Skip to main content

Forgive / "Just for Today" / Not for Today



One of the first pieces of literature I took from a meeting was the blue & white Alanon book-mark, “Just for Today”. Packed with good suggestions, in an easy to read format, this bookmark has helped me through many tough days, and the St Francis prayer at the bottom became one of my favorites.

 Despite this tiny powerful bookmark, there were times in my life that felt so dark, I had a hard time picking it up. “Not for Today”, I would think to myself, at times I momentarily forgot my program and all the tools that recovery offers. 

As I continue to grow in my Alanon program, I have slips and days of falling off my “wagon of recovery”. Sometimes, when negative feelings surface so strongly, I resort to isolation and despair. These are coping mechanisms I learned long before coming into program. I momentarily forget about the Spiritual power of the Fellowship.

The Do’s & Don’ts tell us “Not to wallow in Self-Pity”, yet sometimes I find that If I engage in a “Pity Party” of one for a few hours, or one day at the most, I am easier able to gain a new perspective a few hours later. Sometimes it’s the next day at most, but giving myself the ‘mental break”, and forgiving myself for not being perfect is the remedy for me. As our program reminds us, it’s “Progress, not Perfection”.

Utilizing the tools of the program; meetings, outreach, sponsorship, and the literature is important. The tool of service is key for me at times like this, as it keeps me connected to the meetings. Service also reminds me I play an important role in the program. 

“Just for Today”, I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me”.     __”Just For Today” bookmark.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Create / What is a God Box & how do you use it?

The main idea and concept of a “God Box”, is a place where you can store your written prayers, intentions, & even the future dreams you wish to manifest. You can also ask for help or guidance around a certain situation. If you have a need / desire you want to surrender, and you believe in something bigger than yourself, Higher Power, God, or Spirit, then getting a God Box is a good idea. You will need an actual container with a lid. It can be a box, a can, or even a jar. It can be plain or decorated, big or small, as long as it has a lid. Once you have your “container”, you can write out your wishes, intentions, prayers, and desires on a piece of paper as they come up. If you wish, write them out as a letter to God, asking for what you need. This is a powerful act of surrendering, and letting go . It is a ritual of sorts, and you can choose how & when you do it. I use my God box at least 1X or 2X a week. I put almost everything that I need help with, from big things ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Create / Feeding your Creativity

Creativity - The use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work. Feeding our creativity is like eating a healthy diet with the right combinations of tools and techniques. Getting grounded, spending quality alone time, healthy treats, and music are all good things to feed our spirit & soul with, which can promote our creativity. 1) Getting grounded- Breathe, get connected with nature. Prioritize your physical wellness by getting good rest, eating right, & exercising. Good rest & sleep restores our physical bodies, and that can feel good. Eating a healthy well balanced diet feeds our cells & body parts with what they need, good food is like good gas in our tank. Exercise raises our serotonin levels, and flushes out stale energy from our bodies. This helps us to feel better and stay grounded & more connected with our physical bodies. 2) Spend some alone time & schedule an “Artist Date” with yourself. Accordi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Love / Prosperity

What is Prosperity? The definition from “Oxford Languages” tell us that Prosperity is “The State of being Prosperous”, and one of the true meanings of Prosperity can mean: “The condition of being successful or thriving” For myself, Prosperity is about having happiness & health, along with wealth, as these 3 conditions support each other beautifully. No matter what’s going on in our lives, we can have that, and many of us already do without realizing it. We are born pure, a clean slate that becomes imprinted from the moment we take our first breath. We become disconnected, and our “clean slate” can and often does get imprinted with negative beliefs and thoughts that can keep us from our true source. The capacity of prosperity, deep joy, and health is within us, but how can we take hold of it and keep it on a day-to-day basis? 1). Awareness: This means taking a real & true look at one’s-self, life, and conditions. Writing it all down can really show us what we are dea...
Post a Comment
Read more