The Keynotes On The Path To Harmony
October 24, 2008 by Mark
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
From the Tenth Step in the 12 and 12, page 93;
“We can try to stop making unreasonable demands upon those we love. We can show kindness where we had shown none. With those we dislike we can begin to practice justice and courtesy, perhaps going out of our way to understand and help them.
Whenever we fail any of these people, we can promptly admit it – to ourselves always, and to them also, when the admission would be helpful. Courtesy, kindness, justice, and love are the keynotes by which we may come into harmony with practically anybody. When in doubt we can always pause, saying, ‘Not my will, but Thine, be done.’ And we can often ask ourselves, ‘Am I doing to others as I would have them do to me – today?’”
Right before these paragraphs the 12&12 refers to something I hear many times from friends and others… hate!
“We can’t stand it if we hate deeply.”
Hate is such a strong word and, to my current way of thinking, ought not have a place in a spiritual program of recovery though there are times when I use it too.
“The idea that we can be possessively loving of a few, can ignore the many, and can continue to fear or hate anybody, has to be abandoned, if only a little at a time.”
Courtesy, kindness, justice, and love…
