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 have enjoyed the forum here lately. Theres been a lot of love and some real effort by lots of people to be more giving in terms of daily readings being shared, books being suggested, birthdays celebrated. To me it was like a show of committment to the forum and to alanon. I felt it was a healing environment for oldies and newbies. So thank you to the people who have contributed to this, I appreciate it and Im sure it has made an impact to many people. It feels like there is change in the air again and nothing lasts forever. Im working towards accepting change and flowing with it rather than fighting it. The change will be for the good of the whole in the long run. Thanks for reading.x
Dear LC thank you for your wise words. I too noticed the winds of change and am reminded of the reading in the Courage to Change that tells us that where life is there will be change. That change is inevitable.Page 202 the Courage to Change says it best.
When we become willing to accept change, we make room for a loving God. . By letting go of our efforts to influence the future, we become freer to experience the present. In the past we tried to freeze time in order to hold on to happiness fearing that our joy and serenity would be snatched away forever and that by clutching at what we most want to keep, we lose it all the more rapidly.
I can so identify with the last statement. I can remember saying, "this day, this moment is magical and perfect" if only I could freeze it". Of course I tried desperately to keep repeating the same actions that created the magical moment and failed.
Today I understand that life is about change, growing, experiencing life, learning from those experiences and gaining courage, serenity and wisdom as I let go of the past and experience the present moment. Thank you MIP and HP for the gift of understanding.
Me too. As you can see I have been on here a lot lately. Maybe I even abused this forum. I am feeling a little left out in my small support groups. I try to find ESH on here.
Change can be a powerful teacher ;) I too am loving the daily readings and participation;) I am struggling a little bit with acceptance. I joined a gym a few weeks ago and since then I have gained a few pounds. I am a freak about my weight and it's one of the things I still attempt to control. I told myself this morning, I'm doing what I can eating right and working out. Perhaps there is some reason God wants me to weigh a few more pounds. Life is always subtly changing. Acceptance is the opposite of control ;) thanks for letting me share
__________________
I needed these behaviors in my past they helped me survive I'm finding new and better ways to not just survive but thrive
Cheryl, Courage to Change is the book, it is one of our daily readers, just a quick one page reading to start or end your day. You can pick one up at any Alanon meeting.
Kenny
-- Edited by KennyFenderjazz on Thursday 5th of February 2015 08:48:30 AM
Since the 1st of the year I have hardly exercised at all but my weight has stayed the same pretty much for eight years. Diet w o exercise may not work for most. The reasons I have not exercised is because of pain suffer and stress.
Karma I can relate to your weight experiences. I always feel stronger, more self confident if I'm down even two pounds from my "norm". It makes me feel more in control!
Thank you all for your esh;) I need the exercise as a part of my recovery. One thing I was wondering and thinking about in the shower was the adrenaline rushes. When I first joined the program early in my relationship with my significant other I weighed a wee 110 pounds....I was constantly on a adrenaline rush. The constant drama, the breakups and the makeups, the arguing and begging (ugh)..that is all behind us. Thank god..Last summer I weighed 118. I had gained eight pounds in three and half years. This last year things have gotten really mellow in my life and our relationship...serotonin going to the brain.... I've gained five pounds in the last year. I wonder if all the serenity has something to do with it. I'll keep trying to stay fit, eat right and exercise but I'm not willing to trade in my serenity...it's my most valuable possession. I apologize for taking over your thread.
__________________
I needed these behaviors in my past they helped me survive I'm finding new and better ways to not just survive but thrive
I love that thought too! It's so true.. the constant anxiety of wondering whats going to blow up next really does shed the pounds.
I remember a few years ago when I was at my all time high (210lbs!), and on antidepressants. I would tell others I'd rather be fat and happy than a thin mess, lol. In the end the pills really weren't helping my self confidence whatsoever. I was just bottling even more inside and letting the world walk all over me. I guess feeling numb is a good way to explain how I felt. Defeated.
At the beginning of my relationship with AH I was just getting out of an abusive relationship and was so anxious all the time I was at my all time low of 116lbs. When I was pregnant with my second child I started to balloon and lost my mind altogether. It was like I had lost control over the one thing I thought I had control over.
