Unshackled Moments ~ May4, 2017 ~ Recovery From A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Happy Star Wars Day! I know. I know. I am a geek. But seriously, as I was changing my social media cover photos and profile pictures to Star Wars images and scrolling through my "Facebook Memories," I couldn't help but see how much recovery there is in Star Wars. Here are some Star Wars quotes that can be applied to recovery, at least by geeks like me.

Remember. Your focus determines your reality. - Qui-Gon Jinn

From time to time, especially when things aren't going my way, I have to remind myself to focus on the solution. When we focus on the problem, the problem gets bigger, but when we focus on the solution.... Turn your eyes upon Jesus, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim. If you're trying not to drink and drug, it's all you're thinking about, and there's a good chance you'll drink and or drug. but if you spend your energy connecting in relationship with God, the obsession to drink and drug fades. It's awesome and true. Your focus determines your reality.

Don't center on your anxieties, Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs. - Qui-Gon Jinn

Live in the moment. Be in the now. The past is gone, the future is yet to be determined, or isn't happening yet, so focus on today. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).

For a mechanic, you seem to do an excessive amount of thinking. - C3-PO

One thing that is quickly learned in recovery is that one must place principles before personalities and the mechanic and the mayor may rub shoulders in the rooms, and both may have much guidance and wisdom and experience to share. I've seen people who could barely read share wisdom that got me through the day and a few who would be socially esteemed that spouted some serious foolishness.

Wait a minute, how did this happen? We're smarter than this! - Obi-Wan Kenobi

Apparently not. - Anakin Skywalker

If I really on my own power, my own will and my own intelligence I'm going to wind up at the dope house or with a drink in my hand trying to figure out how this happened again. There will come a time when mental defense is insufficient against the first drink or drug or whatever we are in bondage or addicted to. We have a 24 hour reprieve contingent upon the maintenance of our spiritual condition.

Congratulations. You are being rescued. Please do not resist. - K-2SO: [after chokeslamming Jyn for trying to escape]

OK, this was just funny, and how many of us have not had that moment working with a newcomer where we wanted to just pin them down and make them stop running and work the steps?

There’s more than one prison. I think you carry yours wherever you go. - Chirrut Imwe

This doesn't need commentary.

You must do what you feel is right, of course. - Obi-Wan Kenobi

In my experience, there's no such thing as luck. - Obi-Wan Kenobi

You've taken your first step into a larger world. - Obi-Wan Kenobi

These three are all from A New Hope, a title that seems appropriate to the subject, and I relate them to recovery. The next right thing is always the best option, and even when we think what's right for us is different than what our wise mentor may think, as long as we continue to try, even if we make some wrong choices, we will end up where we need to be. There is no such thing as luck. It works if you work it. And when we start our journey into spiritual life and recovery our world does get a lot bigger.

Never tell me the odds! - Han Solo

The odds are against us. It's impossible to find freedom on our own. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't go for it. and with the help of God the odds become irrelevant. God can and will if He is sought.

Try not. Do, or do not, there is no try. - Yoda

But beware the Dark Side. Anger, fear, and aggression; the Dark Side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. - Yoda

I think these stand on their own.

It's against my programming to impersonate a deity. - C3-PO

There is a God, and I am not Him. Neither are you.Take off the God suit. It doesn't fit.

I used to wonder about that myself. Thought it was a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. A magical power holding together good and evil, the dark side and the light. Crazy thing is... it's true. The Force. The Jedi... All of it... It's all true. - Han Solo

OK, so the force and the Jedi are fiction, but our journey into relationship with God is often a lot like Han's. The idea of God is something we find hard to believe at first. It seems like hokey religion and mumbo-jumbo. A power outside of us and greater than us helping us to do what we have never been able to do, to make the impossible possible? It doesn't seem to make sense. But as we witness the miracle of freedom in others we begin to come to believe that there is indeed a God that can and wants to restore us to sanity and set us free. It's all true. There is a solution. May the force be with you.

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