Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Thursday, 7/9/09 - "KISS"


"KISS"
"KEEP IT SIMPLE SWEETHEART"


I found myself writing a sentence in an email this morning that I decided would be my blog today. This is what I wrote: "I have found it easier to KISS - keep it simple sweetheart! (I much prefer sweetheart to stupid.)"

Everybody has heard the acronym used frequently in Alcoholics Anonymous, KISS. The newcomer quickly learns this means -
"KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID"!


When I finally arrived in AA, I was one of those who did not need to be told or reminded that I was stupid. I already believed it in the deepest part of me. No intelligence tests or professional pointing out a high IQ could make a dent in how stupid I knew I was. This went right along with a feeling of total worthlessness. At the age of almost 40 I arrived in the rooms of recovery a total failure. I was unable to work, had a failing marriage, could not adequately care for my children or myself, and had finally admitted I was an alcoholic. My self-esteem and self-confidence were in the minus zero range.

As I have moved through the years of recovery, my hatred of myself, my self-critical, judgmental, and censoring nature have all very slowly improved.

Today I believe in doing the best I can to keep it simple. I attempt to refrain from over-analyzing and dissecting everything in front of me. I use my AA and Al-Anon programs to guide my thinking and I find when I place God in charge my thinking is made simpler.

Today I love myself. My self-esteem and self-confidence are good. I honor and respect myself as a beloved child of God. I have a program that allows me to immediately correct any errors.

SO - Today, for me, the slogan is:

KISS -
KEEP IT SIMPLE SWEETHEART!

Let's all be kind and gentle with ourselves today as we continue to trudge our road of happy destiny.

Prayer Girl


12 comments:

Gin said...

I like that. Sometimes it is so hard to do just the simplest thing. Funny how complicated we humans can be at times.

Andrew said...

Oh yes, a total lack of confidence and self esteem. That has been my experience too.

"As I have moved through the years of recovery, my hatred of myself, my self-critical, judgmental, and censoring nature have all very slowly improved."

Slowly being the operative word for me. I cannot often see the changes in myself.

Much Love

steveroni said...

And a K.I.S.S. for you, Prayer-Girl!

Shadow said...

haven't heard that acronym before... i like it!

G-Man said...

I've ALWAYS said...There is great beauty in simplicity!...G

Jess Mistress of Mischief said...

I can remember, quite frequently early on as I discussed my burning issues with my friend I would inevitably hear the truth from him and say, "I'm such an idiot!"

He explained to me nicely a couple of times that I was not an idiot, I just didn't have the power to do anything else.

I continued to do that over and over (definition of insanity) and finally he yelled at me, "JESSIE, YOU ARE NOT AN IDIOT!! DO YOU HEAR ME?! I DON'T EVER WANT TO HEAR YOU CALL YOURSELF THAT AGAIN! GOT IT?!" I meekly answered "yes."

Then he went on to explain that when God brought these things to mind with someone who could allow me to see a new perspective it was not because I was stupid, an idiot or retarded; it was because I was now open to receiving God's power to solve that problem in my life and move on from there, that God uses every bit of the stuff that I didn't know before to allow me to receive new power to help others and there's nothing idiotic about that. God continues to see where I'm vulnerable to change for the better, and moves.

It's weird, it took me time (and I'm still working on it) to understand "the rule is we must always be hard on ourselves, but considerate of others." In the past I beat myself up about mistakes and continued to flog myself. Now I know it means working on my own defects and seeking to see things from a larger (God inspired) perspective through seeking Truth and sharing Love.

XOXO You are one of those who demonstrates that to me.

Cindy said...

KISS is a good one. Sweetheart is a much better "S". It reminds me that we need to be kind to ourselves too.

Unknown said...

I love that too. I wish you have a much better tomorrow and forever..PG

Mike Golch said...

I saw the remark that you left on Steve E's site,and just had to come for a visit.I hope that you have resolved that one.Big time Hug. and YES a K.I.S.S. to you as well.I love the last S.instead of the normal one.

Tall Kay said...

hmmm...I wonder who that email was sent to? I remember in early sobriety, being directed to not use the word stupid, at all, ever. It was surprising to realize just how often I was saying it, especially in regard to myself and my actions.

Thank you for your love and support, sweet, sweet heart!

Maude Lynn said...

I think that that is an excellent change!

Syd said...

I like Keep It Simple. It's a good slogan. I guess that I have for so many years overly complicated things with my thinking. Now, I just try to stay in the this day and not worry about what tomorrow holds.