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 reading for 12/24 talks about how family and friends of alcoholics stop noticing what is going on with themselves. The author says we deserve to pay attention to our own behavior, thoughts, and feelings. Focusing on ourselves means looking at our own options, instead of the options of others. We can consider what is within our power to change instead of expecting others to do the changing.
Today's Reminder: Today, if I am troubled, I will assess the situation and consider my options. I will not wait for anyone else to change, but will focus on myself and the part I can play in making the situation a better one.
Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: Nothing can bring you peace but yourself..
I did not have a clue about the meaning of this reading, until I got firmly planted in program. I had spent about 26 years trying to change my A. And the second half of the 26 years was worse than the first half. It was only when I couldn't take the pain, confusion, lies, disappointments, etc., any longer, that I found alanon. By going to meetings, getting a sponsor, working the steps, etc., I have learned most of the time, to use the Serenity Prayer to remind me to change the things I can and let go of the rest. I try to carry a QTIP everywhere, which my sponsor taught me, Quit taking it personally. Life is not perfect and there are setbacks, but things are so much better! Lyne
There may be some discussion or dissent about this, but I feel that this reading is really the core of our well-being.
"We can consider what is within our power to change INSTEAD OF expecting others to do the changing."
Both incredibly simple and hard at the same time! LOL!
I am especially identifying with the quote by RWE..."Nothing can bring you peace but yourself."
I am going to my Ex's family's Christmas Eve dinner/festivities with my son. They miss him terribly. I will be bringing along my Serenity Prayer in my back pocket for sure!
Peace, Light, & Love!
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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 Lyne for the daily and your service. Thank you both for your ESH/shares. I also came with little understanding of how life really works. I so assumed that if I made others happy and kept others 'safe', all would be well with the world. My outlook and attitudes were distorted and I really didn't understand how focusing on me would/could give me peace of mind.
Practice, practice and more of the same has gotten me to a place that I now know when I am looking beyond me for cause, blame, joy, peace, etc. I am 'looking for love in all the wrong places.' My best days are those where I am lined up with HP from early on and focused on what the next right thing is for me.
I am coasting through these holidays and doing some things differently. The holiday season is not my favorite but it also no longer 'sucks' which was my attitude when I arrived. I love when I remain open to see what's working as well as what's in need of change. That serenity prayer is a great tool for me to focus on what's possible and what's not mine!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!
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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
thank you (((Lyne))) Lovely share....and yea, Amen, Brother on the QTIP and the Serenity Prayer......sometimes I have to literally visualize myself drawing a circle around my own two feet and saying "now, Rose?? anything outside of that circle is NOT yours to deal with---step ONE"
I do everything I can to take care of me then LET GO the rest...even stuff i am doing for me..sometimes the answer isn't right now...sometimes the answer is later...sometimes i have to just walk away and disconnect....but doing step one and breathing/getting quiet, I can let my inner HP do what it has to do to sort things out
