The Parable of the Hunter, the Monkey, and the Peanut
There is a tale about how certain hunters in Africa catch monkeys. A small jar is placed at the base of a tree with a peanut inside. The opening of the jar allows the monkey to place his hand in, but when he tries to withdraw it, he is unable to do so without letting go of the contents of the jar. Some monkeys will stay there with their hand in the jar until the hunter comes back to trap them. They are trapped because they are unwilling to let go of something they are doing which is working against them. And, it ultimately will lead to their demise.
I can relate to this parable. For many years, I have been trapped by my unwillingness to let my AD go. I have been holding on to her with all my might. Her disease consumed me. My thoughts and actions were insane. The sicker she became, the sicker I became. I would try to let her go and then somehow I always got sucked back in. Hand in the jar. Hand out of the jar. Right now, my hand is out of the jar. And, I am basking in the gift of serenity.
God, thank you.