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.
Todays reading gives us the analogy of life and the ocean. The waves that come in are all of the situations we try to navigate. We are provided a surfboard in the form of alanon slogans, and we can use these to surf over big waves of negative thinking onto the shore of healthier thinking. The writer goes on to describe how the repetition of slogans can help break down destructive thoughts.
Having grown up near the ocean, I think about the power and endlessness of it. It has always represented a source of comfort for me, but the idea of respecting its power is a clear image as well. For me the slogans have always helped to calm my mind when I am needing that. A quick reminder of an idea on the form of a sentence that can be repeated these have been extremely helpful when facing anxiety.
I have been thinking about how when I first accepted I needed some help in my life, I came to this site and my life began to change for the better. We are all now being advised to remain isolated for a time and I am more grateful than ever for myself and others who come here for interaction, support and understanding.
Good morning Mary and thank you for your service, the daily and your share. I too am grateful for MIP as a place to come while choosing to socially distance myself. There are too many in my life that I love that are compromised for me not to try and do my part with regards to potential spread of this pandemic.
I have lived my whole life in the center of the country. So, for a person like me, when I visit the ocean, it's almost magical. I love the waves, the swirls, the skyline, the beauty, the smells, etc. It's a refuge from middle-of-the-country boundaries. The inability see any land, any place is very humbling for me.
I am very grateful for all the tools, esp. the slogans in my kit and program. Life does bring waves, it's out of my control. Yet, how I embrace/avoid/process/recover is within my control. I do best when I keep things simple, and trust the process in front of me. I had a 'giggle' at myself this morning - my dog crossed over the bridge yesterday and between the experience, the sadness, the grief, etc. I've misplaced a couple of things. I am a bit OCD so, everything has a place and I'm reasonably diligent about putting things away. Well - clearly my state of mind was vastly different than normal as I've been searching all morning and still haven't found them. One is our dog's collar, which I took off right after she passed in my arms. I have fear that wants to crop up about it and yet I also have HP telling me to trust it will show up.
It's so easy for me to not see what's what until I am forced to. Since right before Christmas, I've experienced more death than ever before. I've been caring for my sick dog for almost a month and today, I am drained, exhausted and just plain spent. A peaceful Sunday is a lovely goal, just for today. I need to just relax and practice some self-care - enjoy the 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
