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 is about step 10; the importance of continually taking personal inventory and admitting our wrongs. The writer describes that while we neednt dwell on imperfections as we are human beings who make mistakes, we also do not have to feel guilt or shame in connection to mistakes on our part. When we do something wrong, we can recognize it, stop, make amends and choose a different action. As the writer describes: we will never progress beyond being human (and this includes mistakes and making amends for them).
This reading reminds me of a third grade class I was teaching (I teach K-5). The kids were at the stage when they really couldnt wait to notice mistakes in one another and point them out to the rest of the class. It was part pride in knowing a correct answer and slightly more part joy in pointing out the mistakes of a classmate. I remember stopping the class and making a big deal of showing shock and surprise on my face. I said to them- whoa! You guys, guess what?? This just in! you must be humans because humans make mistakes!
I try to remind myself of the lesson I was trying to teach my students because it is easy to dwell on all the mistakes I have made. I appreciate the thought for the day which says that our taking of personal inventory and amending of wrongs will help us live peacefully with others.
I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful Sunday and happy Fathers Day to all who are celebrating:)
I just loved that example you gave! I wonder just how many of those students to this day, will stop and say to themselves, "Wait, what was that Miss Mary always used to say? Oh yeah, humans make mistakes!"
My son who is almost 20, still carries a card with a saying on it he received from his 6th grade science teacher!! It touched him deeply.
Last week something occurred at work that really upset me. I mentioned it, but I just knew I had a "tone." So later that day I apologized regarding how I may have come off. I did not invalidate my feelings about what happened, but that there was no need to take out my frustration with the tone of my voice on my poor co-workers! Program in progress!
I am going to celebrate my father and my brother (who is also a Dad) this evening. We are having an outdoor, "bubble picnic." All three groups will stay in their "bubble zones" with masks on. It has become a "thing" here in CA for those who still care there is a harmful virus still out there. A way to be social w/o possibly endangering others. We haven't seen each other in 4 months.... which is a long time for this family!!!
David, enjoy the snowballs! LOL!
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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
Happy Sunday - and thank you Mary for your service and the daily. Thanks to all for your shares and ESH. I was raised in a world where perfection was expected and 'your best' was not enough. So.....try as I might, I never got that figured out and was constantly disappointed in myself and others.
Recovery gave me the 'news' that I am human and am expected to be LTP - Less Than Perfect! We are designed this way as is all others. We are expected to make mistakes and learn. We get to use our tools to examine our day, determine how it went, what worked, what did not, and then take necessary action. The beauty of this step is it gives us the ability and grace to process and let go of things instead of bottling them up, letting them sit and fester and for me, has given me a much healthy way to cope with life on life's terms!
I started my day at the club on the golf course! Plan to do so again tomorrow. We had a lovely day - still not seeing family here and that's OK! Spoke with my father and my favorite brother - a great day all around! Love and light all - Happy Father's Day to all!
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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
Lovely reading and share, Mary...
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