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, 8/5, talks about how resentment can poison all your waking hours. The author could hold resentments for days or years! Since alanon, the author can feel their feelings, but does not have to rehearse and review the list of grievances. The writer tries to use their energy for good things, as resentment prevents them from experiencing joy.
Quote: No man can think clearly when his fists are clenched.
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I readily relate to this reading as I can recall a number of years where I felt resentment towards my A everyday, and obsessively thought about the reasons why and therefore my resentments were justified. And I have learned a valuable lesson-all that did was make me as obsessed with my negative feelings as my A was about drinking. And I believe I lost my self-worth and my confidence, and a host of other positive things. Program is restoring me to health ODAT. I choose now to forgive and have compassion, whenever humanly possible, as it does seem to be one of the keys to my well-being. Lyne
What a great & timely post today, Lyne! Thank you for your service.
Like you, I have decided that living with resentments toward my wasband was not only a huge waste of time and energy, but was really detrimental to my actual physical health! I am choosing to live ODAT with how I feel. Thank you for sharing your strength!
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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 Lyne for your service and the daily. Thank you and PnP for your shares and ESH. I had a mental list of who wronged me, when, how, etc. and I was full of negative energy, resentments and anger. It was exhausting and so futile as it added no value towards life. I too choose to let go of the past, and live One Day at a Time with hope and acceptance - so, so much more enjoyable.
I am grateful for the freedom recovery has given me to be authentic, let go and let God and focus on me - healthier way to live and thrive!
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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
Thank you Lyne for today's reading and thank you IAH and PnP for your shares, as well.
Like, IAH I had a mental list or a mental scoreboard as I referred to it as for every person, situation or behavior that I felt I was wronged. Oh boy, was I puffed up with the indignities I was the "victim" of. Gee whiz, how exhausting and a waste of good brain power. I still will feel a sting or a hurt, but rather than nurse it to keep it going or dwell and turn it into an exaggerated scenario, I pause to consider, How Important Is it? and try to remember we are all human and people act according to their own situation.
PnP, I LOVE the word, "wasband." OMG.....I laugh every time I see it. Thank you both for your continued comforting ESH every day.
Happy Monday! The combined Baptism/1st Birthday party for my grandson yesterday turned out to be a perfect day. Even AH was on his best behavior as I calmly stated the day before that I wouldn't let alcohol dictate the day. It wasn't an event to get drunk or behave in any insulting, embarrassing manner. He was more than welcome to stay home, rather than possibly disrupt a special occasion. He went and was the picture of normalcy, whatever that truly is. Funny how it they do have some control, isn't it? Anyway......it was a wonderful day!
Ellen
-- Edited by El on Monday 5th of August 2019 04:26:20 PM
Love the message and so appreciate how alanon has taught me the lifestyle changes which are essential to soul healing. Resentment has been a toxic limiting energy I've carried at times in my life which had taken effort and time to shift. I'm grateful to both this program and my experiences for helping me learn.
