Scott is a 39-year-old architect. When he was eighteen, he and a friend were high and intoxicated. They committed an armed robbery and the store owner was shot. The bullet shattered his spine. He was paralyzed and today is a paraplegic. Scott did a 5-10 year stretch and was released at age 25. He finished high school thru a GED Program and went on to college. He earned dual Bachelor of Science Degrees in Computer Science and Architecture. He a has been coming In These Rooms for the past 10 years and working the steps. He regrets his involvement in that crime and what happened to that man. He said he has tried to make amends to this man for what happened but the man has rejected his efforts to make contact with him and amends here are technically a violation of his parole. In his share today, he also stated “…I’m learning self-care and how to love myself. I like the guy looking back in the mirror these days…”
Step 4 of the Big Book In These Rooms states “…made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves…”
“…In the Mirror, I see who I am thru the hurt, pain and trauma of the past. In The Mirror, I see how they have troubled me. In The Mirror, the BS falls away and I must get real about the real me. In The Mirror, I learning to live…”
X
“…In The Mirror, I like, no I love me some me. In The Mirror, I love what I see and the man lookin back at me. In The Mirror, that badass I am shines the brightest…”
Fr. Esteban
“…In The Mirror, I see how materialistic concerns have consumed my interest and attention. In The Mirror, I am honestly able to look me in the eyes and be real about who’s looking back. I learning to like who and what I see In The Mirror. In The Mirror, I have found a new lease on life. I like what I am seeing today In The Mirror…”
Sean Anderson
The man you hurt, Scott, won’t hear from you but others might. You been working the step for 10 years. What about step 12 that states “…having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts and the world and to practice these principles in all our affairs?”
“…In The Mirror, I see hope and possibilities. In The Mirror, I see how blessed I am. Yes, my life has challenges, difficulties and conflicts. I am human and this is all a part of the human condition. This includes me. In The Mirror, I see who I am not just in my eyes but more importantly in God’s Eyes. In The Mirror, I see I have more than just a default future based on the past. In The Mirror, I see I have a powerful future. In The Mirror, I see a future that can be a way of living and a way of life if I keep my hand in God’s Hand. I see all this In The Mirror…”
The Professor
“…In the Mirror, I’ve found a story in the looking glass the world needs to hear. In The Mirror, I see what matters is not where I’ve been and what’s happened to me. In The Mirror, I see what matters is my experience, strength and hope. What matters in my life is what I remember and the story I tell about it. I’ve learned this In The Mirror…”
Hunter
“…In The Mirror, I have found healing for my soul. In The Mirror, I find the freedom to live happy, joyous and free. In The Mirror, I have found a peace that is greater than any pain, problem or person. In The Mirror, there is a joy I have found the world didn’t give me and the world can’t take away. Not even the man who molested me…”
Yalie
Yes, regret can be of some value Scott. But, what of a God who is able to use you and your experience to share the story of this man In The Mirror with the world? Dealing with stuff about the man you hurt is some good shit and important on a personal level. But can you imagine God could possibly use your experience, you the man In The Mirror, to show others a freedom and power the world could never show them? Instead of telling others to do as I say but not as I did, can you imagine a God who allowed you and your shit In The Mirror to be the experience the world needs to see and hear to believe great things are possible in and for their lives too? Scott, can you imagine in the hell you been thru God has been molding you to be something His children want and need to see to believe in Him and thru stories like yours all things are indeed possible? That man with all this possibility Scott is the man In The Mirror. That man is you, Scott.
Read more about X, Yalie, Fr. Esteban, the Professor, Sean Anderson and Hunter and tell your story. Listen to Hunter’s Podcast. All on wreckedamerica.com. In Wrecked America, #InTheMirrorMatters
The Struggle Continues….
