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 page in Courage to Change focuses on the slogan "How Important Is It?" When we concentrate on a problem or grievance that is bothering us at the moment, we think it is important. But will it still be important next week or next year? Other things could be more important than today's worry: enjoying the present moment, personal goals, gratitude.
Today's Reminder: Are my priorities in order? Am I so busy with smaller, less meaningful concerns that I run out of time for the really important considerations? Today I will make room for what really matters.
Quote: "Today I'll use the slogan 'How Important Is It'? It will help me think things through before I act and it will give me a better picture of just what is important in my life." -- Alateen a Day At A Time ----------------------------------------------------- Today's reading reminds me of how far I have come in my appreciation of the slogans. The slogan 'How Important Is It?' really helps me make decisions throughout the day, especially if I get sidetracked. Early on, I thought most of the slogans were silly or not applicable to me. Just the other day, however, I decided to use one of my least favorite slogans -- THINK.
I was getting ready to give advice and offer unsolicited "help" to a relative. But something didn't feel right to me, and I went through the THINK acronym. Is it Thoughtful (yes, I think so), Helpful (sure, I'm going to tell her what helped me), Intelligent (um, well, maybe I don't know all the facts of her situation), Necessary (no), Kind (hmmm... it could backfire on me, which would not be kind to me). So I decided to put my fix-it idea on pause. And I feel much more serene. I THINK I have a new appreciation for this slogan.
This is one of my main focuses today and something I hope to further develop in my Alanon toolkit. Just for today, I can focus on things that truly matter and when I hit an emotional speed bump , I'll ask, "how important is it?"
Good morning MIP family! Thank you Freetime for your service and the daily....I am hanging home today to catch up on some things around the house and have found great comfort in this slogan. My need and tendency for perfectionism for most of my life had me making every/any thing a priority, with exception to self.
As I've practiced recovery, this slogan has given me freedom and comfort in choosing to walk the dog instead of laundry....playing golf with friends instead of cleaning bathrooms....I could go on and on and on but what I've found is it's been a gift to me and for me as practice life balance, one day at a time.
I absolutely love adding the thought/question, Would you rather be right or happy to this slogan when dealing with others. I was a right-fighter for most of my life, with the fight being focused on my will/ego and what I thought was right. Today, I can use these 2 slogans together for a quick detachment from other people, places and things.
All I really know is when I practice recovery as suggested, trust my HP and focus on me, my days are way easier/peaceful. I've reached a point where I enjoy my serenity and joy so much, I am very reluctant to engage in avoidable scenarios where it might be in jeopardy! TGIF family - make it a great, great 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
Thank you! Freetime for your service. In the past I gave too much importance to most things. I took it all to heart and strived to be perfect! Now if there's some dust, or the house to be tidied, I know I will get to it when I get to it. I also don't react to slights as obsessively as I used to. Really, most of the time the things I worried about or reacted to weren't very important. Maybe it comes with age, but Alanon is what has made the biggest difference in my life!
Good morning all. Thank you Freetime for your service.
I must be very careful using the slogan:"How important is it." because When I first entered program that was my favorite go to slogan and I would immediately decide"" nothing "was important. I let issues slide that I should have addressed, however today I have enough recovery to be able to determine what is important and what is not And use the slogan discreetly. I like:' First things first instead. "
I do have trouble on assessing what is important. Of course being codependent the most important thing is for me to fix others.
I work with a To Do list these days
It is a big slog for me because self care feels entirely foreign. Caring for others is the norm for me. That feels normal.
Caring for myself is absolutely alien
