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.
Self-acceptance: The writer talks about their change from black and white thinking, to realizing that they don't have to do better or differently and they are not necessarily wrong! They are learning that their best is good enough, and they do not have to struggle to constantly fix themself.
Today's Reminder: Alanon encourages me to examine my thoughts and actions, but this is meant as an act of self-love, not as a weapon to use against myself. When I begin to accept myself exactly as I am, life will feel a lot more gentle.
Quote from As We Understood...:Sometimes we try so hard that we fail to see that the light we are seeking is within us.
I had to chuckle when I read the quote, because I felt like an enormous black hole--there was no light that I could see. And I was always wrong, and I constantly tried to fit in and please others, only to see myself as a failure over and over again. This reading has helped me to accept myself, and along with my sponsor, taught me to see my assets as well as deficits. And in doing so I am more comfortable and able to like many things about myself, while I work on improving every day. Lyne
Thanks Lyne for the daily (and early....golf early tomorrow). I was a very black/white thinker before recovery and one was right or wrong and things were good/bad. Most things and choices appeared to be extremes in my distorted mind, and like you, with the help of a good sponsor, I was reminded that there are shades of gray. I can be right but so can another. I can be wrong, and it's not world-ending. And most of all, that we are all designed to be imperfect thus trying for perfection will always be a recipe for disaster.
I am comfortable today with many paths to the same destination and the realization that my way might work for me, but not for all. I can celebrate the differences in all and be at peace while doing it. I'm grateful that I know and accept what is and that I am a work in progress and will always be.
Make your Monday great! Thank you for your service!
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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, Lyne, and the ESH shared. What a topic... The progress I've made thanks to this program and a higher power is that I've mostly been freed from feeling that punishing myself is a good thing to do and earns me some kind of "points". I'm still pretty hard on myself but I have faith this may change ODAT. Thanks for being part of my journey to sanity and serenity
Good Morning All Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this important topic I do believe that "Self acceptance" was one of themany gifts that I received from alanon as i began to work he Steps with my sponsor and attend meetings
Love the quote from:" As We understood " Sometimes we try so hard that we fail to see that the light we are seeking is within us."
I was so amazed to discover that as i practiced keeping the focus on myself that the light was within how great is that
Thanks for your service Lyne
I was always one to see all the shades of grey. I did like to ponder things from all perspectives. But in the end, I was always so hard on myself! So self-acceptance of where I am at today is huge for me! In some way, I get a reminder every day to be kinder to myself.
Here is my reminder today! LOL!
Thank you Lyne for your service, and to all those who shared their ESH.
Peace
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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
