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.
Is it a nearby lake, rock chasm, back yard deck? Im thinking mine this year is going to be the nearby dam/beach. Its less than .5mile from our house.
My backyard neighbors have some type of wood cutting business maybe? They really trashed the place so the backyard is out. I do enjoy our front yard as it looks out on our .2mile circle that I walk like a "gerbil track".
mine is definately my yard. my front porch faces a horse farm across the street. I love to watch the horses run around and play. when the granddaughters are at my house we take carrots and apples over to feed them. the girls love to do that.
then there is my back yard. it has a beautiful view that goes over a field and you just see rolling hills that look like a quilt. some are green and some are brown. it is toward the west and the sunsets there are beautiful. I feel very fortunate to have found this house that holds my serenity. we put a swing for hubby and me and playground equipment for the girls. We call it "Nana's Park" It is private and I do alot of my reading there. there is also a fish pond with a waterfalls and another swing that in connected to an arbor. (I love swings as you can see...also have one on my patio) Alot of people tell me that they would like to get married in my yard while the sun is setting. I am so lucky to have this.........thanks HP! And thanks Barbara for this topic as I did not realize how happy I really was about my place of serenity.
BTW....I also love the beach and the crashing sound of the waves.
Good question, Barbara. I have an outside place for serenity, which is my yard, although I live in a big city. The other place is an inside place, where I go to sit with my HP, and look out into the vast expanse of all that is. The inside place has changed over the years, but it is where I take all my questions and problems. Blessings, mebjk
Ok I am probably going to sound nuts.. My favorite thing is, laying in the sun with my pot bellied pigs ,Estersue the dogs and who ever else decides to lay around.
It feels so safe and warm and content. The view is the mountains or my horse chief looking at me from above or a llama looking down on us wondering what in the world we are doing.
I have several places myself. A long walk in the woods where it's just me and my HP and the beauty of nature. A quiet library also does the trick where I can marvel at the ability to read about people, places, and things. Tonight it will be watching my favorite opera with friends, and hearing the music I love. I still cry when I hear the music, and eventhough the words will be in Italian, the joy of hearing the lyrics. Anytime I'm at a game where my nieces are playing soccer, or baseball. My yearly treat of attending a college football game after going to the farmer's market and pumpkin farm in the fall fills my heart up. But the two most favorite places for me to be are fishing along the Salmon River with hubby and watching the sheer joy and love he has for it on his face. Just the 2 of us, the sound of the water, and the absolute peace and quiet. It is also the place where I realized 20+ years ago that I would always love him. But on a daily basis, it's when I crawl into bed and hear my hubby doing the sober snore on one side of me, and Pipers Kitty is curled up next to me purring. My version of heaven.
Thanks for reminding me.
Live strong,
Karilynn
__________________
It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
First of all I would like to thank you for posting this question. Months ago I posted a similiar question. I think this reinforces one to think of these things and appreciate them more, instead of dwelling on the gloom and doom one may have in their lives due to anothers alcoholism. Remembering that a place that gives them peace and serenity doesnt have to cost money, but just the effort to get up and go there, may it be out your front door, a walk in the woods, reading a book in bed, watching a movie on TV, or a bubble bath, we all need that place! Just remember to think about that place when trying times are upon us, and just go there!
Great question ~ your quest for knowledge is impressive
If you asked me a while ago (a year, two years, etc.) I would have told you a beach that I go to. It's a quiet lake where I grew up on and had many memories of. I lay there in the warm sun (as you know I am always cold). When I am warm, I swim in the quiet, cool lake to refresh me. Sometimes I listen to songs. Other times I listen to the voices of children's laughter, the ducks squawking, the fisherman quietly drifting by hoping for the next great catch.
Today, my place of serenity is wherever I go. In other words, it's inside of me.
~When I am at home say on a rainy day, I leave the slider open so I can listen to the rain. In the evenings, I love the sounds of tree frogs talking to each other. In the morning when I awaken early, I hear the birds singing to each other.
~When I am in my car, I listen to music that either makes me happy or can make me cry. Either emotion is ok.
~When I am with my sons, I listen to their words and enjoy the expressions on their faces. I love to hear my sons' roaring laughter when they are kidding each other or watching a funny movie (which they have watched 100 times like Cool Runnings for example).
~Anytime I am out in Nature, I love the beauty of Spring in bloom right now at the moment ~ the potpourri of color in New England = purples, pinks, yellows, Green :).
I love the saying "wherever you go, there you are."
Thanks for keeping me thinking
Maria
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If I am not for me, who will be? If I am only for myself, then who am I? If not now, when?
