Nothing happens by chance, we believe. Each step has been part of the plan. The good. The bad. The smiles. The tears. The joys. The heartaches. All the pieces make up our whole.
When we were out there making choices based on fear, insecurities, comparisons, self-doubt, inferiority, avoidance, and unworthiness we lost the conduit to our core beliefs. We forgot the unforgettable. We blurred past the realities that ruled our hearts.
Where, where was the value in our useless existence? What could come from the meaninglessness that mesmerized us? How could purpose peak above the pain? Where was the peace that others possessed? Were we capable of igniting the flame of love that had left us?
The truth is that we were incapable of the resurrection of a new self. It was above our pay grade and, though we had tried, was above the abilities of the professional help we sought before our complete surrender.
There is no scientific evidence that explains our lifelong plight or our transformation. No human power could have relieved our tendency to self-destruct. We found no pill, behavior modification, or self-will that worked. We simply healed, overnight.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a spiritual program, though one does not need to be spiritual to reap the benefits as it is not ours to say when and where the miracle will happen. We can believe or not believe. At our nucleus, we had believed from youth, though we had chosen to drift – it would be more fun, we thought. We saw the creation around us but ignored the creator.
We were touched in His timing, not ours.
Through a recently released piece, Poet Carly Ann Marie Reed reminded us that we are so much more than our past. We ought not to be discouraged by what we made of our lives but encouraged by the maker that we are all masterpieces! And that we are a painting in progress – yet unfinished as new touches are added each day:
Human Masterpiece
Judging our own flaws, weaknesses and sins
Leaves us often discouraged, lost in comparison
Desiring to be different, more like her or him
Envying the traits we admire in them
Growth into self discovery is a transformation
Dig deeper, your power lies within
It’s that no body else in the world is you
Developing sense of identity, true value
Like Leonardo’s Mona Lisa— you’re a masterpiece too
One-of-a-kind, God’s design, created beautiful
Characteristics personalized and intentional
Distinctive qualities that make you special
Gifts we can use to bless others
Illuminate the qualities you were born with
To walk in freedom and fulfill your purpose
We’re all human, no one is perfect
Bring it all together, simultaneously
You’re His work in progress and masterpiece
Every shade
He painted the depths of our traits
Discover your inner strength
To step out of frame
Mona Lisa masterpiece, modern day
@carlyannmariereed
We were born from intention. We grabbed the brush, sweeping strokes of insanity, and added some color. Taking time to analyze ourselves as a creation (self-discovery), we uncover the lines that define us. Guilts transmute to Gifts. The depth of our being adds a dimension to our design.
We are vibrant, radiant pieces of art today. We were made from colors that combined chaos and comfort, stress and relief, anxiety and peace, successes and failures, grief and giddiness, shame and healthy pride. We are unique to the world – one of a kind—a museum-ready masterwork.
We are precisely where we are meant to be today. Look in the mirror and stare upon the creation until you see the beauty that is you. Look for the details. See how the flaws extenuate the gorgeousness, how the piece is coming together. Envisioning the final product brings us to a place of peace as we now know that the ultimate artist has the brush.
We are a masterpiece.
Thoughts and ideas for this blog post were taken and built upon from a sober.coffee podcast #142 titled "Be the Masterpiece" with @carlyannmariereed”…The session dropped on 12/13/2023 Click here to hear the podcast.
Photo by Carly Reed
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Alcoholics Anonymous and AA are registered trademarks of Alcoholics World Service. Inc. References to AA, the 12 steps, and 12 traditions does not mean that AA has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication nor that AA agrees with the views expressed herein. This publication is intended to support personal growth and should not be considered a substitute for healthcare professionals' advice. The author’s advice and viewpoints are their own.
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