Our teachers are everywhere. Notice them. . .

When my sponsor introduced me to this idea, I honestly couldn’t fathom what she meant.  Teachers?  She further said that there were no accidents.  Everything that happened was part of “my script.”  I can still remember being confounded by her “instruction,” and a bit frightened.  How did she know these things?  Should I be alarmed by her words?  When things happened that felt strange, it increased my uncertainty about her and this new sober life I was attempting.

I look back on this earlier time as confusing, to say the least.  And very grateful that I didn’t slip off the path.  Actually, I’m often stymied by why I stayed in the fellowship.  I wasn’t sure I needed it, but I was certain that I liked the joy others seemed to have and I wanted that to rub off on me.  I had not grown up joyful. My family was not joyful.  I seemed to always be looking to others for the indication that they cared enough about me that I could dare to be joyful.  Codependent?  I’d say so.  Incessantly insecure?  For sure.

I still didn’t relate to the idea that others were “my teachers” until I began the study of ACIM.  Like so much in one’s life, I had to first make the decision to accept the idea that the men and women I traveled with were my “chosen” teachers.  I had to suspend my disbelief in this concept.  That took willingness.  It took a strong adherence.  And it took constant vigilance.  But this idea finally became ingrained and I feel so blessed that this has happened.  My life has improved ten-fold since giving up the old way of thinking.

I now love the idea that everyone is my teacher.  I love the reminder from friends that there are no accidents.  I love looking around at my companions and trying to discern exactly what the lesson might be that “they are in charge of.”  Most of all I love knowing I am serving as “their teacher too.”  Life is like a good meal.  There are really no left-overs.  Every aspect has its purpose.  Grabbing each one as it approaches, allows me to grow in the ways I have been born to experience.  To remember this is the challenge, of course.  Some days, some experiences are more appealing than others.  None are superfluous, however.  None.