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.
This is totally not about me or my wife as we have self contained within our house as directed by he state. We won't have a problem with it as everything and one else is also self contained because of the coronavirus. We felt the affect until this morning as if we had it ourselves and my Higher Power is still in control. I'm at the keyboard in my jammies after a light breakfast and the expectation coming of Al-Anon literature for the next hour. HP's got the control while I am on standby should HP need some assistance.
Don't know what is going on with the rest of the family here regarding the virus and I can and will only stand by to help if can.
Hoping this won't last as long as the addiction diseases though we have the prayer and meditation and practice behaviors down.
(((Jerry))) - you and yours have been on my mind as it appears your area is hard hit. We're a blip on the radar screen so far, but do have 6 active cases in my county. I've been following it for a while and made a decision to practice social distancing almost 2 weeks ago - only going where necessary and cancelling all social activities. It's been easier than I thought just because I have a variety of technology means to fill in - FB groups, text groups, etc. I have opted out of my Sunday meeting 2 weeks in a row, just to be safe. I am low-risk, but my AH is high-risk because of his heart disease and my parents are also high-risk (I have a flight headed there in a couple weeks).
It is certainly a gift to practice recovery and embrace only One Day at a Time! For the record, I kind of enjoy starting my day with coffee and MIP while still in my jammies....ha! Love and light to you my brother - stay safe, stay inside and know I'm sending thoughts and prayers to CA!
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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
Mahalo for that message full of grace which is what I am gathering lately. I am pressed to practice patience and obedience, humility and open mindedness as my Higher Power walks me thru issues that require walking our program minute by minute; hour by hour.
What better time to give a hug than when I see you reading here (((Jerry&Wife))) Keep taking care and sharing. Pretty much staying in unless going out is absolutely necessary. Distancing here as well. Passed on my usual meeting and no in person socializing. My county has the largest number of cases which doesn't surprise me. Just trying keep trust in my hp and take enjoyment from simple daily pleasures. A gratitude list today may be good for me. Prayers for you, Iam and all of our MIP family. TT
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Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
Hello, I am having a hard time deciding on whether or not I should self contained as I do not want to use the virus as another excuse to isolate again. I have been averaging 2-3 meeting these past months as I am struggling with depression and anxiety as well. My fellow group members recommend everyday if possible. But given the circumstances I am waiting to talk to my sponsor about another plan for recovery while this virus passes on by. I have been reading every other day the literature which is far more than I have read since Ive been attending Al anon. I will be two years old in august.
Flower my former sponsor, Don.T. gave me his definition of humility which I caught on with and kept till this moment still. "Teachable" is what Don said...."Listen with and open mind and Practice, Practice, Practice". That is but one of the lessons which have attached themselves to my recovery practice.
I am glad you checked in...Flower in my cultural language; Hawaiian is said "Pua" and na pua (flowers) are special gifts given to me by my HP. They make me smile and feel blessed and grateful. Do what is right for your spirit and recovery and for what you bring to others too. For me isolation is impossible given that my HP chooses to abide with me and walk with me when ever and where ever we can be.
Keep coming back....please and thanks for the ESH. ((((Pua))))
It must be weird in a big country sensing the deviation from the expected rhythm. Here, we have zero confirmed cases in the entire region, though I expect that to Change as we still are taking travellers from Australia and New Zealand, who in turn are still receiving travellers from the rest of the world with unregulated self confinement measures which realistically are not reflecting a high priority for containment. It seems though, that the greatest spread is to the collective psyche of the world and I am glad to have some program under my belt. I'm not watching the news, or panicking; at the end of the day any flu strain is dangerous for those with pre existing health conditions. I do believe panic and fear are go to responses which while natural, are also detrimental to the adrenal gland and thus tax the immune system. So I actually see some positives to this. It's great to see we are forced to slow down and literally take care, though of course for the already vulnerable homeless and infirm, I can only imagine how difficult that must now be. Overall pretty grateful I'm not vulnerable by way of homelessness or infirmity. Also pretty grateful for the chickens running around, the bananas in the backyard, no mortgage to stress about. This will also sound a bit awful but it's my daughter's birthday next weekend and I hate hosting parties. But school has been bought to a close with an early holiday period, so I may have a valid and acceptable reason to defer it and save $$! Yup. I'm the secret Grinch lol. Globally, we all have become so conditioned to working out side of nature and it's cycles. Now we are being reminded that the body has limits. Economies run on bodies. Bodies need rest, people need time at home, we do not control everything the way we are taught to believe we do as a species. I have full faith that we are exactly where we are supposed to be as a species. Be smart, stay safe, shine the light and have faith This too shall pass.
I told my son that I am honestly enjoying this as a social experiment in some ways. My job is stressful though, because I work in finance and people are calling in upset that their retirement funds are being affected, etc. But, we're all in the same boat so I reassure them that they are not alone and sometimes that's all they need to hear.
I love reading WW2 books and how life was like during the pre war and during war in Europe and in the US. We are not used to these kind of restrictions but for some reason, I tend to thrive on change and disruption because it fascinates me and challenges me. So I am going to do my best to enjoy forming new patterns of behavior and doing some extra work on myself and spending quality time with my wonderful man, my lovely son, and some very close friends.
I already work out at home after dropping my gym membership and this is the best time of year to hike and be outdoors here so I'm not too concerned about restrictions and closings. As has already been said before: this too shall pass. And, I believe we will have fascinating stories to tell future generations about 'remember when the whole world was under quarantine?' I try to make the best of it all and carry on.
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Never grow a wishbone where your backbone ought to be!
Good morning all and thanks for the additional wisdom for my spirit and growth.
In reflection I am reminded that "I am powerless" not only over alcoholism and a whole lot more. I simplify with the first step thought I learned when I first decided to sit, stay and listen with an open mind. "Admitted I am powerless over...." and to reflect on that with humility. Keep and open mind...keep learning...keep trusting what I am learning. I am powerless over the Coronavirus and also the other sicknesses that are going after my health meanwhile.
I continue under the VA health care system here in Clovis and understand that these isn't but one disease to battle; the corona, the alcoholism and others that are just as or more debilitating which require programs I can choose to take seriously and work against.
I think about sister Betty and say "but I stopped smoking years ago" and still I haven't gotten any closer to perfection with the exception to that perfection being my Higher Power.
I learned early on in program that it is less disabling and troubling to pray for and care for the lives of others and to accept with gratitude all of the loving concerns they have for me. HP works both ways.
I will learn both ways how the future comes around and will practice, practice, practice the will of my HP. For me that is true enabling that doesn't hurt anyone. Take care and remember prayers. ((((hugs))))
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Jerry)))))))))))))))))))))))))) sending prayers to you and (((((((((((((((((((((((Jerry's family)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Just use your good common sense...stay prayed up and as they say..........this too shall passs..............I'm facing shutdown of my remaining 2 jobs and it will be devastating if it goes on long....................STEP 3 AGAIN!!! NON STOP!!!
(((Rose))) I am reminded constantly who Higher Power is and is not and what the consequences have been for me when I first acknowledged it. I will in time forget the reminder and never forget that "keep coming back" is also constantly available. Mahalo (((hugs)))
(((Jerry))) - Happy Self Contained Thursday brother! I have decided that my HP wants me to practice more (and more and more) acceptance regarding change! So, upon awakening, not only am I reminded that I don't have to go anywhere and I am being of service by staying at home, I no longer have sweet Layla with me demanding to go outside or eat...This is my fifth morning where the entire ritual I practice has been greatly changed because she's crossed over the bridge.
Each time I start the 'where is my sweet dog search' in her favorite places, I've been replacing the sadness realization with a vision that she's running in a field with her best friend Cody (neighbor's dog who passed in the fall), smiling, leaping and towards our sweet Betty and my Golden Gal cousin who passed right before Christmas. It brings a slight smile (a little bigger each day) to my heart and much needed peace.
May today be the best it can be for you and yours today! I found myself laughing out loud at 'me' yesterday - all over a DVR. Our recordings are currently pretty full so I scanned the list. My AH loves, loves, loves old movies (I DO NOT), and probably 80% of what's there were made before 1950. A part of me wanted to just delete the oldest (he won't know who did it, as he's showing signs of dementia) movies to make more room. Another part of me wanted to ask him to do so and then....I realized how insane I was! The DVR is NOT full so I'm projecting a problem that's not real. Many don't have cable or a DVR, so a bit of gratitude thrown in and then finally - why, oh why do I think I need to control the level of recordings on a DVR?
What a gift for me to see reality and then laugh at me when I'm a bit left/right of center! I am grateful today for the gift of humility and the willingness to just keep practicing my recovery including that always-needed trust in the God of my understanding! Love and light my brother!
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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
((((((((((((Jerry)))))))))))) Reading your posts is like opening up the windows in the house on a bright sunny day, with just the right wind to gently blow in my rooms and make things FRESH!!!! Love your attitude....I also learn so much about you and your relationship with your HP...You have helped me grow more than you know.........HUGS
at the end of this day (now) I will do something that will call my Higher Power into joining with me regarding the care and healing of others who are totally powerless and in need of healing in their lives. I am adding those around this planet who also are suffering with the disease of Corona Virus. Mahalo HP for keeping so many healthy and alive giving us room for those in need. ((((hugs))))
Oh Jerry, we have a senior center we go to out of our church and we played games and have the greatest fun with these lovely senior citizens and I so miss them as we are shut down until I think April the church said they will start up again not sure. But I will be looking forward to going to the senior center and just making those lovely older people laugh. Its so much fun. To care and share with others is a true great blessing from HP
With all that is going on in the world...this is the quintessential lesson in control, actually lack of, accepting, letting go, and whatever else we relate to during this time.
As it relates to what's going on with the coronavirus, we are in a "hot spot" so to speak. It is ground zero here. We have people in my town where I both live and work who have tested positive and are in the hospital. The first death in the state was in the hospital, in the town next door, and happened to be someone I knew. It's pervasive here, and while the county and the state are taking measures, people are still on high-alert, quarantining, worried, scared, and so much more.
I am not "troubled" being "quarantined" at home. If the Governor moves to a state-mandated quarantine, perhaps I will "feel" differently. I don't know. But, I have complete and unconditional faith in my program. Some of the meetings where I live have gone to "zoom" (online, web, video) meetings. They are wonderful. The Men's meeting did, and so did a Friday morning meeting. Tomorrow morning, a big meeting here, is doing a telephone meeting. I'm hoping that more meetings next week do the same thing...and I am looking forward to them if they do. I have no doubt that my perspective and positive outlook and feelings are tied to my program and my meetings. It works if you work it!
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Bo
Keep coming back...
God, grant me the serenity...to accept the PEOPLE I cannot change...the courage to change the ONE I can...and the wisdom to know it's ME...
