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 spend more time with myself than with anyone else. Wouldnt it make sense to put some energy into making that relationship as fulfulling as possible? Another person cannot prevent me from feeling lonely, but my inner emptiness can be satsified. I can come to value my own company! I am a worthwhile companion.
One of the illusions shared by many of us who have been affected by alcoholism is that "only" the alcoholic , can fill that empty place within us. If only he/whe were more attentive, if only he/she got sober, if only they were with me now, I wouldnt be lonely. But many of us remain just as lonely even after those conditions are met.
Today when I am by myself, I will know that I am in good company. When I stop expecting others to meet all of my needs, I find new and exciting ways to enjoy my own friendship. And when I do get lonely, I have the comfort and the support of a HP who never leaves me.
Today I will spend more time exploring the most intimate human relationship I will ever have------ my relationship with myself.
What a lovely surprise to discover how unlonely being alone can be! (thinking of this "read" makes me think of this day in a whole new way),,I hope this helps some of you to look beyond another to meet your needs.......................................gardengal
"Today when I am by myself, I will know that I am in good company. When I stop expecting others to meet all of my needs, I find new and exciting ways to enjoy my own friendship. And when I do get lonely, I have the comfort and the support of a HP who never leaves me.Today I will spend more time exploring the most intimate human relationship I will ever have------ my relationship with myself.
#####ROSIE.....you go girl!!!! one thing i notice!!! when i decided to **fall in love with me first* its ok , i am by myself....i mean i am in good company----ME......IF there is **good love* out there for me, i first have to have **good love* with me......i am sure that is why i am **between mates* and it bothers me NOT!!!!!! thanks for this gr8 post/ rosie
THANK YOU!! For posting this reading on enjoying one's own company. Emotionally, I've had a tough couple of days. This afternoon I had a good cry and then I read this post. I feel like the crying was such a needed release and the reading is helping fueling postive, me-focused energy for the rest of this beautiful, fall day. I plan to clean my apartment, do a little laundry, and make the big pot o' soup for this upcoming week's lunches. As I do these things, I plan to keep this reading in mind and consciously enjoy and revel in the time that I have to be with me.
I've really appreciated everyone who posts readings from various literature; I've found it tremendously helpful and it often 'speaks to my condition'.
thanks for this post- U R so right. We need to take responsibility for our lives. Even though we think that life would be so-oo-oo much better if our A quit drinking (or we lost that weight, or we had more $) we know that it is not the case. The problem is in our own spirit, in our own internal relationship with ourselves. When we look at any of our "problems" and give them greater power than they really have in our lives, we are really setting ourselves up for disappointment. I've seen plenty of people split up--after sobriety (ala UncleLou) after winning the lottery, after losing wt etc. Makes U realize that those external problems were just symptoms but not the REAL problem.!
I think your post makes the real point GG and I need to hear it!-
Jeanne
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In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip.- Daniel L. Reardon
Getting so enmeshed in anothers "crap", we often lose sight on what is important, like doing something nice for ourselves, and just enjoying ourselves. I know this reading hit home for me, and often think of others, so I share. I too made a big pot of soup, & cleaned and now I can sit back, enjoy the newspaper, eat my soup and feel better that my house is clean. Small little things we overlook when dealing with active alcoholism, and constant reminders to keep the focus on ourselves, is for me at least a daily task. I am glad that you found this helpful, and it makes me feel good that it did!