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.
Several of the ladies I have been working with lately have really been struggling with the area of "Taking Care of You" and I must admit so do I.
What is it about our thinking as parents, workers, the responsible ones in a relationship, Adult Children of Alcoholics, spouse of Alcolohics/addicts - why do we put everyone's needs ahead of ours? Why is it so easy for us to tell someone else to rest and take care of their health, but not for us to? Why would we never expect others to push themselves beyond their limits but always push ourselves to the point of breaking? Would the world really come to a crashing halt if we took 15-30 minutes a day to do something nice just for ourselves?
No, the world will keep on turning and probably no one will even notice that missed 15-30 minutes of our undivided attention. No one except for us. We would notice that 15-30 minutes daily could become our path to sanity and serenity. A way for us to learn how important we are. We deserve to be good to ourselves. If I am good to me, then I will be a more content person. If my needs are taken care of, then I am better equiped to be the parent, grandparent, spouse, employee, sponsor, etc. that I need to be to help those loved ones in my life.
Unlike Cinderella, there is no fairy Godmother going to come and grant your every wish. But there is You - and You can take the time to be good to You. Ladies, when is the last time you took that the time to paint your toenails a bright red or happy pink color. Does it matter that you wear tennis shoes all day and no one see them? You see them!! It matters that you took the time to do something nice for you. Guys, Did you take 15 minutes on the way home from work and watch the boats on the water? See how far you can still throw a rock across the pond? Maybe fish for a few minutes. Hey - Maybe the guys want to paint their toenails & the ladies want to throw rocks in the pond or fish - ( lol) - whatever is relaxing and is a "me" time for you.
My sponsor had me start a journal - everyday I had to write what I did for me that day. She had me do that for a month. At the end of the month, I was amazed at how many days I did nothing for me. No wonder I felt used and abused - I wasn't giving myself the rest and relaxation I needed.
Each one of you is a very special person - You deserve to have special time and to have something special each day of your life - even if it is a 10 minute cat nap.
Hoping that you will be especially nice to you - You deserve it,
Living life One Day at a Time and learning to be good to me,
Rita
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No matter what me and my God are going to be ok, even better than OK -
Thanks for that. I needed the reminder. Lately I have been neglecting myself a bit. I used to exercise...go for walks and really enjoy it, but it's been a while!
So, because of your prompt, I'm getting my shoes on this evening and I'm going to walk in the fresh air for an hour.....because I deserve the peace of mind it brings.
A very good reminder. I did loose some of that taking care of me in the early stages of my realization that hubby is an A.
I used to be so good to me. I am getting that back. I would also like to remind everyone to not neglect their health either! Get regular check ups, teeth, eyes, physicals!!!!!!! Mammograms for the ladies.
Exercising, eating healthy diet, getting enough sleep, taking time to enjoy life, getting to our doctors, all this is so important!!!!!!!
Today's world is so fast paced, even if we don't live with alcoholism, we as a society tend to put so much on ourselves.
The other night at work, my supervisor told us how she was taking her nephew out to dinner Wednesday. It was a "prize" he won back at Easter on the Easter egg hunt she has for all the neices & nephews. They are finally getting to go. She actaully had to ask the child to check his "social" calendar. Imagine that???
He plays every sport! So all year he is busy with this game, that game, then school & it all continues.
It's ironic that you would come up with this post. Last night I was on my way to the grocery store. I stopped in a thrift shop (I love other peoples junk) and on my way back to the car I decided to go into the nail place and get a pedicure. I picked out this polish that was really kind of dull but would go with everything. After she started to do my pedicure I told her to give me a french manicure on my toes. I never had that and I really like it. Of course, it was $5.00 more but I am worth it....right?
I really do need to start taking care of myself in the eating healthy and exercising. I do all my doctors appts that I should be but I just cannot get myself off the roller coaster of overeating and not moving.
This is hard for me too, I still feel guilty nurturing myself or doing anything good for me, like I don't deserve better, it won't change until I change it.
ACOA's I think do have it hard but that's only the why, I do deserve to love me! I am worth it!!! Now to believe it, accept it & act on it!
Thanks for the post. Love, -Kitty of Light
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Light, Love, Peace, Blessings & Healing to Us All. God's Will Be Done. Amen.
lol) - whatever is relaxing and is a "me" time for you. 