Today's reading in Courage to Change points out that our recovery gives us opportunities to continually deepen our learning.For example, we may have learned detachment in one situation, and then as life moves on, we encounter a new situation where we need to apply detachment.Even though applying our principles might still feel difficult each time we do it, we have changed, and it is easier than it was at first.All the learning we have done is within us today.
Today's reminder:Instead of assuming that I have failed because I am learning a difficult lesson once more, I might embrace the experience as part of a long-term healing process that requires repetition and practice. I can trust that eventually I will learn it so well that it will become an automatic, confident, and healthy response.
Quote from Madame de Stael, "The human mind always makes progress, but it is a progress in spirals."
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I know that I have changed immensely from my Al-Anon experience.I have let go of crazy thought patterns and become more forgiving of myself and others.I still have flashes of anger, future-tripping, judgment, and fear -- but I am now quicker to redirect myself.
What gets me excited these days is when I witness progress in my fellow members at the Al-Anon meetings I attend.In just a couple of recent meetings, I witnessed examples including:
Someone set a boundary with a domineering family member.
Someone got a sponsor, after trying for about a year.
Someone set a boundary with her adult child, and realized that she did not have to take her child's reaction personally
Someone made phone calls to program friends and benefited from the conversations
Someone gained the self-confidence to step up to be the Group Rep for a meeting
Someone admitted to his own shortcomings
Just when I think it's time for me to cut back on meetings, the privilege to witness this amazing growth in people keeps me coming back.
PosiesandPuppies said
Oct 18, 2019
Thank you Freetime for your service this great Friday morning!
Progress not Perfection is one of my favorite slogans (now), b/c it gives me the "permission" to be human! LOL!
I also like to review what I post at times, b/c that is physical proof that I have indeed changed.
I am super stoked it is Friday! I hope everyone enjoys their day!
&
Lyne said
Oct 18, 2019
Thanks FT for your service and share. I love Progress not Perfection because it reminds me that I will still make mistakes, and it's OK, and I can value the progress I have made, and of course, I want to continue to strive to better myself. I also see progress in group members and it is very exciting. It shows me that it works when you work it, and we can change if we practice. Lyne
Iamhere said
Oct 19, 2019
I am a day late to this reading/share but wanted to thank you Freetime for your service, your ESH and the daily. Thanks to others too for your shares! I am one who had it backwards completely BR - Before Recovery. I was in a perpetual state of trying for perfection and it never happened! Instead, I felt frustrated, unworthy, not enough in most life experiences. This 'was' my mindset in spite of all that I was actually doing/accomplishing in RL. My mind saw a completely different picture than reality in front of me.
It was/is in recovery that I learned to better 'see' what really is. If anyone else came up to me and told me my life story as theirs, I would be impressed and see courage, strength, perseverance. BR, when I reviewed my life, events, etc. I tended to focus more on what could have been better than what actually happened. Today, I still look for areas to improve yet I also have learned to celebrate the miracles around me often/always!
I have retired my perfection cap, and happily wear my progress cap. I can easily say I don't know the answer to a question and not feel inferior/stupid. I am so, so grateful to be able to accept myself as perfectly imperfect as it allows me to practice unconditional love and acceptance in others. Today, I can embrace the differences in other persons and love them when we differ. What a lovely way to 'see' reality today vs. before.
Thanks to all for being here and for the shares! Yesterday was a long, long day for me - golf in the AM, nap in the afternoon and then Softball tourney last night....I am grateful for the weekends to rest and catch up! (((Hugs)))
Today's reading in Courage to Change points out that our recovery gives us opportunities to continually deepen our learning. For example, we may have learned detachment in one situation, and then as life moves on, we encounter a new situation where we need to apply detachment. Even though applying our principles might still feel difficult each time we do it, we have changed, and it is easier than it was at first. All the learning we have done is within us today.
Today's reminder: Instead of assuming that I have failed because I am learning a difficult lesson once more, I might embrace the experience as part of a long-term healing process that requires repetition and practice. I can trust that eventually I will learn it so well that it will become an automatic, confident, and healthy response.
Quote from Madame de Stael, "The human mind always makes progress, but it is a progress in spirals."
---------------------------------------
I know that I have changed immensely from my Al-Anon experience. I have let go of crazy thought patterns and become more forgiving of myself and others. I still have flashes of anger, future-tripping, judgment, and fear -- but I am now quicker to redirect myself.
What gets me excited these days is when I witness progress in my fellow members at the Al-Anon meetings I attend. In just a couple of recent meetings, I witnessed examples including:
Just when I think it's time for me to cut back on meetings, the privilege to witness this amazing growth in people keeps me coming back.
Progress not Perfection is one of my favorite slogans (now), b/c it gives me the "permission" to be human! LOL!
I also like to review what I post at times, b/c that is physical proof that I have indeed changed.
I am super stoked it is Friday! I hope everyone enjoys their day!
It was/is in recovery that I learned to better 'see' what really is. If anyone else came up to me and told me my life story as theirs, I would be impressed and see courage, strength, perseverance. BR, when I reviewed my life, events, etc. I tended to focus more on what could have been better than what actually happened. Today, I still look for areas to improve yet I also have learned to celebrate the miracles around me often/always!
I have retired my perfection cap, and happily wear my progress cap. I can easily say I don't know the answer to a question and not feel inferior/stupid. I am so, so grateful to be able to accept myself as perfectly imperfect as it allows me to practice unconditional love and acceptance in others. Today, I can embrace the differences in other persons and love them when we differ. What a lovely way to 'see' reality today vs. before.
Thanks to all for being here and for the shares! Yesterday was a long, long day for me - golf in the AM, nap in the afternoon and then Softball tourney last night....I am grateful for the weekends to rest and catch up! (((Hugs)))