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Monday Thoughts 9.4.23
“If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit.”
Unknown
“A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go farther than a great idea that inspires no one.
Mary Kay Ash
“You’re not too old, and it’s not too late.”
Unknown
#11 Enthusiasm is my daily exercise.
I treasure the moments of my New Life.
One of the beautiful aspects of sobriety is that the path is different for every individual. No two people have identical experiences, yet there is a common thread that bonds us together: embracing recovery and our New Life. Statement #11 can be tailored in the same manner and used to enhance our journey.
This past week there was an issue that prevented me from connecting to the internet which caused considerable issues, with the most frustrating being unable to hold our weekly WFS Zoom meeting. The amount of irritation I felt led me to alter the word “enthusiasm” from Statement #11 and temporarily change it to “patience.” So, I wrote in my journal “Patience is my daily exercise.” This enabled me to keep working on this Statement since enthusiasm felt far off and unrealistic.
Being able to adapt and change is one of the hallmarks of recovery, which is exactly what our own founder, Jean Kirkpatrick, PhD did. Jean created the Statements after compiling her notes of what was working in her life and what was not. Using her own experiences to put together a program that began with women helping women recover from Substance Use Disorders enabled change and adaptation to occur. Today, all the years later, we are still adapting and becoming capable, competent, caring, and compassionate!
Hugzzz
Karen
Dear 4C Women,
I absolutely love that Karen shared an incredible way to work with the word “enthusiasm” when she wasn’t feeling it. Exchanging just that one word to patience made all the difference in a frustrating situation. It gave her the opportunity to still practice this Statement. I believe we are all under a certain amount of stress, some a lot more than usual.
I have been so fortunate to have the support, encouragement, and help of so many people in my life since Alisha passed away. It has made a huge difference. I have peaks of enthusiasm and I so appreciate those moments. Yesterday, a friend came over and decorated my home inside for the Fall. I wasn’t looking forward to it and yet her enthusiasm brought back such a joyful feeling. I’ve been invited to a lunch, delicious milkshakes, and a movie in a week. A WFS sister sent me a beautiful Life magazine all about horses. My granddaughter has a business with horses and is a barn manager so it was a sweet, thoughtful gesture. Friends call and text to check on me and it’s such a warm feeling to be so loved. I am realizing that at this time in my life, I need the compassion from others that I am struggling to give myself. I also know that thanks to WFS, I will make it through this time of grief, I will remain sober and accept that I need help and gratefully accept it. I might choose the words Gratefulness or Hope as my daily exercise at this moment.
If you felt the need to change enthusiasm to another word for now, what word would that be?
As you reflect, what are some of your favorite moments you treasure?
Bonded in finding your path to enthusiasm, the word that inspires you, and moments you treasure, Dee
Do you make handmade items or create one-of-a-kind gift baskets?
Would you like to donate your item to the next Creative Crew Holiday Sale to raise money for WFS?
Photos and information are due September 30, 2023. You may send your questions to creativecrew@womenforsobriety.org.
Mark your calendars for the next Creative Crew Holiday sale on November 3 to 4. Sale Catalog will be available mid-October.
