{"id":2011,"date":"2017-02-07T18:00:25","date_gmt":"2017-02-08T00:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.peacelcmc.org\/?p=2011"},"modified":"2017-02-22T08:27:31","modified_gmt":"2017-02-22T14:27:31","slug":"this-is-not-a-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.peacelcmc.org\/?p=2011","title":{"rendered":"This Is Not a Test"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is Not a Test.<\/p>\n

“We have found a loving, personal God to whom we can turn.” Page 39.
\nBasic Text, p. 27. Some of us come into recovery with the impression that life’s hardships are a series of cosmic tests designed to teach us something. This belief is readily apparent when something traumatic happens and we wail, “My Higher Power is testing me!” We are convinced that it is a test of our recovery when someone offers us drugs, or a test of our character when faced with a situation where we could do something unprincipled without getting caught. We may even think it is a test of our faith when we are in great pain over a tragedy in our lives.<\/p>\n

But a loving Higher Power does not test our recovery, our character, or our faith. Life just happens, and sometimes it hurts. Many of us have lost love through no fault of our own. Some of us have lost all of our material wealth. A few of us have even grieved the loss of our own children. Life can be terribly painful at times, but the pain is not inflicted on us by our Higher Power. Rather, that Power is constantly by our sides, ready to carry us if we can not walk by ourselves. There is no harm that life can do us that the God of our understanding can not heal.<\/p>\n

Just for Today: I will have faith that my Higher Power’s will for me is good, and that I am loved. I will seek my Higher Power’s help in times of need. (c) 2016 NA World Services<\/p>\n

Iroquois Prayer of Gratitude
\nWe return thanks to our mother, the earth, which sustains us.
\nWe return thanks to the rivers and streams, which supply us with waters.
\nWe return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicine for the cure of our diseases.
\nWe return thanks to the corn, and to her sisters, the beans and the squashes, which give us life.
\nWe return thanks to the wind, which moving the air has banished diseases.
\nWe return thanks to the moon and the stars,
\nwhich have given us their light when the sun was gone.
\nWe return thanks to the sun, that he has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.
\nLastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit, in whom is embodied all goodness, and who directs all things for the good of his children.<\/p>\n

\"Thank<\/a>
Thank you<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Science Behind Cultivating the Attitude of Gratitude and How It Works.<\/p>\n

The benefits include health and Wellness, better sleep, feeling more alive, reaching out and receiving compassion, even helping build a better immune system. – Derrick Carpenter. Happify. http:\/\/www.happify.com\/hd\/the-science-behind-gratitude\/<\/p>\n

How do we get on with cultivating an attitude of gratitude?
\nFreshen up the Thanks.
\nMake a Game about Noticing New Gratefulness each day.
\nGet Real about Your Gratitude Practice.
\nBe Both Optimistic and Realistic.
\nMake Thankfulness Fun by Mixing it up.
\nBe Creative in Engaging your Gratitude activities.
\nGet Social about your Gratitude.
\nWrite a Gratitude letter.
\nYou are on your way to positive life changes to better yourself.<\/p>\n

Gratitude
\nBeastie Boys
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