If we are painstaking
Promise #1 : If we are painstaking about this phase of our development we will be amazed before we are halfway through.
When you are painstaking, or careful, it means that through the pain, disappointment, and suffering caused by reining in your ego, you do not give up. You pick up the phone instead of the drink or whatever addiction is destroying your life. You ask for help instead of isolating yourself. You tell on yourself to your sponsor or in a meeting, even if it means your voice is shaking and your heart is ready to jump out of your chest. Regardless of how much sobriety you have you tell the truth about yourself and risk being known.
The Promises live in the present moment.Whatever phase of growth and development you are in – and if you are painstaking about your efforts – you will be amazed before you are halfway through. There is no clear marker telling you when you are halfway – not in the existential sense. There is when you are halfway through with your amends but if you believe, as I believe, that the Promises apply to life then “the halfway point” is constantly moving. Just as we are – either going forward or going backward. As you set out upon the path and trudge your way to happy destiny, you will be amazed at the vision of the mountaintop from miles away. You rest and take in the beauty of this glorious site of God’s creation. And then, you return to the stony path and continue to trudge, knowing that it is the journey itself which is the greatest reward – not the mountaintop.
Nice post, Dan. And a reminder to us all that “Trudge” in the 1930’s meant “March” and not “Slog”
Thanks Michael. Yes, context is always an important thing to remember with that book. And thanks for reminding me – as I do get the more current definition of “trudge” in my mind.