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July 15th – Higher Power Love
“We strive for progress, not perfection.”
– Life with Hope, first edition, page 33
I had a father who expected perfection. I was constantly criticized when I made a mistake. He felt that his way to do things was the right way and the only way. I tried very hard to do things the way that he wanted me to; I felt that then he would love me. I grew up feeling like a failure. I lost my self-esteem and self-respect. I withdrew from social situations. To try to be perfect is a losing situation: no matter how hard I tried, I could never be perfect.
When I came into the rooms of MA and heard the expression, “progress, not perfection,” I was so relieved. I didn’t have to try to be perfect anymore. I learned that my self-perceptions were not based on fact, instead, they were based on fear. I have learned to have faith instead of fear. With faith and acceptance, I have learned that my Higher Power loves me just the way that I am, and I am so grateful.
Final thought: Every day, I thank my Higher Power for my recovery.
Living Every Day with Hope – Copyright © 2025 Marijuana Anonymous World Services. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Marijuana Anonymous groups have been granted limited permission to quote Living Every Day with Hope.
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