Visit Right NowMake yourself a blessing to someone. Your kind smile or pat on the back just might pull someone back from the edge. ~Carmelia Elliott
Today I am grateful...
- that yesterday when I found myself in the middle of being angry, irritable and discontent I ran to another alcoholic. I have been there before. When I am in that state of malcontent I talk to someone who knows my stuff, to whom I do not have to explain other than the events or thoughts that led me to the crazy state. This someone always gently leads me back to center, and while the effects may not be immediate, I always experience that 'getting to the other side' where sanity is returned.
- that after sharing my stuff I went to a meeting, sat in a seat other than my usual to gain a different perspective. That I could sit beside a spiritual brother who makes me feel safe. And to be told that the seat I took, one on the back row in the corner, is referred to the 'sicker than most' seat. How appropriate.
- to be so used to a calm and peaceful life, contingent upon my spiritual fitness. It keeps me searching for the next right thing.
- to have been given a gentle suggestion that I need to more clearly define the fears behind my actions. Yesterday it was the shame dog I acknowleged in my gratitude list.
- that we all experience our emotions differently. With a little concentration while writing this my heart expands and I can feel the twinge before the tears appear.
- to be where I am today, unafraid, the shame dog at bay. Temporarily.
We break the people-pleasing cycle when we stop acting merely to gain others' approval and start acting on our Higher Power's will for us. When we do, we may be pleasantly surprised to find that the people who really count in our lives will approve all the more of our behavior. Most importantly, though, we will approve of ourselves. ~NA Just for Today
3 comments:
In regards that last NA quote ...
Two times this week I have experienced this. Instead of my old ways of ALWAYS trying to please others (to my detriment), I have set (fair) boundaries that we could both live with.
Progress.
Not.
Perfection.
However.
Ok, looks like Dave and I are in tandem on your Blog Scott :)
Awesome post.
Make yourself a blessing to someone. Your kind smile or pat on the back just might pull someone back from the edge. ~Carmelia Elliott
This very thing has saved my arse more than a few times. I remember being very young in sobriety and was looking for a fight and went to a meeting. There was a girl there that said the silliest thing I'd ever heard and I began to laugh and I continued to laugh so much that I actually disrupted the meeting and had to walk out. Turned out that my Magical Sis knew this girl and Sis and I ran into this girl a few years later and I was able to tell her how much she'd helped me that. She had no idea.
God it's good to be sober and to laugh, deep belly laughs.
Thanks Scott for helping me to remember that, now I feel better :)
Ok, and hopefully this isn't "too forward" Scott, but I think I love you now :) You are a blessing, thank you :)
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