The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
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information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Good morning MIP. We have colder weather this morning, the start of the last season of 4...as I sit here and reflect on my day and my life, it dawned on me that Today is a great day for an attitude of gratitude.
I am grateful for a program of recovery that gives me a variety of tools to use to live life on life's terms.
I am grateful for a home, a car, great friends and family.
I am grateful for the God of my understanding who leads me when I allow.
I am grateful for so many, many things - this just starts my list, for today. I am off to a meeting (grateful for my Saturday AM meeting) and no doubt will leave more inspired than before.
Make it a great day MIP family - find and keep your joy, no matter what others are/are not doing around you! (((Hugs)))
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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
Thanks for an inspirational share (((iamhere))) Beginning my day with thankfulness can lead to a positive day overall. I like our Just for Today bookmark and all it's reminders of things I can do to achieve and keep humble. My ability to have gratitude increasing when not in that ego place "edging god out." I can then ask for help from my hp to live consciously aware of all I've been given by a power greater than myself. Wishing everyone an awe inspiring day. TT
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Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
I am grateful for IAH's post! I'm grateful for this message board, clear weather as I have an hour's drive in a little while, grateful for my 2 dogs, and grateful for the tools alanon has given me which literally has changed my life! Lyne
Thank you Iamhere! What a great way to start off a weekend!
It is hot as hell, w/ fires raging all around SoCal... and yet I am grateful.
Grateful that my area has not been affected by the crazy fires. The air quality is even not that bad! I am grateful that I am living away from my Ex's behaviors and don't have to "enjoy" them firsthand. I am grateful for my health, the health of my parents (who I still rely on quite a bit - 2 years post split). I am grateful for my hearing - for which finds joy in the songs of birds, the sounds of nature, and the beauty of classical music! I am grateful for my eyes - that allow me to see all the crispness of fall... all the colors are so vibrant! I am grateful for my 2 cats - they cuddle and love on me even more now since my Boxer died. I am grateful that my car is just months from being paid off and is running well (Knock on wood!) I am grateful for my new career and my amazing job... I work a lot now... but I am excited each day to go, and I love it!! My boss and coworkers are amazing!
As I drive to work each day, this is the list that I go to. Just yesterday I caught myself in some negative thinking and I said, "Hold on!" "That is no way to start your day!" "Where is your Gratitude?" Then I began to say this list out loud. It grounds me.
I must say I am envious of your cooler weather IAH... but I know I have benefits to living here as well.
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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 went from the paralysis of analysis to an attitude of gratitude. It was a troubled and difficult journey- but it was well worth it!
I want to give my gratitude wings, and feet. To be balanced and practical. We had a domestic yesterday. Old stuff surfacing- but had made up by the evening- which was a record!
We have spring wind here- and could hear the wind singing in the powerlines last night. But it was not stormy. We sat up last night and saw our champion national team- in rugby football- getting thrashed by England. Pride comes before a fall. It is only a game, I know; but it will be a gloomy Sunday for some.
it is Sunday morning here now... ...
On my heart last night- was a prayer sort of thing- which members say at the end of each meeting- at my closest F2F.
I wonder and worry about the future of Alanon in this neck of the woods. As I speak it was also a perennial worry I had in my FOO. So the words- "let it begin with me" ring true.
For me to be healthy- do regular sharing. Regular participation leading to personal harmony first. And not trying to change everyone else!
Regular and daily reminders are healthy- practising healthy disciplines and reminders.
I think, perhaps that reaching out- should begin inside of our meetings. It should show in our face, and in the timbre of our voice.
My dream was to be able to demonstrate healthy recovery.
Let It Begin with Me When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, let the hand of Al-Anon and Alateen always be there, andLet It Begin with Me.
PnP...Mahalo for the sponsorish message on "an attitude of gratitude". That form of attitude and the importance of creating it's habit is so very important to me. Your post is a reminder of my elder, now passed sponsor, Don,T's guidance regarding attitude changes when the one I was holding on to was the wrong one. "Find the opposite" he would guide (the opposite attitude of the one that wasn't working) and practice it. You will get the opposite of the crappy feelings you are having now. "The opposite of anger is acceptance", "The opposite of self centeredness and ego is "Offering God Entry" and helping others and there is so much more that works as a program of recovery for me.
And I have an attitude of Gratitude for it all and all of my MIP Family also. (((((hugs)))))
I am grateful today for the ability to respond to my problems rather than be engulfed by them. I am grateful for the time and patience to respond rather than over react.
I am grateful for the live, understanding and acceptance I receive in this program
Grateful to be here each day. There were long periods of time that i did not have the ability to enjoy my life. Now I do desire my many many challenges.
Maresie
Iamhere and PNP those were some AWESOME shares!!!! Ok..what am I grateful for
grateful that I have these 2 wonderful pups to comfort me and help me with my grief
grateful that I am still healthy and I have caring friends
grateful for the program that keeps me sane: one day at a time
grateful that i am a very good athlete and can still keep up with folks 1/2 my age
grateful that my needs are met today
grateful that I have MIP to come lean on in good times and bad times
grateful that my car is in excellent condition, very low mileage and EASY on maintence (Honda SUV, CRV model)
grateful my house is paid off
Thanks all - my day was super busy as I'm getting packed and ready for a road trip and had tons to do!!! I am headed for warmer weather with a gal pal, and we've been joking that we're doing our own Thelma & Louise trip! My gal pal actually watched the movie last night and we laughed about it...I'll check in when I can - no return date planned yet...(((Hugs)))
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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
Sounds wonderful, Iamhere! I hope you two have a fantastic and safe trip!
&
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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 IAH! Ohhhh, have fun on your gal pal trip. I had a gf getaway weekend 2 weekends ago and it was totally what I needed to catch my breath, catch a break, and have a peaceful time.
I have found that just about the greatest gift from this program is having an attitude of gratitude! It can turn a day around and take the bite out of most situations. We do have sooooo much to be grateful for every single day.
Thanks for the reminder and everyone's lists......
Lots to be grateful for. I practice gratitude every day, sitting down to fill an entire page in my journal each morning along with my prayer and meditation.
I am grateful for:
- God
- Al-Anon
- my sponsor
- my cat
- how my cat likes to keep me company and be wherever I am in the house (co-dependent, maybe? haha!)
- a great job
- working close to home
- short commute
- great car
- heated mattress pad (oooooh such a luxury in the cold winter months!)
- fresh clean water to drink and wash with
- hot showers
- central heat
- food in the kitchen
- money in the bank
- internet connection
- being able to read and write
- all my loving and supportive friends and family
- my amazing body and how hard it works for me every day
- inspirational authors
- smiles
- laughter
- fat snowflakes falling lazily in the sky
- making it to work safely despite the bad road conditions
- having the option to take paid time off if I want
That and many many many more things. Every day. Something to be grateful for.