Willingness

[majestyjo]

September 24

Walk In Dry Places

Willingness to listen

Willingness

Why is it that we'll accept information from some people but not from others? Many people tried to advise us while we were drinking; why would we listen only to recovering alcoholics?

We can't answer that question, except to say that most human beings are willing to listen only to certain people at certain times. That's why business organizations have to select sales people carefully; customers will respond to some people, but not to others.

As we grow in sobriety, however, we develop the willingness to listen to people we would have once avoided. We can find wonderful ideas in all sorts of places and from all types of people. As we become more open-minded and willing, we can listen more and learn more.

My prejudices and fears of the past kept me from listening to people who would have helped me. I'll be more open-minded and willing today.

Sobriety being soundness of mind, I need to be open-minded and willing to do what ever it takes to find a sense of serenity and peace, instead of having a lot of internal chatter and debating society occupying my mind.

[caressa222]

Many times have to pray for the willingness to be willing. So often I can shut someone off, especially if I don't tend to agree with them. When I go to hear a speaker, I want to hear recovery, and how you are staying sober in today. I don't want to listen to a big drunk-a-log.

I had to learn to carry the message not the messenger.  You often hear what you need to hear from the last person you want to hear it from.

[caressa222]

As I was reading this, my thought was you want to be with people who have been there and are willing to go to any length not to go back.

It is one thing to be with like minded people, but how are they working the program? Do they have a program? Have they found what works for them? Are they willing to change? Are they substituting one drug for another? Are we able and willing to set boundaries? Are we willing to accept where someone is on their journey?.

Isolation is part of our disease. So is Ms. Perfection, so we live in the moment, in today, and try to follow God's Will to the best of our ability through our God.