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 today's reading from C2C, the author reflects on a saying used in places where people depend on camels for transportation: "Trust in God and tie your camel to a tree."
The author shares how vital it is to trust in our HP and to accept what HP chooses for us without resigning ourselves to our fate. The author also stresses how important it is that we do our part - doing for ourselves what we can, and not expecting our HP to do for us what we can clearly do for ourselves. The 12 steps are a tool we can use to determine the difference between our responsibilities and things we can turn over to HP.
Today's Reminder: Today I give thanks for the guidance of my Higher Power and for the measure of common sense needed to apply this guidance to the details of my daily life.
Today's Quote: "No one else can define our role in the unique partnership we develop with our Higher Power." ... In All Our Affairs
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I like today's reading, because it serves as a reminder that I am not powerless and that I do not have to give up hope. I can choose, as the author says, to face each day with confident expectation, do my best, and allow my HP to work their magic.
The saying the author shared about the camel reminds me of the 3 A's - awareness, acceptance, action. If I become aware that my camel will likely wander off, and I accept that it is in the nature of my camel to do so, I can take appropriate action by tying my camel to a tree. If my camel is still gone in the morning, I can trust in my HP to provide a solution for me.
This year, I've been working on the acceptance piece in many aspects of my life. With practice, my acceptance skills are growing, and I am better able to accept things without anger or resentment or hopelessness. I seem to be back to working on the basics (what is mine, what is not mine, what do I have the power to change, what do I not have the power to change) but I am not discouraged, because this work is the important work of the program, and by showing up and engaging in the work in front of me, I am finding more serenity. In the past, I used these basic tools to survive minute to minute and to put a stop to some incredibly unacceptable behavior. Today, I am using these basic tools to achieve personal serenity. My soul is healing, and I can feel the difference between detachment and loving, accepting detachment. I think that's the beauty of the program and an illustration of what the author is referring to with using the steps and doing our part, starting each day with confident expectation and a miracle will occur.
I hope you make today a great day!
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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 Skorpi for your service and the daily! I am grateful that we are allowed/encouraged to define our recovery and our HP in a manner that serves our healing. I know today that I am not helpless or hopeless in growing and changing and that gives me gratitude daily.
I also considered the three A(s) as that has been a constant in my journey. When I set aside my ego, remain open daily and trust in what is, one day at a time, I am way more aware and authentic. This for me keeps me humble and willing to grow, change (me).
I am grateful one day at a time! Make it a fantastic day MIP family - Happy Hump 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
"I can choose, as the author says, to face each day with confident expectation, do my best, and allow my HP to work their magic."
The above is how I am choosing to live each day...
I too, am noticing that I am doing a better job at accepting things without anger, resentment, judgement or hopelessness. If I slip, I come on here and find wisdom to right my boat once again!
Beyond grateful for both of your shares!!
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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
It amazes me how many times I will still forget to include my HP in the midst of a struggle. I am much better at it, but slip into old ways so easily. My AH was recently diagnosed with a treatable form of cancer, and I am one who will "gear up" with information, questions, organized schedule, planning and consistently moving forward. However, it is like dragging a horse (hubby) to that proverbial water to drink. Once again, I find myself gnashing my teeth that he is simply resigned to what is happening and isn't lining up to what I think he should be doing to help in the process! Ahhhh..then I remember to hand him and the process over to my and HIS HP. I can do what I can on my end to see him through treatment, but ultimately hubby needs to be an active participant in his care.
This was a timely reading for me. I appreciate and value everyone's interpretation and wisdom here at MIP too!
Happy Wednesday. Alternating sun/clear skies and lake effect "blizzards" over here today. Crazy.....but happy to witness it.
Thanks Skorpi for your service and all above shares. I must admit I have become hooked on HP. I talk to Him throughout my day besides for my morning prayers. I take step 3 often, having made a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God, and I practice to the best of my ability, everything alanon has to offer. My life has improved 500%! Lyne
The camel story reminds me of another one- which is regularly quoted. Reading the share and reflecting on the good old 3 "A"'s reveals internal truth- which as always been out of reach for me. An Australian farmer was surrounded by floodwater and standing on the roof of his house. He prayed to God for help. A jet boat came and offered to take him off. "God will provide", he said. Then a helicopter came along and offered to uplift him. Nah, nah, God will provide he said.
He got swept off the roof and into the swirling floodwaters. Later he got to heaven and saw God on his throne. The man pleaded at the foot of the throne. "I prayed to you and I was drowned", he said. But, God said, my son- I sent you a jet boat, and then a helicopter!
When I hear these simple truths, it gives me a sense of friendship and family. It has a real calming effect. Even old familiar stories... thanks...
Thank you, Skorpi, and everyone for sharing. I had never noticed this page before. I love the saying "Trust in God and tie your camel to a tree," and how it is related to "doing the footwork." And, David, thanks for the reminder of the story about the jet boat and helicopter. These remind me of how healing it is to have some humor in my life.
I think a turning point in my recovery was when I became able to laugh. Sayings like the above, and clever slogans like DETACH = Don't Even Think About Changing Him/Her or DENIAL = Don't Even kNow I Am Lying, gave me the gift of seeing a lighter side to my very dark situation.
I love how our literature expresses the subtleties of our journey. The steps are not simple black-and-white rules. Discerning what is my responsibility and what i can turn over to higher powers is a constant exercise. Trust in a higher power and do the footwork.
Thanks Skorpi,
thanks...