Getting rid of my addictive habits gave me a new perspective on spirituality in my life. And no, while I have been a church member, I don’t mean formal ritualistic exercises. I am a believer in God. But won’t put a label on that experience and say it belongs to this or that sect alone.
I don’t expect to win the lottery because I have a powerful relationship with El Numero Uno. Instead, I think of my life and my excursions into the spirit as a sort of expedition. Sometimes it’s a moonwalk, and sometimes it’s an uphill slog. Releasing the addictions made me aware of how much influence we have over our own lives. And where and when we are powerless, and need a bit of help.
This is a personal trip through the wilderness. Some people have prescriptions for life, rituals to be followed. Others have paths that they pursue with rigor as a hiker explores a mountain trail, hoping for new vistas at each turn.
To an extent, I base my philosophy on the Hippocratic injunctions to “do no harm” ( from “On the Epidemics,” not the Hippocratic Oath). I watched friends and others get abused. And be abusers. As a result, I’ve developed a desire to simply not make it worse for anyone or anything. And, if I can improve their lot. This is an aspirational goal. I certainly am not a saint.
This is just my take. If you believe you have a fantastic birthright due to your membership in the Holy Society of Pusilanimous Polecats that is your business. I am not interested in becoming a member.
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I am intrigued by the Holy Society of Pusilanimous Polecats …
A very old fraternal society…wait…isn’t Louis a member?
I wouldn’t know. I don’t recognise the secret meow when I hear it. 🤷♀️
The Grey Menace ( Clancy) would have.
Reminds me of that old Groucho Marx quote: I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.
Right on target!
We should form a sect if we could actually join something…
THE HOLY GATHERING OF THE UNDECIDED
“made me aware of how much influence we have over our own lives. And where and when we are powerless, and need a bit of help.” Whatever we get that helps us discover this lesson is valuable. I am so proud of you for finding a way to manage your addiction. It is really, reallly hard and there’s never a day when you’re done for good. So…well done, Lou.
Thanks, and you are right about addictions they lurk in corners waiting for weak moments.
Thirty years ago, I would have never admitted I had an addiction. But about twenty-nine years ago, I began realizing that I was addicted to reading what are called sacred text. At the time it was scary to ask myself, what would happen if I no longer had scripture or religious text to read? It was as if I could no longer think or breath steadily. What’s funny, now, is that I didn’t stop reading, I started reading more, gads more. On a variety of subjects. My aspirational goal became, reduce suffering by showing God is everywhere, all the time. So, I revised and updated a churchy text to prove to myself that I would not get struck by lightning over the matter of religious texts. I no longer am a church member but if the mood hits me, I’ll attend just about any religious service. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on what reminded me that new vistas can be seen around any turn.
The journey for us is ongoing! Thanks for adding your experiences!