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.
Today's reading is about acceptance, humanism and being LTP - Less Than Perfect. I'm going to flip things a bit, and start with the Quote for the day - from As We Understood....
"My Higher Power is the confidence within me that makes me unafraid to make mistakes."
Our reminder for today suggests that we are always beginners in our recovery. We will always have new challenges, as life is always changing. Every action we take involves some risk of making a mistake. We are reminded that it takes courage just to join and participate in our daily lives. We need to celebrate our willingness for trying and applaud our efforts. We are doing a terrific job!!
We are reminded that we are human, we will make mistakes as we are imperfect. The program shows us that this is normal, Okay and real. We no longer need to hide in shame from our flaws or use them to beat ourselves up. Instead, we can try less, accept more and let go of our impatience, self-criticism and self-hatred. Asking our HP for help and remembering that mistakes prepare us for life and are a part of living helps us find a bit of humor during our days.
When I got here, boy howdy....I was seeking perfect. In everything I did, in those around me and was constantly and perpetually disappointed. I realized we were human, but for some reason, I got caught up in the habit of trying to force 'better', 'perfect', etc. It did not work. Not ever. I was so serious that I never 'stopped and smelled the flowers'. I rarely examined events to see what I did that could improve nor try to understand what was working and what was not working. I just bull-dozed forward trying to force solutions. Again, it did not work.
Today's reading helps me to remember that hard work is necessary, but life is meant for enjoyment. We are not expected to be so serious that we never have fun, and we are allowed to laugh at our defects and turn them over for assistance. There is no I in the program - each step is about WE - it's an individual journey that we walk together.
I love this reading as it pokes fun at all I used to embrace with so much intensity. It reminds me that I can lighten up, smell the flowers and enjoy what's good in my life.
TGIF MIP Family - make it a great day!!
__________________
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
Dear IAH thanks so much for sharing your thoguths on this important page Love the quote as it is indeed inspiring.
I could identify wher it speaks about minding our own business and keeping the focus on ourselves. so that we will be able to see some of our defects in action and be willing to see how they hurt us. The reading suggests that in the future we can then try and let us, accept more and let go of our impatience, self-criticism and self-hatred. Only with help from HP can we truly accomplish this goal.
This is tall order but with HP's help, one day at a time it is possible.
Thanks for your service.
