~ PERSPECTIVE ~
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"Nothing is lost upon a man who is bent upon growth; nothing wasted on one who is always preparing for life. By keeping eyes, mind, and heart open to nature, men, books, experience, and what he gathers, serves him at unexpected moments, is unforeseen."
Hamilton Wright Mabie
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I love to walk in the woods. The silent
serenity of shadowed sunlight; the soft
bounce of scattered needles under my
feet; and the cool, clear air breathe
peace into my soul.
I’ve long been fascinated by "nurse
logs" - those aged, fallen pines who
serve as fertile sustenance for younger,
healthy trees.
When I look back at my life I see so
much death. I see wasted years of
hiding, lying, pretending -- years of
wrapping myself in my sickness. I have
held my disease close to me. At first it
seemed to bring safety, but I came to
find that it was actually a death
shroud. I wondered how any good could
ever come from my years of pain.
After entering Recovery and working the
Program, I have come to see that Nothing
Is Wasted. Every sorrow, every injury,
and every failure have brought me to
this fruitful forest of New Life. Had I
never suffered, I would never have found
the Serenity that comes from choosing
Gratitude. Had my life been easy, I
would not have the appreciation I have
gained for each new day. No one values
safety, peace, and growth quite so
profoundly as do those who have lived
without them for so very long.
As I keep my mind, heart, and
perspective focused on God, growth, and
life, I find that my pain has become a
nurse log; rich with all that is needed
to bring life where once was only death.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will remember that nothing is wasted. I will choose to appreciate the pain and wisdom of the God-given nurse log which feeds me with hope and peace.