I cannot and would not forget this family on Thanksgiving morning for all you have done and are still doing for my recovery; peace of mind, spirit and sanity. I am drenched in gratitude because so far the disease has not been able to knock the doors of my peace of mind and sanity off of it's hinges.
I can go "thru" the crazies as I did last night because they decided to work me over while I was tired and needing sleep. At times I participate in their processes and at other times work at letting go and letting God hold me securely. It seems so very often that when I am tired the only "best" I can do is lay still and let it try before it goes away somewhere else. Last night it was a mostly involuntary inventory of my long past in our disease and it is a long past which can rattle my cage yet still no longer seriously hurt me.
There is a chant in my culture entitled "E Ala E" which metaphors the rising of the sun and the sinking of the darkness. As the sun comes up the darkness sinks into the earth and I receive light and warmth and clear vision. I experienced that chant once again and when I woke up knew where the gifts were located such as today being a worldly celebration of thanks for them. I also could recognize what would support my gratitude such as this our MIP family gathering and also to my glee the arrival of my "Bird" family. I walked from where we are renting to where we use to own to feed my tiny feathered critters. When I went to gather their feed the driveway was completely empty of anything and when I turned to walk to the spot where I spread the seed the driveway was smothered with a sea of doves, Javas, Yellow wrens, Mynas and more. The only requirement of me at this was a smile, happy snicker and thank you HP. Of course I could gently say "Hele Ai Manu" which between they and I means, "Birds...come eat".
I could hear MIP also say..."Jerry...Hele Ai"...come read and listen..."be fed". Which after last nights crashing and trashing means to listen to what will feed my serenity and peace of mind.
I have had so many miracles in this recovery journey as a result of being a family member that focusing upon them reassures my spirit. One of those miracles involved what I know of as a St. Francis of Assisi dove, years ago. This morning I was surrounded by it all again and want to express my gratitude.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FAMILY!! ((((HUGS))))
PosiesandPuppies said
Nov 28, 2019
Thank you for the well-wishes, Jerry... and for the magical imagery!
Wishing those that celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving, and to all my MIP family, I extend my gratitude!
gobble!
Iamhere said
Nov 28, 2019
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! We've done 'our thing' which includes a family gathering of cousins, aunts, etc - 4 generations. I am glad I went and I am glad I am now home. I am processing some bad news and life events which have given me great cause for pause. I will share more as I am able - I'm returning to Step One as I am powerless...Love and Light to all - (((Hugs))) too!
JerryF said
Nov 28, 2019
In your powerlessness there is great courage and the willingness to show others how it works. Mahalo sister. (((((hugs)))))
tiredtonite said
Nov 30, 2019
Thank you Jerry for the Thanksgiving greeting and beautiful share. As I go through this long holiday weekend, I want to keep my gratitude high and expectations low and keep resentment away. I've been trying to be mindful not to overindulge in stuffing both food and feelings. I want to enjoy but not eat my feelings all weekend. I also have pushed away from retail therapy as a distraction. I love what you shared about the birds. We have had snow which makes walking with my hp even more beautiful. The woods are filled with surprises of my higher power's making. Sometimes you just know by the timing and what you see, hear, feel that it's your hp saying here's something just for you to let you know I'm here and I love you.
"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 really like this quote from our Alanon bookmark. It reminds me that if the lens through which I'm seeing life is cloudy, I have recovery tools to help polish it up and improve my view and attitude. I'm grateful for the program and those who share it here. Happy Thanksgiving. ((hugs)) TT
Lyne said
Nov 30, 2019
Thanks to program there is now much more light where there was only darkness. Yes there is sadness and sickness and fear of the future. But none of it takes me over and prevents me from being grateful and happy. All of you are part of my blessings. Thanks to one and all, Lyne
DavidG said
Nov 30, 2019
Kia miharo Jerry... In Ao-NZ we would say "Tihei Mau'i ora..." Whanau, for ohana... and so on... we are one bit family, all over the globe. By "we" I simply mean all of us. ...
I cannot and would not forget this family on Thanksgiving morning for all you have done and are still doing for my recovery; peace of mind, spirit and sanity. I am drenched in gratitude because so far the disease has not been able to knock the doors of my peace of mind and sanity off of it's hinges.
I can go "thru" the crazies as I did last night because they decided to work me over while I was tired and needing sleep. At times I participate in their processes and at other times work at letting go and letting God hold me securely. It seems so very often that when I am tired the only "best" I can do is lay still and let it try before it goes away somewhere else. Last night it was a mostly involuntary inventory of my long past in our disease and it is a long past which can rattle my cage yet still no longer seriously hurt me.
There is a chant in my culture entitled "E Ala E" which metaphors the rising of the sun and the sinking of the darkness. As the sun comes up the darkness sinks into the earth and I receive light and warmth and clear vision. I experienced that chant once again and when I woke up knew where the gifts were located such as today being a worldly celebration of thanks for them. I also could recognize what would support my gratitude such as this our MIP family gathering and also to my glee the arrival of my "Bird" family. I walked from where we are renting to where we use to own to feed my tiny feathered critters. When I went to gather their feed the driveway was completely empty of anything and when I turned to walk to the spot where I spread the seed the driveway was smothered with a sea of doves, Javas, Yellow wrens, Mynas and more. The only requirement of me at this was a smile, happy snicker and thank you HP. Of course I could gently say "Hele Ai Manu" which between they and I means, "Birds...come eat".
I could hear MIP also say..."Jerry...Hele Ai"...come read and listen..."be fed". Which after last nights crashing and trashing means to listen to what will feed my serenity and peace of mind.
I have had so many miracles in this recovery journey as a result of being a family member that focusing upon them reassures my spirit. One of those miracles involved what I know of as a St. Francis of Assisi dove, years ago. This morning I was surrounded by it all again and want to express my gratitude.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FAMILY!! ((((HUGS))))
Wishing those that celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving, and to all my MIP family, I extend my gratitude!
In your powerlessness there is great courage and the willingness to show others how it works. Mahalo sister. (((((hugs)))))