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 26 speaks about feelings. It points out that anger, resentment, self-pity and fear are merely feelings. They are part of who we are as human beings and neither a bad or good. If I attempt to shut down my negative feelings I also shut down my happiness and joy. It is better to learn how to process them in a healthy manner
The reading also suggests that good often comes out of the feelings of anger as it has often prompted us to take constructive action, resentment has made us so uncomfortable that we combat it with prayer, and fear has been our greatest gift because it forces us to make conscious contact with HP.
Now that we are taking negative thoughts and making them into a positive -- we becomebetter able to accept the whole picture. There's no more needs to judge or hate myself just because I experienced the negative feelings that are very human.
Feelings may not be comfortable but that does not make them bad. A change of attitude,about them is extremely important. After all it is not he feelings that count but how we respond to them that matters. We have choices about what to do with our feelings andit is oh so important to remember that anything can be used for good--- if we allow it. The quote is from in the CAL Alanon Book"-In All Our Affairs": "My feelings are neither right nor wrong, but are important by virtue of being mine."
I love the reminder that states feelings are not facts it is what we do with feelings that counts. Al-Anon showed me how to not react but to respond in a healthy fashion.How grateful I am.
Today I will use this reading and Hoot's challenge to not complain but respond in a positive grateful manner to whatever transpires in my day.
Thank you Betty, wonderful reading today. Took me a long time to understand and accept that it was okay to have feelings of resentment and anger, but the key was how I learned from the situation that created those feelings and how I reacted to them. Thank you Al-anon and thank you Betty for your service as well.
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"Forgiveness doesn't excuse bad behavior, but it
does prevent bad behavior from destroying your heart". ~ unknown
I am usually slow to realize how I am feeling - I learned very young that it was best to wait to feel until the crisis is over to process and deal with feelings.
Thanks to Alanon, I am becoming more aware of my feelings as I am experiencing them, which allows me to respond to situations, not react to them.
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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
What a great daily.....and certainly a lovely way to start the day. I too love the reflection that 'feelings are not facts'. Many times in the past, I would react to the feelings vs. reacting to the facts. The feelings are my internal response to discomfort and before the program, they were often skewed. Sometimes, my initial internal response to a situation is still unfounded, which is where it is so helpful for me to pause and process instead of react.
I still have sad days. It's just a part of the reality of where I've been and how I am wired. It doesn't mean I get to sit around and have a pity-party. It just means I am a bit sad. I will take those sad days always over the crazy drama-filled chaotic days I had before the program. I can handle sad, and often take breaks to try and meditate on what's up in me so that I can work through it. There's always a lesson to be learned if I can be still and work my program.
Thanks Betty for the share and your ESH!
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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
