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.
I was writing this in my journal and thought I would share it with you. Take what you like and leave the rest.
As I was working on the pool this morning, it occurred to me that there are many aspects related to the upkeep of the pool that are parallel to taking care of myself.If I don't maintain the pool - brush, vacuum, apply chemicals in appropriate amounts and at the right time - the water becomes dark and murky and no one wants to get in it.
Likewise, if I don't take care of myself, my thinking goes in really unhealthy directions, I can be irritable and unreasonable and just not pleasant to be around.
If I let the pool go untended for too long, it takes a long time to get it back to where it needs to be and is not an instant process.I have to vacuum up sand, leaves and other crap and possibly even let out some water in order to begin to get it back in proper form.
As with myself, if I neglect my program for too long and let my doubts, fears, resentments and expectations accumulate, I have to start over and take those baby steps to get back where I need to be.I have to clean out the crap and let go of things I cannot change (let out the dirty water) before I can begin again to get myself where I need to be.
This reminds me that in many, if not all, aspects of life, it's important to make progress, but not expect perfection and to simply keep up with my regular maintenance.
-- Edited by blender_girl on Saturday 30th of May 2009 12:54:34 PM
-- Edited by blender_girl on Saturday 30th of May 2009 12:57:16 PM
Your awareness was awesome. I agree the simple message of alanon- daily maintaince- Live one Day at a Time, Make a Gratitude list, Pray, read alanon literature really helps to keep " the pool of my swimming thoughts clear of many negative leaves."
I competely relate. I have done the same comparisson with my flower beds. And the flower beds are what I do when I need to get active and get my mind in a good place. So for me, I take care of my garden and it takes care of me!
NICE analogy....yep...Once we "get as there as we can"....We gotta take care of it....
You go to the gym...get into shape....OK, you got this beautiful physique....WHAT sense does it make to quit the gym....eat french fries and sleep on couch when not stuffing myself with junk food?????
I am going to do MAINTENANCE work re: my program....I worked too hard to get this far...I am NOT throwing it away....
