To Thine Own Self Be True

Do you ever "discount" yourself?

Do you ever treat yourself as though you are not as valuable as others?

Do you ever sell yourself short?

No?  Are you sure about that?

Do you ever put someone else's needs or wants before your own?  Well, I'll bet if you take a good hard look at your situations, you may be surprised.

These are times when we believe it is important to "keep the peace, not rock the boat, help, make a concession, be the bigger person, and on and on".  Sometimes those are instances of discounting yourself - placing less importance or value on our own desires, needs, or wants.  Be careful about that my friend - sometimes those actions (or behaviors) will end up leaving you with a big fat resentment as your reward!

It can be difficult to discern what the right action is - especially when we are new to recovery.  Sometimes a situation or environment is the "new" thing.  Sometimes we may believe that we are solid in our recovery, doing the deal, on the beam, walking the walk --- then BOOM!  Something new, different, unexpected or unusual will emerge suddenly, out of the blue.  Those unexpected twists and turns can be dangerous and sort of rock our world.  It may be our intention is to "be of service" to someone else or some situation ---- if it makes you question yourself, pay attention to that!

Pay attention to how you feel - deep down - not on the surface.  How does it truly resonate with you and within you to perform this action?  Most times, it is not the initial instance that creates an uneasiness.  It is the pattern that may emerge if it is repeated over and over - this is when you may notice it doesn't "feel right for you".

P-A-U-S-E ... honor that uneasiness and take a step back.  Ask yourself, "is this really the right thing to do - for ME?  Am I doing God's will or my will?"

When we get the answer ... "uh, probably not or I am not so sure".  Call your sponsor - go back to the basics of your program.  Talk to someone in the program that you respect.

You may find that the "service" you started out performing has evolved into "DISservice" to you and the situation and probably others beyond that.  Suddenly, you have put yourself on the clearance rack!  You have marked down the value, the price, the importance of being true to thine own self.

Don't be a disservice to yourself!  Doing that becomes a disservice not only to you - but to others and especially the very thing, person, situation you were trying to serve in the first place!!  By this point, you have most likely crossed that line from service to controlling or enabling or both.  YIKES -- time to RUN - back to that safe place for you - to God's will for you!!

Remember, YOU ARE VALUABLE!!!  If I am treating myself only 40% well --- then I am only capable of giving 40% service to anyone or anything -- and that is a stretch!  Do yourself a favor - honor yourself first!

And besides, you can't give away what you don't have!  So give yourself a gift!  To Thine Own Self - Be True!!!

Perseverance

“Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers,

but to be fearless in facing them.

Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but

for the heart to conquer it.” 

― Rabindranath Tagore

Geez, why does this have to happen now?  Why is this happening to me?  Ever find yourself asking those questions?  Or how about .... I can't believe this is happening right now.

We, LIFE HAPPENS!  Good, bad, sad, horrible, happy, joyous, fun - and everything in between.  The trick is not to stop, not to give in, not to lay down, and not to give up.  Keep moving forward.  Embrace and accept whatever life sends your way, remember that nothing is forever.  Keep your faith, work your program, connect to those around you who are safe and encouraging.

Before you know it -- you will be in a different place.  And you will be able to look back and say, "Wow, I made it through.  I am still intact.  I am stronger for the challenge."  That's a wonderful thing!!

Now go have the best day ever!  

Cloudy Skies ~ Sunny Skies

Have you been thrown a curve ball lately?

Some unforeseen event that throws you for a loop??  And now, the sky has gone dark and things look bleak to you?  Have you lost some of your hope?

Boy, it is sometimes hard to see the sun through the clouds - isn't it?
I am grateful that I have a program of recovery that IF I work it, will alter my perspective and my outlook.

Life is going to throw challenges in your path - you can bet on that.  But if you work your steps, stay connected to your sponsor and work on that conscious contact with your Higher Power ~ guess what??
The clouds WILL part and the sun WILL peek out.  If your gratitude and attitude are in alignment with God's will for you - you will see the possibilities of a wonderful day unfolding in front of you.  Start right there!!

New Beginnings

Ahhh!!  That is such a welcome and wonderful sign, don't you think?  I know it is for me. Each year has its ups and down, high spots and low spots and then we get a brand new year.  While it is very true that we get a new day every, filled with God's grace, a new year is something quite different.  It's like a new chapter in a book.  We are free to have new adventures, new experiences, new discoveries.  NEW HOPE!!  (I never get enough of that!!  In this instance, "more" is better.)

No matter how good your previous year may have been, it is always exciting to begin a new one!  What are you going to do different this year?  What will you do better this year?  Will you have more gratitude? More humility?

What goals will you set or meet?  What distractions will you leave in last year?  Who will you help? What will you offer this new year - to the universe, to your family, to your friends, to your community -- to yourself?

I would love to hear your responses .... Happy, happy, joy, joy to all!

End of 2012

How did you end the year?  With regrets, resentments of any kind?  Are you dragging disappointment, heartache or hard-heartedness into the new year?

Well, STOP!!!  Stop right in your tracks ---  ask for the willingness to forgive, get out your notebook and do the inventory, work that 4th step and leave that behind!!  Surrender it to your Higher Power!  Move out of that space and into gratitude.

Leave all that other stuff in last year .... there is no room in this new year for any of that baggage!!

Oh, the Gratitude you can absolutely bring with you!!!!!  It is highly recommended you do just that!

So long 2012.....