The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.
(Carl Rogers).
At this morning’s Al-Anon meeting, the topic of the table was about being powerless.
I knew all about the powerlessness over the alcoholic, over other people, places, and things. This I had come face-to-face with many times.
But then someone at the table mentioned being powerless over her own self, and it felt like all the air been sucked right out of me. That’s it! That’s what I’ve been feeling over the last couple of weeks.
Powerless over myself.
But how can that be? Aren’t I supposed to be in control of myself? Then again, nothing I do is of my own willpower. My higher power, who you all know by now I choose to call God, takes care of all that for me. I can’t even save myself!
The curious paradox is when I saw this connection, when I began to accept that I am powerless over myself, then I could believe that a power greater than me could restore myself to sanity. Only THEN could change begin. Because – between you and me – I’m pretty messed up.
Have a great Sunday. Peace out.
Filed under: acceptance, Believe, God Tagged: acceptance as a pathway to change, addiction, Al-Anon/Alateen, Carl Rogers, God, powerless over ourselves
