*September 21st*

What is the greatest hindrance to my achieving peace of mind? "DETERMINATION" - The grim resolve that I can actually "do something" about "anything", or sometimes "everything." This whole feeling of tightening up, preparing for battle, can defeat my real purposes in my relationships in my family and with my friends. Over and over I learn I must learn to "let go." It will do nothing constructive for me if I retaliate for injuries I suffer. I am not empowered by God to "even up" scores and make others "pay for what they've done to me." I will learn to relax my stubborn grip on all the details of my sufferings and allow the solutions to unfold by themselves.

Today's Reminder
I am only a small cog in all that goes on in the world. My trying to run things the way I insist is doomed to fail. Peace of mind comes in not controlling things that happen around me with my own sheer will. Only then will I have time to count the blessings I can be thankful for, as well as work on my shortcomings while enjoying each moment as it comes.

"What hurt could it do thee if thou wouldst let it pass and make no account of it? Could it even so much as pluck one hair from thy head?"
(Thomas A'Kempis)

[Taken and fashioned from "One Day At A Time In Al-Anon"
for general family relationships by Jim Hogue, MA, MFTI]