Life Lessons

Ever wonder why certain situations seems to show up in your life over and over - and over AGAIN?
Well .... perhaps there is a lesson that you are supposed to learn from this that you haven't accepted, recognized, allowed yourself to see, or didn't appear clear to you.  It seems to hold true for me, even though it is crystal clear to others around me.  It can be very clear to my sponsor, my best friend, my network in recovery, maybe even my family.   MY eyes simply haven't opened or cleared from the fog of an "emotional bond".  MY mind hasn't opened enough to see in a "logical' way.  MY heart hasn't healed perhaps to the degree it needed to.

I read a meditation this morning about trusting "ourselves".  Do you trust yourself?  Are you berating yourself about repeating a pattern (that looks like making the same "mistake" again?).  Are you questioning your own judgment?  Are you second-guessing every choice or decision you make when it pertains to a certain someone, certain situation, certain behavior?

Well, there is hope!  We can learn to trust ourselves again - we really can.  And, guess what?  It kinda feels awkward.  At least for me it does.  But that's just because we have fallen back into an old unhealthy pattern and now that we are finally able, capable, willing to see the truth, it feel's a little weird - good and not so good.  I will describe it as feeling right, then having a little self-doubt, then immediately realizing that what I did, or did not do, was the right thing - for ME.  We are finally able to make the right choice, take the right action or refrain from taking any action - whatever the case may be - for ourself!  We seem to  suddenly be considering ourself - instead of the other person, place or thing!  Woo-hoo!!  Never give up on yourself.

Today, I will let go of my fears about trusting myself because I have made mistakes in the past.  I understand that these fears only serve to impair my judgment today.  I will give my past, even my mistakes, validity by accepting and being grateful for it all.  I will strive to see what I've gained from my mistakes.  I will try to look at all my good decisions too.  I will keep an eye for improvement, for overall progress, in my life.

Happy ~ Happy ~ Joy ~ Joy

Today is a day to be grateful, loving, kind, compassionate, forgiving, helpful, peaceful, positive!
No matter what, remember that you are blessed, you are loved, you are important. You can make a difference in someone else's life just by sharing your energy, a smile, a kind word, a thoughtful gesture.
There is much pain and sorrow that life can bring, but we needn't create more for ourself or others by
having a negative outlook or attitude.  Remember - attitude is everything!

How willing are you today to have an attitude of gratitude?  What will you do today to share love, joy, happiness and encouragement?

I choose to be happy, joyous and free today.  What about you?

Change Your Outlook -- Can Do!

Change your outlook

a simple link - click on it!

How's Your Thinking?

Sometimes we don't realize how powerful our old ways of thinking can be.  These patterns are often below the surface, unintentional and subconscious.  And often, especially when we are newly sober or in a new environment or situation, they drive our actions .... this can often create more challenges for us.  Sometimes we really don't realize just how "negative' our thinking is.  I know my own personal experience lead to someone who really cared about me and my success in life and recovery taking the time to mention what they were observing in my behavior.  Did I want to hear it at that time?  Oh, hell NO!  But I did listen and it made me start to "think".

You could say it "stung" to hear that I was being negative .... and once I got past being mad, indignant and feeling sorry for myself, I was able to look at that comment more objectively.  And, guess what?  I WAS carrying a negative outlook around and I would whip it out the minute something was contrary to me staying in my "comfort zone".  Well, as mentioned, I also started noticing how often it made potentially bad situations worse.

I am happy to say that through all of this, it created a willingness in me to work on becoming aware of this behavior and to take some steps to move away from that.

Here is a link to a helpful article about the topic:

Power of Positive Thinking

On the Edge

Every felt like you were "on the edge" .... of "something"?  But you were really uncertain what that "something" was?  Did you fight it?  Did you go with it?  Did you hesitate and ask questions?  Did you pause and begin to search inward for some clarity?

If you thought you knew what it was that you needed to do but found that you balked ... again and again - what happened next?  Where did you go from there?  To God?  What if you believed you knew what God was saying but you still had trouble following through?

Why do we make things like this so damn hard sometimes?  Is it courage we are lacking?  Is it fear ..... that we "don't" know what's going to happen next?  Or that we won't like it?

Or is it fear that we "do" know what's going to happen next?  (Really?)  Do any of us really know what's going to happen next?  I don't think so - not completely anyway.  I think we want to believe we know, or maybe we are afraid that we might know, or maybe we are afraid that we don't know - and then, we are just afraid - period!

Don't know about you - but I hate that place!  So, why is it that I can find myself there sometimes --- up there, like the image.  Teetering on the edge - frozen with fear - STUCK !

Sometimes we just have to pray for the courage, pray for the ability to DO - to trust God more fully - WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT .... and then, trust God some more and just JUMP!

The Serenity Prayer

Good morning all!  It has been almost a week since I posted.  Remember that saying, "be prepared because LIFE happens"?  Well, I am here to say there is nothing truer than that!  Life does happen and it ain't always pretty, but we must trudge forth and stay grounded and connected to our Higher Power (who I choose to call God) and our programs.  I happened across this version of the Serenity Prayer in some of my recovery paperwork and, I must say, it is quite interested indeed.  While I am not advocating that anyone must be of any particular or specific religious persuasion or that you must read the Bible (that is strictly personal choice) - I just thought it was interesting and could prove very helpful to anyone who may not understand the purpose of the prayer.  It certainly gave me food for thought.  Enjoy!  

May each of you have a very blessed, peaceful and serene day.  Never give up hope for a better today, tomorrow and future.  No matter what life throws at you --- you can overcome with the help of a Higher Power of your own understanding, a network of encouraging fellow travelers, the guidance of a sponsor, a 12-step fellowship of your choosing and FAITH that there is a wonderful plan for your life .... even if you cannot see it right now!  Never quit, never loose your connection and never forget you have a spiritual toolkit at your feet .... you just have to pick it up!  Open it, use your tools and TRUST YOUR HIGHER POWER.

Today I am focusing on courage .... what about you??