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 used to think a full life would be something like that of a popular celebrity. Attending public events, meeting world figures, jet setting all around the world would create an interesting, full life. Today I dont see it that way, the grass is greener on the other side philosophy.
My life is full because alanon has taught me how to live in the present moment. I no longer linger in the past where I find pain nor drag myself into the fearful future obsessing about the what if's. I find myself being present in the moment and absorbing all of the wonderful miracles around me. Just yesterday looking at my youngest son's corny smile and laugh and falling in love with that moment. Being there playing with him not letting anything else of greater importance lead me away from that moment, that is a reflection of my HP gifts for me, my children.
Walking outside and noticing the changing of the leaves, the smell in the air, the squirrels on the ground, the sounds of the trees in the wind, that is a miracle because I am experiencing life in full color. Before it was just something where I would say who has time to walk when I can drive, I have 50 things to do today before I pick kids up from school. I liken it to a fast food approach to living my life where it had become composed of completed tasks not living or experiencing the world around me.
I think the key for me to having a full life is to have an experience with the one I am having now. That means to slow down and appreciate what I have rather than what I don't have. When I can appreciate what I do have, I shift and how can I play with this life, from the eyes of a little child. If I don't like what my life looks like, I can change it and start over at any time. That is the miracle for me of living a full life.
Thanks Rodney,
T
-- Edited by tommyecat on Wednesday 2nd of November 2011 06:35:29 AM
I may not be active yet in Al Anon, but I experience a full life when I just enjoy the moments. I am a HUGE nature person and love being outdoors. I see the beauty in a butterfly or a hummingbird and I get excited when I hear coyotes out on the hunt. I tend to my plants and flowers. I read books. I love to cook and read recipes. So, I guess it's the simple things that bring me to a fuller life like meeting a friend for coffee or helping a friend solve a problem. All these things enrich my life. Also, I homeschool our son so I spend my days re-learning so many interesting things that I don't remember from school anymore. I find it fascinating to read with him and really learn history and science all over again. So, I guess it's about the day to day small things that bring me joy more than anything else!
I used to think living a full life was doing as much good for as much people as I possibly could and in the process I was making myself insane because I would become so frustrated with the poeple who did not see that they should do it MY way. I did not know it then but running around trying to save everyone and control everything was only hurting me. I am grateful I am learning this now before I have children. Everyone is their own being and they can live there own life, theyre on their own path... I think this will make me a much better mother for I will try to accept my children for the people they grow into and know that I did my best to set morals and faith for them but that the ideas they choose to believe or the way they choose to live their life when they grow will be their choices. That is beautiful to me.
So that being said I believe a full life would include a life in which I wake up each morning appreciating the little things... a fresh cup of coffee, sun rising behind the almost bare trees, jack'o lanterns still out on porches from Halloween. A full life is not being brought down by other's moods or attitudes because I am in control of my own feelings and emotions. A full life is believing there is a mystic power, a supernatural greater than myself and sometimes (if I am lucky) almost feeling its presence. A full life is appreciating that I was given life on this planet and thus enjoying the time I have with the people and environment who happens to be around me.
I liked your response tommyecat, I'm excited to read whats to come.
Great post, RLC!
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Michelle!
No one can take away your peace of mind unless you let them.
I go to the same meeting as RLC and this is what I shared. I think that when you are at peace and content with yourself and with others in your life. You are happy with what each day brings and how you lived that day. Some days are not going to be as fulfilling as others but I think that is how life is. You take in the positive and let go of the negative. I think it was a great topic and a great share on fulfillment. I still learn a lot every day and try my best to live the program.
making the most of your time if yu can- to try and make sure i make the most out of my time- in a creative way. i am extremely creative and arty....but i need to work on going out and socialising. living a full life- may just be accepting you cant change things- those bills cant be paid- but try to enjoy your day if you can and find some good things to look at.
i know someone who has just lost her daughter (who was 27) to leukemia, and she survives by finding small things in life, a nice walk in fresh air or an afternoon with the family. she is a complete inspiration ...if she can try and live her life to the full (according to her daughters wishes) and try to look at positives then i sure should be aswell!! (I try.....and when i find myself moaning, i think of her situation and think- what a brat i am)
I have learned that fully living and living fully are two different things and one in the same. The way I do this is to live in this very moment. If I live outside of this, I get sick in the head. I work on me and do things for me now more than ever. Thanks to alanon and this board....
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-youfoundme
Let go and let God...Let it be... let it begin with me...
Good question. Before al-anon i was not living i was just the shadow of myself, trying to fix everything and everybody , giving advices,having an opinion on everything. actually i still have an opinion on lots of things but i only give it when asked!.
a year later of al-anon meetings, personal work, separated from my AH, i feel free and happy. i live for the moment enjoying little things i didnt even know were there. every positive event in my life makes me happy, listening to my daughter ranting about teachers or friends, running in the cold, reading a book at home, meeting friends for lunch or supper have become meaningful things for me. i feel i have a full life now, full of hope and love. ESH as we call it? I am finally able to look after myself and enjoy life without being surrounded by chaos. who knew. Friends told me i look so alive and i feel alive. Life is a beautiful gift, al-anon is a life changing experience.
I try not to get attached to any 1 thing too much. I try to make myself stay in contact with multiple people. I try to attend multiple meeting per week. I work out. I go out dancing with my partner. I take positive risks. I try and remember that I wasted a lot of time on sadness, bad relationships, and my addictions, so I need to make the most of today!
I have thought about your question and realized that my idea of a"FULLLife" has changed drastically over the past number of years.
Today I lead a full life by attending alanon meetings, practicing my spiritual principles in all my affairs, one day at a time I must also acknowledge that HP is in control and know that no matter what life gives me, I can handle it with Courage, Serenity and Wisdom and a little help from my alanon and MIP friends. Having that certainty is the best gift of all
So MIP... I Went On a RLC Hunt and just kinda let HP & This Board Navigate to one of his Shares, and this is the one that i Found ;0) Now... Funny thing is, I have been asking myself these very questions the last month...
So... RLC....When I Walked in to THIS ROom, My 1st Room... I was an Angry, Self Center, Caretaker tryin to do a Gazillion things for everyone but me, because in my need for Control, the only thing I was controling was my desire to control.. It never helped anyone really, Now that i Think about it, and i Did it so Long.. Growing up in an Alcoholic HOME/FAMILY... I learned alot of how the disease works, I could get symphathy and I could get happiness, all working my angle I thought i had on Life, turns out, I wasn't living at all... I was watching a rerun of crazy & insanity about every day of my life...
NOW... I am Working on my 3rd yr here at MIP, My Second Identiy, but one more suited... Now Living a Full Life, is Accepting Life on Lifes Terms, Learning to "Go with the Flow" instead of Buck at any Obticle that is laid before me, I see my Highest Spirit when I am in the woods, on a quiet day, or kayaking with my Camera, watching Bald Eagles enteract on River bends, I lay in the grass with my dogs, and play tug, and catch...To me a Full Life is Remembering that i am Worthy of a Life, Worthy of Good Company, Worthy of Just sitting in the woods if thats what I Choose to do...My Full LIfe Begins Each Mornin when My Feet hits the floor, and I Choose which side I care to step off of... This Life has so much to offer, as I continue to find myself, so for Now... To Be Continued...... =)
This Program & this Family that (((((((((((RLC)))))))))) was A Huge Part of, will never be the same without his presents, but thru his presents we will carry on for our Newcomers & Oldtimers alike, His ESH he has left for us to pass on to the next one... I have know doubt he is flyin High Above, Smiling down on each of us, having one last Ride =) Living Full & Riding Free... RIP Rodney... Much Love to all that you Touched, and all that you Left behind...
What a wonderful post from Rodney (RLC) and a beautiful thread of shares that followed! Thank you Jozie and all, what a great question. I'm very glad and thankful that this board and each of you are part of my full life that's becoming more full, I hope, all the time. I think part of what makes my life full now are the incredible opportunities for learning and transformation. Hugs all around!
