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navysteve · 10-07-2009, 01:39 PM

Serenity as happy apathy can be seen in all walks of life, since many of us are striving towards a spiritual way of life it is not surprising that we look for these attributes in ourselves and others. I think apathy arises out of our selfish desire to practice avoidance instead of recovery. We go to meetings to not think about a drink instead of carrying the message to the still suffering alcoholic. I got a great view of this last night:

A new guy shared about how he was jammed up, just had a kid, was in danger of losing his wife, his job ( you know the deal...). We passed around the phone listing ( that isn't a bad thing, it just isn't 12th step work), after the meeting I was the only person to speak to him, he had been drinking. He wasn't out of his mind drunk, but he was drunk. I tried to get a few others to shake hands with him and I was told that we can't 12 step a guy who is drinking.

Wow! What if Ebby thought that way as he sat at Bill's kitchen table?

Now I had a test, I could get angry at the blind for being blind or I could accept the things I can not change ( other people)

But we can change other people- somewhere an alcoholic is sharing their experience with the program with another who is in need and the light will go on, that will lead to more changed lives. The one who gets to give without seeking any payment, even in the form of acknowledgment will know a serene peace unlike any others. That same person that hears the message and practices this way of life will have all those promises come true at some point and will themselves know a serenity and peace beyond anything else.

Now others too will come into AA and quit drinking. It is the biggest pay raise they will ever get. Their families will be relieved that they are no longer wrecking cars, going to jail, losing jobs etc...

They will go to meetings, share about how great their lives are, bitch about the kids when they act like kids, they might even make coffee now and then.

But serenity?

There are those too who will practice these steps with all the fervor of the dying clinging to life. They will occasionally burn out, go through me me me phases and eventually get back to the basics if they don't drink or find another way to fill the void.

They may get to know and appreciate serenity like no others.

Nathan Rotenstreich says that serenity is born out of insight into reality and its various aspects.

I think there is alot of truth in that. We found a Great Reality deep down
within us( Well, some of us have anyway).

Saint Thomas Aquinas states that apathy is born out of sadness,as being contrary to charity. I liken it to purgatory on earth. Apathy brings nothing to the table, it merely takes up space and blocks us from being of service. Of course we can go against our feelings, I do it alot.

10-07-2009, 01:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
navysteve Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,870	Serenity as happy apathy can be seen in all walks of life, since many of us are striving towards a spiritual way of life it is not surprising that we look for these attributes in ourselves and others. I think apathy arises out of our selfish desire to practice avoidance instead of recovery. We go to meetings to not think about a drink instead of carrying the message to the still suffering alcoholic. I got a great view of this last night: A new guy shared about how he was jammed up, just had a kid, was in danger of losing his wife, his job ( you know the deal...). We passed around the phone listing ( that isn't a bad thing, it just isn't 12th step work), after the meeting I was the only person to speak to him, he had been drinking. He wasn't out of his mind drunk, but he was drunk. I tried to get a few others to shake hands with him and I was told that we can't 12 step a guy who is drinking. Wow! What if Ebby thought that way as he sat at Bill's kitchen table? Now I had a test, I could get angry at the blind for being blind or I could accept the things I can not change ( other people) But we can change other people- somewhere an alcoholic is sharing their experience with the program with another who is in need and the light will go on, that will lead to more changed lives. The one who gets to give without seeking any payment, even in the form of acknowledgment will know a serene peace unlike any others. That same person that hears the message and practices this way of life will have all those promises come true at some point and will themselves know a serenity and peace beyond anything else. Now others too will come into AA and quit drinking. It is the biggest pay raise they will ever get. Their families will be relieved that they are no longer wrecking cars, going to jail, losing jobs etc... They will go to meetings, share about how great their lives are, bitch about the kids when they act like kids, they might even make coffee now and then. But serenity? There are those too who will practice these steps with all the fervor of the dying clinging to life. They will occasionally burn out, go through me me me phases and eventually get back to the basics if they don't drink or find another way to fill the void. They may get to know and appreciate serenity like no others. Nathan Rotenstreich says that serenity is born out of insight into reality and its various aspects. I think there is alot of truth in that. We found a Great Reality deep down within us( Well, some of us have anyway). Saint Thomas Aquinas states that apathy is born out of sadness,as being contrary to charity. I liken it to purgatory on earth. Apathy brings nothing to the table, it merely takes up space and blocks us from being of service. Of course we can go against our feelings, I do it alot.