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.
This days ODAT reminds us to be ever aware that our lives are filled with many good common place things and occurrences.
We are encouraged to stop and smell the roses, so to speak, when we find we are dwelling on the things and occurrences in our lives that make us unhappy.
We are asked to "notice" all the good around us, therefore we can appreciate with gratitude our lives, just as it is.
I find that it is a form of meditation for me to look past my unhappiness be grateful for all the people and accomplishments in my life.
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"Forgiveness doesn't excuse bad behavior, but does prevent bad behavior from destroying your heart" ~ Unknown
Thank you Debb for the daily and your service. I am so 'pandemic-moded' that I don't even know what day it is! I just realized it's Thursday so would be 'my day' to be of service and I completely spaced it out...
I know that when I can stay right now and present and consider what I have, I'm more sane and serene. When my mind wonders to the future and/or the past, I tend to forget how good my life really is right now, and I'm less sane and serene. I am truly grateful for my program, my tools, MIP, and the ability to practice each day what is suggested.
I golfed this morning and it's a beautiful day - very atypical for my place in December. The forecast has 'normal winter' starting tomorrow. I was so grateful for the extended calm weather we've had and so grateful to be out and about...I just had some lunch and next on my agenda - a nap.
Make it a great day all - I do feel empowered because of this program to decide what kind of day I will have. I did not know that was my choice before recovery! Now I do, what a gift!
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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
The quote in the ODAT reading for today is: "Let me observe, with new interest, even the commonplace things that happen in each new day."
Today I am washing clothes, dishes, stripping the bed for new sheets, all of these things are commonplace and can be used as tools for practicing mindfulness a counselor once told me. The definition of Mindfulness is the quality or state of being aware of something. In washing the dishes I can focus my mind on the warmth of the sudsy water and how it cleans the plates. In washing and drying clothes I can practice a mantra of folding the clothes to the rhythm and spoken word of the serenity prayer. In folding sheets I can smell the freshness of the newly laundered bed linens and how crisp and tight they cling to the mattress. In other words "be in the moment" live each moment as if it will be your last. Make each day an adventure in living, no matter how mundane your tasks for that day might be.
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I can Overcome all things through my HP who strengthens me.
