The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway.
The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spent years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
Give the world the best you've have and you'll be kicked in the teeth. Give the best you've got anyway.
Calcutta can be found all over the world if you have eyes to see.
In the developed countries there is a poverty of intimacy, a poverty of spirit, of loneliness, of lack of love. There is no greater sickness in the world today than that one.
When you have nothing, then you have everything.
God loves a cheerful giver. She or he gives best who gives with a smile.
It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.
Never lose heart. We always -- thank God...can smile. At least you can smile if nothing else.
Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile. Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well
__________________
If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
Quite the extraordinary woman was she. If they don't make her a saint, then I give up. Thanks for glorious gift. That's a keeper. Much love and blessings to you and your family.
Live strong, Karilynn & Pipers Kitty
__________________
It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
Christy - those are beautiful thoughts. Thanks for passing those on.
Maresie- I understand where you're coming from and struggle with giving all of me away too. But, I gotta believe that the message speaks to us, as well. I don't think that the opposite of giving and loving too much is to never give and love. I don't think HP thinks that we should suffer endlessly and give ourselves completely away to help another. If we do that, then we're left with nothing for ourselves, and we're in as bad a shape (or worse!) than the person we were trying to help. I don't think that's the plan.
"It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters." I like that. We're not measured by how much we do, only by the love put into it. And I think the word "love" in these statements is a broad kind of love. Love for our fellow man. Human-ness. I think we can feel a human kind of love for one another (one where kindness plays a key role), and not get strapped in and taken for the nightmare rollercoaster ride of our lives. That's where detachment comes in.
All things considered - I do think choosing to love and give is still the best option for me. I just have to remind myself to keep it in check. When helping them is hurting us.....we've crossed that line.
I dont' think its all or nothing either. I just have to include myself in it. I'm also a person with very limited resources and some of that is stamina. I gave myself away till there was nothing left. That's my reality.
I actually have to be cautioned to save some for me. I'm the last person who needs to know about compassion I have tons of it for everyone but myself. I can totally understand poverty, desire to help and more. The issue is that I didn't "help" me by giving everything away.
I was urged so much last summer to help the A (not from people on this board) but other people who told me if I loved someone I would stick around. I have to be super careful where I put my loyalty, love, action and resources. I've learned that the hard way. That isn't not being loving, its being loving to me and my dogs and its crucial for me to survive.
That's my reality and that's where I am starting from. Other people may have other realities that's mine. All our realities don't have be the same, I'm not a cookie cutter.
