said immediately "No, it's their mistake!"
I came back by saying:
1) If you were the waitress, wouldn't you appreciate being told?
2) At the end of the day, the waitress will have to take money out of her own pocket to repay her mistake.
3) It's the RIGHT thing to do!
My point is that in our hearts we all know the RIGHT thing to do here. It's simple, we have 2 choices: 1: We can contribute helpful suggestions, offer support and promote recovery, or
2: We can get nasty, make personal jabs and wallow in misery.
I never judge anyone here, but in order to progress in my recovery, I need to feel safe and assume that people here have my (and everyone else's) best interest at heart.
Susan . . . . . the only thing i have to add is . . .
"and by so doing, we are transformed and healed"
Isn't that what we are all searching for ?
"and by so doing, we are transformed and healed"
Isn't that what we are all searching for ?
Amen, Bob!
