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.
Today's reading in C2C is about the slogan "Easy does it". The author shares that once, they were trying to zip the removable lining back into their coat, but it wasn't working! No matter how much force the author used, the lining zipper would not zip!!! After a while, the author realized that they had been trying to zip the lining zipper with the jacket's front zipper. No wonder it didn't work!
Easy does it helps us to slow down when something isn't working. Instead of trying to force a solution, this slogan reminds us to slow down and reassess the situation. Thanks to this slogan and this approach, the author shares that they've stopped trying to force themself to fit somewhere they do not belong.
Today's Reminder: If my plans hit a snag today, I will step back for a moment and take a calm look at the situation before moving ahead.
Today's Quote: "Easy does it... Think about it when you're in a hurry to do something and everything seems to go wrong... you'll be surprised how much this one little idea can do for you. " Youth and the Alcoholic Parent
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What a perfectly timed reading for me today! Lots of changes in progress at work, and our main plan hit a snag. Today's reminder to slow down, reassess the situation, take a step back, and consider other options is a good one for me today. Especially as I'll be going into a meeting in 20 minutes!
I grew up following my dad around, "helping" with repair projects on the cars and house. My first job was holding the light, and handing tools. Today's reading called to mind one of the habits my dad had when something wasn't working: he'd stop what he was doing, step away, and start pacing the garage while repeating "Think, man, think!" It was a kind of joke, and the space and humor helped him (and later us) come up with a different option. Something this taught me, and I didn't realize it at the time, was that if something isn't working, it is important to take a step back, think it through, and try something else. Thanks to AlAnon, I realized that this technique wouldn't work with my alcoholic wife (until I found the detachment and boundaries tools), but I have plenty of opportunities to use it now, as we are in our last week of moving. I'm doing most of the moving myself, so lots of packing boxes, attaching trailer, checking trailer wiring, moving boxes, etc. This weekend, I'm left with the light but oddly shaped things. I've discovered that a lot of things in the new house don't work. The water heater, for example. And as of this morning, the furnace. Both worked well for the inspection, and work not at all now. I could have gotten worked up about a lot of situations with the move, but instead, I've been able to use the "Easy does it" slogan (and my family version: think, man, think!) to take a step back, calmly assess the situation, and move forward with a different approach.
Today I am thankful that it is spring, and I have many months to figure out the furnace issue, and that I have an idea of how to fix the water heater. (Since it is electric, and I replaced the thermostats, and it still doesn't work, and it isn't leaking, the heating elements are probably the issue. Trial and error repairs, helped along by youtube and my multimeter!) I'm also thankful that I can still shower at the old house, and that I found the water cooker, so 7 cups of hot water is only a few minutes away!
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 Scorpi for your service and wonderful share about you and your dad.
I have come to appreciate this slogan, Easy Does It. Because all the pressure, fretting, and other nonsense, does not fix a situation. I picture the pause button on old tape recording machines, to remind myself to stop and take a breath. I find this method so helpful and it relieves the ridiculous pressure I used to put on myself. It also reminds me of ODAT, keep it simple, and how important is it. I have all these wonderful tools to get me through life now. I am lucky! Lyne
Thank you Skorpi for your service. I really enjoyed hearing about your childhood bonding moment with your Pop!
Just like Lyne, I like envisioning the "Pause" button. I can certainly relate to the "ridiculous pressure" thing.
Hope you find the solution to your H2O heater problem, Skorpi!
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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
Mahalo Skorpi !! I get and got the picture so clearly. Thanks to your Dad for his part in this share I see and hear him clearly along with that part of the picture of you helping. Works for me!! ((((Hugs))))
Thank you Skorpi for sharing the story about your dad....it tied in perfectly with today's reading. Although I don't think of the Easy Does It slogan itself, I have been able to calm down and step back much better and faster than the panicked frenzy I use to go through on a regular basis. I've been known to walk away from something for days until I get hit with inspiration to try it differently....or my attitude is different.....or serendipity stepped in and what/who I needed was staring me in the face. Sometimes we are too laser-focused.
I'm sorry you are facing issues with your new house and I give you so much credit for being grateful with what is and how you will move forward. Moving is stressful enough when everything is going well!
Great share and I wish you the best with the rest of the move!
Hey there MIP! Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily! Thanks to you and others above me for your shares and ESH. I can relate to the story of the jacket as well as the need to pause and think - or Easy Does It. I had no pause button before and am grateful I have one now.
I wish you well with the rest of the move Skorpi....it does seem that 'life' happens when we least desire it to. I see you handling it awesomely - keep using your program - looks great on you! In my mind, Easy Does It works really well with "This too Shall Pass". I too am grateful that spring is here! It's so pretty to see everything turning green and waking up!
Enjoy the rest of your day all - thanks for being here!
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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
Dear Skorpi Thank you so very much for your powerful share on this important topic . Love that alanon taught me to "stop. think , and try a different way Sounds as if your dad had the solution all along
Dear Skorpi Thank you so very much for your powerful share on this important topic . Love that alanon taught me to "stop. think , and try a different way Sounds as if your dad had the solution all along