Thursday: Relaxed -or- Defensive

[SunnyGirl]

Relaxed -or- Defensive + + Secure -or- Insecure

"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent."
- - Eleanor Roosevelt

The quote above reminds me of the saying, "what other people
think about me is none of my business". Generally speaking, I am
a pretty relaxed easy going person, I feel pretty comfortable in
my own skin. There are people that can push my buttons and
I have to guard myself against retaliation. Two wrongs never
make it right, no matter how justified I may feel at the time.

My younger Sis is extremely defensive and she over-responds
each and every time. My dealings with her now are improving
because I will try to stop her mid sentence and make her aware
that she is misrepresenting what I was trying to say. I now find
myself doing this same thing when I am tempted to tell some
one what I think. I've said it before, but sometimes what we
are thinking are better off left unsaid. Once it's out there it
can hurt others and often times it can come back and bite me
on the A$$.

I feel secure and I feel relaxed enough to be an authentic me
today. I have imperfections, and I have shortcomings, but as
long as I am moving forward, I'm making progress in my recovery.
I thank God for this progress and I thank my recovery friends.....

Peace on the journey, SG

[justjo]

Well I was sure relaxed tonight, slept a long sleep when I came home. I do a lot of meditation and listen to relaxation music.

Since the middle of November I have been listening to Jazz Christmas music and have had it on more than I have had my TV on.

I get defensive if I feel that my space is being threatened. I also tend to be defensive if I feel a friend is getting a raw deal or when someone is the underdog or when it is two against one situations.

I have a right to be and I defend that right. The only difference in today, I try to do it in a much milder way than I did before recovery. For one thing, I didn't know I had a right to just be or to have my own opinion. When I think back on my life, which I try not to, too often, I cringe and how much of a whoose I was.

For the most part, I am comfortable in my own skin. I realized today, the only time I feel really threatened, is when my feet swell and I have trouble getting around. Insecurities have been there for most of my life, thanks to recovery, it is better and something my God and I work on. I do keep Him busy. I try to leave Him time for others. That is why He is my God. I pray that you each have your own. Most times I feel He is in my corner, so I surely hope that there is enough of Him to go around.

[majestyjo]

Relaxed -or- Defensive + + Secure -or- Insecure

Like the two chips together. That helps to make up for the fact that I didn't post one yesterday. My day started late, and it was everyone's goodnight, while it was my good morning, because I had a long nap that turned into a deep sleep. So I guess you can say I was relaxed.

I don't have to be defensive, I can be myself. In order to do that, I have to be secure within myself. I looked nervous today, because my tremon disorder was bad. I chaired the meeting at my home group today, and I was secure about what I was doing and insecure on the other hand, because when I did it before, I forgot the announcements and the introductions around the room. I wanted to make sure today that I never forgot anything. I am so glad the meeting starts with a moment of silence and the Serenity Prayer.

Love the quote "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent."
- - Eleanor Roosevelt

This is something that came to mind while sharing with a friend today. I need those personal boundaries.