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'm making an extra effort today to live our principles and this spiritual program. I don't find it easy and cant do it for every 24 hours in the day but I thought it might help me to write down what it means to me.
Begin my day with a gratitude list to remind myself that all is ok and more than that I have so much to be grateful for so dont start with any niggly self pity distorted whiny thoughts, let them go and pass and hold on to that feeling of gratitude.
Remind myself that I have these 24 hours to concentrate on, to actively seek out the good points in the people and circumstances I find myself in.
Remind myself that Im very small in this universe and I have no right to judge, control or assess and critically analyse anyone else decisions, mannerisms, eating habits, points of view, daily activities, etc any of it. I dont know the full story of anyone but me so dont even start with that one.
Remember I have a higher power to lean on to let it all go and to ask for help, I always forget that one but today I asked for help to stay in Gods will, so far so good.
Each person I come into contact with are just the same as me, they too have the right to be accepted for exactly who they are in that moment without judgement or criticism from me, again ego check who the hell do I think I am that I have the answers and the right way to do living?
Take one thing at a time and try hard to be gentle with myself, no judgement or criticism of me either. First thing first.
Go with the flow of this day, Im working late and my usual feeling is dread and annoyance but im trying to flow with the day and let it unfold as it should based on my higher power rather than my big ego and inner child.
Be vigilant of the distorted and disturbed thought processes and let them pass but dont hold them in. Usually negative, boohoo thoughts. Today NO!
Well I think thats that, not too hard eh? Thanks for reading.
Love, love, love the list El-Cee! I got a chuckle because yesterday, in our meeting, one members was saying, "I can do anything for 12 hours." I was dumbfounded on 12 hours vs. one day vs. 24 hours vs. ??? I assumed she meant 24 - sleep time, but wanted to chat after about it.
She's not religious, but very spiritual. Apparently, some reference material that she has used in the past suggests that we were designed to 'work' for 12 and 'rest' for 12. This truly gave me cause for pause as I was pushed to work for 14 and rest/sleep for 10. I do good to get 5-6 hours a night, and am not good at resting.
So - I've decided that I need to figure out a way to improve my sleep and even more important, figure out what 'rest' looks like for me!!! What I did get out of this is that we are entitled to take care of ourselves how ever we need to, and that 24 hour period that I focus on is truly not as long as I think it is!
What a gift open-mindedness is. I am one who truly believes the outcomes of my days are very aligned with my choices/attitudes/start in the morning. When I am just happy to be alive and open, my days are a gift. When I wake with stress, anxiety or dread, my days feel long. I am now and will always be grateful for all that we share in recovery as it truly helps me be just me - authentic often/always.
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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
