I have worn my tear stains like war paint
The flush of agony, despair, and rage, too
I have unleashed keening so potent
The gods stopped to answer
With a path to deliverance
-gws
War Paint
Tag: higher power
My Step 2 Prayer
I am only in control of my choices and reactions I accept that I am not my own higher power I recognize that in order to begin to experience serenity I must accept that I am powerless over people places and things I will be present in the understanding that "Thy will be done" I know your hand guides my life through all joys and hardships I have experienced many times the presence of your influence when I choose to believe that you have y back through any storm You have never failed to provide and lead me to gentler shores I ask you to oversee my journey through the twelve steps Please continue to place me where I can be taught by the experience, strength, and hope of others who have walked the path of recovery, both before and after me Continue to help me grow and to learn how to care about myself and take care of myself when the chaos of others bangs on my door looking to disrupt my hard earned serenity Help me to be open to truly discovering and uncovering more about myself Help me be brave in the face of hard truths Help me to be brave enough to be true to myself when fear motivates old patterns in my behavoir Help me remember how to show up as my best self or to forgive myself when I don't Guide me from step to step and from day to day as I practice what I am learning on this journey Help me walk honestly and to be vulnerable when appropriate Use my voice to help others when I share my experiences Place me in the time and place that I am needed and that I need Be the gateway that marks my path to a new way of living and continue to speak loudly in my life as you always have Help me to remember you are always beside me, even in the darkest despair You are always the light of hope that reminds me it cannot always be night I surrender to your loving will and plan for my life I am only in control of my choices and reactions I accept that I am not my own higher power I recognize that in order to begin to experience serenity I must accept that I am powerless over people places and things I will be present in the understanding that "Thy will be done" I know your hand guides my life through all joys and hardships I have experienced many times the presence of your influence when I choose to believe that you have y back through any storm You have never failed to provide and lead me to gentler shores I ask you to oversee my journey through the twelve steps Please continue to place me where I can be taught by the experience, strength, and hope of others who have walked the path of recovery, both before and after me Continue to help me grow and to learn how to care about myself and take care of myself when the chaos of others bangs on my door looking to disrupt my hard earned serenity Help me to be open to truly discovering and uncovering more about myself Help me be brave in the face of hard truths Help me to be brave enough to be true to myself when fear motivates old patterns in my behavoir Help me remember how to show up as my best self or to forgive myself when I don't Guide me from step to step and from day to day as I practice what I am learning on this journey Help me walk honestly and to be vulnerable when appropriate Use my voice to help others when I share my experiences Place me in the time and place that I am needed and that I need Be the gateway that marks my path to a new way of living and continue to speak loudly in my life as you always have Help me to remember you are always beside me, even in the darkest despair You are always the light of hope that reminds me it cannot always be night I surrender to your loving will and plan for my life -gws
Listen
A conversation with God
Why can't I hear you? Because you are not quiet. Why can't I feel you? Because you are not still. Why can't I trust you? Because you are surrendering to fear and not faith. I am speaking to you in songs on the radio. I am comforting you when you feel the breeze drying your tears. I am supporting you even though you feel you are falling. I am reminding you that I am with you in conversations with your friends. My love is stronger than your doubt. My strength is greater than your fear. My arms surround you when you grieve. My cheers lift you when you achieve. I know you are facing what feels insurmountable. I know you are grieving and frightened. You must remember that I will not abandon you. You must remember that I will see you through. You are my child. Made from stardust and moonlight. I will believe in you when you do not believe in yourself. I will stand strong when your knees buckle. I will hold vigil when you walk through darkness. I will love you through all things. -gws
Gentle Mother, Goddess of Light
Gentle Mother, Goddess of Light Who is my provider and peacemaker My guardian and counselor Who is my teacher and my grace I lay my weary head down upon your thigh And relax into your comforting embrace As a child with her mother I release my fears and worries over to your care And float, unburdened, in the warmth of your love I bare to you my imperfections and am reminded that I am exactly as I am meant to be I ask you to guide me to always do the next right thing I ask you to remind me to be as forgiving of myself as you are of me My love and trust in you are perfect As your love and guidance for me is perfect Help me to be where my feet are Help me to manifest strength when I need Help me to think and act with compassion for others and myself Help me to forgive more willingly Help me to know and live my truth regardless of others' understanding of it Help me to set aside my defenses and listen with empathy Help me to find a little more patience when I fall short Help me to know when to stand and when to withdraw May I be humbled and inspired by you And may I manifest your motherly love in all directions I travel in this life -gws
Something Greater
When my heart is heavy I turn to you
I know you are there
waiting for me with open arms
offering comfort, love, serenity
I know you cannot remove my trials
I also know that you can help lighten the load by taking my tears
my sorrows
my angers, resentments, and animosities
you do not judge me for my smallness or my pettiness
you do not scold me for not making the next right choice
you love me
you hold my hurt like a mother does a child and kiss it away
the injury remains, but the sting is less
because your love is a salve like no other
you gift me with words and inspiration
so that I can bare my soul’s truth into the light
and start to let it go so that I am not transfigured
by my own anger and sorrow
you take my heartache and hand me joy
and you do it while reminding me that every day’s sunset
makes way for the next morning’s dawn where hope is born anew
-gws
Words Wishes and Wisdom 