Monday Thoughts 4.29.24 - Women for Sobriety

“Going back to a simpler life is not a step backwards.”
Yvon Chouinard

“You are the greatest project you’ll ever work on. Restart. Reset. Refocus. As many times as you need to, just don’t ever give up on yourself.”
Unknown

“I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you are allowed to say no even when you aren’t busy.”
Courtney Carver

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

Life felt complicated and out of balance before my New Life. Each day brought emotional chaos and a new set of issues from my drinking. I desperately wanted simplicity and a sense of well-being. Sobriety and Statement #6 helped change that.

Statement #6 ion can look different for everyone but a common thread is a connection to the present. In our WFS Program booklet it states “Although we only get a one-way ticket through life, we speed through our days as if planning to enjoy them at another time. We live as if we have an endless number of tomorrows.” This paragraph is grounding and never fails to help me slow down and savor the moment.

Sometimes being present can feel uncomfortable since it may not feel familiar. Yet the more I practice it, the more satisfaction can take hold. This Statement helped connect a name to my emotions and feelings while widening contentment. I began to feel a sense of self-assurance and gratitude which continues to evolve. This week, take time each day to observe and understand both peaceful and conflicting moments. What feels different? What feels similar? How does it relate to your New Life?

Hugzzz
Karen

Dear 4C Women,

I am grateful for my New Life as it has helped tremendously this past year in coping with my grief over the passing of my daughter. I have had generous support which has helped me appreciate and recognize the moments when caring and compassion come into my life. Greatness has become the moments when I have been lifted up, noticed the birds chirping in my backyard, relaxing on my front porch, and volunteering as I feel I am making a difference. All of this makes my life both ordinary and great. In the beginning of recovery, I began to realize that for me, the ordinary became great. My thoughts, my responses were beginning to change in a way that empowered me. Then I learned how to be in the moment, to treasure them, to actually recognize them.

The most important thing I discovered was my purpose. I was determined to get my year’s sobriety so I could become a facilitator. It was a privilege and rewarding to be a part of other women’s recovery journey. Seeing the emotional, spiritual, and emotional growth taking place each week became my joy, my reward. This purpose fed my enthusiasm, my gratefulness for having such an empowering program, and knowing I was able to make those inside changes.

Questions to consider when thinking about enthusiasm, gratitude, and possible changes to create those treasured moments in your life:

What activity makes you lose track of time?
What small act of enthusiasm/positive change do you feel will have a major impact on your life?
What currently is your reward or rewards in creating your New Life?
Have you discovered your purpose in recovery? If so, what is it?
What has been the positive impact of the changes you have made?
When was the last time you experienced enthusiasm?
What or who inspires you to keep on this path of recovery?

Bonded in discovering our purpose as we build a life of ordinary greatness, Dee