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 reading in Courage to Change is about the slogan "How important is it?"
The author reflects on the amount of time they spend focusing their mental activity on whatever problem is in front of them. They even catch themselves thinking "Now I am concentrating on what is really important!" But, the author asks, will this problem or grievance matter in a few years?
The author uses the alanon slogan "How important is it?" to help them address larger issues in their life, like a connection to HP, enjoying the present moment, and investing time and energy into becoming the person they want to be.
________
I am definitely a "problem fixer" I get caught up in solving small problems, and can lose track of the larger picture. Who do I want to be? How do I get there? Am I setting aside time for myself? With Alanon, I have taken the time to define things that are important in my life, and goals that I have. I am still working on investing my time wisely in things that move me toward my goals and things that are important to me, but the slogan "progress, not perfection" helps me to be patient with myself.
I still enjoy solving problems that pop up, fixing the washing machine, fixing the lawn mower, solving something at work, but I have become consistent in also asking "Is this mine to solve?" If it is, then I apply today's slogan: "How important is it?" before jumping into problem-solver action.
Today, I am focusing my energy on cleaning up my office after a particularly busy time of year. I find that physical order helps my mental clarity, but I do not often give myself permission to take the time to clean things up.
What are you doing to day that is really important?
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
Good Morning Skorpi Thanks for the topic and your service. I know that when I first entered program, I had made my needs invisible in order to survive the insanity of living with the disease of alcoholism I found that I needed to decide that "How important is it" had to be answered with--"Very" I am important so I will address my needs first such as: connection with HP , meetings, sponsor, steps, job first and then focus my attention on others.
To answer your question about what am I doing today that is important I must say: responding to messages on MIP, breakfast with sponsee, responding to telephone calls from sponses, lunch with partner, laundry and late afternoon nap.
Have a lovely day.
Happy Wednesday MIP family! Thank you Skorpi for your service and also for the daily. Thank you Skorpi and Betty for your shares and ESH. I am realizing that my Wednesday's are becoming a day of 'overcommitment' - darn it.....I am adjusting to....playing softball (ends in November), babies sleeping over (ends at Christmas break), my normal meeting and then a meeting we are taking to a shelter! I really don't want to give anything up - so just have to 'adjust'!
You know it's a crazy day when my first trip here is at dinnertime! For me, how important is it really goes with I'd rather be happy than right. Before recovery, I was a right-fighter and it was maddening....today, I am blessed to accept there are many more important things to me than being right and it makes it so much easier to just let Go and let God.
I have been told almost daily since I began this journey to trust the process and trust HP. I am one who believes deeply in "When in doubt, Don't". I struggle to be still and listen so it takes me longer at times to know the next right thing. I know that what's important to me today is vastly different than before and I'm grateful to have a simpler thinking process.
Hope everyone is having a great day! We still have lovely window weather - so, so nice to have fresh air day/night!!! (((Hugs))) Off to play with little people and then softball - late games!!!
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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
