DROP THE ROCK

[janbear]

DROP THE ROCK
STEPS 6 & 7)
Seems there was this group of 12 Step members taking a boat ride to this island called Serenity, and they were truly a happy bunch of people. As the boat pulled away from the dock, a few on board noticed Carl running down the street trying to catch up with the boat. One said, "Darn, he's missed the boat." Another said, "Maybe not. Come on, Carl! Jump in the water! Swim! Swim! You can make it! You can catch up with us!"
So Carl jumped into the water and started to swim for all he was worth. He swam for quite a while, and then started to sink. The members on board, now all aware that Carl was struggling, shouted, "Come on, Carl! Don't give up! Drop the rock!" With that encouragement, Carl started swimming again, only to start sinking again shortly afterward. He was going under when he heard all those voices shouting to her, "Carl, drop the rock! Let go, and drop the rock!"
Carl was vaguely aware of something around his neck, but he couldn't quite figure out what it was. Once more, he gathered her strength and started swimming. He was doing quite well, even gaining a little on the boat, but then he felt this heaviness pulling his under again. He saw all those people on the boat holding out their hands and hollering for him to keep swimming and shouting, "Don't be an idiot, Carl! Drop the rock!"
Then he understood, when he was going down for the third time. This thing around his neck, this was why he kept sinking when he wanted to catch the boat. This thing was the "rock" they were all shouting about: RESENTMENTS, FEAR, DISHONESTY, SELF-SEEKING, SELFISHNESS, SELF-CENTEREDNESS, SELF-PITY, GUILT, SHAME, REMORSE and INCONSIDERATION, just some of the things his "rock" was made of. "God help me get rid of the rock," he prayed. "Now! Get rid of it!"
So Carl managed to stay afloat long enough to untangle a few of the strings holding that rock around his neck, realizing as he did that his load was easing up; and then, with another burst of energy, he let go. He tore the other strings off and dropped the rock.
Once free of the rock, he was amazed how easy it was to swim, and he soon caught up with the boat. Those on board were cheering for him and applauding and telling him how great he was, and how it was so good having him with them again, and how now we can get on with our boat ride and have a nice time.
Carl felt great and was just about to indulge in a little rest and relaxation when he glanced back to shore. There, a ways back, he thought he saw something bobbing in the water, so he pointed it out to some others. Sure enough, someone was trying to catch the boat, swimming for dear life but not making much headway. In fact, it looked like they were going under.
Carl looked around and saw the concern on the faces of the other members. He was the first to lean over the rail and shout, "Hey friend! Drop the Rock!"

[kansasmae]

Thank you so much for sharing this!