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.
C2C reading for October 16 speaks to the fact that Al-Anon is a program of action. It is here we finally recognize that we have choices about what to do with our time and life . We can relax with a bubble bath and a massage, make an Al-Anon call go on a bike ride or take a nap Any and all of these activities might be a constructive way to fill time that otherwise would be wasted by worry.
Even though we are powerless to change our circumstances we are not helpless. Using our time to do something good for ourselves and treating ourselves with love rather then simply sitting and worrying .
When we treat ourselves well we prepare ourselves to deal with challenges that life presents.One of our primary responsibility is to take care of ourselves.We must find small ways to do something for our mind body and spirit.
The quote is from In all our Affairs. "Part of my recovery is respecting my need and my right to let go and relax."
Thanks to program I am practicing, yoga, going to the Gym 5 days a week to swim and sauna and Meditate for an hour each day . These physical activities feed my mind body and spirit and I thank alanon for giving me the courage to start to focus on myself and take care of my needs
This reading was a needed reminder for me that taking time for myself is important, and not selfish.
I now give myself permission to do things I enjoy and things that need to happen that I don't necessarily enjoy (like vacuuming out my car) regardless of what my wife is or is not doing. The time I spend at the gym and doing yoga refuels my soul and helps me face the next morning in a balanced, positive way. I am very thankful to the program for helping me to understand the difference between selfishness and self care.
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
I agree Skorpi I too felt that a self care was selfish until alanon helped me to see that taking care of myself was essential to any peace or serenity I might have in my relationships. As the Alanon opening states: "change attitudes aid recovery". I am so grateful that i finally understood that in taking care of myself, I was giving myself what I needed to grow and thrive and so all my interactions would be affected in a positive manner.
Great to see you posting again.
Thank you Betty for your service and the daily. Thank you also for your ESH (Skorpi - you too!)...I've had a busy day - and am just getting settled for some forum time! I remember thinking that it felt so selfish to put me first when I arrived at Al-Anon. What I discovered as I practiced was that it didn't really feel selfish - it felt foreign. I had to learn that it was true we are of better service to others when we are whole and god-centered. I really believe now what I was taught early on - I have to love me before I can truly and deeply love another.
I have my routines that help me stay god-centered and am very grateful for them. Today has been busier than desired, but a good busy - meeting, picnic, baby shower and softball later.
I am so grateful that strong people in recovery were there to show me how to work on me, change my attitudes, outlook and thinking. My life is so much more fulfilling today than ever before, and it's because I was willing to take a change on recovery, just for me.
Make it a great rest of day! We have a spot of summer that has returned - it's 85 degrees outside and I'm in shorts/tank top again!!! (((Hugs)))
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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
Thanks for the Daily Betty,just what I needed to hear today the diff.between selfishness and selfcare and giving myself permission to take care of me........hugs ,lu
