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.
Happy Thursday to one and all! Today's reading is about staying open in recovery. No matter how long we have been around, keeping our minds and hearts open for opportunities to learn will help us continue to grow in our spiritual program.
Even if we've been around a long while, there is always something new to learn. As we grow and change, we see challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth, and new defects pop up like weeds. We continue to find out more about ourselves by turning to the steps of our program for a renewed spirit.
The writer discusses feeling angry much of the time. The first thought/reaction was to blame other people and things for the anger, but instead, the writer decided to concentrate on his/her side of the street. By taking a written inventory of memories, feelings and behaviors when serenity was lost and sharing that with a trusted person the writer saw a pattern - the issue was pride and arrogance...not the situation. The need to be right was robbing him/her of serenity is all kinds of situations.
So long as we stay open and willing to learn, we will continue to grow. What a blessing our recovery program is for those who work it?
Today's Reminder --- There is something new for me to learn today. I will open my mind and my heart to the lessons my Higher Power brings me.
Today's Quote --- From Albert Einstein --- "The important thing is not to stop questioning."
For me, the daily readings are a great gift to start my day. I am always reminded that being humble, being open, and willingness to try/learn new things is the best path for me to find/keep my serenity. I am given a concept, idea, thought, step or other to focus on, practice with, consider, write about, etc. Today's is no different.
I have been conflicted this week as I have a friend who is not responding well to treatment for cancer. It makes me really sad. On the other hand, Saturday is my anniversary for 29 years sober. A part of me knows the miracle this is and is happy for that, yet I feel conflicted. Most likely, I'm not present in today and am projecting - even though my projections are not horrible or joyous. So - I've got some tugging of my heart/mind this week.
I readily admit I tend to reflect each year around my day. I am forever grateful for the gift of the program, the gift of humility and all that I have been blessed with because of this disease and recovery. Yet, I am still baffled by the disease as it is so entrenched in my family. I have 2 boys that are not in recovery and I would trade my days for them if I could.
Staying open to learning and knowing God has the master plan does help me. Doing my program work each day also grounds me. I am grateful you all are here and for the miracle of 'us'. Make it the best day possible, and remain open to what unfolds today!
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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 IAH Congratulations on 29 years sobriety. That certainly is a huge accomplishment. I so understand your heart and know the feeling of being willing to trade all those days for your son's health in recovery.
The reading today really spoke to me. Each year I do an inventory to see how far I have come and how I have changed by using program principles As you know , I have been in program for many years and am still very human and imperfect.. Progress not perfection has been my motto and it has served me well.
I liked how the reading today pointed out that many times, pride and arrogance are "the exact nature of my wrongs" and are underneath my anger, and frustration.
I never thought that I was afflicted by these two defects but the more I travel this recovery road, the more I am aware and have become honest enough that , I can readily see how these two defects interrupt my serenity. Since I am an imperfect human, I own what I find and ask HP to set me free. A daily 10th Step keeps me honest.
Thanks for your service and please have a great day . Prayers for your friend
-- Edited by Iamhere on Sunday 31st of January 2021 01:19:32 PM
Thanks Betty - we've got some wacky weather, so golf today with my sponsor was cancelled....we are instead going to talk in about 15 minutes. We did not golf last week as I had a head cold or something like that going on. As I sit here I can 'see' how very important my sponsor and our routine is for/to me!!!
Have a great day and stay safe!!
__________________
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
Will do!! Take care and enjoy your meeting with your sponsor I am still attempting to recover from the Baseball Mets loss last night it was really disappointing.
Thank you, IAH for your service sharing the daily, and you and Betty for your ESH on the topic and the bigger picture of the recovery journey. My 'pride' and 'arrogance' defects stood out to me this week as I focused on gratitude and finding the positives. My pride and arrogance are core serenity disruptors...
I, too, have a friend that is facing a severe cancer prognosis and relate to having many thoughts about life, death, and surviving. So happy for your upcoming milestone and all of the things that journey has allowed you to experience.
Thank you both for your invaluable personal and program contributions.
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Thanks all.....I spoke with my sponsor about my 'squirrel cage' brain lately.....she's so 'real' and helps me understand that it's quite normal to assess and examine when we are approaching a milestone. It's not always the actual event - it's the anticipation of the event. She also reminded me - it's one day at a time....no matter if we've only been here one day or more than one day. It's truly a daily reprieve from the insanity this disease presents - nothing more and nothing less.
Thanks all for the well wishes - it's not here yet....I am waiting for Saturday to celebrate with my Saturday morning group and then I'll do it again on Sunday. (((Hugs))) to all - thanks for being a part of this journey.
Betty - so sorry your team lost last night. I did not get to watch any ball as I was playing instead. I was sad when the season ended for us down here - it was still a fun season and they played some incredible ball this year - proud of my boys in blue!!!
__________________
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
No comment about the Mets game; I wore my Giants tee shirt to my home group last evening and returned to how it came out...Mahalo Piha HP!! you knew I needed a bit of cheering after finding out that my impatience struggles have returned and my reaction is anger and rage and dirty mouthing and such. There are soooo things I am powerless over....ME!! POWERLESS???!!! Why am I not practicing gratitude first and foremost!! I don't like my reactions and entertain them first in spite of not liking them.
