Wednesday afternoon – 8th April 2020
–
Patrick
and Angela’s 26th Anniversary.
Happy Anniversary!
Some of My Thoughts on Healing…
I savored
the General Conference this past weekend.
I feel spiritually pointed in the right direction again, refreshed. I made my notes in one of my notebooks whilst
thoughtfully listening to the prayers, talks and music. I love our church music. My notes will help me remember what made an
impression on me. I’m grateful for the
technology available to me – and what I know about it!
And now
about “worldly/physical” healing that has struck me anew:
Each
night (almost,) since I came across the Addiction Recovery Program material in 2006,
I have taken the time to read a paragraph or two before I go to bed. When I finish one reading through, I start
again. At times I have attended Addiction Recovery meetings.
ChurchofJesusChrist.org - type in Addiction Recovery in the search box.
ChurchofJesusChrist.org - type in Addiction Recovery in the search box.
Sometime
along my life-journey I became aware that I am one of the ones who is at high
risk of developing an addiction, or multiple addictions. These are the typical characteristics to look
out for. The more of these one relates to,
the riskier it is that one might accidentally or intentionally slip, slide, be
curious, want to please, or fall headlong into some addiction or another:
· Related
to others who have developed addiction
· Experiencing
other mental health disorders
· Adventurous
and risk-taking
· Disconnected
and cautious
· Obsessive
and compulsive
· Apathetic
· Unable
to self-regulate
For the record: One can become
addicted to substances, behaviours, thinking patterns, ways or responding, moods,
and people that harm/sabotage oneself, others, relationships, society, animals
or property. Maybe more could be added to this list? Anyway, as I understand it these days, the
characteristics of addiction are - one loses perspective and a sense of
priorities. One experiences powerful
physical, psychological and emotional cravings.
One habitually serves wrong/irrational/ illegal impulses and/or compulsions.
One slides to where one simply can no
longer realise consequences, think straight and/or make one’s own choices –
either short-term or long term.
Of
course there are degrees along the continuum's here… I'm still learning...
Last
night I was reading in the second step material in the section about Hope. As I pondered the principle and re-read my
answers from before, and what I have added in the 14 years in between, I became
acutely aware of degrees of healing that have taken place in me through the
years. Little bits of almost daily “thinking
on these things” have brought me greater personal peace, power and contentment. Most days I am happy for most of the
day. When I’m not, I know better how to
give myself a break, and go and find my balance and sane thinking. I loved the “delicious” ideas that came into
my head when I heard “When you have lost your temper, go away and find it.”
Another leap in my physical healing journey was coming across the book "Fit for Life." I experienced after following the principles that instead of regularly sleeping 4 to 5 hours a night I was peacefully sleeping 7 and 8 hours a night. My physical health improved dramatically. I later came across South Africa's "Natural Way" authored by Mary-Ann Shearer. I was able to attend a symposium in which she presented. I now follow the Natural Way most of the time. I am stably healthy.
Another leap in my physical healing journey was coming across the book "Fit for Life." I experienced after following the principles that instead of regularly sleeping 4 to 5 hours a night I was peacefully sleeping 7 and 8 hours a night. My physical health improved dramatically. I later came across South Africa's "Natural Way" authored by Mary-Ann Shearer. I was able to attend a symposium in which she presented. I now follow the Natural Way most of the time. I am stably healthy.
I’m also
grateful for putting certain righteous routines into my life. I think living “in the world,” as we do, needs
us to take advantage of, and use, the best resources developed by the world to
deal with the problems that arise for us in the world, and I think our physical
bodies are part of that. I came to the
conclusion some time in my mid adulthood that I was “so concentrated on heavenly
things and was not of much earthly use.”
Not to myself, and not to most others either. (By the way, I think our finances are also
part of “this world.” So are our
properties I think, the places and spaces we live in. Now that I think about it, so is the “work”
we do, and the technology and media we use, as well as the furnishings,
vehicles, clothes and makeup we think are so important.) How much is sufficient for our needs? How much betrays and distracts us from more
important things – for now, for here – wherever we are right now?
I belonged
for many years to a WeightWatchers group (no more in SA.) When WeightWatchers left the country I
thought I could/would just “do it on my own.”
That lasted two months, and I knew I was rationalizing again, bluffing
myself. I joined WeighLess, a South
African version of WeightWatchers. I go
every week. I think WeighLess is a
better programme than WeightWatchers, though I don’t much care for the name. I also
belong to a Tai Chi group. I do at least
one Tai Chi routine a week. It’s a relief to just surrender myself to being in
the group and being accountable every week – and learning more too. I’m grateful for the two group leaders and
members.
I am
very grateful for these, and my other righteous routines and holy habits I have
put in place in my daily life. With our covid 19 lock-down now, the two group leaders are most diligent in checking in with
those of us who belong to the two groups.
What
healing have you experienced in your life to this point?
Who, or
what, might help you along your way?
Some
good food for thought I think…
I love
you!
Mom /
Judy / Gran Judy
