Posts Tagged: on not complaining
“SECRETLY INCREDIBLE”
Here was my report and affirmation to my 12-step sponsor the other day:
Dear _____,
Today, my report and affirmation to my 12-step sponsor read as follows: “No violations, other than some passing fantasies. I didn’t let them pass as quickly as I would have liked, but they did pass.
Today, by God’s grace, I will not complain about anything or anyone. This includes myself. Instead, I will be grateful, and will do whatever I can to serve God and others, in order to make this a slightly better world than it is right now.”
My sponsor’s reply was at once an encouragement and a rebuke. “So, I see a contradiction in your report and your affirmation. You said you did not let them pass as quickly as you would have liked and then you state that you won’t complain about anything. Relish your success.
Be secretly incredible today to tie in to your affirmation.”
I wrote, “Thanks so much for the correction! You are right.
Thanks also for giving me a wonderful idea for a blog: “Secretly Incredible.’”
So, let me make a list of things about me that stand a chance of being “secretly incredible.” Of course, since I am posting this, it will be an open secret. So, here is a not-so-secret list of my current secret incredibles:
- I am honest about my weaknesses, at least some of the time.
- I am admitting to others some of my weaknesses, in order that they both hold me accountable and encourage me.
- I am making positive affirmations, and trying to live by them.
- I am aware of the danger and yukkiness of complaining, and am seeking to avoid it.
- I am capable of having my contradictions pointed out without coming unglued.
What are your secret incredibles? Most of us are aware of our faults and failings. Are you also aware of what’s right about you? Sometimes I think we hide all our secrets deep inside, unaware that some of those secrets might be just fine.
DOWN TO EARTH BELIEVER
- “Even a Sliver of Light” April 9, 2024“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:6, English Standard Version) I missed the total eclipse yesterday. There were a number of good reasons for this, but […]
- “The Process in Miracles and the Miracle of Process” March 11, 2024“2 Kings 5:1 Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2 Now the Syrians on one of their raids […]
- “The Power of Encouragement—Even for Old People” March 10, 2024“But encourage each other every day while it is ‘today.’ Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you.” (Hebrews 3:13, New Century Version) Yesterday, I was walking at a nearby park. There was a large group of young people some of whom were running while other young people […]
- “Endurance” March 10, 2024“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” (Hebrews 10:36, English Standard Version) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us […]
- “The Limits of Non-Judgmentalism” February 24, 2024“Matt. 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. Matt. 7:2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2, English Standard Version) This morning, in my virtual 12-step meeting, we discussed the topic of judgmentalism. There were many wise […]
- “Delighting in Being Told What to Do?!?” February 23, 2024“Psa. 112:1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures […]
- “Character is the Real Lesson” January 19, 2024I am often confused about what lesson I’m really supposed to be learning. For example, this morning I was trying to knock out several Spanish lessons. My intentions were a lot better than my internet connection. I’ve done three lessons. Or rather, I’ve done two lessons. One of them I did twice because the internet […]
- “The Year of Becoming Un-Planked” January 1, 2024Each year, I try to come up with one word or a short phrase for what I intend to work on in the upcoming year. 2024 is “The Year of Becoming Un-Planked”. What?!! What does that even mean? So glad that you asked! Jesus said to his disciples, “Why do you look at the speck […]
- “Searching for the Noble One” December 26, 2023My wife and I were reading Luke, chapter 2 on Christmas Day. Luke 2 talks about the shepherds being told to look for this very special child—in fact, this King—in a stable. I prefer the word “barn”. I grew up on a farm. I know what a barn is. A stable is entirely too biblical […]
- “That Don’t Impress God Much” December 14, 2023DTEB, “That Don’t Impress God Much” “That Don’t Impress Me Much” (Song by Robert John Lange and Shania Twain) Micah 6:8 (MSG) “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be […]
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