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	I will be going out of town shortly and will not be back until late Christmas Day so I  have  posted two days C2C  readings today. Have a lovely Holiday celebration.      The C2C reading for December 24 speaks about losing the focus on ourselves and constantly being in crisis mode by helping others.   The reading points out that focusing on ourselves, does not mean we allow others to walk all over us, and pretend not to notice, nor does it does imply that we should stop caring about our loved ones.  Focusing on ourselves,simply means that we acknowledge all  situations as"they are ".  Then we can  look at our options instead of looking at the options available to other people.   We consider what is within our power to change instead of expecting others to do the changing and as a result problems have a better chance of getting solved .    The quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson; "nothing can bring you peace but yourself."   I need to be careful with this as I often looked to myself , decided that I had no needs, or I was being silly and made myself invisible in order to keep the peace.      My sponsor strongly suggested that this   is not what program is suggesting. Instead I am asked to stop reacting , pause, process the situation , think about how I am feeling, my choices my responsibility in the situation and only then respond after consulting my principles and staying in my own Hula hoop .Program is not easy but oh so beneficial  I am glad we strive for progress not perfection so  I get lots of time to practice.  .       The C2C reading for December 25 talks about the slogans. "Think" and "Silence". We can learn to not say what we are tempted to say to interfere in someone else's life and we can learn the value of silence.     The  reading goes on to say that silence must be accompanied by inner compassion, empathy or love  because if it is not  it can be more  cutting then cruel words when it is used to punish people. If we deliberately ignore someone's attempt to communicate,it's no better than engaging in angry exchange expressed nonverbally cold looks or slammed doors .  We are using the silence to  seek to hurt someone else.  We should ask ourselves, what message does my silence communicate. Today I will try to align the stillness of my time with the stillness of the spirit   The quote is from . One Day at a Time in Al-Anon. "If the silence has in it even a trace of anger or hostility, it loses all its power. True quiet has the quality of serenity acceptance and peace"   I pray that we all  have a  Beautiful Holiday  surrounded by our very powerful alanon tools and principles.