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 C2C reading for February 7 is about making small changes to move our life in a positive direction. The author gives many examples of small steps that can lead to major strides: get some exercise, listen to music, ask someone to be a sponsor, try a different meeting, contact an old friend, fix something around the house, try something you're afraid to do, share ESH with someone, and so on.
Today's Reminder: There are so many ways I can improve the quality of my life. Instead of fretting about what I can't have or can't do, I'll take action to create something positive in my life today.
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I love having choices, and I appreciate this reading for showing that there are so many different ways to make progress in recovery. It reminds me of something I saw on a classroom wall: "Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something." Even in my darkest hours, I can do something. I just have to make sure it's a reasonably healthy thing. One thing at a time, the next right thing.
What are you going to choose today? I'm going to spend time with the grandbaby
Free Time I was thinking about what changes have done for my life since I found Al-Anon and while at first I was feeling that the whole idea was bogus once I was pressed into working our program and changes came about which for me was atomic science and I was done and wanted more because my life was becoming worth keeping and living as it is today.
Thank you Freetime for your service and the daily! Thank you and Jerry for your shares/ESH. I love, love, love that recovery has taught me that I have choices, each day, one day at a time. BR (Before Recovery), I truly woke up grumpy and grudgingly and obsessed on all the things "I HAD to do"...I have a sponsor who reminded me very, very often that a simple change of wording "I GET to do".... can change everything from my outlook and attitude to how I review my day.
I am grateful for the many who came before me and remain willing to share ESH with me so I can live my journey as it fits. Happy Friday MIP family - make it a grand 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 for your service, Freetime. I too appreciate the way this reading shows that there are many paths to take!
There have been many times that I have said (out loud), no, PNP, you GET to do this! And the attitude is everything!
I have used this tool on my Kid occasionally... when he is super vocal about complaining about something. He just rolls his eyes and says, "Yeah, I know." LOL! Sometimes I will follow with, "Just a reminder you could be house-bound or completely paralyzed, just aching to go out and do this very task... at least that is what I think about." The result is Kid will leave house in a much better frame of mind!
One of the reasons I thank my HP every morning as I drive to my job! I am so blessed... even on a Monday!
End of the week. Finally!
I have some fun things planned for this weekend. My brother and his band will be guest's on Chris Carter's Breakfast with the Beatles on KLOS this Sunday (it is a nationally sindicated radio show). My family are going to support him, so we will be enjoying a breakfast buffet, some good tunes, and wonderful musical energy! This is my JOY this weekend.
What will your Joy look like?
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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 picked up the small changes- in the form of an idea, called The Butterfly Effect. I had sleep apnea and it was not wise for me to drive the car. But I took from C2C- the idea... ...awareness- acceptance- and action... My life had been tough and rough... and I was not ready to quit.
So I got in touch with a breathing coach- locally... ...a physiotherapist- who believed strongly in the butterfly effect.
And my breathing has improved a lot. I was able to move away from panic breathing. I have exercises which are simple. Very simple. Which improve my breathing, my thinking and my memory...
...and part of the arsenal of "secret weapons" is that I have my Alanon group- which helps keep things ticking over, day by day.
Saturday morning here. The days are getting shorter. The fruits are coming in-nectarines, greengages... ...
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( group )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Thanks freetime for the reading. Have enjoyed reading everyone's shares.
I especially like this part of the reading. "I don't expect to dramatically alter my life. My goal is simply to move in a positive direction,"
Ir's a good reminder as I work my program to Keep It Simple and Keep an Open Mind as I go through my day. I can plan recovery directed actions but outcomes of those actions are truly out of my hands. The positive direction for me anyway is about acceptance of people, places and things as they are which includes myself.
When I lived with someone actively drinking and drugging, it seemed hard to focus on anything but their disease. I wished for the coupling I imagined others had when I saw them walking hand in hand. I held my husband responsible for my personal happiness. I felt angry and resentful that we weren't creating happy memories with one another. I had this mindset before finding Alanon and very early in my recovery. Steeped in righteous indignation, it was difficult to change my mind, difficult to see my own issues of dependency on another human for my happiness were not much different than the alcoholic's dependency on a substance for their happiness.
I like what Alanon's Just for Today bookmark tells us.. Just for today, I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my "luck" as it comes, and fit myself to it.
I like this because it helps me to not set myself up for disappointment if things don't work out as I plan. My goal is simply to move in a positive direction. This is a great reminder my attitude can be both my Plan B and Plan A. Maybe I'm looking forward and plan for some activity and maybe it will work out and be great all around. But what if it isn't? It's ok to be disappointed but it's also important to use the Alanon tools available to me to regroup and make it a good day for myself. Was I somehow making the outcome my higher power, the end all be all concerning my happiness. If I am, I'm out of my program and drifting aimlessly in fantasy and illusion.
I find I do better when I greet each day as a new adventure and with gratitude to my hp for my life and make imperfect plans that allow for change and adjustment. No pressure, just allowing my higher power to lovingly guide my interests whether it be in myself, other people, places or things. This process of letting go, surrendering my day to day life has resulted in more days with positive energy and greater acceptance of myself and others as we are. I can make a choice to be a part of rather than have a particular expectation, stay truly present and let hp guide my participation. I trust that my hp has my best interest at heart. TT
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Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
Just wanted to pop by this again (the next day) b/c I really, really, liked what TT shared!
I just learned a fantastic "new" tool from you!! Thank you!
I realize it is not a new tool. But in the way you framed it, I saw myself... clear as day! Before Al-Anon, I would be stuck in the disappointment.
I must say, it has been really hard to tuck the disappointment of my marriage away. To try and understand that there was a purpose to everything. But the goal of "To simply move in a positive direction" seems to be the key for me.
Acceptance of what is, and moving in a positive direction.
Thank you TT for the great reminder!
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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
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