Monday 2/8/10 - "TODAY"

"TODAY"

Today was filled with Al-Anon program activity. I met with an Al-Anon sponsee first thing this morning to discuss problems she is having with step 9. She is finding it difficult, in fact impossible, at this point to forgive herself, make amends to herself. We talked quite a while and I gave her several suggestions. The first - she will pray for the willingness to be willing to forgive herself. The second - she will pray for herself the same way she would pray for someone she has a resentment towards. From experience she and I both know that if we resent someone and pray daily for them for as long as it takes, the resentment will pass. We pray that the person will have all the blessings we would like to see in our own lives. Sometimes this is difficult or we aren't "feelin' it", but we pray nonetheless. It works.

After my meeting with my sponsee, we attended my home group Al-Anon meeting. The topic of the meeting perfectly dovetailed with our one-on-one meeting. It came from "Hope for Today", February 7th, p. 38. Two excerpts stood out for me. They were:

"My constant comparing and competing gradually edged most people out of my life. Ultimately I was not even good enough for myself, an attitude that led me to harsh self-abuse."

".... beneath my extreme competitiveness lurks the true nature of the problem - pride and fear along with a sense of inadequacy. "

I could identify. I have had to deal with my own self-critical, censoring, and judgmental nature as well as that feeling that I'm just not good enough. All of these have improved in a big way over the 24+ years in Alcoholics Anonymous and 5 1/2 years I have worked the Al-Anon program. Thank you God.

After the meeting, I had time to run home, let puppy out of his cage, put him outside and even play a little. We played throw the big bone, a partial bone, and a ball all at the same time. That way I was able to actually get one of them out of his mouth and throw it again. LOL

Then it was off to meet with another Al-Anon sponsee to do the 6th step. We met for an hour and a half and it was satisfying for both of us. It doesn't get much better than this. Life is good. God is good. It is wonderful to watch someone change and begin to feel a measure of peace and serenity in their life.

From there it was off to the grocery store for some Super Bowl goodies for hubby and me. I was keeping it simple for Enchanted Oak today so I just picked up some cheeses, crackers, shrimp, and strawberries. When I got home I was here to stay. Hurray!

I made the cocktail sauce for our shrimp using plenty of horseradish and a real lemon in the ketchup. After this prep I took a few minutes to light my candles, say prayers for special people, and then blow them out sending those prayers to God.

I just watched the Saints come out from halftime, kick an 'on-side kick' and proceed to barrel down the field for a touchdown. I remember the day when you couldn't have paid me to watch football. People can change. LOL

Tomorrow is my hospital volunteer day so I am preparing mentally and spiritually for the time I will visit patients.

God bless all of you.

Prayer Girl
(Photo credit: simple butterfly shot by sergiemag@deviantart.com)