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.
Todays reading is about the different options we have to seek out serenity. Like the writer, I choose to get up earlier than my kids so that I have some quiet house time before the day gets started. I tend to embrace quiet like a few of the scenarios mentioned on this page (a quiet car ride with no radio, keeping the television off rather than as background noise..).
As the reading points out, many of us who have lived with alcoholism became used to the chaos that comes with it, so being offered the chance to choose quiet and serenity instead is truly a gift of the program. For me serenity has come in the form of a quiet start to my day, an organized house and mind, the serenity prayer (especially when I need to quiet down my thoughts).
I like to think about seeking out serenity as a way of turning away from chaos and upset. What can I do to provide serenity for myself today?
I hope everyone enjoys a Serene Sundayeven if that does involve some big football matchup I keep hearing about??? ;)
Good Morning Mary I , like you , look to protect my serenity each day. I arise early, do my daily readings, make a plan for the day, work the first 3 Steps as i shower and every time i am challenged during the day, I pick up an alanon slogan or the serenity prayer and attempt to respond , using alanon principles and not react
Looking forward t the Super Bowl and thank you for your continued service
Good morning Mary and happy Sunday! Ha.ha.ha....on the big football matchup! I will be watching without concern for who wins. I can still recall how I woke up and retired each day before recovery - dread, fear, etc. That's been lifted as a result of this program, so I am grateful upon awakening. I do way better with routine and structure and also make the effort to start my day with some quiet time for me and HP. I am willing to keep my mind/heart open and stay present which help me find gratitude for today and serenity is more common now than before!
I love listening to music and often find centering in it. Quieting my mind has always been a challenge - easier to do upon awakening for sure. I also just accept that any effort I make is better than no effort at all....practice has become my best 'go to' strategy for living and is welcome compared to my perfectionism of before!
I am headed out to a meeting shortly and it's cold! Nothing more beyond that except that game you mention! Make it a lovely day all!
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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
Happy Sunday Mary and many thanks! I like to wake up early just to have that quiet space with coffee... it is all about starting the day serene. I also practice creating a peaceful space at night so I'm able to sleep well... I could my blessings, do an asset list and fall into slumber.
This one hits home for me. Sleeping in these days is anything past 4:00 AM. I love my quiet time! I love how you said you choose to get up early. It truly is the most important thing to me. I get to read my alanon literature along with other material. It's peaceful, no TV and no chatter. Looking back I have always coveted this time alone. It is my time to talk to God and to listen.
Before my first round into recovery meetings many years ago I was too self conscious and proper to slip away when I needed quiet time. When visiting relatives or when they visited me, they all know I "take naps." And.........they all know I really never take a nap lol. It is my own way of getting away from the noise, the chatter and just quieting my mind, my thoughts and regrouping. I get so much strength and peace from my HP to take on whatever else the day may bring.
I use this quiet time when I go visit my AD also. He has a "breakfast club" which consists of a group of men who all meet out at his shop for beer, followed by more beer and whatever else they may bring with them until it's dark. They're all very nice. Two of them don't even have their drivers license anymore. To them the whole thing is just normal, all in a days' "work......." I enjoy visiting with them for a short time once or twice during the day. I keep it short due to how uncomfortable I make them being a non drinker. I find it odd, my dads is one of my favorite places to visit. I have more quiet time there than anywhere else.
Life can be busy and throw curve balls. if I have one of those odd sleeping in days, my boundaries in this one area are already in place to slip away at any time of the day and truly be able to rest.
