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Post by majestyjo on Feb 22, 2015 23:11:55 GMT -5
Appreciating Suggestions Other People’s Agendas by Madisyn Taylor
People will always have an idea about how you should live your life, but your idea is the only one that matters.
As children, our parents had dreams for us. They wanted us to do well in school, and to do whatever was necessary to reach our highest potential. Later in life, friends may try to set us up with their idea of the perfect partner or the perfect job. Spouses may have agendas for us, too. People close to us may have ideas about how we should live our lives, ideas that usually come from love and the desire for us to be happy. Other times, they come from a place of need within them—whether it is the parent who wants us to live out his or her dreams or the friend or spouse who wants us to play an already-defined role. Whatever the case, we can appreciate and consider those people’s input, but ultimately we must follow our own inner guidance.
There may come a time when all the suggestions can become overbearing. We may feel that the people we love don’t approve of our judgment, which can hurt our feelings. It can interfere with the choices we make for our lives by making us doubt ourselves, or filling a void with their wishes before we’ve had a chance to decide what we want. It can affect us energetically as well. We may have to deal with feelings of resistance or the need to shut ourselves off from them. But we can take some time to rid ourselves of any unnecessary doubts and go within to become clear on what we desire for ourselves.
We can tell our loved ones how much we appreciate their thoughts and ideas, but that we need to live our own lives and make our own decisions. We can explain that they need to let us learn from our own experiences rather than rob us of wonderful life lessons and the opportunity to fine-tune our own judgment. When they see that we are happy with our lives and the path we are taking to reach our goals, they can rest assured that all we need them to do is to share in our joy.
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Post by majestyjo on Feb 25, 2015 18:49:33 GMT -5
Today I was talking to my hairdresser about this, how sometimes I don't always care how I look and how I create my day by my attitude toward myself. We are Co-Creators of our own universe. If I don't feel good about myself, I won't feel good. So often we miss the goodness in others because we judge the book by the cover. We don't see the whole person because we turn a blind eye because we don't like the person doesn't mean our expectations or our vision of who we feel they should be or who we feel they look, act, think, etc., often forgetting that they are a reflection of our inner self and it takes one to know one.
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Post by majestyjo on Mar 1, 2015 23:02:34 GMT -5
My sister called me today to say that she remembered that today would have been our parent's 74th wedding anniversary because next month I will be 73 years old. It makes me feel old, but it makes me feel grateful that I lived to be this old. It is only because of this program that I outlived my parents who died at the age of 40 and 66 because of their addiction. Recovery is a gift. For that, I will be eternally grateful. I just wish it hadn't taken me so long to find it.
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Post by majestyjo on Mar 12, 2015 16:28:31 GMT -5
Having a difficult accepting the fact that I haven't bee able to post on a regular basis and at a time, when I feel the readings, especially should be posting. Today was a good example, I tried to post this morning before I left and my computer was so slow and just didn't have time. I think a lot had to do with Google, but it was also dues to another site that I post on originally, and then copy the material from there to here. Today has been a fighting battle because of chest pains and the neuropathy in my feet has been bad and it has been made it difficult to think through the pain, which make things a slow process. It is hard to believe that I have been home for four hours and only half way through. Hope everyone likes the penguins today. It has been that kind of day!
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Post by majestyjo on Mar 13, 2015 8:58:35 GMT -5
An old post revisited, unless I forget!
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Post by majestyjo on Mar 22, 2015 22:17:50 GMT -5
It is important for me to have healing thoughts. For me a thought is a prayer. I am worthy, I am forgivable, I am deserving, I am loved, etc. Healing the body, mind and spirit. Asking the God of my understanding to remove my fears, phobias, limitations, insecurities, etc.
I have had so many fears and other issues healed in this program. The healing process is totally amazing. The fact that I can play bridge and be competitive with master players. The fact that I could go back to school at 60 and take Math, English, and Computers. The fears of storms, bridges, and putting the wrong foot forward has been taken from me.
This program gave me back my self-respect, self-worth, self-esteem, and gave me a true sense of self of who I am.
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Post by majestyjo on Apr 3, 2015 14:04:00 GMT -5
Happy Easter everyone. Sorry my posts are late today. Spring is here in Canada. We have had a lot of rain for two days and my arthritis is slowing me down and making posting difficult. I am having problems concentrating and thinking through the pain so have to take a break. Will check back in later. They say we are going to get snow on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. I don't need to walk anywhere and my niece will take me to my sister's on Sunday, so my days of busy and stocking up were for a good reason, although unknown at the time.
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Post by majestyjo on May 10, 2015 21:51:02 GMT -5
Haven't been able to get rid of a headache that has plagued me since I woke up today. It just might because they are calling for thunder storm tonight and tomorrow. I feel like I am wearing a helmet and instead of feeling like a thinking cap, it seems to be a block and stopping any thought process, so bowing out and closing up shop.
Watched some tennis between Murray from England and Nadal from Spain, an epic game, only the second time Nadal has been beaten on clay in years. Murray has been a long time favourite favourite player of mine, so glad he won and yet my emotions feel stymied, because I am feeling cloaked in a heavy energy that seems to be weighing me down. When I get off the computer, I am going to do further meditation and ask for help to have it removed and changed.
I took out my crystal cards and they flew out of my hands and they flew out of my hands and scattered. I took out my prayer book by Henry Emerson Fosdick and just held it and said a prayer and that is what prompted me to make this post.
What comes to me is a need to let go, not a taking on of energy, but letting go, especially stuff that is not mine.
So I plan to take some time, spend it with my God and wish your God Blessing on you for what's left of this Mother's Day.
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Post by majestyjo on May 12, 2015 21:20:34 GMT -5
Sorry that I have gotten behind in some of the sections, I haven't been feeling too well. Today was a good example, I laid down just after 3 p.m. and woke up just before 6, rolled over and didn't wake up until the alarm went off at 7 p.m. I fell asleep twice last night in my chair watching TV. I just haven't had the head to go into my books and files to get new material and seem to have a mental block. Things aren't speaking to me and if they are, I am not hearing them. I am not sure if I am on time out or in transition. I just know that more will be revealed. I think it is a health issue with my blood pressure being up and down, and yet that only means more prayer and meditation. I have had pressure in my head and a ringing in my ears which has been disturbing. My doctor ordered strong narcotic medication which I don't want to take, I don't see him until the 20th. The pain in my head doesn't warrant taking them. I just can't do as much as I have been, so just do what I can when I can. It bothers me to be posting at night instead of the morning, and it has taken a lot of acceptance to get there, but it is either that or not at all. Thank you for being a part of my journey.
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Post by BW on May 31, 2015 12:03:06 GMT -5
Found this on another site and yes it came from spiritual meditations ; which means some quotes came from the Bible...there are very valid and important truths. The main principle as i have experienced it; is the art of listening is key to learning how to grow on this journey of recovery.
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Post by majestyjo on May 31, 2015 17:16:47 GMT -5
As they say, "Don't open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Probably talk too much, but speak as the spirit moves me. If something speaks to me, I share it with the hope that it will help someone else.
There are many times that I have held my tongue, and many times that I thought to say more, but thought better of it. A good indicator that words are best left unsaid, is to lose a post. Those words I figure are better left unsaid, said in a better manner or in different words, or given pause for thought, to affirm and look at my truth and how I truly feel about something.
I always try to speak my truth, it may not be someone else's, but I do try to be honest with me and you. The words I share are not original, they are words that I read or words that I listened to over the years, or my interruption of same. My God put some great people in my path, and I shared my journey with some wonderful teachers. I had the fortune of sharing my journey with many long-timers, people with 20-50 years of recovery, two gentleman had 60, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have had the privilege of listening to them share their experience, strength, and hope.
Even just as important is the newcomer and the person who is coming back, who tell me it isn't any better out there. They do my research for me, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.
What is really important is to take the words off the page, off the screen, and from the person and apply it to our life and not let it fall on deaf ears, blind eyes, and on dead air into nothingness. Sometimes we hear and see, but then on perusal, we hear and see more, and I think it is a growth process. It doesn't mean we are wrong or right, it just means we have more to learn.
My God is as He reveals Himself to me in today.
Thanks for sharing BW, gave me some food for thought.
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Post by majestyjo on Aug 1, 2015 1:39:39 GMT -5
When I went to my Al-Anon group on Wednesday, I was reminded that it is time again in September for the Autumn Leaf Roundup. It is always a big Spiritual filling up station for me. I found the following post I made after being there last year.
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Post by majestyjo on Aug 9, 2015 23:48:01 GMT -5
If carrots would do what alcohol did for me, I'd be a carrotolic. - Al A. From Alkiespeaks Love this, It is one of my saying revised a little, "I am a bridgeaholic." Love playing bridge. Maybe I should say I am a gameaholic, but then I only play about 3 on the computer, and although bridge is a priority, I do like cribbage, scrabble, and Yahtzee. I was sharing with my friend last night and said, "If I could drink safely, I would drink." Everyone once in a while, the old tape, "If you can't beat them join them" comes to mind and I tell myself I really didn't have a problem. I would tell myself that I could have one drink, many times only one or two. What I put to the back of my mind was the fact that I had some heavy duty drugs in my body and didn't really need the booze. I was told that anything that I put between my and my God, became my new God, because I lost connection to mine. My drug of choice, can be anything I have in front of me. It isn't the substance that I use(d) that is the problem, it is the thinking. When my thinking says more, I need to turn it over to my Higher Power, no matter what substance is available in the moment, be it my computer, books, games, and I am reminded that it is people, places and things, something or someone who will take me out of myself. I need to go within, instead of looking outside of myself for that quick fix, that seemingly saving grace, which in fact is a control thing, an illusion, and I have daily reprieve, only through the Grace of my God.
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Post by majestyjo on Aug 10, 2015 16:38:30 GMT -5
Found this on another site. Thought this was so awesome and spiritual. The joy of living in recovery. We become aware and can see the beauty around us and appreciate God's special gifts.
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Post by majestyjo on Aug 23, 2015 1:51:20 GMT -5
Sorry, had plans to do some posting, but things are catching up to me. Horns have been honking, people yelling outside my apartment, car alarms going off, plus many other sounds that has got my head a buzzin'. I woke up with no pain and now I am hurting from top to toe, so it is time to call it a night. Not much is happening with me, although I am hurting in the moment, I have been feeling better. I have been taking time out to work on some of my issues and my stuff that needs to be addressed.
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Post by majestyjo on Nov 15, 2015 22:03:05 GMT -5
There is so much I want to share tonight but in too much pain. I have pushed myself and am paying for it, the pain is just getting worse. The mind is willing but the flesh is weak. Attachments:
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Post by majestyjo on Nov 19, 2015 1:16:01 GMT -5
Got this from a friend of a friend:
Flour is also great if you have something that won't stop bleeding.
Put a dab of flour on and in no time it stops.
The Benefits of Flour Some time ago, I was cooking some corn and stuck my fork in the boiling water to see if the corn was ready. I missed and my hand went into the boiling water.
A friend of mine, who was a Vietnam vet, came into the house as I was screaming and asked me if I had some plain old flour... I pulled out a bag and he stuck my hand in it.
He told me to keep my hand in the flour for 10 minutes. He said that in Vietnam, there was a guy on fire and in their panic, they threw a bag of flour all over him to put the fire out. Well, it not only put the fire out, but he never even had a blister!!!! Long story short, I put my hand in the bag of flour for 10 minutes, pulled it out and did not even have a red mark or a blister AND absolutely NO pain.
Now, I keep a bag of flour in the fridge and every time I burn myself. *Cold flour feels even better than room temperature flour. I use the flour and have never ever had even a red spot/burn mark, or a blister! I even burnt my tongue once, put the flour on it for about 10 minutes ... the pain was gone and no burn.
Try it . . . Experience a miracle!
Keep a bag of flour in your fridge and you will be happy you did! Flour has heat absorbent property and also has a strong antioxidant property, thus it helps in burn patients if applied within 15 minutes.
"When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others"
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Post by majestyjo on Nov 19, 2015 2:53:20 GMT -5
Just too cute, got in an e-mail from a friend in Texas
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Post by majestyjo on Nov 26, 2015 4:14:11 GMT -5
This is an old post that I made on another site in 2011, it may have come from here and posted in another section.
Without Sobriety, I have nothing!
In NA especially, a lot of importance is put on going back out and being a useful member of society.
When I came into recovery, I was on Welfare. A lot of people put me down for being on government assistance. I ended up on disability. What I did find was a lot of people in a hurry to go back to work and ended up relapsing.
Either money was a trigger or they couldn't handle the pressures of work and ended up relapsing. I saw it happen, time and time again, if you don't deal with what brought you to the doors of recovery, it will take you back out if you don't deal with it.
The resentments would creep back. Anger hadn't been dealt with. We don't know how to say "No!" I was doing the work of three people because I feared losing my job for not measuring up. Yet I used to cope, and I knew I couldn't go back there. When I went back to school, got my certificate for Business Administration on Computers, I found I had no desire to go back into the rat race and found acceptance of being on disability. People told me I should be working. I looked healthy but how do you explain to people that it was an effort to sit up let alone do. It is hard to concentrate on a job when every bone and muscle in your body hurts. Some days I have problems thinking through the pain.
I got involved in service. It became my work. It filled up my days and gave my life purpose.
When I came into recovery, I had eight green garbage bags of stuff to show for 49 years of living. I had a trilite and a small square table that belongs to an aunt. They have since bit the dust. I borrowed a mattress to sleep on the floor. Borrowed dishes and had a two burner stove that kept blowing a fuse. Yet that apartment was one of the happiest times in my life. I moved out of the YWCA and was my first sober living space. I had been in the YWCA for two years. I went from bachelor to a one-bedroom apartment. Now I live in a senior complex with a balcony. I have no curtains on my window so the sun can shine through.
I had to turn my spending and my thinking over to my Higher Power. I found I had a real fear of running out of things, especially food. I had gone hungry many times and I found myself over compensating.
It is like learning to say "No" and then turning around and saying "No" out of principle and forgetting to say "Yes" when needed.
While I wasn't working, I did go back to school. I took a course in teaching people to read. I volunteered. Volunteer work looks good on a resume.
I found I was over qualified or under qualified. I did get calls for a couple of interviews but never got the job. I took it as a sign from my God that I was where I was suppose to be in the moment and I was lead to where I needed to be. I didn't always like being there, but once I found acceptance, things started to change.
The five As of change, awareness, admittance, acceptance, attitude and action. Sometimes I had to change things around and take action to change my attitude.
It isn't suggested that we don't make any big changes the first year of our recovery. The focus should be on me, finding myself, and learning a new way of living. Without my sobriety, I have nothing.
Sobriety means "soundness of mind" which didn't come easy. I kept looking at what was, where I wanted to go, instead of living in today and staying in the moment.
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Post by majestyjo on Nov 26, 2015 4:17:37 GMT -5
In today, I need this program, just as much as I did when I entered the rooms several 24 hours ago.
Last week a gentleman here in my city celebrated 60 years of sobriety. It is really awesome. Yet he would be the first to tell you that he did it one day at a time. He didn't do it by himself. It was his group, his friends and family, and his Higher Power.
This man oozes serenity. He walks tall. He has a smile in his eyes. He walks his talk. You can look at him and see recovery. When you see him, it is "This is how recovery should be." At least, that is how I feel about the man, yet I know he went through his trials and tribulations and ups and down of his recovery road. What he did was utilize the tools of recovery. He worked the program. Each day he chose not to pick up, just for today, I choose to stay clean and sober.
Many people, put a plug in the jug but aren't willing to walk that extra mile to find the gifts of serenity that this program offers. We only get out of it what we put into it.
Peace on your journey, one day at a time.
This was posted on another site in 2011, and here it is 2015 and I have 24 years of sobriety.
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