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.
Unexpected Disappointments____Acceptance. As life unfolds, we sometimes get unexpected disappointments that seem undeserved -- the car breaks down, a business deal goes sour, or a close friend betrays us. As alcoholics, most of us don't handle such things too well. "Why me, Lord?" we often respond. Our best approach is simply to view life as a mixture of bitter and sweet, knowing that we've been given real mastery over conditions. We cannot always be sure that a disappointment really is as bad as it seems to be, and sometimes it can become a step toward our good. As one alcoholic phrased it, "some of the worst things that have happened turned out to be the best." It's good to face the day with optimism, with confidence, and even with some excitement about the opportunities ahead. If we're maintaining sober thinking, everything that happens today will be transformed into gains for tomorrow -- all our tomorrows. We're on a spiritual journey that goes far beyond anything we're doing here and now. I won't expect to be disappointed today, but I'll know that nothing can really upset or disturb me without my permission.
*****************************
Well, I've improved some in this...I no longer curse g-d for my troubles...I see it as just LIFE and many of these disappointments , I had a part in, somehow..AND there are those kinds that just come out of the blue...again...its just LIFE and life can suck and it can be good...
the biggest thing I am working on and seeing some results on is DONT FIGHT IT...Do not fight the karma...feel the feelings, scream, holler, cry, then do what I can to take care of me and STEP BACK....cast the burden as my metaphysician idol, Florence Shinn said in her book "the Game of Life" .....just cast the burden onto my Higher power within and go free to be/have/do xxxxxxxx and really step aside....
I can visualize my issue/project like letting go of a feather...if I keep still , the feather will fly gracefully and smoothly where it is supposed to...If I am stirring up the air, the feather will jerk and twitch and maybe nose dive into the ground......
I am not an alcoholic, yet I seemed to have lived most of my life cursing God for the negatives and disappointments that have plagued my life.
I am finding that it is more serene to accept what Life gives you... nothing more. So in this way, this program is really changing the way I look at things!
Progress not Perfection, right? LOL
__________________
"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
I can visualize my issue/project like letting go of a feather...if I keep still , the feather will fly gracefully and smoothly where it is supposed to...If I am stirring up the air, the feather will jerk and twitch and maybe nose dive into the ground......
I really like this. When I'm feeling stressed or emotional, I use the visualization of being in the waves at the beach, about chest deep. If a wave starts coming, I have a choice: plant my feet and brace myself against the wave (which usually has not so good results for this nonswimmer) or, lifting my feet and letting the wave carry me. Once in shallower water, I put my feet down and I am fine. Really helps me in the moment. Will remember the feather metaphor as well. Thank you.
I like this post Rose it speaks to me of reality and reaffirms with me that HP allows me to be angry at it and to even scream, shout and swear as a choice and then while I was doing that once I looked out the window of my van and standing on the front lawn of my house was a Francis of Assisi dove; a rarity because it was not usual in my neighborhood or else where and because HP let me know it was listening and wanted for me. The international logo for peace and serenity is the dove and there it was. I got out of my van and approached it putting my cupped hands forward and it walked into my palms. I use to raise homing pigeons and not even my own birds would do that. I released the dove and it stayed overnight with me sitting above the front door of my home and then left to show a sponsee the same outcome. When all was said and done there were no disappointments at all. Thanks for the share and the memory. ((((Hugs))))
I really like this. When I'm feeling stressed or emotional, I use the visualization of being in the waves at the beach, about chest deep. If a wave starts coming, I have a choice: plant my feet and brace myself against the wave (which usually has not so good results for this nonswimmer) or, lifting my feet and letting the wave carry me. Once in shallower water, I put my feet down and I am fine. Really helps me in the moment. Will remember the feather metaphor as well. Thank you.
and I like YOUR metaphor.....LOVE the picture...I can see this with me....planting my feet, fighting whats coming or what has come...being rigid and being carried off by the tides, but if I flow WITH it, I can find safer places.....absolutely LOVE your picture....THANK YOU!!!!
The international logo for peace and serenity is the dove and there it was. I got out of my van and approached it putting my cupped hands forward and it walked into my palms. I use to raise homing pigeons and not even my own birds would do that. I released the dove and it stayed overnight with me sitting above the front door of my home and then left to show a sponsee the same outcome. When all was said and done there were no disappointments at all. Thanks for the share and the memory. ((((Hugs))))
(((((((((((((((((((Jerry)))))))))))))) I absolutely LOVE this story!!! That dove was no fool....he/she knew that it was in gentle, loving hands.....YOURS!!!!!!
I have a pet dove here at home, I rescued it at the old, now closed feed store...it was all alone in this grimy cage, looking sad and very alone..I asked it if it wanted to come home with me and it began to "coo" and jumped on perch nearest to me...I lost my heart and reached in the cage, gently put it in a "travel" box for birds , gave the guy $20 and brought it home and put it in my big cage in office with the 3 parakeet "roomates" and it sings to me when I come into the office..."lovey dovey" is very very happy, sharing with its "birdie buddies" ..I pet it and rub its chest and it just sits there enjoying my attention...As I type this, it is coo'ing....thank you sooo much for your beautiful share...........HUGS
I can see that clearly Rose. Like on this board you are gentle and always here for others. I like the look and sound of your dove and you. Mahalo ((((hugs))))
