Monday Thoughts 10.28.24

“The moment one gives attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.” –Henry Miller

 “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” –Zig Ziglar

“Find beauty in the unexpected.  Most of the magic you’ll find sprinkled around you throughout this lifetime won’t be a part of the plan.  The big loves, the long laughs, the starry nights, and the truly great moments will never be scheduled.  Ease up a bit.  Release control.”  –Rachel Brathen

#6 Life can be ordinary or it can be great

Greatness is mine by a conscious effort.

Karen’s Thoughts

Sobriety and Statement #6 paired together can open a pathway to unimaginable discovery.  Our WFS founder, Jean Kirkpatrick, PhD, did just that when she set out on her own path to sobriety.  Using what was available at the time, Jean experienced sobriety.  Yet there was more, so much more as she soon found out.

Jean did not set out to write a self-help program for women; it all came together when she slowed down and began to notice, to pay attention to little or ordinary moments and feelings. Drawn to transcendentalist authors such as Emerson and Thoreau, her understanding and relation to the world grew.  Jean was open to change and it was invigorating. Little yet meaningful discoveries made a sturdy foundation, which naturally transformed into greatness. 

Finding greatness in the unexpected or in the ordinary can begin with releasing strict routine or attitudes, which was something I was unable to do before sobriety and recovery.  My need and devotion to being right/correct closed off the world in numerous ways, including relationships and fostered feelings of lack which had fueled my AUD (alcohol use disorder).  This week, soften or relax a routine or attitude (not your sobriety!) and notice what happens.  What did you discover?  How does it feel?

Hugzzz

Karen

Dee’s Thoughts

Hi 4C Women,

This is probably the most difficult Statement for me at this time in my life.  My once somewhat ordinary life was turned upside down with the passing of my daughter last year and my recent surgery.  What is great is that I had the gift of my daughter for 51 years and my surgery was successful.  I am back to learning to have that conscious effort to discover what is great for me now. This is the beauty of the WFS program.  No matter where you are in your recovery, change and growth is always possible. Changing the way I see things started the first moment I began practicing the 13 Statements. I will be forever grateful to WFS for leading me to have a New Life back in 1988.  It is through this program that I have been able to reflect on my life choices to make positive life changes and lean on those changes during my grief.  I am part of a grief group on line and the first words I heard was that grief needs to be witnessed.  I thought of the moment I shared my recovery with others.  I was being witnessed by others of the empowering WFS program.  At first I was embarrassed to even admit I had a problem yet when I started my journey, I felt proud rather than shame or guilt.  I wanted my recovery to be witnessed as a 4C woman to support others to believe they, too, could have a New Life with a conscious effort.  Also, I was beginning to trust my instincts as to who I felt safe in sharing.  I had lost that ability and through WFS, found it again after a very long time.  Sharing your recovery journey is a very personal choice not to be taken lightly but with much thoughtful consideration. 

My son is visiting me this coming week and I need to focus on the joy of his being here.  It’s been a year and I want to be in the moment – all the moments of his visit.  A dear WFS friend encouraged me to do this as I have been very distracted by life’s recent challenges.  I’m seeing this as an opportunity to re- create that great life with a conscious effort. 

Many women have shared that ordinary was their new greatness – to live and experience life with a whole new perspective.  Do you feel that way at times?

What motivated you into sobriety and what inspires you to continue building a New Life in recovery?  (Statement #6 is a powerful reminder that no matter why we became motivated, the question to ask ourselves in the present moment is what inspires us to continue our recovery journey.)

What changes/actions have you made to live in greatness, in the moment?

What is your definition of greatness in sobriety/recovery?

Bonded in gratitude for this empowering, thought-provoking program of self-discovery, Dee

The Creative Crew Holiday Sale opens this Friday at 11 AM ET. You’ll get more than 24 hours to shop and bid on great handmade items shipped directly to you. But get there early! Many products are one of a kind and can sell out fast. 

You can use this link to check out the catalogue now so you’ll be prepared for Friday!