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 making little change each and every day. The author shares that they are writing their life story every single today, and asks "Am I moving in a positive direction?" The author knows that there is nothing we can do to change the past, except stopping ourselves from repeating it in the present. Large, sustainable change is also difficult, so the author suggests we focus instead on little, everyday accomplishments. Life if built upon layers of little, everyday things. By focusing our attention on taking small risks and making minor changes each and every day, we are changing the little things that make life's layers and life itself will change because of these minor adjustments and daily accomplishments.
Today's Reminder: No one can make me change. No one can stop me from changing. No one really knows how I must change, not even I. Not until I start. I will remember that it only takes a slight shift in direction to begin to change my life.
Today's Quote: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." ~ Lao-tse
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Today's quote is one of my favorites, and I remind myself of it often. I am not going to get to some magical future state if I am not starting the journey of change, and taking steps on that journey each day. I have also found that, when I face a challenge, I tend to over-rate the challenge and underrate my own abilities. If I stay there, I become immobilized. But if I can think of one little thing that I could do, one little thing I could change, one little thing I could start, then I have started the journey, and it all becomes easier after that.
The little change I am making today is keeping my attention on reality, and for today, not allowing myself to be drawn into made-up or make-believe crises.
What step on your journey are you taking today?
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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 posting this powerful reminder. I have found that one small step a day certainly does add up to many huge changes in the coarse of a year.
Early in my alanon journey i decided to stop reacting and had to slowly learn to respond effectively. This. as with all changes in alanon was a process. I learned how to stay within myself any time I felt myself tempted to react, then instead of blurting out my thoughts I recited the serenity prayer inwardly . This worked wonders and today when I feel myself tempted to "react" i pause and recite the serenity prayer Powerful change
Today I believe that the small step I will take for my recovery is to stop procrastinating and make a telephone call to a scrap metal dealer to inquire about removing two huge car parts from my sons closet . It is about time.
Good morning Skorpi - thank you for the daily, your share and your service. Before recovery, my mind was a jumbled, negative mess most waking moments. In recovery, those who came before me suggested I 'Keep it Simple', Focus on 'One Day at a Time' and accept that this is a disease and way more powerful than me/us.
Small, simple suggestions helped me to see and accept that I am imperfect and nobody but me assigned me with a whole bunch of positions that were not mine. I am an equal, expected to make mistakes, learn from them, live my life and seek growth/healing. Small changes such as our program suggests helped me want to keep on a more positive path with a different outlook and attitude.
I was cleaning out a display cabinet yesterday and inside a trinket box, I found the Acceptance pamphlet. I chuckled at the humor of my HP - only he knows who put it there, when, why, etc. Of course, the biggest change in me for me was I did pause and read it. I then placed it with my other literature for future reading/reference.
My word for the year is authentic. That's the small change I am focusing on for me for now. Being true to me and moving towards whatever that is, One Day at a Time. Happy hump day all - stay warm, safe and make it a great day!!
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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
Yesterday I decided to tackle steam cleaning to work off some stress after a 4-5th step etc. With the help of my temp sponsor yesterday, I later saw something huge I had missed. I saw the need to go back over 1-3. Mostly 3. I had turned my life over and picked it up again in a short time. What I experienced one of those beautiful spiritual awakenings! And gratitude that it didn't last long in the self will junk again.
This morning the C2C helped me not race ahead of myself again also. I am ready to let one of the A's back in my life for a few minutes. By inviting her over for ONE cup of coffee and to put her laundry in the machine. It is a small step. But a huge one. ....In the "busy-ness" .......too much of the busy would have kept me from taking that step forward. During the crisis period of time...(very long time)....I could not even vacuum, much less steam clean. I needed to look at the reasons for something as simple as the cleaning through the eyes of my steps.....was I using it to keep someone at arms length.......? Almost.
Focusing on the areas that take stress off of me to be able to be more "present" and loving with others. Slowly. It is ok today that things are out of my control and in my HP's control. Taking this one small step with the "coffee and A" is huge for me.
Just a follow up to my original post. The Scrap Metal dealer just left with all the metal parts and I have honored my first New Years resolution. Thank you alanon---How simple it all is when I act in a constructive manner
Good morning, all. Thank you, Skorpi, for posting this about small positive changes. I find it very true in my experience. I have been de-cluttering my house and doing various long-needed repairs, and it feels so good.
Betty, congratulations on bringing in the Scrap Metal dealer to help you with your new year's resolution. This reminded me of one of my favorite things. In my community, a couple of towns away, there is a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. That sounds like it would be an unattractive, unhealthy, and scary place --- but actually it is a very nice facility where we can bring hazardous waste such as old paint, motor oil, batteries, etc. It looks clean and well organized. All I have to do is load up my stuff and drive there. The workers there are very cordial, and will take the hazardous junk out of my car so it can be recycled in a way that doesn't damage the environment.
It's a lot like an Al-Anon meeting. All I have to do is load up my junk, get myself there, and let the lovely people help me dispose of my hazardous stuff so it doesn't harm me or others.
((Freetime)) Sounds as if you are considering this move Good luck. Love how you compared the trip to the facility like an Alanon meeting-- great analogy
It really feels great to have my chore accomplished.
Our first posts must have been like 'ships in the night' Betty. Congratulations on completing your first resolution. I am certain you feel great having the closet back and as one who's been working to downsize for a while, it's freeing while also bringing forward memories. The good thing about working a recovery program is my memories have become more about the 'good' instead of the 'not so good'.
Good for you freetime - sounds very productive! Happy New Year to all - we can say this every day - #amIright? ROFL!!!
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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
