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 writer in Courage to Change was puzzled by the slogan THINK -- because it was their own thinking that had been causing their problems. Then they realized it was like the safety rule "Stop Look, and Listen." Instead of lashing out when someone is unkind to them, they can pause, THINK and then make a calm decision about whether to engage in an argument or to walk away.
Today's Reminder: This day is a beautiful room that's never been seen before. Let me cheris the seconds, minutes and hours I spend here. Help me to think before I speak and pray before I act.
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I also wasn't a fan of the THINK slogan (or really most of the slogans) when I first heard it. Now I know many find it helpful when feeling the need to react to someone. I learned what the letters stand for:
The T stands for Thoughtful
The H stands for Helpful or Honest
The I stands for Intelligent
The N stands for Necessary
The K stands for Kind
I have been getting better at PAUSE-ing before I respond to anyone about something important. I can see how it could be helpful to also THINK during this pause.
Thanks FT for your service and share. Early on in program I could not see the slogans having value--they just seemed silly to me. Years later, I love all of them, including think, pause, how important is it. Last week I had (thought I had ) an issue with my dtr in law, and I was planning to confront it. I was able to pause and think. I realized the entire thing was a misinterpretation by myself--there was no issue. I didn't respond in any way and I was SO GLAD. All those "silly words" have become seriously useful tools that I am so grateful for.
Thanks FT.
THINK isn't one I use but someone used to tell me to ask myself "Is this helpful or hurtful?" before speaking and that has stuck with me. It's a simplified version of the same thing I guess. The slogan I use most often is "do the next right thing", because it reminds me that no matter how stuck, frustrated or confused I am, I can do the next logical action and then the next, and that is always a lot better than either reacting or stewing in my own juices. That does require applying THINK to decide what the next "right" thing is so I guess I use it passively without knowing, lol
Good Day All. Thank you Freetime for your service and thought provoking shares. THINK helps me transition from reacting to responding. I try to listen and observe without giving input. The kindest action on my part is to keep my mouth shut. It may be necessary, but perhaps what needs to be said has to come from someone other than me. I ask HP to guide/guard my thoughts and guard/guide my tongue. Have a great day...it's sunny and mild today...puts pep in my step lol
