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, the author shares about one of the effects of alcoholism - many of us have denied or devalued our talents, feelings, achievements, and desires.
Through work in the Al-Anon program, we can learn to know, appreciate, and express our true selves. Imagination can take practice to find and put to use, but when we find ways to be creative, we are able to replace negative thinking with positive action. Taking original action, exercising our creativity, is a way to assert our commitment to living, and the Al-Anon program encourages us to live each day fully. By being creative, we stay focused on the moment and teach ourselves that what we do matters.
Today's Reminder: Today I will make use of the precious gift of imagination. Thus I will turn away from negativity, self-doubt, and fear, and celebrate life instead.
Today's Quote: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt
What a fantastic reading for me today! I woke up today thinking about a piece of creative writing I did years ago and working through some edits. (Side note: I do not consider myself a writer, and I don't share my writing with others, but once in a while, inspiration sparks and I really do enjoy the process of writing for myself.)
The author today listed several ways that we can be creative, which was very helpful for me personally. I am a logical thinker, and my Myers Briggs in INTJ (introverted, intuitive, thinking, judging). I like to spend my time solving problems and fixing things. Any excuse I have for pulling out a power tool or socket set makes me happy! I don't think of my hobbies as being especially creative: dogs, fixing cars and appliances when they break down, gardening, cooking, building something if there is a need. But the author today listed some ways of being creative that really resonated with me and helped me to think of creativity in a new way: building a bookcase, trying a new seasoning on a vegetable, taking a new approach to handling finances, finger painting, problem-solving, tapping out a rhythm on a tabletop.
I really like today's quote as well. It is actually my personal motto, after a little modification: do what you can, when you can, with what you have, where you are. I think my Al-Anon program work resulted in the addition of "when you can" for me.
I definitely have a fix to do this summer on the roof. I know now why the back door frame was rotten and needed replacing when I moved in. I just don't know how water is getting into the frame - it's a new roof! But, I'll get to enjoy one of my hobbies this summer by figuring it out, and will have the opportunity to challenge myself to continue to work toward getting over my fear of heights. I hope you make today a creative 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
Thanks Skorpi for your service and share. My self-esteem had suffered greatly from my FOO, and then my marriage to my A killed off what little I had going. Being told I was crazy, being lied to, not knowing where my A was or when coming home, became just too much for me to take. Starting with my sponsor, I slowly could see that I had value and worth as a person, and this was with my character defects. Add then the rest of program, my F2F, slogans, etc., and I now see myself as worthy of love, just like it says in our readings. I like myself, and I allow myself to act silly with my granddaughter, take qigong, and whatever else I decide to do. Its OK to be me. Better late than never, progress not perfection, ODAT!
Thank you Skorpi for today's reading and your service.
I have always been the "creative one" in my family. I do sometimes think of myself as an artist. Before Covid, the Muse hit me, and I made all these really cool yard art statues and gave them to my friends. It was then I realized that I let my obsession with managing my life, my kid's life and my addicted spouse's life remove all that creativity! Al-Anon helped me get back into my creative brain-space! I am forever grateful.
Debb - I had never heard that phrase... "I don't tell where my goat is tied up so that they can't get to it." I really like it!
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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
Happy Hump Day MIP. Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily. Thank you all for your shares & ESH. I am not a super creative person yet am willing to try/learn. I can paint a wall, a room, a piece of furniture but can't paint/draw a snowman....what I do know is that I am happiest when I am doing - and that doing can be almost anything from cleaning, repairing, fixing, etc.
I have begun the process of negotiating with my insurance for the valuation of my car. It's a total loss and I'm not thrilled with their first offer on the value. I do know that I am not yet ready to hash it out and am seeking legal advice. So, just for today, just for me, I opted to do some cooking, meal prep and baking while listening to the impeachment proceedings, watching at times.
Certainly not the most productive way to spend my day, yet what I felt compelled and able to do. I know that all 'this' will still be there tomorrow. I know that whatever happens is what's supposed to happen, even if I don't like it. I'm very grateful I was not hurt - my car looks like a smashed pop can and it could have been so, so much worse. And, as crazy as it sounds, I am mourning my car - loved my little car and took very good care of it!!
So, whatever you did today, I am sure it was great! What I do know is that any action I take today, as a person in recovery, is a vast improvement compared to many of my days BR (Before Recovery). I'm 'all good' with progress and have a renewed desire to keep learning and growing in all aspects of life. I bow down with total reverence to those of you who are creative - my mind and my eyes just don't compute that way!
(((Hugs))) - we're still in the midst of the deep freeze/arctic tundra in my world. What a perfect time to have no car/wheels - I've not left my home for 6 days and have instead sent my AH to do what I normally would. He's delighted as he's antsy over the cold, snow, no golf era we're in and I'm content as well. Stay warm, stay safe and stay grateful - that's been my mantra for a bit!
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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 was never a name poet... but wrote anyway. At age 17 my life was spiralling- downwards. I could see it but was powerless to halt the slide. I could take the serenity prayer back to they time.
I wrote out of teenage angst. I played a cornet in the local brass band- and took on any activity that would fill my time.
I worked after school and weekends. I was capable of doing well.
At about the age of 21 I was given an introduction to a big literary figure- in the city- and got a couple of poems published in a national magazine. I built on that- and got a poem featured about a railway gang. I was a member of that gang.
Today I still love words. I look at the loving caring thoughts right here, on this topic, with joy, and delight. ...
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Thanks Skorpi... great topic, and hi folks...