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, 7/8, is a simple reflection reminding us that nature can help us live ODAT. The writer says that trees dont worry, ponds dont fret, and butterflies dont pry into others business. The writer says that all of creation is going about the business of living and we can do the same.
Reminder: A great deal can be learned as a result of painful circumstances, but they are not my only teachers. I live in a world full of wonders. Today I will pay attention to their gentle wisdom.
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I never thought about nature teaching me about ODAT, but years ago I was an avid hiker and it was always amazing and spiritual to be in the woods and see birds, animals, and wildlife in their natural habitat.
I can see what the author is saying and can understand that no matter how we achieve it, and who or what becomes our role models, obsessing about the past and having anxiety about the future wastes my time and energy. Ive gotten better about being in the day I have and keeping my head over my feet. ODAT is a great slogan because by practicing staying in the present moment, I definitely enjoy my life better.
Thank you LYne for your service and personal share.
Nature is my go-to also! There is a kind of singular peace I feel when I am communing with nature... especially around water.
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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
I love being in nature. I recognize that more and more. I actually find when I'm out in nature I have a real urge to be present, too. Perhaps I'm feeling inspired by the plants and animals. Something about it makes me want to be quiet and take it all in as much as possible. So while I'm doing that, there's definitely no room for fretting about the past or future. There's just NOW, and if I look deeper, there's just me and HP.
One nature story I like to recall frequently is one Eckhart Tolle describes in "A New Earth", where he's observing some ducks in a pond. A couple get too close to one-another and they have a little scuffle and then they float off to other sides of the pond. He watches them vigorously flap their wings after the separation and then they swim off doing their thing. He observes that the ducks flapped their wings to release the tension from their little fight and then describes that they're likely on to the next present thing in front of them... they're not sitting there thinking "Can you believe that guy? He came within two inches of me! He has some nerve! I'll show him!" etc.
It makes me laugh, and I remember that example when I find myself getting tense over something - and this is typically in the car as that's where I tend to get triggered. If someone cuts me off, I'll find I get tense and angry. Once I recognize what's going on, I'll do a little vigorous shake while sitting in my car to release the energy. I probably look like I'm having a seizure, but hey - if it helps me let something go, I'll do it!
Thank you Lyne for the daily and your service. Thanks to all for your shares and ESH. I am most at peace when I am in nature. My senses seem to come alive, my heartbeat regulates and I am in awe of all that is available to us, at any time, for FREE! I love looking at the design of bugs, spiders, animals, critters, etc. I just find it so cool that each has it's own coloring, marks, etc. and they are, just like we are, perfectly imperfect! There is nothing more pretty to me than the large brown eyes of a deer and the whiskers and markings of a fox, etc. It is in nature that I feel closest to my HP and most relaxed.
This has not always been the case. Before recovery, I rarely allowed myself the time to just go sit/hang/walk in nature. I really thought that 'adulting' meant to work hard always and do more for others always. I left me way behind for a long while so where I am today and what I appreciate today is just so much simpler in every aspect!
I get a heart smile by watching a turtle on the golf course who's trying to go from the cart path all the way to the water's edge. It's possibly an all day walk for this turtle, yet he keeps moving forward. I love watching a bird swoop down, perfectly times, to snatch a snake up and then watch they two fly away together. I even get lessons from my dog about being in the present as she sits and waits for me to walk, go out, etc. She's not all put off if I am delayed; she's just present, peacefully waiting - with a smile!
Happy Monday all - there is much for me to learn by being in nature and observing. I've got a break between golf and tacos! Enjoying some AC as it's pretty hot in my world now! (((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
