Who's In Control

Controlling is a direct response to our fear, panic, and sense of helplessness. It is a direct response to feeling overwhelmed, and to distrust. ~ Beattie, Melody. The Language of Letting Go: Hazelden Meditation Series (p. 299).

We come unable to control our addiction,
the rest of our lives unmanageable.
So, in desperation we take control...
as the Big Book says, "Each person
is like an actor who wants to run the whole show;
is forever trying to arrange the lights, the ballet,
the scenery and the rest of the players in his own way.
If his arrangements would only stay put, if only
people would do as he wished,
the show would be great.
Everybody, including himself,
would be pleased. Life would be wonderful."
But there comes a time when we release control,
admit we have hidden behind fears, panic,
our feeling of helplessness.
We know we need to let our Higher Power control,
but we find trusting tough and grab the reins again.
But there is hope. We can learn
to deal with fear by trusting—
ourselves, our Higher Power,
and the love of people who understand
the process but have learned
to release the reins.