Today's date had such a beautiful reading from The Language of Letting Go by Melodie Beattie that I felt I just had to share. It is a long one, so I am paraphrasing.

Achieving Harmony

"When a pianist learns a new piece of music, he/she does not sit down and instantly play it perfectly." She goes on to say that during this time of learning the piece (practice), the music may not sound like much. It may sound disconnected and not particularly beautiful. After all, each hand has to learn it's individual part.But when both hands are ready to play together, music is created -- a whole piece comes together in harmony and beauty.

When we begin Recovery, it may sometimes feel like we spend months, even years, practicing individual, seemingly disconnected behaviors in the separate parts of our lives. We take our new skills into our work, our other relationships. We figure out how these work for Us, We can work on loving ourselves, our relationship with our Higher Power, we work on believing we deserve the best... we work on our finances/recreation, even our appearance. We work on our feelings. On beliefs and behaviors. Letting go of the old, acquiring the new. We practice. Sometimes we make little progress, go backward, and then move forward again. Sometimes we have to start all over!

It may seem disconnected - ike isolated notes. Then one day something happens... we become ready and willing to play with both hands, to put the music together! What we have been working toward, note by note, becomes a song. That song is a whole life, a complete life, A LIFE IN HARMONY.

Thought of the Day: "Today, I will practice my recovery behaviors through the individual parts of my life. I trust that, one day, things will come together in a full, complete song."

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This reading spoke to me for two reasons. 1) When I wanted to learn how to play an instrument, piano was my thing. I love the piano. Even though I no longer own a piano, I do practice my rusty skills on a keyboard... so the analogy here works for me. 2) The very first time I came to Al-Anon (through Nar-Anon), I stayed resentful that I even had to attend. Yes, I did the Steps, and yes, I did change some behaviors, but I looked at it as something I had to do to support my husband. It wasn't until I had to return to Al-Anon (7 yrs later) that I realized that I need to be doing this for me!! That this stuff works in every aspect of my life - if I let it! Can you say mind blown?

It amazes me how much easier this program makes my life!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend MIP Peeps! 

   Thanks P. and Mama... ...

I have always loved music, but apart from singing was not very practised at it.

I still recap clearly hearing an opera singer on the radio- and hearing my dad, the A. saying:- "Turn that screaming b---- off!"

I think that really set the tone for me- something I have always sought to change, in my world.

2 or three years ago I bought a banjo back from Texas USA with me. It was a keep-sake from my brother.

My chances of playing it are fairly remote- especially at my age- but i did want to try.

I do not have time to have formal lessons. Or to choose what musical style I might want to adopt.

But I bought a guitar- as a gateway instrument- learned to play two or three chords- and can play and sing my favourite Appalachian lullaby- on a good day... ...

So this must apply to Alanon too... to any recovery programme. All the parts seem to fit into place. I can practise it on my own- duet, trio, quartet. In a group, or even in an orchestra.

Or this is how it appears to me!

If I go to another country- I can play it there too.

It is much the same anywhere I go.

More to the point- I can sit down front of a keyboard- and type out a share.

This is a wet Sunday afternoon- inside here with grandma and two furry pooches.

Maybe it is like a tune- in itself! 

 Thanks heaps y'all   ...

Hi Posies and Poppies,

Just loved you sharing, I too, am a great Fan of Melody Beattie, I have most of her books.  When I started in Alanon, I also got those books, called "Getting them Sober'. Between Melody Beattie, and the other ones, and of course, meetings, working my programme, took off, big time. So it is lovely to know someone else, has them too. also, The one about which wolf you choose to feed, I just love that story, I use it a lot, and share it with so many others, who are struggling.

It cuts to the chase, for me, and keeps me on track.

{{Hugs}} to you,

Love WendP.

Hi DavidG.

just wanted to say, loved your sharing, especially about the Banjo, I love to hear it being played. I too, love Music, my Family bought me a keyboard, I just love it, I am teaching myself to play, not doing too bad. I love to just go and play, to lose myself. Only one hand at the moment, and am trying to get someone to show me, how to do it with the other hand.

My Great Grand Daughter loves it too, when she comes over, we both get on the keyboard. We have a great time, lots of laughter, and fun. She is 6, I would love to get her taught, as I think she would be good.

So, David, keep practicing, one day, I might see you on TV. It is a good analogy between Music and the Programme,. Have you heard the talk of the Kangaroos Rugby League Team, playing the All Blacks.

Interesting, what do you think?

Love WendyP.

 Hmmm Wendy- I have a keyboard too, an entry level one...

    as a kid kids weren't allowed to touch pianos and stuff like that- so this is a gem.

I had to google the Kangaroos-AB's clash- but it does look like a winner- should draw a crowd.

I shall watch the darned thing!

I would have told you- but i took part in a Banjo Paterson Bush Ballad Tournament one time. 

I am actually thinking of cranking up another piece or two- and having another crack at it.

We had an Anzac ceremony yesterday- around a tree planting project. The tree planters actually left a great heap of gums-

to recall the Anzac Spirit, and also because the birds just love it up there...

the bloke who did the honours is 100 years old- our remaining Pacific veteran.

Hi David, you say you were in the Banjo Bush Tournament, can I ask,what did you do. You seem a very interesting person to me, with a lot of strings to you bow. Which I love, and would love to learn more. Someone once said to me that I should write a book, my reply was that it would either be a best novel, or be banned.

I, too, like you like to get on my keyboard, and lose myself.

Have you been watching the Rugby League over here, I feel so sorry for the Warriors, as I love them. They get a raw deal over here.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, what ever you are going to do.  My favourite weekend  is to listen to ABC Radio for the footie, turn down the sound on the tV, and listen to the Radio, as I can't stand the commentators on Channel 9.
 
Love you Heaps.

Wendy.

 Hi Wendy... having a golden moment- a moment of recognition, and Oprah Winfrey ~aha~ moment...

before I kick the bucket I wouldn't mind sitting in the crowd at an Aussie Rules match. I have seen the goal-posts.

I picked up a rusty shovel at Bathurst and travelled on to Orange NSW. I walked onto the stage with a rusty rabbit trap,

and recited a ballad I made up about a rabbitting family during the great depression. To learn it through I set it to a tune:

"My tears have washed I love you from the blackboard of my heart."

A LETTER FROM THE NZR

The Jacksons picked a letter up from the Tarras Store:
an official letter signed and sealed, from the NZR;

"We regret to tell you we can no longer carry
your boxes of rabbits by the New Zealand Railway.

The box is too heavy for our men to lift
so please come up with an alternative."

The Jacksons came to Ardgour to make a living there
when time were hard in Central with each Depression year.

Their home was built of poplar poles with scrim around them wrapped-
Len Jackson tramped the mountains where the wild bun was trapped.

At night they dressed the rabbits by the glow of kerosine;
in the morn Len off and hunted, while Dorrie packed each carcase clean.

The rabbits went to Wellington, a ready market there,
packed in an empty kerosine case which Dorrie did prepare-

she strapped the case for balance on the push-bike carrier,
to take off over the gravel road to the bus stop at the store.

Young Bruce, now due to go to school, had to take his chance
as straddled on the bar was his happy circumstance.

Mervyn sat on the handle bars so not to be left alone
as Dorrie pedalled to the store to catch the freight to Wellington.

Two jokers could not lift the crate which Dorrie Jackson carried
a tribute to the strength of one whom Lennie Jackson married.

Hi David,

I haven't forgotten about you, but have been mad in the head,the last few days,good for nothing. I really want to read your Poem when I am more settled, so don't give up on me. i will get back to you, soon.

Love WendyP.

             Hang in there, Wendy... ...

((((((((((((((((((((( Wendy )))))))))))))))))))))

HI David,

Finally, got to read your Poem, I loved it, it was really good. You are so talented. Good on you. Do you still write more? Regarding,AFL, I was always  Rugby League until my son and son-in- law started playing AFL. I use to go to the games, and of course, got into it, and started yelling out of what to do. I realized that I had no idea, of the rules, but got to love it.

I always wanted to go to a big game in Melbourne, and stand behind the goal posts, waving those huge Pom Poms things. That is what I loved to watch. I love all 3 codes of sports, as they are all different, I love rugby Union, as I have to really concentrate on the plays. I got to learn a lot about it, from listening to Gordan Bray,the best commentator. He use to describe it wonderfully well.

At the moment, I am reading Eddy Jones book, on his time as a Coach. Not that I ever was a fan of his, as he never seemed to get it in Australia, but has done really well with England, and Japan. On reading it from his perspective, I wasn't wrong in the way I saw him, he can be very brash, and rude. But I am enjoying it, the one coach for Australia I really liked was Rod McQueen. I also read his book, that one I enjoyed.

What is the weather like over there, it is freezing over here. Today, Monday, max 16, tomorrow, max 12 with Rain, could be sleet, or snow, near here, Frosts, and cold westerlies wind. Thank heavens, I don't have to go anywhere, will be bunkered down in my den, with the Air con on. With the virus, it is scary here now, as they have opened the Border, and so many have come from NSW. which hasn't been clear at all. We have been clear here for ages. Victoria, is in real trouble, with huge numbers being affected. Now the border has opened, I am really scared, not that I can do anything about it but try to be careful as I can.

What is it like over there? I can say that my head has cleared, I gave my self a good talking to,and told what was rattling around in it,, to go take a hike. So, just for now, it has taken a holiday, it would be lovely if it stayed away, but I know it isn't going to. I will have to keep coming back.

Was lovely to catch up with you again,and hope you have lots of Serenity.

Love Wendy. {{Hugs}}.