I heard a recent presentation by a person reminding me of the role of giving in the healing process. This person said, “In my junior year of high school I ran for student council president. As a learning experience, we each had to develop a platform and give a speech at a school convention. My platform was simple, we needed a soda machine in the cafeteria. At our convention, with a terrible speech impediment as a young person some thought in my platform, I said we need sewing machines, not a soda machine. As expected I lost by a landslide”.
The life of Recovery shows us again and again that the little things matter a lot. There are seemingly insignificant gestures that ultimately make a big difference. Dorothy is doing just that giving what she has by connecting with people to share Recovery stories. She is an effective listener, encourages self-worth, and respects the feelings of people.
Whether we are in Recovery or supporting people in Recovery how can we be more like Dorothy? What example does she offer? Dorothy gives from her needs rather than her surplus. It is easy to give what we have plenty of; money, and homegrown vegetables. But what about when we are asked to give something precious like our time?
To give some kind of labor such as listening, encouraging self-worth, and respect for the feelings of people is more difficult. Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “Giving is holy when it hurts a little”. Dorothy lives in the present moment the future is not important. She tells people she is rather busy and cannot take time to listen to them and not allow people to share their feelings.
There is a lesson in all of this, either to follow a Recovery plan or introduce people to the 12 steps of Recovery. In reality, Dorothy is not rich according to our societal standards and does not give a lot in terms of what the world sees as a lot but she gives what she has. Those in Recovery and those who support us in Recovery can be generous with each other. We can share how much or little we have.
The person I mentioned at the beginning of this blog lost the election due to his speech impediment yet the present is not bad. We live in the present and Recovery calls us to use our gifts and share the gifts we have now so we can grow closer to receiving the power of Recovery and healing or simply helping others Recover and heal.
SuperHuman Being
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: https://superhumanbeing.net/