The material presented
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Good morning MIP family! Today's reading shares the perception that God may have a sense of humor! The writer discusses an invitation to speak at an Al-Anon meeting she had never attended before. He/she had preconceived ideas of what the group would be like, what he/she would say and how it would go. Instead, he/she found a small group huddled together in a temporary meeting spot, a misplaced opening and more spontaneity than planned! Needless to say, his/her planned words went out the window, and instead came from the heart!
Boy - I can relate to how I project one thing and my HP has a completely different plan in mind. Before program, I did not handle these situations well, but with the help of the tools and a sponsor, I am much more relaxed and able to be present, no matter what the day brings.
The reminder suggests we give thanks for the ways our Higher Power finds to cut pretensions down to right size. We we can laugh, even a little bit, we often feel less afraid.
Today's quote is from One Day at a Time in Al-Anon - "I want to remember, every time I'm tempted to take a heavy, somber view of a happening, that it may not be so bad after all...I'll cultivate a knack for recognizing and enjoying humorous moments."
When I can stay present, I am able to handle, deal and heal adequately to live. When I project, I often forget my sense of humor. God gave me the gift of laughter, and wants me to be happy, so I will stay mindful of joy and humor and recognize things as they are vs. how I think they should be!
Great reading - I've been there and done that - expect one thing and am pleasantly surprised by the reality instead!
Make it a great day!
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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
Hi, I love how this program continually reemphasizes the importance of being in the moment and facing life with humility and an open mind and heart.
It is a true gift to be able to walk into a alanon meeting room and know and feel that I am surrounded by people who have climbed off the ladder of competition and entered a circle where we are all equals.
Seeing the joy and humor in life has also helped to change my negative attitudes
Thanks IAH for your service and for sharing your wisdom . Have a great day. .
Finding humor in the darkness is one of my favorite things. It's an asset I have come to appreciate in al-anon; luckily it comes very naturally to me.
I learned it from my grandmother I think, who is very good at it. I may have shared this before but I remember when I was 5 and my grandfather had just died. Someone called from an organisation requesting that he attend some fundraiser or something and I'll never forget her hanging up the phone and bursting into laughter. She could barely get the words out, she was laughing so hard..."I...I told them....I told them I'm sorry but he won't be able to make it because IT'S TOO FAR FOR HIM TO COME!!"
lol. Still makes me giggle 34 years later.
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If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
MissMel - that is pretty funny! I too love humor - any humor....for me, it is an instant mood changer/enhancer!
Thanks Betty - agree entirely.....what a gift we have been given!
Hugs to all - off to tackle some things needing to get done today. Make it a great one!!
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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
I love all of these things you all shared. My family has always been good with humor too, especially at the most improper times. My Dad passed away last year. Mom, my brothers and I all went to help make the arrangements. We went to the funeral home, and then the cemetery. My parents had already taken care of their plots, marker, and such. When the woman told my Mom how much the interment would cost (digging of the grave), my Mom said, "Really? That's how much it costs to dig a hole?". She then looked at my brothers and said, "Okay boys, let's go home and get some shovels and boots, and get your butts out there and start digging". The four of us cracked up. The woman behind the desk just gasped, and then smiled. We then went to the florist and after that went home. As we were pulling into her driveway, she said, "Wow. I can't believe I spent all of that money, and I don't have one shopping bag to show for it". We laughed, through our tears. Laughter is the best medicine.
Great story sweetness - love that humor helped you all through a difficult time!
We went to bury my grandpa many years ago.....it ended up being a rainy day, so they moved us inside the mausoleum for the graveside service. Most of my older relatives on my dad's side have hearing issues and we were huddled together inside. The priest began his part, and from the very back row of us, in a very loud whisper, I hear my Great Uncle George say, "See that fellow up there 3 from the left, top row? I went to school with him - wonder how he's doing?"
Needless to say, everyone heard his whisper (those alive and probably those who had passed) and it took everything I had (in the front row) to not just bust a gut with laughter. He had no idea that he had said it so loud since he's hard of hearing...
That was in 1984, and is one of the best memories I have from grandparent death humor!!
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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
Oh oh I have another lol,
When my great grandmother died I took my girl to the funeral, she would have been 4- and at the graveside the priest threw rose petals on the coffin as it lowered and they played Danny Boy since it was my Irish Great Gran's favourite song. So I was crying my eyes out (still cry at that song lol) and after, daughter turns and says to me in one of those stage whispers kids use "Mummy, I think you should ask God to marry you" and I ask her "what do you mean sweetie?" and she says "God, that man in the dress throwing roses on your dead grandma. He's nice, you should marry him".
I think even great grandma was laughing at that from wherever she was LOL.
__________________
If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
Oh MissMel - outa the mouth of babes.....that's a keeper and I do bet that great grandma was chuckling too!! I am an Irish Lass - lovely Danny Boy!!! We play it often at our funerals for family along with the full Irish Blessing Prayer - the both have a special meaning for me!!
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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
