Been journalling lately, ever since I hit a rough patch and realized I need to face the feelings and difficulties I was having.
This has turned into a journal where I can continue to find things that pop up to give to my Higher Power. It seems so much more real to me to go through the motions of writing it out, and letting things go (where I am willing!), one by one. And I know I have to pray for willingness where I am lacking. It is like an on-going 10th Step, followed by prayer (11?). I am really happy about how much this is helping me right now, and I thought I would share it with you all.
Hope everyone is having a terrific day!
__________________
~Your Higher Power has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.
Yea Joni!! I am so proud of your progress!!! I too should journal more but dont because I was always afraid someone would read it!!!! Stems way back to trust issues with my folks! But anyways!!!! Good for you and Im glad your feeling better these days! It does work if we work it!!! xo
__________________
"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
Well Done, Joni :) I've begun journaling as part of my Step10 & it is an indespensible life skill, I'm finding. I journaled at times during my earlier recovery which has been a wonderful insight into my, er, journey ;) lol & it's great to reflect & acknowledge how much progress I have made. It also helps me to demystify my vagueties & helps me to understand my process. I love getting it all out of my head & into the tangible world where I can appreciate where I'm at but also to be able in letting go.
Like you say & is suggested, I've been doing my 3 & 7 prayers in the morning & at night also beginning to seek out God willed action via a daily conscious contact.. & I'm learning my Step 11 Wahey! I'm a fledgling at these Growth Steps but they are the hope & a light in my life which I know can only improve with practice. It's working cuz we're working it & we're All Worth It! Good luck with yours too x Lani. Blessings with you both & everyone working hard on their programs too. It is Simple even though not Easy ;D lol Danielle x
Ps. I was looking online for interesting articles to do with resistence in recovery & I found a few exerpts from this book I really liked. The following is from a published work called "From Surviving to Thriving for Survivors of Childhood Abuse." by Mary Bratton. I know not all of us have had these things to deal with & these experiences arn't what make us alcoholic but they can exacerbate our recovery rate & ability to let go.
I felt I could relate & was glad that she made a reference to the art & helpfulness of journaling too. With the article that follows I can just as easily & relevently read the passage with the personal pronoun of *I* in it as I can understand myself as a peer in fellowship & participating in Recovery. Segment of article as follows ~
The cycle of Recovery is just that ~ a cycle of ever increasing levels of healing. Clients will take & retake the same steps many times. That should not be discouraging but energising. The difficulty of the path they have chosen to travel should not be underestimated, but clients can learn to take credit for each step along the way. They are approaching the bend around which lies journey's end ~ Integration & Transformation. The poem below spoke to both the repetition & the rewards of the cycles of healing:
Healing
And I struggle & I fight And I journal & I write
And I think & I fight And I journal & I write
And I feel & I fight And I journal & I write
And I remember & I fight And I journal & I write
And I doubt & I fight And I journal & I write
And I rage & I fight And I journal & I write
And I grieve & I fight And I journal & I write
And I fear & I fight And I journal & I write
And I believe & I fight And I journal & I write
And I give up & I fight And I journal & I write
And I struggle & I fight And I journal & I write
And I scream & I fight And I journal & I write
And I sob & I fight And I journal & I write
And I shake & I fight And I journal & I write
And I trust 'Cause I must
And I know And let go
And I care And she's there
And I'm real And I heal
And I'm me And I'm free
And I love . . .
by Jessica
-- Edited by Sobrietyspell at 00:29, 2008-12-18
__________________
Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
I love journaling - it really helps me see myself better. I find a lot of things I need to see about myself there and now that process doesn't scare me anymore. I am eager for change. I am eager for peace and understanding. I am not afraid of making mistakes anymore but eager to learn from them.
Great job!
tlc
__________________
__________________ "By swallowing evil words unsaid, no one has ever harmed his stomach." ~Winston Churchill
Hi Joni, it's funny that of all the things that bothered me, it was me that I had most of the problems with. I've had to keep forgiving and accepting me, just the way that I am. Every now and then I get this memory of something stupid that I did, and I feel crappy about it. Then I just say (think) "that poor kid didn't know what he doing, he just young and dumb" and smile and laugh it off.
