Topic for the week: What can I 'do' ..

[SunnyGirl]

What can I 'do' differently today in order to 'feel' better?

"If you do what you always did-you'll get what you always got"

"Nothing changes, if nothing changes"

As many of you know, the slogans above are two of my
favorites. Every now and then I will get stuck and just
seem to feel kinda blah with my recovery and life itself.

Getting your car stuck in the mud and spinning your wheels
can be so frustrating, but so can getting stuck in a downward
spiral in your life. Just because I think a dumb thought doesn't
mean I have to act on it.... Many times that first thought is just
a big fat lie. I have learned that I am not responsible for that
first thought, but I am responsible for my next action. I don't
believe everything I think anymore.....

I have found that when I get into one of those moods, or
when life is reigning down chaos all around me, the best thing I
can do is hit my knees and pray. And then there is ACCEPTANCE!
Acceptance doesn’t mean I like where I’m at or what’s happening
in my life. It just means if I can't fix it, I will accept what ever it
is, and I will learn the lesson and grow from my experience.

I've found that journaling is excellent for my mental health!
Sometimes just getting my thoughts out in the open, helps to
relieve the pressure. It also let's me see that things aren't
really quite as bad as I first thought. Then I can think with
gratitude that no matter how tough life might be, that are so
many others that have it much worse. I list all the things
I feel grateful for, God really has given me so many wonderful
gifts.... Just distracting the bad thoughts and putting good
ones in their place can turn my whole outlook around.

Are you having a bad day, week, month, year? What can you
change or do different, to turn this around?

Peace on the journey, SG

[caressa]

My first thought was "Get back to basics." Call my sponsor, go to a meeting, read my literature, apply the slogans, take time for meditation, pray and take the time to listen for the answers.

If I am having a bad day it is generally because I have slacked off on one or all of the above.

One of the things I did today was stay off the computer for a few hours.

What helps me is to get out of the house and go for a walk. It is important that I get exercise and not isolate in my apartment.

[SunnyGirl]

Great reply Caressa, thanks for sharing what works
for you.....

When I start each day with prayer it helps me start out
with a positive attitude. I am also finding that when I
keep busy, I don't have nearly as much time to worry
about the small stuff. I'm also trying to get into the habit
of eating breakfast, instead of sucking up so much coffee.

The "power of positive thinking" really does work! I'm also
making a very strong effort to not react negatively especially
when I'm driving. This town is full of "rude drivers", that will
cut you off, but I try to just let it pass. If I react rudely, that
makes me every bit as bad as the other guy! If all else fails,
before I explode I will count to 10 and by that time I have
calmed down...

Doing the best I can, one day at a time.... Hugs, SG

[caressa]

When I was diagnosed with diabetes, I had to look at my eating habits. They had improved because I had made an attempt at eating healthy. Fresh food and not eating out of a box or a can. Very little frozen food unless my energies were low and I was unable to cook.

One of the healthy things I started doing was to eat breakfast. Then I was told at the clinic to eat smaller meals and eat more often.

I started reading labels and looking for the hidden sugars, coloring, fats and chemicals.

As my chirorpactor says, "A healthy mind makes for a healthy body." He has said, "I have never met anyone who is as tune with their body as you are."

[caressa]

Finding acceptance, is the key to my recovery today. When I sit and do a lot of wishful thinking, should have and could haves, I stay in the problem and stay stuck. Life is full of challenges, they are something I can overcome. Problems I can stay stuck in and when I don't find that acceptance, I have problems moving out of the situation.

Just came to see what I had posted and found a grammar error. I had written there for their. The Ms. Perfect in me was horrified. I am so glad we can modify our posts and change them. There has always been a part of me that 'needed' things to be just so! It was something I had to learn to accept and yet I think it is important, for me, what I say reflects on me. I wouldn't want people to think I didn't care and that is how I perceive changing what it says in the Big Book a couple of pages after the paragraph on acceptance.

People were judging me by my actions and I was judging me by my intentions.

[Lin]

Excellent topic...

Like the things listed above, get to a meeting, call a friend in recovery, read my daily reading alanon books, use the slogans, have a chat with my HP.

I think jsut having acceptance in my life and stopping that need to control others is helping me have good days. I choose to stay with my huabsnd...even though he does nto choose to quit drinking. SO I make the best of it. I made a choice. I will find times to be happy and look for those silver lihnings in every cloud I encounter. Finding aceptance that he's and active a lcolholic and he drinks. That's what alcoholics do. They drink. they tell lies. They dont keep promises. I accept that he is liek that. Accepting does nto meen I ahve to liek it..jsut accept it as how things are.

That more than anything makes my day MUCH brighter and happier.

LIN

[caressa]

I can change the energy around me, brush down the energy field around my body to detach from any negativity. I can have a shower, a bath, light a candle, put on music, call a friend, my sponsor, or just go to the local coffee shop.

The most important thing for me is all of the above and before you even start, pray!

Coming out of the darkness into the light.

[majestyjo]

We can set boundaries. I often have to reinforce them.

You are right Lin, we do not have to like it in order to accept. I do not believe in rewarding bad behaviour, and some things are just not acceptable in my safe space. i.e. not putting the toilet seat down. 😘