Month: November 2018

Beating To My Own Drum…

Recently, I received quite a bit of flak from people who read my article about not voting in this recent election. Instead of grasping the underlying purpose of that article, I was chastised immensely for my action. So, rather than accepting me for my individuality and appreciating that I was beating to my own drum, I got criticized…A LOT.

Why don’t people understand that this is exactly the problem in our world right now? Everyone is pointing the finger at everyone else and judging everyone else, rather than looking in the mirror at where they can change, get healthier, and grow spiritually. And as they continue to do that, they also get totally uncomfortable when those around them do something completely against the grain of society, even if it doesn’t directly affect them. I should know given the number of things I’ve done over the years to better myself and got put down in the process.

The fact is, I don’t want to be like everyone else. I don’t want to fit in to some societal norm. I like beating to my own drum and forging a path that I feel my heart and soul is guiding me on, or better yet, my Higher Power is guiding me on. But sadly, far too many can’t deal with that, and my actions end up challenging their beliefs enough so, that I get judged rather than accepted for just being me.

Every day I read on Facebook tons of opinions from people, some of which I agree with and some of which I don’t. For those I agree with, I may or may not comment. But for those I don’t, I never comment. Because commenting with my own judgment is not allowing someone to beat to their own drum. It’s essentially putting them down instead for their beliefs.

Our world could be a far more loving, caring, kind, and considerate place, if people would just allow people to beat to their own drums. While beating to my own drum generally never affects another individual directly, the noise it creates still seems to bother them, noise that challenges their personal belief systems and accepted values.

Take the idea that I believe God is ok with homosexuality so long as I remain in a monogamous, loving, relationship and abstain from any promiscuity is one great example that I constantly have received flak on.

And with this latest non-voting decision that I also received quite a bit of flak with, my truth is I’m still ok with that decision and I stand by it.

Besides the fact that I feel our current political system is completely unstable and corrupt no matter who seems to get voted into office these days, a more important truth is that I feel real change can only come from within, by beating to my own drum, and by allowing others to do so as well.

I honestly feel that if we all allowed each other to beat to our own drums by letting everyone be individuals who can make decisions that may or may not be ones we personally would make, our world will become the very thing we keep striving outside of ourselves to achieve, but keep failing to get there because of it…

Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson

Question To Ponder For The Day

Who is one person in your life that goes above and beyond to help others, who is more selfless, than selfish, and is generally someone who thinks of others more than themselves? (And if you are willing, please acknowledge their name here to spread the love, as we need a lot more of that right now on this planet… 🙂 )

Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson

Grateful Heart Monday

Welcome to another chapter of Grateful Heart Monday, which for this week I’m starting it off with a slice of gratitude for one of my AA home group members, Chris C.

Living a life of recovery in AA is so much more than simply abstaining from alcohol and drugs, yet many do just that, and much of their demons from the days of addiction remain active, especially the core behaviors of selfishness, self-seeking, dishonesty, and fear.  But there are those who choose to go far above and beyond in their sobriety to live a life of recovery that is more about helping others than themselves and one such person is indeed my AA home group member Chris.

From the moment I met Chris, I’ve witnessed someone who’s always willing to help out, especially to those in need. He’s generally the first to offer his hand in support when someone is hurting. I see him constantly reaching out to newcomers as well, ensuring they feel welcomed. Chris isn’t afraid to show his emotions either, and has openly shed many-a-tears that has helped people just like me not feel so alone in the suffering they’re going through.

I actually feel that Chris represents much of what my first sponsor tried to mold me into from the first day I began my recovery work. I say that because I see him living a life of humility, servitude, and kindness to all, that’s free of judgment, and full of unconditional love for others.

Chris goes well above and beyond just showing up, like so many tend to do when it comes to getting sober. Far too many simply do nothing but stop drinking and drugging and maybe show up at a meeting here and there. Yet, that is so far from who Chris is and I first noticed that early on when I joined the home group he was already a part of. Each week, he was and usually still is, the first to show up, to begin the set-up process of putting the tables and chairs out, and even getting the coffee started if no one else is there yet. If we are out of supplies, he’s frequently the first to volunteer to go get what’s needed and when there’s a group social he makes sure to do his best to always be at them, showing his full support.

But, Chris’s dedication to recovery doesn’t end there. He’s also quite active in our local AA community, which is Area 55. There, he’s served in many positions, on multiple committees, and immersed himself in volunteer opportunities wherever he can. Chris has a joy about him when he serves in AA. I’ve personally witnessed this one night about a year ago when I joined him on a speaking engagement at a local detention center. There, his words were filled with a lot of passion and I could feel his heart and truth through his words, which I know was much-needed that night for those there.

Finally, on a much more personal level, I appreciate Chris because he has made sure to go out of his way on many-a-occasion with me, offering his support and companionship, knowing how much I’ve been hurting, depressed, and ready to call it quits. While I’ve never taken him up on his offer as of yet, mostly because I’ve become more of an isolator than anything these days, it’s still been comforting to know that he’s there for me, just a phone call away. And believe me, in a world where no one seems to answer their phones anymore when you try to call them, that isn’t the case with Chris. He’s always either answered me on my first attempt to call or called me back in an exceptionally short period of time.

That’s why I believe that Chris is a living, breathing example of the recovery life that Bill Wilson, one of the founders of AA, first set forth for all of us. But, even more importantly, I see Chris carrying a zest to serve God, which is overly apparent in so many of his words and actions. I’m grateful to have gotten to know him, to be in the same AA home group as him, and to witness someone who continues to grow spiritually, mind, body, and soul…

Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson