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 13 speaks about not being present in our lives or in the present moment because we are too worried about the past or the future.
Al-Anon,helps me to see that I have choices about my attitudes. We don't have to see life as a tragedy or torment ourselves with past mistakes or future worries. How? By refusing to dwell in the past or travel to the future.
Today can be the focus of my life. It is filled with interesting activities. If I allow myself to see and truly experience it . When my worries and sorrows cloak me from the laughter and sunshine of the everyday world-- who is out of sync me of the world? Prior to program I would have said"The world"
Today I will live in the present and find what I can do enjoy. If there is pain I will accept that because this pain does not have to completely overshadow the enjoyable parts of my reality.
I will participate in making more of my joy-- I may join in a conversation at work or at a meeting, tell a joke at the dinner table or laugh with a friend just for today. I might even allow myself to sing.
The quote is from the Sanskrit salutation of the Dawn; "look to this day! For it is life the very life of life"
I do know that prior to alanon, I would have laughed at this reading because I carried around the huge burden of all my life's resentments, anger and fear and had no clue how to move away from them. Attending meetings, using the slogans, the steps and working with a sponsor, all guided me towards being in the present moment and letting go of the past pain
The quote from the Sanskrit poem reminded me of the rest of that poem that goes on to say;
"yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow only a vision but today well lived,
Thanks Betty! Been focusing on this one here and there lately. I think about how when I look back, so much of my life seems like a void - because I wasn't really there! When I've been stressed lately and have been hurriedly running around trying to put out this fire and that, I've actively reminded myself that I don't want to burn up on the way to the fire. I just try to exist in the moment and deal with the fire when I get there.
Thank you Betty as always for your share + the daily!!
I love the first line? How simple yet so pointed for me and probably others. The reading goes from there to give us simple ideas/solutions on how to live life in the moment and enjoying ourselves. This is a super great reading, esp. since it fell on a Monday. Even though I no longer do the corporate job, I remember that Mondays were the busy day and the stress for me began before I ever even 'got there'...
What a gift to be able to pause, assess, enjoy and live in the present. I am so grateful for the program tools that result in lovely gifts so as this one.
Enjoy the perfect day to one and all - huge (((hugs))) from my small part of the world!
__________________
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
Thank you Betty. I love this reading! It is such an important reminder for me to be mindful of where I am RIGHT NOW. All the good I have to be grateful for, all the things I am working through. Just being.
