A Set Aside Prayer For Improv

Today is Christmas and my last post of the year. It's a good season for ritual. There is a tradition in my first AA home group to open each meeting with the "Set Aside Prayer." I've found it helpful to say it whenever I am scared or anxious, or when I'm in my head, and it centers me.

Here is the original:

"God, please help me set aside everything I think I know about myself, my disease, the 12 Steps, and especially You; so I may have an open mind and a new experience of all these things. Please let me see the truth".

Here is mine:

"God, please help me set aside everything I think I know about myself, improv, and especially You; so I may have an open mind and a new experience of all these things. Please let me see the truth".

This isn't earth-shattering, but the change helps me realize that much of any negative aspects of what I am feeling is baggage from my own expectations for the experience. The idea of God can be, understandably and unfortunately, jarring to some, but within the context of recovery, it's always the God of your own understanding. I say this to myself before shows because it's essential to keep an open and fresh mind throughout this process, no matter where you are in it.