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.
The C2C reading for July 17 speaks about learning to live life by focusing on ourselves,as well as allowing others to do the same. The reading suggests that we keep in mind that we have our own life to live and this life is separate from others. We must take actions and make decisions which might affect others, however we must continue to focus on our own life.
The reading points out that our time is much too precious to waste living in the future or worrying about the past . That is why living life one day at a time focused on ourselves is essential.
It is is a relief to see that we can" let go" of others problems instead of trying to solve them.
.
I am so pleased that i have accepted the fact that i am powerless over others and that i is my responsibility to take care of myself in a healthy manner every day so that i can then interact with the world with a healthy constructive attitude.
Thank you Betty for the daily and your service. I am walking out the door to golf this morning and needed this badly. We've had some 'chaos' and 'drama' around here and I've been really sad - pining for some semblance of 'normal' - which of course, is undefined in my mind. I've been feeling really tired lately - tired of the disease and the diseased as well as just sad for a variety of reasons. Being reminded that one day at a time is where I need to be is freeing, just for today.
I do know I am powerless and I accept that - I'm just struggling of late to 'like it'....it is what it is!! Make it a great day!
__________________
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
Good morning, MIP! Thank you for your service, Betty.
Today's reading was just what I needed to hear. Yesterday was a difficult day for me with anxiety and panic and those other familiar feelings I had when living with an active alcoholic. I liked the reminder that I have to decide to "make it" - whether the alcoholics in my life do or don't.
My project for today is keeping my focus on myself and what I am doing, and continuing to move forward in a healthy, positive direction. As the reading says and Betty highlighted for us, my life is too precious to waste living in the future or worrying about the past.
I've been working on my brakes since Saturday. So far, I have discovered that it was not the front brake pads that needed replacing, returned those to the store, purchased rear brake pads, had trouble getting the rear calipers to collapse, went to the store, purchased c-clamps, struggled to get the brake pads on the driver side, went back to the store for a caliper reset tool that applies pressure while turning, got the driver's side put back together, got the passenger read side apart, and gave up after the brake pads didn't line up after 15 minutes and dinner was ready. I think a fresh perspective will take me through the final stages of this project tonight after work, which has taken hours and days more than I expected. (The front brakes usually take me about 45 minutes.) Looking at the bright side, I now have c-clamps and the right caliper tool, so I'll be all set with the correct tools next time I need to work on the brakes!
__________________
Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
Thanks Betty and to all above sharing ESH. I think I truly understand this basic concept of Alanon about focusing on myself and letting others focus on themselves. But from time to time I get lost in my old patterns. I forget about this tool and think, well expect, my dry drunk A to go to AA. That would be such a blessing for her and for us. And guess what? She's not doing it! Because she stopped drinking she thinks she does not have a drinking problem. Then I'm back on the Merry-go-round of the alcoholic marriage, until my tools kick in, and oh yeah, I can't control another person. Thank God I re-set to my tools and Alanon thinking, and my serenity does return. This is why I have to keep coming back. The dysfunctional patterns creep back in like a sneak attack. My life is definitely better with Alanon so onward and upward. I have to put one foot in front of the other, ODAT, Lyne
Love to see your smiling face in that Avatar, Betty... you look radiant!
Thank you for your service, and to those above who shared their ESH. I am finding that living ODAT is difficult for me, but is essential for my mental health. I find that it is way harder as a mom to do this with your young adult offspring, than it is with my STBXRAH. I like having the reminder!
__________________
"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
Goon morning all Thank you for adding your considerable wisdom to this reading I learn so much from my MIP family
P&P thanks for the lovely comment. I must say alanon is responsible for any brightness that I might raditate
Betty - I too love your avatar photo - you do shine brightly and I believe you when you suggest it comes 'from the inside out'....
__________________
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
Todays reading reminds me of two things. I am powerless over the alcoholic and I am powerless over the alcoholic lol. This program can at times really amaze me.
After yet another drive home drinking, more and more I may add.......this morning I shared how concerned I was for him. That alcoholic thinking is in full force after watching our AF go thru what she does after a DUI and thinking it can't happen to him. I asked if he thought he needed AA.......he said maybe. Leaving it in Gods hands and out of mine for now. This isn't the part that amazes me. I didn't feel fearful, no eggshells and no anything except true concern. That still has me shaking my head. This program has also shown me I can grow up, sideways, up and down or whatever, but regardless of it all, I am growing.
