~ LIVE AND LET LIVE ~
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"If I knew for a certainty that a man
was coming to my house with the
conscious design of doing me good, I
should run for my life."
Henry David Thoreau
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I have gleaned from the OA program that
I can let others be themselves and make
their own decisions unless an issue
involves me as well. What a powerful
concept. I have struggled long and hard
with the issue of letting others live
their lives as they choose without the
benefit of my wise, profound advice. I
really believed that I had all the
answers and that by listening to me, one
could get his or her life on the right
track and be forever grateful to me for
the magnanimous favor I had done them. I
REALLY believed this. I was also deeply
frustrated when people did not
immediately do whatever it was I
"advised" them to do. How could
they be so dumb?
More importantly, how did I overlook the
fact that my own life was heading down
hill at a remarkable clip? Thanks to
the OA program, I have slowly learned to
keep my mouth shut. My motto for
relationships is simple: sweep off my
side of the street. It makes being me so
much easier ~ and it makes the lives of
those around me a bit better too.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
Today I will accept and love those
around me without acting on the urge to
make their lives better, as if I knew
what "better" for them might be. I will
live and let live as I continue to
realize the freedom the program offers
me.