MY GARDEN
I've been able to relate my recovery to a garden of beautiful flowers. Someone had planted the seeds, but it was up to me to surrender and begin the growing process (Step One). In this garden, I can see the beauty of the love, compassion, caring, and sharing with others.
The sun shines down with warmth to help me an my garden grow. I see this as God and love from my fellow members and my sponsor. Then the clouds roll in--this is my pain and sorrow, and from this rain (tears) and the storms of life, my garden and I grow and flourish. After the storm pass, the sun sparkles on the raindrops, and I know each time God is always there for me. In this I can find trust (Steps Two and Three). My flowers cannot grow without a little fertilizer--never too much, because then my flowers would burn up and die. Such would be my recovery.
Then there are weeds I need to keep clearing away by doing the Fourth and Fifth Steps. And by doing the Tenth Step daily I can try to keep the weeds of life from choking my beautiful flowers. The tools of the program help me, for without them I would have no suggested way to keep my garden in order.
The large weeds that are stubborn and hard to get rid of I keep plugging away at "one day at a time" with Steps Six and Seven. These are my defects of character. And to make amends without becoming self-righteous. This is all part of my growing progress (Steps Eight and Nine). Prayer and meditation help nurture my garden every day (Step Eleven).
Then with time there come small seeds that are carried on the wind (voice and example) of my experience, strength, and hope of a better way of life to those who are suffering, in and out of recovery (Step Twelve).
Then perhaps another garden can grow and find the beauty, peace, and serenity that the fellowship promises if I am willing to practice these principles.