Words cannot describe the sense of spiritual awareness that we receive when we have given something, no matter how small, to another person.
Basic Text, p. 104
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Sometimes it seems as though there is so much wrong with the world that we might as well forget trying to make a difference. After all, we think, what in the world can I do? Im just one person. Whether our concerns are so broad that we desire global peace or so personal that we simply want recovery made available to every addict who wants it, the task seems overwhelming. So much work to do, so little time, we sigh, sometimes wondering how well ever do any good.
Amazingly enough, the smallest contributions can make the biggest difference. To gain more from life than an ordinary, plodding existence requires very little effort on our parts. We ourselves are transformed by the deep satisfaction we experience when we lift the spirits of just one person. When we smile at someone who is frowning, when we let someone in front of us on the freeway, when we call a newcomer just to say we care, we enter the realm of the extraordinary.
Want to change the world? Start with the addict sitting next to you tonight, and then imagine your act of kindness multiplied. One person at a time, each one of us makes a difference.
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Just for today: An act of kindness costs me nothing, but is priceless to the recipient. I will be kind to someone today.
Yes I will also pray today that God uses me to bring joy to another person in some way!!! I manage a facility for "people with disabilities" so I can remain blessed with many opportunities!!!!!
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
Amazing message. I will attempt to do so again today, but would like to share regarding a close friend this past weekend.
My father is also a member of the Fellowship, and his sponsor (as well as his wife) came over Saturday. We typically have "fire pit meetings" after our Saturday night NA meeting; an open meeting that allows for people to share on topics that they might not want to share at our home group. Basically, anything goes. This is how I feel NA meetings should be anyway, but there are times when people just don't want to share because of the size of a meeting, or someone that might be sitting in the meeting, etc. But I digress.
Dad's sponsor, who I'll call Jim, and his wife had been having large issues the past couple of months, and it kind of came to a head on Saturday night. I won't go into the specifics, but suffice it to say that Jim was basically on the edge of divorcing his wife.
Dad and I, along with our respective sponsees, were able to help them work everything out. They've gone almost a week now with no arguments, no fights, just happiness. Jim has stated that the feeling of being "trapped" has subsided, and he's actually enjoying her company now, and vice versa.
We also found out last night that he was at a point that he was ready to commit suicide. This hit both dad and I quite hard, as he's an amazing person, and has a lot to share with others.
Just remember, you never know how your kindness will affect someone's life. The smile and short conversation with your cashier may be just the thing that saves their life.
