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.
The reading for Monday, 3/11, speaks of the ability to laugh and forgive ourselves, because some of our defects of character are very hard to shake. The author can recall when at an earlier time they hid in shame from their flaws, and beat themself up. The author wants to try to accept more, and let go of impatience, self-criticism, and self-hatred. And dont forget to ask for help from HP.
Todays Reminder: In a way, I will always be a beginner. There will always be some new challenge to face because life is ever-changing and so am I. Because of this constant change, every tiny little action I take involves some risk of making a mistake. It takes courage to participate in life. Today I can applaud myself for trying. Im doing a terrific job.
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This reading reminded me of the years of self-hatred I held onto, the lack of being able to forgive myself, and how easily I felt embarrassment and shame. Add being married to an A, I sometimes marvel at the fact that I survived it at all. Alanon has given me the opportunity to move forward in a very healthy way. I now can accept myself, mistakes and all, yet at the same time feel proud of my assets. Its like two different lives. Ill take this new one with alanon, Lyne
Good morning Lyne - thank you for your service and the daily. I too can see a BR and AR - Before Recovery and After Recovery. I am grateful that the program offers us so many ways to 'let go' - in the moment, in the day, etc. In recovery, I have come to accept that we are all imperfect and that's perfectly OK. When I became willing to see the diseased as sick instead of bad, that opened the door for me to embrace forgiveness of self and others. I do believe I was doing my best with what I had - I just wasn't properly tooled 'then'!
It is easier today for me to see my part, makes amends if/when necessary and move forward without holding onto to anger, blame or shame. Life does present new opportunities each day for me to practice my spiritual program, and I am grateful for the experiences.
Happy Monday all - make it a great day! Off to gold this afternoon followed by tacos! (((Hugs)))
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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
"It takes courage to participate in live." Thank you Lyne for posting these true words, and for your service!
I am working at accepting the "imperfectness of me." It is a process to be sure. However, most of these days, I am doing pretty good with quelling the negative thoughts about myself due to keeping up with my program. Now I ask myself, "Did I try my hardest?" If I can honestly answer with a "yes," than I am learning to be content and move on... no more ruminating for hours (sometimes days) of how I could've done better!
It is really such a better way to live for me!
Daylight Savings Time is killing me! LOL! Wish I had some "gold tacos!" LOL!
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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
This too shall pass can be applied to the challenges and calm times. Therefore, we WILL always be beginners and need to be gentle with ourselve, our mistakes and attempts. I think in the past, I didnt consciously beat myself up, but I was afraid to try new things for fear of not being perfect. I can now laugh or at least chuckle at my mistakes and maybe its a result of aging, but I am willing to try new things and be ok with however it turns out.
