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 feel such gratitude for all the friends I have made living this new way of life. I thought life would be dull when I first entered the room. I was afraid to change from my old ways. What I have learned is that life is so full of surprises and my HP really knows how to put things all around me to keep life exciting for me. I like excitement, adventure, and passion. I think my HP knows that so He has shown me areas in my life to keep things fun for me. I used to find this excitement and fun through going to the bars and drinking. I drifted from that life style before Al-Anon because I felt bored with it all. But when I started in Al-Anon and really found that I was wanting to do anything but go out and drink I was really worried that my source of excitement would leave me with this dull life in its place. ITS SO FAR OFF!!
My life is more exciting than ever before because I feel in tune with my HP. I feel like I am on a rather spiritual journey, if you would use that wording, I don't know what to call it. But its earthly too. I feel more at ease with me and what I am meant to be doing.
Tonight I have been attempting to play this Bob Marley song I really like on the ukulele. The song is called Stir It UP and its a really beautiful song, as most of his are. Though its only three chords, I am struggling to get the one down. I realized I am having fun anyway trying and failing and listening and humming and trying again. I don't have to be perfect, who am I trying to impress, my cat? And even if I were in a crowd playing it horribly, whats it to them unless they paid to hear me, which then I would question their intelligence- Hahahahaha! This is how I feel right now in my program and with my progress. I am exactly where I am meant to be and just for today I will embrace all I have learned, be grateful for what I have in this life which is plenty.. far more than I need. Its okay that I have made mistakes, that I have had days of doubt or fear or greed or jealousy of rage or resentment or "failure."
I heard a good story tonight: There was a boy who always saw the negative in life and boy who always saw the positive. The boy who saw the negative was placed in a room surrounded by his favorite things for a couple days. The boy who saw the positive was put in a room for a couple days too, it was full of mannure and all he had was a pitch fork. They came back and asked the boy who always saw the negative how his stay was and he had many things to complain about. His video games not working properly or he did not win the game, etc. They asked the boy who always saw the positive how his stay was. The boy said "it was great, can I stay longer?" They could not believe it and said "how???? How could you like this?" The boy said "well, with all this manure, I just know there has to be a horse in here somewhere?"
Perspective. Its incredible.
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Michelle!
No one can take away your peace of mind unless you let them.
LOL .. Michelle .. That is soooo true!!! Hugs my friend, .. P :)
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Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.- Maya Angelo
I just ended a hospice job last Sunday night with the passing of a wonderful woman and her husband loves to tell me that story! Love when I am reminded to keep a positive outlook!
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Sending you love and support on your journey always! BreakingFree
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 800-344-2666
" Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."
"Serenity is when your body and mind are in the same place."
Gratitude is contagious. I was at a meeting at a convention earlier today. The topic was gratitude. Someone remarked that gratitude is the reward we get when we graduate from attitude school. My first sponsor always said gratitude is an action word and if you really want to show your gratitude (when he said your he meant me of course, not you, unless it bothers you and then maybe he meant you too), he said go find the person in the meeting with the least amount of recovery, take that person aside and explain to him or her all the things god has done for you that were unable to do for yourself, and see how that makes you feel. :)
