Failure is the path of least persistence. Author unknown
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: But whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (Luke 9:25 KJV)
I recall in my early adult life between the years 1966 and 1976, when I was between the ages of twenty and thirty; that I often thought and dreamed of how the world would be in the future. I knew that with the technology that was available we would live very comfortable, have cures for all diseases, and be at peace through out the entire world. Here it is forty years later and life is very much like it was then. Life is even worse in many areas. Why have we not obtained world peace, found cures for diseases, and live in a natural environment that is stable, safe, and secure? I had dreams of a Utopia that never came true, or did they? Last night at an AA meeting I had my eyes opened up to my search for Utopia. I must first define Utopia as Websters Dictionary sees it. Utopia is a place, an imaginary island described in a book by the same name by Sir Thomas Moore, and as having a perfect political and social system. Also any idealized place, state, or situation of perfection. There you have it, I was having dreams of Utopia, or the perfect place I thought this world was headed toward. Later as I experimented with drugs and alcohol, the escape from reality often led me to this imaginary place of Utopia. Little did I know at that time that I was on the path to addiction and enslavement. Later on between the ages of thirty and forty I began to see that things were not going to change much unless I changed on the inside. I began to see that a Utopia could exist but it would be on the inside of me, and not something on the outside of me. That situation of perfection as described by Webster could exist in my heart, but only by Gods forgiveness of myself, my forgiveness of myself, and my forgiveness of my fellow man. These three aspects of forgiveness and acceptance brought about a peace of mind, soul, and spirit that improves my view of the world today. Many years I spent searching for something that existed within me all along. All I had to do was stop escaping from reality by using alcohol and drugs, and believe in a loving God that would do for me what I could not do for myself ..JRE
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Most of us feel we need look no further for Utopia. We have it with us right here and now. Each day my friends simple talk in our kitchen multiplies itself in a widening circle of peace on earth and good will to men.
BILL W. . Alcoholics Anonymous, page 16
Clinging to selfish ambition and worldly desires will destroy us. Paradoxically, giving up ones life in a relationship with God through Jesus is the only way of finding ultimate meaning a purpose. This teaching opposes our natural inclinations and can only be accepted by faith. But if we submit our will to Gods will, we will begin to experience the meaningful life that God wants us to have.
LIFE RECOVERY BIBLE, page 1220
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: But whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (Luke 9:25 KJV)
I recall in my early adult life between the years 1966 and 1976, when I was between the ages of twenty and thirty; that I often thought and dreamed of how the world would be in the future. I knew that with the technology that was available we would live very comfortable, have cures for all diseases, and be at peace through out the entire world. Here it is forty years later and life is very much like it was then. Life is even worse in many areas. Why have we not obtained world peace, found cures for diseases, and live in a natural environment that is stable, safe, and secure? I had dreams of a Utopia that never came true, or did they? Last night at an AA meeting I had my eyes opened up to my search for Utopia. I must first define Utopia as Websters Dictionary sees it. Utopia is a place, an imaginary island described in a book by the same name by Sir Thomas Moore, and as having a perfect political and social system. Also any idealized place, state, or situation of perfection. There you have it, I was having dreams of Utopia, or the perfect place I thought this world was headed toward. Later as I experimented with drugs and alcohol, the escape from reality often led me to this imaginary place of Utopia. Little did I know at that time that I was on the path to addiction and enslavement. Later on between the ages of thirty and forty I began to see that things were not going to change much unless I changed on the inside. I began to see that a Utopia could exist but it would be on the inside of me, and not something on the outside of me. That situation of perfection as described by Webster could exist in my heart, but only by Gods forgiveness of myself, my forgiveness of myself, and my forgiveness of my fellow man. These three aspects of forgiveness and acceptance brought about a peace of mind, soul, and spirit that improves my view of the world today. Many years I spent searching for something that existed within me all along. All I had to do was stop escaping from reality by using alcohol and drugs, and believe in a loving God that would do for me what I could not do for myself ..JRE
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
Most of us feel we need look no further for Utopia. We have it with us right here and now. Each day my friends simple talk in our kitchen multiplies itself in a widening circle of peace on earth and good will to men.
BILL W. . Alcoholics Anonymous, page 16
Clinging to selfish ambition and worldly desires will destroy us. Paradoxically, giving up ones life in a relationship with God through Jesus is the only way of finding ultimate meaning a purpose. This teaching opposes our natural inclinations and can only be accepted by faith. But if we submit our will to Gods will, we will begin to experience the meaningful life that God wants us to have.
LIFE RECOVERY BIBLE, page 1220
