love hate
desire aversion
joy sadness
fear courage
hope despair
happiness anger
acceptance/rejection

Received this list from a friend and added the last one myself.

Feel the feelings and do it anyway.
Just because you have a feeling, doesn't mean you have act on it.
Feel it, label it, know it for what it is. Don't try to shove it away, bury it, ignore it, but allow yourself to feel so you can heal.

“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

- Carl W. Buechner

“You can close your eyes to the things you do not want to see, but you cannot close your heart to the things you do not want to feel.”

- lstyd

Some of my favorite recovery sayings are:

"Feel the fear and do it any way."

FEAR

- Face everythings and recover

- Flee everything and run

When I was three and my brother was two, I saw him killed and blamed myself for his death. From that time onward, I shoved down the feelings and didn't want to feel. I have no visual of this event, all I had were the words in my head, "Dougie come out of the way." I thought because he was coming to me, I killed him. What I didn't know until I learned in my 50s from my aunt, was that I had nominated myself as his caretaker the day he was born. A lot to take on 9 days before her 2nd birthday.

Make the journey from your head to your heart.

Posted on another site in 2010

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...v3vHOKJyldrbUX

Something I posted in 2004 on another site. It could be a repeat of something here. :(

KEEPERS

I grew up in the fifties with practical parents -- a Mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it...

Father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, dishtowel in the other.

It was the time for fixing things -- a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy.

All that re-fixing, reheating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But then my Mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any 'more.'

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return.

So...while we have it...it's best we love it.....and care for it.....and fix it when it's broken.....and heal it when it's sick.

This is true.....for marriage.....and old cars.....and children with bad report cards.....and dogs with bad hips.....and aging parents.....and grandparents.

We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep.

Like a best friend that moved away -- or -- a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.....and so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'! Then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way. Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life.I grew up in the fifties with practical parents -- a Mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it...

Father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, dishtowel in the other.

It was the time for fixing things -- a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy.

All that re-fixing, reheating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But then my Mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any 'more.'

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return.

So...while we have it...it's best we love it.....and care for it.....and fix it when it's broken.....and heal it when it's sick.

This is true.....for marriage.....and old cars.....and children with bad report cards.....and dogs with bad hips.....and aging parents.....and grandparents.

We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep.

Like a best friend that moved away -- or -- a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.....and so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'! Then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way. Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life.

http://angelwinks.net/images/animate...tedpod1078.gif

Posted in 2011

When something from my past comes into my thoughts in today, I do a 4th and 5th Step on the situation. As new things come up in today, I do a 10th Step, call my sponsor, and if needed will do a 4th to deal with the feelings and check to see if today is rooted in the past.

Don't let the past take over your today.

http://angelwinks.net/images/secretpal/secretpal64.jpg

Sorry if some are reruns. They were brouught to my attention today, so thought I would share them with you.

This could be a repeat, just not sure where it is posted. As Bluidkiti said to me several years ago, "It doesn't matter, it speaks to you in today."

Another post from 2004.

When I read these old posts, it reminds me that this is a one day at a time program. Here it is 10 years later, I can still get into these thoughts. The good things are the tools of recovery.

I think this may be a rerun, but it gave me pause for thought, so I am sharing it with you.

Self Massage

There are simple massage techniques you can do it yourself. This is a great "pick-me-up" after a hard day of work. You can also get benefits of massage by immersing yourself in a Jacuzzi with the water doing the massaging.

Many massage and wellness centers offer workshops on massages and partner massages. It may be worthwhile going for a workshop to get some familiarity with this technique.

For the exercises given below you don’t need anything other than a few tennis balls, a quiet corner and your own two hands.

Head

Pressure points in your skull can relax your whole body. There are two very significant acupressure points at the base of the skull on what's called the occipital ridge. If you apply consistent pressure there, you can achieve total relaxation.

How do you find these points and apply pressure on those spots? There is a simple solution. Put two tennis balls in a sock and tie the end. Lie on your back on the floor and place the sock behind the upper neck, so that the two balls each touch the skull ridge that's right above the hollow spot. Stay like that for 20 minutes. If you like, you can listen to soothing music. The pressure on those acupressure points send messages down the spinal column to relax all the muscles and it is very effective.

Face

Just touch your face. There's no need to knead it. With a very light touch, cup your cheeks and temples with your hands using no more pressure than the weight of a nickel. Hold your hands there for a minute. The warmth of the hands relaxes the muscles and connective tissue, bringing on an overall sense of relief.

Jaw

Pull the sides of your ears gently straight outward, then straight up, then straight down. Or, with your index finger, press the tender spot next to your earlobe where it attaches to your head. Press and release. Now do it on the other ear. Repeat, alternating ears, 10 to 15 times.

Torso

Get a quick boost by rubbing the area above your kidneys. That's at waist level where the tissue is still soft. Rub briskly with your fists in a circular motion. This energizes the whole body.

Feet

Foot massage is very soothing. After you try the following techniques on one foot, switch feet and repeat.
Sit on a chair and place one foot on the opposite thigh. Rub some massage oil or lotion onto your foot if you like. Apply pressure with your thumbs to the sole of your foot, working from the bottom of your arch to the top near your big toe. Repeat five times.

Make a fist and press your knuckles into the bottom of your foot, moving from your heel to your toes. Repeat five times.

Massage each toe by holding it firmly and moving it from side to side. Extend each toe gently out and away from the ball of your foot. Then apply pressure to the areas between your toes.

Hold your toes in one hand and bend them backward holding them there for five to ten seconds. Then bend them in the opposite direction and hold for five to ten seconds. Repeat three times.
Press and roll your thumbs between the bones of the ball of your foot.

=============================

Tip of the Day for March 08, 2004 from the Five As

Still sounds usable in March 25, 2013

Nothing soothes like a hot rice pack on the back of your neck or
wherever aches you most. The simplest way to create one is with an intact tube sock or pillow case. Just pour in several cups of dry, raw rice--any rice except instant rice works fine. Tie the sock or pillow case closed with a good knot.

Toss your sack in the microwave for about two minutes or so, until it reaches the perfect hot temperature to relax any muscle spasm.

Heating time depends on the size of your sack and the strength of
your microwave. When it begins to cool, place it directly on your
clothes or skin. Rice sacks heat up more intensely than electric
heating pads and are much safer. Their flexible consistency is
particularly soothing.

(Source: "Ten Tips on Living with Fibromyalgia Syndrome" by Deborah A. Barrett, Ph.D.
www.paintracking.com.) This tip provided courtesy of
ImmuneSupport.com

Exercise: A Healthy Habit to Start and Keep


How much exercise do I need?
Talk to your doctor about how much exercise is right for you. A good
goal for many people is to work up to exercising 4 to 6 times a week
for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. Remember, though, that exercise has
so many benefits that any amount is better than none.

How do I get started?

Sneak exercise into your day
a.. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
b.. Go for a walk during your coffee break or lunch.
c.. Walk all or part of the way to work.
d.. Do housework at a fast pace.
e.. Rake leaves or do other yard work.

Start by talking with your doctor. This is especially important if
you haven't been active, if you have any health problems, or if
you're pregnant or elderly.

Start out slowly. If you've been inactive for years, you can't run
the Boston Marathon after 2 weeks of training. Begin with a 10-minute
period of light exercise or a brisk walk every day and gradually
increase how hard you exercise and for how long.

How do I stick with it?
Here are some tips that will help you start and stick with an
exercise program:

· Choose something you like to do. Make sure it suits you
physically, too. For instance, swimming is easier on arthritic joints.

· Get a partner. Exercising with someone else can make it
more fun.

· Vary your routine. You may be less likely to get bored or
injured if you change your routine. Walk one day. Bicycle the next.
Consider activities like dancing and racquet sports, and even chores
like chopping wood.

· Choose a comfortable time of day. Don't work out too soon
after eating or when it's too hot or cold outside. Wait until later
in the day if you're too stiff in the morning.

· Don't get discouraged. It can take weeks or months before
you notice some of the changes from exercise.

· Forget "no pain, no gain." While a little soreness is
normal after you first start exercising, pain isn't. Stop if you hurt.

· Make exercise fun. Read, listen to music or watch TV while
riding a stationary bicycle, for example. Find fun things to do, like
taking a walk through the zoo. Go dancing. Learn how to play tennis.

Making exercise a habit

a.. Stick to a regular time every day.
b.. Sign a contract committing yourself to exercise.
c.. Put "exercise appointments" on your calendar.
d.. Keep a daily log or diary of your activities.
e.. Check your progress. Can you walk a certain distance
faster now than when you began? Or is your heart rate slower now?
f.. Ask your doctor to write a prescription for your exercise
program, such as what type of exercise to do, how often to exercise
and for how long.
g.. Think about joining a health club. The cost gives some
people an incentive to exercise regularly.

How can I prevent injuries?
Start every workout with a warm-up. That will make your muscles and
joints more flexible. Spend 5 to 10 minutes doing some light
calisthenics and stretching exercises, and perhaps brisk walking. Do
the same thing when you're done working out--until your heart rate
returns to normal.

Pay attention to your body. Stop exercising if you feel very out of
breath, dizzy, faint or nauseated, or have pain.

Benefits of regular exercise
a.. Reduces your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure,
osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity
b.. Keeps joints, tendons and ligaments flexible so it's
easier to move around
c.. Reduces some of the effects of aging
d.. Contributes to your mental well-being and helps treat
depression
e.. Helps relieve stress and anxiety
f.. Increases your energy and endurance
g.. Helps you sleep better
h.. Helps you maintain a normal weight by increasing your
metabolism (the rate you burn calories).

What is a target heart rate?

Measuring your heart rate (beats per minute) can tell you how hard
your heart is working. You can check your heart rate by counting your
pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying the beats by 4.

The chart to the right shows the target heart rates for people of
different ages. When you're just beginning an exercise program, shoot
for the lower target heart rate (60%). As your fitness improves, you
can exercise harder to get your heart rate closer to the top number
(85%).

What is aerobic exercise?
Aerobic exercise is the type that moves large muscle groups and
causes you to breathe more deeply and your heart to work harder to
pump blood.

It's also called cardiovascular exercise. It improves the health of
your heart and lungs.

Examples include walking, jogging, running, aerobic dance, bicycling,
rowing, swimming and cross-country skiing.

What is weight-bearing exercise?
The term weight-bearing is used to describe exercises that work
against the force of gravity. Weight-bearing exercise is important
for building strong bones. Having strong bones helps prevent
osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life.

Examples of weight-bearing exercises include walking, jogging,
hiking, climbing stairs, dancing and weight training.

What about weight training?
Weight training, or strength training, builds strength and muscles.
Calisthenics like push-ups are weight-training exercises too. Lifting
weights is a weight-training exercise. If you have high blood
pressure or other health problems, talk to your family doctor before
beginning weight training.

What is the best exercise?
The best exercise is the one that you will do. Walking is considered
one of the best choices because it's easy, safe and cheap. Brisk
walking can burn as many calories as running, but is less likely than
running or jogging to cause injuries. And it doesn't require any
training or special equipment, except for good shoes.

Walking is an aerobic and weight-bearing exercise, so it is good for
your heart and helps prevent osteoporosis.

O M S H A N T I

Love, Samuel

Please include a link back to The Antesian Road To Enlightenment
in forwarded material, Thank you.

antesianroadtoenlightenment-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

EXPANDING CONSCIOUSNESS

==================================

We may not be able to do all of it, but we can do some.

It is important to keep our mind and body, exercised as well as our spiritual.

Doing the things mentioned above can help us stay centered and balanced.

Self-Care is important. What good is getting sober, if we fall apart and don't learn to become whole.

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/image...guinFacts1.jpg

Tonight while starting my meditation, I found myself reaching for a little figurine I have on my desk, a little penguin, with a red hat with a yellow tassel and a blue scarf.

The penguin as a totem means:

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/image...guinFacts1.jpg

Colours:

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/chak...akraSounds.htm

Look at what colour you are wearing. Look at what colour your eyes are drawn to, perhaps your body is in need of it.

Listen to your body, what is it telling you? What is around you? Are there messages from the Creator put in your path. Did God put an ant in your path telling you to be patient?

http://www.animated-gifs.eu/insects-ants/0044.gif

From time to time, I will share my own personal awareness on a topic and the gift that has been given to me as a result of working my program. It is just my experience, strength and hope, and isn't meant to represent any one fellowship. It is my truth, not someone else's or my interruption of what I heard or read.

From Alkie Speaks:

I realized I had a body which can't tolerate alcohol, which is OK. except that I had a mind that can't leave it alone. I'd always said that I could take it or leave it alone - I couldn't do either.

- Doug D.

Because I had a high tolerance for alcohol, I thought I wasn't an alcoholic. I labelled my dad and my ex-husband as alcohlics because they passed out, fell down, staggered, were violent, couldn't walk or drive a straight line. I once said to my dad, "You drove in that condition?" He had just come from his girlfriend's. He looked at me and said, "Well I certainly couldn't walk and proceeded to fall flat on his face and I had to help him to bed.

The reality was that I could match them drink for drink, drive them home, function and resented them for drinking all the booze, before they passed out. I wanted to party and there wasn't much for me. That is when I started hiding my booze. I couldn't have consumed all that liquor and been sober although I never saw myself as drunk. There was only a couple of times that I recall taking the stairs on my hands and knees.

When I saw myself in my dream, because I was wearing red high-heeled shoes and walking a straight line, I was sober. Then I saw myself in living colour and saw the person I changed into when I did drink. It wasn't what or how much I drank. It was what it did to me when I did drink it.

Some people are not capable of listening and there are others who do not care. I was chairing a meeting at my home group one night. A member shared, then proceeded to clean out his wallet, making a lot of noise and fidgeting in his seat. When the person sharing paused, I said, "Excuse me," I said, to the person making the noise, "When you shared, the rest of us did you the courtesy of being quiet and listening, I think it is only right that you do the same thing." I apologized to the person sharing for interrupting, although I had waited until I thought they were almost finished before doing so. This was done at the beginning of the meeting and I saw people giving the guy looks, and I didn't want people getting up and leaving. Our primary purpose is to carry the message of recovery.

The next time I saw him, he was using the church phone, which we were not permitted to do, and I had to call him on that. He told me to make like a duck and flock off. The next time I saw him was very embarrassing. I was talking to a man who I had never seen before. I had just shared my story. He came up to me, put his arm around me and called my Jo Hun, can you loan me a quarter? If look could kill, he would have been dead. I never saw the man again. ;)

We are all human. Thank God for this program.

http://www.animated-gifs.eu/avatars-...tures/0037.gif

IT'S STRANGE ISN'T IT

1. Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?


2. Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?


3. Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?


4. Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or ZANE GREY book


5. Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?


6. Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events at the last minute?


7. Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?


8. Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bible?


9. Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?


10. Isn't it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away, but when we are going to send messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others?


IT'S STRANGE ISN'T IT?


This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

http://www.animated-gifs.eu/religion-angels/0162.gif

As we detox, go to meetings, listen to others, work the steps, and we heal and get to know ourselves and our Higher Power and His will for us, our life unfolds and we grow into the person He would have us be, one day at a time.

http://www.animated-gifs.eu/mammals-...tting/0065.gif

As we detox, go to meetings, listen to others, work the steps, and we heal and get to know ourselves and our Higher Power and His will for us, our life unfolds and we grow into the person He would have us be, one day at a time.

http://www.animated-gifs.eu/mammals-...tting/0065.gif

When we take care of others before meeting our own needs, we get sick. I was told that I need to top up myself and only give away the overflow.

Many times over the years I found myself using 'recovery and service' to not look at me and deal with my own issues. It was so much easier to help you with your stuff, than look at my own.

The following is a list of 110 self-nurturing ideas that have to do with "Esteem Needs." Do at least one of these activities every day.

Psysiological Needs:

Eat breakfast
Take a nap
Break a bad habit, if just for today
Get at least 7 hours sleep
Drink 8 glasses of water today
Eat a healthy snack

Safety Needs:

Repair something in your home
Learn how to protect your health
Wear a seat belt

Belonging and Love Needs:

Call your mother or father
Search out a long-lost friend
Open up to the person closest to you
Pay a compliment
Turn off the TV and talk
Get to know the neighbor's dog or cat
Listen to what you hear
Tell someone you love him or her
Hold a hand
Hug someone
Contact someone you've been thinking about
Admire a child
Get to know the neighbors
Kiss a friend
Tell someone how much you appreciate him or her

Esteem Needs:

Blow up a balloon and turn it loose
Make your own candles
Walk instead of ride
Give yourself a compliment
Read a poem aloud
Look at the stars
Use a new word
Frame a picture
Forget an old grudge
Take yourself to lunch
Go to the library
Try a new food
Listen to the rain on the roof
Feed the ducks
Jump in a pile of leaves
Appreciate trees
Sign up for a class
Study a dew-laden cobweb
Learn something new
Sing in the shower
List ten things you do well
Walk in the rain
Waste a little time
Curl up before an open fire
Buy a ticket to a special event
Return something you've borrowed
Organize some small corner of your life
Pop popcorn
Draw a picture, even if you can't draw
Keep a secret
Enjoy silence
Walk to the nearest park
Go wading
Light a candle and read by candlelight
Pick up some travel brochures and dream
Smell a flower
Clean out your wallet
Take an early morning walk
Look at old photos
Run down a hill
Write a poem
Start a new project
Walk barefoot
Tell a joke
Take a different road to get home
Build a sandcastle
Ask someone for help
Let someone do you a favor
Reread a favorite book
Listen to the dawn
Imagine being your favorite tree
Watch the sun set
Hide a love note where a loved one will find it
Make a surprise gift
Go to a fair
Lie on the grass
Go for a swim
Rearrange a room
Let someone love you
Drop a quarter where someone will find it
Hum
Bake bread

Self-Actualization Needs:

Visit a lonely person or a shut-in
Help a stranger
Be thankful
Take a risk
Do something you've always wanted to do
Say "yes"
Say "no"
Meditate
Throw away something you don't like
Try to feel another person's hurt (or joy)
Practice courage in one small way
Warm a heart
Laugh at yourself
Send a card to someone for no reason
Encourage a young person
Follow an impulse
Put yourself out for someone
Acknowledge when you are wrong
Volunteer some time to a good cause
Give yourself a present
Allow yourself to make a mistake
Allow yourself to make another mistake
Do something hard to do
Don't do something -- sit there
Take time to talk to neighborhood children.:UgoGirl:

Source unknown to me

I think this was on the old site, not sure if it made it to this one.

:UgoGirl:

Found on another site of Tammy's

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my

favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'

To All THE PEOPLE I KNOW
WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS,
BUT THINK THAT NO ONE EVER SEES.
LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT .

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend)
influences the life of a child.

When I saw this title, it have me thought in another direction.

We so often forget that our God can see our actions, knows our thoughts, our intent and motives.

Denial can give us selective hearing and sight, can block us from the messages of God. We think because no one knows, we can do what we want to do, act the way we want to, and be less than our God would have us be. I think that is why there are Steps 6 and 7.

Our self-righteousness can fill us up with self-importance, and we have no room left for God. We are so full of the almight "Self" that we don't have time for anyone else, and often looking down on them to make ourselves look good.

I was reminded today, a woman I have known for years was in the mall. I said hello to her even though I was with my son, although he wouldn't have paid her any attention, he is not surprised when people come up to me or I go up to someone else. For that reason, he generally walk in front of me or behind me and as he reminded me today, "Mother you are old."

Prior to recovery, I wouldn't have acknowledge the woman. I would have been embarrassed and would have what people would think if they saw me talking to her. She is disabled and has a slight mental challenge. It is such a joy to see her face light up when she sees me. Little does she know, that she warms my heart.

I don't want to ever forget where I came from. I don't ever want to go back there and be that person who is so self-righteous. I think the worst is putting someone else down to make me feel better and worst of all is condescention. I have been on the receiving end far too often, and would never want to walk in the same shoes and lower myself to that level.

Self-righteousness blocks us from the sunshine of the spirit. I am so glad that my God is a forgiving God.

http://www.animated-gifs.eu/mammals-felines/0200.gif

Post in 2011 on my site The Five As

In the race to be better or best, we sometimes forget to just...be. Be still, be quiet and be amazed by the beauty of nature.

When you feel stressed out, just sit back, turn on your computer and watch this beautiful 3 minute movie. The music, the photographs, the words, will take you to another world and we promise that you'll feel the tension slip away.


http://www.naturesinspirationmovie.c...aign=NATImovie

http://www.animated-gifs.eu/insects-...flies/0156.gif

My sponsor said, "Sobriety is soundness of mind." When I have that soundness of mind, I find Serenity. How I get there is another story.

Serenity for me is being at peace with myself. It is me being right with God and I acquaint it with not what is going on around me, but within me and how I handle life on life's terms.

The acceptance of myself and where I am at on my journey, knowing that all things are subject to change, and that although I may not like them, when I find the acceptance; I find the serenity is there. In order to accept the situation, I find I always have to surrender it to God and often find myself asking for the willingness to have the willingness to accept, to surrender, to take the steps to change.

Serenity was “being at acceptance and surrendering control.”

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HOW TO STAY YOUNG



1. Try everything twice. On Madams tombstone (of Whelan's and Madam) she said she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice...loved it both times!


2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches)


3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!


4. Enjoy the simple things.


5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.


6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.


7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.


8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.


9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.


10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. I love you, my special friend.


11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.


Source unknown, received with thanks from pink roses