One of the things we get in recovery is a "spiritual toolkit" that contains new ways of thinking about and dealing with life. Before recovery so many situations and people used to baffle me, and I was ill prepared to deal with them and the emotions they brought up in me. My lack of coping skills was fully revealed once I put down my old solutions of a drink or a drug.
The good news is that the 12 steps provide me with all the tools I need to deal with life on life's terms. One of my favorites is "HALT." I was taught early on that if I was feeling anxious, worried, angry or out of sorts in anyway then there was a good chance I hadn't taken care of myself. I was to "HALT" and ask myself: "Am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired?" If so, then it was my job to stop and attend to these first.
What a wonderful tool this has been for me. I have learned that it is my job (and within my power) to take care of myself, and I have learned how to self soothe. And once I am feeling centered, then the outside stuff is much easier to sort through and deal with. It's amazing how often I rely on my spiritual toolkit today, and how it's become second nature to HALT when something is bothering me. Today my solutions start on the inside and work their way out.
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Isn't it sweet when we finally reach a stage where we realize we really do deserve self-care? I used to think self-care was selfishness, or self absorption. Not so. In loving ourselves enough to discern the need to stop, rest, eat, or just gaze out the window and renew ourselves with our Higher Power, we become more available to others. Ain't no bigger blessing than that, yeah?
Thanks for this, Pappy. Self-care is something that only now I am really incorporating into my life. Some wise women in AA who sought out Alanon tools (really they're tools for life, wherever we find them) mentioned this to me.
I have to watch the sale, not smoke, not down coffee like crazy, and remember to eat. I am also in a stressful period and am taking it easy and being gentle with myself. I also joined some groups on meetup dot com for walking and eastern meditation among other things.
When we start self-caring we begin to love ourselves more, the way the Higher Power does. We begin to invite good people in.
Good stuff all! Self-care is important to me today also. What a change for this past people pleaser. Caring for me, does make me more available for others. Kinda counterintuitive to the general population, but not to Alcoholics. Thank you.
Yes Pappy, the physical stuff is what I personally need to watch out for most. Tired and hungry......and I almost never get angry unless I'm one of the prior two LOL
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Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
