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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Courage to Change November 18
Post Info TOPIC: Courage to Change November 18
Skorpi


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Courage to Change November 18
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In today's reading, the author reflects on the second step (Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.) To the author, a return to sanity is about more than being able to function in a responsible and realistic way. Living in a sane way also includes play, taking a break, and cultivating a hobby. The author suggests that when they can see nothing but their troubles, they are seeing with limited vision; dwelling on troubles and allowing them to become controlling. Certainly, we need to do whatever footwork is required, but also to let go. When the author takes the time to laugh, play, and enjoy life, they are giving HP the room to take care of the rest. 

Todays Reminder:  A good chuckle or an engrossing activity can lift my spirits and cleanse my mind. I will refresh myself by adding some lightness to this day. 

Today's Quote: Now I look for humor in every situation, and my Higher Power is a laughing God who reminds me not to take myself too seriously. As We Understood . . .

------------------------

This return to sanity really resounds with me. I find myself still today living in insanity at times. When I find myself working so hard at work and at home that I cannot take a break, when I find myself exhausted, and when my dogs are misbehaving more than usual, I know it is time to step back, give myself a break, take time to enjoy myself. At work - the emails will still be there tomorrow, and I know I have higher standards for myself than do others. At home - the dishes, laundry, and dirt will still be there tomorrow. It is ok to decide to leave a chore undone for today, and come back to it tomorrow (and put on some good music to enjoy the chore when I get to it). 

I hope you make today a great day!  



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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
Freetime


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Skorpi, thank you so much for this share. I think Step 2 is my favorite -- coming to believe that I can be restored to sanity -- it gives so much hope!

I completely agree with the reminder that laughter contributes to recovery. It has certainly been true for me. I remember that when I started being able to laugh at myself for the situation I was in -- laughing that I had been trying to control the uncontrollable -- that was when I believe I turned the corner and started climbing my way out of the hole.

Creative slogans really helped me change my attitude. I remember the day I first heard that DETACH means Don't Even Think About Changing Him/Her. And I still get a chuckle out of "Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys." I collect these humorous slogans. Whenever I hear a new one, I write it down. Something I heard in a meeting is my latest favorite -- "Feelings are like children. We don't put them in the trunk, and we don't let them drive the car."

I hope we can all find something to smile about today.

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JerryF


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Gracious Lord if the return to HUMOR wasn't and isn't one of the large gifts of the program to this member.  That  it could and would offset anger, rage, arrogance and more for me was and is a blessing.  Today I can and do play in and with life and have learned to not take myself seriously or many of the other characteristics of life.  It is so very easy presently to practice scowling and complaining and when I can dance and smile and laugh all at the same time I feel my spirit healing.  

Have a warm funny day family.  ((((hugs)))) wink



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DavidG


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  aww When i was a kid I went down. I lost my mojo. Mum noticed. The phrase she used was "chin up chicken". I lost my way ever more when i was 17- and I am pinning up the song she sang at that time. Doing this resonates with me- and is healing... 

...I was not angry with her- because she could not reach my soul. I accepted this as the way things were.

I did get angry with the world- and with professionals- who seems to promise so much- but deliver so little, in effect.

In recent times a lot more has become know about addiction, and it's effects. I embraced these ideas myself. I realised that it would take time, through training, for this to filter down- especially to lil ol' NZ.

For a long time i did not think there was any sanity to return to. That my family system was toxic an beyond hope. This applied to me too, obviously. blankstare...

But, through Alanon I tried to turn my life and my world into a haven of hope. To fake it until i made it, sort of thing.

But progress not perfection here...

...I do have times of fun and laughter. Giggles, even.

...this just crept up on me...

...it did happen...

     -yikes!-

smile Thanks for the reading, Skorpi... aww...

 

 



-- Edited by DavidG on Wednesday 18th of November 2020 04:09:46 PM

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Iamhere


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Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily. Thank you all for the ESH & shares. I am so, so, so grateful for the gift of humor, esp. the ability to cut myself some slack, find the silliness in the moment and fully embrace my human spirit. When I arrived, I was overly obsessed with perfection as well as so darn serious - I drove others away - I was just so darn intense. It never dawned on my hyper-focused mind that other people also had challenges in their lives and found a way to still live fully with some level of peace and balance.

For my 30 year AA birthday, a close friend gave me a token with my annual token - it reminds me to not take myself too seriously and I truly love it. I also love that it's my choice completely if I have a good day or a bad day, if I am joyful or not, if I am moving forward or not, etc. I did not realize that 'power' was within me - all I had to do was tap into a power greater than I who could restore me to sanity.

Hope all had a great Wednesday - mine was fun, filled up and thus I am a day late with my share....(((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

 

 
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