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.
While driving to work on Christmas eve, very early (5 am), checking off my list, it dawned on me that my list was just about complete and in the hecktedness of the holiday season where I was baking, shopping, wrapping, singing Christmas carols to myself, I was too busy and tired to do my daily gratitude list.
So I took a few minutes on the drive to begin my gratitude list thanking my Higher Power, who I call God. After I finished, I thought Maria, with all the Christmas songs you've been hearing, I didn't think I had heard one of my all time favorites "Do you hear what I hear?"
I kid you not, I turned on the radio and there it was. The song that I just realized I hadn't heard this season. I listened to the song anew and, of course, I am always right where I need to be when I let my Higher Power guide me.
In the song, there's a shepherd boy, a king and a child. As many of you who know me know, I so often see so much symbolism in songs and in my life. As the tears (and mascara ) were streaming down my face, I connected more symbolism between this song and a book I had just read.
I had just finished reading The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho which is rich in symbolism. There is a shepherd boy who learns a lot from his flock, he meets a king who helps guide him on his journey and I won't tell you the rest in case you want to read it yourself.
My favorite quote from the book is "when you seek your personal legend, the whole universe conspires to help you." And so I thought of all of you, my wonderful friends, who have helped me along my journey as I have trialed and triumphed in life. I know as I continue on this journey, each of you are conspiring to help me and today, I am blessed to realize and acknowledge this.
Thank you with gratitude and love, Maria
-- Edited by Maria123 at 22:00, 2008-12-26
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If I am not for me, who will be? If I am only for myself, then who am I? If not now, when?