Do the Do's

Sometimes I get sucked into the trap about worrying about all the things that I can't do in my sobriety or worrying about what will happen if I do the wrong thing, if I slip up and do something I shouldn't. But this is a dangerous thing because it causes me to live in fear. I don't have to worry about the don'ts. If I concentrate on gratitude for all the things I can do, on doing the next right thing and all the things I know I can and should do to be of maximum service to God and my fellow man, I find that not doing the don'ts takes care of itself. I lose interest in most of them. I don't seem to find myself in the places and situations where the don'ts seem like a good idea. And when I do find myself faced with that choice I find that I am spiritually fit enough to do the next right thing more times than not. My old life was defined by Thou shalt nots and the frustration and guilt that came from repeatedly doing those things I believed I shouldn't. But now I have learned that When I do build relationship with my Higher Power and love God the best I can and try to do only what will maintain and improve that relationship and then also love and be of service to those people I encounter that the pieces fall into place and I have freedom from the bondage of the don't. Sure I still mess up at times, but when I do, I can remember that it is progress not perfection.