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.
It is possible to be different and still be right.--Anne Wilson Schaef
Hello everyone!!! this writer points out that each of us is special...in some ways we are all different..and that is a GOOD thing...Think of the world if we were exactly the same--All of us, carbon copies of each other, author points out that lots of times we try to hide the special things about us...We don't want to be "different"
Author tells us that because we are different, each of us is special..Some folks are great mechanics, others knock the ball out of the park with writing, and some are magic with children...Like snowflakes, our Creator made us different
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me use my special gifts the way You want me to. Help me be thankful that You have given me something special to share with others. Action for the Day: I'll think of one thing about me that's special. I'll talk with my sponsor about it.
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When I first got into recovery, I hated and rejected me so bad, I wanted to be like my recovery mates....the ones I admired, I emulated...I took on their traits.....AGAIN, I abandoned me IN RECOVERY!!!! Then, as I worked the steps and had validation from quite a few people, sponsors, etc., pointing out my awesome traits that make me unique...special....it felt great...I began to think "hey, I'm not so bad after all..I'm even kind of cool"..
NOW, I want to be me...flaws and all....Being me, makes me REAL!!!!
I think it is especially important to note that it is possible to "lose" yourself in recovery! Since I identify with the "people-pleaser" aspect of codependency, I had a light-bulb moment with you sharing that you were emulating others that you admired in recovery. Since my Step 4 inventory, I have realized that this "morphing" if you will, into something else the group or person you are with will like, is my MO as well. And honestly, as humans, we all do this behavior to a certain extent... to fit in, to be accepted in our social groups, to get ahead in the workforce. It is part of our human nature. But for some of us, it goes to the extreme... where we lose ourselves. I am glad to see that you are finally recognizing that the ESSENTIAL YOU is perfect in it's own way!
PS: You ARE kind of "cool"
I hope everyone has a lovely weekend... I am quite excited, as these are my usual days off, and my morning job is closing Mon & Tues, and my afternoon job is closing Tues and Wed!
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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
Thanks Rose for the daily and P&P for your share. I always felt like I didn't fit in because I was different. I hated myself for it and hoped to become invisible or morph into someone else. Over the years I softened towards myself but program is definitely the icing on the cake. I appreciate the person I am and was, while acknowledging flaws and things to keep working on. I can accept me and I don't have to be someone else. Program allows me the opportunity to keep growing, I don't have to be perfect, and accept who I am. Lyne
