Today I read something, "If it happens once, it's a fluke. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is a habit."
When I don't practice the slogans, prayers, and principles of the twelve step programs, my behavior slips back into those awful habits I learned when growing up.
Another something that helped me today was hearing this,
"Sometimes the most courage we can have is the courage to keep our mouths shut."
I took the high road today. Instead of lashing back when a person was verbally attacking me today, I said nothing that I regret, and instead I am praying for that person so that God may bless them.
So now, about this jingle bell bracelet. It's made from shells, heart rocks and croinoids from Lake Michigan, all braided on some hemp. There is one jingle bell, hidden behind a bigger shell. There are also beads on it that say "pray" and "LGLG". LGLG is short for Let Go and Let God.
Have you ever watched the Christmas movie It's a Wonderful life? It's my mom's favorite holiday movie, and over the years, I have come to cherish it, as well. I love when the little ZuZu says, "Every time a bell rings, an angel get's it's wings." I immediately thought of that today when I came across a jingle bell on a string that I made for my son back in December. It's a blessing to be able to take a simple phrase and turn it into something that you can put to work in your life.
I needed a reminder of something bigger and better than me. I needed a reminder of my higher power, so that when I was struggling to recall the prayers and slogans, I would be able to recount that my higher power is ALWAYS on my side. He is always there to help me, and whatever I am going through, I can give it up to him. As with step three, "we made a decision to give our lives and our will over to our higher power..." I am still working on it, even though I have been working on it for a while!!!!
Tonight ended very well. I got to work out with a trainer at the YMCA, went for a walk in Long Beach, gazed at the beautiful starts in the clear night sky, and went to a great Al-Anon meeting. It was Alex's first one, and I hope that he remembers it, because I know I sure will.
It truly is possible to turn things around, so never give up, even if you think that things couldn't get any worse. In many ways, we are SO blessed for what we have, and even though our situations can really feel awful--we ARE blessed. Blessed with life, a higher power that loves us unconditionally, and the ability to
always start again.
Never give up, and never surrender.
<3 Amelia
