Stress is real. Real as a heart attack! Stress can be all consuming. Stress is also an indication of fear. The Big Book lists fear as the core of ALL character defects. “I’m not afraid for me but I am for my family.” “I have always done it myself. Now I am not allowed to do anything that takes me close to others because of ‘social distancing.’” “My job is so demanding.” Stress comes in all ways, shapes, and forms.
Now, just how do we deal with the stress of everyday living? We learn in our early spiritual approach to everyday life that working the 3rd step, really working and believing it, takes the fears away. Working the program replaces stress with peace, hope, joy, and happiness. We also find that not working the 3rd step is one way to find despair at the end of the road.
Working the 3rd step does not mean that it is only worked for our actions. It is also worked for our thoughts and attitudes. Thoughts and attitudes for and about us and the people around us. Everything can cause stress in us, if we let it. We should try to remember that we only have control over ourselves. This is demonstrated in The Serenity Prayer. Here we pray for the wisdom to know the difference between what we can and can not change. If it is me, I can change. If it is you or anything other than myself, I can not change it. All that we can do is work our own program. Not anyone else’s. This removes most stress from our lives.
Then show by example what we believe should be done. And pray, as the 11th step says, only for the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry it out. Prayer helps as long as we know that God is in charge, not us. Meditation helps as long as it does not lead to over manipulation. We can’t let meditation add to the stress of overthinking things. Take the great feelings and attitudes you have and get during meetings out into the world and share them with everyone. Don’t keep them bottled up in yourself and released only at meetings or church.
If I work my program 24/7/365, things are not always what they initially appear to be. I do not go around thinking only “Holy” thoughts and words. Now, for me, that would be stress. I just work on continually doing the next right thing. How do I do this? I use the shortened version of the 3rd Step and just say “God help me!” Then get out of His way and let him. When I do, I KNOW that the next thing that I am guided to do by my Higher Power is the right thing. And that stress is not leading me astray.
My Higher Power, who I now choose to call God, communicates with me by “instincts” and “inspiration” and “vibes.” Of course I do not hear verbal communication from Him. This means that, if the next thing FEELS right, it IS right. If there is any apprehension or strain at all, I must reconsider because it might not be right. This is all very simple. Not always easy, though. But, when it is practiced in all matters of my life, it does become easy as well as simple. If it feels good, I do it. If it doesn’t feel good, I don’t. Simple AND easy! No strain. Bless you all!
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