Part of my long redemption involves AA’s action step: own my mistakes. What ruins my childlike enthusiasm is thinking or acting in a way that is not consistent with who I want to be. Then, my conscience emerges, my guide.

Acting out of haste or pride creates spiritual drag, tethering me in place. It’s one of frustration, murky waters, and no wind. I can get loose only after I learn my lesson- how to act consistently with Love (and not carelessly or out of vain ambition.)

Do my thoughts, speech, and actions nurture life, caring for my own person as well as others? Sometimes, I don’t take care of myself by doing this, that, or the other thing for other people. That’s not quite balanced!

Do I live my life daily consistent with what I profess to be true? And, do my actions produce desirable results?

Acting on false beliefs often leaves a person frustrated. If love is the goal, and living a life consistent with Love Itself, then if I am succeeding there must be proof. Evidence.

Otherwise, I may asserting what may or may not be true for attention, to fit in, or to appear virtuous. Those kinds of claims do not produce proof of their veracity. People can appear very friendly and generous for show. But, is there corresponding action? I don’t like fakes, and I don’t want to be one either.

I believe this kind of mirroring effect, looking at myself in light of differing vantage points helps me avoid being dogmatic, annoying, and likely wrong. Every truth I discover seems to fit together with other truths to build a kind of unified whole.

If an idea sticks out- *has no relationship to other truths* or contradicts original ideas I’ve learned so far in my Chronicles, I need to evaluate it in light of my core values. Here is an example of evaluating what I hear:

A long time concept of the church is: denying oneself. But, this bit of truth taken out of context creates confusion.

Jesus means in order to follow Him, we must let go of our lives in this world and it’s limitations. Denying oneself without recognizing Love desires what is best for us can lead to self- abasement that is punitive not restorative.

Some priests seem to suggest God requires a lifetime of self-deprivation- literally- to please Him. “Don’t do this don’t touch that” is a phrase in the New Testament that describes the phenomenon I believe is called “religious dogmatism.” The apostle Paul, the speaker I believe, cautions this is to be avoided.

Jesus says whatever we give, we receive pressed down, with good measure and overflowing in return. So, there is the principle of giving of oneself for a greater good that follows. A seed sown in good ground produces much fruit, Jesus says. It can’t stay a seed forever, though, and achieve its purpose.

Mutiny on the Bounty is a true story that showcases what a person is naturally speaking, represented by Fletcher Christian, an officer on Bounty. What a person may become is represented by Captain William Bligh who achieved the greatest sailing feat in recorded naval history.

Fletcher failed at being what he imagined he was. He did not deny his self, his illusions, or his natural limitations to pursue what he could become. William diligently (and perhaps it may be said dogmatically) curbed his worst inclinations to vanity, laziness, and criticism. He kept focusing on learning, growing, and achieving what he believed possible. And, achieved his dreams!

Like I said yesterday, life requires much more than being nice and appearing virtuous. Virtue needs to grow in our character and behavior by humility and practice. Then, it can emerge in times of crisis. That is how we deny our natural self and it’s limitations, to become our best selves we are capable of being. And that is happiness!

Keeping a person fit and able is like keeping a ship in order: checking all its parts, washing decks, feeding the crew’s bellies and spirits, too. Charting, planning, learning. Checking charts again- then I can sail more capably.

I can do what I was born to do without the drag of vanity or self-delusion that Fletcher Christian experienced. I can be loyal to my best self, my instincts, and My Captain!

I can escape religious dogmatism, too. That is also a drag!