“No Man Is an Island” Weekender: March 15-19, 2018
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Ashburn, VA
Posts: 30,196
“No Man Is an Island” Weekender: March 15-19, 2018
This famous adage is from a beautiful and true meditation written by John Donne in 1624.
“No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend’s
Or of thine own were:
Any man’s death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.”
You matter in this world. No matter how worthless or isolated you feel, it makes no difference. You matter, and no one can take that away from you.
Believe it, because it’s the truth.
Likewise, no matter how self-sufficient you think you are, you stand to benefit from other members of the human race—whether from their companionship, their insights, or even their bad examples.
We alcoholics in particular need to learn from others who have gone before us, because doing everything “our way” has often led to a dead end.
Know your value—but realize that others are in the same family, and stay humble. Be willing to take input from those who care.
And give of yourself to others—because in the grand tapestry of the universe, you are included and you do make a difference.
“No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend’s
Or of thine own were:
Any man’s death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.”
You matter in this world. No matter how worthless or isolated you feel, it makes no difference. You matter, and no one can take that away from you.
Believe it, because it’s the truth.
Likewise, no matter how self-sufficient you think you are, you stand to benefit from other members of the human race—whether from their companionship, their insights, or even their bad examples.
We alcoholics in particular need to learn from others who have gone before us, because doing everything “our way” has often led to a dead end.
Know your value—but realize that others are in the same family, and stay humble. Be willing to take input from those who care.
And give of yourself to others—because in the grand tapestry of the universe, you are included and you do make a difference.
Mr
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: FRANCE
Posts: 5,230
I just was reading this story on the irish paper and thought it went well with the theme.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-new...-36707438.html
Anyways I better start doing some work
https://www.independent.ie/irish-new...-36707438.html
Anyways I better start doing some work
Sober-T- Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 8,759
Thanks Gilmer, when I read your post I think about how I self isolated and felt I had to do it alone - quit drinking that is - when I should have been reaching out, I was instead berating myself for not being strong enough. This only served to lengthen my time in misery and delay the outcome I was reaching for.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 11,424
Thanks Gilmir--John Donne always draws me out of the woodwork
I'm also in
Good to see you MB and other friends.
I noticed LBrain posting some fun stuff last week.
Hope he comes back to do it again this week as well (hint hint LB)
Congrats MLH--bring on the cake and ice cream . . .
I'm also in
Good to see you MB and other friends.
I noticed LBrain posting some fun stuff last week.
Hope he comes back to do it again this week as well (hint hint LB)
Congrats MLH--bring on the cake and ice cream . . .
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Big City
Posts: 3,895
Nice one. Nothing like some Donne to get the weekend started right.
Sober here as well.
Have a Soul Cycle class scheduled for Sat morning - my bro-in-law's bday present, man. Should get the weekend moving.
Want to plan something fun with my son for Saturday.
Good work everyone. Happy to be here with you.
Sober here as well.
Have a Soul Cycle class scheduled for Sat morning - my bro-in-law's bday present, man. Should get the weekend moving.
Want to plan something fun with my son for Saturday.
Good work everyone. Happy to be here with you.
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