The reading for Monday, 8/30, talks about how ones attitude dictates the way we experience the world. This came about through the members sponsor asking them to use a grievance list, and then gratitude lists when feeling low, unhappy about family, and/or when feeling fine. The member was surprised to see that the grievance list was very similar to the gratitude listsame people, same house, same life. The member realized the only change was how they felt about them. The member also realized attitude is powerful. Not everyday will be good, but we have a choice about our perception of things.
Quote: Change your thoughts and you change your world.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I will never forget a trained addiction counselor telling me that I could change how I felt. That instead of being dragged around by my A, I had a choice. I thought this guy was nuts. If I could just change the way I felt I wouldnt need therapy or alanon or any help at all. But of course how to achieve this goal was no easy task. It took meetings and a sponsor, working the steps, using slogans and program friends, but, eventually I could get a grip and change my attitude, which then could make lemonade from lemons. To this day I practice going over my choices, and which tools or people I need help from, and yes, my attitude changes my experience. This is absolutely one of the best gifts of this program. Need I say Im a grateful member? !
JerryF said
Aug 29, 2021
Exactly Lyne...this is how and what I was taught and continue to practice daily. Thanks for the share. (((hugs)))
DM2021 said
Aug 30, 2021
Good one today Lyne!! Thank you for your service and to you and JerryF for both your ESH.
Happy Monday MIP family!
Been having a bit of a rough go of it, health wise, but pushing through it. The tedious part is that
it has been ongoing, one thing after another, since April. Still have a few issues to deal with, one
of which is a diagnosis of emphysema that I am addressing tomorrow with a rehab referral, the
assessment should be revealing and a help moving forward. I have always been really active
(walk 3 miles a day plus exercise) so I am not ready to give in by any means!!!
Did not mean divert from todays topic/reading, just thought I would let everyone know what
is happening with me, because I stepped down from doing Thursday readings. {{HUGS}}
Todays reading definitely resonates with me, because lately I find that I am grumbling under my
breath about everything. I am not comfortable with my attitude and todays reading is a good
reminder that I need to focus on me and my perspective. Thank you Al-Anon/MIP and HP!!
Lyne said
Aug 30, 2021
{{{Debbie}}}. Love, light, and prayers, for all the health issues going on with you for the last few months. Best wishes for positive outcomes.
PosiesandPuppies said
Aug 30, 2021
Thank you Lyne for your service and share.
An Attitude of Gratitude is what I am learning to live by today! I have found that it helps me stay out of the negative head-space that can be my default if I let it!
Debbie - I am sorry to hear that you are battling some health issues. The Light of my Being, and the strength of my HP I am sending to you! I hope that you can get back to those walks (even if they may be less in miles).
JerryF said
Aug 30, 2021
You all are truly my "other" family with the program wisdom that immediately puts me and keeps me in the recovery attitude I so needed to have and practice. I cannot read the ESH offered here without thinking what it was like before I surrendered to my HP and our program.
Amazing how very close to death I came and then rose from the floor into the light of recovery. Truly a miracle!! Mahalo for your loving service and loyal care. I've got another chance no matter what else is happening. ((((hugs))))
Freetime said
Aug 30, 2021
MIP friends, thank you all for sharing about attitudes. I clearly remember the night I was in one of my first Al-Anon meetings and heard them read the line "changed attitudes aid recovery." That's when I began to understand what the program could do for me and what I could do for myself. Changed attitudes! Looking at things a different way. And getting help from others to do that.
I used to ride public transportation to work. There was this one train operator who, when we got to the downtown station where most of us passengers got off the train, he would announce over the loudspeaker "XYZ Station. Choose to have a great day." I used to laugh at how goofy that was. Now I know it was wise.
So, at the risk of being goofy -- Choose to Have a Great Day.
Iamhere said
Aug 30, 2021
Happy Monday MIP. I did not even realize how negative my outlook & attitude were BR (Before Recovery). I had become conditioned to expect the worst, look for the bad, focus on what's broken, etc. I too recall when I read the line 'changed attitudes aid recovery'. At first glance, I thought it sounded trite and silly. Yet, with time, a bit of sanity restored, a good sponsor and practicing what's suggested in this program, I now see that I truly do have a choice in how I embrace a day, a moment, a situation, etc.
While I have absolutely no idea what the future will bring to me, I do have the ability to trust this program, my HP and my progress to do what is sound and rational vs. emotional and irrational. I will slip - I offered to call the rehab center and rip on a nurse for my father who's frustrated with little information flowing - which we jointly decided wasn't necessary now.
I am grateful that I choose joy each day. In spite of the many emotions I am experiencing of late, I make sure I do something for me each day that brings me joy or peace. I continue to work out, golf, talk to my recovery support, sponsor, etc. I am trying to make no changes for 'me' yet be of service to my parents. It worked when they battled Covid so hopeful it works again.
Love and light all - for the record, masked always, I still choose to smile at complete strangers as I go about my day. I believe a smile shows in the eyes as well as the lips. (((Hugs)))
The reading for Monday, 8/30, talks about how ones attitude dictates the way we experience the world. This came about through the members sponsor asking them to use a grievance list, and then gratitude lists when feeling low, unhappy about family, and/or when feeling fine. The member was surprised to see that the grievance list was very similar to the gratitude listsame people, same house, same life. The member realized the only change was how they felt about them. The member also realized attitude is powerful. Not everyday will be good, but we have a choice about our perception of things.
Quote: Change your thoughts and you change your world.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I will never forget a trained addiction counselor telling me that I could change how I felt. That instead of being dragged around by my A, I had a choice. I thought this guy was nuts. If I could just change the way I felt I wouldnt need therapy or alanon or any help at all. But of course how to achieve this goal was no easy task. It took meetings and a sponsor, working the steps, using slogans and program friends, but, eventually I could get a grip and change my attitude, which then could make lemonade from lemons. To this day I practice going over my choices, and which tools or people I need help from, and yes, my attitude changes my experience. This is absolutely one of the best gifts of this program. Need I say Im a grateful member? !
Exactly Lyne...this is how and what I was taught and continue to practice daily. Thanks for the share. (((hugs)))
Good one today Lyne!! Thank you for your service and to you and JerryF for both your ESH.
Happy Monday MIP family!
Been having a bit of a rough go of it, health wise, but pushing through it. The tedious part is that
it has been ongoing, one thing after another, since April. Still have a few issues to deal with, one
of which is a diagnosis of emphysema that I am addressing tomorrow with a rehab referral, the
assessment should be revealing and a help moving forward. I have always been really active
(walk 3 miles a day plus exercise) so I am not ready to give in by any means!!!
Did not mean divert from todays topic/reading, just thought I would let everyone know what
is happening with me, because I stepped down from doing Thursday readings. {{HUGS}}
Todays reading definitely resonates with me, because lately I find that I am grumbling under my
breath about everything. I am not comfortable with my attitude and todays reading is a good
reminder that I need to focus on me and my perspective. Thank you Al-Anon/MIP and HP!!
An Attitude of Gratitude is what I am learning to live by today! I have found that it helps me stay out of the negative head-space that can be my default if I let it!
Debbie - I am sorry to hear that you are battling some health issues. The Light of my Being, and the strength of my HP I am sending to you! I hope that you can get back to those walks (even if they may be less in miles).
You all are truly my "other" family with the program wisdom that immediately puts me and keeps me in the recovery attitude I so needed to have and practice. I cannot read the ESH offered here without thinking what it was like before I surrendered to my HP and our program.
Amazing how very close to death I came and then rose from the floor into the light of recovery. Truly a miracle!! Mahalo for your loving service and loyal care. I've got another chance no matter what else is happening. ((((hugs))))
I used to ride public transportation to work. There was this one train operator who, when we got to the downtown station where most of us passengers got off the train, he would announce over the loudspeaker "XYZ Station. Choose to have a great day." I used to laugh at how goofy that was. Now I know it was wise.
So, at the risk of being goofy -- Choose to Have a Great Day.
While I have absolutely no idea what the future will bring to me, I do have the ability to trust this program, my HP and my progress to do what is sound and rational vs. emotional and irrational. I will slip - I offered to call the rehab center and rip on a nurse for my father who's frustrated with little information flowing - which we jointly decided wasn't necessary now.
I am grateful that I choose joy each day. In spite of the many emotions I am experiencing of late, I make sure I do something for me each day that brings me joy or peace. I continue to work out, golf, talk to my recovery support, sponsor, etc. I am trying to make no changes for 'me' yet be of service to my parents. It worked when they battled Covid so hopeful it works again.
Love and light all - for the record, masked always, I still choose to smile at complete strangers as I go about my day. I believe a smile shows in the eyes as well as the lips. (((Hugs)))
Sending you all love and light as well!!