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.
"First Things First" is the topic of today's reading. The author discovered that things which are urgent are rarely important, and things which are important are rarely urgent. By getting bogged down in trivial matters, they may forget to make time for what is important.
The author's top priority is maintaining serenity, and connecting with Higher Power is their key to serenity. Trying to navigate life without a Higher Power is like trying to make your way through a dark room without bumping into the furniture. Doing this in the dark will make for a slow, confusing, and painful journey. A Higher Power is like a flashlight that helps us find our way.
Today's Reminder: As I think about what to do with this day, I will set some time aside for what is really important. I will put first things first today.
Quote from Henry David Thoreau: "Let us spend one day as deliberately as Nature, and not be thrown off track by every nutshell and mosquito's wing that falls on the rails."
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These days I really try to put my serenity first, whenever I am making decisions about what to do. If I can foresee that something will risk my serenity, it is easy now for me to choose not to do that. I don't have to worry about what others will think about my decision. I don't have to make everything urgent.
Lately I have made a priority of connecting daily with Nature -- even for just a few minutes. Taking care of my health -- which includes my serenity -- is #1, helping take care of my grandchild is #2, and everything else is "as time permits."
MIP friends, what is your "first thing" to put first?
Thank you Freetime for your service & the daily...I also appreciate your ESH/Share. I too try to put my serenity first and make a goal each day to keep it. I am willing to do what I need to do to just stay in the center and keep things as simple as possible. First things first helps me better sift through all of the 'day's plans' and truly choose what's important.
I love a routine as it helps me with my attitude and outlook. My 'first thing' is always gratitude that I'm awake/alive this day. From there, it begins. I do mostly the same things each morning and it really helps me one day at a time. I do more better, one day at a time if I do what's suggested - prayer, meditation, literature....that's my First Thing!
Happy Friday all - it's in the 20's here so no golf. It's a day of rest for me....Make it a great day family...
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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
I was going to say "Gratitude List" but as I thought more into it, the very first thing I do is make some coffee and come on this site! I may not always post, but I am reading, reading reading! Some days it helps reinforce good behaviors, some days it can highlight something off center that I am doing that I need to change.
My Gratitude List comes as I drive into work... it is a good time to reflect and give thanks!
Enjoy your Friday the 13th MIP Family! &
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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
Thank you freetime for your patience and generosity
Thank you for your equanimity.
Ae someone who can definitely fall into.the poor me's very quickly. In fact I can sink in them like quick sand and drown
I am looking forward to the post pandemic where we all come to relish normalcy. I am looking forward to a time where focusing on my debt is no longer necessary. What a gift that will be.
I am almost half way there so perhaps I will emerge by Spring time. The spring time that is to come
I am looking forward to an easier life.
This past year has bern particularly arduous. Of course it was made more difficult by an alcoholic. The alcoholic I know so well and who is so capable of causing choas and misery. In fact Misery loves company and he chose to inflict oain on others.
Of course i made myself a target being around him. I knew that but I felt my choices were limited. So incredibly limited
Al anon shows me every day how to expand my horizons. How to savor every moment even when times are hard
Thank you FT for your service and all above shares. I have come to love so many of the slogans, and First things First is one of them. I never thought about my serenity coming first, but that makes so much sense to me now that I have read all these shares. What amazing ESH I find from all of you. I do have a routine in the morning which includes prayer, eating breakfast, and taking a long walk with my dogs weather and time permitting. Im going to start focusing on serenity coming first. For any Seinfeld fans, you will remember serenity now!
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