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 sharing is from Today's Hope (My C2C is still in my office)
The author shares about similarities between fighting the slow onslaught of flood waters to dealing with active alcoholism. The author had received torrents of rain in just three days, which was leading to a build-up of flood waters. As the floodwaters crept closer and closer to the author's doorstep, the more fearful and frustrated they became. Each additional raindrop seemed like a hit to the heart. The author and their family fought back as fast as possible against the slow progressing of the flood waters - stuffing towels under doors to soak up the water as it crept into the house. They were trying to control the uncontrollable. At some point, the author and their family realized that they were trying to control the uncontrollable, and stopped. As the author sat in their house, watching the flood waters rise, they realized that there were similarities between the slow progression of flood waters and the slow progression of the disease of alcoholism. Just as the author had tried to control the flood waters, they had tried to control the drinking of their alcoholic loved one. They had fought the disease of alcoholism in the same futile way they had fought the flood waters. It was not until the author found Al-Anon that they realized how futile trying to control the uncontrollable really was. Thanks to the ESH of others, the author learned to try to do things differently, and when they find they are going in circles, the author now has the ability to move in a positive direction.
Today's Reminder: The joys of recovery almost erased my memory of how alone I felt before Al-Anon
Today's Quote: "O God, as the day returns and brings us the silly Rounds of irritating duties, help me perform Them with laughter and a kind face. Let cheerfulness overflow in my work; Give me joy during my business all this day; Bring me to my resting bed tired and content And grant me the gift of sleep."
--Adapted from writing by Robert Louis Stevenson
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What a great share for today! As of today, we are under a "Safer at home" order, which is basically "shelter in place" but doesn't sound as scary. What hit me about today's reading was the authors acceptance of the flood waters (and the disease of alcoholism) as a fact - in the same way, I am trying to accept the reality of the COVID-19 virus. Instead of going out and frantically purchasing toilet paper (lol) or stressing about how to make hand Sanitzer, I can stop, accept my powerlessness and move in a more positive direction. Ordering TP online, and trusting it will arrive before we need it, and using soap and water to wash my hands. Staying at home, developing a new routine. These things help me to move in a positive direction. And, I'm rather enjoying not needing to rush out of the house at 5:50 am to commute to work. I'm also really looking forward to starting my garden!
Thanks to groups like MIP, I don't feel socially isolated or lonely, even though I haven't been out of the house really for a week and a half. (I did take Kundry - cat to the vet. She's got high blood pressure, it turns out!)
I hope you are staying well!
__________________
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
Skorpi, thanks so much for the daily today. And of course I relate to the rising flood waters, OMG. Alcoholism will drown the family, if we let it. As I read your opening, I felt like alanon became my life-boat. It carried me out of the flood and gave me a new way to live with the flood still around at times. It has truly saved me, because I cant imagine what shape I would be in, without the wisdom, friendship, and life skills program has to offer. Im grateful for MIP and last night my home group held a zoom meeting online. We had 18 people at our meeting. On Sunday night I attended a different zoom meeting, and there were 27 people at the meeting. The virus is now the flood around me but I still have this great fellowship to keep my boat afloat. May HP help us through this horrible storm. Lyne
Thank you Skorpi for your service! I am so glad that you are now in the "Safer at Home" situation.
Lyne - I loved hearing about the Zoom meetings... I usually pass several meeting places (AA) on my way home from work. Of course, the parking lots are all empty now, and I have been wondering how the people are getting help. I know that it is an extention of me worrying about my Ex who is currently active in his disease. I also know that I should lift that worry into a prayer, and I do (thank you Al-Anon for helping me to Let Go). It is good to know that help is there if you seek it (as always, even now)!
This was a very palatable analogy for me. What really hit me was the Quote of Day. Stress has been huge, as I still go into work, and the work-load is just going to increase. I need this quote, and I am going to write it down so that I remember it every day!
Grateful for all the good that will come today!
&
__________________
"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
Skorpi and all, thank you for sharing today. I really appreciate Today's Reminder, about almost forgetting how alone I felt before Al-Anon. It is actually helpful to me sometimes to remember the "bad old days" because it gives me so much gratitude for the life I am privileged to enjoy today. I truly am happy, joyous and free, and I am grateful for every minute of it. I feel so much empathy for anyone who is stuck in the house with active alcoholism.
Today's crisis is a great lesson in how to not be lonely even when mostly alone. I am grateful I do not need to go into a workplace, and that with the technology we have I am still connected to people and activities I care about. On Zoom I have attended Al-Anon meetings, a live yoga class (!), and meetings of the non-profit I volunteer for. The day is full of miracles if I only pause to look for them.
-- Edited by Freetime on Wednesday 25th of March 2020 09:55:30 AM
My wake-up call was three minutes ago- when I went outside to pick up the paper. There have been deliveries there since the year dot.
This is our first day of lock-down.
Thee are some pluses, and some worries. I had been doing what my mum used to call "Cracking hardy."
So last night I felt stressed bordering on panic. Fears surfaced. This has become familiar territory by now. Fear, anger grief and joy are emotions I honour, by naming them.
My drug of choice is comfort food. I also suffer from chronic hypochondria. Mostly in remission- so I recognise it- along with the feelings I mentioned.
It is easier for me to fast- and miss an evening meal. It is the old story- historical. Th meal table was the place where the whole family was supposed to be "Together". So bolt the food down and get the hell out of the place!
My SO was eating pop-corn. I had access to other packaged food. I passed on that stuff.
My breathing keeps me on an even keel. We have a thermometer in the room and I took my temp... and found our what the average temp was. And what a fever temp would look like...
...yesterday- I got a jab for all the other winter flu nasties. So if [or when] I get Covid-19 I will be pretty sure what it is. Like the flood waters coming in the reading. it will happen to many people- there is no immunity.
I still use MIP Alanon as my home group. I call this sharing -journalling-, or ~squirrelling~.
I don't think of it as a popularity contest, at all!
I have plenty of chores in my garage, and in my back yard- and I can potter around...
my SO is a health worker and on essential duties. She was out last night.
So, I don't have to be a pillar. I just have to be friendly and helpful. I have our two bijon pooches as companions- at the moment...
...I still believe the I am a waste of space, and a waste of time... deep down- but not in my thinking. I know the message of serenity is filtering through- and bringing healing.
I am in a space where flooding is unlikely- to refer to the analogy. But none of us is completely safe from illness.
Happy Hump Day MIP! Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily. Thanks to all who've shared above - your ESH is appreciated.
I especially like the quote as it's what was suggested to me....there are things we all have to do each day, each week, each month and there are things unpleasant that we all experience. It's my choice if I dread those or I embrace those with a level of acceptance/joy. It is in recovery that I learned to do what needs to be done with some pep in my step instead of my head low and disdain.
I do recall the isolation and loneliness I experienced before recovery. I truly obsessed over all things 'bad' and 'negative' and that's what grew inside me and around me each day. It was so stifling and limiting yet not repairable on my own. I tried - many things and other tools - yet, each time, I fell/stepped back to old thinking and actions. I can vividly recall that I really, really thought I was completely alone - yes, others had A(s) in their lives, but there's 'no way they experience what I do, feel like I do, etc.'
It was so frightening to go to that first meeting. I could barely walk through the doors, and certainly had no idea how to still my mind to focus and listen. Yet, because I found a small amount of real hope, I returned and kept returning. I am glad I did, and do give all credit to a power greater than I - if I had my way, I'd continue to resist and just keep trying to change other people, places and things around me.
I love when we suggest 'You are not alone' because it is real, true and comforting! We actually have some decent weather today! I've been outside most of the day as is most others. I'm grateful to be in an area where most are proactively trying to practice social distancing. The news did show some folks gathering at parks, playing basketball, etc. and my first reaction was a big eye-roll....followed by remembering I am powerless over others, and can only do my part.
Love and light all - hope today is grand for you!
__________________
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
I'm also really looking forward to starting my garden! 
& 
Thanks Skorpi... 
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