Carlotta

There was nothing simple about my life before I came to Al-Anon. My work was highly stressful, my time was always short, and my attention was intensely focused on the alcoholic, but I didn't realize I was under a strain. During the early days in Al-Anon, I shifted my intense focus to the program. As my denial broke, I became aware that I was exhausted all the time. The topic at an Al-Anon meeting, "Keep it Simple," was just what I needed to hear!
I decided that the top priority for my unmanageable life was to recover from the effects of alcoholism, I had responsibilities and couldn't eliminate all the stress from my life, but I tried to simplify it where possible. In my case, this meant letting go of some social activities, temporarily switching to a lower paying but less stressful job, and leading some household chores undone. It wasn't a permanent change, just a way to give myself the timeI needed for my emotional and spiritual health.
It was such a relief! By the time I returned to my normal schedule, I had a better grasp on keeping it simple, so I was able to handle it more serenely.

Today's Reminder

If I am overwhelmed, I may be trying to do too much. Today, I will try to keep it simple.

"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.

Carlotta

Sorry for posting the daily reading so late, I just woke up from a long nap and realized that I had posted it in the wrong section (in the alcoholism 12 steps forum) LOL.

readerbaby71

Oops! Thanks for posting this every day. Today's really resonated with me. I'm kind of in that place right now, and it's scary and exciting to be making such huge changes while also simplifying things (if that makes sense at all!)

I love your grumpy cat avatars. That cat never ceases to make me laugh.