October 21--Freedom from Baggage

One is happy as a result of one's own efforts, once one knows the necessary ingredients of happiness: simple tastes, a certain degree of courage, self denial to a point, love of work--and above all, a clear conscience.  --George Sand

    I'm going with the "clear conscience" on this one. Having spent the first three decades of my life in addiction, I know a lot about an unclear conscience. Having spent the next three decades clearing it, I agree that a clear one is necessary for happiness. 

    So just open that suitcase of mental/emotional/spiritual baggage and dump it. Alas, it probably won't work that way. Clearing a conscience is a "baby step" process, speaking from experience. As Edwene Gaines wisely says, "We've all done things we wouldn't want to tell our grandmother." I would suggest that there are probably some items of baggage that are fairly easy to release. Others feel like they are so big or awful that you couldn't possibly admit them and let them go. So go with the easy ones, and as you do so, you build courage and resilience which enable you to release the tougher ones. 

    There is great wisdom in Step 5 of the 12-Step programs: Admitted to God, to ourselves and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Just the telling of a wrong to another person brings freedom in some mystical, magical way. The relief is extraordinary. Happiness soars. 

    Let that shit go!

        Leta

P.S. All the family members have arrived safely in Colorado for the wedding. Let the fun begin!