Sobriety First

God provides us with all the tools we need to take care of ourselves and fulfill our full potential in this incarnation. 

HERE’S THE RUB:

Life doesn’t always turn out the way we’d planned. Sometimes, the things we want just aren’t meant to be. 

When self-will runs riot; when you plead, plot, plan, scheme, scam, beg, coerce, cajole, and fixate to get what you want, when you want, and how you want it, …and it just doesn’t happen – It’s a bitter pill to swallow. That’s when sitting through all those meetings on acceptance really pays off.  God’s will may sometimes seem harsh, but it’s important to remember He has a plan…and it’s a good plan.  

BE ADVISED: 

God’s will is rarely convenient or neatly dovetails with your plans.  And sometimes you won’t see the reason, logic or beauty of it until years, or maybe even decades later.

When I have the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear to see that there is something much bigger, much smarter, and much more powerful at work protecting me from myself.

No matter how disappointing, inconvenient or awful things may appear, they always seem to turn out okay. God provides an escape clause, commonly known as Plan B. 

Those of us in recovery are familiar with the old adage, “When I make plans, God laughs.” 
Not that I’m hogging the spotlight, but I’ve no doubt provided God with endless hours of amusement. Life can get messy and is often a lesson in acceptance. …suppository style. 

If your life didn’t turn out exactly as you’d planned, it doesn’t make you a  
failure.You’re only a failure if you stop trying. You are stronger and more resilient than you’ll ever know.   

And keep in mind, it’s not where you currently are that’s important; it’s where you’re going. 

CASE IN POINT: 

Rick was my barber for 17 years. 
He was a plain, ol’ regular guy; low keyed and funny in a folksy kind of way. 

His barbershop, “The Cutup”, was located next to a bowling alley in downtown Hyannis. 
A sign on the wall read: 
‘God made only so many perfect heads. The rest he covered with hair’. 
Any time my imperfect head needed a trim, I went to Rick’s. 

He’d walk around me with scissors and a comb and do his thing while we had a little chat. 
He made it look easy and effortless…and I always got a great haircut. 
No doubt about it, the man was an artist. 

I was dismayed when he closed up shop and moved on to greener pastures. 
He had bad feet and just couldn’t hack all the standing the job required. 

As time passed, I found a new barber and lost track of Rick. 

Years later, I ran into Rick at a local Prudential office, and he was flourishing as an insurance agent. 

Instead of his casual barber garb (which was the only thing I’d seen him wearing all those years), he was now smartly clad in a fine, tailored suit. 
He was setting all sorts of sales records, winning awards, and crushing it.  The man was a serious closer, and a sales champ. 

Rick now had a different demeanor and a serious, professional vibe: 
He’d totally reinvented himself, and embraced the persona of a financial services businessman.  I never knew my barber was such a big shot.  Although cutting hair was his first love, he knew when it was time to cut bait. 
As it turned out, his Plan B was vastly more successful and financially rewarding.   

It’s not where you are, it’s where you’re going.

Frank was a businessman who showed up at our morning meeting.  He had an edge to him and quickly became known as ‘Angry Frank’.  I liked Frank, and we got along very well. 

In time I ceased attending that morning meeting and lost track of Frank.  Years later, I ran into a completely different guy: He traded in his suit and brogues for jeans and a pair of cowboy boots, and swapped the briefcase and boardroom for a Freightliner.  Frank was now a long-haul trucker.   

Besides his wardrobe, the biggest change was his demeanor and general vibe: Relaxed, happy, and at ease with life, Frank had a big smile as he described crawling around under his rig in the middle of a blizzard in Billings, Montana.   

It’s not where you are, it’s where you’re going.

I admire people who have the insight to recognize God’s will, the courage to step out of their comfort zone and try something new, and the faith to see it through.   

It’s easy to fall into the trap of living in an intolerable situation, because it’s easier than changing, and it’s at least familiar. 

Me? 
I always wanted to be Hugh Hefner.

Hanging around the Mansion in my silk pajamas, smoking a briar pipe, surrounded by scores of scantily clad gorgeous women. 

Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Instead, I’m sitting here writing. This is my Plan B. 

I’d never planned on a life of sobriety, and I certainly never anticipated writing about it. As usual, I’m giving God a good chuckle. 

HERE’S THE TAKEAWAY:

There are just too many unforeseen and uncontrollable variables in life. What you lack in control, you can make up for in hard work and faith. 

God lovingly watches over us, and he doesn’t expect perfection. 
He just wants us to show up and do our best…and be of service to others. 

 Letting go, taking life one day at a time, and living with the conviction that everything will be okay takes equal parts practice and faith. 

Having the Serenity to accept the things you cannot change is good. 
Having the Courage to change what you can is great. 
But possessing Wisdom to know the difference is everything.