I just returned from a four day visit with my siblings. \u00a0My two older sisters and I joined my brother and his wife in Phoenix. \u00a0It was perfect in every way. \u00a0There was a time in my life when I would not have relished \u00a0a visit such as this, primarily because there were areas of disagreement between us. \u00a0My own ego used to look for reasons to be combative or judgmental or both. \u00a0I was certain that my opinions about every thing were the right ones. \u00a0If you disagreed, \u00a0I was quick to point out how wrong you were.<\/p>\n
My family caught the brunt of my poor attitude much of the time. \u00a0I used to blame my dad for this aspect of my character. \u00a0He was combative, for sure. \u00a0But I made my own choices. No one can make us combative or judgmental. \u00a0 We select who we will be on a minute by minute basis.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, maturity does “call on us,” if we are open to it. \u00a0My maturity began developing when I got involved in 12 step programs. \u00a0Their principles offered me a better way to live; a slower, saner, more loving way to live. \u00a0I can’t imagine returning to the old way of living now. \u00a0However, I do know that I must be vigilant about staying on this path. \u00a0It has been said that we are never far from the ditch.<\/p>\n
I never enjoyed the gift of peace that has become my constant companion before I got into recovery. \u00a0I never before offered “real” love to any one without seeking it first. \u00a0I wanted an indication from you that I mattered and was central to your life if I was to give you any thing in return. \u00a0How lonely my life was, in retrospect. \u00a0Even when surrounded by others, I felt isolated. \u00a0Separate. \u00a0And it was because of my own self-centeredness.<\/p>\n
I have learned so much over the years, I am happy to report. \u00a0I have learned that what we give away, comes back to us ten-fold. \u00a0I have learned that cultivating a peaceful heart benefits whatever setting I find myself in. \u00a0I have learned that our families are the perfect companions for us to learn the lessons we were born to experience. \u00a0Best of all, I have learned that making a companion of God while in the midst of family or even any group of total strangers allows me to be at ease and willing to simply relish each moment.<\/p>\n
As I said earlier, the time spent with family last week was indeed perfect. \u00a0I have matured enough, thank goodness, to love them in the way they deserve to be loved. \u00a0The same way all members of the human community deserve to be loved. \u00a0Praise us one and all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I just returned from a four day visit with my siblings. \u00a0My two older sisters and I joined my brother and his wife in Phoenix. \u00a0It was perfect in every way. \u00a0There was a time in my life when I would not have relished \u00a0a visit such as this, primarily because there were areas of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-circle-of-family-and-friends-you-and-your-personal-community"],"yoast_head":"\n