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Post Info TOPIC: Courage to Change 2/7/19


~*Service Worker*~

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Courage to Change 2/7/19


Today's reading talks about self-care and personal well-being.  There are many suggestions on actions to consider - all of which can/will contribute to improving well-being.  As we consider and go about our day in recovery, we come to realize that small steps are the beginning of growth, and usually come before great strides.  Progressing forward is our goal, setting aside perfection.

Today's Reminder:  There are so many ways in which I can improve the quality of my life.  Instead of fretting about what I can't have or can"t do, I'll take action to create something positive in my life today.

Today's Quote:  from Samuel Johnson - "To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have to admit that I chuckled out loud when I read today's share.  Mostly because the many examples of self-care suggestions would have 'all' been on my to do list before recovery.  I was a list maker, task master, perfectionist and never was able to complete all that I put onto my plate each day.  My expectations of myself were higher than of others, and both scenarios were a recipe for perpetual disappointment and feelings of failure.

Today, I have a program and I have a plan.  I have a set of actions I take each day that include program, service, prayer and meditation.  I have settled into action that works well for me and my recovery.  I sponsor others, and they have a different plan that works for them.  What I have always loved about recovery is that we get to progress in our own way, in our own time and all the tools are suggestions.  I am reminded of the first promise from our sister program:

"If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through."

Today, just this one day, I can decide to take the action that contributes to a healthy me.  I'll worry about tomorrow then and yesterday is already in the bank.  So grateful for the gift of serenity we are given when we work this program.

Happy Thursday all - ice, sleet, snow, rain and deathly cold temperatures here and many other places!  I hope all stay warm and safe!  Make it a great day!



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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

 

 



~*Service Worker*~

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Good Morning   I Love the quote and I do believe that alanon's: steps, slogans , meetings helped me to actually'" SEE" "the golden moments, appreciate them, catch the good within and live my life to the fullest.

Thank you for this powerful lesson and your service



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Betty

THE HIGHEST FORM OF WISDOM IS KINDNESS

Talmud


~*Service Worker*~

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Thank you IAH for your service!

You had me chuckling with your first ESH paragraph...in this area we are such two peas in a pod!! LOL! The Great List Maker, yup, that's me too! Sounds great from the outside, keeps you organized and all, but dig a little further and yes, you can see that I put too great of expectations for myself - then I beat myself up terribly when I fail! Crazy!

Today I still make lists, though not as much. I tackle them telling myself, "Here's my plan, but it's OK if they don't all get attended to. Just roll them over to the next list!" Sometimes, if I catch myself negatively thinking in response to not finishing my tasks that day, I immediately sit and write out a gratitude list. Works every time to get me out of that mind-set!!

For all of those living in the dangerously frigid weather... stay warm, stay safe!

Peace!

__________________

"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

 

 



~*Service Worker*~

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Thanks for your service IAH. I can relate--lists, beating self up if not accomplishing the plan for the day, etc. I'm much improved since alanon in the self-care dept., from medical appts. to mental health! Always grateful, Lyne

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Lyne

El


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Thank you, IAH for today's reading and your service!

I too was a great list maker......the need to stay organized, on top of tasks and the satisfaction of crossing things off was a huge part of my daily life.  I do still keep lists, but at this point it is because I am feeling my age and want to remember things vs. the need to be so perfectly on task.  I have become much easier on myself.....realizing when I am trying to accomplish too much. The only one who gives a fig about how much I can get done is me!

I work best in the morning until about 3:00 in the afternoon.  After that, whatever didn't get done most likely won't.  I then "work" on my relaxing activities that I enjoy without any guilt about not getting to the next thing on the list.  This feels like small steps of growth to me; being productive part of the day....not ALL day.

Had some nasty freezing rain here yesterday and expecting 50+ mph winds tomorrow.  Crazy weather lately.....but I am grateful to wake up each day to witness it!

El



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~*Service Worker*~

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Hey PnP OMG...I loved your share about the list making....I, too was a list maker....a "to do" list for each day....organized....structured....but ohhhh when I failed to do ONE thing or it messed up in some way, I beat me up mercilessly for not having a "good day" Now, Yea, I have a "sort of" list like this is what I would LIKE to do, but if all does not get done??? I can do tomorrow

FIRST THINGS FIRST is what saves the day for me...yea, get SOME of what I gotta do done, and gr8 if all gets done...if not??? I do the first things first rule...AND if I am injured or sick?? I don't make ANY list because getting out of bed to brush my teeth MAY, that day, be a good accomplishment......

Thanks everyone for the shares above me!!!biggrinbiggrinbiggrin



-- Edited by mamalioness on Thursday 7th of February 2019 02:23:32 PM

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Rose, a work in progress!!!

KEEP IT SIMPLE_EASY DOES IT_KEEP THE FOCUS ON ME



~*Service Worker*~

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Yes, Rose, "FIRST THINGS FIRST" really helped me with my list-making-beating myself up mentality!

It is a great tool!

__________________

"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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