Mind Tricks

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"Thank You, Lord, for purple martins!" (Editors, Guideposts ,2012-10-01. Daily Guideposts 2013, [Kindle Location 1157]. Guideposts Books. Kindle Edition) is the first line in a meditation I started reading this morning. Of course, I read it "Thank You Lord, for purple martinis!" And that "mind slip"occurred in the mind of a recovering alcoholic of 32+ years who never, ever, even drank a martini! Every once and a while God will let my mind play little tricks like that on myself just to remind me once again of who and what I really am.

Sure, I can walk the aisles at Sam's Club or Schnucks and peruse the wines, liquors, beer and assorted spirits and not give any of them a second thought. But there are days when something from that assortment jumps out at me and screams, "Hey, look at me! Don't I look good! Bet you'd like me! You stopped drinking long before I came on the scene, don't you want to just taste me to see what I'm like?!"

Those are the times when the committee in my head has to have a serious "Come to Jesus" meeting. I have to remind everyone what would happen if I did take that first drink. I have to "follow it through" to the inevitable and distasteful consequences that would occur if I allowed myself a "first taste." Then everyone on the committee agrees that adding something new and novel to my "alcohol palette" would not be that good of an idea.

Life is full of what I call "little triggers" that jump out at me and catch my attention.....attempting to persuade me to take an action that is not in my own best interest. I suppose the bible would call that temptation. But something wonderful has happened in my life during recovery that makes those moments much easier to ignore or even laugh at. I don't know if I can explain it, but I will try. It is as if God has given me a new way of "seeing" things-----and definitely a new way of "processing things" when it comes to making choices in my life. Instant gratification is no longer as important to me as long-term serenity and well being. Once I realized it is my responsibility to nurture the kingdom of God in my heart and soul so that I can share it with others, those things lost their power to seduce me. In the "big scheme of things" they don't really matter. They are a "grain of sand" thrown on the canvas of eternity, and when perceived in that context, they no longer have power over me.

So, to end on a comical note. When I read "Thank the Lord for Purple Martinis" I had a moment to wonder what on earth a "Purple Martini" was, what it would taste like, and why anyone would want to start out a meditation like that. Then I realized what my mind had done, and I envisioned a cartoon scene of a flock of Black Martins flying along sipping martinis. I realize some will fail to see the humor in such a scene, but for that to be where my mind took me rather than to having to have a drink, any drink, is a miracle. So,gratefully, I can laugh at the idea of birds sipping martinis. That reaction is a much healthier one for my body, mind, and soul.

Please comment and share your thoughts about "triggers" in your life and how you deal with them. May God bless and keep you.