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 suggests that letting go of self-condemnation could help us to love ourselves more. It IS important to identify and recognize flaws, but focusing on the too much can be detrimental to progress. Every tiny step moves us closer to wholeness, health, and serenity. Taking time to recognize our efforts and trust the process of the Al-Anon program can help us to be patient with ourselves through the recovery process.
Today's Reminder: Al-Anon is a gentle, healing program. I will remember to be gentle with myself today, trusting that the healing will come.
Today's Hope: "Today I can accept myself for what I am because I know that whatever happens, I have a Higher Power and a group of people who will love me anyway." ...In All Our Affairs
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Even today, year into my program, I can get upset with myself and my perceived lack of progress. Today's reading reminds me that showing up, also when I don't see progress, or when I feel like things are progressing too slowly, focusing on the efforts I am making and continuing to trust the process gives me a productive step forward.
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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
Gaining self-respect, rather than self-condemnation, has been a key point in my recovery process. Step work has really helped, and has got me watching/listening to my own self-talk to make sure I am speaking kindly to myself.
Progress not perfection, but I have definitely made progress.
Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily. I try to be far more gentle with me today and am grateful that Al-Anon and a lovely sponsor helped me to embrace that I'm designed to be perfectly imperfect. I have spent so many years striving to be perfect, failing (in my mind), berating myself and promising to just work harder and smarter. It's been exhausting and unhealthy.
I no longer want to live in that place and feel great discomfort and unease when I give away my joy, power and serenity. I am at a place where I am better able to choose joy vs. anything else in most situations. I will make mistakes and there's that older me wanting to berate and judge me when this happens. Yet, there is the work in progress me that sits with it all, owns what I need to and is willing to just move forward.
I will always be a work in progress. I will always make mistakes. I accept this today, gratefully. What matters to me most now is when there is a detour in my journey, how do I face it, handle it and process it? My hope is with humility and grace instead of dismay and berating. No matter how much I screw up, I believe deep down that the God of my understanding wants me happy, joyous and free - a much better goal for my journey than striving to 'perfect'.
Love and light all...
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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
