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.
It is after midnight here and I'm at the emergency vet with a dog in need of stitches, so i thought it was a good time to post today's share. I'm using today's hope from nov. 23.
The author shares how impactful it is for them to keep a daily inventory in writing. They reflect on 10 things they are grateful for, something that went especially well, something that could have gone better, and something they hope for. Over time, the author was able to notice patterns and identify character effects they could work on.
Today's quote: "Dear God, help me to be honest when looking at my strengths and weaknesses. Help me to find gratitude in the smallest things and to learn from my past and use it to improve on my future."
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Daily journaling is a strategy i have used for most of my time in the alanon program. Although my approach is slightly diffident from three authors, it has the same results: i stay actively engaged in my own work, i am able to identify trends and character defects, and i have a historical record of my progress in the program. I'm looking forward to getting back into my journaling habit. It fell a bit to the wayside during the start of the pandemic, and i do miss 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
{{{Skorpi}}}. Good luck with the dog at the vet. Prayers, love, and light.
I like the quotes reminder to be honest when looking at myself. Before program I had blinders on. I try to see things realistically now, but I cant say I can always see myself as I should. I guess thats why God has given me a son and a granddaughter!
I did a homework assignment for my first sponsor of daily writing for several yearsa slogan to try for the day, a gratitude, and an asset. It wouldnt be a bad idea for me to start that again. It helped a lot and I have had months of stress.
{{{Skorpi}}}, I hope your dog is doing well! And thank you for reminding me about the Today's Hope app. I've had it on my phone for years, but I don't often remember to look at it. I'm grateful and amazed that I now have so many ways to connect with Al-Anon wisdom wherever I am.
While I don't journal on a daily basis, I have bi-weekly check-ins with my sponsor on my step work, and I use MIP to journal things that pop up for me as needed. I like these methods because it seems safer somehow to take my inventory when I am not alone with my thoughts. Getting another perspective always makes it a kinder experience for me -- and easier to be honest because I know my Al-Anon peeps "love me in a very special way, the same way I already love them."
Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily....I also hope all is well with your doggie!!
What I know (about me) is I do best with routine and consistency. I have a lifetime habit of resting on my laurels when 'all is well' in my life, spirit and world. It has taken me a long time in recovery to fully appreciate that if I do what works for me on a daily/regular basis, I am better equipped to deal with life on life's terms when it happens, and it will continue to happen.
Working to accept and love myself in recovery has given me the ability to accept I am perfectly imperfect. Embracing this daily helps me understand and accept that all others are also perfectly imperfect. I no longer have a desire to control, manage, monitor, etc. the lives of others, especially those I love. Allowing others to be who they need to be, always, like it or not, is what I define as unconditional love.
It is through continuous writing that I've been able to clearly see, in black & white, destructive patterns I needed to change within me. Choosing to practice an attitude of gratitude is what carries me from morning to night, through each day with a focus on what's good/great in my life vs. what's not.
I am better able today to just be content with what is instead of wanting different, better, more. I truly believe that I am enough, I have enough and my HP will ensure that's continuous so long as I keep my focus on me, my growth & my recovery. When I shift my focus to other people, places and things, my serenity suffers and without fail, stinking thinking, projection and more return. So, I do best when I follow a routine that keeps me focused on me.
Happy Thanksgiving to all - we are hanging at home - I get to do all my cookie in my sweats, pick the dinner time as the day unfolds, and just relax - grateful for the gift of choice, one day at a time!
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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
