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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Today's Hope July 4
Post Info TOPIC: Today's Hope July 4
Skorpi


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Today's Hope July 4
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Hello MIP! To those who celebrate American Independence, Happy 4th! 

I've forgotten my C2C at work, so today's reading is from Today's Hope. The author reflects on step eight and stresses that step 8 is not meant to punish us, but rather to set us free from guilt, anxiety, and discord. The author shares that we have probably caused the most harm to ourselves, and so it is important that we are first on our amends list. The author also shares that it can be common to feel guilt about every relationship and every person we came into contact with, but that careful reflection, perhaps through writing, can help us identify specific harms we have done so we can make amends for those. 

The Quote is from Richard Carlson: "My quiet voice speaks the loudest." 

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I've found with step 8 the ability to let go of guilt I have for not being perfect. I am always hardest on myself, and I have high expectations for myself, and so I have been very self-critical when I have disagreements or conflicts with others. Working ste 8 carefully helps me to take responsibility for my part and release the guilt I carry with me. 

I hope you make today a great day! 



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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
hotrod


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Good Morning Skorpi Happy 4th to all who celebrate.
This reading, on Step 8 and making amend is agreat reminder that we need to place ourselves at the top of the amends list.as we have hurt ourselves more than we realize
i did that when i first worked this step and made amends to myself by: attending meetings every day for over a year, read alanon literature daily, selected a sponsor and worked the steps. To sum up my amends to myself I practiced program diligently so that by then i was then willing to make amends to others
Thanks for your service and enjoy the Holiday



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Betty

THE HIGHEST FORM OF WISDOM IS KINDNESS

Talmud
Lyne


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Thanks Skorpi and Betty-My sponsor taught me about making amends to myself and at first it sounded so silly-but as time went on I realized how important this was. I try to forgive myself in the present, whenever I perceive mistakes, because I can easily get caught up in self, verbal abuse, a very nasty habit I have to keep working on to overcome. I love this program and my MIP family, Lyne

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Lyne
Iamhere


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Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily! Thanks to all for the shares and ESH above me. I too thought it was silly to make amends to me, yet did as suggested in working this program. I do believe that this step was instrumental in helping me leave the past where it belongs and to forgive myself and others for me and nobody else.

I can also relate to the self-critical behaviors and thinking....practice, practice and more of the same also gave me the ability to accept I am an imperfect person doing my best as are all those I encounter each day. I'm grateful for the action steps that truly help/helped me see my own habits and patterns that were unhealthy...until I saw them in black/white, I wasn't aware of changes I could make to be a better version of me.

Hot here today - spent some time last evening with my little people and again this morning. So fun and freeing to watch the young, untainted little ones live and enjoy each moment of life. Next to my favorite dog, Layla, I believe these little guys are powerful spiritual beings placed in my path for more learning....planning to ice my back for a while and take a nap before deciding what else is on the agenda. I had to say NO to golf 3 times for today - bummer ... but necessary. Make it a great day and I too wish everyone a Happy 4th! (((Hugs)))

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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

 

 
PosiesandPuppies


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Thank you to all who shared above. It's going to be a scorcher here too, but being with family and friends makes it all good!

Each person who shared above had something in their words that applied directly to me! Whether it was high expectations of self, perfectionism, the negative self-talk, or the brilliant thought of "we've hurt ourselves more than we realize."

I am nowhere near Step 8, but my wonderful sponsor helped me to see that I don't have to be working that Step to practice forgiving myself first... to take care of my needs first.

Happy  Birthday America!



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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

 

 
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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Today's Hope July 4