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.
In today's reading, the author reflects on the role of Al-Anon in the lives of folks who have lived with alcoholism. Al-Anon is the place where many grow up, learn to face the world as it is, and to take responsibility for actions. Members deal with feelings, share about experiences, and learn about themselves while nurturing physical and spiritual well-being.
One important aspect of recovery is recognizing our need to have fun. A light-hearted approach can help to put challenging or troubling situations into perspective, and reminds us that there is more to life than the current problem.
Taking a break from a problem to enjoy ourselves can help more than ongoing struggle. A good laugh or a break may be the best available tool for us. These tools can help us to let go, and come back to our challenge refreshed. And, the author reminds us that even jello must be left alone to form as it should.
Today's Reminder: A well-developed sense of humor helps me detach from my personal struggles and triumphs. I will avoid taking myself too seriously today.
Today's Quote: One inch of joy surmounts of grief a span, Because to laugh is proper to the man. François Rabelais
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Topics on seriousness always make me smile. I've been a serious sort as long as I can remember. My parents came home from an elementary school parent-teacher conference with the report that my teacher found me altogether too serious. Over the years I've reflected back on seriousness as a topic, and I do think seriousness is part of my personality. But, that doesn't mean that I can't/don't have fun or enjoy myself. I didn't find much to enjoy when I was living with an active alcoholic, there seemed to be always one crisis or another. But, thanks to Al-Anon, I've learned to place the focus on myself and take time to enjoy myself. I often take a light-hearted approach to things, look for the humor, and identify the silver lining. But I do admit, even when I feel like I'm enjoying myself, or I feel light-hearted, others often perceive me as being just as serious as I was before. Thanks to Al-Anon, I now let them have their own perspectives and perceptions, because I understand those impressions have nothing to do with me and don't need to impact what I am doing.
We are getting ready for a significant warm up this weekend, and it seems time to till the garden! (And figure out a Simba-proof garden fence. That dog didn't dig or jump, he just removed all the fence stakes and trampled!)
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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
Thanks Skorpi for your service and ESH. I was also a very serious child and young adult as there wasnt a whole lot to laugh about. As I got help from therapists and began my career in mental health, I was able to lighten up a bit. But program has helped me enormously to find joy and laughter in life. I find myself belly-laughing out loud with my granddaughter, and often I am the one making her crack up.
I loved the part in the reading about taking a break from pain and sadness. With and without Covid, there are plenty of things to worry about and feel grief. Thats a part of life. Im grateful program has taught me about taking breaks from seriousness and especially having learned to laugh at myself.
Oh. Skorpi. I love this post. A good illustration of this point is that a client came to my house and handed me a years worth of partnership books that I had to do with the taxes after the audit and closing the books I had the franchise tax and the income tax return to do on a partnership which are a booger to do and at first I thought oh my goodness I feel like those great big mountain to climb up but I broke it into chunks and I had fun on my breaks I just walked away from it when I felt the need for a break and I had some fun--yesterday I went to Goodwill and found a beautiful pure wood chair. And some great speakers for my computer in my bedroom and I just completely set that work aside and decided it was some fun time for me and you know the job went smoothly I got it done last night and I mean I checked my work and it was spot on because I took my time, I broke it down in chunks, and I took time out to have some fun for me, and I noticed I was able to focus like a bear and also I was able to be mindful and slow down and pay attention because I set aside the work periodically and I found some fun stuff to do even if it was just taking the broom and sweep in the spiderwebs off my house so my painting and carpentry job will go well next month or I should say May 15 or so but yeah having fun, no matter what, taking time out for some joy and some pleasure stuff really helps, I hope my post isnt off-topic but this is what brought up for me when I read your lovely share
Thanks Skorpi, and y'all. Oh Vey! I just look at my reading materials! Very little fiction.
Two years ago I was living in a Fijian village. In the evening i would here the youths hanging about
and heard the high pitched laughs of the young men. In the village i sang in the choir- wore the robes
and sang old nineteenth century hymns- in Fijian, of course. My dream was to learn the four part harmony
that Fijians sing with.
I went to the local waterfall with the kids of my host family. Our "taxi" did not pick us up after and we walked back.
Three pairs of jandals amongst four kids. A good laugh.
I did not knowhow to holiday, let along laugh. I am working on the aftermath of C-PTSD and migraine. A range of other psychosomatic symptoms. So I don't appear to have laughter lines, and grin lines on my face!
I am going to my F2F meeting tonight- all going well.
I do catch myself laughing and grinning these days. I used to every cynical and cross!
Happy Wednesday MIP! Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily. Thank you all for your shares and ESH. I too was a very, very serious soul for as long as I can remember. In reality, I say often that my first inclination isn't always my best and many times still, when 'life' happens, my brow furrows and I truly have to pause to pray before I proceed.
I have the forehead lines - '11's' to prove how intense I am/can be!! Al-Anon has been so, so good for me - taught me to be human, to accept my humanism and to find my joy, even at myself!
In the present, I try hard to just embrace what is, and own what is mine. I am more than ready now to admit when I am wrong and no longer feel shame about 'it'. It's become normal to make mistakes and to just be me. I'm grateful for the many changes I've been able to make, mostly just by letting go of what I thought I should be vs. who I truly am.
I played golf twice today and am a tired girl...an evening of rest is what's next! (((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
I have always been a very serious person,even when I was a child. But I do like to have fun and laugh. I love when my belly hurts and my cheeks are sore from laughing so hard. Laughing with other people,god I miss doing that, it hasn't happened a whole lot since this pandemic started. I hope and pray there's an end to all of this in the near future and we can get back to normal life. But until then I will continue watching cat vidoes on YouTube and finding other way to get some laughs in.
AH suffers with clinical depression. Sometimes it's like I can feel it dripping down the walls and I have to find ways to keep it from dripping down on me too so I'm not suffocated by it. I am so grateful Spring is here and there's been warm days and I can be outside more and find more fun things to do.
Being an essential worker has been very hard. I have worked through the whole pandemic
Then I moved twice. I was quite ill for a while and wholly exhausted. I have been separated from my dog for a year
I have changed my job at least 6 times because of the pandemic
Recently I have been enduring a long commute. I am in the middle of a major transition.
Couple that with dealing with a major dental emergency, there is not much room for fun. I rose to the occasion with the dental emergency and am so grateful for that opportunity
I am of course grateful for being able to take care of myself. That's is to take care of emergencies when they arise
That is to be able to set boundaries and live with them
Nevertheless there is not much of a margin for rest and recreation there. My luxury is a night's sleep
I long for a whole week off but necessity keeps swallowing me up. Every day there is a new challenge
When I write down all that I have to contend with I am shocked by the wave after wave of issues. I by no means believe the pandemic is over yet. Nevertheless I am so happy to be in a place of moving forward
Moving forward did not seen possible in the past but these days my traction on issues related to grief and recovery are dynamic
-- Edited by Maresie888 on Thursday 1st of April 2021 01:34:42 AM
Thanks Skorpi, and y'all. Oh Vey! I just look at my reading materials! Very little fiction.