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 author in Hope for Today has learned how to find serenity no matter what chaos is going on around them. Small choices can bring in serenity at any time. Examples are waking up early to quietly watch the sunrise, ducking out of a family gathering to go to another room for a few minutes and say the Serenity Prayer, turning off the radio while driving and just enjoying the quiet, or listening to Al-Anon speaker recordings.
Thought for the Day: "Serenity isn't a matter of chance, it's a matter of choice.
Quote from Forum Favorites: "The best of all possible gifts is a tranquil mind. You can't go out and buy it. You have to earn it for yourself."
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I like the practical suggestions for pulling us back into serenity at any moment.
Some practices that have helped me in certain moments are just to step outside and look at the trees, the sky, hear the birds and remember something, even a little tiny thing, that I am grateful for. The slogan "One Day at a Time" always helps me. Or sometimes a better slogan is "Not my circus, not my monkeys." I have a sponsor and some program friends I can call, and that always improves my attitude -- even just because I am so grateful they are willing to talk with me. When worry about a loved one is bringing me down, I remember that they have their own higher power and it isn't me.
MIP friends, what are your best serenity boosters?
Thanks FT for your service and ESH. I have learned that I can use my tools or program people to help me locate my serenity if I cannot do it on my own, but much of the time I can. This practice of course, has taken years to achieve, and as always, it's progress not perfection. I use many of the practices listed above, and I might add trying deep breathing to get centered, pause and pray, think, bless them change me, etc. I feel I have been given a wealth of possible helpful solutions, so I am a very grateful member.
Freetime, thank you for your service/ESH and all shares. When I start my day with prayer for guidance and power to take care of MY business, exercise, appreciate nature (like walking in fresh snow), monotask, go slow and live in gratitude, my days are serene. Making a deliberate effort to apply program teachings makes for a smooth ride...I'm nowhere near perfect but improving and quicker to correct when I go offside. Have a wonderful day.
Thanks FT and everyone. My favourite "reset" is to take a moment to read or watch something funny- that never fails to pull me out of a bad frame of mind. In an emergency, it's noticing- what can I see, what can I hear, what can I smell etc. That one gets used a lot when I'm supervising the offspring driving and we have a "moment" (you know, like hitting a deep pothole at 100km ph lol). And I've always liked to combine "Let go and let God" with "Do the next right thing". Those are my go-to serenity tools and I'm really grateful to have them.
-- Edited by Youknowme on Friday 4th of February 2022 10:07:39 AM
Thank you Freetime, and to all who shared. I am grateful for the touchstone this daily practice brings!
My go-to is to get out into nature. Especially with bare feet touching the earth/grass. I especially like watching the trees sway while having no other noise distractions... not always easy in suburban life LOL!
A technique I have found to work well for me is called Tapping. I usually employ it before I rest my head at night. It is one of those things that I was skeptical of when I looked into it, but then became amazed at how well it works for me!
TGIF everyone! &
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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 Friday MIP. Thank you Freetime for your service and the daily. It took me a long while to figure out that serenity was a choice. The converse is also true - misery, self-pity, worry, etc. are choices. I would love to say that my mind and thoughts go to the 'light' side upon awakening. That's not true yet progress for me is waking up with calm and a neutral view of life.
I vividly recall the anxiety, worry, doom & gloom I went to bed with and awoke to before this program. I'll take calm and neutral all day, every day. I do try to start my day with prayer & meditation with my coffee and that helps enhance my calm. I've practiced returning to the here/now in any way possible when my mind wants to wander away...at times, it's more prayer, a reading from our literature, a walk outside, music, cooking, etc. I do better with action - any action - that helps me come back to the present.
Serenity is a choice yet felt so far away when I got here. I did not know how to shift my thinking/brain to a different place simply because I'd been focused on 'other' for so, so long. When I literally put me first, practice unconditional acceptance & love and stay on my side of the street, serenity is all around me. The minute I shift on any of these for any reason, it's a risk to my serenity.
I'm grateful for all who patiently redirected me when I returned to focusing on my guys/qualifiers. I'm grateful for those who just kept suggesting program tools when I was insane. I'm grateful for those who gently kept suggesting self-care, self-focus and the steps when I felt hopeless/helpless. I'm grateful for those who kept suggesting I trust the program, the process and myself to recover.
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
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