In the book, the verse that accompanies this image talks about the fact that even a small amount of willingness, the size of a keyhole, is all that is necessary to open the door. In sobriety, it is said that honesty, openness, and willingness are indispensable. They go hand-in-hand.
What does willingness look like, feel like? Because it is a conscious choice one makes to be willing, it requires action. One must constantly remind oneself that they are willing for anything… to consider other’s opinions, to look at the world and oneself with new eyes, to live differently, to change. The list is endless. When one practices the principle of willingness, there is a clarity that one feels, an aliveness that makes everything exciting and new. It’s as if we are children, our face turned eagerly forward, open to everything that may come along.
Do you demonstrate willingness in your life? It requires the practice of humility, as one gives up the need to be right about everything, the need to always have an opinion, or to think one’s beliefs are the only beliefs worthy of consideration. It requires openness, as one makes the decision to live with an open mind, anxious to consider all points of view, anxious to live with an open heart.
These decisions one makes all require action, not only in the decision-making process, but in the execution of the decision to be open, to be willing.
Once one becomes willing, doors open wide to our efforts, to others and all sorts of gates inside open up. It is an awesome experience. Life becomes a kinder and gentler place from which to live. Do you practice willingness? What does it look like for you in your life?
***********
As the author and photographer of her book of wrought-iron gates and accompanying prose, it is said by others that Carolyn CJ Jones’ book offers inspiration and empowerment to those in transition, to those on a quest of wellness for the mind/body/spirit. View the video about the book, which is located to the right of this blog. Buy the book from Carolyn’s website and receive free shipping and your personally autographed copy.
zwRrem , [url=http://tcoyyxwrglfo.com/]tcoyyxwrglfo[/url], [link=http://bysnxobszama.com/]bysnxobszama[/link], http://uysiqsfzlirq.com/
cumRKt wapgdwhhxhqa
Whoever wrote this, you know how to make a good arctile.
What a revelation you came to, realizing you didn’t have to be responsible for another’s life and making that conscious choice to stop. What an ah ha! moment. I’ll bet it was very freeing. It took me quite a while to learn I have no control over people, places and things…
For me willingness required acceptance of the things I could not change. I always thought I was responsible for my families happiness, health and bad choices. I new deep inside that they were responsible for their own lives but I still was not willing to let them fail. I remember the day I decided not to be responsible for their actions. I can live my life and not theirs.