Jingle Bell Bracelet

I have been struggling with "doing the next right thing" lately. The past few days, with their problems and difficulties, have pushed my buttons--and I haven't been able to bounce back, calm and collected. Maybe I'm stressed. Maybe I'm tired. Probably both, but it really doesn't give me the room to act in the same way as I used to.

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

The God Box

Tonight, I went to the show, "The God Box," by Mary Lou Finlan. It was not what I was expecting (a lecture, and then a book signing), but was sparkly, heartfelt, and truly inspiring story of the mother and her  "God Box"
.
The author and also the performer was very into her message; the love in her life, especially from her mother, was very evident. I truly felt the presence of her mother  in her story, and I was so excited to listen. I am also grateful for the Memorial Opera House, and the YMCA for putting this performance on!!!




Her story reminds me of me and my mother. We have our little quirks, sayings, and the way we connect over silly things. I am blessed to have such a wonderful mother, and I dread the day when I will no longer be able to have my best friend by my side.

 In Al-Anon, the God Box is often mentioned as a means of LETTING GO AND LETTING GOD.

I have written about it before, but it is such a perfect time to reiterate the subject because many things, things which I cannot handle, are challenging me at this point in time. The people in my life, the decisions I have to make, the challenges as I face my own disease of codependency.

Tonight was such a fresh of breath air. Haha, I meant--a breath of fresh air! I got to go out and enjoy the evening, laugh, cry a little, and talk things out with a friend. It was an enjoyable evening.

I am so thankful, and the more I focus on gratitude, the better I feel about ALL of the things in my life.

Like tonight, instead of being upset about the cold, I was actually so THANKFUL to be standing outside, under the stars.

Hopefully you got to see the clear, night sky--the stars were so bright and shimmering, like a winking smile that I long to see.

I will never stress more about how things are supposed to happen for a reason and when they do and you recognize them, your Reticular Activating System is working!!! It's the Law of Attraction. I love it. ;) Something so simple as seeing a "sign", and knowing that it's got a bigger meaning, or that it doesn't. but it's just about what emphasis we put on something. Something so simple as a license place....

Anyways, I am rambling a bit. I will sign off for now.

<3 Amelia