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 reading in C2C is about the slogan "Think". The author shares that they were always puzzled by this slogan - wasn't it "stinking thinking" that had gotten them into "this" mess? The, one day, the author heard a neighbor's child repeating a safety message they had learned in school: stop, Look, and Listen, and the slogan "think" started to make sense.
Now, before the author gets into trouble, before they open their mouth and react, before they get lost in obsession about another's actions, they STOP, LOOK at what is going on, and LISTEN for spiritual guidance.
Today's Reminder: This day is a beautiful room that's never been seen before. Let me cherish the seconds, minutes, and hours I spend here. Help me to think before I speak and pray before I act.
Today's Quote: "The program helps me gain the freedom to make wise choices that are good for me. I choose to put that freedom to work in my life today." Alateen - a day at a time
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Today's slogan reminds me of words I have heard often, in the garage, from my dad, while working on cars: "Think, man, THINK!" (picture this phrase on repeat accompanied by my dad pacing in circles after having given up on one technique to take some stubborn part of the car apart for a repair, tools, torches, etc. scattered about). after a while, he'd go grab a different tool, possibly a piece of metal or wood, maybe a sledge hammer, and try again. I cannot recall when some combination of time and approaches didn't result in getting the stubborn part off the car, although sometimes it did take days of effort.
What I take from my dad's approach to car repair is that if you are putting a lot of effort in, and not seeing the results you want, it is time to stop and think about a different approach, which is what our author today suggests. Before reacting, before getting into trouble, before obsessing about another's behavior or worrying about the future, we can stop and think, consider a different approach, decide what to do, try something new. Then, whether it works or doesn't work, we have make a conscious decision instead of letting life decide for us.
The author's approach of STOP, LOOK, LISTEN reminds me of another AlAnon slogan that I use all the time and have found to be especially helpful: Practice the Pause. Practicing the pause gives me time to stop and think, to look at what is going on, to listen for guidance, and to consider trying something new, decide what to do consciously and with intention.
I like today's reading, and I like the change of season we are starting to experience in the northern hemisphere. I'm going to take some time today to remember to think before jumping to action.
I hope you make today a great day!
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
Good morning Skorpi & MIP - Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily! I too am thrilled to be experiencing signs of spring - it's a favorite time of year for me. I equate THINK to the PAUSE - both of which help me to breathe before I react/do something non-productive! This also reminds me that I will choose happy any/every day over being right - my newest, sanest approach to living - vastly different than before recovery (BR).
I am grateful that I am designed with a physical feeling/mechanism that helps me anticipate when to Pause to Think about 'it'. The 'it' can be anything - person, place, situation, event, etc. - and when I am able to pause long enough to think, it has become very natural to pray before action. I am grateful that I can leave so many things just 'be' as it's 'not my circus and not my monkey'!
Happy hump day to all - make it a great day! I've cleaned some windows and shampoo'd some carpet and am off to golf shortly. Find and keep your joy! (((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 Skorpi for your service and for both great shares. I also like this reading very much and equate Think with pause. In the past before program and technology hit, I used to picture an old-fashioned tape recorder that actually had a pause button. I attempted to use that in a mental health setting before retirement to give folks a visual. And here is a different version, yet the same concept, in program. To give myself time to think, reason things out, and a make a decision on my timing, is extremely important. Lyne
Thank you Skorpi for your service... Happy Hump Day, MIP Family!
I am making a conscience effort to start off today with a positive attitude! I loved both the shares above from Iamhere and Lyne (and of course Skorpi's too).
When I see the slogan THINK, I go to the traditional:
T = Is is TRUE? Keeping this in the forefront helps me from falling into the trap of "gossip-er." H = Is it HELPFUL? I take this one step further... Is HELP even wanted? Sometimes it is best to just know you will be of service if called upon. I = Is it INSPIRING? I really like this one! We can choose to inspire or break down with our words... why not choose Inspiration? N = Is it NECESSARY? I like to think on this one a lot, as I have found it is better to be happy then to be right. (credit: Iamhere) K = Is it KIND? Perhaps my most favorite as I age, and as the culture/vibe of the U.S. has shifted so far away from basic human kindness. I try to live this everyday!
All my planted bulbs are beginning to sprout, and my little Fuyu tree (which was nothing but a stick for so long) has one leaf bud that has broken open today! For me, it was like a smile greeting me!
Go forth MIP Family... Find your JOY... make this Wednesday a positive one!
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-- Edited by PosiesandPuppies on Wednesday 4th of March 2020 10:51:17 AM
-- Edited by PosiesandPuppies on Wednesday 4th of March 2020 10:52:02 AM
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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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