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.
The C2C reading for November 13 speaks about the slogan :"First things first.". It points out that many times we get caught up in trivial matters, and then tend to neglect the most important ones simply because we fail to make time for the important ones.
The reading points out that the first thing that we must consider is maintaining our serenity so that we must make this our first priority. At thee same time since connection with our Higher Power is the crucial link to our serenity, we would be wise to consider including the maintaining of our connection to our Higher Power as part of our first things so that we must set some time aside for prayer and meditation as these are are very important.
The quote is from David Thoreau; "let us then one day as deliberately as nature, and not be thrown off the track by every nutshell, and mosquitoes wing that falls on the rails.".
" First things first", is a powerful slogan and one I work on daily. Saying the serenity prayer and the third step prayer each morning when I wake up helps me to trust that I will be directed by my inner guidance to focus my attention on what is most important throughout the day. I do trust that HP will guide me in all my works.
I think the slogans are such powerful tools in my recovery basket and ones I neglected when I first arrived in program. In my arrogance , I thought they were corny and too simplistic, to be of any use.Then I began to implement them in attempting to adjust my distorted thinking. and found that they were fantastic aids to developing alanon principles.
Happy Sunday Betty - thank you for your service, the daily and your ESH....I so agree that the slogans in our program are great tools. I too use them often/always. First Things First is a great daily as it reminds me my best path to keeping my serenity is to do what is in front of me first and allow the outcomes to happen as necessary. I too start my day with suggestions of recovery - Steps 1-3, prayer and meditation.
For me, putting the spiritual part of this program first gives me the best possible foundation to start my one day at a time mindset. When my will intercedes, and I think I am too busy, I am setting myself up for a potentially different outcome. For me, by best days are those I start the spiritual way!
Make it a great day and I am ready for some football!!!
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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
Thank you both for your for your shares on this topic, great reminder. I see a need to up my game on the slogans! As I read over this today, I am reminded of how simple and easy to remember the slogans are, yet the wealth of wisdom and power each can hold if I attach personal meaning and action to them through meditation.
When threading a bolt, taking care to ensure alignment at the beginning allows for a smooth and secure connection. I have cross threaded a few bolts and it never turns out well. I think of starting my day with meditation and readings like that, making the connection with my higher power and aligning my thoughts and spirit guarantee a better experience throughout the day. Including slogans such as "First Things First" will only improve the results.
Grateful
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
