Todays reading is a look at the difference between feeling the need to be responsible (for everyone and everything) and the ability to respond appropriately given a situation. Like the writer, when first coming to meetings in the program I didnt feel that I could share anything and would simply show up and listen. At that time, my sponsor reminded me that being a witness for others shares was equally important. I kept stepping forward and after time, just as the writer describes, I felt stronger at meetings and was able to speak, volunteer and contribute more.
The thought for the day reminds us that keeping the focus on ourselves is a positive way to begin responding to ourselves- and consider the questions of what we really want and need in our lives.
I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!
M
hotrod said
Mar 3, 2019
Good morning Mary This program is a true gift. I spent most of my life ignoring my needs and concentrating on others. Enter program and am handed a group of principles such as: you are powerless over others, we do not give advice, keep the focus on yourself and examne your motives. These as well as other tools helped me to learn to be supportive of others without infringing on their dignity Thanks for your service.
Iamhere said
Mar 3, 2019
Good morning Mary and Betty! Thank you both for your ESH and shares. Thank you Mary for your service and the daily. I too arrived ignoring my needs and focusing on all others - I truly thought that was my role as a wife, mother, daughter, friend, etc. Practicing what was shared and putting me first was foreign to me! It did not feel natural or comfortable at all, yet in time, it became more so.
I am grateful to be/do/live differently today. I am able to see to my needs, live peacefully and be of service without going overboard. I am so grateful for Yes and No being complete sentences. I accept that I am powerless over others, and God's plan is far better than anything I could dream up!
We did get more snow and I plan to hibernate all day......getting ready to make a big breakfast and then just enjoy the peaceful quiet. As much as I am ready for spring, the now truly is beautiful! Make it a great day all...
Lyne said
Mar 3, 2019
Thank you for your service Mary. I have learned so many good lessons and tools from program. Primarily I have stopped trying to fix my A. And most of the time I respond differently to people and situations than I did in the past. Alanon is a true gift and I am so happy I am giving it to me! Lyne
PosiesandPuppies said
Mar 3, 2019
Thank you to all three of you for your ESH on this topic. Mary, I so love seeing your smiling face each Sunday... thank you for your service!
I too, was just broken in spirit to say anything at my first few meetings (OK, more than just a few ). Mostly, I just cried and felt embarrassed b/c I cried. It was a kind soul who came up to me after the meeting and told me not to feel embarrassed by the tears... in time it gets easier, better, and I won't have need for them. "Besides, everyone has sat in your chair, doing the same thing!" We chuckled over that, but it was that feeling of acceptance that kept me returning.
Like this board. It is our shared experiences and the acceptance of who we are in each stage of our program/life that makes this forum so great!
Like those who posted above, I wore many hats over my lifetime. In each case I had to do the best. There is an important note here regarding semantics... it wasn't that I WANTED to do my best, it was that I HAD to do my best! Big difference! Not accepting that we are all perfectly imperfect really affected me, and how I acted both inwardly to myself, and outwardly to others.
Today, I practice ACCEPTANCE. True acceptance. It is not always easy. But lately, I am beginning to like the person I am becoming.
Thank you all for being a part of my transformation!
Peace & Love!
Good morning everyone:
Todays reading is a look at the difference between feeling the need to be responsible (for everyone and everything) and the ability to respond appropriately given a situation. Like the writer, when first coming to meetings in the program I didnt feel that I could share anything and would simply show up and listen. At that time, my sponsor reminded me that being a witness for others shares was equally important. I kept stepping forward and after time, just as the writer describes, I felt stronger at meetings and was able to speak, volunteer and contribute more.
The thought for the day reminds us that keeping the focus on ourselves is a positive way to begin responding to ourselves- and consider the questions of what we really want and need in our lives.
I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!
M
Good morning Mary This program is a true gift. I spent most of my life ignoring my needs and concentrating on others. Enter program and am handed a group of principles such as: you are powerless over others, we do not give advice, keep the focus on yourself and examne your motives. These as well as other tools helped me to learn to be supportive of others without infringing on their dignity
Thanks for your service.
I am grateful to be/do/live differently today. I am able to see to my needs, live peacefully and be of service without going overboard. I am so grateful for Yes and No being complete sentences. I accept that I am powerless over others, and God's plan is far better than anything I could dream up!
We did get more snow and I plan to hibernate all day......getting ready to make a big breakfast and then just enjoy the peaceful quiet. As much as I am ready for spring, the now truly is beautiful! Make it a great day all...
I too, was just broken in spirit to say anything at my first few meetings (OK, more than just a few
Like this board. It is our shared experiences and the acceptance of who we are in each stage of our program/life that makes this forum so great!
Like those who posted above, I wore many hats over my lifetime. In each case I had to do the best. There is an important note here regarding semantics... it wasn't that I WANTED to do my best, it was that I HAD to do my best! Big difference! Not accepting that we are all perfectly imperfect really affected me, and how I acted both inwardly to myself, and outwardly to others.
Today, I practice ACCEPTANCE. True acceptance. It is not always easy. But lately, I am beginning to like the person I am becoming.
Thank you all for being a part of my transformation!
Peace & Love!