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.
The member says that each day one can contribute to their sense of well-being by taking even a small action--you can strengthen a relationship, pursue a goal, or help yourself feel better about you. You cannot dramatically change your life, but you can have a goal to move in a positive direction. Major strides can begin with small steps.
Reminder: There are so many ways in which I can improve the quality of my life. Instead of fretting about what I can't have or can't do, I'll take action to create something positive in my life today.
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Well, I used to be absolutely depressed and obsessed about what I didn't have, couldn't do, shouldn't have done, and just saw myself as one big loser and failure. That kind of thinking just cycles misery day after day. I felt like I was in a deep hole and couldn't climb out. One of the most disturbing things to me was my A's drinking and driving.
It took a while for program to sink in, but it sure has. Not a day goes by that I am not using a tool or program person (zoom meeting, friend, or this board) for help and support. I now can say what I need, I most often try to achieve it by myself, or get some help from HP or other source. I have the most marvelous toolbox to work from. My life has improved for the better in so many ways. Two wonderful things I did today were taking a long walk with my dog, and later wrapping my son's birthday presents. Grateful for progress not perfection ODAT.
Thanks Lyne.
A goal I am working on at the moment is stopping. I race from one task to the next like a crazy person, and I often spend very long stretches of time in front of a computer so my task lately is to take time to stop, and just be. So for me at the moment, that "small action" is just going outside with my bare feet on the grass and taking a moment to just be. Having chickens to care for helps; often my positive action is taking a break from my work and cutting up some fruit and taking it to them (they get so excited!). The other day it was really really hot in Australia so I took them some frozen peas and floated them in water so they could have the chicken version of bobbing for apples and then sat and watched them and laughed for a while. lol. Sounds silly maybe, but taking a break, going outside and doing something that isn't "productive" is good self-care for me right now. Don't just do something, sit there!
Thanks for the reminder
Good morning, all, and thank you, Lyne, for your service and share.
I notice how many of us mention getting outside and/or having some physical activity help so much with our state of mind. It's true for me too. If left to my own habits, I wouldn't do those things -- I'm more of an indoor, sit in the chair, reading/computing gal. But I've learned that to connect with my higher power and my sense of gratitude it is so helpful to step outside, even for a few minutes. Doing something physical often helps me get unstuck from a problem I am worrying about.
So today, it's morning where I am, and my plan for the day includes a bit of outside meditation, a yoga session with an online teacher, and some gardening to remove old growth from plants to encourage new growth -- and a trip to the library to drop off and pick up some books. Many of these things are not my natural go-to ... but when I do them, I feel so good and am better able to have insights on problems I am working with.
You read it here -- now I will go do it. Just for today.
Happy Monday MIP. Thank you Lyne for your service and the daily. This reading reminds me that any action, small or large, forward facing, is good action. That action can include anything that feels right to me or for me. My number one goal each day is to just stay in the present. No matter what's going on around me, if I remain with my head & heart over my feet, I have hope and balance. The converse is also true - if I'm left, right, back, front of my center, I'm off-balance.
I used to not like mornings. Now, it's my favorite part of the day. I enjoy getting up, getting my coffee, conversing with my HP, working out, showering, etc. and then doing the next right thing. For me & my recovery, this simple act of prioritizing me with my HP each day, one day at a time, allows me to be of better service to others. My daily routine remains mostly the same in the morning with more flexibility as the day unfolds. I've changed up my visits to MIP just because I'm changing up my online habits. As with many things, I can overdo computer time and am working to be more balanced in this area.
What I know is when I am present and truly listening for my needs, I am able to see that change may be needed. I still can be resistant to change, even if it's for my growth, yet have learned through this program to just keep practicing and applaud any progress I make/see. Our week looks mild so I've got golf plans for the next 8 days! We'll see how it all pans out - looking forward to getting out and about! Make it a great evening 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
