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 reading recalls the way we experience the world as a child...taking in nature with wonder and awe. It suggests that spending time appreciating nature is a wonderful way to help ourselves experience life one day at a time. It points out that creation doesn't waste time worrying or meddling in the affairs of others; instead it just gets on with the business of living. We can learn much from this simple observation
The reading reminds us that although pain and hardship teach us valuable lessons, we can also learn much wisdom from observing the wonders that exist in the world.
"I discovered the secret of the sea in meditation upon a dewdrop" (Kahlil Gibran).
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I'm forever amazed when a walk somewhere nice (through the park or by the bay) elevates my mood after days and days of dismal computer-screen time. Yet somehow, I never seem to learn the lesson and really only haul myself out of my barely-tolerable-discomfort-zone to take in the good stuff when the doggo more or less pulls me out the door with his jaws, lol. I do know that in the darkest parts of the last few years, it has been the moments spent in nature, walking the beach at sunset or just finding a quiet place to sit and soak up some sun that kept me going when I wanted to give up. "Problems" seem enourmous when you are locked in a little room with them, and insignificant and far away when put next to a vast ocean or a thunderstorm. Tomorrow, I will try to remember to spend some time in the "now", by taking a walk somewhere beautiful (regardless of the weather!!).
Thanks for that fantastic reminder Ms.M. I know for years I walked with my head down, never seeing the people, the stars, the moon,the trees or flowers all around--I was much too busy "worrying."
Enter program, working the Step, the slogans as well as the Just for Today bookmark i implemented even a small piece of these, I noticed that i "saw" the bus driver, the newspaper person, my neighbor and acknowledged them with a Good Morning. What a difference being in the now meant to my day!!!!!
Today it is my routine. I know deep within that I accomplish nothing by worrying and so when I leave the house I look around at the beauty,the birds, squirrels, children and people. I have turned my worry over to HP and am able to take in the beauty all around as well as feel refreshed by the experience. How great is that?
I also spent years, probably the majority of my life, not noticing the birds singing, the beauty of a chipmunk, a single flower in a yard, etc. Depression, anxiety, and a broken spirit, masked all the beauty around me. We have a mama bird sitting on 4 eggs near our deck. Each day, and throughout the day, I check in to see if the eggs have hatched. It's taken a great deal of work to shrink my problems down to a manageable size, and let the joy and beauty of life become what I notice first. It's like a choice to see the glass half empty or half full. My vote and goal is half full, Lyne
I've been learning more and more that appreciating the beauty in my life and enjoying the moment accepting it for what it is keeps me peaceful. I find myself more and more taking time to appreciate the beauty in the world. My mom and I have a very roller coaster like relationship but the one thing we can connect over is nature. Last weekend my daughter mom and I went to see some beautiful gardens together. We stopped and appreciated the beautiful plants the willow trees the waterfall. This is something my mom gave to me. Despite all the difficulties between us she's always taught me to stop and appreciate the beauty of nature. This is how I connect to my higher power. Now that I'm taking better care of myself I give myself time to do these things. I make time. Even a walk in my neighbourhood brings me back to my place in nature and the world. Thanks so much for your service.
