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 from courage to change, the author reflects on strengths and weaknesses.
The author has found that sometimes, what we think of as our greatest weakness actually turns out to be our biggest strength. The author spent years wishing that they could be courageous, but it was through their shyness that they found courage. That author was afraid to share in meetings. They listened, sat in the back of the room, and despaired that they would ever be courageous enough to share their own story. Over time, the author heard so many others share stories that were similar to their own, that eventually, the author began to approach people one-on-one, after meetings, to talk. eventually, the author realized that they had spoken with so many people in the group individually, that sharing in the group became possible. The author didn't need the courage to speak to the whole group right away, just the courage to take steps in that direction. The author's perceived weakness was actually an opportunity for immense growth, and an opportunity that wouldn't have occurred if the weakness hadn't existed.
Todays Reminder: Anything and everything about me can be used for my good. If I feel insecure or frightened today, I will remember that my fear is a signal that there is something for me to learn.
Today's Quote: It may not be the answer I want, but I have to remember that it may be what I need. As We Understood . . .
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I like today's reading. It reminds me of something I have often thought and shared in meetings: In my understanding, strengths and weaknesses don't really exist. One thing I found to be true for myself was that my weaknesses were really strengths that were being underutilized, and my strengths were things I was overutilizing. By focusing my attention on balance, and trying to use my "weaknesses" a bit more often while using my "strengths" a bit less often, I was able to bring myself and my approach to life into balance. This effort on my part is ongoing, and I appreciate the ongoing opportunities for growth.
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
Skorpi, thanks so much for your service and ESH. Im come from a different path but have ended up in the same place. For many years starting in childhood, all I saw were weaknesses, failures, not being good enough, etc. Even being an accomplished person in the performing arts, did not make a dent in my damaged self-esteem. Over the years I did gain some self-respect in my career, but it is through my participation in alanon that I can see assets as well as my flaws, and I have been able to love myself, even with those flaws. Without seeing any assets, I just saw myself as a broken mess. It was Bettys doing, that helped me see a full picture of myself. Always grateful.
Good morning MIP! Happy hump day and/or Wednesday to all. Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily. Thank you both for your shares and ESH. I also like this reading as it helps me to remember that who I am, how I am and that which drives me is 'as is' - room for improvement and growth always but not a mistake or waste of any resources.
I take this reading one step farther - simply reminding myself to accept me as I am, work in progress, and accept others as they are. I'm grateful that this program and the tools helped me see myself in a much different way which has also greatly improved my esteem as well as my serenity.
Doing some adulting this morning and then volunteering at the golf course from lunch to close....I may get wet as we've got rain storms coming this way. Make it a great day all - find and keep your joy!!
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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
Thank you Skorpi for your service, and to Lyne and Iamhere for your shares.
Your post really resonated with me today, Skorpi!!
Going to go to work and keep pondering. Grateful for today!
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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
"Anything and everything about me can be used for my good. If I feel insecure or frightened today, I will remember that my fear is a signal that there is something for me to learn"
I have never heard/read that before. It's something I will be reflecting on for awhile in order to fully absorb it.
Thank you for reminding us how strong our Betty was and how far her influence was felt. I think about Betty often inwonder how she would have responded to the Covd 19 pandemic.
I am so very grateful that I had the chance to have Betty in my life. I know she felt the challenge of dealing with so many sponsors
Betty was a rock to so many of us. We experienced so many losses last year and one of the biggest was to lose her constant warm welcoming steady gaze
I miss her incredibly. I am going to another grief conference on.Friday. I am actively looking for tools to move me through my process. Betty was someone who definitely found great meaning in her loss. That is a mystery to me at times
Betty definitely found ways to live and let live. At times that is also beyond me because the complete self absorption of certain people is absolutely beyond all understanding
I hope I can move from beyond comprehension to having some space to understand some people are constitutionally incapable of recognizing anyone else exists in any form
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