I Retain the Right

I retain the right to have problems, to cry, to make mistakes, to not know all the answers. I still have and use a sponsor. I continue to give service to Al-Anon, but I don't have to be in charge. ~ Courage to Change, page 101

I no longer run the world.
I have surrendered responsibility
for giving everyone their script,
their walking orders, telling them
what they should think and do.
I no longer am responsible
to control the result of my best efforts,
to win every contest, to ace every task.
I have the right to fail if it happens,
but that doesn't mean I yield to fear
and avoid doing the hard stuff.
I have the duty to work to my best,
to listen to those wiser than I,
to not yield to foolish fear,
either the panic or procrastination.
I no longer rule the world
but I have the right to like me
when I do well...and when I don't.