Hello MIP! In today's reading, the author reflects on joy. Colts, puppies, and little children are full of boundless joy at being alive. The author wonders what happened to their own joy? Living with the disease of alcoholism had broken the author's spirit. AlAnon provides the author with a fellowship, a sponsor, and 12 steps and traditions that they use to help heal their broken spirit. The author's healing of spirit really happened when they stopped fighting the God of other people's understanding and found a God who honored the long-forgotten spirit in the author. With the help of this Higher Power, the author began to be restored to their true self. Today, one way that the author stays in touch with their Higher Power is by making a sincere effort to experience joy at being alive.
Today's Reminder: Let me make this day a celebration of the spirit. There is a part of me that retains a childlike sense of curiosity, wonder, enthusiasm, and delight. I may have lost touch with it, but I know it still exists. I will set my problems to the side for a little while and appreciate what it means to be vitally alive.
Today's Quote: "Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got to hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." George Bernard Shaw
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I can really identify with the author. Before I met my AW, I had fought my way back to life and joy after losing my partner to cancer. I remember distinctly how much I enjoyed seeing a budding leaf in the spring, or feeling the warmth of the sun. I had challenges, of course, but noticing the wonder around me and finding joy in it was a usual way that I walked through my day. After years of living with the disease of alcoholism, I struggle to notice the wonders around me. The description of a broken spirit makes sense to me. I make an effort to be in the present moment and to keep myself focused on what is happening now, and to focus on the next right thing, but I find myself remembering experiencing joy at the sight of a budding leaf, instead of experiencing the joy now. It took me years of meditation and self-care to walk through my day with joy at the wonder around me. I'm convinced that if I keep working the program, I will get back to that joy again.
We have a nice warming trend going on, and the snow's all melted today. I'm enjoying the warmer temperature, if not the muddy puppy paws! I hope you make today a great day!
Iamhere said
Nov 20, 2019
Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily! We are also having a slight warming trend, and it's been lovely - we've been out getting a bit more golf in! We have rain expected tonight and cooler temperatures for the next few days so I too will be faced with the muddy paws soon...
It always makes my heart smile when I see pure unbridled joy in another living being! There is something magical in pure joy which I believe teaches me how to really stay present in the moment. You know I like watching Joel Osteen and he has many sermons on Joy. The way he presents it is so simple and really speaks to me. Between recovery, Joel and tons of practice, I do believe that my joy level is related directly to my spiritual condition and my attitude.
Make it a lovely day MIP family - I am out the door shortly for golf....find and keep your joy!! (((Hugs)))
Lyne said
Nov 20, 2019
Thanks Skorpi for your service and I relate to both wonderful shares. My spirit and heart were both broken by my A. Its been such a long, painful life, without joy, until program. And of course it didnt come immediately. Listening and learning were the keys to regaining a self I can love and enjoy the sight of a chipmunk run across my deck. Ive come a long way, and still have a long way to go as my A has been drinking and lying again. I will hold onto joy, appreciate all the good things I have, and stay close to program and HP, Lyne
PosiesandPuppies said
Nov 20, 2019
Thank you Skorpi for this wonderful share! I love coming on here and reading the daily... many days it is just what I need to keep my course!
I agree, Iamhere, there is something magical in pure joy. I have seen it in children, puppies/kittens and colts! It must be the age factor... before we become burdened by all the "adult stuff." Sometimes I watch Youtube videos of children laughing/giggling... just so that I can tap into that "pure joy." It is infectious! LOL! I also think that is the draw of the famous "Puppy Bowl." So much cuteness, and unbridled joy in one spot!!
((((Lyne)))) - You work a strong program, so I know that you will walk forward in strength. But I send you hugs anyway, as I know the lying is what killed "it" for me. To not trust your soulmate is possibly the hardest thing. I know it was for me.
Actually getting some real rain today! I am loving the cooler weather, and of course it all helps the areas that have burned to begin to recover. I am thankful for the rain today!
DavidG said
Nov 20, 2019
Oh, what a ray of sunshine, with our readings, Scorpi! I was around when Courage to Change was released. It complemented our older ODAT. I sensed few constraints in our early meetings. They started top come later. C 2 C readings gave us examples of group life- and I realised that groups should not become too slack- and nor should they be too rigid. Some members expected perfection- and this is a part of the journey. Progress, not perfection, was the aim.
Our summer here has been cool- with only two hot days in the last month. Like last year we have had more hilltop snow than usual. Warm air up there tends to create snow, rather than rain. Nature's candy floss.
I am enjoying the company of the members here. For some time I saw my higher power in other the members. And now I see HP in my life as well! A gift from all!
Most, if not all, members do not disclose their actual location. But getting a picture of the part of the world; and the life-style and culture... ...is something we can all celebrate. Seeing the similarities, and the differences, is interesting and exciting. I have now spent more than half my life in Alanon. I have happy memories, and some challenges, and today I can celebrate both together! ...
...your enthusiasm is infectious, Scorpio... thanks... ...
JerryF said
Nov 20, 2019
Skorpi you reached well down into your spirit for this share and I am so grateful for what it has done for me and the others who have responded.
I relate to David's share I am also "half lifing it" as my sponsor taught me and to inventory my present mental, spiritual, emotional and physical condition I know truly what the meaning of "blessed" is.
Mahalo MIP, Al-Anon and my Higher Power. ((((Hugs))))
Hello MIP! In today's reading, the author reflects on joy. Colts, puppies, and little children are full of boundless joy at being alive. The author wonders what happened to their own joy? Living with the disease of alcoholism had broken the author's spirit. AlAnon provides the author with a fellowship, a sponsor, and 12 steps and traditions that they use to help heal their broken spirit. The author's healing of spirit really happened when they stopped fighting the God of other people's understanding and found a God who honored the long-forgotten spirit in the author. With the help of this Higher Power, the author began to be restored to their true self. Today, one way that the author stays in touch with their Higher Power is by making a sincere effort to experience joy at being alive.
Today's Reminder: Let me make this day a celebration of the spirit. There is a part of me that retains a childlike sense of curiosity, wonder, enthusiasm, and delight. I may have lost touch with it, but I know it still exists. I will set my problems to the side for a little while and appreciate what it means to be vitally alive.
Today's Quote: "Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got to hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." George Bernard Shaw
---------------------------
I can really identify with the author. Before I met my AW, I had fought my way back to life and joy after losing my partner to cancer. I remember distinctly how much I enjoyed seeing a budding leaf in the spring, or feeling the warmth of the sun. I had challenges, of course, but noticing the wonder around me and finding joy in it was a usual way that I walked through my day. After years of living with the disease of alcoholism, I struggle to notice the wonders around me. The description of a broken spirit makes sense to me. I make an effort to be in the present moment and to keep myself focused on what is happening now, and to focus on the next right thing, but I find myself remembering experiencing joy at the sight of a budding leaf, instead of experiencing the joy now. It took me years of meditation and self-care to walk through my day with joy at the wonder around me. I'm convinced that if I keep working the program, I will get back to that joy again.
We have a nice warming trend going on, and the snow's all melted today. I'm enjoying the warmer temperature, if not the muddy puppy paws!
I hope you make today a great day!
It always makes my heart smile when I see pure unbridled joy in another living being! There is something magical in pure joy which I believe teaches me how to really stay present in the moment. You know I like watching Joel Osteen and he has many sermons on Joy. The way he presents it is so simple and really speaks to me. Between recovery, Joel and tons of practice, I do believe that my joy level is related directly to my spiritual condition and my attitude.
Make it a lovely day MIP family - I am out the door shortly for golf....find and keep your joy!! (((Hugs)))
Thank you Skorpi for this wonderful share! I love coming on here and reading the daily... many days it is just what I need to keep my course!
I agree, Iamhere, there is something magical in pure joy. I have seen it in children, puppies/kittens and colts! It must be the age factor... before we become burdened by all the "adult stuff." Sometimes I watch Youtube videos of children laughing/giggling... just so that I can tap into that "pure joy." It is infectious! LOL! I also think that is the draw of the famous "Puppy Bowl." So much cuteness, and unbridled joy in one spot!!
((((Lyne)))) - You work a strong program, so I know that you will walk forward in strength. But I send you hugs anyway, as I know the lying is what killed "it" for me. To not trust your soulmate is possibly the hardest thing. I know it was for me.
Actually getting some real rain today! I am loving the cooler weather, and of course it all helps the areas that have burned to begin to recover. I am thankful for the rain today!
Our summer here has been cool- with only two hot days in the last month. Like last year we have had more hilltop snow than usual. Warm air up there tends to create snow, rather than rain. Nature's candy floss.
I am enjoying the company of the members here. For some time I saw my higher power in other the members. And now I see HP in my life as well! A gift from all!
Most, if not all, members do not disclose their actual location. But getting a picture of the part of the world; and the life-style and culture... ...is something we can all celebrate. Seeing the similarities, and the differences, is interesting and exciting. I have now spent more than half my life in Alanon. I have happy memories, and some challenges, and today I can celebrate both together!
...
...your enthusiasm is infectious, Scorpio...
thanks... 
...
Skorpi you reached well down into your spirit for this share and I am so grateful for what it has done for me and the others who have responded.
I relate to David's share I am also "half lifing it" as my sponsor taught me and to inventory my present mental, spiritual, emotional and physical condition I know truly what the meaning of "blessed" is.
Mahalo MIP, Al-Anon and my Higher Power. ((((Hugs))))