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 describes different ways to find strength in the program when feeling overwhelmed, lonely, anxious or having difficulty staying in the present. The writer mentions the importance of meetings and phone calls in order to feel the support that is available. Accepting that our HP is guiding us is another form of strength.
The part of this reading that resonated the most to me was the description of ways to stay in the present moment: praying one moment at a time, the Serenity Prayer, venting (on paper, in prayer, to a friend), doing something comforting for ourselves. For me when I feel anxious it is extremely helpful to break time into smaller increments. I have said things to myself like: for the next 1/2 hour I will... or even the next thing I will do is wash the dishes. Really immersing in a chore without looking beyond it is helpful when I feel like I am spinning into the past or future too much. I appreciate the Thought for Today for its reminder that all the tools available to us in Alanon are chances to feel better each day.
Good Morning Mary Learning to say in the present moment by using prayer,and the slogans has been a life saver for me. Before program i lived in the past and did not know how to stay in the day. I never appreciated the present moment What a waste!!! So glad that program gave me these tools
Have a lovely day and thanks fo your service
Thank you Mary, I so relate to this. Sometimes I have to break my life down in increments of an hour or even less when I am feeling overwhelmed and feeling like life is victimizing me. Sometimes I just visualize myself throwing the problem back like an unwanted fish I catch on my line that is not something I want. Throw it back and start over. Or just walk away and do something nice for myself like you mentioned. The slogans Help a lot. Many times of late I have had to ask me How important is it?
Thank you Mary for your service. I so love to see your smiling Avatar on Sunday mornings!!!
This reading reminding me of some wise ESH shared by member Bo - "Focus on the next thing, but focus with laser-like precision." I took that to heart and began implementing it. I think that is what helped me get through going to school and changing careers (working two jobs), all while managing the chaos of my AH, moving out, applying for public assistance, divorcing,& managing a senior in high school (AP tests, Prom, application to colleges, financial aid, graduation!) Sometimes I look back now, and wonder exactly how I did it!!! This reminded me that I did it b/c I was laser-focused on what was the next "right thing" to do... and then I made my steps move in that direction! I also came here and went to meetings religiously... I did not quit my program once a was out from under the chaos. I kept working on me.
Now my next "right thing" is to understand that my HP has me in the palm of her hand... she will guide me, and I will be OK. Perhaps that is why "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley is always in my head like an earworm! Ha, ha!! Revelation!!
I will do more than survive, I will THRIVE!
Peace to ya!
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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
Happy Sunday MIP! Thank you Mary for your service and the daily...I have always heard, "When I got busy, I got better." So - from the start of my journey to present day, I try really hard to keep things simple and just do the next right thing. At times, that is a meeting or a phone call or a chore and a nap. It just depends where I am, where my head/heart are, and what I feel pushed to do next upon reflection/meditation.
I'm a huge fan of Pause, Pray and then Proceed and it's served me well. Still to this day, my first inclination is not always the best nor healthiest. Yet, when I can pause and pray first, I am more likely to make better choices that I not only live with but are way more graceful than before!
I've been to a meeting, to the grocery store, to the Home Improvement store with my oldest and cooked a lovely brunch. We're having sunshine and a bit of warmer weather just for today. It's going to drop big time for the next few days so I'm grateful I am caught up and ready for that. (((Hugs))) - make it a super day all!
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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
Thank you Mary, and all above me with your shares. I love reminders and strategies to stay in the present. I dont visit the past as much as I project and worry about the future. Focusing on a task for even 5-10 minutes can give my weary brain- wheel a break!
Going to be bitterly cold this week in my neck of the woods. Gotta love the Northeast!
