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.
Things aren't going well when I focus on what I don't have. The problem isn't outside of me. The problem - the way I am looking at things - can be changed. When the way I am looking at life changes, life seems to change, too. Today, I am grateful to receive another day that is mine to do with it as I choose. I choose to create a Thanksgiving Day meal with my grandson as we wait on my daughter to finish up at work and join us. Although I can't spend time with my son, I can pray for him and be grateful for him, too. He has been the main catalyst for change in me. I can be grateful for that, too. I am grateful for the beauty of the holiday season, the Macy Day parade, the warmth of my little home, being able to see, to feel, to sing, to celebrate.
There was a time in my life when I could only see that which wasn't there. I couldn't see my blessings because I wasn't looking for them. I thought the problems were all outside of me, but the problems were and are inside of me. You have all played a part in helping me continue to look at my life as a blessing and not a curse. Whenever I think I can "go this alone now, thank you, very much," my attitudes can easily slip right back to what I don't have, self-pity, anger, resentment, and trying to change what isn't changeable. Thank you for providing a consistent place for me to feel at home and to practice my program with others in the program.
Thank you, Paula. You have been and are one of the flowers in the garden of my life. I'm grateful for you and all the goodness you have shared with me.
-- Edited by grateful2be on Thursday 28th of November 2013 10:27:35 AM
Happy Thanksgiving, ((((grateful))) and thanks for the gift of your share. It's filled with wonderful reminders of the meaning of the holiday. I'm glad you're part of our online recovery family and keep coming back. Prayers for your son. TT
-- Edited by tiredtonite on Thursday 28th of November 2013 10:29:57 AM
__________________
Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
(((Cathy))) You have lit candles of light for me and my son in ways that have kept me going on, when allowing the darkness to consume me was threatening. AND!!!!! I am so, so, so very grateful to see you doing something for YOU, sister. You and your son are also in my prayers. Thank you for being you.
Thanks for this, today is tough for some of us but reframing it as you have shown in your post gives hope, love, and an honesty that helps us connect back with the blessings we have. Many hugs and blessings to you today grateful.
Oh I can so relate to this post.......yesterday i just wanted to sit and cry.......called Humana and a mistake happened and they "cancelled" my fitness club thing.......good thing I called...another error....this is about the 8th time i have called humana to get my name right, to correct my policy
so end result i just had to RE enroll on the optional benefits......I asked HP..."WHY can't my efforts be blessed.....all ia m trying to do is get a life since i have NOTHING going in my life to even want to BE here" I was soooo upset that everything i try to do to better myself is "snake bitten"....
then A brother calls, he is terribly sick w/a bronchitis episode, is finally eating, but sounded horrible....at least he has a nice big warm ship to stay on while he repairs their radar
THEN, daughter #2 calls this am....did not take her call......she is wanting to "set me up" again w/another dashed holiday....i did not take the call.....i will not reply.....no contact has to stay in force bc this girl brings out the worst in me and it is so unhealthy to be around her
last night i talked w/my sponsor/best friend and told her that all i am trying to do is take care of me....create a new life for me....now that i am healthy enough to create that life, i am being fought, sabotaged, blocked every inch of the way
so i "unloaded" on creator, asking "hey I am not asking you to spoon feed me my life...I know i have to do my part in this thing, but WHY must you let blocks, walls, obstacles constantly block me from trying to help myself????" I was soo depressed last night
today, i wake up and i got out some chewy toys for the dogs and told them "happy thanksgiving" and some way some how i am gonna MAKE this day bearable
alone...dunno what i am gonna do for lunch, don't really care, but i am gonna just let this all go to program and HP and I figure humana will get my account right SOME day, i mean they can't mess me up forever , one would HOPE
so i can relate to what you are saying..........geeez all we alanoners want is a decent shot at life.....like ok...I know i have to change me...i have to make the changes in my life....so ok.....accepted......just PLEASE give me a decent chance and bless my efforts, HP, ok?????
I get so frustrated bc it is NOT bc i am not trying to help myself.....
My darling daughter #1 and my SOL whom I call "my boy" called me this am and wiped away my tears and sadness being alone.....i am blessed w/my goodliest children by son works hard to provide for my daughter
daughter #2, I have to let go and be grateful for my older two (I call my SOL my SON because he is) i have to think about how good and honorable and how proud of both of them that i am and think on the good....
soo much unhappiness all around...not just us, but so many, people w/out even a place to sleep, so sad, so i am grateful that I a warm...doggies chewing on their chew toys, and i am in bed , just propped up, getting ready for a big bowl of cereal and coffee and whath videos i copped from youtube, LOL
i will make today a good day... i will let go the sadness and negativity and think of my pets being in ok shape....puppy is over her skin infection for the most part...i see a couple of drying out/healing lesions on her, but shes ok.....turning into a little watchdog.....i am warm, dry, i am "ok" my kids are "ok" and that is the main thing
A brother seems to be recovering....he was MIA and i worried, of course, but detached w/love thinking he was on another "80 proof sabatical" but no....he had bronchitis and he "checked in" with me, telling me i was the only one who really loved him as he is and i was his "princess" and he told me he wanted to protect me from harm...i thought that was so sweet b/c when we were younger, he was my little protector...he would knock down any guy who tried to harm me.....bless his heart..........i am relieved he has a nice boat to stay one to recover
anway, dear heart, i sooo relate to you.......i so relate to the stinking thinking.....it is part of the coda territory and i guess we acoas/codas have to watch for that.......acknowledge it but don't let it plant a garden in our minds...
please be ok, my friend....please feel happiness inside......think of really neat stuff you do have in your life and focus on that...sometimes i have to use a little force , i get so bummed out, but eventually i do get feeling better
HUGS of support
__________________
Live and let live and do it with peace and goodwill to all!!!!
(((N))) I am happy today, stress free and grateful for my family - both blood and MIP. You are one of the family's members whose insights and honesty I admire and whose hugs I receive. Lots and lots of blessings are mine to enjoy this day. You are one of those blessings.
How wonderful is the moment where we are able to truly become still and know there are so many beautiful memories waiting to be experienced if we have the ability to focus on all our blessings. We stop magnifying the negative. We will carry sorrow and joy for the rest of our lives. Focus on the joy.
Thank you, Mari. It sounds like you are enjoying yourself today, too? That makes me smile!