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.
The reading for Monday, 8/31, reflects upon people saying its a nice day when the weather is fine. What we learn in alanon is that the kind of day it is, does not depend upon the weather. Instead, the kind of day we are having is attributed to our attitudes and reactions to what s going on around us. The author goes on to say that we can make every day a nice day. We are reminded that Just for Today we can try to make it a good day and not look for fault, not expect too much, we can try to accomplish something, not procrastinate, and try to smile at others.
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When I first entered program had I read this passage my question would have been, how the heck do you do that??? I felt like my world had crumbled, I couldnt stop what was happening, and I was lost in a sea of negativity. Over time however, I slowly got a grip on things by following the steps and slogans and by going to meetings and using this board. Its taken time, patience, and practice.
Ill be honest with you, today was fairly awful. I have water in my living room ceiling, my washer is broken and the appliance company has been unhelpful, unfriendly, and told me outright lies. Tomorrow I have an eye appt. I do not want to go to. And yet I knew eventually today or tonight I would feel better. And I do. I reached out to two program people, and I have used HP and the Serenity Prayer for help, and tomorrow I will feel even better than I do tonight. Ive learned that even when I take a step back, I dont have to stay there. One foot in front of the other right? Progress not perfection.
I found that this attitude did take time, patience and practice.
Grateful member.
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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 Monday MIP Family! Thank you Lyne for your service and the daily. Thanks to all for your honesty, ESH & shares. You are not alone in the leaky roof scene - part of my ceiling came down onto my dresser this morning with torrential downpours + 65-70 mph winds. I've got calls out to get a full roof inspection and of course have no interest in anyone coming inside to inspect my ceiling so a call into insurance. It is my hope that I can do a video walk-thru of sorts to get some action - we shall see!
I am confident, because of this program and my HP that it will all work out. It might frustrate and/or annoy me - yet it's my choice how I handle/respond to this and all things life presents. I am just so not in the mental space to deal with 'stuff' - I believe Covid brain continues, Just for Today too!
I often wonder when 'life' events happen if I am given the opportunity to focus on something else from my HP. It seems to me that when I begin to obsess/worry about another person, my life/me are given something different to do. Worth a mention!
I too am a grateful member of this program and can say that without the tools, support, fellowship and restoration of sanity, I am not certain where I'd be. A small group of gals are gathering today for Tacos....outside, patio reserved seating with masks/social distancing. Depends on how we all feel - we might start up again. This will be the first meal I have eaten outside of my home since March - exception, Mother's Day - in AZ when my parents were on the mend. We ordered a lovely dinner and took it to go.
I am so excited to see my girls face to face, even with masks!! We are gathering to celebrate one who was 32 years sober last Friday. She is behind me by about 10 months, so each year, I pass down my chip to her - we've done this for years.
Love and light girls - may your Monday be grand and if not so far, change it up! (((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
