Friday 7/26/24
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What is without periods of rest will not endure. —Ovid When we are tired, we need to stop and give ourselves time to rest. Sometimes we think we can't spare the time. But without rest, all our activity soon becomes a burden and there is no joy in it. Animals know it is necessary to take time to rest. This is part of the rhythm of life: activity and rest, effort and relaxation. Our bad moods are often our body's way of telling us we need rest. When we were little, we needed naps. Somehow, we forget to allow ourselves this right when we are older. We are wise to remember we never outgrow this need for rest to make the day go better. When we return to our day refreshed, we have given ourselves and all those around us the gift of ourselves at our best. What can I do better when I am rested? |
The Bottom Line
When I attended my first Al-Anon meeting, I felt as though I was dying from the inside out. I'd been attending individual therapy sessions. The people in the group sessions had various issues and some also attended Al-Anon or Alcoholic Anonymous. When my therapist suggested I figure out why I was addicted to an alcoholic, I was shocked because I didn't understand what she meant. She referred me to Al-Anon. I went in order to figure out what she was talking about.
After two years in Al-Anon, I realized I was so obsessed with what my husband was doing that I had lost myself. Recovery has been a long, hard road and I know I still have a long way to go. The Twelve Steps and the Al-Anon group's support and understanding have literally saved my life. I work the first three Steps over and over every day. Steps Four through Twelve, I work as needed-but they all make sense to me now. Since attending Al-Anon meeting and coming out of denial, I'm both amazed and appalled at the magnitude of alcoholism in our society. So many people around me are dealing with the same issues I'm facing. The bottom line for me is to be there for others, while keeping my primary focus on myself -a daily struggle. Sometimes I think about comparing myself to others, but I've learned I can only get better when I'm comparing where I've been with where I'm going. What works for one person may not work for me, but I can apply Al-Anon's Twelve Steps to everything I face. Al-Anon is a wonderful program for families and friends of alcoholics. It has principles we can all use to improve our lives and our relationships with family and friends. As I hear in meetings, we "practice these principles in all our affairs." Lu S. N.C April, 2006 Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA. |
Today's Hope is a Recovery themed site with a focus on Friends and Families of Alcoholics and problem drinkers. We are not affiliated with any 12 Step program. The daily sharings contain a reading from
Al-Anon's Conference Approved publication The Forum, an inspirational quote/saying and a recovery based reading/meditation. The intent of Today's Hope is to share experience, strength and hope. Please take what you like and leave the rest. |