Good Morning MIP:

The first paragraph in today's reading is about negative attitudes.  The example given is if you hear 9 compliments and 1 insult, the focus is put on the insult.  It reminds me of how difficult is to just say 'thank you' when someone gives a compliment.  I notice that for me I often either bat the compliment away or explain it away somehow.  I am working on applying 'thank you' to the same concept of 'no' being a complete sentence.  There is no need to embelish!

It is also helpful to think of the balance between positive and negative. The example in the second paragraph relates the slogan 'This Too Shall Pass' to the positive experiences we have as well as the negative.  Up until today I definitely associated that phrase with something I was trying to 'get through', a coping mechanism.  It's good for me to think of the joyous experiences as situations that also won't last forever.  That may help me in not taking things for granted in my life. 

What I have noticed in my recovery is that in the beginning it was about survival.  How would I get through the next hour, 1/2 day, week etc? Then I started to learn and I began to be able to enjoy those moments.  Now it's about living.  What will my best life be?  How am I living what my HP intended for me?  Am I extending love to those around me?

For today I am going to pay attention to when my thoughts become negative or if my focus turns negative, and what I might do to turn that around. 

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday (I'm sorry to use this four letter word but those of us in the Northeast are expecting more : S.N.O.W.)

Mary