MARCH 11

"I've chosen my epitaph," says an Al-Anon friend. "I want it to read, 'He's finally minding his own business.'''

We laugh, enjoying some relief in contemplat­ing the lighter side of a serious subject, those defects of character that seem so hard to shake. Laughter makes our frailties seem easier to bear, and we can forgive ourselves for our imperfec­tions. What a change from the days when we hid in shame from our flaws or used them to beat our­selves over the head!

My friend and I resolve that in the future we will try less, accept more, and let go of our impa­tience, self-criticism, and self-hatred. We take a deep breath and say, "Help me, Higher Power. Help me remember that the purpose of making mistakes is to prepare myself to make more; help me remember that when I'm no longer making mistakes I'll be out of this world."

Today's Reminder

In a way, I will always be a beginner. There will always be some new challenge to face because life is ever-changing and so am 1. Because of this constant change, every tiny little action I take involves some risk of making a mistake. It takes courage to partic­ipate in life. Today I can applaud myself for trying. I'm doing a terrific job.

"My Higher Power is the confidence within me that makes me unafraid, even unafraid to make mistakes."

As We Understood ...