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 am hosting Thanksgiving for my family this year, and I did my shopping today. I was having a pity party for myself most of the day because everywhere I look, everyone seems to be married and there are cute little kids all around. I have a new boyfriend, but he lives out of town, and we don't see each other a lot. I thought I would be married with kids by this time.
Anyway, when I was driving home, I told myself to snap out of it, and think about why I should be thankful. I also remembered to tell myself that everyone has their own situation. One of my friends the other day was tellling me she'd love to be 30, single and free again. She has three cute kids, and I tell her how much I would love to be her!
So, I made a quick list of why I am thankful and grateful:
I am healthy, I love my job and I get to work from home, I have a great group of friends. I have Al Anon and this message board. My family is still pretty dysfunctional, but I am learning good boundaries. I have learned how to forgive and let go. I have a house out in the country. Through Al Anon and ACOA, I am learning how to have healthy relationships. I have many more reasons, but that's a quick list.
I have to go put away the groceries. Thanks for listening to me ramble!!
Absolutely I'm grateful. I do my best to thank my HP every chance I get, for the little things as well as the big ones.
I have my program, my sponsor, my therapist, not to mention my family, my friends, the love of my life and countless other blessings. My A daughter and I are taking baby steps toward healing our terribly dysfunctional lifelong relationship. I've learned to accept responsibility for my own actions and not to accept responsibility for hers. I've learned to Let Go and Let God. I've learned that I'm not perfect and probably never will be, so how could I have ever expected perfection from anyone else? All of these lessons have been revealed to me through meditation, my program and my unwavering relationship with my HP. I am most grateful for that, as it guides me through everything else.
This will be a real Thanksgiving for me; I began the program in July, and cannot believe the difference that it's made - what a wonderful way to live.
