Thought for today:

Greed and envy work against our recovery.  They tell us that we don’t have enough – that life is a “zero-sum game” in which we must claw our way to the top, taking what we can.

This limited thinking leads to compulsive debting,  gossip, stealing, manipulation and many other defects of character.  It proves that we feel inadequate about ourselves.

If we are to overcome this internal poverty, we must escape the self-centered fear that drives us.  We must get over the idea that there isn’t enough to have our needs filled.

A member shares:

“I justified stealing because others had stolen from me.  I had suffered emotional and physical abuse as a kid.  Victimized by violent crime,  I was just passing it on.

“I didn’t even want some of the things I had taken.  I did it for vengeance against the universe.  I justified it as “victimless”.

“It wasn’t until I took the Steps that I regretted my destructive behavior.  I felt guilty, and made amends to the best of my ability, to give back what I had taken.

“Contrary to popular opinion, greed is not a good thing.  Today I can face the truth about myself, and make amends.”

Positive Goals:

It’s great to be ambitious and have an “audacious goal” to work on.  Not so great is gossip, stealing, or otherwise tearing people down to get there.

When greed takes over, we give up hope of having real peace.  We feel lack and regret.

The Steps help us escape limited thinking.  They help us admit our defects of character, and work to replace it with a generous heart.

Ask:

Do I realize that there is plenty for everyone, if we share from our abundance?

Meditation for today:

Abundance is a state of mind.  If we truly don’t have enough to eat or a place to sleep, we should ask for help.  If we have these basic needs, then we need to share from our abundance.  Some would call this “wealth redistribution”.  Others would call it mercy.

We have what we need to make this life work. We have the technology, the ability and the willingness.  We just need to remember that what we do to others, we do to ourselves.

It takes selflessness to find lasting peace.  If we each simply share our talents, we will find that we already have “plenty of time, money and love”.  We just needed to recognize it.

Affirmation for today:

“We have what we need to make it work.”

Drop the Rock: Removing Character Defects – Steps Six and Seven

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