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.
Restraint with the eye is good, good is restraint with the ear. Restraint with the nose is good, good is restraint with the tongue. Restraint with the body is good, good is restraint with speech. Restraint with the heart is good, good is restraint everywhere. A monk everywhere restrained is released from all suffering & stress.
How hard it is at family functions (and don't there seem to be alot of them at this time of the year?) to keep our moulths shut. I mean, comidians make their living saying what I'm thinking--right? What's the difference between their good talent and my lack of tact? (Besides the obsecene paycheck?)
I suppose, as is often the case, it all comes down to motive. Whereas Carlos Mencia, John Stewart, and the other nerds on Comedy Central set out to make fun of their prospective of the world--and sometimes, ours too,--what I mean to come out as a sarcastic, satirical joke comes out completely inappropriately. Old wounds, hot buttons, and various sensitivities get activated. And it all wasn't necessary--It was a joke gone awry.
Or, on the other end of the spectrum, rather than doing what I seem to do oh so well is mind other people's business for them. Nature, automatically, will keep me on a "need to know basis;" but how does nature know what I really need to know? How does nature know what good gossip wouldn't make my day? And, c'mon--I love seeing people get their "just desserts;" especially if they've caused me hurt or heartache in the past.
Of course, all of this isn't necessarily mature or recovery based thinking. It simply means I'm human. It also means I'm playing god again--my ego is getting the better of me. Again. I can trust that the universe is always in balence, wise and just, and just like I like watching others get their "just desserts," they, too, like to watch me get mine (some times I wonder if the universe is biased though....)
What an incredibly wise post. Right now I am in the middle of something at work in that I am owed wages. I've written a few memos on it. If I don't get the wages made up next week I'll be able to take other actions. I am really fed up about it. I really don't need to be chasing on my wages.
I want to tantrum and have a huge scene. I think its very hard for me not to be in some dramarama. Just going through the motions is very difficult for me. I know I got no attention as a child unless it was an emergency. I didn't get it then either.
I'm glad that I can read such wise posts as yours. I am staying away from the office party because I am so mad about my wages being wrong. I might say the wrong thing and I have done that so often in the past. At least these days I have the beginning of self preservation.
