Importance of Second Chances

Heal the Sick

This week we have an opportunity to address sickness at the source. “Sickness” extends beyond illnesses that afflict the body. It includes the “poor health” of a business, an “ailment” in a relationship, and emotional “illnesses” such as anxiety and depression.

Spiritual consciousness asks us to look at illness as either a wake–up call or a cleansing. Either way there is a benefit in it for us if we look for it. It is not an easy shift to make, but once done, it totally changes our experience of the pain—and it becomes an opportunity to gain.


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"When anything happens in life, there's a 3-step approach to handling it:
1. It is what it is; accept it. It will either control you or you will control it.
2. Harvest the good; there's good in everything.
3. Forgive all the rest."


Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith
Founder of The Agape International Spiritual Center


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HUMILITY : This statement, which can be found on page 222 of the book, Dr Bob and the Good Oldtimes, reads:

"Perpetual quietness of heart. It is to have no trouble. It is never to be fretted or vexed, irritable or sore; to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised, it is to have a blessed home in myself where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace, as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and about is seeming trouble." 

Dr Bob gave a threefold answer as to why he continued to attend AA meetings:

1. This way is working so well, why should I take a chance on any other way?
2. I don't want to deprive myself of the privlilege of meeting, greeting and visiting with fellow AA's. It's a pleasure for me.
3. The most important: I belong at that meeting for the sake of that new man or woman who might walk through that door. Becuase I am lving proof that AA will work as long as I work AA. And I owe to that person to be there. I'm the living example.

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Taking Another Look
by Madisyn Taylor






Everyone deserves to be given a second chance in life and the opportunity for forgiveness.

When we meet someone for the first time, we often create a defining image in our minds of who that person is. We may also determine whether or not that someone is worth getting to know. Sometimes when an initial interaction is particularly uncomfortable or challenging, we can decide to close our hearts to this new acquaintance entirely. But being too quick to judge can cause us to lose out on a potentially wonderful, enriching relationship. First impressions don’t always give the complete picture, so if you meet someone who leaves you less than impressed, consider giving them a second chance. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Everyone deserves to be given a second chance. We know from personal experience how painful it can feel to be misunderstood or judged. We have good hearts and want them to be seen. We have so much to offer and want others to welcome our gifts. When someone shuts us out before they even know who we are, it can feel frustrating, hurtful, and confusing. By giving others a second chance, we can extend the same courtesy we would ask for ourselves. In this way, we set a precedent for all our relationships: to allow everyone the freedom and safety to simply be human. Whether it is a blind date, the man sitting next to you on the airplane, or your new neighbor, everyone has a full life outside of their interaction with you. They may be preoccupied with a personal or business situation that affects the way they are presenting themselves, or maybe they had a rough day or some bad news. If you give them the room to be who they are, where they are, you will allow yourself to do the same.

When you are considering giving someone a second chance, first check in with your inner knowing. If you find that your intuition is advising you to keep your distance, it is important to honor the guidance you receive. By honoring your intuition when it has wisdom to share, you can feel confident and happy in your decision to give others a second chance.

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