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.
What we choose to focus on determines what looms largest in our mind. Today's reading reminds us that we have a choice: negatives and small annoyances that will grow into resentments, or positives that can also grow, that broaden our sense of well being and effectively reduce the influence and appearance of our troubles.
Looking at any difficulties through a lens wide enough to compare them to the many more blessings and possibilities that are available to us helps us avoid wasting our energy and life on the unnecessary.
Reminder: Refuse to drown our serenity in the unimportant, let others make us feel uneasy, harm ourselves by forming resentments.
"Why do we accept things that trouble us, wen we could do something about them?" - Unknown ------------------------------- I once saw a photographs of a tiny dust mite under strong magnification, terrifying. This is what I can do to my perceived problems, annoyances, and grievances. Focus on them, zoom in until my entire consciousness is taken up by it...it is paralyzing.
AlAnon teaches me a better way: Keep the focus on what I can do to change my attitude, actions, and perspective for the better, leave the rest for my higher power. When I practice this, my day is so much better...grateful for the wisdom of AlAnon
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Thank you Paul for your service and what a great analogy! I can imagine those tiny mites being magnified and OMG, the fear! I also must be diligent about not magnifying things and keeping my focus on positive things. I presently have many stressors but none are life-threatening. That is so important to remember, and also to change the things that I can change, which I am working on. Lately I have felt beaten down but Im getting up again.
I certainly was always very.focused on certain issues
There are jowever certain issues that can wear on you. I have endured a lot of disruotion around rennovations in my building. The year long lrocess neant I moved out for 4 months. That was a disaster for me.
I moved back 3 months ago and it has been a difficult transition. The cobstruction noise and disruotion has been continuous.
At one point they were drillimg into the outside wall all day for months. The nouse was incredible.
I keot on oushing. Now they have announced 3 days of tree trimimbg. The noise of chajn saws is intense.
It is not like I can decamo to a friends house during the time the arborists are here.
This rennovation has been a big test of ny prigram. Now there is another test.
I know in another month this rennovation will be over. In the meantime I will try not to focus in how truly tedious, dusruotive intrusive and all consuming this process is.
I cannot wait for it to be over. I could count the days but that would be focusung on the issue
Maresie
Thank you Paul for your service and the daily....love, love, love the analogy - dust mites are gross little things! Thanks to all for your shares & ESH. My mind seems to desire to problem solve and magnify most things, even those which are working well. It's that analytical 'thing' within me - possibly a character asset which I've exploited. It is in recovery that I have had to practice deciding which life events will affect me, in what way, for how long, etc. There is real pain in many life issues. I've heard in recovery and from many wiser than I that changed attitudes aid recovery...this has been my experience.
I arrived to Al-Anon believing and feeling as if I had the worst life ever. Nothing was as I thought it would be, and there was perpetual insanity/chaos/disease all around me and within. I truly felt defeated, broken and hopeless. As I focused on just listening, I heard others who truly had it worse than me. Yet, they had hope and joy - both of which I did not dream possible. Small changes in how I approached daily things helped me see that I do have choices and there is hope.
I am grateful today to not allow my past, other people's words or actions or fear define my days and my quest for balance and joy. I now know that even when it feels dark, I can turn on a light, reach out for help, pick up a tool, do some service and before I know it, the darkness has lifted or lessened. I sincerely believe that it works when we work it!
Tuesday has become a double golf day for me - 18 holes in the AM & 9 in the PM. We are still blessed with some incredible weather, for which I am grateful. I hope everyone is choosing joy, just for today. Love and light MIP family!
__________________
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 think I have a history of panic attacks. I have had them for so long I didn't know, really- in a constant state of fear.
One time I might have beaten myself up emotionally for not getting to this earlier. But hey- one day at a time.
I am guessing the anxiety is natural, and most, if not all, people have it- in varying degrees.
I was scraping down a garage wall today. Taking off loose paint and cleaning. In one corner I need to replace two or three boards. I also have to jack up one corner- to make the building level.
One time i would get stressed. One time i would start doing things in the wrong order. I don't tend to do this any more.
Today I tend not to lose sleep over things that can wait until tomorrow. I have a friend handy to help if needed. That is a great asset- that i did not always count on.
As I work on the garage I work with myself. To give myself a break...
I think I have a history of panic attacks. I have had them for so long I didn't know, really- in a constant state of fear.