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 gossip. They share that in the past, they were able to vividly recall the words, criticisms, and insults of others. In turn, the author treated others cruely. When insulting others, the author would feel better about themselves momentarily, but that feeling fled after a few moments. The author realized that gossip had been an excuse to avoid focusing on their own character.
Today's Reminder: Many of us tend to react rather than act. When we hurt, we may want to strike out and hurt someone else. In Al-Anon we learn that we can interrupt this automatic response long enough to decide how we really want to behave.
Someone else's unkindness is no reason for me to lower my standards for my own behavior. When I take responsibility for my actions, regardless of what other people do, I become someone I can be proud of. When I feel good about myself, it's much easier not to take insults personally.
Today's Quote: "If one throws salt at thee thou wilt receive no harm unless thou hast sore places." Latin Proverb
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Taking time to think before taking action has been a hard lesson for me to learn. I often jump into situations and fix or solve problems. This worked great when I was working in nursing. If there was a medical crisis, someone had to jump in and take charge, and I did that well. I've found that that particular skillset, though, doesn't help me in my current career or my personal life. Now, taking time to pause, consider what I want to do, and then act has brought me more peace, less stress, and the ability to decide how I want to act, being sure that I'm acting in accordance with what is authentic to me.
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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
Thank you Skorpi for your service and share. I can relate to having skillets that are praised and rewarded in a work environment but create havoc in a relationship. I am feeling exasperated and almost launched into an argument over something that I now realize is none of my business ! This post reminded to pause and pray and bite my tongue.
