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 shares that when many of us came to Al-Anon we felt that we got in a raw deal from life. We might say that it isn't fair or we might say that we deserve better after all we've been through. In the just for today pamphlet it suggested that instead of questioning what life is giving us perhaps we might benefit more by asking what we ourselves can give. When we reach out to others in a healthy way we move beyond our problems and learn to give unconditionally. Each moment gives us the opportunity to serve others and the opportunity to change our lives. When we discover that we can make a positive contribution many of us find self-esteem replaces self-pity.
Today's reminder: today I seek to be an instrument of the piece of god. I know that it is the most loving and generous commitment I can possibly make - to myself.
Today's quote quotation mark when people are serving, life is no longer meaningless. " John Gardner
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It was an interesting reading for me today. I do remember when I first came to Al-Anon wondering why things were the way that they were or why I was dealing with the challenges that I was dealing with. I think sometimes even today I wonder why am I putting up with some of the things that I find unacceptable. Today's reading is a good reminder for me that I can sit in pity or I can decide to take action. I can focus on everything that seems to be going wrong or I can choose to focus on things that are going right and I can choose to focus on being of service to others.
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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
Thanks Skorpi for you service and ESH. I find this program has many possible solutions to self-pity, service certainly being one of them. Having an attitude of gratitude often helps, living ODAT, letting go and letting God, and etc. If I find myself stuck with a negative emotion, it serves me well to try and trade it in for a different one, a better or more positive one. It does help me have some control over myself. :)