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.
Often we can sink into all the crap that is going on in our lives that it overcomes us. It can steal our focus, consume our day and rob us of our joy. So I'm here to challenge you to step out of the yuck, the obsession, and step into your awareness.
Every day we are given gifts, opportunities for joy if we are aware of them. I challenge you to look around and see/find them. Does your coffee taste exceptionally good this morning?? Do you even remember what your coffee tasted like, lol, or were you thinking about other not so pleasant things? Look around you, notice those places that provide you with the gift of joy in this day. Are you aware of your children and what they are doing, do they make you laugh? Have you taken a moment to see something beautiful in nature?
I challenge you to become aware of something, anything that for one moment has provided you with joy in this day, has made you feel good, put a smile on your face and lifted your spirit. Not only do I ask you to notice it, I ask you to hold that feeling for second, recognize it and enjoy it before you turn your thoughts to other things. At the end of the day, recall that moment, see if it still provides you with that same feeling -- I find that it does.
So if you are up for the challenge, please share your moment of joy. I would like to share in your joy.
when bf kissed me twice this morning before he left for work. I asked if he needed me to do anything for him to help him get off to work and he told me yes....get you some rest. So, I did and I still feel the kisses on my cheek.
when I laid the baby down for a nap and she told me she loved me and gave me a big slobbery kiss on the mouth...I still feel the slober.
First off this morning when I started drinking my coffee I thought... this really taste good this morning. Hubby gets the coffee pot ready in the evening and sets it to brew at 5:00 am.
seeing a picture of my oldest granddaughter after she lost her first tooth. she was so excited.
I wanted to post the picture, but I don't know how to do it.
Watching Sully romp in the snow while we played soccer. Tail flying high and swinging 3 feet on either side of him. His muscles working and jowls flapping running towards me. Stopping perfectly without knocking me over and banging the basketball against my leg. The solid TWUNK sound when I kick a deflated basketball across the yard. And the silly sight of 140 pounds of puppy pouncing on it as it lands.
Let me share something that absolutely cracked me up!!!
Last night my husband, our daughter, and I were sitting together on the sofa watching TV when the following conversation between hub and our daughter occurred:
That's an easy one for me. Everything and every day bring me joy. The sun is shining today after 4 days of deep-freeze and ice here in south Texas. That's joyous. I am alive and well. My children are alive and well. My sister is alive and well. My A is alive, well, and sober. My pets are alive and well. What more is there that really matters?
Diva
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"Speak your truth quietly and clearly..." Desiderata
today when I was filming a group of high school girls for a "good morning" shot for one of the local TV stations--their laughter and fun was nice to share!
Also--a disciplining moment the other night--I should have been better, but I was laughing so hard. My 9 yr. old son had taken one of my 12 yr. old daughter's things and put it in his pants--just to gross her out of course. He was successful! She came in to "tell" me about it, he followed close behind with a huge smile on his face, pulling it out his britches. I tried to explain that was not a nice thing to do, but I started giggling and then my daughter sad "mom, you're not supposed to laugh" I said "I know", but then it was on and we all just started rolling. Something tells me my point probably wasn't learned--but it was a good laugh for us all.
My joyful moment last night was putting my kids to bed we are saying our good nights, my one son say's Mommy sing me a song!! So I'm singing a song and all of a sudden he breaks out in his silly laugh that he can't stop. Before I know it I'm laughing and the other one across the room starts laughing. It was just the sound of his infectious laugh, anything he can do to get Mommy laughing!!!! It gets me everytime.
Have a great day,
Twinmom~
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"The people who don't mind matter and the people who mind, don't matter". (Dr. Seuss)
I'm applying for jobs with no expectatons about getting them. Just to say, "Yes, I've applyed for a job."
I'm applying for grad school, ambivalent about how I'll do if I do get in. I've never thought about a future with a graduate diploma. But it scares the bejeezus outta me.
I'm graduating (God I hope I am) some time before the next ice age. This is something I did. Something I earned. Something I put together. No credit goes to my parents.
That I can actually acknowledge the parts of my life that are less than good and be greatful for the parts of my life that are getting better.
That I have a place to go to bed to at night.
That I have food to eat.
That I have clothes to wear.
That I have use of all my senses.
That I can come here, no matter how distraught I am, and be reminded that my worth is spiritually based, not financially.
That, no matter what may come to morrow, this too shall pass.
The first thing that came to mind actually happened yesterday, but I am still glowing from it today!
I have not seen my daughter for two weeks, ever since we celebrated a late Christmas at her house. Just she, her husband, her step sons and me....my AH does not want to be around her (long story) which makes it hard on me. I love them both! She only lives about 8 minutes from me, but due to her working evenings and I work days, we hardly ever see each other. I was missing her really bad yesterday, and when I got off work, the song "In My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride came on the radio. I was almost in tears. So, I was on my way to Walmart, and I pulled out my phone and called daughter. Wasn't sure if she was working or not. SHE was on her way to Walmart that very minute, as well. I told her I'd call her after I reached the store, and we could meet up and shop together! So we did!
It was so good to see her! We shopped and talked, then hugged and went our separate ways. I was so happy to spend some time with her, even if it was only shopping for groceries.
I think HP KNEW I needed to see her, and that she maybe needed to see me too. The joy continuted in my heart all day today.
To me this isn't just an exercise in gratitude, it's an exercise in awareness. For too long I wasn't aware that I had things going on in my life that could bring me joy, if I just took notice. My life has been far from smooth lately, and what I posted I was really posting to myself. I was sinking into all the crap that life can deal out. So I thank you! You're replies are so great, I am blessed that you took the time to share your joy with me.
So here is my moment of joy for today. I was in the kitchen talking to myself, lol, and I said okay, I'm going to clean out the kitty litter -- that'll make it two things I did today that I didn't want to do. So I'm out on the porch cleaning out the kitty litter (it's 29 degree -- last weekend it was 74 so I'm realllllly cold) and my daughter (10) opens the door a crack and in a deep voice says "Here ya go, ma'am" and hands me a note. It says on the front:
To: my given name
From: Congrad Manager
Inside: CONGRATUALTIONS !!U did 2 Things you didn't want to do today!!!
I'm with Diva, (i live about 80 miles from her) the sun came out today and I just got up from my desk and went out and stood in its warming rays....it felt so wonderful. As I was standing there with my eyes close breathing in the crisp air, I heard some birds singing up a storm....they were happy for some sunshine after all the ice too!
OMG, there's not enough of a board for me to post what I am grateful for. I have to say this. I find myself consciously at least 6 - 8 times a day saying "thank you God for this or that" and then I am thankful for the awareness that I have this gratitude now.
But just one more moment, today, right now, I am thankful for you my friend. I am thankful that you are here, that you posted, that you share with me, that we have learned from each other, that you keep coming and sharing.
Love ya,
Maria
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If I am not for me, who will be? If I am only for myself, then who am I? If not now, when?
I needed to see this thread today. Thank You so much for posting it Luna.
I was getting so bogged down in the crap of life that I completely forgot about all that is wonderful about my life. There are a lot of people in this town who would love to trade places with me.....long story.
I went to the beach this morning for workout and it was beautiful. The sun was shining, the water was perfect, and it was so incredibly refreshing. It felt good to be alone with nature and happy to be alive.
