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.
The ODAT reading for March 27 speaks about.occasionally going to meetings in a negative frame of mind and. when this happens, everybody seems to irritate us,.It is then important to realize that it is our attitude that is at fault. The reading suggests that we must go; back to -Anon fundamentals and ask ourselves, what am I looking for in these meetings? --- will I find this if I'm only looking for flaws in others?
We must remember that we are attending meetings for the sole purpose of improving ourselves and our way of life.In every meeting,there is some good to gain no matter what is said , we must guard against looking for flaws in others, and try to see the good in others.
The quote is from; "Sand, and Foam": I have learned silence from the talkative, tolerance from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind. I should not be ungrateful to these teachers."
I can readily identify with this reading and am always on guard when I attend meetings I make sure that I'm not entertaining my old defects of judging, criticizing so that I can to listen to learn.
I am off for an 11 day cruise to the Caribbean in a few hours. See you when I return. Can't wait to get out of this snow and cold weather
Thank you (((Hotrod))) for ODAT reminder on attitude. I do try to just be quiet and listen if I am in a grumpy mood as I don't care to share it. This is a sign that I am not taking care of me. Maybe I need more sleep, maybe I need to eat or maybe just relax my mind with a book or a walk. I cannot open my mind to listen and learn if I already have a stinking attitude brewing. Hopen you have a wonderful cruise and enjoy the sunshine.
Good morning MIP.....thank you Betty for the daily and your service. Have a marvelous time and enjoy the sunshine, weather, cruse, etc. Thanks also to you and Stan1 for your shares and ESH.
I too can relate. I came to recovery always looking for fault and solutions beyond 'me' - thinking others were wrong and I was right. It has taken each day, including this one, for me to remember that it's so not about me but rather about HP's will for me. Many years ago in business, we had a course called, "Attitude, Your Most Priceless Possession" which I thought was ridiculous! My boss at the time suggested I take it, and there's no doubt I eye-rolled at the suggestion.
Yet, here I sit, 25 years later finally aware of this and how true it is! I still have the booklet from that course around here and it is obvious to me today that I was not yet ready to see/hear that I do contribute - positively & negatively - to each day of my life, and my attitude plays a huge role in what that day looks like.
I'm grateful to be willing to learn, even if it's slow at times. I'm grateful to Al-Anon for teaching me a better way and for all of you. Make it a great Tuesday all - it's still cold and rainy here - spring has arrived!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
Good morning, MIP. Betty, than you for your service, and enjoy the cruise!
My own attitude makes such a huge difference. Thanks to Al-Anon, I've begun to realize that my attitude toward things is really what makes something good or bad. A couple years ago, I noticed a woman at another institution use the word "opportunity" deliberately where I would have said "problem" or "issue". After hearing that over the course of several months, I thought there might be something to it, and started doing the same myself. Just recently, I have begun to feel gratitude for these 'opportunities" because they allow for needed growth or change.
What I learned from this is that the situations are what they are. My judgement of them is what makes them good or bad, and it's much easier for me to have a positive outlook about what is coming.
I hope you all have a lovely day. I'm excited to see almost all the snow gone now, and warmer temperatures!
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
Thank you, Betty for your service. I hope that you have a safe, relaxing, sun-filled cruise!
What I like about this program is that it has helped me to look at what I bring to the table. Bad day? Maybe I can adjust my attitude and it won't seem so bad. I must honestly admit that I can get stuck in the 'Woe is me's.' I don't think I used to be that way... living with addiction will do that, I think. Doing Step 4 right now and I see that I get stuck there b/c I really try very hard to be perfect...I know, lame... b/c literally no one is perfect. But along with this comes the thought, if I work this hard, why is my life not being "better" for/to me? I have found that it is a fruitless attitude to dance with! I am learning to change this attitude, which in turn = less "Woe is me" days = a happier me!
Skorpi - I absolutely love the idea of calling road-blocks, opportunities!! I think I am going to rip that off and use it in my own life!
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"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
See you when I return. Can't wait to get out of this snow and cold weather