Category: Daily Reflection

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” (Psalm 37:7)

Lately I’ve been finding it really hard to remain patient on God with my health and healing mostly because of what I constantly see going on around me. I know plenty of people who are receiving social security disability and are fully capable of working, and actually doing so under the table. I know of others who are regularly doing or selling drugs and prospering just fine as well. Then there are those I know who are married and been having adulterous relationships on the side for years, all the while having no real complaints in life. And of course there are those too I know who are overly engaging in any number of other things such as alcohol, gambling, sex, smoking, and the like, most of which haven’t been facing any real problems in life either. Yet I have been doing everything I can to stay healthy on every conceivable level and still find myself struggling on most days to feel any joy within due to the overwhelming level of pain I continue to experience. Maybe this is why human beings often tend to lack in patience because it’s generally far easier to find a quicker way to feel good in life. I should know I did that for years, but living that way did catch up with me eventually. So while I may not understand right now why I continue to deal with as many health issues as I do, I know I’m doing my absolute best to be still and wait patiently upon God for relief. Because I also know that any scheme I could try to pursue to quickly feel better in life will inevitably only end with me in greater pain and having to still wait patiently upon God for that relief.

I pray to continue remaining patient upon God for relief from all of my burdens in life and to not allow any schemes or quick fixes that others might be doing around me to lead me astray.

Peace, love, light, and joy,

Andrew Arthur Dawson

“We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic, but you can quickly diagnose yourself. Step over to the nearest barroom and try some controlled drinking. Try to drink and stop abruptly. Try it more than once. It will not take long for you to decide, if you are honest with yourself about it. It may be worth a bad case of jitters if you get a full knowledge of your condition.” (Bill Wilson)

I’m often drawn to these very words that Bill Wilson wrote in the Alcoholics Anonymous book solely because I believe they can be related to a lot more conditions in life than just an alcohol problem. How many times I’ve come to that place in life where I realized I was doing something that was unhealthy for me, stopped it for a period of time, then told myself later it was never that bad and convinced myself to try it again. I’ve actually done that “controlled barroom drinking approach” in so many facets of my life I’ve lost count and every time I have tried it, my case of “jitters” only grew worse. In fact, the last time I tried to control one of my unhealthy behaviors, I ended up attempting suicide. I’ve come across similar horror stories from plenty of other people who tried the controlled approach themselves. Some went to prison in the process, while others suffered major medical traumas, a bunch experienced huge financial losses, and sadly a few even lost their lives. Unfortunately, in this day and age, the “controlled drinking approach” isn’t always ending with just a bad case of “jitters” anymore. Nowadays it seems to be causing a lot more damage and wreckage than ever before. That’s why I thank God everyday I don’t attempt this controlled approach anymore once I realize I have a problem with something, because I know the only thing that will come out of one more attempt at trying it, is a slew of pain, and doesn’t life already have enough of that?

I pray that once I realize I have a problem with something in life and know it’s not healthy for me to do anymore, that I don’t try to control it and instead, seek guidance from my Higher Power to abstain from it for good. 

Peace, love, light, and joy,

Andrew Arthur Dawson

“How would your life be different if you stopped making negative judgmental assumptions about people you encounter? Let today be the day you look for the good in everyone you meet and respect their journey.” (Steve Maroboli)

I was invited to a couple’s 25th anniversary celebration recently where the entertainment at dusk was a one-man drag show. When the male performer took the small stage in bright red stilettos, a scarlet sleek dress, and an extremely large black wig, and immediately began singing several Macy Gray songs while strutting around the crowd, I rolled my eyes and said aloud “I don’t get it.” Indeed this is truly how I’ve always felt about this form of performing, never quite understanding the fascination or appeal of men dressing up as women and either lip-syncing or singing to various songs on a stage in front of a crowd. But when my partner looked over at me as I continued to verbally express my disapproval of drag, he said something that totally shifted my perspective. “What about your love of pursuing anything that deals with superheroes? Don’t you think there are probably many who won’t get that as well?” He was right, there have been many who haven’t understood my allure to everything superhero related, yet they never judged me negatively. Thus, why should it be any different for me when it comes to the art of drag? While it may not be something I’m into, I can clearly see how many others are. This is precisely why I’ve decided to keep an open mind the next time I find myself at a drag show, as only then will I be able to see the good and have respect for a form of entertainment that I know so many love.

I pray to keep an open mind and refrain from judging what others are into, and to always see the good in everything, even the ones I may not understand.

Peace, love, light, and joy,

Andrew Arthur Dawson