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, 2/10, discusses how important it is to replace negative thinking with positive action. Imagination and creativity are some of the ways we can practice this. Our program says we should acknowledge our achievements and try to live each day fully. Being creative plants us in the moment and teaches us that we matter.
Reminder: Today I will make use of the precious gift of imagination. Thus I will turn away from negativity, self-doubt, and fear, and celebrate life instead.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This reading reminds me of myself when I was locked in pain and fear. Because of my FOO and alcoholic partners, I had no self that I could like, respect, or appreciate. It was like an emotional prison. I was afraid of everyone and everything. I do experience a freedom now, that I never had before. I am free to act silly, color, sing with my grandchild, and even change my mind or schedule. My son cant believe how flexible I have become. Me neither! Lyne
I can relate to having new-found flexibility!! I think it is wonderful your son can see it too!!
I am normally a very creative person. Looking back, what I have found is that this creativity was stifled. My flexibility was crushed due to my Fear of the unknown (the collateral damage of living with an addicted person and all that entails). I forced myself to lose the flexibility b/c by having rock-solid plans, I could mitigate (control) the possibility of things "going south." Of course, this also meant when things did not go as I planned, my Fear would rise and my behaviors weren't good at this time! And now I know that it was all an illusion of control!
I have found - with fearless Step 4 work with my sponsor - that this way of life was no way of life for me! It was soul-crushing! I had to find a better way.
I had a scary episode happen yesterday with my father while the family was enjoying an outing. Luckily, we got home in one piece, and he did not go to hospital. But I feel the Fear in me. Fear of the future. This particular reading/share was perfect for me today! I will turn away from negativity and fear and celebrate life!
Make it a great Monday MIP Family!
&
__________________
"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
Happy Monday all - thank you Lyne for your service, the daily and your share! You too PnP - this is an awesome reading and discussion for me and spot on for timing in my life! I am a huge creature of habit and really feel grounded in my routines yet...I also trust in this process and recovery enough to change things up when I feel compelled/called to do so.
Yesterday, I started my day in the typical way. I was fully dressed to head out to my meeting and got a message from a golf gal pal. She lost her son to suicide @ 27, 3 years ago this month. She asked if I could golf with her. I did what I have learned to do - paused. It was cloudy, a chance of rain and upper 40(s) - far from ideal for golf. Yet, I felt within me that she would not be reaching out if she didn't need company/support/some laughs.
I got another to cover the meeting, changed into my many layers and instead headed to the golf course. It was sprinkling when we started - yet we went out there, played 27 holes, laughed, shared, shed layers and gave her a 5+ hour break from her sadness, grief and routines. We had to keep my phone on because another friend of mine, who lives alone and has no support close by had an emergency appendectomy Saturday. I volunteered to be her visitor if wanted/needed, her ride home, her cook, etc. She was settled in @ the hospital for the day, released today around noon so today was in service of her.
So, today was also a bit of routine but a nice change of pace! We were able to get her home with all her needed items from the grocery/drug store in time for me to do tacos with the rest of the taco team. These are days that I cherish simply because BR (Before Recovery), fear or anxiety would have kept me frozen to my schedule and/or feeling stressed about changing things up. Instead, I feel grateful for the change as there is some chaos in 'real life' that's been pulling me left of my center. What I'm learning is that when I make changes for me, especially related to service, it helps me return closer to my sweet spot, my center.
Not knowing I was going to golf 27 holes yesterday, I had run 7 miles early. With cart path only, I ended with almost 35000 steps on my fitbit - more than 15 miles! It's safe to assume I was a very tired gal last night and am still feeling it a bit today! It's a 'good tired' though and way, way better than the exhaustion I used to feel from worry, anxiety, etc. related to this disease. Making healthy changes to my schedule is 'bonus' today and I'm grateful for the freedom to choose that recovery has given me.
Love and light MIP family! (((Hugs)))
__________________
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 sharing your ESH, Iamhere! This really buoyed my spirits today!
I know that when I overdo due to performing a service for someone, I am sore/tired, but it also comes with the satisfaction that I helped someone that day!
Priceless!
Rest today GF!! LOL!
&
__________________
"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
& 