Serenity

A couple of close people in my life know that I have slipped up and smoked again. But as I said to them, the smoking is only a manifestation of what's been going on within me. It's like a small reminder that, "Hey! I'm still here!" The addiction still needs to be worked on. I am feeling guided to go to Nicotine Anonymous meetings - starting online for right now.
It's been strange for me to put myself out there. I spoke with a dear friend about trusting others and putting your faith in others. She said to me that even if someone is a teacher or mentor of some type - the give and take is still 50/50 and it is never just teacher or student. It is always balanced out between the two, in some form or fashion.
People are fallible and to put one hundred percent faith in them is asking too much. She said what it comes down to is having responsibility for your own well being and happiness. Wow! That, right there, is the own conclusion I had been coming to.
She said when someone else speaks, listen to them with discernment, truly engage. No one has all the answers for me. But I am not alone, I am connected to this wonderful and huge collective consciousness. We do all come from the same spirit. And so when someone else speaks to me they are speaking from that same source.
It can be helpful to connect with the collective consciousness or to even ask for help from one person. I do have the power of choice. Which is why I think this serenity prayer is so important:
 SERENITY PRAYER - 
God grant Us the serenity, 
to accept the things We cannot change, 
the courage to change the things We can, 
and the wisdom to know the difference
Amen

<3
Elizabeth