“I have been in AA for XX days, weeks, months, years now and life keeps coming at me. How do I handle the frustration that seems to be building? I have not even taken a drink!” In other words, what’s wrong?
I believe that probably everyone has feelings of frustration. At least one time or another in their life. It is another feeling that is just there like love. And appreciation. Don’t forget disappointment. There’s also feelings of inadequacy. After that, what do we do to limit our exposure to frustration? I go to the shortened version of the 3rd Step. Simply say “God help me.” It couldn’t be much simpler than that. Notice that I didn’t say easy. We have had a lifetime of facing frustration. So, followed by either working through it or succumbing to the “poor me” feelings.
Successful people work their ways through their frustrations. They know that they will only come out stronger or better for it. I define a successful person as one who lives his or her life that has its share of frustrations. But he remains Happy, Joyous, and Free. Along these lines, an unsuccessful person is one who surrenders to the pull of their frustration. He is miserable to themselves and others.
What do I think should be done to push us toward success in this human experience of life? Start with a plan. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Nor chock full of things to do. It could very well be just to start out each day with spiritual reading for a few minutes. My spiritual readings are on the commode in my bathroom. This is the first place that I go upon awakening every day. It takes no extra time from my day. This keeps frustration away most of the time. This will put you into the 11th Step. The 11th Step says pray for the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry it out.
I ask Him that Our will be done. Why Our will? Because, when my God and I are working together, my will is blended in with His will. He and I both know it. Hence Our will be done and frustration melts away.
Throw in a Step 3, “God take it!” Then, go on about your day and life. This starts out my day. Thus, I remain calm. In a wake free zone. No rough waters to float in. A frustration may arise. But it is not a roadblock any more. They are just “Go slow” signs. Don’t complicate simple living. Don’t use words like “but,” “what if,” “ya but” and similar. It is what it is. If it is me, I can change it. But if it is outside me at all, I can not really change it. No matter what I choose. For instance, this keeps me from beating my head against the wall. Even something as simple as “God help me do the next right thing,” works for me. Followed by doing what comes to mind next.
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