What are you afraid of?

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Good morning everyone,

I was just sitting here reading through some posts, and I'm noticing how often people run as soon as they are confronted with something that is difficult. Specifically, I'm noticing how so many people avoid answering difficult questions. My question is WHY! Don't you realize that answering the hard questions for yourself is what ultimately makes everything so much easier?

And rest assured I'm certainly not putting myself above doing that - I know I've done more than my fair share of running, too. But if there is one thing that truly sets me apart from other people, it is my EAGERNESS to learn.

You see, I know from personal experience, that the more you learn, the more you earn. On the other hand, I totally understand the idea of sticking with the devil that you know, rather than opening the door for something else.

But I still don't get it! Why do people run from the truth that will set them free? If you really and truly believe in your own Highest Power, and if you have truly accepted this God given ability not only to protect yourself, but also to create for yourself...

Then what the heck are you afraid of?

Please tell me because I'd really like to hear your views.

Thanks,
Mike

:162:

[annalittlebit]

:162::162::162: I've come up with a few fears--------------But when I really think about them---They're really foolish----------So as soon as I can come up with a Valid Fear I'll be back----Great Question---Thanks

[Humblepie]

This is a brilliant question. For me I believe when I fear I am lacking in faith because in God's love I have nothing to fear and I do believe in God's love. This means fear separates me from God, separation from God is my definition of hell and what separates me from God is sin.

The more I am able to see the illusions that are my fears the closer I am to God so to run from my fears is to run from God. As the big book might say (it doesn't say this exactly) fear is one of the things that is blocking me from the sunlight of the spirit.

The idea is to see the truth that my fears are illusion and be set free of them by that truth.

I'm thinking along the lines of rejection or "the great lie" that if people really know who I "really" am they won't like me.

It's late and I have to get up for work in 5 hours. I'll give this some thought tomorrow and see if I can come up with anything.

Thanks for the question.

[admin]

Don't you realize that answering the hard questions for yourself is what ultimately makes everything so much easier? Yes

Why do people run from the truth that will set them free? They are not yet ready to face the truth and/or accept it and then have to possibly do something about it.

Then what the heck are you afraid of?
Some of my past fears have been:
Getting honest about my drinking because if I did that then I might actually have to do something about it.

Having to look at myself because then I would have to quit blaming others and everything else and admit the truth about myself and then have to do something about myself.

One of the biggies that I was afraid of was turning my will and life completely over to the care of God. That meant to me giving up total control and I just couldn't do that.

But when things finally did change was when I did get honest about my drinking and when I did take a look at myself ( a good long, hard look) and did something about myself. The biggest change occurred when I surrendered all to God as I understand Him becoming unafraid to completely turn my will and my life over to His care.

Another fear has been what others might think of me. Today what matters is what God thinks of me.

[gettinfree]

Hey Mike...When i began recovery 29 years ago, the people that were there to help me get started wern't very nice! In fact they were down right mean. They were acting like theirs and my life depended on how they passed on this program. Those who didn't run got sober...those who ran...didn't. our no's never showed great percentage of success. As i find myself in recovery again after many years away...I'm finding nice people to help me...AA feels real soft. Are we afraid were going to scare off the newcomer. NA has got some meat...But still feels soft. Where's Clancy, Chuck C...where's the beef?...Mike :D

[gettinfree]

ps just figured out who you are...your 'Ask Mike'... good to meet ya. Ive been meaning to investagate "your space'. This site is so big...one thing at a time. I seem to have gotten strung out in tammy's word games...great release! ya ought to give it a try sometime...look forward to getting into your treads...your friend...Mike:D

[janbear]

When i am in fear of anything its because i am not applying my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He creates me, protects me, not myself. I am grateful the 12-step program brought me back to the truth that sets me free-the Lord.




"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

[Humblepie]

So what your saying bluikiti is we are afraid of change. I used to hate change, I thought it meant I would lose some control over my fragile world.

Losing control. When I was young I was afraid to swim out in the ocean because I couldn't see what was under the surface. I was afraid of the dark again because of what I could not see. I also had a fear or did not like sleep because I had to give up conscious control.

So perhaps it is fear of the unknown that caused my fear of change.

Freedom from fear is the Power of surrendering to God every morning.

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Now we're gettin' somewhere!

Thank you all VERY much for sharing.

Anybody else?

And hey! Where's the "Bowing-down-in-awe-of-all-your-friends" smiley?

[annalittlebit]

:33:

[gettinfree]

I think the things that get me runnin the fastest is when my BS tools are being threatened. I've spent my whole life charming others. Being a "nice' guy. Exagerating my skills as a floor layer. Being geneous and on and on. These Bull tools of mine are slowely being reveled to me. If someone points something out that I'm not 'currently' working on, my defenses and fear explode inside me. I think my biggest fears are of being exposed! And Ive done well dodging the fears...I don't want to run away anymore!:33::33: Thanks...Mike

[admin]

Here's some more for "What are you afraid of?" Having to talk about what I am afraid of. LOL Having others know that I have weaknesses. That I am not perfect. <<<< I may hear a gasp because of that one. LOL

This is something I wrote a few years ago:

In The Eyes Of God
If we are honest, the majority of us get caught up in what we look like in the eyes of others when what is most important is what we look like in the eyes of God. How many times has someone admitted they are not perfect, made a mistake and others will say - "Oh, I am not like that" and then jump on the bandwagon of telling a person the correct way to live when they are not living that way themselves? We are so concerned with looking great even though we know the truth that is we are not perfect - we all make mistakes but it is so important what others think of us that we mask the truth. We can appear to be perfect in the eyes of others but how are we truthfully in the eyes of God? Remember God knows the truth - we can't mask the truth with Him. God sees and knows everything. We may can deceive others but we can't deceive God. When the day of judgment comes, we won't be standing before other humans seeking their approval to enter Heaven. We will be standing alone before God - how will we look in the eyes of God? In life we strive to grow in the image of God - we make mistakes but God is a loving and forgiving God. We ask forgiveness and strive to do better every day continuing to strive to grow in the image of God. In doing so one of the things we have to do is to be honest with others about ourselves. Others need to know that though we stumble, God is loving and forgiving. When we admit our mistakes in earnest before God, humbling ourselves, our slate is cleaned. It may seem a little thing to mask the truth about oneself before others, but we all know the little things build and before we know it we are living one big lie. So today, let's be honest, we make mistakes, we err, we stumble, we are not perfect and in doing so we are set free from the prison we build for ourselves. Free to live for God and continue to grow in the image of God - one day at a time - striving for progress - honestly. --bluidkiti 8/24/03

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. 2 Corinthians 8:21

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Bluidkiti,

What a beautiful share.

Thank you.

:42:

And may I humbly suggest to everyone that if you want to look through the eyes of God to see how He or She sees you, then gaze into a mirror.

Blessings, and thank you again, Tammy. Think I'm gonna take my own advice and go look in a mirror again myself.

Always beautiful to embrace the light of God burning bright within our Self.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

[admin]

Thank you Mike.

This morning before I got up I was thinking about the question - what are you afraid of? I feel another one is people hurting me. I have been hurt by others - deeply. Sometimes intentionally - sometimes not. If left on my own I might would just put up the walls again but with the help of God I am able to heal and to trust and love again. Now there are 2 words - trust and love. We can be afraid to trust and love because of getting hurt.

Being afraid of being vulnerable. That's putting yourself out there for open season. There are those that will pounce.

Another one is sharing in front of others either on a board, chatroom, meeting, church wherever and being slammed for what you share and talked down to. Enough times of being slammed and you become afraid to share for fear of being slammed. Or you are not totally honest when you share because of fear of being slammed or fear of what others might think of you so you say what you think others want to hear. You think about your share and try to share so you sound great instead of it being an honest and truthful share.

I know that some of my fears have come from things that happened during my childhood. They are fears that I have had to face. They are fears that will still rear their heads today but with the help of God I am able to face them and deal with them and not be afraid to do so and not have to drink or drug over them. I may still have fleeting moments of feeling fear but can deal with it with God's help.

It's like you can't control that first thought but you can control that second thought. You can't control that first feeling you have but you can the second one.

So we can either let our fears control us or do something about them. We can change. Change can take time and courage. We have to be patient with ourselves and not beat ourselves up. We put one foot in front of the other and with God's help we can do it - we can change. We can have a life again.

Thanks for letting me share.

[annalittlebit]

Good one Tammy-- so I guess this is one I still struggle with---To Quote you "fear of what others might think of you so you say what you think others want to hear. You think about your share and try to share so you sound great instead of it being an honest and truthful share." I'm learning to be more spontaneous and not really give a hoot about what others think----:42:

[annalittlebit]

Ok--So I gotta add---That is the one fear I was gonna post--Fear of Looking/Sounding Foolish-----But I thought I'd sound Foolish-----:15:-----Thanks for these questions Mike----I really look forward to seeing What's New on your forum---I'm really glad you're here!!!!!! :42:

( I am, however, still afraid of Snakes :wink:)

[admin]

( I am, however, still afraid of Snakes :wink:)

Me, too and spiders. LOL :42:

[Humblepie]

A fear I have been working on for the past few days while this thread has been going on has to do with confrontation. I would rather move on and do something else then be right if it means confrontation. The ability to say no, enforce boundary's or stand up for myself. I'm angry at myself right now for having these weaknesses. I don't get angry at people because........I don't know why but 2 days ago I was beginning to think it is time.

This starts to get at another issue I am trying to raise awareness of and understanding of within myself. As I have sobered up I noticed I am incapable of loving. I see other people being kind and caring and can't figure out why I'm not that way. I would like to be. I have heard people say you have to love yourself first. I have never understood that and I have never before now asked. How do you love yourself? I guess I just don't have the love in me to understand it.

I know God loves me. Despite everything I am and everything I have done God keeps giving. My personal saying is God giveth and God giveth some more. I don't understand it and really don't think it's fair. Why me? Why does God love me?

The only thing I know for sure is that he does. So now the question I'm asking myself is. What do I look like through the eyes of God? If I could see me through the eyes of the Lord just once then I would know what Love is.

Sorry for going off the topic of this thread.

[alcoholrehabcoach]

From "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran:


Then said Almitra, "Speak to us of Love."
And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with a great voice he said:
When love beckons to you follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.
All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.
But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

:15:
:42:
:1:

[alcoholrehabcoach]

...So now the question I'm asking myself is. What do I look like through the eyes of God? If I could see me through the eyes of the Lord just once then I would know what Love is.

Sorry for going off the topic of this thread.


Humble Pie,

You are not off topic at all. You are bang on the money. Hang on while I go and grab another quote...

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of god. Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

- Marianne Williamson

[alcoholrehabcoach]

...So now the question I'm asking myself is. What do I look like through the eyes of God? If I could see me through the eyes of the Lord just once then I would know what Love is.

Would you like me to take you there?

[thereishope]

Hello mike,
Wow ive have been reading through this whole thread and im gonna have to come back with my answer after a while when i have a little bit more free time to type.

Wow tammy what you wrote really said something to me, your writting as well as your share. I too have had the same issues and felt those exact same things. I am getting better these last couple of years but only GOD has done that for me. I so understand exactly where your coming from.

Thankyou for the post mike. For making me think about this particular issue.

I will be back when i have a bit more free time to say what i need to with no interuptions.

[Humblepie]

Would you like me to take you there?Well I was going to buy the book.:4:

I'm open to anything Mike. I am pleased with my growth in recent months but I know there is more.

So, yes I in.

Thanks.

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Well I was going to buy the book.:4:

I'm open to anything Mike. I am pleased with my growth in recent months but I know there is more.

So, yes I'm in.

Thanks.


Excellent!

So here's your first assignment:

Before the end of the day, or by tomorrow night at the latest, find a time and place where you can sit and feel at peace, without any interruptions.

Then, write a letter to God.

Tell Him how you feel about Him.
Tell Him everything that you love about Him.
Tell Him everything He makes you feel inside.

Pour your heart out to God, in your own personal proclamation of everything you love about Him.


This is for you and you alone. Right now this isn't between anyone except you and your God, so tell him how you feel with every single cell and everything you believe.

Once you have that done, come back and let me know, and then I'll tell you your next step.

For practice, I'm gonna go ahead and do this too.

One more thing:

Be sure to sign your name at the end of your letter.

[janbear]

Lots of good sharing here, kewl :cool: I can relate to Humblepie's share on feeling like i dont love others enough and wondering for a long time how i could ever love myself. Its a slow process for me. I have been going through the 12-steps again with my sponsor and praying to God to guide me along the way and i am noticing more of a love and acceptance of who i am inspite of my character flaws, and learning to see assets.

:162:To be honest, i am still trying to wrap my head around the quote from Marianne Williamson above. I think i am missing something in it or i am looking at it wrong, not sure. I want to ask a question here about it, but i guess i have some fear of looking stupid, yep, that is a fear for me.
Mike, can you explain it in a few sentences of what its says?

[alcoholrehabcoach]

I have been praying to God to guide me along the way and i am noticing more of a love and acceptance of who i am...


Outstanding!

I am so happy for you that you have asked for clarification on these essential questions for your Self.

Let's see if I can give you some additional perspective.

First, you're searching. And what you are searching for is the truth of your identity. The very essence of who you are and what your life is about.

The need to have a meaningful life is common to all people. Some are just hungrier for it than others. Take you, for example. Look at your quotes. The statements you are making. The things you are associating with...

"And this above all, to thine own self be true. And it must follow as night the day, thou cans't not be false to any man"

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."

You intuit this. You feel these things are true on a heart level. And your soul knows it can be no other way. Yet your mind tries to grasp and define a divine and infinite Nature. A concept of God that is by definition, infinite and undefinable.

You put God in a box and say you love him. But God is Love and Love cannot be contained. It cannot be limited. It cannot even really be defined.

Love, like God Itself, must be experienced for one's Self. On our own terms, and in a way that our own mind, though it will never fully comprehend the boundless nature of God, can at least accept and embrace a concept of. Some understanding of Him/Her/It, that we feel we can relate to.

Then, being able to tap into our own Highest Power, we have put our own little piece of Heaven into our hearts and into our heads (and into every vibrant cell when we really open up!) and then we are able to rise above our challenges. We see there is nothing left to fear, because "God and Me, Me and God, are One." There is no separation.

I think of it like this:

I am the trees, the trees are me, me and the trees - the same energy.
I am Earth.
I am Water.
I am Fire.
I am Air.
I am Ether.
I am Intuitive.
I am Boundless.
I am Radiant.

I repeat these things every morning to help me remember the God of everything I Am. Not that my soul could ever forget it. Just that I know it is the Nature of my mind - the most precious gift that God has given me - to question and think about everything all the time. My mind is such a monkey!

That's why we have to learn to breathe consciously. To become highly attuned to our breathing. To breathe long, slow and deep. Deep down from the diaphragm. Deep down from your soul. The mind follows the breath, and breathing consciously helps us regulate our thoughts.

It puts us into a neutral and meditative place where we can rise above our drama and simply assess our thoughts. Rather than hearing them as commands we must obey. Rather than letting them spin out into feelings that lead to undesirable actions and results. Breathe.

Breathe consciously. Live consciously.

Embracing God means embracing love, exposing ourselves, being vulnerable, giving up our illusions, letting go of the ideas we have been clinging to, the beliefs that give us certainty, the behaviors that give us comfort, the results that we desire...

Most people really don't want to do that.

My own interpretation of Marianne Williamson's quote is that people really don't want to accept that much power and responsibility into their lives. They are okay with believing in a judgmental God, because that still keeps God at a distance. But to fully embrace the infinite power of God, and know that they have the power to make their own choices, to create their own fate, to manifest their own living Heaven or Hell, right hear on the earth, right here in their very own living room at any single moment...

Whoa.

Most people cannot accept that level of responsibility for themselves. They would rather keep on laying blame and pointing their finger at someone. Even God. But in my experience, there is simply no other way to live. There is no better way than being personally response-able for your own health, wealth and happiness. Being able to respond to things in a way that serves your purpose.

This above all. To thine own Self, be true.

:smile:

Watch Mike's Video about tapping into God (http://myspace.com/mikehighstead)

[alcoholrehabcoach]

...i am still trying to wrap my head around the quote from Marianne Williamson. Mike, can you explain it in a few sentences of what its says?


Whoops! That was more than just a few!


How 'bout this:

You are AWESOME! Get it?

:wink:

[admin]

Wow, I read your reply to Jan and am blown away. I was thinking some of the time what Mike has to say about me. LOL Now that scares me some. LOL

[admin]

Just thought of another thing I am afraid of and that is criticism. Others criticizing me and I am sure i am not alone in having this fear. I think that comes from my childhood.

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Wow, I read your reply to Jan and am blown away. I was thinking some of the time what Mike has to say about me. LOL Now that scares me some. LOL


Don't worry, Love.

I've got something special lined up just for you.

Let me know when you're ready to raise the bar!

:wink:

[admin]

I am raising the bar. :1:

[Humblepie]

Hey Mike, Tammy, Jan.

Busy day for me with family and tonight I'm going to the sleep center. I will have some free time alone to wright my letter.

[alcoholrehabcoach]

I am raising the bar. :1:

Check your mail.

[janbear]

Thank you Mike for clarification of the quote. I noticed you also gave your opinion of me and my spiritual beliefs. I learned alot about you with what you shared what you thought of me. I also watched your video. I watched it more than once because i missed a couple of things. In your video, you said something like, to find one truth about yourself, yours was that you are a teacher. You gave as an example that it maybe that God Loves you. That is the one truth i know about me. He loves me no matter what. I also noticed at the end of your video across the screen that it said, I am God. I dont feel i am perfect enough to make such a statement about myself.

Got a video to share with you as well Mike. I will get back to you later.

[alcoholrehabcoach]

...Got a video to share with you as well Mike. I will get back to you later.

Thank you Janbear,

I'll wait to see your video, and respond to Humblepie's next post before I respond to this one.

Mike


In case you missed it, here's Mike's video that Janbear is referring to... (http://myspace.com/mikehighstead)

[Humblepie]

I just finished Mike. My last post was supposed to say I will have free time alone to write today not yesterday. Sorry I somehow left that out.

What next?

[janbear]

Hi again, i watched your video again, and i realize now i misspoke on something. At the end of the video it shows, "We are Gods" not I am God as i had thought it did.
As i have gone throughout this day i have appreciated you and your video more. I have caught myself, breathing deep, to feel my essence. I even laughed a couple of times when I realize i did it. :wink: I felt challenged by you, you challenged my belief system, my spiritually, my truth. What is so awesome for me is that i feel stronger and that my truth never wavered. If my truth wavers, what does would that say about my truth? The truth as has been revealed to me has become stronger therefore making me stronger I feel a better person for that and I thank You Mike for that. I appreciate ya.:42:

Actually when it came down to it i couldnt choose one video over another. So i will share two. :11:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKq4tJte0lQ&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WpFid43xW8

[janbear]

Breathing deeply, as I take in the essence of who I am :smile:

[alcoholrehabcoach]

I just finished Mike. My last post was supposed to say I will have free time alone to write today not yesterday. Sorry I somehow left that out.

What next?


Way to be, Humble!

Now I'm curious, how would you feel if I asked you to post your letter to God, word for word, right here in this forum, without editing or changing a single word or spelling error?

I'm not asking you to do it, mind. I'm just curious to see how you might feel about sharing your letter to God with the rest of us.

What might be gained, what might be lost if you actually posted your letter, right here in this thread, where so many people are watching and worrying about their fears?

:smile:

[Humblepie]

I had a hard time keeping to your simple format:

Tell Him how you feel about Him.
Tell Him everything that you love about Him.
Tell Him everything He makes you feel inside.

I kept trying to go back to it but I wrote what I wrote. Maybe I am putting to much on feelings and love, making life harder then it is.

My first thought about sharing this is that people would see that I am still selfish and don't get it....... asuming people don't already think that. What I would gain from it is that people would see that I'm still selfish and don't get it. I'm not afraid of the truth anymore. My character defects are why I turned to God in the first place. It certainly wasn't because I had my sh*t together.

I am serious about surrendering to God. I didn't understand this quote when I first read it last spring but I'm starting to understand it.

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.

The fear of posting is gone Mike.

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Breathing deeply, as I take in the essence of who I am :smile:


You got it!

Nicely done!

:29::29::29:

[alcoholrehabcoach]

The fear of posting is gone Mike.

Does that mean you are ready to share your letter to God with us so I can show you the next step?

[Humblepie]

Abba Father

I am grateful that you exist. I had no idea you have been helping me all my life. I am wondering why am I still here on earth? I should have passed on many times. Father Abba what may I do for you? I want to be with you now. If it is thy will, since it is thy will for me to be here I ask you sto show me, teach me, Your purpose for me now. Abba Father you gave me peace hear on earth when I couldn't do it alone. When my way failed. When I think of you, and I don't always, I feel overwhelmed with tears of love, joy and peace. You have given me acceptance and love when I thought...... I didn't deserve it from others. You have been here for me when all else failed me. My desire is to be one with You. To be a part of you. I Love you because you love me. I want to love you unconditionally. Teach me now to love the way you do. I know you love me no matter what, whether I am fufilling my purpose or not. I give myself to you unconditionally. I know there are no bad times when I am close to you. Am I selfish for wanting to be with you that I may have peace? It is your truth that has allowed me to see the illusions I have been believing and living. I know by staying close to you, being thy instrument is the way I have seen through the lies.

Father Abba the feeling of gratitude is new to me.

You give me peace, security, hope, strength, understanding. You are my everything. Without you I am nothing nor would I care to be without you. I love you or I love nothing. All that I have done, all that I have been is nothing without you.

You are what I am. My substance, my purpose, my joy. Help me to never seperate from you in all that I am.

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Humble,

That is way too much love you're showing for just one person to give you a response. There is just nothing I could say myself to express how wonderful your words have made me feel. So I'm gonna ask for some help from our studio audience :wink:

Friends,

Show your thanks or put your comments here if you were touched by Humble's letter.

[annalittlebit]

Touched would be putting it mildly---Humblepie---Your words filled me up to overflowing----Just Wonderful!!!!!!!! Thank You sooooooo Much!!!!!! We're Truly Blessed To Have You Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :195: :42:

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Okay Humble-Cutie-Pie,

While we're waiting for other people to figure out what things mean to them, let's you and I continue on our way to see what all these things might mean to you.

The way that you see God, is the way that God sees you.

That Love you feel for God, is the Love that God feels for you.

And the way you speak to God, in your actions, not just in your words, in your behavior, not just in your thoughts is the way that God speaks to you. He responds to whatever it is you project.

So if you continue projecting lovely thoughts and doing lovely things like what you have just shared with us in this forum...

WOW! Fasten your seatbelt, Baby! You will start seeing so much love and joy and abundance in your life your heart will soon be as full of love from others, as it is right now for Him.

Or, you can continue projecting all that whiny, childish, crybaby impoverished fear based repulsive crap and doing all kinds of stupid stuff like so many other nit-wits keep on putting out there into the world, and then THAT is how God will see you. And to that He will respond.

Whether you choose to live your life in Fear, or you choose to live your life in Love, that is how God responds. Whether you choose to believe in Sorrow, or you choose to believe in Joy, then God's answer is "You're right! That's how it really is. For you."

So from this point forward, what will your choice be?

[gettinfree]

Humblepie...Thank you so much for allowing us to see the deepest part of you. Your expressions of your Love for God show true Humility. I wonder why we continue to believe were not deserving of His Grace. I'll bet your God believes your deserving of His Grace and Love. Thank You..Your Friend...Mike

[thereishope]

Very Beautiful humble....beautiful....you touched my heart with your words. Thankyou soooo very much for your letter. You are a beautiful, beautiful spirit.

[Humblepie]

Thank you for the kind responses. I had anxiety creep up on me before I posted it and before any positive feedback. As I mentioned before when I feel fear I see it as a lack of unconditional faith. This time however when the anxiety started I remembered that I surrendered on January 25, 2008. To let the anxiety turn to fear would be taking back what I placed in trusted hands. My job is to recognize the fear, God does the rest.

So from this point forward, what will your choice be?
Romans 8:31
"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

Those just came to mind Mike. I understand now how fear has kept me imprisoned in misery. The answer to your question is I choose to do God's will in all things.

Back to your original post.
My question is WHY! Don't you realize that answering the hard questions for yourself is what ultimately makes everything so much easier?When I was 16 I had to have a teacher sign a paper that released me from regular school to a work program that allowed me to work instead of going to school. It was obvious at the time what I was doing and my teacher said to me "So your going to take the easy way" as he shook his head in disappointment.

I don't know if anyone has ever said anything to me that has ever turned out to be soooooooooo wrong. Sorta sums up what this thread is about.

Thanks Mike.
Now what?

[alcoholrehabcoach]

...So now the question I'm asking myself is. What do I look like through the eyes of God? If I could see me through the eyes of the Lord just once then I would know what Love is.


Thanks Mike.
Now what?

Did you get your original question answered? Do you see how God sees you? Do you have a better idea of what Love is and what loving yourself means to you now?

[clean42day]

I practice the ACIM (A Course in Miracles) and it has removed many of my fears......doesn't mean I don't have any - more like I have learned to shift perspective and see them as an opportunity for a call to love instead. all fears come from and are manifested by the ego - when I examine my fears - most of them are ego based - not spiritually based. that means they come from a false self - This gives me renewed faith in my spiritual self which is always conneted to God. fears are an opportunity to "remember" who we really are.....spiritual beings having a human experience.

"fear knocked at the door = love answered and no one was there"
here is a picture quote I created many years ago for exactly this topic.

light and love

Gail

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j224/gail_ve/God%20stuff/pic16.jpg

[janbear]

Humblepie, you show alot of humility in your letter and that is cool. One of the greatest definitions i have heard in recovery of what humility means is
"the Allness of God and the smallness of man". I dont see it as being crawling before anyone . We recognize who we are, and who God is to us. Remember there is a difference between humiliation and humility.

Drowning in our fears is not what i believe God wants for us. I personally have had fears and they creep back up at times, God is not in that , I personally had some fear of this thread but with Mike's help I feel I overcame it. Live your truth, dont just talk it.

Thanks again Humblepie for showing us your letter.

[Humblepie]

Did you get your original question answered? Do you see how God sees you? Do you have a better idea of what Love is and what loving yourself means to you now?I'll be honest it is going to take me a little time to process this. I am seeing now how I can be more loving to others.

[paulm]

I can't stand it when people say there is a difference in Humility and Humiliation, they are two diffent words, the dictionary is your friend, not to be feared

[alcoholrehabcoach]

...the dictionary is your friend, not to be feared

I agree, Paulm.

So what's your take on the subject? Why do you think people turn away from learning something new?

[Humblepie]

I found a way to make this exercise work for me today Mike.

I took the first sentence and the last sentence of my letter and imagine God saying to me.

"I am grateful that you exist.
Help me to never separate from you in all that I am."

Pretty powerful stuff.

Thanks again. :42:

[paulm]

I have turned away from learning something new because it requires me to think for myself or listen to suggestions that aren't parallel to the rules my peers have laid out. Learning something new, requires me to go against the grain of what I have heard others mock and if I was seeking THEIR approval or wanted to fit in whatever you were selling wasn't going to soak in because I had built up a wall. WHY the wall was built was out of fear.

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Yes. People have a "longing to belong", and one of our biggest fears is being separated from our peer group, of being ostracized or put out on our own. Being rejected.

So when the opportunity arises for us to be or do or have something that will clearly set us apart from others, part of the mind says "No. Don't go there. Even if all that new stuff is really good and true, it's not worth the risk of being rejected by the group."

Of course, the people who choose to reject that way of thinking, are the people who enjoy even greater love, acceptance, health, wealth, happiness...

Thanks for your post, Paul. Always good to be reminded that our focus is a choice. My understanding is that in life we don't get whatever it is we deserve, we get whatever it is we focus on. Instead of focusing on the worst that you have done, focus on the best of who you are and what you are becoming...

...and you will experience it even more.

[Starlight]

Abba Father

I am grateful that you exist. I had no idea you have been helping me all my life. I am wondering why am I still here on earth? I should have passed on many times. Father Abba what may I do for you? I want to be with you now. If it is thy will, since it is thy will for me to be here I ask you sto show me, teach me, Your purpose for me now. Abba Father you gave me peace hear on earth when I couldn't do it alone. When my way failed. When I think of you, and I don't always, I feel overwhelmed with tears of love, joy and peace. You have given me acceptance and love when I thought...... I didn't deserve it from others. You have been here for me when all else failed me. My desire is to be one with You. To be a part of you. I Love you because you love me. I want to love you unconditionally. Teach me now to love the way you do. I know you love me no matter what, whether I am fufilling my purpose or not. I give myself to you unconditionally. I know there are no bad times when I am close to you. Am I selfish for wanting to be with you that I may have peace? It is your truth that has allowed me to see the illusions I have been believing and living. I know by staying close to you, being thy instrument is the way I have seen through the lies.

Father Abba the feeling of gratitude is new to me.

You give me peace, security, hope, strength, understanding. You are my everything. Without you I am nothing nor would I care to be without you. I love you or I love nothing. All that I have done, all that I have been is nothing without you.

You are what I am. My substance, my purpose, my joy. Help me to never seperate from you in all that I am.

your prayer moved me deeply...thank you...thank you so much for sharing.

[sioux]

I don't usually play with mike, but I feel windy today.

One of my greatest fears is being upside down. Not getting there, but getting down. I fear that I will injure myself because of my aging body, although it is reasonably good shape. I fear that I will endure months of recovrey because I have been there before, and yet my Yoga teacher insists that I must continue to approach being upside down with some modifications to enjoy the benefits of this position. I fear putting my trust in someone that is 10 years younger than I am and doesn't have to ice and heat tendons and muscles and go forward with daily living and responsiblities. I fear or dread perhaps being attached to the story of why I am in pain and cannot get my frozen shoulder unstuck, or why I didn't do something different to begin with, or simply say, no, not doing that today, not because I want to deflate my abilities, my ego, or being an example to someone younger or older, but because I have the insane belief that somehow it will be different this time, especially if I have had any success being upside down without enduring pain to begin with or if it doesn't acutally happen every time.

Sound familiar?
Sioux

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Sure I'll come out to play! I love it when it's windy!

Sioux I can relate to how you feel. I am also pretty fit though getting on in years, and right now there is simply no way my body can perform the way it did when I was younger.

In fact, I am a Kundalini Yoga teacher, and one of my teachers was always very strict on how certain postures were to be held and demonstrated. Preserving the integrity of the teachings was paramount, and sometimes I felt torn between doing things the way that I was told, and doing things in a way that worked for me.

But then I also learned that "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him."

Which is another way of saying that "You are your own best guide and guru".

Which is another way of saying...

"No one knows your own mind and body better than you, so be very careful who and what you bow to."

I think maturity is having the ability to see the consequences of our decisions before they actually occur. When I can see, prepare and decide upon the consequences, it's much easier to decide what feels right for my own body, mind and spirit.

It's much easier to grin at all those young whippersnappers and say "This is what works for me. Your results may vary."



:wink:

[sioux]

For the most part I concur. I love the wind too.

What I hear from my teachers, all of them, is that they see something I cannot. My body is ready, capable. Even my doctor said my body is needing more. Problem is my mind is not. If I am not careful I can attach myself to the story so much so that I may not do anything out of the realm of my comfort zone. Sometimes pain can lead to comfort. Sometimes pain can lead to wisdom. Sometimes pain makes us stupid. Sometimes pain does not lead us to see and prepare; somtimes it blinds us and hits us broadside.

Pain is an amazing teacher. Sometimes my teacher is an amazing pain.

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Yep.

Our teachers see something we cannot. And we see some things are teachers cannot.

Everyone's a teacher. Everyone's a student.

And the answers, my friend, are blowin' in the wind!