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 importance of being gentle with ourselves in our recovery. Specifically the writer mentions that although meetings are an important part of recovery, we attend them as part of our support and strength, not simply because we should be there. There may be a time when a meditation in solitude is more appropriate for us an a given day, taking some time to journal or just get to bed and get some rest. Other times, going to a face to face meeting is exactly what we may need. I know that without exception, in every meeting I have been to I have learned something new or come away with a new perspective in which to consider things. For me, the line in this reading that stays with me is: My recovery is a matter of balance. I am thinking about how coming to alanon has helped me move away from extremes and chaos and is all about balance.
Thank you Mary. The same part of the reading spoke to me also. I don't like it if I get out of balance. It's a signal to me that I need to rest, meditate, write and see what is going on with me that "I" have allowed to get out of balance. It is in there the peace returns and God is back in control vs self. To realize that caring for and being gentle with myself also means boundarys and keeping them from sliding. Inevitably my own out of balance comes when I have let those boundaries slide.....It's a good day to rest:)
Good Morning Mary Great reading in HFT Love that quote regarding recovery being a a" matter of balance ".
Before entering program I was the poster woman for obsessive compulsive actions --No balance. Enter program, and picking up the many tools offered, I found that obtaining a sponsor, I could learn a great deal that helped to temper my nature.
I learned the importance of using the Correct tool each day and in various circumstances every day. It could be a meeting, a reading a telephone call, or a slogan--however it was the "Balance" that made the difference
Thanks for your service and have a grand day and enjoy
Thank you Mary for the daily and your service. Thanks to all of you also for your shares and ESH. I too was a bit OCD before embracing recovery. Balance as a goal still can be tricky and I have had to learn it's about my actions not my intentions. I can obsess about balance or a lack of as much as I can obsess about other things, so love that we're asked to just live and consider One Day at a Time. This simple concept pops into my mind over and over while awake, as I can still start focusing on tomorrow or beyond as easily as I can begin to focus on past events.
All I know is if I start my day the program way, my days goes better. I also love ending my day in the program way for better sleep. What transpires in between appears a reasonable part of my journey when I keep these 2 simple practices active. Each time I have found myself restless, irritable and/or discontent, I find that it often starts with a change to one/both of these things. I am one who does much better with structure and routine.
I have to laugh - I was headed out for my walk with God and my dog this morning and that's typically when I do a bit of prayer/meditation. I didn't get a block from my home when my phone was ringing. It was a sponsee and the 'selfish me' really wanted to stick to my routine...yet, after pausing and praying, I was nudged from above that I am to be of service any where and any time another reaches out AND this sponsee never calls this early. I did return the call and we had a great chat. It's 'different' than my routine yet it was also a gentle reminder that all that I am and all that I have is because others took my calls when I was in crisis/fear.
So - it's taken me 50+ years to understand the idea of rest during the weekend. I have been crowding my week days with fun things and my new normal is to use the weekends 'just for me'. I am slowly adapting as rest/relaxation isn't always easy for me yet I am finding it rewarding. I am reminded that all those chores, things, etc. that my 'brain' tells me I need to be doing will always be waiting for me to get to. The next right thing sometimes is to rest, relax, enjoy - all 3 words that rarely existed prior to recovery.
Make Sunday great MIP - off to a meeting in a while and then who knows....I am grateful for another day with no formal plans! (((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
Thanks for your service, Mary, and all the ESH. Today is just right for me to be gentle with myself, so this is a wonderful reminder. Yesterday was an active day outside with some company celebrating my mom's birthday and I can't say I handled the very active socializing too well, though I do see some progress compared to how I was and felt before... So today I almost feel like on an emotional hangover or something and there's a rather strong tendency to feel sorry for myself. I'm grateful I'm not ENTIRELY consumed by my negative thinking though, that's clearly good. Have a wonderful Sunday, all, thanks for being here!
There may be a time when a meditation in solitude is more appropriate for us an a given day, taking some time to journal or just get to bed and get some rest. Other times, going to a face to face meeting is exactly what we may need.
Hi Mary and THANK YOU for this balanced share and that is the message I am getting...BALANCE....I'm not on the boards as much because I want to expand on my recovery: I am listening to audios I downloaded on YT and I am journalling on what I learn...Journalling on my day, my feelings, my "report card" on self, so to speak ODAT.....like a visual and audio step 4, leading to steps 5,6,7 and beyond and I do the latter steps sharing with trusted recovery mates, some on the boards, and lots of self talk, learning to observe, rather than react with "lower brain" emotions, I am learning to stop---breath---access and if answer still is not visible??? step back...call a recovery mate...text or email a trusted recovery mate if i cannot get them on phone.....there are NO ACA or Al-anon meets near me, and I NEEEED the ACA ones, but would gladly go to Al-anon as 2nd choice, but there are absolutely none near me...so I go to online meetings...they work for me....i like how you describe the multiple ways with which we take good care of ourselves....thank you for your service.....
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