The Reward System of Old Dies
December 20, 2008 by Mark
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
I’ve spoken many times about living on a type of reward system when actively drinking. I did something good for you regardless of the circumstances and I developed an expectation that, somehow, you owed me. When you were unable to pay off – resentment followed, then, not too far away, alcohol.
Today’s reading from the Daily Reflection is part of the change in thinking which ends that old reward system, replacing it with something much more rewarding.
“The Reward of Giving”
This is indeed the kind of giving that actually demands nothing. He does not expect his brother sufferer to pay him, or even to love him. And then he discovers that by the divine paradox of this kind of giving he has found his own reward, whether his brother has yet received anything or not.
My God is happy with me simply because I try to help another without requiring anything in return.
I never have to brag again about doing something good for someone. Try it – help someone, even an “earthling,” and then keep your mouth shut about it or it doesn’t count…
I do agree sobriety can (should?) change my perspective and outlook on life.
I do not believe that God is happy because I do, or do not do, one thing or another. Whether I act without looking for a reward or expect payback. I feel I am loved, unconditionally. Yet my actions do have repercussions.
There is an almost insane amount of good to be had in the world. Being nice and trying to help people can be done as a way of taking action to try to make my immediate world a better place. Today I can actually help people because I think it is the right thing to do. Acting this way, from this motive, it is possible to try to help others from a place of love. One result of this is since I am focused on love, I see more of it.
Love is all around me anyway, I just don’t always want to have my eyes open to it. Like when I am selfish, angry, etc.
Be kind, give, act from a place of love. This can help others AND make my world have more love in it. A much more rewarding result than my old way of doing (destroying!) things.
this is a great theme to live by