In a meeting this week, we were doing a reading from the Brown Book (OA’s version of the AA Big Book).  One of the stories had the word “deserving” in some context I don’t remember.  At that moment, I had the thought, “I don’t feel like I deserve it, but can I have it anyway?”

It was in that moment that a wave washed over me.  I don’t feel like I deserve [peace, serenity, love, success, happiness, whatever…], but can I have it anyway?

I hate the word and the concept of deserving.  Because it implies that you could deserve or not. What is the criteria? Also, the phrase “worth it.”  You’re worth it!  Who isn’t?  Well… me???

I know the contents of my own mind.  Yikes! Very scary pirate!

I know what I do and say most every day.  A little less scary, but still…

But can I have what I want anyway?

Still don’t know what/who I’m asking this of.

When I shared, as usual, there were nods of recognition and agreement all around.