Maret
was a sweet little homeless lady who came to the Christian 12 Step Bible study held at my church every Monday night. She was well groomed
(as much a homeless person could be) and always carried a beaming smile on her face.
Every week, she walked in,
said hello, grabbed some coffee and quietly perched herself in a corner chair. She hardly ever spoke. When she did, it was a few direct words at
most. Demure silence functioned as her modus operandi.
For months I observed Maret, confounded by her homelessness. She seemed so sweet and kind … so normal.
For months I observed Maret, confounded by her homelessness. She seemed so sweet and kind … so normal.
Finally, one night, she opened her mouth
and shared at length. It
wasn’t a particularly long-winded share, only lasting about four minutes. But that night, Maret spoke just long enough for me to learn volumes about why she was homeless … she was NUTS! Off her rocker! Coo-coo for Cocopuffs! I don't remember exactly what she said (something about aliens and CIA mind control techniques), I only remember my stunned reaction to her brief (but bizarre) oration. I had completely misread this woman because she
never offered anything but an outward image.
*"Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent." Prov. 17:28
*"Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent." Prov. 17:28
That’s human
nature, isn't it? We tend to judge people, places, things,
and ideas according to the outward presentation they offer, rather than the whole package. What we offer determines how we're viewed by those around us.
A dearly departed old-timer from my home group used to say, "Learn to listen, and listen to learn." There's much wisdom to be found in this advice.
*"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." Prov. 18:2
There's also much wisdom to be found in an old adage that says, "We remember 30% of what we hear, 40% of what we see, 50% of what we say, 60% of what we do, and 90% of what we see, hear, say, and do." A vast majority of the solid recovery I gained over the years came from listening to to the advice of those who went before me, observing the positive behaviors exhibited by my peers, sharing at meetings, and putting it all into action through attending meetings, step work, commitments, sponsorship, and actively pursuing an ongoing relationship with God.
I could not simply sit around, waiting for recovery to find me. I had to get to work and actively participate in my sobriety.
*"Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards, then, build your house." Prov. 24:7
A dearly departed old-timer from my home group used to say, "Learn to listen, and listen to learn." There's much wisdom to be found in this advice.
*"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." Prov. 18:2
There's also much wisdom to be found in an old adage that says, "We remember 30% of what we hear, 40% of what we see, 50% of what we say, 60% of what we do, and 90% of what we see, hear, say, and do." A vast majority of the solid recovery I gained over the years came from listening to to the advice of those who went before me, observing the positive behaviors exhibited by my peers, sharing at meetings, and putting it all into action through attending meetings, step work, commitments, sponsorship, and actively pursuing an ongoing relationship with God.
I could not simply sit around, waiting for recovery to find me. I had to get to work and actively participate in my sobriety.
*"Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards, then, build your house." Prov. 24:7
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