Dear FML- Yesterday a lovely "Native American" poem about acceptance was posted on the FML . Well, I'm NOT NOT NOT trying to make the poster feel bad, here. She was enchanted by it's beautiful message at an Indian Pow-Wow, and reasonably assumed that it was a native American work. Wouldn't you? The first line is not properly "Acceptance is the answer to all of my problems today. It is "Acceptance is the *key* to all of my problems today." It is found on page 449 (at least it was in the second and third editions) of what is called the "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is such a famous quote in A.A. that w e refer to it simply as "page 449", rather than say all of the words. The rest of it, paraphrased, comes from the same chapter in the Big Book, called, I believe, "Physician heal Thyself." "Acceptance is the key to all of my problems today" and "Living life on life's terms" are even found paraphrased on bumper stickers as "Page 449" and "Life on Life's Terms." Regardless of where it came from, it is a powerful message of healing, and the benefits that we will reap (and by association, that those around us will reap as well) if we practice acceptance and personal responsibility for our own actions. But it is not a traditional American Indian message. I think, rather, it is the message of one particular American Indian whose life was transformed by the wisdom found in the Big Book. [SE] [Moderator's note: Also, speaking of Alcoholics Anonymous... I believe that although AA caters to all religions, their "12 steps" mentions God several times. For example, step 3 is: "[We] Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." My point is that these Sandee posts should be taken in the same manner. HOW you understand God is your own business. You are free to interpret Sandee's posts in whatever manner you wish. Most people don't fault AA for mentioning God since AA isn't forcing a religion but rather having you recognize your own interpretation of a higher power. (Yes, I know it's a topic of debate among people in the organization, or an excuse for some others to not join AA, but that's sort of my point -- is Sandee just an an excuse for some to argue? And Sandee doesn't even claim to be a higher power. BIG] [Posted in FML issue 4365]