|
I
wanted to be a better LISTENER
I
was told.
I’ve
been given two ears and one mouth
that
I may have the opportunity
listen
twice as much as I talk.
If
I really want to understand more,
Then
I will quietly listen so I can hear what is said.
I
wanted to be HONEST
I
was told.
I
must stop telling lies.
That
my shame is born from my failure to do what I should
and
making excuses why I can’t.
Self-respect
through honesty is not a gift,
it’s
a reward for being genuine.
I
wanted my BAD HABITS removed.
I
was told.
It
is I who resist changing what has proven of no benefit.
The
only doors to change that are closed
are
those I refuse to open.
I
cannot change, as long as I will not change.
I
wanted PATIENCE.
I
was told.
Self-control
will provide me with calmness.
When
I rush, I make mistakes.
Today’s
experiences can prepare me for tomorrow
Patience
is not a gift
It
is a practice.
I
wanted HAPPINESS
I
was told.
That
I will find pleasure through giving and sharing.
Contentment
will come from doing good
and
feeling good abut what I do.
It’s
up to me to become decent and then
I
will be blessed with gratitude.
I
wanted my ANGER removed
I
was told.
Anger
is the result of wanting to change
another’s
attitude instead of my own.
That
I’m not able to control everything thrust toward me
by
a person, pace, thing or
situation.
But
I can control how I react.
I
have a choice of what I want to feel.
I
wanted to remove the problem with my EGO
I
was told.
I
think only of myself, want only for myself.
believe
only my way and do things only to get what I want.
The
less everything is centered around me,
the
less ego will be a problem.
I
wanted my RESENTMENTS removed.
I
was told.
I’m
only displeased by not receiving something I want.
If
I let go of the anger I don’t need,
the
resentments will go away.
If
I have any resentments, it’s because
I
refuse to let them go.
I
wanted to be RESPONSIBLE.
I
was told.
Others
cannot make my choices and decisions for me.
I
must believe that I will be protected.
I
will be guided when I get up and try again.
I
must learn to love myself.
I
wanted TOLERANCE of people, places, and things.
I
was told.
To
allow people to be who they are.
To
select the safest places to go
and
to do things that are right.
Serenity
is a reward of tolerance
when
I accept things as they are,
and
focus on improving myself.
I
wanted to be spared of any more SUFFERING
I
was told.
To
experience pain, harm and loss teaches me
about
courage and only has only limits that I set.
It
is through the suffering
that
I find myself at the edge of disadvantage
where
I become humble enough to ask for help
and
suffer no more.
I
will grow when I’m ready.
I
wanted my SELFISHNESS removed.
I
was told.
Giving
is a choice, not a demand.
Sharing
is a pleasure, not a requirement.
My
selfishness does not need to be taken away.
I
simple need to give it up.
I
wanted my INSECURITY removed.
I
was told.
The
more I hold on to fear, the less I feel safe.
The
more I try, trust is gained.
Self-confidence
comes from within, not from without.
Confidence
offers me protection,
but
I must step out of my own doubts.
Fear
is a threat when I stand in it.
I
wanted more FAITH
I
was told.
Lack
of personal responsibility is why I’m frustrated now.
I
need to trust I’m cared for.
Have
more confidence that I can change my own life.
Because
that’s the way I was made,
a
complete person.
Stop
being lazy.
That
doesn’t show
Love
and service.
I
WAS TOLD
I
HAVE THE TOOLS
I
MUST USE THEM
Author unknown
Submitted by Pat Peterson
(Back)
|
