Meditations on Lent - #11
Sunday Musings
On this second Sunday of Lent in the Christian Calendar I am acutely aware that for much of my childhood and a good portion of my early adulthood repentance was motivated by fear. Not just on Sunday. but every day of the week the god of my understanding had nothing better to do than track and score every thought and action which was not focused on what a terrible sinner I was. Since it was a given that I was a miserable, no good sinner my only hope for redemption was to dress myself in sack cloth and ashes and beg for forgiveness. Of course, the paradox is that the more one believes one is unworthy the more one behaves in a way which keeps love distant. One is so focused on acceptance of one’s unworthiness that one is not present with the god of one’s understanding, other people or focused on doing the best one can do for today
I was well into adulthood before I understood that it was because of my worthiness that I could focus on being my best self. I did not have to earn my worthiness. My! What a difference this makes.
Seth Godin in his blog today reminds the reader that “Neither resilience nor tolerance get better on their own.” He also says: “The trap? Hoping for one, the other or both but not doing the work to make it likely.”
The problem is, of course, that it is difficult, if not impossible, to find the strength to practice resilience and tolerance if one has no hope that one can get better. This holds true for simple tasks and for how we love and take care of ourselves and each other. If no matter what or how much one does one is going to be unworthy it is neigh impossible to find the strength to do practice resilience or tolerance.
As most readers know I work with and for many who are struggling with addiction to alcohol, other drugs, power, money, sex or food. They arrive in recovery very often saying that they never felt as if they fit in or belonged anywhere. They have zero self-esteem. They are lacking in the key belief which is necessary to begin the slow process of claiming the life they deserve. For those who explore the 12-step program as a framework for healing others in the program will promise to love them until he or she can love themselves.
This is the promise of Easter; of new life; of Spring. We let go of behavior which is self-defeating and does not lead to love and connection. We take the leap of faith that we are worthy; that with tender care and faith the spring flowers will blossom; the bird will visits and we will be our best selves.
Written March 17, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coacpickett.org
Sunday Musings
On this second Sunday of Lent in the Christian Calendar I am acutely aware that for much of my childhood and a good portion of my early adulthood repentance was motivated by fear. Not just on Sunday. but every day of the week the god of my understanding had nothing better to do than track and score every thought and action which was not focused on what a terrible sinner I was. Since it was a given that I was a miserable, no good sinner my only hope for redemption was to dress myself in sack cloth and ashes and beg for forgiveness. Of course, the paradox is that the more one believes one is unworthy the more one behaves in a way which keeps love distant. One is so focused on acceptance of one’s unworthiness that one is not present with the god of one’s understanding, other people or focused on doing the best one can do for today
I was well into adulthood before I understood that it was because of my worthiness that I could focus on being my best self. I did not have to earn my worthiness. My! What a difference this makes.
Seth Godin in his blog today reminds the reader that “Neither resilience nor tolerance get better on their own.” He also says: “The trap? Hoping for one, the other or both but not doing the work to make it likely.”
The problem is, of course, that it is difficult, if not impossible, to find the strength to practice resilience and tolerance if one has no hope that one can get better. This holds true for simple tasks and for how we love and take care of ourselves and each other. If no matter what or how much one does one is going to be unworthy it is neigh impossible to find the strength to do practice resilience or tolerance.
As most readers know I work with and for many who are struggling with addiction to alcohol, other drugs, power, money, sex or food. They arrive in recovery very often saying that they never felt as if they fit in or belonged anywhere. They have zero self-esteem. They are lacking in the key belief which is necessary to begin the slow process of claiming the life they deserve. For those who explore the 12-step program as a framework for healing others in the program will promise to love them until he or she can love themselves.
This is the promise of Easter; of new life; of Spring. We let go of behavior which is self-defeating and does not lead to love and connection. We take the leap of faith that we are worthy; that with tender care and faith the spring flowers will blossom; the bird will visits and we will be our best selves.
Written March 17, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coacpickett.org
RSS Feed