8/20/04 days of healing days of joy.

[bubblze30]

Today's thought is:

I haven't won yet but I haven't lost, either.
--Dennis C.

A favorite saying in sports is, "It isn't losing to get knocked down. Losing is staying down."

In life as in sports, that idea makes great sense. Like "Let go and let God" or "Let it begin with me, " it is a saying that reminds us of an important underlying principle. In this case the principle is that battles aren't wars, but rather a series of campaigns. No one wins every time out, or can expect to. And some battles aren't worth fighting anyway.

Fighting a battle isn't hell -- our unrealistic expectations are. When we strike out against some old attitude or behavior, we have to realize we're in for the long haul. When the enemy is some aspect of ourselves, we are up against a formidable opponent that won't give up easily. We have to expect that there will be many battles -- and not a few defeats. The winner is the one who perseveres longest.

Only continued effort wins the war; we can't lose if we don't quit.

Today, I pray for persistence in the face of many defeats. I ask my Higher Power for courage to keep at it.

[bubblze30]

I can relate so much to this thread. My recovery has many ups and downs. However if I gave up each time I had a down I would have little time clean. Each time I fall I identify(if possible)whats going on and work on it. Its not always easy, no one said it would be. I do notice once accomplished I find myself a little stronger then I was before. Holding on to what I learn and using it in the future helps me get through tough times sooner. The more I get brought down the stronger I get to keep fighting. It also reduces how many times I get brought down.

[2stop]

Excellent message!! Don't ever give up, work on our attitudes and perceptions and it truly does get better!