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Post by SunnyGirl on Feb 10, 2004 14:38:10 GMT -5
When I first began this journey, I was so beaten
down....... It all seemed so hopeless! Then I was
shown the 12-steps and told I was powerless. I
clung to that phase and it kept running around inside
my brain. POWERLESS POWERLESS POWERLESS
This felt like defeat! I was doomed to a life of where
I had no control.
It was in a meeting, where the topic was the Serenity
Prayer. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things
I cannot change" .......Maybe I did have choices after all.
"Courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to
know it's ME". ..... this gave me hope!
I could sit in my misery, or I could begin to make good
choices, about where and what I wanted in my life. I
do not have the power to change the Addict/Alcoholic
in my life, But, I set out to change the mess I had made
in my life. Today, I truly belive that it was God, that
gave me the courage to expect more in my life. HE gave
me the courage to begin making choices about how I
wanted to live...... I could sit and accept what ever the
"A" in my life decided to throw at me.....
Or, I could get busy making good choices
for myself. IMHO.... God wants me to be happy!
After years of taking baby steps towards my goals,
I can see progress. Setting boundaries and learning
I could find that serenity I craved. I have made some
good choices and I have made some poor choices.....
But I am still moving forward!
Please share your thoughts on this weeks topic....
CHOICES
Peace on the journey, SG
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Post by Caressa2 on Feb 10, 2004 20:17:40 GMT -5
The freedom to choose! What a revelation that was. I had to learn to give myself permission to do things, because all my life I was told I couldn't, didn't know how, because I was stupid and didn't know how, or I was lazy and I always had to be busy doing, it was never okay to just "be" let alone be myself.
The freedom to be me was completely foreign and difficult because I didn't know who "me" was.
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Post by dg on Feb 10, 2004 21:50:02 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]CHOICES[/glow] Two things: First thing that came in my mind was how choices involves us in a powerless situtation. And the ablility to choose the outcome of it all. But the lessons we learned if its a mistake. And to be able to grow from our choices. Not letting my heart rule my head in making choices is a big one for me.  |
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Post by Lin on Feb 11, 2004 4:29:45 GMT -5
This is a great topic. When I found recovery I thougth my choices were determined by other people. My husband was very controlling. I never went to the store, the bank, the post office, the library unless he went with me or he asked me to go. If i asked permission to go, he usually told me I could go another time. One of the big choices i have changes was telling him in a nice way I was going to one of those places. I usually say something like...I am ging to the bank, do you need me to pick up anything while I am out? Or..i tell him I'm going an dinvite him to come along. At first he'd say, did i SAy you could go. (GRRR) Now he knows...I'm going if he says I need to or not. That took some standing up to along the way, but I knew i was not making any choices that were wrong and he had no right to tell me I did not need to go. I was not telling him I was heading out for the pub or anything like that. I also get up early alot and go to wal mart before he even gets up. Sometimes I leave him a note and sometimes not. But if I choose to go someplace, I GO>
Other choices I made are in my attitude. I can choose to look at the bright side and have a good day, or I can choose to wallow in misery. When i see it that way, the choice is obvious.
I chose for many years to shut my HP out of my life. I believed he had forgotten about me so I was not allowing HIM into my life. I chose togive him another chance. That has been the best choice I ever made.
And a totally unrelated to recovery choice is food. I joined Weight watchers in april 2003. I've lost 63 pounds and kept it off. A big part of that was in my choices. Today i choose foods that are healthier and lower in fat and calories because I am pleased with my new size. I dont' want to go back.
LIN
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Post by SunnyGirl on Feb 11, 2004 12:47:59 GMT -5
Many thanks to all who have shared.....
I have choices in every situation, but not all of them are
good choices. When what I "want" and what I "need"
are in conflict with God's will for me, HIS will, wins! When
I push to do it my way, I can get myself into some real
jackpots.
When I have made a bad choice for my life, God allows
it all to play out. Sometimes I have to keep making the
same mistakes before I learn the lesson. When my
life is filled with peace and serenity, I know that I am
living according to God's will for me. When there is
chaos and heartache, I know I need to look for HIS will.
Hugs to each, SG
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Post by lildee on Feb 14, 2004 2:57:18 GMT -5
Hi SunnyGirl,
I am a slow poke to answer this one. Choices are what it is all about, for me anyway. For so many years others have made the choices in my life. Everything from what to eat, to what to wear, to what color lipstick I use. At one time I wasn't allowed to make those choices. During my childhood I wasn't allowed to make those choices I would open myself up to severe beatings if I did. Unfortunately this habit continued into adulthood. Letting others run my life. But now I am beginning to make my own choices. Albeit at this point they are small ones, but I have to start somewhere. I know one day I will have the strength and courage to make the really big choices and that day is coming soon. Choosing how to live MY LIFE AS I WANT. I am tired of taking orders from everyone. MY CHOICE!!!
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Post by SunnyGirl on Feb 15, 2004 17:13:55 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing ( ( ( Lildee ) ) ) )
I know I kinda drifted along for many years....
Allowing others to make all the choices, but today
I am learning it is possible for me to make choices.
They haven't all been good choices, but I am
getting much better at it...... Hugs, SG
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Post by majestyjo on Mar 4, 2019 4:42:00 GMT -5
Freedom of choice, such an awesome recovery gift. What came to mind was that it was no longer either/or, but this or that. Not sure that makes sense. What ever I chose was alright. I could always choose again if I wanted to.
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Post by majestyjo on Mar 4, 2019 21:17:32 GMT -5
Had to make choices today. My son turned off my alarm, which I didn't hear even though it was at the end of my bed. He knew I hadn't slept last night, so he let me sleep. I had a choice, let it go or call Darts. I chose to call Darts and they offered me a ride to the hospital at 5 pm and pick me up there at 8 pm to come home. Normally, I don't do night time unless it is to my NA groups. I said yes and things came out beautifully, a taxi arrived at 4:45 pm just as I came out of the building. My drive came into the hospital and called my name, too cold to wait outside, and it was 7:43 pm,so they were early instead of me having to wait. So grateful. Looks like I made some good choices.  |
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~With Peace & Love, dg~ 8*)[/b][/size]
. I will be back looking for Lin and others.