An Application Of Recovery Principles

This has been quite a short time period for the advancement of the b5media network of which this Blog is a very happy member! Despite the opportunity, many found some “need” to present a negative view of a positive event. Rather than express my disgust with these so-called “professionals” I think I’ll stick to part of what the purpose of this Blog is – to show an example of how recovery principles work.

October is unofficially “10th Step Month.” And there are a number of places in the Tenth Step in the 12 and 12 that feel appropriate to the last days’ events. Here’s one;

From page 92 – “Finally, we begin to see that all people, including ourselves, are to some extent emotionally ill as well as frequently wrong, and then we approach true tolerance and see what real love for our fellows actually means. It will become more and more evident as we go forward that it is pointless to become angry, or to get hurt by people who, like us, are suffering from the pains of growing up.”

The Science and Health Channel manager, Dr. Hsien Hsien Lei, has addressed one of these folks with this post. Hsien quotes one Mike Rundle, an “important” member of the 9rules Community (not a network), who has disparagingly referenced a b5media Blog written by a Stay At Home Mom. This has angered a number of good folks at b5media – understandably so. But, I would remind them “it is pointless to become angry, or to get hurt by people who, like us, are suffering from the pains of growing up.”

I was about to say something else in this space about not fearing the prospect of saying something to somebody’s face but I think I’d rather point out another principle contained in the Tenth Step. From page 91; “Our first objective will be the development of self-restraint. This carries a top priority rating. When we speak or act hastily or rashly, the ability to be fair-minded and tolerant evaporates on the spot. One unkind tirade or one willful snap judgement can ruin our relation with another person for a whole day, or maybe a whole year. Nothing pays off like restraint of tongue and pen.”

When I give consideration to the somewhat mindless spewage of the negativity embraced by those who apparently have nothing better to do with their life, I stumble upon one more principle mentioned in our Tenth Step on page 88;

“A continuous look at our assets and liabilities, and a real desire to learn and grow by this means, are necessities for us. More experienced people, of course, in all times and places have practiced unsparing self-survey and criticism. For the wise have always known that no one can make much of his life until self-searching becomes a regular habit, until he is able to admit and accept what he finds, and until he patiently and persistently tries to correct what is wrong.”

Sage advice for those who are young, immature and have some kind of need to take others’ inventories rather than their own.

Lastly, because I could start to ramble with this, I’ll reference one of our Daily Reflections for October 15th. It relates to self-examination and is titled “My Checklist, Not Yours.”

Repeating the words from page 67 in the 12 and 12, we hear this;

“Gossip barbed with our anger, a polite form of murder by character assassination, has its satisfactions for us, too. Here we are not trying to help those we criticize; we are trying to proclaim our own righteousness.”

Congratulations to Jeremy and all those who worked hard to put together the funding of b5media with Venture Capital! I can’t make it to the “drinking” celebration, but it is a wonderful happening and here’s to the best future for all at b5media! Way To Go!