The ODAT reading for May 22 speaks about the slogan; "keep it simple. The reading emphasizes the fact that this is slogan is so important because it cautions us to leave the past in the past. The whole purpose of Al-Anon to help us iron out the rough spots as we live life one day at a time and this can be done only when we stay in the present moment
If we practice the simple slogans like one day at a time and keep it simple we will outline each day with positive principles and life will unfold accordingly
The reading points out that the tension relievers such as let go and let God, easy does it, live and let live and first things first, we must remind ourselves each day in times of stress and soon they become automatic and stress lessens and serenity becomes a possibility ,
The quote is from the Hoggy Carmichael; "slow-motion gets you there faster"
DavidG said
May 21, 2018
This share follows a theme [I think] in our group here- about what we can an should not share...
Long ago someone adapted 'keep it simple' to the akronym "KISS". That being Keep, It Simple, Stupid.
I rolled this one out once- and a discussion arose. It was a friendly one. Like- "who are you calling stoopid?"
because we were talking together- could hear voices and see smiles- is was fine. I said- well, yessirree... I was calling myself stupid.
And yes. This akronym helped me to remember when my mind was foggy and blurred.
Having said that- quite clearly- if I was charing a meeting I would stick absolutely to the genuine article! ...
over time I learned "to adult". That is- having friendly, open adult conversations with people. And i gained this, in the main, by coming to Alanon meetings.
it does not mean, in the least, that 'anything goes". But what goes was always a curiosity for me. I got mucked up and messed up inside of the alcoholic family.
I would duck for cover- and they pop my head out- like a naughty kid- and say "peek-a-boo!'
There was no real centre to my lie, or my self. I needed to test the limits and boundaries in a safe healing place. And where better than amongst people like myself.
I know that, sometimes, I should have fun and laughter in my life... and sometimes I do see this inside of Alanon. We all have a lot to be grateful about! ...
I got to this safe simple spot... where my higher power is present... in a more tangible way... by sharing; by being able to make mistakes... to not be judged too badly-
to learn and to teach in a single breath, really... we do give and get so much. together, inside of the rooms.
My goal, one day, was to be able to demonstrate what simple was. To reach Step 12... and at least spend some time there.
Getting to this point is a journey- an ongoing journey...
thanks Betty... ...
Tude said
May 21, 2018
Thank you Betty and David! I hope this isn't inappropriate but man oh man I had to shake my head and laugh at myself. It started thru reading the part, "away with grim determination, hurry and fretting.........." in the book again. And again. LOL!
This stuff creeps into every corner of my life. I went back to what I thought was my last trip to this one particular physical therapy......this time I got the other PT, a lady who was careful to let me know if I was in the wrong form etc. So, I'll give it another shot before changing facilities and try harder to just live and let live. I remarked to both PT's that I was really impatient with myself in all this. Both responded with yes, we've noticed lol.
Today's quote: "slow-motion gets you there faster" could not be more fitting for healing the spine.........
Gosh, it's hard to ask for help when I'm used to doing things for myself at home. Other areas it's not hard, it's actually nice to "delegate" and let others help in certain situations. If I don't, they also miss out on the joy of giving or whatever the circumstance calls for. I see yet another area of work to hammer away on......they just keep popping up lol.
Have a great day!
Iamhere said
May 21, 2018
Thanks Betty for your service and the daily. Thanks to those above me for your shares and ESH. Before recovery, I complicated almost everything - partially or maybe mostly because I was seeking perfection always. I am so grateful for this slogan and the suggestions of self-care, one day at a time and one moment at a time if necessary....sure helped me practice different ways to live which in turn helped me keep things more simple.
I have early plans again tomorrow so am grateful for the daily early! I got to spend this evening with my gal pals from HS and we are truly blessed to have each other. It's so nice to just 'be' with others and not try to be something or someone I am not. I'm off to get horizontal - make it a great day MIP!
mamalioness said
May 22, 2018
Thank you Betty, I've been practicing this of late and really commited to staying in the now....KISS and ODAT and sometimes one moment at a time....I am "somewhere off" so much, I have to, for now, I guess use force to FORCE me to stay in the now...being mindful is soo soo hard for me and I don't know why, it must be all that chatter and racing thoughts in my mind....what I wouldn't give to be able to just format the harddrive of my brain and start over....can't do that so I have to "unlearn' this being "off somewhere else" or disassociated, I guess...so what I do is narrate to myself when I am doing something or putting something somewhere, else I will lose it/mis place it and get down on me...I just cannot stand this hardship I am having at staying in the moment, in my body, in the present moment, and even thought, at times, just tossing up my hands and giving up on me..today was a bad day regarding this....so its back to just practicing mindfulness one moment at a time...........thanks for the reminder....not happy with me of late in this regard....
Skorpi said
May 22, 2018
Thank you, Betty, and everyone for sharing!
I love this practice - keep things simple, live one day at a time. Trust that, in doing so, things will get better. I had the opportunity (need) recently to find some financial information from a few years ago. As I was going through the folders, I realized just how much better things had gotten by keeping things simple, living one day at a time, and doing the next right thing. I might often feel as though things are going out of control, but when I look back and see how out of control they were before I started working in AlAnon, I am truly amazed at the progress. I remember when I came to AlAnon, I'd look in the mirror or replay a conversation and not recognize myself. I've often said that AlAnon is allowing me to come back to myself. Now, when I look back 2 or 3 years, I recognize just how far I've come. Today, I have gratitude for the program, for MIP, for all of you, and for the positive changes I've seen since I started working the program.
,
This share follows a theme [I think] in our group here- about what we can an should not share...
Long ago someone adapted 'keep it simple' to the akronym "KISS". That being Keep, It Simple, Stupid.
I rolled this one out once- and a discussion arose. It was a friendly one. Like- "who are you calling stoopid?"
because we were talking together- could hear voices and see smiles- is was fine. I said- well, yessirree... I was calling myself stupid.
And yes. This akronym helped me to remember when my mind was foggy and blurred.
Having said that- quite clearly- if I was charing a meeting I would stick absolutely to the genuine article!
...
over time I learned "to adult". That is- having friendly, open adult conversations with people. And i gained this, in the main, by coming to Alanon meetings.
it does not mean, in the least, that 'anything goes". But what goes was always a curiosity for me. I got mucked up and messed up inside of the alcoholic family.
I would duck for cover- and they pop my head out- like a naughty kid- and say "peek-a-boo!'
There was no real centre to my lie, or my self. I needed to test the limits and boundaries in a safe healing place. And where better than amongst people like myself.
I know that, sometimes, I should have fun and laughter in my life... and sometimes I do see this inside of Alanon. We all have a lot to be grateful about!
...
I got to this safe simple spot... where my higher power is present... in a more tangible way... by sharing; by being able to make mistakes... to not be judged too badly-
to learn and to teach in a single breath, really... we do give and get so much. together, inside of the rooms.
My goal, one day, was to be able to demonstrate what simple was. To reach Step 12... and at least spend some time there.
Getting to this point is a journey- an ongoing journey...
This stuff creeps into every corner of my life. I went back to what I thought was my last trip to this one particular physical therapy......this time I got the other PT, a lady who was careful to let me know if I was in the wrong form etc. So, I'll give it another shot before changing facilities and try harder to just live and let live. I remarked to both PT's that I was really impatient with myself in all this. Both responded with yes, we've noticed lol.
Today's quote: "slow-motion gets you there faster" could not be more fitting for healing the spine.........
Gosh, it's hard to ask for help when I'm used to doing things for myself at home. Other areas it's not hard, it's actually nice to "delegate" and let others help in certain situations. If I don't, they also miss out on the joy of giving or whatever the circumstance calls for. I see yet another area of work to hammer away on......they just keep popping up lol.
Have a great day!
I have early plans again tomorrow so am grateful for the daily early! I got to spend this evening with my gal pals from HS and we are truly blessed to have each other. It's so nice to just 'be' with others and not try to be something or someone I am not. I'm off to get horizontal - make it a great day MIP!
Thank you Betty, I've been practicing this of late and really commited to staying in the now....KISS and ODAT and sometimes one moment at a time....I am "somewhere off" so much, I have to, for now, I guess use force to FORCE me to stay in the now...being mindful is soo soo hard for me and I don't know why, it must be all that chatter and racing thoughts in my mind....what I wouldn't give to be able to just format the harddrive of my brain and start over....can't do that so I have to "unlearn' this being "off somewhere else" or disassociated, I guess...so what I do is narrate to myself when I am doing something or putting something somewhere, else I will lose it/mis place it and get down on me...I just cannot stand this hardship I am having at staying in the moment, in my body, in the present moment, and even thought, at times, just tossing up my hands and giving up on me..today was a bad day regarding this....so its back to just practicing mindfulness one moment at a time...........thanks for the reminder....not happy with me of late in this regard....
I love this practice - keep things simple, live one day at a time. Trust that, in doing so, things will get better. I had the opportunity (need) recently to find some financial information from a few years ago. As I was going through the folders, I realized just how much better things had gotten by keeping things simple, living one day at a time, and doing the next right thing. I might often feel as though things are going out of control, but when I look back and see how out of control they were before I started working in AlAnon, I am truly amazed at the progress. I remember when I came to AlAnon, I'd look in the mirror or replay a conversation and not recognize myself. I've often said that AlAnon is allowing me to come back to myself. Now, when I look back 2 or 3 years, I recognize just how far I've come. Today, I have gratitude for the program, for MIP, for all of you, and for the positive changes I've seen since I started working the program.