Astro

Take a look around the forums at SR and you might notice how serious our diseases are. Deadly serious. For the most part our posts reflect the pain and suffering that's endured every day, especially when we're in early recovery or coming back from a relapse.

I often ask myself "what am I doing for me"? Am I taking time out to really enjoy life, to make the most of the gift that I'm being given as the result of a clean and sober life?

This is a short and simple meditation that I started my day with. I hope you'll take the time to read it and contemplate what you're doing for your own pleasure.

Thursday, November 6, 2008
You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go

Enjoying Life

Do something fun today.

If you're relaxing, let yourself relax, without guilt, without worrying about the work that is undone.

If you're with loved ones, let yourself love them, and let them love you. Let yourself feel close.

Let yourself enjoy your work, for that can be pleasurable too.

If you're doing something fun, let yourself enjoy it.

What would feel good? What would you enjoy? Is there a positive pleasure available? Indulge.

Recovery is not solely about stopping the pain. Recovery is about learning to make ourselves feel better; then it's about making ourselves feel good.

Enjoy your day.

Today, I will do something fun, something I enjoy, and something just for me. I will take responsibility for making myself feel good.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved.

four812

I have been working so hard in recovery.

and

i decided this morning...that i am going to watch and enjoy a movie after my 5pm meeting. either "it's a wonderful life" or Peterpan

thanks for the post her of this meditation.....it reinforces and sujpports the place where i am at today

Astro

Sometimes if I need a quick shot of enjoyment I'll watch some old music videos on YouTube. I'm dating myself, I'd pretty much forgotten about this band YouTube - Michael Stanley Band - My Town

What town are you from?

I was born in Highland Park, IL in 1964.

I moved to Scottsdale, AZ in 1970. Except for a few years in the Boston area in the early 90's I've lived in the metro Phoenix area all my life. Love it here but it's dang hot in the summers!

grateful2b

just lovely, thank you , Scott...

Rowan

My sponsor reminds me how important it is to make time for play. I work hard at recovery, as a mom, at my job etc ad nauseum

I just got home from work - tucked in bed with my daughter and two dogs. Gonna nap for an hour while she watches some tv in here then we will go to my meeting to set up. This is 'me' time and it's crucial to my recovery.

Thanks for the thread and meditation, Scott.

warrens

Astro

Nice post. Thought I'd let you know that MTV has a new website that supposedly has ALL their music videos and performances,etc.

Not really my thing (I'm "pre" music video) so I haven't browsed. I will someday, however.

I used to have many friends from Highland Park in college and grew up in Park Ridge. I began college in 1965! Now I live in a mountain log cabin in Bumf*ck, Idaho!

My mother however, lived in Sun City West for 20 years and I visited often.

SR is an interesting place, is it not?

warren

Astro

I had to read that twice Ro. For a moment I thought you'd taken a new job at a museum.

I'm such a dork!

Rowan

You're NOT a dork - I'd say you're an IDIOT



(Bottoms 101 joke)

Jomey

Ok, Ro and Astro, you guys made me laugh! I love the nose-pickin' smilie! Thanks! Thanks!

Oh, and wasn't the original point of this thread to relax and enjoy the day? Thanks for helping me do that!

Jomey

IO Storm

I had to take a second look at that one Astro!

I know, I know, ...

Nah...

I know what ya meant ...just being silly.

Thanks so much for this, friend! Positive threads help me a lot right now,

more than anyone knows..I just don't say much about my troubles..

I will just say..

I am focusing..with evrything in me..on what is good, and positive.

And..running from negativity.. literally.

Because right now..I just can't handle it.

Thanks again.

Taking time to breathe today...

Hugs

Rella927

Astro and Ro

Astro awesome post thank you so much for sharing this

Toomutch

Thanks for that Astro.
For me, I need to learn to shut the motor down that is running even when I'm trying to rest.

Hevyn

So Astro - for some reason whenever I allow myself to relax and just do nothing, there's always a guilty little voice in my head telling me I should be doing something "important". I don't know why I sabotage myself that way. Thanks for the good thoughts and the video! How did I miss that one? Love, Joanie

Astro

You didn't miss anything Joanie, I'm glad you're here!

Trust me, more often than not I hear that same little voice too and I get back to work and forget about the enjoyable thing I was doing. That's usually my cue to slow down and smell the roses again!

least

I treated myself today. Brought my ailing dog with me to visit a good friend I haven't seen all year. She was proud of my sobriety as she knew I'd been having trouble. We had a great visit, even doggie enjoyed himself!

It felt good not being responsible for anything other than having a pleasant time with a friend.

Thanks Scott! A timely reminder.