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This step helps me keep check on my
attitude and behavior. It helps me stay right with
myself, HP and others, creating harmony and balance. I try not to wait until
things pile up. If I am real troubled about the matter or if troubles are many, I
take out pencil and paper and do it the long way in the style of the AA
4th Step. I do a mental review of my day or a spot check inventory
if I am struggling or resentful with something. I ask myself; "how is
it effecting me and what is my part in it". If I am unsure if
the thing is the right thing to do or not or along the lines of God's Will
for me. I usually put it to the 4 absolute test; asking if what I am doing
is absolutely pure, honest, with unconditional love or unselfish. If I can
say yes to those things, then I am on good grounds and go forward with it,
if not then I have some amending to do. I am also careful not to drift
into morbid reflection, worry or remorse as that is not of benefit to
anyone or myself. If if crops up, then I ask God to remove it at once. I
then go about and amend the things I can that I played a part in.
Sometimes this requires me to talk it over with someone first to make sure
my heads on straight about the matter. The more I do this step on a
daily bases the better off I am. I always do one when I am out of
sorts right away.
Your Friend in
Recovery,
Carol
R |
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FOOD
FOR THOUGHTS When we find ourselves out of
balance, our Strength is affected. Balance is strength! We have to ask
ourselves what are some ways we need to stay to be well-balanced? For each
aspect there is a counter aspect. We cannot stay all in one without getting
out of balance.
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Thoughts |
Feelings |
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Intellect |
Intuition |
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Conscious |
Subconscious |
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Work |
Play/Rest |
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Giving |
Receiving |
Carl Jung, called it the two aspects:
Ancient Chinese philosophy refers to two interacting
energy models:
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Yang |
Yin, |
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Active |
Passive, |
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Outer |
Inner, |
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Day |
Night, |
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Bright |
Dark |
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Sun |
Moon |
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Dry |
Wet, |
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Positive |
Negative. |
To be energized and strong, we need to be well
balanced. If I am all thought and intellect, I will be a cold fish analyzing
everything and everyone. If I am all feeling and intuition, I will be “off
in the clouds”. We each need to be a whole person – to use all of our
capacities in order to be strong, well balanced person.
How do we develop inner strength? By being still, by
centering ourselves, by listening to the still small voice inside. Real
strength is not being rigid or inflexible. Strength is being able to bend
with pressure and stress. The willow is stronger than the oak in a high
wind.
Bull-headiness or stubbornness is not strength.
Strength is being able to look at new ideas, admit we made a mistake, change
our way of thinking, and things in better ways.
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