The Courage to Change Reading starts out with, "My Life is a miracle!"  This so applies to me today more than most days as 28 years ago today, I had my first sober day!  This is my AA birthday (if I confused you) - I went to a long term treatment center on 10/7 (didn't go in sober).  What is most amazing for me or to me is that it is possible only because I have chosen to live life one day at a time without any mind-altering substances.  I made the choice for recovery and feel like a continuing miracle in progress as I choose each day to stay in the moment as best as possible and keep close to the surface how powerless I am.  For me, as a double winner, it's powerlessness and surrender which keeps me less crazy....no matter what is going on in my life with my own mess or my qualifiers.

Today's reading continues with discussing the before Al-Anon feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, frustration, anger, disappointment and anxiety.  These are often that which bonds us all together in the beginning, but through the program - with the tools, we can get the gift of recovery and serenity.  The writer suggests that just as she/he was led to Al-Anon so are we led through recovery and transformation.

The reminder discusses that when we take time for gratitude, we perceive a better world.  We are asked to appreciate all the miracles around us, just for today.

The quote, "Even the darkest of moments can be faced with a grateful heart, if not for the crisis itself, at least for the growth it can evoke with the help of our Higher Power."  ---- from In All Our Affairs

Choosing hope and looking to change my outlook were new concepts for me.  My perceptions and my action/reactions were very, very sick - I chose to recover and be a happy 'me' - the best I could possibly be.  This program taught me how to detach with love, set boundaries for self-preservation and peace and how to react/act differently no matter what was tossed in my hula-hoop.

Gratitude is a necessary element of my program.  When I chose recovery, I chose a better attitude, outlook, and slowly I become what I should be - patient, empathetic, kind, thoughtful, etc.  We have to choose to do the work, but for me, it's been a gift that is awesome!  Thank you Al-Anon & MIP family for being on my side for the journey of life.

I wanted to also include 10/7 as I was busy yesterday with 'baby' stuff and didn't get to post.  It's an awesome reading as well as it truly discusses how I was before the program.  The reading talks about feeling as if Life is/was on hold and that while change is desired, we were not able to make change happen alone.  When we are waiting for a message or direction from our program HP, we are NOT wasting time.  This was a great concept for me - pause and wait before taking action.

Before this program, I reacted quickly and made emotional-based decisions.  Some were not good and left me with a larger mess to clean up than had I taken no action.  It took me a long time to find comfort in times of stillness - which is actually when most lessons arrive for me.

Yesterday's Reminder is awesome --- just as it's written:  The invitation to live life fully is offered to me each day.  I can accept the pace of change today, knowing it will bring both times of active involvement and periods of quiet waiting.  I will let the surprises of the day open up before me.

Quote, "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone.  The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." ---- from Lin Yutang