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.
Today's reading discusses kindness and respect towards self! So often, the voices in our heads tell us that we're not good enough or we don't speak the truth. These thoughts reflect the damaged self-esteem that results from living with alcoholism. When we recognize this, we can tell them to be quiet! We don't have to listen!
Al-Anon recovery gives us kinder, gentler loving thoughts. These thoughts remind us that we are loveable. We can open our minds enough to hear that message and begin to hear all the other wonderful sounds of life.
Today's Reminder -- Treating myself with kindness and respect helps me to challenge my own self-criticism. Today I will pay particular attention to any voice that speaks lovingly.
Today's Quote -- "We need to learn to live, to focus on something good or useful to our lives and let the rest of the world go about its business." From How Can I Help My Children
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I struggled from a ton of negativity in my mind before practicing Al-Anon. These thoughts included many things - how I looked, how I acted, how I lived, etc. Al-Anon gave me the gift of self-focus and reflection so that I could clearly see and feel that I am actually blessed. I learned in Al-Anon that I am worthy, and when I focus on myself and what I really need, I am the richest person I know.
It was so much easier for me to focus on what was wrong with me and what I wished were different or better, that it was a hard habit to break. Continued efforts with what is suggested help me find value each day in who I am and who I am to be!
Happy Thursday all - opening day for Baseball here....Yay - the real sign of spring in my neck of the woods. Make it a great day!
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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
Thanks Iah for the daily and your ESH. I beat myself up on a daily basis. I never felt good at anything even though that wasn't true. Low self-esteem runs in my family and I could easily criticize everything about myself. Over the years I did lighten up a bit but since program, I have made the best progress in this area. Since we can't be perfect , I will always make mistakes and have shortcomings. But to overlook all my positives just wasn't fair to me. I am grateful to program and continue to make progress, Lyne
Thank you IAH! This is a great daily!
I am learning that my tendency towards perfectionism stems from me not really having the best self-esteem all my life. I am better now that I am an adult, but really, it is "masked" by perfectionism, and the need to "fix" others. I am learning to put those coping mechanisms away, and gently work on being my best self. One Day at a Time!
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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
Thank you for C2C for today IAH and for those who shared before me. Sometimes I have noticed when my self esteem is low I forget that this is a "We" program and not an "I" program. When just listening to my opinion the results are often one sided and can be distorted. Joining into the WE of the group can be so enlightening and in sharing experience, hope and strength promotes growth for all.
