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.
Today's c2c focuses on the "just for today" suggestion that "Just for today, I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax".
It suggests that at first this is very difficult for many of us and so we might try 5 minutes, then 10 and so on until we are able to comfortably take 30 minutes to relax however we see fit.
It points out that part of learning to do this can be learning to tolerate and then even enjoy our own company. The reading reminds us that if we can stop out "own wheels from spinning" for even a few moments it gives our HP an opportunity to steer us in the right direction.
"Take rest, a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop" (Ovid)
***
That we need to learn to tolerate our own company rings very true for me; I was actually somewhat stunned to realise how much effort I went to each and every day to avoid ever having to be alone with myself. Wow! At first I could only stand 10 minutes and I was only able to spend this 'alone time" reading- always something funny as laughter helps me to find a new perspective and 'hit the reset button". As time has gone on and I have used the steps to have a better relationship with myself and my HP I have ceased dreading my own company and learned to enjoy it.
Now I fear I have gone to the other extreme and could quite happily lie in the sun and meditate all day and night, lol. It is a blessing to not fear or dread my own company any longer and I am very grateful for it.
Good morning Ms. M. I love this small piece of Al-Anon" recovery" literature. I grabbed onto that small bookmark, early on and attempted to follow every suggestion daily. What a difference it made in my outlook !! it gave me s instructions so I could attempt to live one day at a time, focused on myself in a positive, constructive manner. This was and is indeed a very powerful revelation and tool. Today I have incorporated many of these "bullet" reminders into my daily thinking and being and am so very grateful for this simple reminder of how to live life on life's terms .
Thank you for sharing this page and your ESH, MissM. I have found this 'quiet time' by myself to be extremely important in my recovery, and something that has evolved and adapted just as I have.
I have chosen the early morning as my time, helpful due to the natural stillness of dawn and its prime time ability to point my thoughts in a healthy direction while quieting the 'chatter' of my mind. Meditating on a program principle, tool, or concept in this setting allows it to sink deeper into my mind and develop a stronger connection with my higher power.
Practicing this regularly in a controlled environment has made it much easier to quiet negative chatter in more complex settings. This has allowed me to sit quietly anywhere, no matter what is going on around me, and feel peace as the reading describes. (Not unlike picking up the phone to get out of the Matrix, for any fans out there
This helps remind me of how the recovery works: control what is going on in MY mind, therefore my peace is not reliant on what is going on around me.
As always, wisdom and guidance from the program points me in healthy directions...grateful
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Love the matrix analogy Paul, that's a keeper
Betty, I'd forgotten about "just for today" until now. I went through a stage of "choosing one" every day to try to follow. I think i might resurrect that idea, it was a good habit.
