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.
In todays reading, those things that weigh us down, such as loneliness, resentment, bitterness, etc are compared to rocks that we pick up and must carry along with us as we go through our days. The writer suggests that coming into the program and learning tools such as meetings, our slogans, readings, a sponsor, can help us lighten that burden. We might disperse those rocks that belong to others, learn how to manage our own so that we can balance them more easily and generally lighten our burden.
This reading also brings to my mind the idea of perception. There are days when it is easy to make lists of all that is wrong. Most of the time, if I find myself falling into that trap, i can also look at the lists and balance them with all that is right. If I am carrying a rock called loneliness, I can take another look at it and see that what I have is the freedom of my own life to make choices as I wish.
Today I will do my best to see all that is good and positive around me and in my life. I hope everyone has a pleasant Sunday!
Good Morning Mary I like the idea that my negative tools are like rocks that weigh us down and in so doing prevent us from seeing and appreciating he beauty n the world. This was so true for me-- I walked around looking down, pondering all my problems and never noticed the flowers the dogs and lovely children all around. Alanon reminded me that changed attitudes did aid recovery and presented me with tools to change. Gratitude lists, meetings and living honestly in the moment and in the day all contributed to my ability to appreciate this beautiful world. Thanks for your service.
Good morning Mary and Betty! Thank you for your ESH and shares. Thank you also Mary for your service and the daily.
I was also loaded down with rocks big time when I arrived. I too am grateful that recovery gave me suggested tools to drop the rock when necessary and balance my load. I had a long-standing practice of focusing on what was broken around me, and had to practice instead looking at what is not broken and or what is better than it used to be.
Changed attitudes aid recovery is (for me) an understatement. I was so rigid in how I saw things/people, how I judged things/people and how I then acted and reacted that I needed a major overhaul. Nothing changes if nothing changes, and I am now grateful for my pain as it propelled me to want change for me and in me.
Happy Sunday all - enjoy this day and 'take some time to stop and smell the roses...' (((Hugs)))
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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
I tried to keep on living my life dragging the rocks with me determined not go let the rocks rule my life even though physical pains and changes started to happen.
When I started therapy, my husband went to rehab, came out a changed man, it all came too much and AlAnon forums and just reading about experiences and finally working the steps have changed me as a person too and the rocks are less heavy now.
