Instead of posting from one of the three daily readers, I thought today I would post from my current favorite Al-Anon Conference Approved literature -- the "Just For Tonight" bookmark. It has only been out for a couple of years, so some may not be aware of it. It can be purchased on the Al-Anon.org website Online Store, or your local face-to-face meeting or literature distribution center might have it.
I find that, when I am troubled, I can usually be OK during the day because I am busy, but at night -- that can be a different story. I find this little bookmark so comforting. I will just quote a couple of excerpts:
Just for tonight - I will be grateful. I will give thanks for the past day -- its failures as well as its successes, its sadness as well as its joy and its pain as well as its pleasure. I will take comfort in knowing that every event and circumstance that occurred today can be used for my good and the good of others.
Just for tonight - I will find a safe, comfortable place to lie down and close my eyes. I will remind myself I am both deserving and in need of rest. I will look forward to awakening to the new day, feeling rested and ready to follow my Higher Power's guidance.
I like the idea that every event can be used for my good or others' good -- and I also find help in the image of finding a safe, comfortable place to sleep. I am grateful to have that, especially because there were times it did not feel that way.
I hope everyone on MIP has a good day -- and a good night.
DM2021 said
Jul 9, 2021
Freetime, I did have a good day yesterday and a safe and restful place to relax and sleep last night.
Glad you are comfortable and safe as well.
mamalioness said
Jul 9, 2021
Freetime. That was a really nice share and I appreciate you sharing it with us. Yes, the evening times, last night I burned a white candle and I just thanked my higher power for the blessings in my life and the lessons that I learned even though some of them were not really happy ones, I did see the lesson and I did see the message in these events and then after I did all my gratitude for myself and for others, I was able to just lie on my back and do some tapping and deep breathing and some really good self positive talk and I felt myself relax all over and I felt myself releasing any feelings that I had accrued during the day, I was able to just release them into the universe. I would love to get that book. It sounds like something I could really get my teeth into because I like to look at the positive . This past few days have been challenging for me but I can see also the good in that I learned some really good lessons and saw good progress because I was able to stop and do my gratitude list and my step 10 inventory
Thanks for the great share
Lyne said
Jul 9, 2021
Thank you FT for your service and encouraging words. I like hearing about new CAL. I always appreciate ESH from all. :)
Bbrave said
Jul 9, 2021
Thank you so much, Freetime! When I ordered my books from the Al-Anon org., some beautiful person put those two bookmarks in a separate envelope and mailed them to me as a gift. There was a little note of encouragement included. Just For Today and Just For Tonight really sum things up, dont they? I look at them every day...I do not always manage to live by them, but am reminded that they ARE the way to live!
Maresie888 said
Jul 9, 2021
Freetime
Thank you for your share .
Indeed I do rejoice in having a safe place to sleep. When I was with the qualifier that was not the case. The qualifier crashed cars, failed to pay bills broke gas lines. Then he invited people over to stay for a year (they did not get to stay) The list was long and chaotic and boundaryless
Then one year ago when I had to relocate from my apartment I stayed with an alcoholic friend (never never never again) He was incredibly noisy
Normally I have a TV to block out noise
In the past year I had another noisy neighbor. Wfeb he got drunk he raised up his stereo
Now he has moved out (yay). He has left his car behind
I am reminded daily that I no longer live the chaotic life Inomce had. I most certainly have challenges. They are nu own challenges. They are not the challenges that someone drops in my lap. They are not the challenges of living in crowded conditions.
I most certainly live the challenges of a life in recovery
My bed is in fact one of my most favorite places. I make great effort to surround myself with art, comfort and books
In an ideal world I would have more. At this time I relish everything I have. I have worked incredibly hard to get that.
Maresie
-- Edited by Maresie888 on Friday 9th of July 2021 04:02:35 PM
Daffodils said
Jul 9, 2021
Thank you Freetime for this useful tool. I like the good/bad being put to good use At times I obsess over negative people encountered in my day and force myself to pray for them (per my sponsor's suggestion) and lately my sleep is uninterrupted and I wake up refreshed. I will definitely seek out this book. Thanks everyone for the shares ...your insights add value to my day.
JerryF said
Jul 9, 2021
So very beautiful to know you are being loved by others you don't recognize. That selfless behavior encourages me to do the same and honestly makes me feel often that it is most what the program is about. I remember always coming into Alanon a broken, rageful, angry man with out a loving spirit yet looking for one and then by allowing my self to become a program member I found mine (loving spirit). Thank you God and thank you to every member who loved me into a generous, peaceful spirit. ((((Mahalo Nui Loa)))) Thank You always.
a4l said
Jul 10, 2021
Thanks for your service Freetime. I'd never heard of just for tonight. We don't have a bookshop or Amazon here. Makes good sense though; nights were sometimes the worst. I am really grateful for those evening suggestions after this particular day. Thank you for sharing them.
Instead of posting from one of the three daily readers, I thought today I would post from my current favorite Al-Anon Conference Approved literature -- the "Just For Tonight" bookmark. It has only been out for a couple of years, so some may not be aware of it. It can be purchased on the Al-Anon.org website Online Store, or your local face-to-face meeting or literature distribution center might have it.
I find that, when I am troubled, I can usually be OK during the day because I am busy, but at night -- that can be a different story. I find this little bookmark so comforting. I will just quote a couple of excerpts:
I like the idea that every event can be used for my good or others' good -- and I also find help in the image of finding a safe, comfortable place to sleep. I am grateful to have that, especially because there were times it did not feel that way.
I hope everyone on MIP has a good day -- and a good night.
Glad you are comfortable and safe as well.
Thanks for the great share
Thank you so much, Freetime! When I ordered my books from the Al-Anon org., some beautiful person put those two bookmarks in a separate envelope and mailed them to me as a gift. There was a little note of encouragement included. Just For Today and Just For Tonight really sum things up, dont they? I look at them every day...I do not always manage to live by them, but am reminded that they ARE the way to live!
Freetime
Thank you for your share .
Indeed I do rejoice in having a safe place to sleep. When I was with the qualifier that was not the case. The qualifier crashed cars, failed to pay bills broke gas lines. Then he invited people over to stay for a year (they did not get to stay) The list was long and chaotic and boundaryless
Then one year ago when I had to relocate from my apartment I stayed with an alcoholic friend (never never never again) He was incredibly noisy
Normally I have a TV to block out noise
In the past year I had another noisy neighbor. Wfeb he got drunk he raised up his stereo
Now he has moved out (yay). He has left his car behind
I am reminded daily that I no longer live the chaotic life Inomce had. I most certainly have challenges. They are nu own challenges. They are not the challenges that someone drops in my lap. They are not the challenges of living in crowded conditions.
I most certainly live the challenges of a life in recovery
My bed is in fact one of my most favorite places. I make great effort to surround myself with art, comfort and books
In an ideal world I would have more. At this time I relish everything I have. I have worked incredibly hard to get that.
Maresie
-- Edited by Maresie888 on Friday 9th of July 2021 04:02:35 PM
So very beautiful to know you are being loved by others you don't recognize. That selfless behavior encourages me to do the same and honestly makes me feel often that it is most what the program is about. I remember always coming into Alanon a broken, rageful, angry man with out a loving spirit yet looking for one and then by allowing my self to become a program member I found mine (loving spirit). Thank you God and thank you to every member who loved me into a generous, peaceful spirit. ((((Mahalo Nui Loa)))) Thank You always.