I want very much to enjoy what Ella Wheeler Wilcox wrote, "There is no satisfaction that can compare with looking back across the years and finding you've grown in self-control, judgment, generosity, and unselfishness."
It has taken me years to realize that I was born worthy and was always worthy as a child of God. I missed out on a lot of living, but it has shaped the kind and quality of man that I am today. I am so happy that TODAY I am worthy to have rich friendships and to be a good friend, to accept love and to give love to others. Working the 12 Steps program CompulsiveEatersAnonymous-HOW is a daily challenge which calls the very best from me and one day at a time I make an improvement. It is always spiritual progress never perfection. I agree with Michael J Fox who said, “I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business.”
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Even in my worst self absorbed moments, I know without doubt that I am loved unconditionally by so many people that I would not be able to remember them all. Considering that I started my life believing that because I was not perfect, that no one, no, not even God could possibly love me, and now to realize with every fiber of my being that it is true that I am loved, and always was loved and accepted, is without doubt the greatest positive insight of my life. My Penpal Betsy wrote: It is a sign of awareness that you have the issues you do. This is another remarkable thing about you: you could have turned into a hostile, cold, even sadistic person from all the pain and suffering you've been thru. You have turned the pain and suffering against yourself instead BUT you have understanding, which is the first big step. Do you know what I'm saying? You are sensitive and thoughtful, and a seeker of knowledge and understanding. That is a very accurate assessment from a friend who was posting on a website called "Daily Challenges" the same time that I was. I know that I have advocates for John in my family and friends. . .my 3 sisters have stood by me through thick and thin - my sisters have allowed me to confide in them and in turn have done for me what I was helpless to do for myself. So many times they have saved my life, given me rich gifts of mental, emotional, and financial help, encouragement and hope through their acceptance and love and counsel. My daughter texts me that she loves me everyday and her hugs, along with my gradchildren's are the best. I get loving hugs and real honest TLC from my church family, dear friends and so many others who have become dear to me. I am way too blessed to be as stressed as I am habitually so many times. My joyful friend Teri writes me "Having a good relationship with someone is, in itself, an accomplishment. What about all your friends? It sounds like you have many with whom you communicate. To have established a trust with someone - that's an accomplishment." She is right, so right, I do have the very best friends and some of them I have never met - what a joy |
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."My friend Claudette writes, "My Best Friend John What a great guy, my best friend John is. He is so adept in working with others, with our many problems, that he rarely misses hitting the nail on the head on any problem. He loves working with others. He has made a 24/7 career helping everyone else. He doesn't care if he knows you or not. If he can be of help in any way, he is there for you. He may not know you, but you know he is your friend. You instinctively know he will do whatever he can to make your life a little better. He brings out the best in everyone. What a great guy, my best friend John is. He doesn't see how handsome and charming he can be. That is probably part of his charm. He needs to see the tall interesting person the ladies see. Oh the talent he has. Not only can he sing and play, he helps others do the same. He can write poems for all to feel the warmth of deep emotion. He shows the love of Jesus in everything he does. My friend can see good in everyone. I am so grateful to know him. He is so far above the rest of us in the spiritual and intellectual world, that we often fail to appreciate this great Christian. What a great guy, my best friend John is. Thank you for being my friend Claudette |
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Some positive reactions to my Brother John Programs |