Language of Letting Go - February 16

Thread Tools
 
Old 02-16-2008, 04:39 AM
  # 1 (permalink)  
Ann
Nature Girl
Thread Starter
 
Ann's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: By The Lake
Posts: 60,328
Language of Letting Go - February 16

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go

Detachment

The concept of letting go can be confusing to many of us. When are we doing too much or trying too hard to control people and outcomes? When are we doing too little? When is what we're doing an appropriate part of taking care of ourselves? What is our responsibility, and what isn't?

These issues can challenge us whether we've been in recovery ten days or ten years. Sometimes, we may let go so much that we neglect responsibility to others or ourselves. Other times, we may cross the line from taking care of ourselves to controlling others and outcomes.

There is no rulebook. But we don't have to make ourselves crazy; we don't have to be so afraid. We don't have to do recovery perfectly. If it feels like we need to do a particular action, we can do it. If no action feels timely or inspired, don't act on it.

Having and setting healthy limits - healthy boundaries - isn't a tidy process. We can give ourselves permission to experiment, to make mistakes, to learn, to grow.

We can talk to people, ask questions, and question ourselves. If there's something we need to do or learn, it will become apparent. Lessons don't go away. If we're not taking care of ourselves enough, well see that. If we are being too controlling, we'll grow to understand that too.

Things will work out. The way will become clear.

Today, I will take actions that appear appropriate. I will let go of the rest. I will strive for the balance between self-responsibility, responsibility to others, and letting go.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden Foundation.
Ann is offline  
Old 02-16-2008, 04:42 AM
  # 2 (permalink)  
Ann
Nature Girl
Thread Starter
 
Ann's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: By The Lake
Posts: 60,328
There is no rulebook. But we don't have to make ourselves crazy; we don't have to be so afraid. We don't have to do recovery perfectly. If it feels like we need to do a particular action, we can do it. If no action feels timely or inspired, don't act on it.
This was tricky for me to learn, until I learned to be still and listen to my inner voice. If something felt "right", it probably was and if it didn't, it porbaby was better to wait or do nothing.

I learned that waiting is an action, doing nothing is an action, because it's a choice I make about what to "do".

Sometimes I still make mistakes, but my odds of doing the right thing improve if I am honest with myself and am still and just look within.

Hugs
Ann is offline  
Old 02-16-2008, 12:00 PM
  # 3 (permalink)  
StrivingToThrive
 
cece's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: san diego, ca
Posts: 425
Originally Posted by Ann View Post
.

I learned that waiting is an action, doing nothing is an action, because it's a choice I make about what to "do".
Hugs
This is so true for me. My greatest challenge is to DO NOTHING. Especially to say NOTHING. Words are very powerful to me. They move me and so I often think others will be moved the same way. So I would try to convince them with my own words. sigh... I have learned the power of keeping quiet and letting my HP speak for a change. I'm not always perfect as stated above, but it's a lesson in the learning for me and I am okay with that.
thanks again for these.
Cathy
cece is offline  

Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off





All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:01 AM.