Relinquishing Old Ideas

"If at first you don't succeed, chances are you just don't understand the situation." Anonymous.

Suppose you suddenly found yourself transported to an alien land. One where you not only couldn't speak the language of the natives, but where you also were totally unfamiliar with their customs. You'd be hard-pressed to explain your needs. And you'd be fearful that they might interpret some of your actions as hostile. That could create unpleasant consequences.

It's much the same with our recognition and consequent confusion about the fact that we're "out of sync" with the world we live in. We're like the blind men and the elephant: Our impression of the shape of things doesn't give with what others perceive. And yet, there is truth and validity in all our perceptions.

This is what makes it doubly hard for us to relinquish our own point of view. We see its validity and cling stubbornly to our position when, clearly, it is not working for us. There is an example in the Big Book of a man who persisted in skipping out in front of fast-moving vehicles. First, he had a series of minor accidents. But these were followed by more serious accidents until, finally, he broke both legs. He persisted in this self-defeating behavior the way many of us persist in our determination that, "This time it will be different." So long as we cling to these old ideas, we remain powerless.

Today's Step: I readily release ideas that no longer work for me.