Suffering

Police use smoke grenades, pepper balls during Baltimore protest ...

“Fear is the path to the dark side…fear leads to anger…anger leads to hate…hate leads to suffering.” – Yoda

 

The AA 12 Steps are a path to recovery and peace. The program takes an alcoholic who is at war with herself and others and redeems them. Recovery is arrived at by committing to action. Action changes thinking and ultimately beliefs.

In my experience the 12 steps are transformative at a mental, physical, emotional and spiritual level. Taking the first three steps bought me out of my personal “rock bottom”. The journey has since led to sustained sobriety and a measure of serenity I had never known before.

I was able to make peace with the past, myself, others and my Higher Power. It was a new beginning. A second chance. A way out of suffering.

 

I fear by the time you have control of the bureaucrats, Senator, there will be nothing left of our cities, our people, our way of life…” – Padme Amidala

 

The world is sick. Suffering is everywhere. A pandemic rages across the world, the global economy is sinking, starvation and famine is likely in many countries. The United States is burning as years of fear, anger, frustration, hate and division explodes into violence and looting. Media pumps out more fear which only feeds on itself.

There are no easy solutions. Each person has a duty to act in accordance with what is right. To first, be a good human being. To act on the things that they can control. This includes one’s own emotions and actions. Fear is an illusion, anger is a choice and hate is a grave fault.

 

Revenge is a confession of pain.” – The Clone Wars

 

Perhaps the spirit of the 12 Steps provide a model path to heal not just the individual but also the community and ultimately the planet. What the world needs right now is not more fear and anger but hope, compassion and forgiveness. Whether we like it or not we really are connected and in this together.

Here are 12 suggested steps:

  • First admitting a problem exists, is systemic, is causing harm and needs to change.
  • Being willing to accept a vision for change that provides hope.
  • Committing to that vision.
  • Being honest about the injustices that have been done.
  • Being committed to not allowing those injustices to repeat.
  • Questioning ones beliefs and seeking to change individual behaviour and attitudes at a personal level.
  • Demonstrating that change comes through ones actions and words.
  • Seeking to address injustices of the past and present.
  • Taking meaningful action to right those wrongs and provide justice for all.
  • Being open, honest and transparent about mistakes as they arise. Resolving to fix them.
  • Taking time to be grateful, reflecting on achievements and celebrating success.
  • Learning constantly and striving for continuous improvement.

How we conduct ourselves during these times will ultimately determine where we end up. The choices we face could never have been more stark than now.

Make the right choices. That’s all you have to do.

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