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.
Todays reading is about the power of the slogans we use. The writer states that initially he/she discounted the slogans as too simple, trite and not helpful at all. Then the realization struck that he/she had slogans that had been in use such as you should know how I feel, if you really loved me, etc. These slogans had power- leaving the person who said them and the people they were aimed at feeling hurt, guilty and miserable. Why couldnt more positive slogans work the same way?
For me the slogans have always been a good fit. It was a relief to have a powerful message delivered in a few words. When I first came to the program I couldnt and didnt want to handle more than that. There have been and continue to be times when all I can do is put the focus on a slogan (like a mantra) and it is very helpful for me to have this focus. Keeping it simple has been a peaceful antidote to the chaos I used to live with, and the slogans are a great part of that.
Good Morning Mary Thanks for this topic, as I too can relate. I thought the slogans silly and trite when i first arrived in program. Keeping an open mind, and after attending many slogan meetings I began to appreciate the true value and now they are the solid foundation of my daily program Thanks for your service
Good morning Mary and Betty! Me three - I too thought they were super silly and just not helpful as I obsessed about the state of my life, home and loved ones. I am quite certain I even eye-rolled a few times about them.
In practicing what was suggested and by continuing to show up, I slowly found value in the slogans. I had over-thought, over-analyzed and over processed everything in my life and others for years - looking for an ulterior motive or 'secret message' - it was exhausting and crazy-making. My life is much simpler when I can just trust the program, the process, the God of my understanding and what has worked for many others who came before me!
Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! We are grilling steaks later as I do tacos on Mondays! Off to my Sunday meeting, then to golf and then grilling - we are blessed with another lovely weather day. Enjoy your day and (((Hugs))) to all...
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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
A very good morn to you ladies!! Thank you Mary for your service.
I used to eye-roll at the slogans too. I look back now and know that was when my Ego was still in control, and I was working with a "false open mind." I over-thought, over-analyzed and processed everything ad nauseam. So exhausting!! I ended up accepting one slogan that I embraced fiercely. That led to eventually seeing the intrinsic value of all of them... even the most simple!
Waiting on the rain... it is gloomy here today. Hoping the storm doesn't pass us by (like it usually does). I am holding off on watering my garden & plants and feel sad that I am not out there! I bought a pack of Delphinium seeds... I think today I'll carve out some time to plant them!
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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 Mary: I needed to see this
After taking a very nice psychology profile on myself and learning sooo much, the BIG focus for me, what I NEED to do is the self connection, building trust in me, working on the inner me...soooo my slogans are:
EASY does it ( so as to stay mindful/connected/paying attention)
KEEP the focus on me (going within, connection with my inner HP, etc)
so yea, I've been doing a lot of self talk on the slogans that I need to staple to my forehead and PRACTICE.......
