The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
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information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Good morning MIP! Today's reading is about letting go and letting God. When we hold on tightly to something, we sometimes close our eyes, turn our heads away and make our knuckles ache as our fists are clenched. Fingernails may bite into our palms and we just exhaust ourselves.
When instead we trust God to give us what we need, we learn to let go. We face forward and are hands are free for healthy, loving and enjoyable activities. We often find unexpected energy reserves, our eyes are open to see fresh opportunities - many that have been there all along.
Before we complain about our suffering, we might do better to examine myself. Letting go allows us to release so much pain, we are often surprised!
Reminder: How much can God give me if I am not open to receive? When I hold onto a problem, a fear, or a resentment, I shut myself off to the help that is available to me. I will loosen my grip on something today. I will "Let go and Let God."
Quote is from As We Understood: "All I had to do was become the least bit willing to open my clutched fist a tiny, grudging bit and miracles happened. That's God as I understand Him today."
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I arrived in recovery with a warped sense of reality. I truly distorted just about everything from feelings to thoughts. I felt that love was doing for others. I never considered they were separate with their own journey, their own HP and/or their own lessons to learn. My intent was good - I wanted to minimize pain/hurt for them. Instead, I often just imposed my will and that disrupted their growth, learning and journey.
Today, I am better at letting go of things that are not in my hula-hoop. This reading hits home for me as when I began to grow, heal and change, my mind, heart and eyes were open to all kinds of things that were always there! My life today is much different than before, and I have tons more peace. When 'life' does happen, I can be of service and trust God's plan.
Happy Thursday all. I am taking a day off golf to do some self-care and cleaning. If the weather allows, softball tonight! Make it a lovely 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
Good morning MIP! IaH, thank you for your service today.
Today's reading reminds me that, no matter how much I might plan, HP has a plan for me, and a path that I need to follow. I can delay my own progress along this path, or I can trust that HP knows what to do and follow that path. When I try to help others along their paths, I delay their own progress. As if I know which path is right for them, and where they are going! I'm thankful to AlAnon for helping me see that the world will keep turning without my assistance, and those around me will find their way, often much faster, on their own. The beautiful relationships I am enjoying today are those in which friends come together to share about their experiences and support each other, and care enough to let each other continue on their journey without interference.
Enjoying the weather today, although our "weather frogs" have threatened snow for the weekend.
I hope you make today a great day!
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
Thanks IAH for your service and share. This is such a great slogan and one I am practicing today! I sometimes slip back into faulty thinking. Even with going to counseling with an addiction therapist with my A, things are not going the way I want. So boo hoo. Time to get off the pity party and let go and let God. And I feel so much better in doing so. It breaks the tie with frustration and anguish. I'm planning to have a great day, no matter what the alcoholic in my life is doing, thanks to this program. Lyne
Thank you Iamhere for your service. I enjoyed reading your ESH, Skorpi and Lyne... thank you for contributing!
"I will loosen my grip on something today."
I like this b/c it is a good example of how this applies to life in general. I am currently practicing this with my Kid. Yesterday he told me he doesn't want to keep going to college and asked my thoughts. Since I am not paying for it, I really have no say in the matter. I began by reminding him that it is his life, and he has to make his own way. "But since you asked my opinion, I'll give you my experience"...I don't think what I said changed his mind, but I am focusing on loosening my grip on him
Just got the word that a friend of mine is going in for a kidney transplant this morning! It was exactly like in the movies... last minute call, rushing to hospital etc. I am praying for her surgery to be successful, and I am also reflective and aware that someone's life ended last night - thus freeing up the kidney for today. May they find peace in the afterlife, and may their family know that by donating their organ, another life was saved.
Namaste
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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
Thank you IAH for today's message, your and others' shares.
I love this reading as it describes my former and still many times tight grip on a problem or situation! I have to work very hard on letting go....like someone needs to physically pry my grip open! I also know that when I DO finally let go, a solution eventually appears....or acceptance....or peace. My holding on and trying to force doesn't work. Worrying, fretting, ruminating doesn't work. Advice, lectures, hints, sighs, eye rolls don't work. It has taken time for that to sink in and yet I still need to work really hard to let go, give it up, send it up, pray to loosen my grip.
Happy Thursday to all. Grateful for a day to catch up on odds and ends. Life is good.
