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.
In Courage to Change today, the reading discusses 'stinking thinking'. For many of us, we develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts as we recover. In time, we are able to notice when our thinking becomes distorted. If we want to stop the negative thoughts, we have the tools taught by our program to do so. Pushing them away might provide temporary relief, but replacing them instead with positive thinking helps us move forward instead of slipping backwards.
The writer suggests that reading CAL literature had been very helpful yet she found that listening to CAL on audio worked even better! She uses these tools often to adjust her attitude and right-size her thoughts.
Today's Reminder -- Today I'm going to pay close attention to what I tell myself. If necessary, I'll stop in mid-thought, star over, and replace negative illusions with positive truths.
Today's Quote -- "What we teach ourselves with our thoughts and attitudes is up to us." from ...In All Our Affairs
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I know I arrived with very distorted thinking. It flowed into all aspects of my being, my day and my life. The first of many simple tools provided to me were gratitude lists and asset lists. I begrudgingly wrote short gratitude lists and struggled to find things so they were basic/generic - grateful for the sun, grateful for food, grateful for a home, etc.
While this was an unnatural action step for me and I resisted, I still found relief which gave me hope to continue. What I know today is that this disease is challenging and affects us all more deeply than we know. When I am disturbed in any way, using the program tools, steps, literature, etc. does get me to a better place in my mind.
Reminding myself each morning that I am a recovering child of a power greater than I who loves me and has a great plan for me does help set the stage for what the day may bring. So grateful for the gift of Al-Anon, recovery and all that I've learned/gained.
Make it a great day all - happy Friday!
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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
Hi IAM Great share. Love the quote about" Negative illusions and positive truths". I did fill myself with negative stories which were" illusion" and simply the product of my negative ANTS,(Automatic Negative Thoughts). I disregarded the good, the reality of my HP and the truths that were all around me because the negative needed my attention. Accepting that I am powerless over people, places and things, making asset and gratitude lists daily, working the Steps helped me to embrace the positive and release the negative .
Have a lovely day
-- Edited by Iamhere on Sunday 31st of January 2021 12:59:13 PM
Accepting that I am powerless over people, places and things is a REAL powerful message. Please PLEASE never let go of that thought because I want everyone to learn what it truly means and the way to do that is to understand YOU.
I have a lifetime of learning to do because I'm still a newbe in many respects. Lean and learn from the one's here that have many years under their belts. I have to continue this learning because if I don't what good will my life be. Do I want to continue to grieve and have no hope of ever being happy again. Right now I'm not happy and it might take quite a while to get there but I be damn if I'm going to give up on my life. If you believe in yourself you will be happy in yourself. That's what MY SON would want....I know this.
Just keep on keep on so that change will come to you someday
(( hugs ))
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Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth
Speak only when you feel that your words are better than your silence.
