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Today's reading is another great one!! I'm going to start with the Reminder - I like it 'that much'....
Today's Reminder -- Wonderful things can happen today because I welcome the thrill of participating in my own life.
Today's Quote from Helen Keller -- "Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."
The reading today does some comparing about before recovery (BR) thinking and in recovery thinking. Before we arrived, many of us worked to avoid painful feelings and situations, and played it safe to avoid risk. But life involves one risk after another, and some pain is unavoidable. Al-Anon helps us to accept what is.
We can learn to look at the source of our distress instead of running away. We can find that pain passes more quickly this way and we gain freedom from our fear. We are given tools - including the 4th Step inventory which we can use to heal and deal. When we take an honest look at ourselves and our situation we can identify patterns and begin the change. Our HP, sponsor, tools and meetings help us find the courage to deal with fear, pain and risk.
When we avoid taking risks, fear stays with us. We learn to go through it and get to the other side. Often - this happens much better than we ever expected. We no longer have to keep a constant watch for potential dangers - we can instead just live our lives.
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As one who came here with distorted thinking, reasonable intelligence and a black/white thinking process, I was risk averse. I did all that I could to plan the day/moment/event/outcome and then assess the risk of possible scenarios and not only did it rob me of my joy - it was such a waste of my time/life.
Today, I use the program to live in the moment, one day at a time. I do not fear people, places, things, outcomes, etc. - I just visualize taking my HP, God with me - hand in hand when I am fearful of anything. This works most of the time and he's never left me to sit in a mess when I align with him.
I was a 'process expert' at work for many years. I was also a process manager, and I do enjoy this type of work. I look at how folks do what they do and how can it be streamlined. That thinking was hard to let go, and I often brought it home. It took recovery for me to realize that nobody - even those I know the best - will ever act/do/be as I expect them to - even if they are consistent in their actions. I am free to just enjoy what is happening and let go of any/all possible outcomes.
So grateful for recovery, MIP and all of you! Make it a great day - TGIF!
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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
Hello IAH Love this reading and so appreciate your share . Having the courage to take intelligent risks has been a true gift of this program. Before program I would close my eyes and jump right into the middle of insanity thinking I was brave(not insane). Today with alanon tools i pause, pray, listen to the small voice within and make a decision . I then act with intelligence, courage and serenity.Thanks to alanon I now can "THINK" through a problem and stop reacting. Have a great Friday
-- Edited by Iamhere on Sunday 31st of January 2021 01:15:18 PM
Thank you for your posting. Today's reading is perfect for what I am currently struggling with. Moving forward doesn't need to be filled with fear. Change has always been difficult for me even when it's beneficial. I CAN choose to look at it with excitement. Oh how I love this program!!
Amy
Thank you Iamhere for your service and I hope you had a lovely time with the grand-babies :) I love that you visualize walking hand in hand with HP when you are afraid, I feel like this is a tool that could really help me and I'm going to start practicing it.
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- Carrie
Stress is caused by being 'here' but wanting to be 'there'. Eckhart Tolle
Thank you for the reading IAH.Sure can relate to the processing expert. I worked for a Dr. For many years and it was our main goal to get that patient into the office as soon as possible so that they could be treated and get well soon. Imagine my confusion when alcoholism reared it's head in my own family. If I could just get my then AH into some program all would be fine. Well I worked myself into a breakdown trying and thankfully Al Anon was suggested for me. I walked through the dor just knowing someone could help me fix him. What a surprise to learn that I was/am the one who needed a tune up (actually a slight overhaul). Today I continue to Listen and Learn and my RAH and family seem to be taking care of their business just fine without my help. Keep coming Back
Thanks to all for your lovely shares on today's reading!!! I am still enjoying the grand-babies ... also known as 'the little people'. They are fun and funny and also great teachers about unconditional love and 'being real'. The little one, 1.5 years decided to try and give the dog some building block (large legos). Lovely, old Layla - who is a senior and spends quite a bit of time sleeping/napping, just raised her head and gave him a nose kiss.
It was super cute and certainly very joyful. I am very grateful that as a grandma, I get to observe, learn, play and laugh - as a parent, I was often so wrapped up in what this daily is about that I missed many of these quick, joyful blessed moments!
Hope your Friday is going great - I will be wiped out by the go home time later this evening! (((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
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