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 discusses self esteem and how it grows when we love and accept ourselves as we are. We block our own well-being each time we base our worth on what we do or what others think of me. Even IF we had some magical power that fixed all people, places and things in the world, we might still not feel good about self.
We can't be perfect. We can't make others perfect. Yet, we are still worthy of love, respect and joy. The reading asks that we remind ourselves each day that we are a child of a perfect Higher Power. This suggestion and reminder tells us we should respect 'us' - self.
Today's reminder -- Today, when faced with choices, I will opt for the path that enhances my self-esteem.
Today's quote from Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism -- "I am learning to live a full life, one in which I like and care for the person I am."
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I did not think I suffered from low self esteem when I arrived. Yet, in listening to others' ESH and working with a sponsor, I learned that low self-esteem can be subtle - small put-downs in my mind about me, inability to just say Thank You to a compliment, the need to get the last word in and the desire to live like others around me.
I was blocked from the sunlight of the spirit as I lived in a constant state of competing and comparing myself to others. It was a bit insane to take what I felt inside - destroyed often because of this disease and compare that to what others showed me on the outside.
Recovery gave me the tools to accept myself and others as we are today. Recovery also gave me a willingness to keep growing and changing, and allowing others the same. I am grateful that my self esteem is way better than before and that I'm still growing, learning and changing. I do feel that my HP loves me exactly as I am, and loves me the same even when I make human mistakes.
Happy Friday all - out the door to do some carpooling for my little people. It's strange to be carpooling again - kind of excited as I love the HP messages that come to me through the innocence of children. 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
Hi IAH Thank you for this great reminder. This program taught me that i did not need to be perfect to respect and love myself. .It suggests that HP is perfect and that as a child of HP, i deserved to be loved and respected and to treat others in like manner .
.Using Program tools such as gratitude lists, living one day at a time, and faith in HP, did help to rebuild my shattered self esteem and learn how to validate myself while interacting in the world
Thank you for your service IAH. This comes as a perfect time! How amazing my HP is!!!
It's interesting that you speak of low self-esteem as being subtle. I too didn't think of it in this manner until it was explained to me. When someone is constantly trying to live up to other's perceptions, or "keep up with the Jones'," it is really telling their (my) soul that they (I am) are not good enough. Talk about subtle!! I have always suffered from the negative talk in my head as well. And being a self-described perfectionist, it is truly liberating to have someone, or something (Program) tell me it is "OK" to be imperfect!
This makes me think about my teen-aged son and his peer's favorite saying, "YOU JUST DO YOU!"
I wish I would've known about and embraced that when I was his age and into my twenties.
Today is Friday everyone! Hallelujah!! Make the most of this day!!
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"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
