Courage to Make Progress
By Chambo Fresh
A little bit of courage. It takes just a little bit of infamous and irreverent courage these days to make necessary change. It takes gumption, a little bit of chutzpa, and a lot of Yiddish words I've always wanted to master. To approach an associate with clarity and admit honestly that you're life has become unmanageable is tough - to ignore the jeers and contempt displayed in many forms, perhaps, when cutting off a circle of regular drinking buddies. We have, however, a right to this courage, a God-given birth right to make necessary changes, to honestly reflect on ourselves, and get some help if we need it. It takes a little bit of courage and a whole lot of humility.
Exposing ourselves for who we really are? This is the great quagmire of time. How can we change? Is it that we are becoming something we've always wanted to become? Or can it be viewed, instead, as becoming what we already are? (So deep, I know.) I am convinced that showing ourselves to the world is what we are all trying to do. I just want to remind you that our spiritual progress is not a gift from God - it is a right. To be mature, emotionally, spiritually - these are ours to be had. Not some elusive deer hunt. We are not to meander in the Lone and Dreary World without these sacred endowments. To be around? Others are not suffering while around you unless you are suffering while around you. Being pleasant to yourself is pleasing to others. Not the other way around. We often think, "If I could be pleasing to all of these people then I will be okay with me." Not true.
Another right. I have the right to make amends. Beginning from within, I can begin to right the damage my actions may have caused others. And because I can now accept myself, just as I am, I can joyfully accept others just as they are. For the perfectionist, like myself, spiritual perfection is my right. Not so. I have the right to accept others just the way they are, no more, no less. This is tough. This also takes a little bit of courage and a lot of humility. And for the addictive mind, the super-egoist, this may never happen the way we would like. However, you always have the right to accept or reject others based on your closely held opinions and beliefs.
Finally, it takes balls also to make friend first with God. What does it mean to court the approval of man and what will it later mean when his approval is gone? Having a friend in this power as you understand him is clutch. You will see your friends dwindling away - many of you already have because of your actions, your unwillingness to go deep into consciousness or vice versa. Sometimes when I'm feeling just a little bewildered in the Lone and Dreary World, I say this prayer, of a Quantum Wizard - a computer program. Prayers are programs. At least that is how I see it.
I say this one: God, show me that it is okay to like myself even while trying to repair old wrongs. May I keep telling myself that I am different now. That I have changed. I am a better, healthier, wiser person that I ever was before. I have made some good choices and made some no-good choices. Grant me the right to spiritual progress so that I can fly higher than ever before.
Without first acknowledging a wrong - amends is useless. We are working together within a frame work of hope, courage to make progress. To be emotionally and spiritually whole is our birth right.
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