Monday Thoughts 1.29.24 - Women for Sobriety

“You don’t have to know what’s next. Stop overthinking, and start being in the moment. There’s no rush to have your life figured out today….Baby steps are still steps, and they’re helping you along the way. Don’t forget that.”
Alex Elle

“Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.”
Will Rogers

“Life is what happens while we’re busy worrying about everything we need to change or accomplish. Slow down, get mindful, and try to enjoy the moment. This moment is your life.”
Lori Deschene

#6 Life can be ordinary or it can be great.
Greatness is mine by a conscious effort.

Sobriety and Statement #6 in action enable mindfulness and balance, both of which were unheard of before my New Life. Chaos and drama were a daily event and had easily become the norm. Through the WFS New Life program and spending time with other women in recovery, I have since learned that unconsciously, this was a way of diverting attention from my drinking. If the sky were falling, who would mind if I reached for a drink? This left me feeling deeply anxious and dangerously drained. Gratefully, practicing Statement #6 keeps awareness engaging and growing.

With Statement #6, the focus is on voluntary and deliberate thoughts and behavior. This provides a portal for choice to flow and options to consider. Instead of binging on thoughts of fear or panic with an upcoming event, for instance, such as a doctor’s appointment, through mindfulness this can be embraced as an act of self-care and self-love. From scheduling the appointment, to being seen, and paying a co-pay, each moment has the opportunity for presence instead of avoiding or rushing through it.
Admittedly, some days are easier than others to practice mindfulness. We ebb and flow like the ocean, where moments are calmer than others yet in each day there is a moment to be conscious and aware, connected to the present. It can feel as simple as the wisp of a breeze to the magical and mesmerizing like a musician getting lost in the rhythm and flow. This is the feeling that I once sought through alcohol yet never found, now with sobriety and recovery, every moment can feel fulfilling.

Hugzzz
Karen

Dear 4C Women,

This is a challenging Statement for me at this time in my life. I have been writing Monday Thoughts for years and feel as though many of you have been right by my side as I shared my recovery journey with you. Your support has gratefully made my life anything but ordinary. And now I have been sharing my grief journey with each of you after my daughter’s passing. These two journeys, while vastly different, still travel together as I work at maintaining my sobriety and learning a new way of making my ordinary life into a new vision of greatness. I have been fortunate to have gained the freedom to express my authentic feelings through the WFS New Life program. It’s been a gift in my grief and I hope it has been helpful to those who are experiencing major challenges, trying to find the greatness that feeds your soul. My ordinary life as I knew it had phenomenal great moments. It is now a mirror I look at for understanding. What I took for granted no longer exists. I have to re-learn to be in the moment, to appreciate and celebrate the joyful feelings as they present themselves. I have always said we never stop learning, never stop growing and that lesson has come full force for me. While I have a great toolbox of coping skills, it didn’t prepare me for this great loss. However, I am ready and willing to build a stronger toolbox and continue to accept the loving support from others that has meant so much to me. As you work on creating your New Life, and learning to live in the moment, I hope you will reflect on your life experiences, how you processed your feelings, what you learned about yourself, and your willingness to stay in the game for your own well-being. This is when and how we find courage, seek help when we need it and to mostly make this ordinary life great to the best of our ability. I’m in the “what if” stage. This is typical and when I rely on Statement 9 – The past is gone forever. No longer am I victimized by the past. I am a new woman. What I am grateful for is that I have remained sober in this most difficult of life experiences. I am hopeful I will get back the greatness just as I got and maintain my sobriety. I also know I will be patient with this transition and not judge my timing. It’s always been the willingness and commitment for me. A group participant once said, “Don’t be a speed bump in your own life.” That stuck with me so I intend to slow down, go at my own safe speed but not create a speed bump that completely throws me off or stops me.

If this Statement is also challenging for you, I encourage you to be the student, learning from others and your own life experiences. Then you can become a teacher for others. That is the greatest gift in this ordinary life.

How would you describe ordinary as it relates to your life?
What is the latest greatness you have experienced? Was it a place, a person, an event, a scent?
Do you accept that it’s important to do what you can and give yourself the time you need to create greatness in your life?

Bonded in feeling and living the moments of joy as you create a great life even in the ordinary, Dee

Nourishing Our Roots
Women for Sobriety Conference

DeSales University
Center Valley, PA
June 21-23, 2024

Call for Workshop Proposals

Do you have a particular interest or expertise that you can share with the WFS
community during our 2024 Annual Conference? WFS is seeking workshop presenters for our exciting in-person event. The conference theme “Nourishing our Roots” opens a wide range of potential workshop topics related to recovery, and emotional and spiritual growth.

Please consider giving back to WFS by designing and presenting a workshop. We have so many talented and knowledgeable women in our community that the possibilities are endless for topic and content.

Simply fill out the proposal form at Nourishing Our Roots Proposal Form. If you have problems with the link, try copying and pasting it into your search bar. Questions? Drop us an email at: [email protected].

Proposals are due February 9, 2024.