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 balance and the slogan "Live and let live".
The author compares a balanced life with Al-Anon to the thrilling balance of flying down a hill on a bicycle. Embracing and thanking their Higher Power for whatever life brings is one of the keys to living a balanced life for the author. They began the practice of thanking HP for problems as well as joys, and while it was not easy to do at first, the author was able to replace self pity with gratitude when problems arose. This allowed them to embrace life for what it is and live to the utmost. The author also fond it easier to "live and let live" - allowing other to learn from their choices and experiences - with this practice.
The quote today is from Ursula LeGuin: "It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."
___________________
When I read the beginning of this share, all I could picture was the pure terror I feel every time I am moving (too) quickly down a hill. (Maybe on a bike, maybe on skis) The result is always the same for me: I tip over when I get to the bottom, because I cannot see depth, and so I overcompensate and end up off balance. Life with an active alcoholic and before AlAnon was like that as well - moving too fast, knowing the bottom of the hill was coming, and certain that I would be off balance when I got there.
Today, I am thankful to the AlAnon program for helping me to stay in balance and enjoy my life again. I am even more thankful for the challenges, problems, and opportunities that life brings, because each one is an opportunity for me to grow. A few years ago, I started to replace the word "problem" with the word "opportunity" in my vocabulary. It really impacted how I saw things. A purposeful thank you to my HP for each opportunity is something I am going to try next.
We are supposed to get either snow or sleet or freezing rain this afternoon. I was dreading that a bit because I had to drive myself today instead of taking the normal commuter, but after this reading, I think I will instead thank HP for the opportunity to practice my winter driving skills so they don't get rusty.
__________________
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 I appreciate your thoughts on this important topic. I love the quote as it speaks to me as to the importance of living one day at a time and being in the moment. Before program, I was never able o be in the moment and was constantly worried about the future and obsessing over the past . My sponsor explained it as having one foot in the past and one in the future so that I was missing the present. Thanking HP for problems was certainly a unique tool that felt so strange at first but did/do help. I am now able to process what is going on honestly, look for solutions and then respond without abandoning myself .
Skorpi and Betty-THanks for your shares. Balance is something I feel is very important and I strive to have. I was just telling my sponsor that I feel neutral today-not bad, not good. I'm in the middle and it's OK. I have not evolved enough (yet) to thank HP for my problems. There are still too many and they are very hurtful. Perhaps in the future I will see the purpose of these challenges. I hope I will grow to be able to be grateful for the difficulties in my life, but I can admit I am not there yet. Thank God I don't have to be perfect! Lyne
Thanks to all for the ESH and shares above me! Thank you skorpi for your service and the daily. I too felt as if I was in such a huge hurry always/often before recovery. I was never present - always projecting, and mostly negative. The program gave me simple yet effective tools to 'rethink' and respond differently to live, others, self and the present.
I am grateful for our slogans as they do ground me. I love live and let live as it reminds me I am not in charge and the one who is has a much better view and idea of how it should be - whatever it is. I try to just show up, do my part, be of service and live one day at a time. It has helped me get closer to balance than before.
Hope everyone had an awesome day! I had little people duty for part of it, a meeting with sponsor, a variety of errands and it's been a full day already. Thanks for being a part of my journey!
__________________
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
Where did that free flying feeling go? I remember as a kid how great it felt flying down that big ol hill. And I will say yes to that same feeling when we would go down dirt roads full of roller coaster hills...that butterfly feeling in my tummy. Where did it all go. When did I become so scared to live life freely. Pretending I had to be in control.
Being grateful even in horrible/ rough situations is a hard thought to wrap your head around. This is when I have to stick to my thought everything happens for a reason....I may not find out today why.....but one day I will if I choose to listen for the answer.
Thanks for this!
__________________
When it Rains, Look for Rainbows. When it's Dark, Look for Stars-unknown
