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.
I unpacked the final boxes of my new place. I found my journal I kept when my ex and I first broke up close to two years ago now. It was truly a painful time in my life. The words written full of hurt, blame, naievity and hope. As I read each passage, i recognized how far I've come in my journey and how far I still want to go. I read the entry of when he went into treatment; it's funny how that was the one thing that I thought would make things better. Yet that entry also was filled with more anxiety of the unknown of that time. I read it and recalled how I felt at that time and yet instead of getting worked up and emotional,I smiled and laughed. Some of the words I wrote still were feelings I have yet others were of someone that hadn't yet discovered the strength she had inside her. Today I measured my progress by those journal entries. How do you measure your progress? Or better yet when have you had that moment of realizing "wow, that's not how I would have handled things before?"
-- Edited by Crau on Monday 5th of September 2016 09:42:29 PM
Hi Crau Good work It is great to reflect on the progress we have made . After my first go around with the Steps, many years ago, I was continually amazed at my changed attitudes and responses as I interacted in my world.
Today I still do reflect on my ability to not react but to respond in situations where I would invariably jump in give advise and , try to control.
I'm with Betty as well as you - reflection for me shows me where I've grown. Since we get to focus on just one day at a time, and since we're about progress, and not perfection, I also am proud of me when I have a sad day and don't dwell - but instead reach for my tools, my friends, my sponsor or slogan...I was a big isolation queen and am very private by design, so reaching out gives me peace and comfort and helps me see progress too!
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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 re-read things I have written here some of it is cringe worthy and some of it is actually pretty funny stuff. LOL .. I think my ability to see things from a different perspective shows me that I have grown up a lot however have a long ways to go. I love the fact that I am and always will be a work in progress.
Wonderful insight on your part.
Hugs S :)
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Faith minus vulnerability and mystery equals extremism. If you've got all the answers, then don't call what you do "faith". - Brene Brown
"Whatever truth you own doesn't own you" - Gary John Bishop
