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 September 20 speaks about making daily gratitude and assets lists, I could readily identify with this reading as it pointed out that the first time we make the lists we may not "feel" very grateful. Regardless of this simple fact we need to continue as we are planting the seeds of gratitude.
I know this is what worked for me. I would make my gratitude list, I would not feel grateful, had a difficult time listing any asset or anything to be grateful for but I would religiously write the lists, repeat the lists to my sponsor and then one day I miraculously " felt" grateful. It was like a miracle.
The reading goes on to say that we gradually learn to appreciate the simple things in life and by keeping the focus on ourselves we soon begin to notice the small changes that occur in our own behavior. We begin to see that we are changing!!!. Maybe we did not engage in an argument that we once would have and choose to recited the serenity prayer instead of becoming angry or picked up a job that we have been neglecting each . These small victories over ourselves increases out self-esteem.. The daily application of an Al-Anon principles help us to deepen our sense of gratitude and replace those nagging negative thoughts.
The "Thought for Today "reminds us that we need to nurture ourselves. Gratitude is the way.
The quote is from; As we Understood; "I would lie in bed at night and say the alphabet listing all the things I had to be grateful for. Starting with the letter A this made a great change in my life.
I agree completely, gratitude and asset list daily truly did restore my sense of wonder,I self-esteem, my self-worth and my trust in HP. Prior to program I took everything for granted, or minimized it's importance or felt entitled as I had worked hard . With my gratitude list. I acknowledged all the good so that by doing this daily.it deep into my soul and today I can walk around and look at the flower, a squirrel, a bird and be grateful. It is all a process and I have worked for progress not perfection for years.
I too am grateful Betty for you and for your service here.
Gratitude lists are so powerful for me in helping me to focus on what is good vs. what could be better. That old saying of, 'Turn that frown upside down' pops into my mind when I am working on one. And, it does help to change the mindset of how I process things. Today, after many gratitude lists, when something happens different than planned, I can see it as an event, not as a horrible, no good, terribly bad 'day'....
I had not heard of asset lists until I arrived at Al-Anon. In counseling we were told to list 3 things we liked about each other and that was interesting at best. But, to take a good look at myself and to find/see what I possess that's a goodness was a bit difficult at first. Many of my assets also can be character defects when I attempt to apply them to others and/or manipulate situations using them.
Both of these can be day-changing tools, especially when I feel less than vs. equal too. It helps me see today how far I have come from where I started!
Happy Sunday to one and 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
