Dealing With Drama June 4, 2008
Posted by theguyoutsidethewalls in 12 Step Spirituality, Dealing With Drama, Detachment, Relationships.Tags: Catholic, Christian, Drama, gay spirituality, Personal Growth, Religion, Spirituality
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2Timothy 1: 1-3, 5-12
“The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly spirit but rather one that makes us strong, loving and wise.”
Strong. Loving. Wise.
These are three personal qualities worth striving after. They stand in contrast to what our culture tells us is worth striving after: money, fame and instant gratification. If someone described me as being a person that is strong, loving and wise, that would be a compliment indeed. I’ve got a ways to go though!
Frances de Sales said: “Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing is so gentle as real strength.” Strength, it seems to me, is born of adversity. It is in the weathering life’s storms that one proves one’s strength. And the truly strong are those who are firmly rooted, but do not seek to dominate. The truly strong are those who are also loving and wise and who do not walk all over people to get what they want in life. They are the ones who are able to sacrifice for the good of another and who keep loving even when they don’t want to. It strikes me that the wise are those who know when to speak and when not to speak. They are those who are able to accept life where it’s at and not force something to happen. All unfolds in its time. They do not get swept up in emotional drama, but are able to step back, reflect and then act appropriately. Strength is proven in self control.
Yesterday I found myself reacting to some drama. I quickly found myself getting swept up into it and, had I done that, I would have reacted in the same dramatic fashion that I was reacting to in the first place! Gratefully, I was able to step back, pause and see what I was doing, and in so doing I was able to detach from the drama and then act appropriately and have a good evening. This was a small moment of strength, love and wisdom. 12 Step programs say this: when I am agitated, I pause. . . . I pause. . . . It’s amazing what can happen when I don’t react, but pause, step back and then act appropriately and wisely to the situation at hand.
Am I strong enough to pause when I am agitated today? Am I loving enough to think before I speak or react? Am I wise enough to know an appropriate course of action?
