The ODAT reading for today, July 30 (my birthday) is very apropo. The reading asks the question:' what am I going to do with this day"? It points out that the day has so many hours in it and in order to really appreciate it to the fullest we can make a plan to not waste a moment worrying about yesterday nor fearing tomorrow.
The reading suggest that we use the time for essential duties tackling the hard ones first so we are not tempted to put them off and then plan some time for enjoyment and relaxation--. Even if it's only 10 minutes for prayer and meditation .
The reading goes on to suggests that we remember the day belongs to us and we can do wonderful things with it --Be creative-making a meal planting a garden or just simply reading a book. Nobody else owns this particular segment of time. So how I enjoy it and remember it depends only on my own self . If l spend each moment reflectively embracing each moment as the Al-Anon principle reminds us to "live one day at a time". Just
This isr the quotes from" Al-Anon. Just for today": ; "Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe that as I give to the world so the world will give to me."
I love the "Just for Today" bookmark--- in the beginning of my Al-Anon journey, I carried this small piece of literature around faithfully and studied it, each moment that I was unsure. It certainly does provide ample solace and helped to build my serenity and rebuild my self-esteem. Have a lovely day. I plan to
mamalioness said
Jul 29, 2017
"
Happy birthday to our Betty.....May you have many more totally awesome birthdays......
and yea, love this share...going through the prep work for my sister's service, fielding posts on facebook for her and about her, yea, today was a "rough one"....sad...didn't feel like doing much, but ya know?? I decided to do the unpleasent stuff first...bathing the dogs with the 20 mule team borax, vinegar and water..oh they don't care for that, but I am defeating a flea infestation and am winning the battle...then I just kinda went over my eating habits and thought....gee, stress, binge eating has got to go...so I gave away my "not good for me foods" and I "cleaned up my eating act"....got some good salmon and cod, gonna eat more fish.....This day belonged to ME and what next right thing did I do??? I ended up having briefer tennis practice, workout on my total body workout equip. at home...and just being in the now...telling me that this grief will pass and as I field posts on facebook, her board, I see how many folks really did love her and it made me feel good and it "flushed out" some really awesome memories of her for me...yea, she was difficult but I know she loved me....and "just for today" I embraced my pain, felt the grief, let it pass through me, and I went on to do some productive stuff.....I have made some new facebook friends from her board, I replied to their posts and their memories of her and I ended up with a couple of new friends.......
-- Edited by mamalioness on Sunday 30th of July 2017 08:36:06 AM
hotrod said
Jul 29, 2017
Thanks Rose. Enjoy your day. Thanks for sharing the journey
Aline said
Jul 30, 2017
Happy birthday, Betty!!! Thank you for your service, and for being here :) I also love the "Just for today" text, I used to read it each morning during my early recovery and sometimes several times a day, it reminded me nicely of things I should be paying attention to.
Skorpi said
Jul 30, 2017
Good morning and happy birthday, Betty!
I love this reading. Reminding myself to stay in the moment is something i do often, multiple times a day. I'm getting better at it with practice.
Enigmatic said
Jul 30, 2017
Thanks for your service, Betty, and Happy Birthday! Very good page and strong reminder to me that my peace should not be placed atop the things outside of myself.
The quote pairing hits directly at what I most often allow to rob me of my joy and serenity, fear...when I refuse fear a place in my mind, my spirit is so much lighter. AlAnon reminds me that I have a choice...very grateful
Freetime said
Jul 30, 2017
Happy birthday, Betty! Thank you for your service -- and have a wonderful day!
Iamhere said
Jul 30, 2017
Happy Birthday Betty - hope you have a lovely, lovely day! I am reminded that today is all I have and my HP has a great sense of humor! I filled my weekends with positive things 'first' in recovery as they seems like the.longest.days.ever!!!
I typically go to a meeting with some friends and then some fellowship softball and then league ball in the evening. My son and his boys are spending the night here tonight so I had some baby-proofing and chores to finish - got up early to get it done...
Needless to say, HP had a slightly different plan as I've been on the phone for more than 6 hours.....with some loved ones in crisis. I did miss my meeting and I missed my fellowship softball, yet I am just fine as my calling for today was to be of service. I have spent many hours today practicing listening, offering help and just being present. And - my service is not complete - we have some type of crisis from the 'normal' side of my family - call at 4pm. I am also taking a gal pal to play softball tonight that is going through a divorce so - my lesson for today is patience, kindness, listening and unconditional love.
I am reminded again today that there is a master plan and more will be revealed. I am grateful that all who came before me have helped me prepare for days like these and grateful for the gift of staying present. My heart is at peace and my racing brain is working to align. Where else but in recovery can we find serenity, joy and peace in the middle of chaos? What a gift!
(((Hugs))) - make it as good you want to MIP family - grateful for the choice to just be me!!!
shrnp said
Jul 30, 2017
Happy Birthday Betty! Thanks for the reading, I hope you have a great day!
Flyfree said
Jul 30, 2017
Happy Birthday Betty. Hope you are enjoying your day. I can really relate to today's reading. Today doing something for myself to help me keep my sanity and joy. For me I love to take a drive. The road is long and there are always so many wonderful things to see along the way. Today a saw a roadrunner, some longhorn steers and some beautiful cactus starting to bloom. What an amazing place we live in. I had to leave the stress from home at home. Thanks for your ESH.
hotrod said
Jul 30, 2017
Thanks everyone for your warm Birthday Wishes. It was a lovely day
El said
Jul 30, 2017
It's almost over, but happy, happy Birthday, Betty!
"
Happy birthday to our Betty.....May you have many more totally awesome birthdays......
and yea, love this share...going through the prep work for my sister's service, fielding posts on facebook for her and about her, yea, today was a "rough one"....sad...didn't feel like doing much, but ya know?? I decided to do the unpleasent stuff first...bathing the dogs with the 20 mule team borax, vinegar and water..oh they don't care for that, but I am defeating a flea infestation and am winning the battle...then I just kinda went over my eating habits and thought....gee, stress, binge eating has got to go...so I gave away my "not good for me foods" and I "cleaned up my eating act"....got some good salmon and cod, gonna eat more fish.....This day belonged to ME and what next right thing did I do??? I ended up having briefer tennis practice, workout on my total body workout equip. at home...and just being in the now...telling me that this grief will pass and as I field posts on facebook, her board, I see how many folks really did love her and it made me feel good and it "flushed out" some really awesome memories of her for me...yea, she was difficult but I know she loved me....and "just for today" I embraced my pain, felt the grief, let it pass through me, and I went on to do some productive stuff.....I have made some new facebook friends from her board, I replied to their posts and their memories of her and I ended up with a couple of new friends.......
-- Edited by mamalioness on Sunday 30th of July 2017 08:36:06 AM
The quote pairing hits directly at what I most often allow to rob me of my joy and serenity, fear...when I refuse fear a place in my mind, my spirit is so much lighter. AlAnon reminds me that I have a choice...very grateful
I typically go to a meeting with some friends and then some fellowship softball and then league ball in the evening. My son and his boys are spending the night here tonight so I had some baby-proofing and chores to finish - got up early to get it done...
Needless to say, HP had a slightly different plan as I've been on the phone for more than 6 hours.....with some loved ones in crisis. I did miss my meeting and I missed my fellowship softball, yet I am just fine as my calling for today was to be of service. I have spent many hours today practicing listening, offering help and just being present. And - my service is not complete - we have some type of crisis from the 'normal' side of my family - call at 4pm. I am also taking a gal pal to play softball tonight that is going through a divorce so - my lesson for today is patience, kindness, listening and unconditional love.
I am reminded again today that there is a master plan and more will be revealed. I am grateful that all who came before me have helped me prepare for days like these and grateful for the gift of staying present. My heart is at peace and my racing brain is working to align. Where else but in recovery can we find serenity, joy and peace in the middle of chaos? What a gift!
(((Hugs))) - make it as good you want to MIP family - grateful for the choice to just be me!!!
It's almost over, but happy, happy Birthday, Betty!