Keren sent me this in an email and I thought that everyone else in the group would enjoy it too.  Thank you Keren!

Willing and Trying to be Abstinent

To be abstinent is about willingness, not struggle. If you are willing to be abstinent, this is a state of great humility.

If you are trying to be abstinent, this is a state of confusion.

A willingness for abstinence means that you don’t know how to do it but are willing to learn.

Trying to be abstinent implies you should be able to do it, but are struggling with it. Willingness to be abstinent involves acceptance.

Trying to be abstinence involves condemnation.

Willing to be abstinent you are open to receive.

Trying to be abstinent, you are closed to guidance.

If you have been trying to give up the old ways and have condemned yourself for failure to do so, simply be willing to learn how the old ways may be replaced with ways of peace.

If you are trying to be abstinent you will fear failure.

If you are willing to be abstinent, even failure may be used as a teaching device.

If you are trying to be abstinent you will fear not being able to be abstinent.  You will judge yourself a failure.

If you are willing to be abstinent, no setback becomes a problem for you know you will be shown.

If you are trying, you are attempting to be abstinent by yourself.

If you are willing to be abstinent you are asking for guidance.

Trying to be abstinent places the responsibility on you.

Willing to be abstinent places the responsibility on God.

Willingness to be abstinent is, in a sense, a prayer.

Trying to be abstinent is an act of separation from your higher power.  When you try, there is resistance.

When you become willing, there is acceptance.

If you are trying to be abstinent, everything is interference.

If you are willing to be abstinent, everything is of assistance.

The freely made choice to be abstinent is the most important decision you make each day, because it speaks for your willingness to be abstinent each day.

Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging a desire or appetite for certain bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure.  Not engaging in the problematic behavior connotes increased self-control in the hope of improved social interactions and personal help as a consequence.

We are dealing with a very serious illness and with a very beautiful solution.

Author unknown.