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.
I have been kind of in a calm place lately after a chaotic weekend, and thinking about what makes me happy and calm. I would love to see all of your joys, whether they be memories or something in the present. Here are a few of mine (I guess they ended up being mostly memories):
Memories of travelling (I've been really lucky to go to a few places in my 40 years of life);
Daydreaming of sitting by a fire in a mountain cabin, reading a good book, perfectly at ease;
Remembering my dear sweet Grandmother who was the most gentle person in the world, touching my face, she was the most wonderful teacher I had about love and how that is what life is all about. She didn't even say this, I just knew it from her gentleness;
Remembering last year when AH was sober for one full year, even though he is in bad shape this year, boy, that year was SO much fun, he is such a good guy under this disease;
Thinking about how far I have come from being in a constant panic and fear mode, it does still happen but it is getting better thanks to this board and meetings and literature;
Being grateful for my life and what I have, not much but I have just what I need...
As I sit here I am thinking that I only have 2 days left of my vacation. But I am very happy that I have a job that allows me 3 weeks of vacation a year.
I spent a lot of time running errands but I was extremely happy to pick up my Christmas Ornaments that I had on layaway. It's snowing! I have homemade chili and hubby, Piper Kitty and I will be settling in for a cozy night.
A hundred years ago Charles Schultz wrote a book called Happiness is a Warm Puppy (I think). It was about the simple things in life, like rollling over in bed and realizing you still have 4 more hours left to sleep, or a warm fuzzy friend to hold close.
Happiness to me is knowing I have my MIP family close to me, and they will always be there for me. Happiness is recovery, strength and always, always hope.
Love and blessings to you and your family. Thanks for the great post.
Live strong,
Karilynn & Pipers Kitty
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
Hmmmm: Water... lakes, rivers, pools especially at dusk. Tall woods. There is a pine forest close by which is beautiful year round. Memories of great adventures with my family. And my parents who I am glad are still here with me. They have been very supportive.
This program, my new (((((online family))))) and my sponsor, who enrich my life daily.
Thanks for reminding me to be greatful today.
Take care of you!
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"Good judgement comes from experience... experience comes from bad judgement" - unknown
Let's see..Instead of saying what "makes" me happy, I'll say why I "am" happy. I try not to wait for something to make me happy, I try to BE happy.
Right this minute: Looking outside the window beside my desk, watching my son and grandson sit by a fire they made together and are making smores.
getting an e-mail from my A in Alaska telling me he misses me. He has a little pic of a plane that he sends each day with a countdown of the days till we are together again.
I'm happy that I have the means to go to Alaska again this month to see the wonders of nature as the snow moves down the mountain tops. IMO, It is the most beautiful place on earth.
I'm happy that my adult daughters live close to me, along with my grandchildren and that we can all get together and laugh and love.
I'm happy that I have tools and a program to live by that have infiltrated every apect of my life. No matter what the day brings, I have a plan (Alanon) to refer to.
Like hersch, thoughts of my grandmother and how powerful her love was make me smile.
Knowing that my higher power is within me everyday, all day.
knowing that there is nothing I can't overcome.
I'm just plain happy :)
Christy
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
Seeing my three kitties sitting on the front porch waiting for me when I come home and having them all meowing at me and Norbert always strolling out to meet me.
Alanon meetings, conventions, gatherings.
Going for walks, especially out in "the Great Outdoors".
A cool afternoon, with warm sunshine.
Friday nite in the MIP chatroom.
Reading a good book.
Remembering all the places I have been the past 2 years thanks to my new found freedom from the fears that kept me tied down for way too long.
Staying in the moment and realizing how truly lucky I am to have a great job, a house to live in that I will own in less than a year!, and wonderful friends whom I love and whom love me.
That my HP, whom I call God, led me to this program and showed me how wonderful people can be....when I was at my lowest and had lost all faith in myself and anyone else.
Being alive and free of the need to control the world!!! Makes me infinately Joyous!!!!
My life, I have a good life. Don't have a lot, but have enough.
My home in the country, able to have my horses in my own yard
My hubby, if it weren't for his alcoholism, I may never have found Al-Anon, and met all my wonderful friends, both online & at my f2f meetings.
My job, it is stressful & demanding at times, but it is steady work, decent pay.
My cats, they sleep with me & hubby, love their warm little bodies next to me
Happiness is the cool autum air, the vibrant colors of the leaves when they change, walking down a country road, hearing my horse whinny for her food, the warm breath of my horses on my face, my dogs running to greet me when I come home from work, my cats at the door waiting for me, having ice cream with my Sassy cat , my warm bed covered with an afghan my grandmother made me when she was still able to crochet, my computer making it possible to connect with all of you , my recovery, my Al-Anon program, my health & weight loss , my husband's love
Thank you for reminding us of a very important part of our recovery, happiness, gratitude!!!!!
Great subject and invitation to share. My greatest happiness came from an Alateen member about 19-20 years ago who explained to me that happiness is an inside job!! I never looked outside of myself for a reason to be happy again. Happiness doesn't depend (for me) on things outside of myself it is now my desired attitude.
Take a (((((hug))))) now give it (((((hug))))) to some one else.
Than was a truely warm post...appreciating what we have sometimes is not easy..it's nice to see you have wonderful memories....just one thing.....you can make many many more......
1. Sleeping late in my warm cozy bed by the window under the quilt my mom made.(especially if it's raining or windy and cold outside)
2. Having a job I like
3. Making plans for my future living in my own place
4. Sitting by the fire in my fireplace...well that doesn't sound right...sitting by the fireplace I should say since I am not actually IN the fireplace...oh well you get it
5. The wonderful shares of MIP members and seeing growth in others here as well as in myself.
6. A good courtroom drama or mystery with plot twists and turns
7. A good book
8. Watching the stray cats drink the milk I give them.I love them but am highly allergic so I can't bring them in.
9. Hitting the snooze alarm and rolling over for a few more winks
I can answer this by resubmitting a post I made way back in May. It is all pretty well the same.
Happiness versus JOY
Today I was asked to share in a forum on joy versus happiness. This is my take.
Every day at least once, maybe 3 or 4 times a day my other half asks me if I am happy(Actually this has gotten much better, maybe 2 or three times a week now). Often I need to answer no. Sometimes that is not possible given the situation that we are living with.
Joy on the other hand, almost always. Joy is not dependant on circumstances or other people.
Joy depends on me and my outlook. It is living up to my values and being proud of who I am.
Joy is there every morning when I waken to the birds singing. Every year when the first seed pops out of the ground.
Joy is in every babies face, every sunset and sunrise.
Even at the many funerals I have been to in the last while I have along with overwhelming grief been able to find joy. Joy in remembering the person's life and looking at the legacies they have left.
This disease is a very hard row to hoe. Circumstances often color happiness but joy comes from deep within me.
Thanks for listening and please take what you like and leave the rest. lilms
That was then, now I would add this space and all you wonderful wise people, my pets who think they own the house, a bright sunny day with a nip in the air and on and on and on I could go.
lilms
-- Edited by lilms at 21:44, 2006-11-03
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Two things: 1. Recovery is a process, not an event.....and.... 2. You only get to go around once. Leave em laughing and make it worth your while
Most happiness comes from thinking and being with my granddaughters and creating a relationship like alot of people talked about having with their grandmothers.
I was feeling happy very early this morning while I was thinking about making Christmas plans this year.
I am very happy for having 3 sisters and doing things with them. The love is so unconditional.
I am happy for a relationship I have with my grandchildren's mom and the fact that she can feel compassion for my son even thought this disease has driven them apart.
My newfound love of birdwatching brings happiness. I love watching them flit around the feeders, their songs, and when they get up close on the deck. They really are precious.
I'm very happy to be working days!!!!! I was on 3rd shift for 6 years and my life is so much better.
My husband is sober 6 years.
Some of my favorite "things" are after working hard all day-snuggling into our new bed and having the remote in my hand and reading materials nearby. A scented candle and cup of tea.
A jog with my golden retriever, Tucker.
Knowing I'm never alone but have God/hp with me at all times.
But I am very happy that I have a job that allows me 3 weeks of vacation a year.
or a warm fuzzy friend to hold close. 
, my warm bed covered with an afghan my grandmother made me when she was still able to crochet, my computer making it possible to connect with all of you 
