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.
Today's reading reminds us that when we are feeling overwhelmed, sometimes giving in to a poor me attitude, and try to change our thinking about it all, we may not have the success expected. We should concentrate solely on the day in front of us.
TODAY'S REMINDER: This day is mine. It is unique. The choice of how to fill it and with what is mine alone.
"Today is my special gift from God. How will I use it? The less I let others affect it, the more serene and satisfying it will be for me."
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I admit to feelings of poor me quite often. When I am overwhelmed by circumstances/people outside my control, I forget to take back each day as it comes.
This is a good reminder that every day should start by claiming it for ME!
Someone reminded me recently that I actually have a right to personal peace. The only caveat is that it is up to me to make sure my rights are a priority. If I am mired in poor me, I cannot stand up for my right to peace, or joy, or hope.
Bbrave, thanks for your service and share. I am guilty of having many pity parties for myself. Program is helping me learn to turn things around. I learned that the way I feel at this moment is not necessarily how I have to feel the entire day. One very important thing I learned on this board was maybe 7-8 years ago. A person shared that she had resigned from the Doormat Club. I took that right in and became a member. I alone have to/want to step up to give myself boundaries and a good day. Yes it's a lot of work, but worth it.
Thank you Bbrave for your service, and to all those wonderful members who shared their stories about this reading!
I lived for so long in "poor me" country. I just couldn't understand why someone who tried their best to do everything correctly and "perfectly" could have such a messed up marriage! I didn't deserve that!
Al-Anon taught me 1) you are right, you don't deserve that 2) You can't control how others behave... especially adults 3) This WOL and thinking was pretty ego-centric!!!
Once I became more aware of just how addiction works in the brain. that is when I began to see the futility of control. That is when I began to understand that no matter how "good" of a spouse I was, it would never be enough. Some eye-opening stuff for sure! Then I began to really live true to myself. My needs, my wants, my desires. I became aware that they didn't nicely coalesce with my significant others values/needs/wants.
After the decision to split and then divorce, I spent some time wallowing in the "poor me's." Because ultimately, that was my decision but it wasn't my choice (if that even makes sense). It was this board, and the readings that helped me find Gratitude for what I had that day!! So simple, yet so profound!! Now I make darn sure to include a quick, verbal Gratitude List each day on my drive to work... thanking my HP for all the good in my life!
I must say, I especially love this: "Making the most of the day I've been given is an expression of gratitude to my higher power." Thank you, TT. I will "steal" this saying and use it daily!
Happy Thursday!
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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
