How many times a day am I asked how I am doing and I answer “I am good”? How many times when sharing at a meeting about how my life has been affected by completing the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and trying to live by the principles of this program do I tell people “life is good”? So here is the thing:
GOOD IS THE ENEMY OF GREAT.
At least for me it is. You see, good leads to complacency. This notion was first introduced to me by these two guys who call themselves “The Minimalists”. They can be found all over the web. They were using it in a different context, but I think it applies to all aspects of my life; not just my recovery. Good leads to me resting on my laurels. Good leads to me being satisfied with who I am and where I am at. Good leads to me being satisfied with my relationships. Good leads to me settling, rather than striving for great. I know that if I am willing to not be satisfied with good, I can achieve great. I can have great relationships with my wife, children, parents, siblings and friends. I can be great at my job, hobbies and everything I do if I attack it with the zeal and attitude of striving to be the best I can be. Even when it is scary or I am afraid of making a fool of myself. And with any luck, I can be a great carrier of God’s message and be of maximum service to others. I can be “rocketed into the fourth dimension” as described in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.
So, when I find myself being happy about how “good” my life is, I need to remember that I am settling, and need to push forward to try to make something great.
I have a great sponsor and many, many amazing people in my life that I both respect and admire. When I am not sure how to take that next step from good to great, I have to remember that asking for help is not a weakness, but a strength. I spent an amazing weekend at a men’s retreat and met many men that I know are willing to help in any way they possibly can. It was inspirational, to say the least!