The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Minding my own business: The writer speaks of her focus on everyone else, neglecting herself. She had many thoughts of, he should or she shouldn't. She realized she isn't in charge of making rules for others, having all the answers, driver courtesy, etc. These issues are better left to HP. She developed awareness that by being caught up in others, she had lost her humility. She thought the focus on others helped her avoid herself.
Today's Reminder: I grow in my ability to relate to others when I allow them to be exactly as they are. The greatest gift I can give to myself is my own attention .
Quote from Benjamin Franklin: Clean your finger before you point at my spots.
When I came to Alanon , I was focused on my A 200%. I had lost myself in a negative state of obsession, anger, anxiety, depression, and despair. All my amazing suggestions fell on deaf ears. I became a person a didn't know and didn't like. And oh was I good at blaming!
Starting program allowed me to shift gears. My sponsor helped me work the steps, my F2F meeting gave me a live, in person, caring group of people who understood me in one way or another. I have been able to look at myself way more than I look at others. Progress not perfection, but it works when you work it, Lyne
Hello Lyne, thank you for this reminder. Love the quote:" the greatest gift I can give myself is my own attention". Thanks to program, I now know how to do this in a healthy constructive manner. Before program I would jump into everyone's problems in order to avoid my own issues. Today I can keep the focus on myself and still support others in a constructive manner, Thanks for your service
Good morning MIP! Thank you Lyne for the daily and your service. Thank you both for your shares and ESH. I too came completely focused on all beyond self. I blamed others, things and even God for 'my state of life' and it was a deep-placed habit that kept me down and held me in the problem. As I became able to listen to others, and work this program, I realized how powerless I truly was and how focusing on self made a huge impact in my outlook and attitude.
I tend to focus on staying on my side of the street today and it seems to feel as if my life is simpler. I always assumed I was taking care of self as I dressed, applied make-up, and 'faced' the world each day with a fake smile and a forced positive attitude. Yet, at the end of each day, I still felt full of despair as my daily commitment to a better day was met with disdain, drama and chaos and I would slip backwards. I now have tools to manage life better, and am grateful.
Happy Monday all - it's a rainy day in my world and quite cool! Softball started last week (I missed one night) and we've got rain off/on all week long! My phone finally caught up with me last evening and it's catch-up time....make it a great day all!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
