The light lingers a little longer. The air begins to soften. Something in us stirs, a quiet sense that change is possible.
This month I’ve been thinking about the idea of changing the world. It sounds grand, almost unrealistic. And yet, when we look closely, the world is changed every day, not by sweeping gestures alone, but by small acts of courage, compassion, and purpose.
In this newsletter, I invite you to consider what part you might play in that story.
“Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”
The third step of twelve in the twelve step programs is clearly the highest risk step one must take. The risk is only slightly mitigated by having the privilege of relating to “God as we understand Him,” because so few of use have a clear sense of who or what God is. Moreover, we are at a place in our lives where we have little faith or trust in ourselves, let alone anyone else. Here are some thoughts that might help one understand and find a way to get this task done.
First, let’s focus on the action in this step. It looks at first glance that the action involves some heavy lifting ….the turning over of our will and our lives. Many of us have struggled with this mightily. Some of us even think we have succeeded until the next day when we have it .....
Sit quietly. Think about either what is missing from your world, or what is disturbing in your world. Think about what you might be able to do to make an improvement. Don’t rush this. And don’t think that it must be an earth-shaking deal. Just let the thoughts come to you. One day soon, if not today, you will have an idea. Now, think about who you might enlist to help you, with advice, information, or willingness to take action. This is the call to adventure in the heroic journey. Notice also your hesitation to either decide what needs changing, or your resistance to asking for help. This is the second step of the heroic journey. Now, move forward with your next step, which is whatever it is that you decide to do. You may not change the world, and you certainly won’t do so immediately; but you will never change the world if you don’t try.
My Blog - Changing the World
Who among us thinks we have the power to change the world? Hardly anyone. Who among us thinks the world needs to be changed? Practically everyone. This is a huge disconnect. The world needs to be changed, but we feel powerless to do anything about it. But there are things we can do, once the idea occurs to us that possibly we really .....
Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world.
~Margaret Mead
On the Bookshelf - Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps by Richard Rohr,
Franciscan Media, 2011, 2021
Father Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest of the Roman Catholic church who has been gifted with deep spiritual awareness along with superb communication skills. Thus, he has been able to educate and inspire people for many years, people who were suffering and seeking to make sense of their lives. In 2011 he brought new insights into ...
I speak on addiction recovery as a heroic journey -reframing struggle as a call to adventure, purpose, and transformation. My talks are grounded in lived experience, clinical perspective, and the spiritual principles of the twelve steps.
Programs can be tailored for:
• Treatment centers and recovery programs • Mental health and behavioral health professionals • Faith-based communities • Veterans groups • Civic and community organizations
Events may be held in person or virtually.
If you would like to explore a speaking engagement, simply reply to this newsletter or reach out through my website. I welcome the conversation.
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